City Council Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, APRIL 14, 2008

The Grandville City Council Regular Meeting of April 14, 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: Bob Bruggink, City Engineer; Matthew Butts, Assistant to the City Manager; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Randy Kraker, City Attorney; Dennis Santo (arrived at 7:40 pm), Deputy Police Chief; Vern Snyder, Police Chief; James Uyl, City Assessor; and Todd Wibright, CWP Superintendent.

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

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to approve the April 14, 2008 agenda as provided. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Gates, supported by Council Member Meringa, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of March 24, 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 $225,643.05 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

No public comments.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:13 pm to receive comments regarding a request from Kerkstra Precast to amend Industrial Development District No. 89 at 3373 Busch Dr. Henry Hofman from Kerkstra Precast explained they will be adding a new Double T production area to manufacture concrete products used in parking decks. Customers for this product were looking for an additional producer to compete with manufacturers in Indiana and Canada. Because of the size of this product, the production area will be located outside the building on the east side. They could begin manufacturing as early as Fall of 2008 and will be adding 35 new jobs. The Business Relations Committee has recommended approval for 12 years on both real and personal property. Public hearing was closed at 7:19 pm.

Dennis Chrisler, 3122 Gable, asked when the manufacturing would be done. Mr. Hofman indicated during the day.

Public hearing closed at 7:19 pm.

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:19 pm to receive comments regarding a request from Kerkstra Precast for approval of an IFT Certificate on $300,000 real property and $600,000 in personal property. The public hearing was closed at 7:21 pm.

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:24 pm to receive comments regarding a request from Packaging Corporation of America, 3251 Chicago Dr., for approval of an IFT Certificate on $406,000 in personal property. Bob Park from PCA indicated the equipment purchase is Phase II of the project to replace equipment. This purchase will replace a glue machine. The Business Relations Committee recommended approval of 12 years on the certificate. The public hearing was closed at 7:26 pm.

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:46 pm to receive comments on SAD #144, Northeast Sidewalks. The proposed project area includes 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. Opening comments were made by the Mayor and the City Manager. Notices were sent to all property owners within the proposed district. City Engineer Bob Bruggink from Moore and Bruggink highlighted some of the benefits of sidewalks and indicated this project is part of a long-range plan. Right of way in that area is 50’, sidewalks will be constructed on both sides of the streets, some trees could be saved by curving the sidewalk closer to the curb and some lots may require a retaining wall. The total cost for construction of sidewalks in the northeast area will be $147,000 with the City paying $35,000 and $112,000 proposed assessment to property owners. In the past, the length of special assessment districts have been between 7-10 years at a 6-7 percent interest rate.

Comments were made by:

- Bob Wondergem, 2811 Lee St. - in favor of the sidewalks to increase safety

- Nancy Hansen, 3185 Homewood - does not support because of the economy; feel families could put the money to a better use

- Penny Whitaker, 3081 Homewood - is disabled and unable to work and is concerned about how to pay for the sidewalk

- Bill Groenhout, 3053 Homewood - is a 42 year City of Grandville resident - asked if anyone has looked at history of accidents with bikers and joggers in their neighborhood - sees joggers and bikers using streets not sidewalks because sidewalks are uneven - sidewalks do not make it safer

- Andrew Davis, 3232 La Rue - feels sidewalks will encroach on their privacy and security - safety is an issue because of cut thru traffic - asked for something to “calm” the cut thru traffic - sidewalks are not going to change that - if looking to beautify neighborhood need to look at the businesses not the residents - removing trees will not beautify the neighborhood

- Elizabeth Reynolds, 3227 La Rue - doesn’t want people walking 10’ closer to her home - doesn’t feel sidewalks will make it safer - don’t have time to maintain

- David Loveland, 2729 Woodbine - doesn’t feel it is fair to force sidewalks on people when the majority does not want them - asked if the construction of sidewalks in the 27^th St. area is going to be paid by grant money. Assistant to the City Manager Butts explained that the City had received CDBG funds for sidewalks in that area but the funds were re-allocated to Lee Street Pocket Park and will be used to help pay for moving the electric lines.

- Mike Shuster, 2633 Dixie - lived in area for 37 years - sees neighborhood as young and old struggling to make ends meet - foreclosures in neighborhood are evidence of the condition of the economy

- Nate Buikema, 2966 Homewood - has a small front yard and doesn’t feel sidewalks are necessary - worked hard to beautify yard and sidewalks will destroy some of that hard work

- Mark Ekhardt, 2987 Homewood - cannot afford - been close to foreclosure twice

- Stan Cavasos, 2901 Lee St. - people in the neighborhood do walk - noticed sidewalks are not used in other parts of the City - purchased house because did not have sidewalks

- Kelli (Heaven) Vander Kolk, 3326 La Rue - walks dog regularly in the street and is not a problem - doesn’t think sidewalks are necessary - will lose parking - don’t want to shovel - cut thru traffic is a problem - most of the residents cannot afford the additional cost - good idea but not right now

- Brad Kallio, 2735 Woodbine - grew up in the country - like having no sidewalks - asked what is going on with the electric lines at the Lee St. Pocket Park. Mayor Buck explained.

