City Council Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010

The Grandville City Council Regular Meeting of May 10, 2010 was called to order by Mayor James Buck at 7:00 pm.

Present were Council Members Randal Gelderloos, Steve Kauffman, Steve Maas, Joshua Meringa, Carole Pettijohn, Dick Richards and Mayor James Buck. Absent: None

Also attending: Kenneth Krombeen, City Manager; Matthew Butts, Assistant City Manager; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Tammy Hopman, Treasurer/Finance Director; Randy Kraker, City Attorney; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Dennis Santo, Police Chief; Dan Steere, Deputy Police Chief; and Julie Fend, 59^th District Court Administrator.

Rev. David Crompton, Grandville Baptist Church, gave the invocation; and was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Richards, to approve the May 10, 2010 agenda as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Meringa, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of April 26, 2010 and to approve as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, that bills for Fiscal Year 2009-2010 totaling $327,182.97 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

Bill Schrader from the Neal Fonger American Legion Post, introduced Linda Golembiewski, teacher at the Middle School. Two of her students, Jack Baylow and Amanda Sharpnell gave speeches on what Memorial Day means to them. Mr. Schrader indicated that flags will be placed on the graves of deceased veterans on Friday, May 28; and on Memorial Day, May 31, activities will begin with a flag ceremony at Wedgwood Park at 9:00 a.m. and after that the parade will travel to the Grandville Cemetery for a memorial service at 10:00 a.m.

PUBLIC HEARING

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:14 p.m. to present the FY 2010-2011 budget and to take public comment. City Manager Krombeen gave an overview of the steps leading up to the draft budget. Mr. Krombeen reminded Council that this budget is theirs and Council has the final decision on it. By Charter, the budget must be approved by the end of May. Treasurer/Finance Director Hopman reviewed details and changes to the various funds. She indicated the General Fund started out with over a million dollar deficit at the beginning of the budget process; however, after cuts, a millage increase of .7 mills, and using a portion of the unreserved General Fund balance the budget will be balanced. Ms. Hopman also pointed out that rate studies have been done on both water and sewer rates and the only increase necessary will be to the sewer ready to serve charge – the recommendation is to raise it to $7.80 per quarter on residential. This rate increase will help pay for the bond interest expense this year and will give the bond coverage needed to comply with our bond covenant.

Public comments were made by:

Mike Cobb, 3362 40^th St., stated he appreciated the work put into the budget but does struggle with any tax increase and is not in favor of it. Does not feel there should be collective bargaining and unionization with a not-for-profit organization – money is not available for unions to dictate how much in benefits are paid to these employee groups – concessions need to made in labor area.

City Manager Krombeen clarified the fact that the pay freeze and mandatory contribution to health care applies to only non-union City employees. It cannot be imposed on collective bargaining units with signed contracts, but Council has directed staff to have conversations with the units to discuss wage and benefit concessions.

Public hearing was closed at 7:43 p.m.

Council Member comments included:

· Richards – asked to take out of the budget the Calvin Crest tennis courts resurfacing – hold off another year

· Meringa – good budget – appreciate looking ahead – cuts that were made are good ones but is disappointed weren’t able to make more – does have a problem with asking for wage and benefit concessions from non-union when the outcome of asking the unions is unknown

· Maas – feels Councilman Richards has a valid point re: the tennis courts

· Kauffman – not completely happy with the budget but will vote to approve – could have done more cuts – should revisit the resurfacing of the tennis courts and department head vehicles issues

· Gelderloos – asked if the old wastewater bonds could be rolled over into the new bonds (Ms. Hopman indicated it is not possible) – asked if the $18,000 for the tennis court resurfacing includes lifting areas that are sinking

Motion made by Council Member Gelderloos, supported by Council Member Richards, to remove from the FY 2010-2011 budget $18,000 for resurfacing of the Calvin Crest tennis courts and readdress in next year’s budget. The motion was APPROVED by a 5-2 roll call vote (Yeas: Gelderloos, Kauffman, Maas, Meringa, and Richards. Nays: Pettijohn and Mayor Buck).

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

City Manager Krombeen explained the request for a Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate from PRDA, LLC at 2900 Wilson Ave. He indicated the Commercial Rehabilitation District was established in March and was forwarded to Kent County Board of Commissioners for comment. Representing the applicant was Dawn Bateson and she indicated the tenant Senior Meals have moved their offices to this location which is Phase I of the project. The next phase will be the kitchen and/or the congregate center to be started and completed next year. Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to approve Resolution No. 2926, approving Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate application for PRDA, LLC at 2900 Wilson Ave. SW. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

CONSENT AGENDA

Items presented under the Consent Agenda included:

Reports: Fire/EMS (April), Treasurer’s (April)
Minutes: Historical Commission (April 19)

Library Board (April 22)

Proclamations: Distinguished Person of the Year – Grandville – Bryant Domina

Distinguished Person of the Year – Jenison – Gilbert Dykstra

4. Miscellaneous Purchase Orders and Requests:

a. Motor Pool: Vehicle Disposal: 1988 Ford Fire Rescue Truck

Crockery Township - $500.00

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

· Budget

· Farmers Market begins June 1

· Planning Commission discussion re: 28^th St. pedestrian bridge

· WGVU Real Oldies

· Peck St. Park meeting on May 20

· Chicago Dr. traffic numbers

· Congratulations to Vredevoogd and Blitchok election to school board

· Police Officers Memorial Week

· Fire Department response at Wimbledon fire

· Summer Recreation program

· City Bar-B-Q on May 19 from 5-7 pm