REGULAR MEETING OF THE WEST BRANCH CITY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER OF CITY HALL, 121 NORTH FOURTH STREET, MONDAY, MAY 5, 2003
Mayor Todd Thompson called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Mayor Todd Thompson, Council Members Gregory Clark, William Ehinger, Kim Ervans, Paul Frechette, Russell Jackson, Chad Lucas
Absent: None
Other officers present: City Manager Patrick McGinnis, Clerk/Treasurer Jane Tennant, Police Chief Rodger Williams, Attorney Edward Crawford
All stood for the Pledge of Allegiance.
MOTION BY CLARK, SECOND BY JACKSON, TO APPROVE THE BANNER APPLICATION FROM THE PIONEER POWER CLUB TO PLACE A BANNER ACROSS HOUGHTON AVENUE FROM JULY 7, 2003 THROUGH JULY 21, 2003.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None
Motion carried
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Manager McGinnis presented Ed Greenland with a resolution renaming Industrial Drive to Greenland Street. Mr. Greenland gave a brief history of his move to West Branch.
MOTION BY LUCAS, SECOND BY JACKSON, TO ADOPT THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTION:
RESOLUTION #03-08
WHEREAS, Mr. Ed Greenland retired from SEMPCO Manufacturing in 2003 after 37 years of dedicated and loyal service, and
WHEREAS, since 1966, Mr. Greenland has called the corner of Industrial Drive and N. 8th Street his place of work, five days every week, 52 weeks every year, spending over 75,000 hours of his life dutifully fulfilling his tasks at the manufacturing plant, and
WHEREAS, on April 28, 2003, Ed Greenlands caring and loving family made a unique, thoughtful and totally appropriate request of the Mayor and City Council on his behalf.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to the powers vested in the West Branch City Council by the State of Michigan Constitution, Public Act 51 of 1951 and the West Branch City Charter, the stretch of street from the terminus of N. 8th Street to N. 7th Street, formerly known as Industrial Drive, shall immediately be renamed GREENLAND STREET and signs be posted at each end of the street signifying this new and fitting tribute to Mr. Ed Greenland.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None
Motion carried
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MOTION BY CLARK, SECOND BY FRECHETTE, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES AND SUMMARY OF THE REGULAR MEETING HELD APRIL 21, 2003.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None
Motion carried
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MOTION BY JACKSON, SECOND BY CLARK, TO RECEIVE AND FILE THE MINUTES OF THE DDA MEETING HELD MARCH 24, 2003, MEDICAL ARTS CENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING HELD MARCH 27, 2003, AND WEST BRANCH REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING HELD MARCH 31, 2003.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None
Motion carried
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Manager McGinnis supplied Council with the findings of his rental inspection research. He asked Council if they wished him to proceed to the Ordinance stage and the budgeting stage. Council Members voiced concern about the qualifications of inspectors and what it would cost to contract with qualified inspectors. Manager McGinnis stated that the cost would be contingent on the extent of the Ordinance. Council Member Clark felt that the Ordinance should start out simple and expanded upon later. He also stated he feels it is important to set up a session with the landlords to review any regulations set up by the Ordinance. Manager McGinnis stated he feels the first step is to get the landlords registered.
MOTION BY LUCAS, SECOND BY ERVANS, DIRECTING THE CITY MANAGER TO PROCEED WITH A RENTAL INSPECTION ORDINANCE AND TO RESEARCH THE COST TO IMPLEMENT AND MAINTAIN THE GUIDELINES SET FORTH IN THE ORDINANCE.
Yes Clark, Ervans, Jackson, Lucas
No Ehinger, Frechette, Thompson
Motion carried
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Mayor Thompson opened the public hearing on the 2003/2004 budget at 7:25 p.m. No one present wished to be heard on this subject.
MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY FRECHETTE, TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2003/2004 BUDGET AT 7:26 P.M.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None
Motion carried
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MOTION BY LUCAS, SECOND BY THOMPSON, TO APPROVE THE BILLS IN THE AMOUNT OF $73,008.24.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None
Motion carried
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Manager McGinnis explained a possible amendment to the Municipal Health Facilities Act (PA 230 of 1987). He stated this amendment would change the nominating process for Hospital Board members by reducing the number of nominees from three to one. Council Member Jackson voiced concern about the length of this process if Council does not approve the one name. Mayor Thompson stated he does not agree with how it is currently done. Council Member Lucas felt that if there was going to be a change it should be changed so that Council makes the appointment without recommendations from the Hospital Board. Manager McGinnis suggested setting up a meeting with the hospital officials and our State Representative to discuss this issue. Council Member Ehinger asked how many hospitals in the State of Michigan this proposed amendment effects. Manager McGinnis stated he would find out. Manager McGinnis recommended that the Council support the amendment. Council tabled this issue.
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MOTION BY JACKSON, SECOND BY ERVANS, TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FROM WADE-TRIM FOR THE SEWER CAPACITY EVALUATION IN THE AMOUNT OF $1,300 AND TO ACCEPT THE PROPOSAL FOR AN UPDATED COST ESTIMATE TO EXTEND THE SEWER IN THE AMOUNT OF $500.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No None
Motion carried
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Council reviewed the request from Gary DeShano to receive a tax abatement on a proposed apartment complex on S. First St. Mayor Thompson stated that if this complex is built, the City should give serious consideration to paving Griffin Street. Mr. DeShano was present and noted that when the Council allows a tax abatement they are passing the savings on to the tenants and it also allows him to get points to help him qualify for MSHDA funding. Discussion was held concerning police calls to the other apartment complexes in the City. Police Chief Williams stated good management and thorough screening keeps the number of calls down. He further stated that they have not had excessive calls to any of the complexes in the City. Mr. DeShano stated that the market survey shows that this type of housing is needed in the West Branch area.
MOTION BY JACKSON, SECOND BY EHINGER, TO INTRODUCE A TAX ABATEMENT ORDINANCE FOR THE SOUTH SIDE APARTMENTS.
Yes Clark, Ehinger, Jackson
No Ervans, Frechette, Lucas, Thompson
Motion did not pass
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Council reviewed Ordinance #03-05. Manager McGinnis stated the Citys Bond Counsel advised him that the Council could adopt the Ordinance setting the table and amending the TIFA plan with no harm. He further stated that the Bond Counsel informed him that the City could negotiate with the County on the base year. He further stated that the base year does not become an issue until the City starts to capture the money to pay back the debt.
MOTION BY THOMPSON, SECOND BY FRECHETTE, TO ADOPT ORDINANCE #03-05 ENTITLED, "AN ORDINANCE APPROVING THE TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN AND THE AMENDMENT TO TAX INCREMENT FINANCING AND DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WEST BRANCH."
Yes Ehinger, Ervans, Frechette, Jackson, Lucas, Thompson
No Clark
Motion carried
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MOTION BY ERVANS, SECOND BY FRECHETTE, TO ADJOURN AT 8:00 P.M.