MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING  

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL  

Monday, March 21, 2005 – 7:00 PM  

Mayor James M. Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Councilmember James Breinling gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

Present at Roll Call: Mayor James M. Rynberg and Councilmembers James Breinling, Larry Breuker, Rob Mani and Jane Drake

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake, DPW Superintendent Brian Hettinger and Building Maintenance Personnel Todd Laisure

Public Present: County Commissioner Stan Nieboer and Sherri Heiss

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve the meeting agenda; motion approved.

Introduction of Todd Laisure as New Part-Time Building Maintenance Staff

DPW Supervisor Hettinger introduced new part-time Building Maintenance employee Todd Laisure to the Council.  

Consent Action Items

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Mani and carried to approve the following consent action items:

·         Minutes of the Regular Session held March 7, 2005

·         Amend FY 04/05 Budget for Various Capital Projects as follows:

Fremont Airpark Development:

 

101-999.000-490.000    Transfer Out – Capital Projects Fund         36,500

101-000.000-699.028    Transfer from Fund Balance                                  36,500

490-537.000-971.004    Cap Outlay – Airpark Development            36,500

490-000.000-699.000    Transfer from General Fund                                   36,500

 

Town & Country Path:

 

490-751.000-970.003    Capital Outlay – T&C Path                        70,000

490-000.000-699.028    Transfer from Fund Balance                                  70,000

 

·         Chamber of Commerce Request for use of Veterans Memorial Park for Summer Concert Series on Thursdays, June 16th through August 4th and two Chicken BBQ Fundraisers on Friday, June 10th and July 15th

·         Mid-State Bass-Busters Request to Stage Bass Tournament from Fremont Lake Park on Saturday, July 10th

Accounts Payable Report dated March 18, 2005

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, supported by Councilmember Drake to approve the March 18, 2005 accounts payable check register report totaling $74,438.40; motion approved.

Annual Request for Staging of 2005 National Baby Food Festival

The Chamber of Commerce submitted a letter requesting permission to stage the 2005 National Baby Food Festival in Downtown Fremont.  Chamber staff Sherri Heiss was present to address the request and to discuss the staging of the Car Show & “burn-out” event in the Industrial Park.  

City Manager Yonker noted the County Road Commission would be re-constructing Green Avenue during that time, which would make it very difficult for traffic and parking.  He suggested various alternative sites be considered, preferably the High School Athletic Field Complex.  

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to grant the request for use of City facilities and street closures for the Festival, excluding the Car Show & “burn-out” events; motion approved.  Council recommended the Chamber request permission from Fremont Public Schools as suggested, but revisit if unsuccessful.  

Yahaba , Japan Friendship City Program: Consideration of Joint Public Project Commemorating 10th Anniversary of Friendship City Accord

Councilmember Drake requested Council consider the City pursuing a joint public project with Fremont Public Schools to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Friendship City Accord between Fremont and Yahaba , Japan .  Councilmember Drake suggested commissioning a Japanese artist to design a sculpture, fountain or combination of both for placement in front of the Fremont Municipal Building .  

Council discussed the City raising funds to contract a local artist to construct the project, following presentation of the design during 10th year commemoration.  

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to authorize staff to submit a request for $10,000 to the Fremont Area Community Foundation, for use of funds for said project, from the Fremont Downtown Beautification Fund; motion approved with Councilmember Drake abstaining.  

Acceptance of Resignation of David Byrne from the Planning Commission

Motion by Councilmember Mani, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to accept David Byrne’s resignation from the Planning Commission, effective 3/31/05 with regret; motion approved.  

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

·      City Manager’s Friday Newsletter: Semi-Mo. Progress Report on Key Objectives, Policies & Projects

·      Fremont Fire Department Minutes of the 3/14/05 Meeting

·      Thank You Note from the family of Ray Rathbun

·      Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee Minutes of the 3/14/05 Meeting

·      Monthly Budget Comparison Report for the period ending 2/28/05

·      3/18/05 Press Release: “The Future of Downtown Fremont : Speak Up; Be a Voice; Set the Vision”

·      Agenda & Registration for MML Region 3 Annual Meeting in Grandville

·      LIAA 3/10/05 Letter of Invitation to CM to participate in Colloquium on Cooperative Land Use Planning

·      3/16/05 Letter of Support for Lon Vredeveld for the “Governor George Romney Lifetime Achievement Award”

·      Flier & Registration for 4/17-18/05 “Five County Regional Tourism Conference & Expo” (NCEDO & MSU-Extension sponsoring as part of joint Tourism Action Plan project)

·      LINC 3/05 Alumni Synergy Newsletter

·      City Clerk 3/10/05 Memo: “2004 Fire Dept. Run Analysis”

·      City Treasurer & CM Accounting: “Unreimbursed City Labor & Direct Costs for ’04 NBFF”

·      Testimony by Councilmember Jane drake @ 3/10/05 Mtg. of the Senate Standing Committee on Local, Urban & State Affairs

·      NCEDO Ex. Director’s Reports- January & February ’05

·      NCEDO 3/10/05 Press Release: “Newaygo County Profile Wins Gold Advertising Award”

·      3/1/05 Comcast Letter: “Channel Lineup Changes”

·      2/24/05 Comcast Letter: “Price Adjustments”

·      MML 3/05 Risk Management News

·      3/15/05 City Letter: “Enhancement Grant Request to MDOT for W. Main Street (M-82)”

·      NC LINC Business Education Seminar Flier

·      Times Indicator 3/9/05 Article:

Ø   “NC Board of Commissioners: Auditors Question Loan”

·      Grand Rapids Press Articles:

Ø   3/8/05: “Court to Weigh Property Issue”

Ø   3/10/05: “Effort to Joint City in Pipeline”

Ø   3/11/05: “Community Briefs- Citizen Citations”

Ø   3/13/05: “Municipal Leaders Weigh Benefits, Costs of Airport Authority”

·      Lansing State Journal 3/8/05 Article:

Ø   “Court Ruling Overturns Speed Limit Hike in East Lansing ”

·      Muskegon Chronicle Article:

Ø   2/27/05 Editorial: “State has to Take the Lead Role on Consolidation”

 

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Mani, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to adjourn the meeting at 8:30 PM; motion approved.