MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

Monday, October 3, 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, Dick Conley and Jane Drake

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake, Sergeant Randy Wright and Police Officers Dean Johnson, Mike Hallmeyer and Matt Hendrie

Public Present: Lindsay Hager, Sage Hager, India Hager, Keith Payne and Rick Prysock

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Presentation of National Award to Police Officer Dean Johnson

Police Sergeant Randy Wright presented the John Cover Award to Officer Dean Johnson.  Taser International issues the award annually to officers who best exemplify the judicious use of non-lethal force to end a potentially violent confrontation.  Council commended Officer Johnson for his performance.

Consent Action Items

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

• Minutes of the Regular Session held September 19, 2005
• Resolution R-05-35: Agreeing to Participate in the Operation and Maintenance Costs of State Highway Traffic Signal Modernization at the Intersection of M-82 and Industrial Drive, whereas Wal-Mart has already agreed to pay the City’s on-going 50% contribution
• Resolution R-05-36: Supporting Local Control of Municipal Broadband and Cable TV Franchising
• Resolution R-05-37: Approving Issuance of new 12-month Resort Economic Development Class C Liquor License with Dance-Entertainment Permit to Ramshorn on the Lakes

Award of Bid for Installation of New Concrete Span Bridge over Darling Creek in Fremont Lake Park

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize staff to enter into a construction agreement with Rick’s Excavating for $58,987, for installation of said bridge.  Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to:

1) amend the motion to authorize an additional $9,800 for materials, engineering and other professional services related to the project; and 2) amend the FY 05/06 General & Capital Projects Fund Budgets with increased project costs of $51,500 (101-966.000-999.490; 490-000.000-699.000 & 490-751.000-970.000.)  Motion to amend approved; amended main motion approved.

Purchase Copy Machine for Administrative Offices

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to: 1) authorize purchase of the Konica copier for $10,748; 2) enter into a maintenance agreement with Albin Business Center for the copier; and 3) amend the FY 05/06 General Fund Budget with an increase of $3,750 (101-265.000-970.000); motion approved.

Accounts Payable Report dated September 29, 2005 totaling $107,931.37

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve the accounts payable check register report dated September 29, 2005 totaling $107,931.37; motion approved.

Resolution R-05-34: Committing to undertake the “Fremont Downtown Rental Housing Rehabilitation Project” and Submit a Grant Application to MSHDA to Help Fund Project

Mr. Lindsay Hager, Director of NCCS Center for Non-Profit Housing (CNH) briefly summarized the project, noting they’ve received interest so far for the rehab of ten units.  With MSHDA covering $25,000/unit plus an 18% administration fee, the City should request a total of $295,000 under the MSHDA program.  Mr. Hager also noted if CNH is identified as the 3rd party administrator, it would be requesting an additional $1,000 per completed unit from the City to help cover costs for administration of the program.

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve Resolution R-05-34 authorizing submittal of the MSHDA grant application and scheduling a public hearing for 10/17/05 for input on the proposed development program; motion approved.

Retention of Professional Design Engineering Firm for Design of Downtown Capital Enhancement Projects

City Manager Yonker reported the Downtown Development Authority’s (DDA’s) Interview Committee unanimously recommended Fleis & Vandenbrink after interviewing four firms.  The DDA Board concurred with the Committee’s selection and recommended City Council award the contract.

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to authorize staff to enter into a professional services agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink for $33,800 for design of downtown capital enhancement projects as outlined in the Request for Proposals, the City Capital Improvement Plan, the DDA Amended TIF & Development Plan and the Downtown Blueprint Strategy; motion approved.

Retention of Professional Consulting Firm for Preparation of a Feasibility Study for a Possible Local History Museum

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to authorize staff to enter into a professional services agreement with Germann & Associates for $28,600 for the preparation of a feasibility study for a local history museum in Fremont; motion approved.

Professional Service Agreement for Crushing of Waste Concrete/Asphalt Materials

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to authorize staff to enter into a professional service agreement with Parker Excavating for said crushing at $3.25/ton; motion approved.

Reports

City Manager Yonker submitted a draft Resolution supporting the expansion of the Fremont High School at its present Downtown location.  Following discussion, Council requested the Resolution be presented at a future regular meeting following adoption by the School Board of the High School Citizen Advisory Committee’s recommendation to expand the current High School at its existing site in Downtown Fremont.

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

• CM’s Friday Newsletter: Semi-Monthly Progress Report on Key City Objectives, Policies & Projects
• Fire Department Minutes of the 9/26/05 Meeting
• Fremont Downtown Development Authority Minutes of the 7/28/05 Meeting
• Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee Minutes of the 9/12/05 Meeting
• Fremont Area Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of the 9/12/05 Meeting
• Notes from 8/24/05 Downtown Restaurant Owners Meeting
• HyettPalma Magazine Article: “If You Work Downtown, Park Where I Say Park or Hit the Door”
• 2005 Property Tax Millage Breakout Table
• Natural Connections: “A Vision of Regional Green Infrastructure in West Michigan”
• “Call for Artists”: Fremont-Yahaba Friendship City Program Public Art Exchange Project
• Basic Parliamentary Information: “A Quick Reference Help Guide to Motions during Meetings”
• Fremont Harvest Festival Event Flyer
• Fremont Harvest Festival Beverage Tent Flyer
• Times Indicator Articles:
• 9/21/05: “Fremont Rotary Honors Michele Ribant”
• 9/28/05: “Sculpture Designs Sought for Fremont – Yahaba Program”

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 9:12 PM; motion approved.

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      James M. Rynberg, Mayor

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, City Clerk