City of Hastings

County of Barry, State of Michigan

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

 

CITY COUNCIL MINUTES

April 12, 2010

 

1.       Regular meeting called to order at 7:01 PM.

 

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

 

          City staff and appointees present: Emery, Leedy, Caris, Girrbach, Hart, Holzwarth, and Fekkes.

         

3.       Pledge to the flag.

 

4.       Approval of the agenda.

         

          Motion by Wood, with support by Bowers, to approve the Agenda as presented.

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

         

5.       Approval of the minutes of the special workshop and regular meetings of March 22, 2010.

 

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

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

6.       Proclamations: (None).

 

7.       Public Hearings: (None).

 

8.       Formal presentations and requests:

 

          A.       John Lerg from MDNRE giving a presentation on wildlife management.

 

Lerg spoke about many communities having deer problems.  He stated that the solution is dialogue with the community leading to a plan.  An outline of wildlife management needs to be done, identifying the scope and nature of the problem and potential solutions.  MDNRE can provide technical support for plan development.

 

          B.       Scott Daniels speaking on his concerns as a whitetail deer hunter.

 

                   Daniels was not present.

 

C.                 Request from Michael Hallifax, Summerfest Chairperson, to hold annual Summerfest activities.  Consider Resolution 2010-07 to stay the necessary ordinances.

 

Mike Hallifax presented an overview of Summerfest activities for 2010 and the request.

 

Motion by Wood, with support by Tossava, to approve request under direction of City staff and adopt Resolution 2010-07.

 

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

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         None.

                   Motion carried.

 

                   Mike Hallifax thanked the City for their support.

 

          D.       Request from David Parker, Barry Community Free Clinic, to hold a 5K run fundraiser.

 

                   Motion by Jasperse, with support by Wood, to approve request under direction of City staff.

 

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

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         None.

                   Motion carried.

 

          E.       Request from Fred Cook, Hastings Manufacturing, to ban smoking in First Ward Park.

 

                   Motion by Campbell, with support by Jasperse, to deny request and direct staff to send a letter to Cook.

 

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

                   Nays:            Wood and May.

                   Absent:         None.

                   Motion carried.

 

9.       Recommendations from other Boards: (None).

         

10.     Ordinances: (None).

 

11.     Resolutions: (None).

 

12.     Appointments: (None).

 

13.     Bids, Contracts, Agreements, and Sales:

 

Consider award of bid to Michigan Office Solutions for a multi-function photocopier machine in the amount of $17,185 as recommended by Clerk/Treasurer Emery.

 

Motion by Tossava, with support by Jasperse, to award bid as recommended.

 

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.

                             North American Salt Company - $6,285.25

                             North American Salt Company - $6,358.78

                             North American Salt Company - $9,127.51

                             Bell Equipment - $169,900.00

                             Pumps Plus, Inc. - $10,925.00

                             Ruth Gee - $5,000.00

                             WEBB Chemical Service Corp. - $7,023.26

                             Comerica Securities - $7,425.00

B.                 Minutes of the Barry County Board of Commissioners meeting of March 23, 2010.

C.                 Correspondence from Green Gables Haven.

D.                 Correspondence from Great Start Early Childhood Corporation.

E.                  Minutes of the Cable Access Committee meeting of March 15, 2010.

F.                  Letter from Mr. Williston regarding recycling.

G.                 Information regarding Hastings Fire Department Annual Pancake Breakfast.

H.                 Building report for the 1st quarter 2010.

I.                   Thank you note from “A Neighbor.”

J.                   Communication regarding March LDFA meeting.

K.                 Minutes of the DDA meeting of March 18, 2010.

L.                  Minutes of the DDA special meeting of March 25, 2010.

 

Motion by Jasperse, with support by McNabb-Stange, to have staff investigate the concerns and potential solutions in Item F. and report back to Council.

 

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

Nays:            None.

Absent:         None.

Motion carried.

 

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

          All ayes.  Motion carried.

 

15.     City Manager's report:

 

          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.

 

          D.       Consider setting a workshop meeting on April 26, 2010 at 5:30 PM to receive the City Manager’s presentation of a draft budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011.

 

                   Motion by McNabb-Stange, with support by Wood, to set workshop as requested.

 

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

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         None.

                   Motion carried.

 

          E.       Consider revised Travel and Training Policy.

         

                   Campbell questioned the Board of Review not being included.

 

                   Motion by Campbell, with support by Jasperse, to table until April 26, 2010 meeting.

 

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

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         None.

                   Motion carried.

 

          F.       Consider setting a special meeting on April 22, 2010 at 6:30 PM to discuss potential ventures with Dwelling Place and downtown property owners.

 

                   Motion by Wood, with support by Jasperse, to set special meeting as requested.

 

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

                   Nays:            None.

                   Absent:         None.

                   Motion carried.

 

          G.       Consider allowing consumption of alcohol with Council permission in sidewalk cafes located on public property.

 

                   Hart notes that sidewalk café permits in code allow no alcohol and asked to consider amending code to allow alcohol.

 

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

 

17.     Legislative Director's Report:

 

          Tubbs and May were present at the GVMC honoring Vern Ehlers’ public service.

 

Wood attended Legislative Coffee with Ehlers and Calley. Topics included U.S. House cap and trade carbon, banks recovering, state budget, Calley stated the need to change the budget process and need to change expectations depending on government.

 

          May and others are attending the Capital Conference in Lansing tomorrow. 

18.     Open Public Discussion from the Floor: (None).

 

19.     Mayor and Council comment:

 

          May noted the death of City Manager Mansfield’s father and expressed sympathy to the family on behalf of Council and the citizens of Hastings.

 

20.     Consider Closed Session as permitted by PA 267 of 1976, Section 15.268-8(c) for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement.

 

Motion by Wood, with support by McNabb-Stange, to enter into closed session at 8:30 PM as permitted.

 

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

          Nays:            Campbell.

          Absent:         None.

          Motion carried.

 

Return to open session at 8:55 PM.

 

21.     Motion by Wood to adjourn at 8:55 PM.

 

22.     Read and Approved:

 

 

 

                                                                                                                  

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