MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING  

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL  

Monday, May 16, 2005 – 7:00 PM    

Mayor James M. 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 M. Rynberg and Councilmembers Jane Drake, James Breinling and Larry Breuker

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake and Police Chief Phil Deur

Public Present: Kevin Smith and Amber Mead

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Consent Action Items

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker and carried to approve the following consent action items:

·     Minutes of the Regular Session held May 2, 2005

·     Accepting & executing a $3,000 Grant Agreement with the Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF) for 2005 Fremont/Yahaba Friendship City Exchange Program

·     Accepting & executing a $1,500 Grant Agreement with the FACF for Special Kids Day Event during the 2005 National Baby Food Festival

·     Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts request for use of Veterans Memorial Park & Amphitheater for music demonstration on Tuesday, May 17, 2005

·     Resolution R-05-15: Approving the Request for the Provision of Urban Services to Property Parcel 62-17-03-147-004, within the Phase 2 Growth Area as Delineated in the 12/29/04 “Development Cooperation Agreement, between the City and Dayton & Sheridan Townships” Pursuant to Act 425 of the P.A. of Michigan of 1984

·     Amendment #8 to the Construction Administration Services contract for Fremont Municipal Airport Runway project, with the City’s additional cost of $269 (2.5%) out of additional $10,762.49 contract cost increase

·     Resolution R-05-16: Relative to Establishing a Special Assessment District and the Setting of a Public Hearing for consideration of the Improvement of E. Maple St. between Southwoods and East Avenues

·     Hair by Joan & Co. request for variance from the Zoning Ordinance for the installation of an awning over a Downtown sidewalk

Accounts Payable Report dated May 12, 2005 totaling $82,647.09

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the accounts payable check register report dated May 12, 2005 totaling $82,647.09; motion approved.  

 

Authorization for Mayor to Execute the Interlocal Agreement with the Central MI Enforcement Team

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to authorize Mayor Rynberg to execute the Interlocal Agreement with the Central Michigan Enforcement Team; motion approved.  

Resolution R-05-17: Adopting the Fremont Downtown Blueprint 2005 as the Official Guide for the further Economic Enhancement of Downtown Fremont

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve Resolution R-05-17 adopting the “Fremont Downtown Blueprint 2005” as the official guide for further economic enhancement of Downtown; motion approved.  

Resolution R-05-18: Expressing the City Council’s Intention to Continue with the Design & Construction of the Northside and Southside Alternate Truck Routes

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to adopt Resolution R-05-18; motion failed with a tie vote of 2-2.

Authorization for Staff Level Approvals of Standard use of Arboretum Park for Wedding Ceremonies

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to authorize staff approval of requests for use Arboretum Park for wedding ceremonies; motion approved.  

Appointments to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Board of Directors

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling and approved to confirm Mayor Rynberg’s recommended appointments to the Downtown Development Authority as follows:

                                                                                                TERM EXPIRING

 

         Lon Vredeveld (Chair)                                                        June 30, 2009

         James M. Rynberg (Mayor)                                                June 30, 2009

         Rob Zeldenrust                                                                   June 30, 2009

         Ron Vliem (Executive Director – Chamber)                         June 30, 2008

         Marianne Boerigter (Director – NCCA)                              June 30, 2008

         Lee Ann Lippard-Glaser (Head of DT Retail Assoc.)           June 30, 2008

         Ric Zahrt                                                                             June 30, 2007

         Ryan McNally                                                                     June 30, 2007

         Kim Deur                                                                            June 30, 2007

         Kevin Conley                                                                      June 30, 2006

         Kristie Van Simaeys                                                            June 30, 2006  

Reports

Councilmember Drake requested the new Zoning ordinance address the increasing problem of the parking of vehicles on front-yard lawns.  

Councilmember Breinling reported Garfield Township had decided not to work with the participating jurisdictions on the establishment of a joint planning commission.  

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

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

·      Fremont Fire Department Minutes of the 5/09/05 Meeting

·      City Clerk/Finance Director 4/14/05 Memo: Monthly Budget Comparison Report for the P.E. 4/30/05

·      Fremont Area Community Foundation 1st Quarter 2005 Fund Statements for the following funds: 1) Fremont Beautification; 2) City Advised Endowment; and 3) William Branstrom City Park

·      Newaygo County 5/5/05 Election Results

·      N.C. Junk Ordinance Enforcement Report: 5/5/05

·      Public Notice: Accepting Applications for City Council

·      Times Indicator Articles:

Ø   5/4/05: “Fremont School Board hears about Alternate Route ”

Ø   5/4/05: “ Fremont City Council Approves IFT Exemption for Gerber Products”

Ø   5/4/05: Excerpt from “FPS – Support for Custodial Staff”

Ø   5/4/05: “Workshop Intended to help Businesses Stay Competitive”

Ø   5/11/05: “Downtown Ideas Presented”

Ø   5/11/05: “Area Firefighters Participate in Training Program”

Ø   5/11/05: “Volunteers Needed to share Fremont History for Cemetery Walk Event”

·      Muskegon Chronicle Articles:

Ø   4/30/05: “Gerber gets Tax Abatement”

Ø   5/1/05: “County looks to Preserve Farmland”

Ø   5/3/05: “City Planner makes Downtown Recommendations”

Ø   5/4/05: “New Owner goes Public with Ramshorn”

Ø   5/5/05: “Rent All moves to Larger Quarters closer to Downtown”

Ø   5/5/05: “Housing Suggested for Electrolux Site”

Ø   5/5/05: “Comcast adds Channel to Basic Cable”

Ø   5/10/05: “Officials Focus on Downtown Site for Fire Station, Farmers Market”

·      Grand Rapids Press Articles:

Ø   5/3/05: “Mayors Rally to Protest Senate Bill”

Ø   5/11/05: “ Fremont Skateboard Tournament 5/14/05”

 

Closed Session: Union Negotiations

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to enter into a Closed Session at 8:13 PM to discuss union negotiation strategies; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.

The Closed Session ended at 9:18 PM and the Regular Session reconvened.

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 PM; motion approved.