City Council Minutes

2001-038 Regular session, March 12, 2001, 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, and 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, Department of Public Works

Tom Guinther, Treasurer/Finance Director

Richard Meyers, Wastewater Superintendent

Sharon Streelman, City Clerk

Vern Snyder, Police Chief

Harvey Veldhouse, Fire Chief

The invocation was given by Rev. Robert L. Hinken, Grandville United Methodist Church and was followed by the pledge of allegiance.

Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED, to approve the March 12, 2001 agenda.

Moved by Council Member Gates and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to waive the reading of the minutes of the regular meeting of February 26, 2001 and approve the minutes as presented.

Moved by Council Member Sierawski and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED, that bills totaling $141,037.00 as presented by the City Manager, be allowed and the Treasurer authorized to pay the same.

2001-039 Moved by Council Member Pettijohn and seconded by Council Member Gates,

CARRIED, to remove from the table proposed Ordinance No. 204-AH. Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, an Ordinance to amend Zoning Ordinance No. 204, by amending Table 12-1, changing the one-way aisle width of 75 to 90 degree angle parking from 12 feet to 24 feet; and Section 12-9(D)(10), changing the parking requirements for standard restaurants to 1.5 spaces for each 3 seats based on maximum seating requirements.

2001-040 Mayor Buck reviewed the amendment to the Grand Valley Metropolitan Council Articles or Incorporation. Moved by Council Member Gates and seconded by Council Member Sierawski, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 2488, a Resolution to approve Amendment No. 25 in the Articles of Incorporation of Grand Valley Metropolitan Council, to add Sparta Township as a Member.

2001. –041 Moved by Council Member Gates and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to change the ordinance number for DTE Energy Marketing, Inc., from 244 to 246.

2000-042 CONSENT AGENDA

Moved by Council Member Gates and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to approve the Consent Agenda of March 12, 2001.

Reports: DPW (Feb.), Fire (Feb.), Police (quarterly), Treasurer’s (Feb.), WWTP (Feb.)

Minutes: Historical Commission (Feb. 19)

Library Board (Feb. 22)

Building Authority (Feb. 22)

D.D.A. (March 8)

Set special City Council meeting: March 19, 2001 at 6:00 p.m.

Set public hearing: MDNR Park Grant Application (March 26, 2001 at 7:15 p.m.)

Set public hearing: Highpoint Realty IDD (April 9, 2001 at 7:15 p.m.)

Set public hearing: Wyn PUD (April 9, 2001 at 7:45 p.m.)

Council Member Scott Petersen arrived 7:25 p.m.

2001-043 Mayor Buck reopened the Hearing of Necessity for Special Assessment District No. 139 Wentworth Drive Improvments at 7:24 p.m.

City Engineer Robert Bruggink of Moore and Bruggink Engineers reviewed the result of the meeting the D.P.W. Director and he had with the Wentworth neighbors.

They evaluated some of their concerns. Several changes were suggested with recommendations documented by memorandum dated March 9, 2001 addressed to the City Manager with copies to City Council members. Council Members’ comments followed. Council Member Maas questioned the reason against moving the road further to the east. Council Member Petersen asked Engineer Bruggink to address J.L.French comments. Engineer Bruggink responded referring to his memo to the City Manager of March 9, 2001. Council Member Sierawski referred to standing water, noting that J.L.French does have a water retention pond. Mayor Buck opened the hearing to receive public comment.

Larry Lind of 3555 Wentworth distributed a memo dated March 12 with four new proposals for consideration.

August Lenger of 4280 Redbush addressed the road height and tree removal and City liability. He stated the road elevation should be maximized to prevent flooding.

City Engineer Bruggink responded to Mr. Lind’s memo. He said the oak trees are not planned to come down, except for the dead one. He stated that he did not suggest that the City build a footing, that there be traditional fill. Mr. Lind could fill in with soil or stone behind. He recommended maintaining a 30 foot road, and would not recommending going lower, but keep the proposed elevations.

Attorney Kraker addressed the 30 foot width to the north and the left turn lane at Stonegate.

Bruce Van Os of 3595 Wentworth questioned connecting sidewalks. He questioned the traffic speed and counts both on Prairie and Wentworth.

Roger Siebelink of 3479 Wentworth stated the only thing of concern to him was the water and floods.

The hearing closed at 8:17 p.m.

Comments from Council Members followed in reference to the center of the road and/or leaving the current offset from street centerline.

Council Member Pettijohn commented as to the cooperation the City is extending in this project.

2000-044 Moved by Council Member Sierawski and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt Resolution No. 2489, a resolution to determine the necessity of the Wentworth Drive Improvements Special Assessment District No. 139.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

2000. 045 Purchases presented by D.P.W. Director Chesher:

Moved by Council Member Gates and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to authorize the purchase of a brush chipper from Vermeer Sales & Service for $18,750.00 in the best interest of the City.

2000. 046 Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member De Witt, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to authorize the purchase of ten picnic tables as part of a Kent County purchase in an amount of $2250.00 in the best interest of the City.

2000-047 D.P.W. Director Chesher told about the ice damage which had been done to the Library building. The cost to repair the damage is $14,358.00. Our insurance carrier, Meadowbrook Insurance has agreed to pay for the damage minus the deductible. Moved by Council member Petersen and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to authorize the payment of $1,000.00 to Lamar Construction Company for the City’s cost to repair for damage to the Library building.

2001-048 Treasurer/Finance Director Guinther presented the actuarial study for post-retirement health care insurance benefits. He stated the current budget provides for this study, and further that the City’s accountants have recommended the firm of Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company. Council Member Petersen questioned if there would be a contract. Mr. Guinther responded that there will be something signed, that it could be in the form of a purchase order. He was also concerned about furnishing employees’ private information. Moved by Council Member Maas and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote to authorize an actuarial study for post-retirement health care benefits using the firm of Gabriel, Roeder, Smith & Company in a range from $8,000.00 to $11,000.00 in the best interest of the City.

2001-049 Presentation by the City Manager and City Treasurer/Finance Director of the Finance issues relative to the finances of the Wastewater Plant, comparing the present operation to operation under the Sewage Disposal Authority. The issues relating to future plant expansion were presented. Discussion, questions and responses followed. Moved by Council Member Sierawski and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED by roll call vote (Yes: Council Members Gates, Maas, Pettijohn, Sierawski, and Mayor Buck. No: Council Members De Witt and Petersen.) to adopt Resolution No. 2490, a resolution approving contract and providing the right to request referendum.

City Attorney Kraker stated the contract would become effective 45 days after publication of the notice unless a petition requesting a referendum is filed with the Clerk.

2001-050 Council Member De Witt asked what would have to be done to place a referendum on the ballot for the residents of Grandville. There was concern by Council Members that the language be correct. Moved by Council Member De Witt and seconded by Council Member Petersen, CARRIED, to authorize the City Attorney to prepare the necessary language for a petition to ratify or overturn City of Grandville Resolution No. 2490.

Comments were received relative to I.T.P. and trash haulers. Mayor Buck stated that students who are guests in Grandville from Paris, France will be visiting City Hall, and both the Fire and Police Departments.

Moved by Council Member Gates and seconded by Council Member Sierawski, CARRIED, to adjourn at 9:52 p.m.

Sharon Streelman

Grandville City Clerk

Approved by City Council:

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