City Council Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2011

The Grandville City Council Regular Meeting of June 13, 2011 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:  Matthew Butts, Assistant City Manager; Ron Carr, DPW Director; Matt Zimmerman, City Attorney; Ken Krombeen, City Manager; Mike May, Fire Chief; Mary Meines, City Clerk; Dennis Santo, Police Chief.

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 June 13, 2011 agenda as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of May 23, 2011 and to approve as presented.  The motion was APPROVED.    

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Kauffman, that bills for Fiscal Year 2010-2011 totaling $441,567.87 as presented by the City Manager, be allowed and authorize the Treasurer to pay the same. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by a roll call vote.

PUBLIC COMMENT

On behalf of the Kent District Library, Scott Petersen, Grandville Representative on the Board of Trustees, Lance Werner, KDL Director, and Patrice Vrona, Grandville Library Manager, presented the 2010 KDL Annual Report.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

City Manager Krombeen explained MDOT’s requests for noise variances.  They will be doing a project in 2011 on M-11 (28^th St.) from Church St. east to U131 and in 2012 they will be working on the M-11 (28^th St.)/Ivanrest intersection.  The Grandville Ordinance does not allow construction work between 10:00 pm and 7:00 am.  Night work will help minimize the disruption the projects may cause and to minimize the length of the projects.  The procedure for granting a noise variance includes public notification and City Council consideration by resolution. The City Manager has done an investigation and is recommending approval of the noise variances.  Art Green from MDOT was in attendance to explain the projects and answer questions.

Motion made by Council Member Pettijohn, supported by Council member Maas, to approve Resolution No. 2961, granting a noise variance to allow night work on the MDOT 2011 Project on M-11 (28^th Street) from Church Street east to US131.  The motion was unanimously APPROVED by a roll call vote.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council member Richards, to approve Resolution No. 2962, granting a noise variance to allow night work on the MDOT 2012 Project on M-11 (28^th Street) and Ivanrest intersection.  The motion was unanimously APPROVED by a roll call vote.

COUNCIL COMMUNICATIONS OR PETITIONS

The Downtown Development Authority is requesting City Council approval of the Chicago Drive Streetscape project.  Mayor Buck suggested some guidelines for providing information to the City Council.

Assistant City Manager Butts indicated that ever since the DDA was formed in 1984 they have had a vision of a downtown streetscape project.  Thru the years, every DDA plan amendment included a streetscape project for Chicago Dr. and became a priority for the DDA in 2004.  The $5, 000,000 project will be funded with DDA funds, Major Street funds, a Transportation Enhancement (TE) grant, and bonding.   The TE grant was approved in 2010 and has a two year window - 2011 was the first year.  The project would need to be completed in 2012 in order to actually receive the grant monies.  Recently changes were made to the plan to help reduce the costs and make the project more affordable - as a result the grant amount is reduced.

Project Designer, Deb Cooper from Beckett and Rader, indicated she has worked with the DDA since about 2004.  She highlighted some objectives and goals that were identified in 2004 DDA Plan.  The Chicago Drive Streetscape became the focus of the DDA at that time.  Ms. Cooper reviewed some of the details of the proposed streetscape plan.

Pete LaMourie, from Progressive AE, has been consulting with the City of Grandville on traffic issues for 18 years.  The software used to do the simulation model and analysis on the streetscape project is nationally recognized.  It was determined that a three lane conversion on Chicago Dr. will work very well.  The simulation model has been reviewed locally and by the State prior to approval of the TE grant.  Peak hour traffic levels were used for the analysis.

DDA Chairman Rick Bolhouse emphasized that this project has been the primary focus of the DDA since 2004.  Consultants involved in the project included Beckett and Rader, Progressive AE, Dan Burden (walkability expert), and the downtown merchants.  He indicated that streetscapes are very popular and work effectively.  The roadway will remain open during construction and the DDA will deal with construction issues such as marketing.  This project resulted out of concern for where the downtown was going.

Public comments were made by:

Sandy LaBlanc, Grandville Jenison Chamber – the Chamber has tried to be pro-active with regards to marketing the downtown

Shirley Davidson, 3540 Cheyenne – Grandville’s downtown is a destination downtown and feels Grandville’s downtown is “ugly”

Mike Cobb, 3362 40^th – appreciated joint Council/DDA meeting – remember downtown with on-street parking years ago – appreciate the people that are willing to take a risk to make something the community can be proud of

David Hibschman, 4165 Prairie – supports project – important that an investment is made in the community – the project is about maintaining the culture of the community and creating an environment that attracts new businesses and residents – feels a pavilion would be a great part of the project

Paul Troost, 3665 30^th St. – was opposed in the beginning but now supports the DDA recommendation – listen to the experts

David Lafere, 3996 Chicago Dr. – opportunity to make a positive impact – believe the experts – reclaim the downtown – does not believe people will invest in the status quo

Lois Morehouse, 4197 Indian Spring – who will maintain the project area – (Butts) currently the DDA contracts for the maintenance

