City Council Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 28, 2008

The Grandville City Council Regular Meeting of April 28, 2008 was called to order by Mayor James Buck at 7:00 pm.

The City Clerk called the roll. Present were Council Members Ken Gates, Randal Gelderloos, Steve Maas, Joshua Meringa, Carole Pettijohn, Stan Ponstein and Mayor Buck. Absent: None.

Also attending: Matthew Butts, Assistant to the City Manager; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Randy Kraker, City Attorney; Dennis Santo, Deputy Police Chief; Vern Snyder, Police Chief; Dan Steere, Police Sergeant; and Harvey Veldhouse, Fire Chief.

Council Member Maas gave the invocation; and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion made by Council Member Pettijohn, supported by Council Member Gates, to approve the amended April 28, 2008 agenda as provided. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 14, 2008 and to approve as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gates, that Fiscal Year 2007-2008 bills totaling $394,029.35 as presented by the City Manager, be allowed and authorize the Treasurer to pay the same. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Fred Brander representing the MI Fair Tax Committee indicated the Committee is gathering petition signatures to place a tax reform proposal on the November 2008 ballot.

City Council bid best wishes to Police Chief Vern Snyder on his retirement after 8 ½ years of service in the City of Grandville.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gates, to remove from the table Zoning Ordinance No. 204-CA. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to adopt Zoning Ordinance No. 204-CA, rezoning 3889 White St. from I-2, Industrial District, to RM-2, Two Family Residential District. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Mayor Buck reviewed steps that have been taken on SAD #144, Northeast Sidewalks - La Rue from Chicago Dr. to Ivanrest Ave, Dixie Ave. from Gable to Lee St., Homewood St. from Ivanrest Ave. to Lee St., Gable St. from Ivanrest Ave. to Eastlake Dr., and Eastlake Dr. from Gable St. to Lee St. Comments were made by:

- City Manager Krombeen - indicated the proposal for sidewalks came about because of the watermain replacement project in the neighborhood and if Council should decide the sidewalk project is necessary there are additional special assessment steps that would need to be taken - the resolutions on the agenda will not become necessary if Council chooses not to move ahead with the sidewalk project. He pointed out advantages and disadvantages of moving forward.

- Council Member Gates - feels sidewalks are a good idea for the whole City but in this area may not be appropriate and will support the decision of City Council 30 years ago not to approve sidewalks for this area

- Council Member Gelderloos - thanked everyone for their comments - the loss of trees and front yards does make it difficult to support and he does not support because of the lack of parking

- Council Member Maas - proponent of sidewalks but does not feel this is the time to require property owners to pay for sidewalks and will not support

- Council Member Meringa - expressed appreciation for comments that have been received - does see it as an opportunity to make significant improvements in the neighborhood for the well-being of everyone - believes the project is the right thing to do and the right time to do it - sidewalks improve quality of life and would improve this area - economic concerns did come out and he does sympathize with property owners but pricing is low and may never be that low again - sidewalks do increase the value of property and are necessary to keep pedestrians safe - also, new park in that area - his decision to support construction of sidewalks is based on what is best for the whole community not just this neighborhood

- Council Member Pettijohn - appreciated how the neighborhood handled this situation - because of the setbacks and the way the area is platted does not feel it is good for the neighborhood and does not support

- Council Member Ponstein - appreciated comments - is a proponent of sidewalks - pricing will not be this low again - with the new park in area he would like to keep the option for sidewalks open

- Mayor Buck - shared some details of what took place in 1978 re: this area - maybe there are some places in the Homewood area that could handle sidewalks and would like to leave open that possibility for the future - maybe there will be grant money available

Ken Bouma, 2801 Lee St., was on the City Council at that time and stated that in 1978 EPA grant was used in that area and the residents were adamant against sidewalks.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, that not proceed with sidewalks for the northeast area at this time. The motion was APPROVED by a 6-1 roll call vote (Yes: Gates, Gelderloos, Maas, Pettijohn, Ponstein and Mayor Buck. No: Meringa)

08-073 Motion made by Council Member Meringa, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to introduce Ordinance No. 279, Video Service Provider Right-of-Way Management. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to table Ordinance No. 279. The motion was APPROVED.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items presented under the Consent Agenda included:

Reports: DPW (Quarterly), CWP (March), Investments (March)

2. Minutes: Park and Recreation (February 13)

Park and Recreation (March 20)

3. Proclamation: Arson Awareness Week – May 4-10

4. Appointments:

§ ITP Board – Randal Gelderloos

Term expiring - 12/31/2008

§ Business Relations Committee - Joshua Meringa

Term expiring - 12/31/2009

5. Reschedule City Council Meeting: May 26, 2008 to May 19, 2008 at 7:00 p.m.

6. Miscellaneous Purchase Orders and Requests:

a. Clerk: Handicapped Accessible Precinct Equipment

Inclusion Solutions - Part 1: $2,896.00

Part 2: $2,379.00

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gates, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented in the best interest of the City. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

· Thank you from the Kent County Sheriff’s Office to Detective Rietman

· Urban Metro Mayors and Managers Meeting on May 14 - structural problems in the State budget

· 4^th of July fundraiser at Carrabas

· Jail per diem discussion at Wyoming on April 30

· Chamber luncheon re: downtown streetscape

· Marketing of the X-Rite property

· 4^th of July Parade space saving issue will be brought back for discussion

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Council Member Gates, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to adjourn at 8:40 pm to Executive Session for discussion of collective bargaining. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk

Approved by City Council: May 12, 2008

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