City of Hastings

County of Barry, State of Michigan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

March 8, 2010

 

1.       Regular meeting called to order at 7:00 PM.

 

2.       Present at roll call were members: Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

 

          City staff and appointees present: Mansfield, Emery, Sarver, Caris, Girrbach, Holzwarth, and Fekkes.

         

3.       Pledge to the flag.

 

4.       Approval of the agenda.

         

          Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange to approve the Agenda as presented.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

         

5.       Approval of the minutes of the regular and closed session meetings of February 22, 2010.

 

          Motion by Tubbs, with support by Bowers, to approve the minutes as presented.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

6.       Proclamations: (None).

 

7.       Public Hearings: (None).

 

8.       Formal presentations and requests:

 

          Request from Carl Belson to cull the deer herd in Hastings.

         

          McNabb-Stange suggested staff investigate and report back to Council.

 

9.       Recommendations from other Boards:

         

A.       Consider allowing Airport Commission to enter into contract with MDOT as requested by the Airport Commission.

 

          Mansfield discussed project.

 

          Motion by Wood, with support by Tossava, to approve Airport Commission entering into contract as presented.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

          Nays:            None.

          Absent:         None.

          Motion carried.

 

          B.       Consider revised Airport Budget as recommended by the Airport Commission.

 

Mansfield discussed previous Council actions regarding City contribution and discussed difference in fiscal years between the City and County/Airport.

 

Motion by Jasperse, with support by Campbell, to approve revised Airport Budget as recommended.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         None.

                   Motion carried.

 

C.       Consider approval of an Agreement for Airport Management Service as recommended by the Airport Commission.

 

          Bowers stated that he questions appropriateness of increasing salary in the current economic circumstances.  McNabb-Stange agreed.

          Mansfield reported on the Airport Commission discussion of need for increased services.

          Jasperse discussed Airport Commission finding of good performance and need for additional service.

 

          Motion by Tossava, with support by Campbell, to approve agreement as recommended.

 

          Ayes:            Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

          Nays:            Bowers and McNabb-Stange.

          Absent:         None.

          Motion carried.

 

10.     Ordinances:

 

A.       First reading of Ordinance No. 455 regulating directional signs for hospitals and schools.

 

                    Ordinance was read.

 

                   Campbell suggested ordinance is not needed to accomplish goal.

 

          B.       First reading of Ordinance No. 456 regulating private communication antennas.

 

                   Ordinance was read.

 

          C.       First reading of Ordinance No. 457 regarding temporary fences.

 

                   Ordinance was read.

                    Campbell suggested that ordinance would not allow wrapping or covering shrubs. 

                   Mansfield indicated that, on the contrary, the current code does not allow this, but that the Ordinance presented would change the Code so that such activity was allowed.

 

11.     Resolutions: (None).

 

12.     Appointments: (None).

 

13.     Bids, Contracts, Agreements, and Sales:

 

          A.       Consider award of bid to Interspiro Midwest for Self Contained Breathing Apparatus for the Fire Department in the amount of $132,926.70 as recommended by Fire Chief Roger Caris.

 

                   Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Tossava, to award bid as recommended.

         

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

B.       Consider approval of the Recycling Drop-Off location agreement.

 

May discussed need for manageable location.  He indicated that continuing discuss will seek options for more accessible hours and possible township access.  It was mentioned that there are paper recycling bins at schools in the area.

 

                   Motion by Jasperse, with support by McNabb-Stange, to approve agreement as presented.

         

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

14.     Consent items without individual discussion:

 

A.       Invoices.

B.       Thank you letter to Mayor May from Janie Bergeron, Green Gables Haven.

C.       Information regarding Community Development Block Grant.

D.       Minutes of the Cable Access Committee meeting of February 15, 2010.

E.       Minutes of the Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting of February 23, 2010.

F.       MML Legislative Link dated March 2, 2010.

G.       Minutes of the LDFA meeting of February 17, 2010.

H.       Minutes of the DDA meeting of January 21, 2010.

I.       Minutes of the DDA meeting of February 18, 2010.

J.       Minutes of the Planning Commission meeting of March 1, 2010.

 

          Motion by Tossava, with support by McNabb-Stange, to receive items 14.A. through 14.J. inclusive and place on file.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

15.     City Manager's report:

 

          Mansfield noted that Charity House will move to the north end of Cass Street.

 

          A.       Director of Public Services Tim Girrbach gave his monthly report.

 

          B.       Fire Chief Roger Caris gave his monthly report.

 

          C.       Library Administrator Evelyn Holzwarth gave her monthly report.

 

McNabb-Stange reported that the Friends of the Library used book sale raised $1130 on Saturday. The next sale is May 21 &22.

 

          D.       Report of demolition costs removal and site restoration of house located at 1201 N. Broadway.

 

                   Mansfield discussed bids and homeowners’ ongoing discussion with insurance company.

 

16.     City Attorney's Report: (None).

 

17.     Legislative Director's Report: (None).

 

18.     Open Public Discussion from the Floor:

 

Mark Noteboom reported that the roof on the terminal building is progressing. Construction of a new building on the Airport is being pursued by a Middleville company with 11 employees.  Former maintenance building refurbishing is underway.

James Gilbert complained about service interruptions with Broadstripe.

Jim Winseck from Pennock Hospital appreciated Council’s support of extension of PIUSA to Ferris property.  He stated that he appreciates efforts of Joint Planning Group.

          Bill Cusack appreciates Campbell and Council recognition of deer problems.

 

19.     Mayor and Council comment:

 

          Mayor May asked for a workshop to discuss policy for Council travel and education.

 

          Motion by Wood, with support by Tubbs, to set workshop for 6:00 PM on March 22, 2010.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

          Bowers reported that he attended meeting Friday regarding digital signs and impairment of traffic.

          Tubbs and May attended GVMC meeting regarding the right to vote on road projects.

 

Wood attended Legislative Coffee.  Only Ehlers representative was present.  Topics discussed were Asian Carp, unemployment benefits extension, proposed cuts in Medicare payments to doctors, and penalties on withdrawals from retirement accounts while unemployed.

20.     Consider Closed Session as permitted by PA 267 of 1976, Section 15.268-8(d) to consider the purchase or lease of real property.

 

Motion by Bowers, with support by Wood, to enter into closed session at 8:24 PM as permitted.

 

          Ayes:            Bowers, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

          Nays:            Campbell and Tossava.

          Absent:         None.

          Motion carried.

 

Return to open session at 8:34 PM.

 

          Motion by Wood, with support by Campbell, to decline offer with a letter written by staff.

 

Ayes:            Bowers, Campbell, Depue, Jasperse, McNabb-Stange, Tossava, Tubbs, Wood, and May.

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

21.     Motion by Campbell, to adjourn at 8:36 PM.

 

22.     Read and Approved:

 

 

 

                                                                                                                  

          Robert L. May, Mayor                                                Thomas E. Emery, City Clerk