City Council Minutes

The Regular Meeting of the Grandville City Council was called to order by Mayor James Buck on October 25, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Robert DeWitt, Ken Gates, Steve Maas, Carole Pettijohn, Stan Ponstein, Joe Sierawski, and Mayor James Buck. Absent: None

Also attending: Dan Johnson, Assistant City Manager; Michael Chesher, DPW Director; Thomas Guinther, Treasurer/Finance Director; Randy Kraker, City Attorney; Ken Krombeen, City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Dennis Santo, Deputy Police Chief; and Vern Snyder, Police Chief.

Rev. Gordon Negen, Grandville/Jenison Congregational Church, gave the invocation; and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to approve the October 25, 2004 agenda as presented.

Motion by Council Member DeWitt, and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 11, 2004 and approve as presented.

Motion by Council Member Sierawski, and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, that Fiscal Year 2004-2005 bills totaling $889,760.09 presented by the City Manager, be allowed, and authorize the Treasurer to pay the same.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Chief Snyder recognized Officer David Greco who was honored as the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan “Outstanding Crime Prevention Practitioner of the Year” at the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan (CPAM) annual conference. Chief Snyder nominated Officer Greco for the award and indicated CPAM and the Grandville Police Department Community Policing share the same goals of crime prevention and quality of life. It is Chief Snyder’s opinion that Officer Greco is what Community Policing is all about. Congratulations were extended to Officer Greco.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. to receive comments relative to the proposed Grand Pointe PUD Amendment. Assistant City Manager Johnson reviewed the request for an additional right in/out driveway to the south of the original driveway. The City’s Traffic Engineer, Pete LaMourie, and the Kent County Road Commission have reviewed the request and are in support of the plan. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the request. Council comments made at the last meeting included changes to the internal flow but the traffic engineer’s recommendation was to leave the internal configuration as is. Jeff Smith from SE Spohn was present to respond to questions. Council Member DeWitt questioned the distance between the original driveway and the proposed entrance. Council Member Maas supports the traffic engineer’s recommendation. Public hearing closed at 7:25 p.m.

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. to receive comments relative to a request from Enterprise Tool & Die, Inc. for an IFT Certificate on $150,000 personal property for use at the 4270 White St. facility. The Industrial Development District was established on January 14, 1985. Enterprise Tool & Die currently employ 63 people and they hope to retain one of these people and potentially add one more job. The Business Relations Committee met on October 20, 2004 but did not have a quorum and a formal recommendation could not be made. The BRC members in attendance did feel 6 years is appropriate. Bob Johnson and John Szot from Enterprise were in attendance to respond to questions. Public hearing was closed at 7:35 p.m.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Motion by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED, to remove from the table proposed Ordinance No. 204-BI of the Zoning Ordinance.

Motion by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED by a 6-1 roll call vote (Yes: Gates, Maas, Pettijohn, Ponstein, Sierawski, and Buck. No: DeWitt), to adopt Ordinance No. 204-BI of the Zoning Ordinance, an Ordinance to amend Ordinance 204-AR, as amended, the Grand Pointe Planned Unit Development, including the revised plan of October 18, 2004.

Motion by Council Member Ponstein, and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to approve Resolution No. 2655, approving the issuance of a Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for a term of six (6) years on personal property relative to Industrial Development District No. 21 for Enterprise Tool & Die, Inc., 4270 White Street.

Motion by Council Member Pettijohn, and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED, to remove from the table proposed Ordinance No. 267of the Code of Ordinances.

Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Sierawski, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to adopt Ordinance No. 267, Adding Sec. 15-93 to the Code of Ordinances, to Prohibit Meddling with, Tampering with, Interfering with or Disconnecting any Property not his or her own.

Recent State legislation has created the Tool and Die Renaissance Recovery Zone Act to help Michigan tool and die shops compete in a global market. The Act eliminates taxes for 15 years on tool and die companies that qualify. Eric Sattler from Trimline Tool and Michele Cleveland from Right Place, Inc. were before City Council to request approval of a resolution to provide an abatement to Trimline Tool under the State legislation. If approved the local taxes that would be lost is estimated at approximately $6,700 per year. One of the requirements under the Act is that the tool & die shop requesting the abatement be an active member of a coalition. Council Member Sierawski requested Trimline Tool return in six months to give a report on the United Tooling Coalition. Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Sierawski, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to approve Resolution No. 2655, a resolution to request the State of Michigan identify Trimline Tool, Inc. under the Renaissance Recovery Zone under PA 376 of 1996 for duration of up to 15 years.

Victor Ansara from Grandville Robin, Inc. and Scott Edwards from Plunkett and Cooney were present to answer questions. Assistant City Manager Johnson explained the intra-county license transfer process. The request is to transfer a Tavern license from Wyoming and to reclassify it as a Class C and add a new entertainment permit. Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Sierawski, CARRIED by a 5-2 roll call vote (Yes: Gates, Pettijohn, Ponstein, Sierawski, and Buck. No: DeWitt and Maas), to approve Resolution No. 2657, approving the transfer of a liquor license to Grandville Robin, Inc., 3722 Potomac Circle.

Motion by Council Member Pettijohn, and seconded by Council Member Gates, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to approve Resolution No. 2658, approving the stock transfer of the Class C liquor license with a dance-entertainment permit for Fairlanes Lounge, 3335 Fairlanes.

City Assessor Uyl pointed out the J.L. French PA 198 Agreement with the City of Grandville states that J.L. French has the right to request a public hearing within 21 days after the issuance of written notice of possible revocation of the abatement. City Attorney Kraker recommended holding off any action on the J.L. French abatement to a future meeting. Motion by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED, to remove from the agenda and consider at the November 8, 2004 meeting the consideration of the revocation of the J.L. French tax abatement certificate numbers 96-728 and 98-273.

CONSENT AGENDA

1. Reports: DPW (3^rd Quarter), Investments (September), WWTP (September)

2. Minutes: Planning Commission (October 6)

DDA (October 14)

Business Relations Committee (October 20)

3. Miscellaneous Purchase Orders and Requests:

a. Administration: 2005 Calendar Printing - Grandville Printing – 4,019.15

b. Water: Tank Cleaning - Scrub-A-Home - $3,850.00

Motion by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, CARRIED unanimously by roll call vote, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented in the best interest of the City.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

The Department of Public Works is requesting replacement of an arrow board which was lost as a result of the fire. Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, to authorize the purchase of an arrow board from Give ‘Em A Brake in the amount of $4,250.00 in the best interest of the City.

COMMENTS

Comments were made relative to changing the City Primary date from September to August, the Summer Recreation report, and thanks were extended to the participants in the Wyoming Rodeo including Council Member Ponstein’s success.

Motion by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, CARRIED, to adjourn at 9:06 p.m.

Mary L. Meines

Grandville City Clerk

Approved by City Council: November 8, 2004

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