MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
Monday, February 6, 2006 – 7:00 PM
Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmember Jane Drake gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Present at Roll Call: Mayor James Rynberg and Councilmembers Jane Drake, James Breinling, Larry Breuker and Dick Conley
Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker and City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake
Public Present: David Byrne, Lon Vredeveld, Mike Ensing, Mike Paige, Susan Reagan and Jeff Petry
Mayor Rynberg requested the addition of Item 12b “Consider Land Purchase” to the Closed Session agenda. Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the meeting agenda with the addition of Item 12b; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley and carried to remove Items #3.1 “Minutes of the Regular Session held January 16, 2006” and # 3.6 “Amend-ment to City Personnel Policies Manual” and approve the following remaining consent action items:
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the minutes of the Regular Session held on January 16, 2006, as amended; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the accounts payable check register report dated February 3, 2006 totaling $676,295.65; motion approved.
Ms. Susan Joy Reagan, Co-Chair of the Citizens of Bridgeton Twp.’s Community Development Committee, requested the City’s support for their request to the MI-DNR for grant funding for the acquisition of land south of the Township’s boat launch on the Muskegon River. Following her presentation and discussion, Councilmember Drake moved, seconded by Councilmember Conley to authorize Mayor Rynberg to draft a letter supporting the project; motion approved.
Fremont Area Park & Recreation Advisory Committee member Mr. Dave Byrne provided background on the Recreation Facility Subcommittee’s formation and the project’s details. He noted the Park & Recreation Committee had accepted the Subcommittee’s recommendation, but the feasibility study cost estimates had increased since its last meeting.
Following lengthy discussion, Council expressed its support for the project as well as its concern for the proper timing. There was Council consensus that this project was better suited as a project under the auspices of an area-wide Recreation Authority and that any campaign for funding should wait until establishment of an authority was researched and confirmed by the participating municipalities.
City Manager Yonker summarized the draft budget that City staff had prepared for the Joint Commission and the current planning budgets for each participating jurisdiction. Following discussion, Council expressed its concerns with the $50 per meeting per diem amount and the precedent being set regarding other voluntary committee positions in the City. Continuing education requirements for committee membership were noted as possible justification.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to support Mayor Rynberg’s recommendation to appoint Ms. Lorna Kosztowny to the DDA Board for a 3-year term ending June 30, 2008, replacing Ms. Lee Ann Glaser who had resigned; motion approved.
Mr. Lon Vredeveld and Mr. Mike Paige gave an update on Fremont Public School’s High School Bond Proposal campaign and briefly reviewed the proposed design and layout.
City Manager Yonker announced that the MSU’s “Planning for Prosperity Summit” is scheduled for March 27th in Lansing. The Fremont Area Community Foundation may be willing to help cover some of the registration costs and is encouraging local leaders to attend.
Mr. Yonker also provided Councilmembers with a 1/23/06 letter from Ron E. Mousel requesting water and sewer services for his property at 7153 W. 48th Street. The parcel is in Dayton Township and is not part of the recently adopted Act 425 Agreement on the west end of town. Mr. Mousel will be meeting with the Dayton Twp. Board on 2/8/06 to request they agree to amend the Act 425 Agreement to include his parcel. Staff will bring the issue back to Council once the Township’s actions are determined.
City Clerk Blake submitted sample ballots for the upcoming February 28th school bond election and reminded Councilmembers to vote.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to close the Regular Session at 10:23 PM and enter into a Closed Session to discuss union collective bargaining agreement negotiation strategy and a possible land acquisition; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote of:
Yeas: Rynberg, Conley, Drake, Breinling, Breuker
Nays: None
Absent: None
The Closed Session ended at 10:47 PM and the Regular Meeting reconvened.
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 10:47 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, City Clerk