- John Colley, 3151 Homewood - will lose parking if sidewalks are installed - need all the parking he can get

- William Suydam, 2921 Gable - opposed to sidewalks - suggested changing parking rules to odd/even winter parking

- Wendy Palmbos, 3333 LaRue - sidewalks are not needed at this time - suggested creating cul-de-sac - willing to give up some of yard for cul-de-sac but not sidewalks

- Mike Cobb, 3362 40^th St. - moved to Grandville because of sidewalks - maybe the timing of this project is not right but in long-term it will improve the value

- Paul Cooke, 3222 LaRue - concerned with property value

- Dale Warner, 3006 Homewood - will take the uniqueness of the neighborhood away if sidewalks are installed

- Tim Palmbos, 3333 LaRue - received a variance to build a garage as close to the road as he did - has a 20’ driveway - feels he could have been prevented from building garage where he did if the City didn’t grant him a variance - sidewalks will make driveway unparkable and cut the front yard in half - feels will make property less valuable

- Mary Rolf - used to live at 3115 27^th St. - the consensus in 1978 was people didn’t want or couldn’t afford sidewalks

- Kelly Hermann, 3134 Gable - has a larger lot and cannot afford the cost of sidewalks

Mayor Buck indicated Council will be holding in abeyance any action on SAD #144 for two weeks. Council Members were asked for their comments which included:

- Gates - asked how the lots were allowed to be developed so small

- Gelderloos - thanked the residents for attending the meeting to share thoughts and concerns

- Maas - nice neighborhood and comments are taken seriously - is concerned with destruction of green space and privacy issues

- Meringa - appreciates everyone coming out and the interest in the issue - asked what driveway approaches would be replaced with. Bob Bruggink indicated they would be concrete if sidewalks are constructed. Mr. Meringa is all for keeping green space - asked if City could replace trees. Because of the short driveways could the City move the sidewalks closer to the street. Bob Bruggink stated there is a possibility of that.

- Pettijohn - appreciates the comments - safety is a concern and the project staking does make lots seem small - could sidewalks be narrowed

- Ponstein - asked if there is any flexibility in the financing that could be offered - nothing is a done deal

The City Manager explained the special assessment process and consideration of the resolutions does not require notices be sent to property owners. Another public hearing will be required prior to approval of the roll and a notice will be sent regarding that hearing.

Public hearing was closed at 8:34 pm.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Assistant to the City Manager Butts reviewed the request to rezone 3889 White St. from I-2, Industrial District, to RM-2, Two Family Residential District. The applicant is Gary Leeuwenburg, 4163 Arbortown Dr. and would like to sell the property as residential. The Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval of the rezoning as it is consistent with the Master Plan. Motion made by Council Member Meringa, supported by Council Member Maas, to introduce 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.

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

Motion made by Council Member Gates, supported by Council Member Maas, to approve Resolution No. 2840 amending Industrial Development District No. 89 for Kerkstra Precast, Inc., 3373 Busch Dr. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gates, to approve Resolution No. 2841, approving the IFT Certificate for Kerkstra Precast, Inc., 3373 Busch Dr., on $300,000 real property and $600,000 personal property for 12 years. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Motion made by Council Member Gates, supported by Council Member Maas, to approve Resolution No. 2842, approving the IFT Certificate for Packaging Corporation of America, 3251 Chicago Dr. on $406,000 personal property for 12 years. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items presented under the Consent Agenda included:

1. Reports: Fire/EMS (March), Treasurer’s (March)

2. Minutes: Historical Commission (March 17)

Library Board (March 27)

Planning Commission (April 2)

3. Resolution No. 2839: Set FY 2008-2009 Budget Public Hearing (May 12, 2008 @ 7:00 pm)

4. Miscellaneous Purchase Orders and Requests:

a. Library: Furniture

Custer Workplace Interiors - $4,124.34

b. CWP: Computer Server

HP Direct - $2,568.00

c. CWP: Computer Server Support Hardware

CDWG - $1,820.07

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

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

City Manager Krombeen explained the River City Steamboat Company operates the Grand Lady Riverboat from City property on Indian Mounds Drive. They have operated from there since the mid-1990’s. The most recent lease has expired and the owners (Boyntons) are interested in renewing. Motion made by Council Member Gates, and seconded by Council Member Maas, to enter into a five-year lease agreement between the City of Grandville and RVA, Inc., a Michigan corporation d/b/a River City Steamboat Company. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Bids for Rivertown landscape maintenance were opened on April 8. DPW Director Carr indicated the low bid from Landscape Specialties was less than last year’s bid. The bids are for one year with a two year renewal by mutual agreement. Motion made by Council Member Gates, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to award Rivertown Parkway landscape maintenance for 2008 to low bidder, Landscape Specialties, in the amount of $15,500 for the upcoming season. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Bids for street overlays were opened on April 8. DPW Director Carr indicated the bid prices were less than the 2006 prices. The bid included pricing for the tennis court on Navaho which is a Park and Rec project. Motion made by Council Member Meringa, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to recommend the FY 2007-2008 major and local street overlays to Grand Rapids Asphalt in the amount of $441,802.00 in the best interest of the City. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Bob Bruggink from Moore and Bruggink indicated bids for the entire project including the sidewalks were opened on March 19. The low bidder, Lodestar Construction, understands the sidewalks cannot be constructed until a decision is made regarding the special assessment district. They are asking that the watermain portion of the project be awarded. Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to award the LaRue/Dixie/Homewood/Gable/Eastlake Dr. Watermain Improvement Project to the low bidder, Lodestar Construction, Inc. in the amount of $616,329.10 as recommended by Moore and Bruggink. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by a roll call vote.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

· Police Chief and Deputy Police Chief Swearing In Ceremony - April 30, 2:00 pm in Council Chambers

· Community Center and Library study continues

· Spring Clean Up is May 9 and 10 - for information call DPW

· Property taxes - information in newsletter

· GVSU certificate of appreciation to Police Dept. for contribution to internship program

· “Don’t Break the Promise - Again” campaign

· Texas Roadhouse ribbon cutting on Friday, April 18 at 4:00 pm

· Region III meeting - Cedar Springs

· Urban Mayors and Managers - May 14

· WMSA 2008 State of the Region - April 23 at The Pinnacle Center

ADJOURNMENT