City Council Minutes

CITY OF GRANDVILLE

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MONDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2011

The Grandville City Council Regular Meeting of October 24, 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; Tammy Hopman, Finance Director; Randy Kraker, City Attorney; Ken Krombeen, City Manager; Mike May, Fire Chief; Mary Meines, City Clerk; and Dennis Santo, Police Chief.

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

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to approve the October 24, 2011 agenda as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Richards, supported by Council Member Meringa, to waive the reading of the minutes of the Regular Meeting of October 10, 2011 and to approve as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Richards, that bills for Fiscal Year 2011-2012 totaling $348,786.53 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 Grandville Senior Center, Russ Ripma, thanked everyone for the condolences expressed at the time of Judi DeMink’s death. He also reminded the Council of the Community Leaders Meeting on October 25 at 7:00 am.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:15 pm to receive comments on the request from Meijer Distribution, Inc. to establish an Industrial Development District at 3040 Remico. City Manager Krombeen indicated the applicant is proposing a nut roasting/packaging and candy packaging facility. Meijer will be purchasing $4,630,000 in new equipment and projects 25 new jobs will be created. Kurt Brauer, legal counsel representing Meijer was present to respond to questions. The public hearing was closed at 7:27 pm.

Mayor Buck opened the public hearing at 7:29 pm to receive comments on the request for a PA 328 tax abatement for Meijer Distribution, Inc. Kurt Brauer, for Meijer, presented information relative to the requested abatement. Terry Shamblin outlined details of the proposed production facility, including projections for created employment and planned improvements to the property. Comments were made by citizen Mike Cobb and by Steve Zinger, of the Business Relations Committee. Council discussion included questions regarding possible allergy hazards, the expected useful life of the exempted property versus the length of the abatement and the hope of future growth. Questions were raised regarding PA 328’s terms and comparisons to PA 198 were examined. Comments were heard regarding fair treatment of all businesses in granting tax relief and Meijer was commended for a history of good corporate citizenship. The public hearing was closed at 8:08 pm.

ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to approve Resolution No. 2968 establishing Industrial Development District No. 94. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to approve Resolution No. 2969 approving a PA 328 tax abatement for Meijer Distribution, Inc. for 10 years on $4,630,000 in new equipment. Discussion considered the length of the abatement, equity, and the benefits versus the cost to the City. The motion was APPROVED by a 4-3 roll call vote (Yes: Buck, Maas, Meringa, Pettijohn. No: Gelderloos, Kauffman, Richards)

CONSENT AGENDA

Items presented under the Consent Agenda included:

1. Reports: PA 198 (2011), DPW (Quarterly), CWP (September), Investments (September)

2. Proclamation: Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month (November)

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Meringa, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. The motion was APPROVED.

CITY MANAGER’S REPORT

Interlocal Agreement to Operate and Maintain Kent Trails provides funding for maintenance and reconstruction of non-motorized trails. Proposed renewal of a 20-year contract will increase Grandville’s contribution to 7.1% of costs. Roger Sabine, Director of the Kent County Parks Commission, spoke on the past success of the collaboration and the formula used to allocate costs to participating agencies. Motion by Council Member Kauffman, supported by Council Member Pettijohn, to approve the Agreement with Kent County. The motion was unanimously APPROVED by roll call vote.

A 2009 space needs study indicated need for a new space to house a Grandville Senior Center, but the project did not progress any farther due to budget constraints. A collaborative effort between the Georgetown, Hudsonville and Grandville has been discussed and may efficiently address needs of all communities. Comments were made by Russ Ripma, Max Lautenschlager and Norma Lautenschlager asserting that the Grandville Senior Neighbors are the most active of the entities and that the crossing over county lines may complicate a partnership with particular regard to transportation. Concerns over relinquishing local control were mentioned and the desire to respect and consider the desires of local Seniors was asserted.

COUNCIL COMMENTS

· Thanks to City Staff for their assistance with Officer Slot’s funeral

· November 8 Election

· 2^nd Annual DNA Lifeprint Event was held at Harold Zeigler on October 22.

· Twilight Shines fundraiser for Senior Neighbors on November 8 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum.

· Council commitment to continue discussion of future accommodations of local Seniors renewed

· Historical Commission #10 School Open House on October 29 from 9-4

· Wyoming Rodeo reviewed

· Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held on December 5, 2011 at 7:00 pm

ADJOURNMENT

Motion made by Council Member Maas, supported by Council Member Gelderloos, to adjourn at 9:01 pm. The motion was APPROVED.

Mary L. Meines