MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

Monday, November 7, 2005 – 7:00 PM

Mayor Pro-Tem James Breinling called the meeting to order at 7:04 PM.  Councilmember Dick Conley gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

Present at Roll Call: Mayor Pro-Tem James Breinling and Councilmembers Dick Conley, Jane Drake and Larry Breuker.  Mayor James Rynberg was representing the City in Yahaba, Japan and was excused for his absence.

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker and City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake

Public Present: Eric VanDop and Tim Arter

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Consent Action Items

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

• Minutes of the Regular and Closed Sessions held October 17, 2005
• Minutes of the Special Meeting held October 25, 2005
• Purchase of Police Department Patrol Vehicle from Deur Speet for $19,852
• Annual Purchase of Road Salt from Morton Salt for $35.30 per ton
• Change Order No. 5 (Revised Final): Extension of Runway 18/36 at Fremont Municipal Airport

Accounts Payable Report dated November 4, 2005 totaling $302,516.09

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the accounts payable check register report dated November 4, 2005 totaling $302,516.09; motion approved.

Presentation and Acceptance of Audit of City of Fremont’s FY 04/05 Financial Statements

Mr. Eric VanDop and Mr. Tim Arter of Brickley DeLong presented the audit of the City’s FY 04/05 Financial Statements and gave a brief overview of the year.  The City again received an unqualified audit opinion, which is the highest recommendation from an audit.

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to accept the City’s FY 04/05 audited financial statements as submitted; motion approved.

Resolution R-05-39: Supporting the Expansion of the Fremont High School at its Present Downtown Location

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve Resolution R-05-39 supporting the expansion of the Fremont High School at its present Downtown location; motion unanimously approved.

Amend Personnel Policy to Allow Employee Opt-Out from Health Insurance Program

City Clerk Blake reported the average payout to employees in the West Michigan area is approximately 40% of the insurance premium and noted employees could receive the payout as taxable income or tax-deferred retirement savings.  He stated that employees must show proof of other health insurance coverage for themselves before being permitted to opt-out of the City’s coverage.

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Drake and approved, to amend Section 9.1 of the City Personnel Policies Manual to permit employees to opt out of the City’s health insurance program and receive a portion of the premium cost savings as follows:

              Family Coverage                                    $ 350 per month

              Employee/Spouse Coverage                      300 per month

              Single Employee Coverage                        200 per month

Resolution R-05-40: Adopting and Approving the Execution of Grant Contract No. 05-5181 between the City of Fremont and the MI Department of Transportation (MDOT) for the M-82 Project

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve Resolution R-05-40 adopting and approving the execution of Grant Contract No. 05-5181, between the City and MDOT for the M-82 improvement project at an estimated cost of $300,277; motion approved.

Reports

City Manager Yonker reminded Council to attend the Center for Non-Profit Housing’s groundbreaking ceremony this Thursday for its new apartment complex project.

Councilmember Conley requested leaf and brush pickup be extended an additional week due to the recent storm; staff had already done so.

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

• CM’s Friday Newsletter: Semi-Mo. Progress Report on Key City Objectives, Policies & Projects
• Fire Department Minutes of the 10/24/05 Meeting
• Fremont Area Park & Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of the 9/12/05 Meeting
• Museum Committee Minutes of the 9/29/05 Meeting
• Notes from the 10/11/05 Informational Meeting: “Starting a Historical Society Chapter in Fremont”
• Fremont Area District Library Board Minutes of the 9/20/05 Meeting
• Flier: 11/9/05 Downtown Enhancement Plan Initial Design Meeting
• Sheridan Charter Township Board Minutes of the 10/18/05
• Fremont Area Community Foundation 3rd Quarter 2005 Fund Statements for the following funds:

1) Fremont Beautification; 2) City Advised Endowment; and 3) William Branstrom City Park

• DTE Energy 10/20/05 Letter: “MI Residents to Experience Higher Winter Heating Bills”
• Attorney General 10/28/05 Press Release: “Cox Fights to Lower MI Families’ Winter Heating Bills”
• 10/31/05 Email to Councilmember Breinling: “E. Maple St. Project”
• 11/2/05 Mayor Letter to Max Lee: “Fremont Municipal Airport (FMA)”
• 11/1/05 Max Lee Letter to Mayor: “FMA”
• Times Indicator Article (10/19/05): “Bicycle Project Earns ‘Join Hands Day’ Project Award”
• Times Indicator Articles (10/26/05):
• “Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce Thank You for Fremont Harvest Festival”
• “Fire Truck at the Ark”
• “MSU-Extension Lines: What’s All This Talk About Joint Planning”
• “City General Election Public Notice”
• Letter to Editor: “The Haunting”
• Times Indicator Articles (11/2/05):
• “New NSDAR Chapter Formed in Newaygo County”
• “Hendrie/Dykman Engagement Announcement”

Closed Session: Public Works Union Negotiation Strategy Discussion & Pending Litigation

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to close the Regular Meeting at 8:40 PM and enter into a Closed Session to discuss union collective bargaining agreement negotiation strategies and pending litigation; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.

The Closed Session ended at 9:30 PM and the Regular Meeting reconvened.

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM; motion approved.

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                                                                                      James Breinling, Mayor Pro-Tem

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                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, City Clerk