City Council Minutes

2000-313 Regular session, December 18, 2000, in the Council Chambers at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Mayor James Buck.

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Robert De Witt, Kenneth Gates, Steve Maas, Scott Petersen, Carole Pettijohn, Joe Sierawski, and Mayor Buck.

Also present were City Manager Ken Krombeen, Assistant City Manager Dan Johnson and City Attorney Randall Kraker.

Other staff present:

Michael Chesher, DPW Director
Tom Guinther, Treasurer/Finance Director
Sharon Streelman, City Clerk
Vern Snyder, Police Chief

The invocation was given by Rev. Terry Burlingame, Grandville Baptist Church and was followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Moved by Council Member De Witt and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to approve the December 18, 2000 agenda.

Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED, to waive the reading of the minutes of the regular meeting of December 11, 2000 and approve the minutes as presented.

Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Gates, that bills totaling $215,382.89 as presented by the City Manager, be allowed and the Treasurer authorized to pay the same.

Moved by Council Member De Witt and seconded by Council Member Petersen, MOTION FAILED by roll call vote (Yes: De Witt, Petersen, and Sierawski. No: Gates, Maas, Pettijohn, and Buck) to remove the payment to Grand Valley Metro Council (REGIS) in the amount of $28,945.50.

Vote on the bills in the amount of $215,382.89 CARRIED by roll call vote (Yes: Gates, Maas, Pettijohn, Sierawski, and Buck. No: De Witt and Petersen.)

Phil Lund of REGIS presented the financial data and status of the project. He listed the participants in the project and the roll taken by Kent County. Ongoing costs were reviewed and future expectations. Amy Zuidema, also of REGIS staff, brought samples of what the information system produces. She updated Council as to where Grandville is in the conversion project among the 20 participants and indicated that we will be first in line to be up and operating. There are options available for layers of participation. It was noted that Grandville’s staff has been instrumental in the progress to this point, giving their input and cooperation.

Moved by Council Member Petersen and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to remove proposed Ordinance No. 204-AG from the table. City Manager Krombeen reviewed the additional language pertinent to building sizes in the C-1 Commercial Neighborhood District. There are requirements that any building larger than 25,000 square feet be considered a Special Land Use. No buildings larger than 60,000 square feet are permitted in the C-1 District. Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Petersen, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt Ordinance No. 204-AG, an Ordinance to amend Ordinance No. 204, the Zoning Ordinance of 1994.

Moved by Council Member Petersen and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to remove proposed Ordinance No. 245 from the table. Moved by Council Member Petersen and seconded by Council Member Gates to adopt proposed Ordinance No. 245, an Ordinance to Amend Chapter 13 of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Grandville, by amending Section 13-25(e) and by adding Sections 13-26 and 13-27 to make certain violations of this Chapter, Municipal Civil Infractions. City Attorney Kraker reviewed the amendments to Chapter 13 of the City Noise Ordinance, highlighting the changes.

Kevin Dougherty, attorney representing J.L. French of 2950 Prairie, addressed the amendment indicating that substantial measures have been taken at the plant at a high cost to deaden the sounds. Mr. Dougherty found no reason for the City to change the present noise ordinance from criminal to civil infraction. He stated that it would have a chilling effect on business and further, he questioned the constitutionality of this change. He talked about selective enforcement. It was noted that the amendment to the ordinance would be directed to all businesses. City Attorney Kraker commented on the fact that J.L. French has taken the seriousness of the concerns and charges, and further that they are trying to correct the problem. Several employees of J.L. French (Steve Moore, Darcey Lukkart, Tom Fisher, Doug Julian, Ronald Berry) and neighbors (Robert Godfrey, Fred Sobczak, and Will Vredevoogd) addressed the noise levels. Discussion continued. Council Member Gates questioned the status of the noise improvements. Mayor Buck recommended that this amendment be tabled while the additional money is being spent contingent upon these parties working together to see if there is improvement.

Moved by Council Member Pettijohn and seconded by Council Member Gates, MOTION FAILED (Yes: Gates, Pettijohn, and Mayor Buck. No: De Witt, Maas, Petersen, and Sierawski) to table proposed Ordinance No. 245 for a period of 60 days for a status check, and to place back on the agenda for reconsideration after 90 days.

Vote on Ordinance No. 245 CARRIED by roll call vote (Yes: De Witt, Gates, Maas, and Petersen. No: Pettijohn and Mayor Buck.)

2000-316 CONSENT AGENDA

Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED, to approve the Consent Agenda of December 18, 2000.

Reports: Fire (Nov.)

Minutes: Zoning Board of Appeals (Nov. 15)
Library Board (Nov.30)
Building Authority Special Meeting (Dec. 4)
Planning Commission (Dec. 6)

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

2000-317 D.P.W. Director Chesher presented the purchase of a snow plow for the 1999 Sterling.
The City joined the City of Walker in the bidding process. Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to authorize the purchase of a snow plow from Hyde Equipment Company in the amount of $3,915.00 in the best interest of the City.

2000-318 Presentation of proposed members for appointment to the Grandville City various Boards and Commissions. Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Sierawski, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to make appointments as presented.

2000-319 City Manager Krombeen presented the increase in dental provisions for administrative employees. Moved by Council Member Sierawski and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to approve the dental upgrade for administrative employees.

2000-320 Discussion of liquor licenses. Mayor Buck reviewed the status of the current applications. Moved by Council Member Petersen and seconded by Council Member Maas, to adopt a resolution to place a moratorium on the issuance of additional liquor licenses. Assistant City Manager Johnson had compiled information and submitted it to Council Members.. Attorney Kraker spoke to the issue of land use and the impact of liquor licenses. Other items discussed were the safety issue, growth, and control of destiny. Consensus was to vote on the three current applications at the next meeting. The Police Department will conduct a study comprised of local crime and accident statistics to have available at the January 8 meeting. Vote on the motion of moratorium: Yes: De Witt, Maas, and Petersen. No: Gates, Pettijohn, Sierawski, and Buck. MOTION FAILED.

Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED, to adjourn at 10:58 p.m.

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