City Council Minutes

The Regular Meeting of the Grandville City Council was called to order by Mayor James Buck on September 26, 2005 at 7:01 p.m.

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Robert DeWitt, Ken Gates, Steve Maas, Carole Pettijohn (arrived at 7:36 p.m.), Stan Ponstein, Joe Sierawski, and Mayor James Buck. Absent: None

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

Rev. Archie VanderHart, Hope Christian Reformed Church, gave the invocation; and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Sierawski, to approve the September 26, 2005 agenda as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Gates, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of September 12, 2005 and to approve the minutes as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Moved by Council Member Sierawski, and seconded by Council Member Maas, that Fiscal Year 2005-2006 bills totaling $487,419.57 presented by the City Manager, be allowed, and authorize the Treasurer to pay the same. The motion was APPROVED unanimously by roll call vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

International Institute of Municipal Clerks President Susan Morrow presented the Certified Municipal Clerk designation to Grandville City Clerk Mary Meines.

PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Buck indicated the public hearing relative to the Draft Park and Recreation Master Plan remained open from the September 12, 2005 meeting to allow additional public comment. Correspondence that was received since that last meeting was provided to Council in their agenda packets.

Consultant Bob Petko from Progressive A/E gave an overview of the process for developing the Master Plan. He pointed out that Progressive A/E and LS & L were hired by the City to develop an update to the Park & Rec Master Plan for the years of 2005-2009. Meetings were held with the Park & Rec Master Plan Committee and various groups in the community to gather comments and develop an inventory of park facilities in the City noting their deficiencies with regards to national standards. This was presented at a meeting with the public. A list of goals and objectives were prepared and presented to the Master Plan Committee for discussion. Conceptual park plans were drawn for four locations including the Lee Street and Peck Street neighborhood parks, expansion of tennis courts at Calvin Crest Park, and additional recreational activities at Mill Race Park. Once the Master Plan is formally adopted it will be sent on to the DNR for approval. With an improved plan, the City has the ability to apply to the DNR for project funding.

Jon Lunderberg, 3697 Iris, asked if the wetlands at Mill Race Park have been considered; stated he had been told the Boy Scouts are not interested in a campground at Mill Race; and would like City Council to remember the community’s “wish” list.

Council Member Pettijohn arrived at 7:36 p.m.

Council Members asked questions of the consultant regarding wilderness camping at Mill Race Park, project funding, passive park use, and water quality of Buck Creek. Council Member Sierawski asked if 44^th and Wilson was considered for park property, and was Wedgwood discussed as the location for a skatepark.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Gates to close the public hearing at 8:02 p.m. The motion was APPROVED.

Moved by Council Member Ponstein, and seconded by Council Member DeWitt, to return the plan to the Park and Rec Board for revisions. The motion was APPROVED. A revised Master Plan will be brought back to Council at the November 14, 2005 meeting.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

City Manager Krombeen stated the ordinance dealing with illicit discharge is required to comply with the NPDES Phase II regulations for storm water.

Moved by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, to remove from the table Ordinance No. 272. The motion was APPROVED.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Pettijohn, to adopt Ordinance No. 272, Illicit Discharge. The motion was APPROVED unanimously by roll call vote.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Ponstein, to remove from the table Ordinance No. 273. The motion was APPROVED.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Ponstein, to adopt Ordinance No. 273, Amending Section 15-203, Weapons. The motion was APPROVED unanimously by roll call vote.

Finance Director/Treasurer Guinther indicated the Grandville Building Authority has a bond issue outstanding for the police/court and fire buildings. Because of the lower interest rates, the City’s Bond Counsel feels refunding would be beneficial to the City. The Building Authority is looking for authorization to do the refunding out of the General Fund.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Gates, to approve Resolution No. 2701, Approving the Refunding Contract and the Continuing Disclosure Agreement.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS AND PETITIONS

A presentation was made regarding the proposed Grand Village Square Condominiums PUD project for property located on the northwest corner of 44^th Street and Wilson Avenue on a 3.46 acre site. Assistant City Manager Johnson indicated the developers have been working with the Planning Commission. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the PUD with two modifications – (1) City Council grant a waiver for the development as the underlying zoning district as residential and (2) amend the PUD ordinance to allow for waivers on minimum lot size. Developers Fred Kamminga from Kamminga Development, and John Najar gave an overview of the plan for 19 residential units and a bank for the site. They are requesting a public hearing be held on October 10, 2005

CONSENT AGENDA

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Gates, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented including the following items:

1. Reports: EMS/Fire (August), Investments (August)

2. Minutes: Planning Commission (Sept. 3)

3. Set Public Hearing: Grand Village Square PUD (October 10, 2005 @ 7:15 p.m.)

4. Appointment: Grandville Building Authority

Lee Cook – term expiring 12/31/07

5. Miscellaneous Purchase Orders and Requests

a. Streets: Road Salt – North American Salt - $77,200.00

b. Motor Pool: Garage Exterior Painting – DeMaat Bros. - $19,750.00

The motion was APPROVED.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Gates, to authorize the purchase of the public safety building air handler from Bremer & Bouman in the amount of $7,996.00 as an emergency purchase. The motion was APPROVED unanimously by roll call vote.

Chief Snyder presented a request to hire one police officer. He pointed out the police department has two vacant positions due to separations. The two positions are included in the current FY 2005-06 budget. They have completed the interview process and are for authorization to make an offer of employment to the top candidate. The Police Department would like to fill the two positions but are willing to fill the one position now and postpone the decision to fill the second position until direction is established at the upcoming budget meetings.

Moved by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, to hire two police officers to fill the vacancies in the police department. The motion FAILED by a 3-4 roll call vote (Ayes: Gates, Maas, Buck. Nays: DeWitt, Pettijohn, Ponstein, Sierawski).

Since the request was to hire one officer, the second position will be discussed in future budget work sessions.

Moved by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, to hire one police officer as requested by the Police Chief. The motion was APPROVED by a 6-1 roll call vote (Ayes: Gates, Maas, Pettijohn, Ponstein, Sierawski, Buck. Nays: DeWitt).

COUNCIL COMMENTS

Council Member comments were made regarding the Michigan Municipal League Convention, Hurricane Katrina contributions, Wyoming Roadeo on October 12, School Board joint meeting with the City Council date, and dates for budget work sessions.

Moved by Council Member Maas, and seconded by Council Member Gates, to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. to Executive Session to discuss collective bargaining. The motion was APPROVED.

Mary L. Meines

Grandville City Clerk

Approved by City Council: October 10, 2005

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