City Council Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, AUGUST 25, 2008

The Grandville City Council Regular Meeting of August 25, 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 James Buck. Absent: None

Also attending: Tammy Aue, Treasurer/Finance Directory; Matthew Butts, Assistant City Manager; Randy Kraker, City Attorney; Kenneth Krombeen, City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; and Dennis Santo, Police Chief.

Rev. Rich Baukema from First Church gave the invocation; and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gates, to approve the August 25, 2008 agenda as provided. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of August 11, 2008 and to approve as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Pettijohn, supported by Council Member Meringa, that Fiscal Year 2007-2008 bills totaling $61,579.19 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.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Ponstein, that Fiscal Year 2008-2009 bills totaling $619,260.45 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 COMMENT

Martha Smart, Director of the Kent District Library, presented the 2007 Annual Report for the KDL. New programs, services and technology increased both visitors and circulation by 23% in 2007.

Patrice Vrona, Grandville Branch Manager, indicated 2007 was a gratifying year and 2008 continues to be successful.

Shirley Bruursema spoke on behalf of the KDL Board of Trustees and thanked the City of Grandville for supporting the library.

City Manager Krombeen indicated the applicants for a request to transfer a liquor license from Meadowlane Golf Course in Kentwood to Tailgaters Sports Bar at 3075 28^th St. were invited to give a presentation. Partners Frank Russo and Mike Vodry responded to questions from Council re: their desire for the liquor license and plans for the property.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Assistant City Manager Butts presented a request from Land & Company to rezone 4555 and 4565 Wilson Avenue from OS-1, Office/Service District, to C-1, Commercial Neighborhood Business District. The reason for the request is to make the property more consistent and compatible with surrounding uses. A public hearing was held at the August 6 Planning Commission meeting and no public comments were received. The Planning Commission discussed the three “C’s” used when considering rezonings - Consistency with the Master Plan, Compatibility with the surrounding land uses, and Capability of the property to sustain the proposed zoning designation. The Planning Commission determined that office designation may be outdated and the rezoning was recommended by a 4-1 vote.

Council Member discussion comments included:

Ponstein -

· what type of uses could go in the buildings the way the buildings are set up now

· why is commercial a better fit on this site than on the X-Rite property

· if rezoned commercial and the property becomes more valuable, will someone come in, tear down these buildings and put up something that doesn’t fit the corner

· is all for improving the corner

Meringa -

· inquired what type of signage is allowed under C-1

· will improvements be made if property remains office (Mr. Rogers said they would not)

Gates -

· asked if the property should be designated as a PUD to have better control of the property

Maas -

· pointed out that the X-Rite property is much larger than this site

· PUD’s have a minimum acreage requirement

· asked what type of uses are allowed under C-1

· requested clarification of what signage is allowed

Gelderloos -

· are fast food restaurants are allowed under C-1

· could the units be condominimized

Stan Jager from The Architectural Group and Jack Rogers from Field and Stream Realty were in attendance representing the applicants. Mr. Jager stated that his client is prepared to allow a condition regarding the plans for the exterior of the buildings to be attached to the rezoning. Plans are to construct new updated facades. Mr. Rogers indicated they want to keep a balance of office and select retail without impacting the traffic.

City Attorney Kraker indicated that under the new Zoning Enabling Act any conditions on the rezoning will need to be offered by the applicant.

Motion made by Council Member Ponstein, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to introduce Zoning Ordinance No. 204-CB, rezoning 4555 and 4565 Wilson Avenue from OS-1, Office/Service District, to C-1, Commercial Neighborhood Business District. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Motion made by Council Member Ponstein, supported by Council Member Maas, to table Zoning Ordinance No. 204-CB and bring back up at the September 8, 2008 meeting. The motion was APPROVED.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS OR PETITIONS

In February 2008, Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber (FTC&H) were contracted to perform a Library/Senior Center space needs study. Dan Durkee and Adam Meeker from FTC&H have been meeting with representatives from the City, Kent District Library, and Senior Neighbors Center to determine space needs. Mr. Durkee and Mr. Meeker gave a presentation of their findings along with preliminary design and cost estimates of the solutions.

Communication was received from the Michigan Municipal League regarding the designation of voting and alternate delegates representing the City of Grandville at the 2008 Michigan Municipal League Annual Meeting on October 2, 2008 at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island. Motion made by Council Member Pettijohn, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to appoint Mayor Buck as the delegate to cast the vote on behalf of the City of Grandville and to designate Council Member Ponstein as the alternative delegate at the 2008 Michigan Municipal League Annual Meeting. The motion was APPROVED.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items presented under the Consent Agenda included: