MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
Monday, December 19, 2005 – 7:00 PM
Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmember Jane Drake gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Present at Roll Call: Mayor James Rynberg and Councilmembers Jane Drake, Larry Breuker, James Breinling and Dick Conley
Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker and City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake
Public Present: Jeff & Lori Clerk, Larry & Esther Brown and Laurie Breuker
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the meeting agenda; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake and carried to remove Items # 3.1: “Minutes of the Regular Session held December 5, 2005” and #3.2: “Annual Review of Non-Union Employee Salary Schedule for Calendar Year 2006” and approve the following remaining consent action item:
Resolution R-05-43: Declaring Official Intent to Reimburse Project Expenditures with Bond Proceeds during calendar year 2006
Councilmember Breinling requested the following change in paragraph 7 of Page 1, Agenda Item # 3.2 - Resolution R-05-42: “…seconded by Councilmember Conley Drake to approve…”
Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve the minutes as corrected; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to apply a 3% increased labor market adjustment to the Non-Union Employee Salary Schedule effective for the first full pay period in January 2006; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the accounts payable check register report dated December 15, 2005 totaling $265,077.39; motion approved.
There were no comments.
Jeff and Lori Clark introduced themselves to Council and answered questions regarding themselves and the proposed purchase of the Swirl Ice Cream business from Larry & Esther Brown. The Browns have agreed to assist in the transition.
During discussion there were several clerical corrections to the proposed 10-year lease agreement.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the revised lease agreement with the Clarks and authorize the City Manager and Clerk to execute the document; motion approved.
City Manager Yonker reported that Herb Lindsay of the Fremont Public Schools has placed a couple caches on City park property and is requesting placement of one more, to be used as part of the worldwide game dedicated to global position system users.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to authorize placement of the three Geocaches at the requested sites; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve Resolution R-05-42 setting the guidelines for poverty property tax exemption for calendar year 2006; motion approved.
Mayor Rynberg announced the City of Zeeland has requested pairing with Fremont for the 2006 Mayors Exchange Program... Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to participate in the 2006 Program with the City of Zeeland; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the City’s new flag with the streetlight emblem in white with yellow lights on a red background; motion approved. City Manager Yonker will obtain cost information for approval at a later date.
City Manager Yonker reported the Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee recently reached consensus on establishing a formal “Joint Planning Commission,” whereas, one Planning Commission will oversee those functions for the City and Dayton, Sherman and Sheridan Townships.
City Clerk Blake reported the City was awarded a $130,560 grant from the MDNR Trust Funds for construction of Phase 1b of the Town & Country Path. Construction should be completed this summer. He also reported the Fremont Area Park & Recreation Advisory Committee had discussed the possibility of forming a Recreation Authority and that the community was seeking grant funds from the State to prepare a feasibility and organizational analysis of forming an authority to include the City, three or four townships and the Fremont Public Schools.
CM’s Friday Newsletter: Semi-Mo. Progress Report on Key City Objectives, Policies & Projects
Fremont Planning Commission Minutes of the 11/22/05 Meeting
City Reps. to Fremont Area Joint Planning Committee (FAJPC) Minutes of 11/28/05 Meeting
FAJPC Minutes of the 12/12/05 Meeting
Fremont Area Park & Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of the 11/28/05 Meeting
Museum Committee Minutes of the 12/01/05 Meeting
Dayton Township Board Minutes of the 11/10/05 Meeting
Official Ballot Wording for FPS High School Improvement Bond Propositions
Letter of Support for FPS Grant Submission: Possible Establishment of Fremont Area Recreation Authority
MDNR Notice of Grant Award for Phase 1b of Town & Country Path ($130,560)
2006 City Official Observed Holiday Schedule
Letter of Appreciation from Ms. Kim Southwell of Hesperia for Christmas Nativity in Park
Times Indicator Articles (12/07/05):
“Fremont Police Officers Honored”
“Accepting Bids for Sale of Vehicles, City of Fremont”
Times Indicator Article (12/14/05): “FHS Proposal Calls for New Building at the Current Site”
Grand Rapids Press Article (12/12/05): “Going Around in Circles? That May be Easier & Safer: Engineers say Roundabouts May be Best Way to Handle Tough Intersections”
Closed Session: Discussion on Pending Litigation (MTT) & Collective Bargaining Agreement Negotiation Strategy
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to close the regular session at 8:57 PM and enter into a closed session to discuss pending litigation and collective bargaining agreement negotiation strategy; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.
The closed session ended at 9:27 PM and the regular meeting reconvened.
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adjourn the meeting at 9:27 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, City Clerk