City Council Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2008

The Grandville City Council Regular Meeting of December 8, 2008 was called to order by Mayor James Buck at 6:05 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; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Randy Kraker, City Attorney; Kenneth Krombeen, City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Dennis Santo, Police Chief; Dan Steere, Deputy Police Chief; Harvey Veldhouse, Fire Chief; and Todd Wibright, CWP Superintendent.

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

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to approve the December 8, 2008 agenda as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Pettijohn, supported by Council Member Meringa, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of November 24, 2008 and to approve as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Ponstein, that Fiscal Year 2008-2009 bills totaling $222,337.74 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

Mike Cobb, 3362 40th St., expressed thanks for the positive vote on the liquor license for Tailgaters Sports Bar, the rezoning of property at 44th St. and Rivertown Parkway, and the brush drop-off at DPW.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items presented under the Consent Agenda included:

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

2. Minutes: Planning Commission (November 5)

Library Board (November 20)

3. Miscellaneous Purchase Orders and Requests:

a. CWP: Computer

MNJ Technologies - $2,086.00

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, 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

Discussion re: the process to fill the pending City Council vacancy. Mayor Buck reviewed the process used in 2006 for the City Council appointment. City Manager Krombeen indicated 9 applications were received by the November 26, 2008 1:00 pm deadline and 2 were received on that day but after 1:00 pm. Consensus of City Council is to consider all 11 applicants. Mr. Krombeen also provided dates to complete this process. Council indicated that at the December 22, 2008 meeting each of the applicants will be given 5 minutes to make a presentation and four finalists will be chosen. Council will interview the finalists at the January 12, 2009 meeting and make the appointment on January 26, 2009.

Motion by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to change the starting time of the December 22, 2008 meeting to 6:00 pm to allow time for the City Council applicants’ presentations. The motion was APPROVED.

RECESS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

Motion made by Council Member Meringa, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to recess at 6:32 pm to Executive Session for purposes of discussing pending litigation. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

RETURN TO REGULAR SESSION

Return to regular session at 7:14 pm.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to authorize retaining Eugene Szklinyk, Integra Realty Resources, to perform appraisals for both Sears and J.C. Penney at a combined cost of $25,600; with the City Manager and City Attorney to finalize the details of the contract in the best interest of the City. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

· Removal of signage remaining after a business is closed

· Commitment from property owner to fill 4005 Chicago Dr. and remove fence

· Thanks to all who helped with the Tree Lighting Ceremony

· Thanks to DPW for great job plowing

· City of Wyoming Strategic Planning Meeting

· Kent Council fund balance

· GVMC form based code

· GVMC Legislative Breakfast at 9:00 am on Dec. 15 at Prince Conference Center

· Rep. Hoekstra will be at Grandville/Jenison Chamber meeting on Dec. 19 at Sunnybrook Country Club

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to adjourn at 7:28 pm. The motion was APPROVED.

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk

Approved by City Council: December 22, 2008

PROCEEDINGS OF THE

GRANDVILLE CITY COUNCIL

WORK SESSION

DECEMBER 8, 2008

The Work Session of December 8, 2008 was called to order by Mayor James Buck at 7:40 p.m. in the Council Chambers.

Present were Council Members Ken Gates, Randal Gelderloos, Steve Maas, Joshua Meringa, Carole Pettijohn, Stan Ponstein, and Mayor Buck.

Staff present: Tammy Aue, Treasurer/Finance Director; Matthew Butts, Assistant to the City Manager; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Ken Krombeen, City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Dennis Santo; Police Chief; Dan Steere, Deputy Police Chief; and Harvey Veldhouse, Fire Chief.

Mayor Buck made some opening comments and turned the meeting over to City Manager Krombeen. Mr. Krombeen explained the documents that were included in the pre-budget work session packet and that staff is looking for direction from Council on the 2009/2010 budget.

Treasurer/Finance Director Aue indicated the Council needs to decide if they feel tax millage should be increased and/or where budget cuts should be made. She reviewed graphs on Revenue/Expenditure trends, Surplus/Deficit, and Fund Balance.

Information given to Council included:

- Projected Revenues

· Tax revenue is projected to decrease 1.5% - in recent years budgets were prepared using a projected 3% increase in tax revenue

· Based on recent trends, State Revenue Sharing is projected to decrease by 3%

- Projected Expenditures

· 2009/2010 budget will reflect an inflationary increase of 2%

· Additional $50,000 contribution to retiree healthcare fund

· Proposed capital projects are up $136,500 over prior budget year

- Fund Balance

· Projected deficit - $936,500

· The City’s goal has been to maintain a minimum of 15% fund balance – in order to maintain this approximately an additional $500,000 will be needed

· 1 mill equals approximately $677,000

- Budget Options

· Decision will need to be made on how maintain the quality of life in Grandville and the 15% fund balance

· Should expenditures be cut $500,000 by reducing services

· Levy an additional .75 mills to continue current level of services and fund the 2009/2010 capital plan

· Budget cuts and a slight millage increase

General consensus of City Council is to make budget cuts before any millage increase.

City Manager Krombeen asked for direction on the special project for the library expansion and senior center. It was suggested to explore the possibility of a special election for a dedicated millage for this project. A capital investment in the building should be made if the project is put on hold – the building is in need of windows and doors.

Meeting was adjourned at 9:06 pm.

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk

Approved by City Council: December 22, 2008

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