Nancy Hansen, 3185 Homewood – not for the project – people do not need additional taxes – use money to pay deficit - think it is a good project but not good timing

Tomas Kosmak, 3223 Chestnut –if the DDA can’t make the bond payment who is responsible – are citizens responsible – will tax rate increase – what is the purpose of this project – who does it benefit – people or businesses – where are new businesses going to come from – how is the DDA paying for it – from peoples taxes? – redistribution of people’s money – where will new businesses go – the DDA is larger than this project area – does it include residential properties? – traffic does divert to Prairie – how can you have slower speeds and keep the traffic moving? (Bolhouse) the DDA was setup to capture a part of the taxes from property within the DDA district area and are to be spent on capital projects within the DDA area – businesses are indirectly reinvesting in the downtown - there are empty store fronts

Tom Tilma, Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition – encourages all communities to be pedestrian and bicycle friendly and to adopt a complete streets policy – this project is an example of a complete streets project – it will slow traffic, improve pedestrian crossings, and make it safer for the aging population as well as school age children

Josh Dugan, 619 Hawthorne NE, – on board of the Greater Grand Rapids Bicycle Coalition – the downtown is unattractive and this project would change that - suggested adding sharrows to the traffic lane to remind motorists that you may encounter bicycle traffic on this road – suggest increasing the bicycle parking – expressed thanks to all who worked on this project

Heath Jurgens, 4050 Chicago Dr. – the professionals have put concerns to rest – believe in the project – it benefits the downtown businesses and will make Grandville a great place to shop- need to give downtown a facelift – we are better than downtown Holland and Zeeland

Zach Booker, 4064 Chicago Dr. – took a risk and purchased property with the assumption that downtown would be renovated

Jan Schuiling, 4200 and 4250 White – feels the City would be remiss if don’t invest in the downtown – will make the core more attractive and more valuable

Dennis Engels, 4031Chicago Dr. – the DDA was formed to get things going in the downtown – the public homeowners are not paying into the DDA – what will the downtown look like if nothing is done – could the bump outs be taken out if 3 lanes don’t work? – (Cooper) yes

Jerry Hansen, 3185 Homewood – don’t create on street parking just because there is grant money available - unnecessary

Jack Bengston, 4305 Wilson Ave. – City Council has the opportunity to help the downtown

City Council comments included:

Gelderloos

-     a statement was made that once the project is completed, property values are expected to increase so the captured amount will increase - how much are valuations expected to increase – is it just the project area or the whole downtown – (Butts)  comment was made based on what other communities have experienced

-     the DDA has been losing approximately $60,000 in revenue per year (this equates to approximately half of the proposed bond payment amount) - (Cooper) gave some statistics from City of Dexter

-     is the City of Grand Rapids doing a road diet pilot on the Division Ave. project

-     are there residential properties in the DDA (Bolhouse) the statute does allow for some residential properties - (Butts) does include residential property but don’t capture the tax

-     expressed thanks to Sandy LaBlanc (for doing the survey), Matt VandeBunte (last story in the press), DDA (for the years of service)

-     concerned with – DDA money is still tax money – various organizations have lost revenue to the DDA (i.e. senior millage, GRCC millage, City of Grandville, ITP, libraries, John Ball Zoo) – grant money is tax dollars – City Council has an obligation to make sure this money is spent wisely

–    likes the aesthetics of the plan

–    concerned with comment that could tear bump outs out if it doesn’t work- not saying it won’t work – still uncomfortable with level of due diligence

–    would like to see a pilot program done on this project

-     does not feel $250,000 should come from the major street fund for this project

Kauffman

-     feels the project area is two lanes because the center lane is for turning not traveling

-     is there any plan to prevent traffic from diverting to Prairie – (LaMourie) should not be a time that traffic will need to divert to Prairie

-     looks like a tight right turn from Chicago Dr. onto southbound Wilson

-     how environmentally friendly – (Cooper) theory is to get water to river before the peak hits

-     the concept is beautiful

-     many streetscapes are done thru private/public partnerships – this one is not – it is public money

-     feels that no matter what the outcome of the Council vote, the downtown will continue to prosper

-     need the support from the downtown businesses, property owners and the community as a whole – indications are that the community as a whole does not support

-     because of the railroad don’t feel can compare Grandville with other downtowns such as Holland, Grand Haven, East Grand Rapids

-     project should have been constructed in phases

-     while campaigning for City Council, realized residents were opposed to streetscape project

Maas

-     are the hanging baskets self-watering – (Cooper) yes

-     thank you for providing information

-     the project is about creating local jobs, investing in the community, increasing our local tax base, creating a local ambience in our downtown for gathering together, vibrant downtown area is an asset to the community, supports property values, enhances quality of life

-     creating an interesting downtown is building the infrastructure that draws investment into the area – streetscape is the economic engine that drives growth

-     opportunity to move the community forward – only if we embrace fresh ideas – take advantage of the opportunity

Meringa

-     disappointed that the pavilion was removed – is that something that can be added later – do not want to lose sight of this - are there any funding sources that could be used to fund the pavilion – (Butts) there may be funding sources

