MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

Monday, November 21, 2005 – 7:00 PM

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

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

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake, Police Chief Phil Deur, Detective Sergeant Steve Heiss and Police Officers Phil Green, Mike Hallmeyer & Steven Havlik

Public Present: Josh Wagonmaker

Oath of Office: Mayor and Three Councilmembers

City Clerk Blake administered the Oath of Office to James Rynberg who won the election to continue as Mayor for the City of Fremont for the next two years.  Taking the oath of office as Councilmembers were Larry Breuker and James Breinling who won 4-year terms at the election and Dick Conley who won the remaining two years of a 4-year term.

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Introduction of New Part-Time Reserve Officer Steven Havlik

Police Chief Deur introduced new Part-Time Reserve Officer Steven Havlik to the Council.  Council welcomed Officer Havlik to the Fremont staff.

Recognition Awards to Detective Sergeant Steve Heiss & Police Officer Phil Green

Police Chief Deur presented a framed certificate to Detective Sergeant Steven E. Heiss and Officer Phillip C. Green in recognition for investigative excellence regarding three drug investigations completed and more specifically described as follows:

• 2002 - 2003: A four-month drug investigation resulting in three felony arrests and the forfeiture of $60,000.
• 2003: A two-month drug investigation resulting in three felony arrests.
• 2004 - 2005: A six-month drug investigation resulting in 50 felony counts of Delivery of Controlled Substances and the arrest of seventeen individuals.

Chief Deur noted that through their diligent investigative efforts and attention to detail, our community of Fremont is a safer place in which to live, work and play.  Council expressed its most sincere appreciation for a job well done.

Presentation of the “Governor’s Cup” for Police Dept. 1st Place Finish in Annual Statewide Law Enforcement Officer Shooting Competition

Police Chief Deur presented the “Governor’s Cup” trophy the Police Department won at the Annual Statewide Law Enforcement Officer Shooting Competition.  Council commended the Department for its accuracy and its dedication to proper firearms safety and training.

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 November 7, 2005
• Amendment to 9/8/05 License Agreement with MACTEC Engineering & Consulting, Inc. to drill one soil boring within the Mechanic Avenue right-of-way just south of Main Street.

Accounts Payable Report dated November 17, 2005 totaling $77,095.34

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the accounts payable check register report dated November 17, 2005 totaling $77,095.34; motion approved.

Ordinance O-05-03: Amending Chapter 2 of the Fremont City Code: Rules Pertaining to the City Planning Commission

The amendment to the rules for appointment of members to the Planning Commission would allow an elected official to serve as an ex-officio, full-voting member.  This is now permitted following the approval by the voters in November of the amendment to the City Charter.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adopt Ordinance O-05-03 amending Chapter 2 of the Fremont City Code: Rules pertaining to the City Planning Commission; motion approved by roll call vote of:

              Yeas: Rynberg, Conley, Drake, Breinling, Breuker

              Nays: None

              Absent: None

Discussion: City Flag

Staff submitted information on the history of the current City flag, its relationship to John C. Fremont and the historical period during which the flag was used by the explorer and the City of Fremont was founded.  Following discussion, Council requested staff create several color variations of the City logo for review by the Council.

Board & Commission Appointments

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to appoint Councilmember Jane Drake to the City Planning Commission for a term ending November 2007, to replace Robert Goscicki whose term expired July 1, 2005; motion approved.

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Drake to reappoint Jack Butterick to the City Planning Commission for a 3-year term ending July 1, 2008; motion approved.

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to reappoint Peg May and Robert Stehouwer to the City Zoning Board of Appeals for terms ending January 1, 2008; motion approved.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to appoint Bob Johnson to the City Zoning Board of Appeals for a term ending January 1, 2008, to replace Michael DeKuiper whose term expired January 1, 2005; motion approved.

Council recommended NED Director Michele Ribant be the City representative in the selection process for a consulting firm to update the Sheridan Charter Township Zoning Ordinance.

Reports

City Manager Yonker reported the City’s leaf pickup program has concluded, but that the drop-off site at the Public Works Department yard would remain open for another week or so.

Mayor Rynberg reported being asked to serve on the board for the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly.  Mayor Rynberg also gave a report on his and the Police Chief’s visit to Yahaba Cho, Japan to help celebrate its 50th anniversary as a town and the 10th anniversary of the Fremont-Yahaba Friendship City Program.

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

• CM’s Friday Newsletter: Semi-Mo. Progress Report on Key City Objectives, Policies & Projects
• Finance Director 11/9/05 Memo: “Monthly Budget Comparison Report for the Period Ending 10/31/05
• Fire Department Minutes of the 11/14/05 Meeting
• Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee Minutes of the 9/12/05 Meeting
• Fremont Area District Library Board Minutes of the 10/18/05 Meeting
• Sheridan Charter Township Board Minutes of the 11/17/05 Meeting
• Heartland Center for Leadership Development Rating Checklist: “20 Clues to Community Survival”
• Newaygo County 11/9/05 Memo: Public Notice of Three Board/Commission Appointments
• NCEDO Ex. Director’s Activity Reports for September & October 2005
• Comcast 11/4/05 Letter: Changes to Channel Lineup
• FADL 11/15/05 Email: “Invitation to 12/13 Celebration to Honor Retired Barbara Billerbeck”
• 11/4/05 Letter to Mayor: Fremont Municipal Airport
• Times Indicator 11/9/05 Article: “Yahaba Visitors Take to the Air”
• Times Indicator Articles (11/16/05):
• “City Elections: White Cloud Voters Elect New Mayor; Reject Library Proposal”
• “Gerber Plant Manager Predicts Continued Success”
• “Fremont Townhomes Project Under Construction”
• “Santa Parade Announcement”
• Grand Rapids Press 11/6/05 Article: “Can Michigan Prosper without Manufacturing?”
• MiBiz West 11/14/05 Article: “H & S Company’s Breaking Ground for new Muskegon Office”
• Future Magazine 10/31/05 Article: “Breakaway Brands- How to Build a Breakaway Brand - Gerber”
• Excerpts from New Report from Trust for America’s Health: “How Obesity Policies are Failing in America”
• Governing 11/05 Article: “The Return of the Grid: After Centuries of Abuse, Gridded Streets are Finally Getting some Respect”
• Governing 10/05 Article: “Rethinking the Urban Speedway – For Decades, Highway Engineers Focused on Designing Wider, Straighter, Faster Roads.  Now, Moving Traffic Quickly is no longer the Sole Goal.”
• Summary from MN-DOT: “Principles of Context Sensitive Design – Thinking Beyond the Pavement ‘Quantities and Characteristics’”

Adjournment

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

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      James M. Rynberg, Mayor

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, City Clerk