MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

Monday, August 15, 2005 – 7:00 PM

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

Present at Roll Call: Mayor James M. Rynberg and Councilmembers Larry Breuker, Dick Conley, Jane Drake and Larry Breuker

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

Public Present: Karla & John Gilliland, Lola Ramsey and Ron Vliem

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Mayor Rynberg requested the City’s consideration for approval of the union collective bargaining agreement with the Police Officers Labor Council (POLC) be added to the agenda.

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the meeting agenda as amended; 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 and Closed Sessions held August 1, 2005
• Acceptance of Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF) Grant of $50,000 for construction of Phase 1b of the Town & Country Path Project
• Resolution R-05-29: Urging the State Legislature to Adopt Legislation Eliminating the Vacant Commercial Property Tax Loophole
• Authorization to Secure Financing with Huntington Bank for the new 2005 Fire Truck at 3.92%
• Resolution R-05-30: Committing to Undertake the "Town & Country Path Phase 1b Project" and Provide the Necessary Local Match Funds if Grant Funds are made available from the MI-DNR
• Acceptance of LIAA “Partnerships for Change” Grant of $25,000 for Assistance in the Establishment of a Fremont Area Joint Planning Commission, consisting of the City of Fremont, Sheridan Charter Township and Dayton & Sherman Townships
• Purchase Backhoe Loader Equipment for Department of Public Works from Michigan CAT for $60,176 and authorize trade in of the 90’ Case loader for $18,000
• Select MML Workers’ Compensation Fund Board of Trustees from Official Ballot
• Select Mayor Rynberg as the Official Representative to the MML Annual Business Meeting on 9/21/05

Accounts Payable Report dated August 11, 2005 totaling $78,094.26

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the accounts payable check register report dated August 11, 2005 totaling $78,094.26; motion approved.

Public Comment

The City’s representative to the Gerber Memorial Health Services Board, City Treasurer Gay Krouse, gave a brief update on the hospital’s renovations, new finance director and recent land purchase for the potential wellness center.

Chamber of Commerce Request for Placement of Beverage Tent on City Parking Lot for Harvest Festival

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake and approved, to authorize placement of a temporary alcohol-beverage tent in the City parking lot behind the ArtsPlace with the following requirements:

• Obtain an LCC 24-hour special liquor permit to serve alcohol
• Servers will need to receive specific training on the serving of alcohol
• Provide security personnel acceptable to the City Police Chief
• Make arrangements for courtesy transportation for those in need
• Erect dual fencing around the tent perimeter w/ minimum 10’ security gap
• Obtain a single-event liquor liability policy naming the City as additional insured w/ a minimum coverage of $1 million per occurrence and $3 million aggregate
• Provide for restroom facilities, electrical power & refuse disposal

City Manager Yonker noted City crews can provide the necessary barricades for the parking lot and Chief Deur noted that if the tent is within 500’ of a place of worship, permission from such place would be needed.

Consider DDA Recommendation on Site for Farmers Market & Authorizing the Inclusion of the Design of a Market Structure in the DDA Request for Proposals for Downtown Design Services

City Manager Yonker noted the Farmers Market Committee received endorsement of the DDA to site a new permanent structure for the Farmers Market in the parking area in the Downtown block just west of City Hall.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve the proposed site and authorize inclusion of the design in the DDA’s request for proposals for Downtown design services; motion approved.

Authorization to Solicit Request for Proposals for Downtown Design Services

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to authorize a request to the FACF for funding from the Fremont Beautification Fund, for design services for capital improvements within the Downtown; motion approved.

Authorization to Solicit Request for Proposals for Feasibility Study for Fremont Local History Museum

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley and approved, to authorize:

• A request to the FACF of $10,000, for partial funding of professional services to evaluate the feasibility of establishing a local history museum in Fremont; and
• Appropriation of up to $20,000 from the fund balance of the DDA Operating Fund to cover the remaining costs of said professional services.

Live Demonstration of New City of Fremont Website (www.cityoffremont.net)

City Manager Yonker gave a brief presentation of the City’s recently reformatted website.

Appointment of Keith R. Burd to the City Planning Commission

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to appoint Keith Burd to replace John Frens (whose term expired July 1, 2005), on the Fremont City Planning Commission with a term ending July 1, 2008; motion approved.

Appointment of Mayor Rynberg, Councilmember Breinling & Zoning Administrator Richard Rought to the Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee (FAJPC)

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to appoint Mayor Rynberg, Councilmember Breinling and Zoning Administrator Richard Rought to the FAJPC as recommended; motion approved.

Reports

Councilmember Conley inquired as to the safety of traffic on Sullivan Avenue, between Oak and Pine Streets, with the continuance of parking along the west side of Sullivan Avenue.  Mr. Conley noted there is sufficient parking in the hospital’s parking lot immediately west of Sullivan.  The City Manager stated he would have the Police Chief review the situation and report back to the City Council.

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

• City Manager’s Friday Newsletter: Semi-Mo. Progress Report on Key City Objectives, Policies & Projects
• Fire Department Minutes of the 8/8/05 Meeting
• Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of the 7/28/05 Meeting
• 8/8/05 City Press Release: “Downtown Business Property Owners Consider Rental Rehab Program”
• 7/29/05 Consumers Energy Letter: “Fremont Substation Transformer Failure”
• City Staff Memo: “Summary of Events- Consumers Energy Fremont Substation Transformer Failure- Thursday, 6/9/05
• Notice of 9/24/05 Cemetery Walk
• Notice of 9/17/05 Newaygo County Recycling “Electronics Collection Day”
• MSHDA 8/5/05 Letter: “Tax Credits Issued for CNH Fremont Townhomes Project”
• Notice to Residents of Logistics for Upcoming Re-Construction Project on Sheridan Street
• Times Indicator Articles:
• 8/10/05: “Shafer Named to Lead FACF Board of Directors”
• 8/10/05: “Funding Received to Construct 12-Unit Townhouse Development in Fremont”
• 8/10/05: “Fremont Neighborhood Design Charrette Follow-up Meeting Scheduled for 8/23/05”
• 8/10/05: “Wedding Announcement: City Auditors Eric & Kristi VanDop”

Closed Session: Union Negotiation Strategy

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to close the regular session at 9:45 PM and enter into a closed session to discuss union negotiation strategy; motion approved by roll call vote of:

              Yeas: Rynberg, Conley, Drake, Breinling and Breuker

              Nays: None

The closed session ended at 10:00 PM and the regular session reconvened.

Consider Approval of Union Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) with POLC

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to accept the 3-year CBA between the City and POLC as negotiated by the City Manager, Clerk & Mayor with the assistance of the State Mediator, contingent on the acceptance of the Union; motion approved.

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 PM; motion approved.