-     what materials will be reused on this project – (Cooper) will tie into what is in place currently

-     how were the boundaries decided – (Cooper) tried to keep it within the downtown pedestrian area and keep vehicular separate – is there a potential to expand the area – (Cooper) – you really want to keep your boundaries at the downtown pedestrian area

-     thanks to the people that were involved in the project – staff, DDA, consultants, Chamber, business owners, Planning Commission, City Council, citizens

-     thanks for the information that has been provided

-     decision is very important and will affect the community

-     need to fight to save downtowns

-     make decisions that are best for the community

-     DDA has followed thru with all they were asked to do

-     will support – investment in the community – willing to take the risk – not about politics – it is all about the downtown

Pettijohn

–    have supported the project since the joint City Council/DDA meeting in 2010

Richards

–    love the concept and the drawings but need to know why the people would come – we don’t have a “draw” to the downtown – (Butts) DDA’s are not in marketing but to build the foundation to build from – (Cooper) trends are that once streetscape projects are completed people begin investing in their property which will bring more revenue for the DDA to use in the future

-     concerned that the farmer’s market and the Franklin archway has been deleted – (Butts) removed from project to reduce bonding amount -  reduce costs – (Cooper) could be a possible future project

–    will utilities be buried – (Butts) utility lines are partially buried and partially relocated

–    will the DDA capture enough money every year to meet the bond commitment and for maintenance of their projects – (Butts) the DDA will keep a $200,000 fund balance

-     if can’t meet bond obligation, who will pay the remainder of the bond – will it be the citizens of Grandville – need to protect the citizens from carrying any more financial burden

-     if using all the DDA money on this project what about other downtown areas

–    instead of on-street parking make bike paths and make the traffic lanes wider – are they wide enough for turning trucks (Cooper) working within a 66’ right of way – don’t want to widen lanes so as to keep traffic traveling at slower speeds – (LaMourie) the model applied a percentage of truck traffic and did handle it – could do bike lanes and have wider lanes

-     we are a thoroughfare not a destination – not a Holland or Zeeland – how will the traffic be kept out of the residential neighborhoods (Cooper) traffic doesn’t need to be detoured, the design can handle the traffic

-     don’t do away with back entrances – (Cooper) not doing away with back entrances but getting the fronts open

-     can we save by taking the bump-outs from the plan and making a bike path instead of parking - (Bolhouse) the DDA has worked to be fiscally responsible – the experts say that the project will not work without on-street parking – pavilion is pulled but not off the table – the DDA does not want to incur any more costs at this time – would like the pavilion to be a multi-purpose facility

-     love the project but can’t support whole-heartedly - have a problem with the debt

–    could support a pilot program

Mayor Buck

-     there was a lot of conversation re: the pavilion – need to take a look at more uses for the building

-     appreciate comments – feel comments were made from the heart

Questions directed to City Attorney Zimmerman regarding the point of order.  He indicated that since City Council has not officially adopted rules or procedures, it is the Chair’s prerogative as to how amended motions are handled.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to approve the Chicago Drive Streetscape Project as proposed and presented by the Downtown Development Authority on June 13, 2011, including but not limited to:  a three lane cross section of Chicago Drive, on-street parking, burial of overhead utilities, brick pavers, pedestrian bump outs, ornamental landscaping, decorative lighting, and other features as deemed appropriate by the DDA.  Also, the City Council expresses its intent to approve any necessary and future resolutions in support of bonds to fund the project as well as future Transportation Enhancement Grants for the project.  Furthermore, the City Council will support any and all traffic control orders deemed necessary for the success of the project.  The motion was APPROVED by a 4-3 roll call vote (Yes:  Buck, Maas, Meringa, and Pettijohn.  No:  Gelderloos, Kauffman and Richards).

CONSENT AGENDA

Items presented under the Consent Agenda included:

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

2.      Minutes:    Park and Recreation Board (May 18)

DDA (April 14 and June 9)

3.      Miscellaneous Purchase Orders and Requests:

a.      Police:    Ricoh Copy Machine - Applied Imaging - $7,996.00

b.      Cemetery:  Cemetery Drive Paving – Michigan Paving - $8,000.00

c.      Motor Pool:        V – Box Salt Spreader – Truck and Trailer Specialties - $8,103.00

d.      Vehicle Disposal:  2005 Ford Crown Vic – Ben Hulst - $2,600.00

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

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

City Manager suggested the Executive Session be postponed until the next meeting.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

·         4^th of July Celebration

·         Support for the Downtown Streetscape Project

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Kauffman to adjourn at 11:02 pm.  The motion was APPROVED.

Mary L. Meines

City Clerk

Approved by City Council:    June 27, 2011

Contact the webmaster by clicking here.
Comments regarding website technical problems can be sent here.

An online community since 2000.

City of Grandville
3195 Wilson Avenue SW
Grandville, MI 49418
(616) 531-3030

This page last modified 07/01/11 .
All information © 2004 Grandville, Michigan 

Site Use Policy

Site Design/ Development by