MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING  

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL  

Monday, June 6, 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 and Jane Drake

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake and Police Officer Matt Hendrie

Public Present: Paul & Donna Conklin, Nelvin & Betty Harmsen, Sherri Anderson, Jim Patterson, Duane & Nancy Luchies, Ray Arnett, Roger Tuuk, Jack Butterick, Mike Sparr, Janet Fisher, Roy Walker, Bob Johnson & John Frens

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Consent Action Items

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

·      Minutes of the Regular and Closed Sessions held May 16, 2005

·     Caring for Kids Coalition request for use of Fremont Lake Park for “Caring for Kids” Summer Program

·      Fremont Wesleyan Church request for use of Veterans Memorial Park & Amphitheater for Concert and Picnic on Saturday, August 20, 2005

·      Authorization to Execute Professional Services Agreement with Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber for 2005 Update of Water System Reliability Study for a cost not to exceed $13,980

·      Sale of City-Owned Vacant Lot @ 16 W. Pine Street to Mr. Gary Hoppa of Oakridge Excavating, for $19,560

Accounts Payable Report dated June 3, 2005 totaling $465,196.95

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the accounts payable check register report dated June 3, 2005 totaling $465,196.95; motion approved.    

Public Comment

Matt Hendrie, of 104 W. Oak Street submitted a petition for abandonment of the alley south of Oak Street between Mechanic and Weaver Avenues and reported that nearly all abutting property owners have signed the petition.  

City Manager Yonker noted that City staff would review the location of any public or private utilities in the alley to see if easements would be needed for existing or future utility uses if the alley were vacated.  Access to properties abutting the alley would also be reviewed.  A recommendation would come back to City Council, which would have to set a public hearing for consideration of the vacation request.  

Mr. Raymond Arnett, Fremont Area District Library’s new Director, introduced himself to Council.  

Public Hearing: Special Assessment for the Proposed E. Maple St. Storm Sewer, Sidewalk, Street, Curb & Gutter and Water & Sanitary Sewer Main Improvements

Mayor Rynberg opened the public hearing at 7:10 PM and City Manager Yonker gave an overview of the proposed construction project & the proposed special assessment to be levied to pay a portion of the project’s costs.  

Roger Tuuk, of 205 Southwoods Avenue requested the City consider constructing the sidewalk around his landscaping.  City Manager Yonker noted the City had already planned on relocating his small diameter trees as a part of the project, but not the small wood shed, all of which are on the Maple Street public street right-of-way.  

Mike Sparr, Habitat for Humanity Director, requested the City not proceed with the project because of the financial burden his organization would encounter due to the assessment.  It was noted that Habitat was made well aware of the planned improvements for Maple Street and the probable levying of a special assessment to cover a portion of the costs prior to the organization’s purchase of the property from the former owner.  

Mayor Rynberg closed the public hearing at 7:34 PM.  

Resolution R-05-19: Ordering the Establishment of a Special Assessment District for Improvements along East Maple Street between Southwoods and East Avenues

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve Resolution R-05-19 ordering the special assessment; motion approved.  

Presentation of Damage Claim from Property Owners of 206 Michigan Avenue

Duane and Nancy Luchies, of 206 Michigan Avenue submitted documents pertaining to basement and sanitary sewer line damage recently encountered at their residence during a City-watermain break.  They reported the City’s insurance company denied their claim and they requested the City consider reimbursing them a portion of their costs totaling $13,484.  

Council requested staff review their documents and report their findings to Council.  

Appointment to fill City Council Vacancy

Four residents (Sherri Anderson-Patterson, John Frens, Richard Conley and Robert Johnson) had submitted applications to fill the vacant Council seat.  Mayor Rynberg requested each candidate give a 3-5 minute presentation to the Council of their qualifications and interest in serving on the Council.  Following the presentations, the Council asked several questions of the candidates.  

Following a tie vote from ballot distribution, Mayor Rynberg drew the name Richard Conley from the two candidates receiving the tie vote.  Mayor Rynberg stated that the appointment of Mr. Conley would take effect on July 5, 2005.  

Setting the Budget Review Schedule for the Proposed FY 05/06 City Operating / Capital Budget

Council confirmed setting the budget review date for Monday, June 20th at 5:30 PM, prior to the regularly scheduled Council meeting.  

Preliminary Requirements for the Appointment & Retention of Members to the Planning Commission

Council reviewed staff’s draft on requirements for the appointment and retention of Planning Commission members and requested staff make the requested changes and resubmit for final review.  

Extended Public Comment

Roy Walker, of 439 W. Maple Street requested that his street be brined soon and inquired as to the process of having the 400 block of West Maple Street paved.  

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

·         Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee Minutes of the 5/16/05 Meeting

·         6/2/05 City Press Release: “ Fremont to Hold Neighborhood Design Charrette”

·         6/9/05 City Press Release: “ Fremont Neighborhood Design Charrette Embraces Smart Growth”

·         Promotional Flier for Neighborhood Design Charrette

·         MDOT 5/17/05 Confirmation of Transfer of Responsibility for Highway Maintenance from NCRC to City for the one-half mile section of M-82 from Connie Avenue to Green Avenue

·         MEDC President/CEO Thank You Letter for May 16th Tour & Presentations @ NCEDO Meeting

·         Fire Department Minutes of the 5/23/05 Meeting

·         Planning Commission Minutes of the 5/24/05 Meeting

·         Downtown Blueprint Process Committee Minutes of the 5/12/05 Meeting

·         “First Night” New Year’s Eve Event Minutes of the 5/26/05 Meeting

·         LSL Planning, Inc. Form-Based Codes: 5/24/05 Training Seminar PowerPoint Slide Show

·         LSL Planning, Inc. Form Based Codes: 5/24/05 Initial Public Educational Paper

·         Copy of Mayors Exchange Driving Tour Narrative (for those not attending tour)

·         Yahaba/Fremont Friendship City Program first annual invoice for reimbursement from City of Fremont

·         Newaygo County 4-H Thank You: Farm Safety Day

·         FADL Press Release & Invitation to Open House for new Library Director

·         MDOT Invitation to Transportation Summit & Rural Planning Meeting @ FADL

·         “Little Boxes - Limited Horizons,” 4/21/05 Remarks of David Rusk to the Muskegon Area Environmental Excellence Awards Banquet

·         “What’s the REAL City of Muskegon ?” 4/22/05 Remarks of David Rusk to the Muskegon Area Chamber of Commerce

·         Times Indicator Articles:

Ø      5/18/05: “Volunteers Help Distribute Bicycles to Low Income Families”

Ø      5/18/05: “New Land Use Educator”

Ø      5/25/05: “City Council Splits on Alternate Truck Route ”

Ø      5/25/05: “ Fremont Council Adopts ‘Blueprint’ for Downtown”

Ø      5/25/05: “New Director Hired @ FADL”

Ø      5/25/05: “NCEDO Hosts Donald Jakeway @ Lunch Reception on 5/16”

Ø      5/25/05: “Mayor’s Letter to the Editor & Picture: Blueprint Committee”

Ø      5/25/05: “Letter to Editor - Pine Street ”

Ø      5/25/05: “ Newaygo County 4-H Sponsors 6th Annual Farm Safety Day”

·         MiBiz West Article:

Ø      5/16/05: “Best Michigan Paving the Way for Regional Marketing”  

Closed Session: Union Negotiations

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to enter into a Closed Session at 9:45 PM to discuss union negotiation strategies and a possible land acquisition; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.

The Closed Session ended at 10:20 PM and the Regular Session reconvened.

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 PM; motion approved.