MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

Monday, April 3, 2006 – 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, James Breinling, Larry Breuker and Dick Conley

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, City Treasurer/Deputy City Clerk Gay Krouse, DPW Superintendent Brian Hettinger and DPW employee Ray Cargill

Public Present: Dusty Bitson

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Ceremonial Items

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to adopt Resolution R-06-07 honoring the Hope College women’s basketball team on its 2006 Division II National Championship. Following discussion the motion was approved with an addendum to include the wording that the College’s President is also a Fremont native.

Mayor Rynberg proclaimed April 28, 2006 as “Arbor Day” in the City of Fremont.

The Council congratulated DPW employee Raymond Cargill for receiving the MRWA “2006 Water Operator of the Year” award at the 16th Annual Management & Technical Conference held on March 23, 2006 in Grand Rapids. Ray has worked for the City for almost 35 years.

City Manager Chris Yonker presented the City Council with the roadside signs declaring Fremont as a “MI Cool City Neighborhood.” The City received the designation from Gov. Granholm in honor of its participation in the Cool City program’s “Blueprint for MI Downtowns” program. Placement of the signs was discussed with the consensus that they will be placed at the City limits on Stone Rd., E. Main St., S. Stewart Ave. and W. Main St.

Consent Action Items

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

Minutes of the Regular Session held March 20, 2006
Continuation of Tree Purchase Discount Coupon Program for City Residents. The City will give out one coupon to each homeowner (not renter). Each coupon will be for $20 off any shade or ornamental tree to be planted at that residence. No Maple tree purchases will be allowed based on a recommendation from the Visiting Urban Forester to better diversify the City’s tree stock. Information on the planting, maintenance and care of a purchased tree will be distributed with the coupon.
Establishing Program Guidelines for the “Fremont Downtown Rental Housing Rehabilitation Program.”

Accounts Payable Report dated March 30, 2006 totaling $599,355.08

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the accounts payable check register report dated March 30, 2006 totaling $599,355.08; motion approved.

Annual Request for Staging of 2006 National Baby Food Festival

The Fremont Chamber of Commerce submitted a request for the staging of the 16th Annual National Baby Food Festival in the City. Festival dates are July 18-23, 2006.

The annual request is nearly identical to last year’s. One minor change is the ending for the Kiddie Parade, which is shifted ½-block west on Sheridan St. to Mechanic Ave. The Festival Committee has chosen not to hold the vehicle “burn-out” demonstrations as part of this year’s Festival Car Show.

The only major change is the request to continue Saturday’s Grand Parade route from its current end @ Sheridan St. & Darling Ave. back to the Parade’s beginning @ the Middle School.

Following discussion, Councilmember Drake moved to approve the use of City facilities and street closures. Councilmember Breinling amended the motion of exclude the extended Grand Parade route. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Breuker and passed.

Update on Activities/Projects at Gerber Memorial Health Systems

City Treasurer/Deputy City Clerk Gay Krouse, who is the City’s appointee to the GMHS Board of Directors, presented a brief update on GMHS highlighting the following areas:

GMHS has been recognized for the 2nd consecutive year as a “Top 100 Hospital” by a national health care consulting firm. Winners are based on clinical outcomes, patient safety, operational efficiency, financial stability and growth.
The hospital applied for a Certificate of Need in order to obtain a MRI machine full-time at the hospital. The request was denied at this time with the State saying GMHS did not have the numbers necessary to qualify for a full-time placement.
Discussions are being conducted with Greg & Laurie VanBoxel, their director of business development and architects regarding the feasibility of placing the hospital’s Wellness & Rehab Centers within the old Wal-Mart building.

Appointment of Tom Schuiteman to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA)

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to accept Mayor Rynberg’s recommendation to replace Kristie Van Simaeys on the DDA Board, who has resigned because she has not been able to regularly attend Board meetings, with Tom Schuiteman for a term ending June 30, 2006; motion approved.

Reports & Discussion

City Manager Yonker asked if the Council was interested in being a distribution point for a Prescription Discount Card as discussed in a letter from Newaygo County on 3/23/06. Following discussion, Councilmember Drake moved to have staff pursue the matter clarifying what is involved with the City being a distribution point for the discount cards; supported by Councilmember Breinling and carried.

Mr. Yonker also stated that two bids were received for the installation of a parkway irrigation system along M-82 between Market Ave. and Industrial Dr. The installation would be a part of the M-82 Enhancement Project being coordinated with MDOT. Councilmember Breinling moved to contract with Winchel Irrigation for the bid amount of $27,381.00; Councilmember Conley supported the motion, which carried.

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

City Manager’s 3/31/06 Friday Newsletter
Fremont Fire Department Minutes of the 3/27/06 Meeting
Fremont Area District Library (FADL) Board Minutes of the 1/17/06 & 2/21/06 Meetings
FADL Director’s Report for March ’06
March ’06 Status Report: “Fremont Downtown Blueprint Program”
Staff handout @ 3/22/06 DDA Mtg.: “Potential Funding Sources for DDA Capital/Operating Costs”
Agenda for 4/19/06 DDA Meeting
’06 Calendar of Events @ N.C. Fairgrounds
Invitation to Bridgeton Township Fundraising Event
Newaygo Co. 3/23/06 memo: “County prescription Discount Cards”
WMSRDC Notice: “Rural Government Assistance Workshop”- 4/25/06: Cronk’s Oakridge Restaurant in Newaygo
MSU Urban Collaborators Spring ’06 Newsletter: “Supporting Success in MI’s Cool Cities”
MI Environmental Council (MEC) 12/05 Reports:

2/21/06 MEC Transmittal Letter
2/24/06 MEC Press Release
“Community Character & Cash: How to Reform Transportation with Context Sensitive Solutions (CSS)”
“Survey of MDOT Programs for Context Sensitive Solutions Transportation Reform”

Times Indicator Articles:

3/22/06: Letter to Editor- “Opportunities”
3/22/06: Letter to Editor- “In Response”
3/22/06: Letter to Editor- “Choices”
3/22/06: “Drugs and Guns Seized in Raid”
3/22/06: “Post Office Mural Featured in MI History Magazine”
3/29/06: “M-82 Work Starts this Week”
3/29/06: “Coach from Fremont Leads National College Champions at Hope”
3/29/06: “Sheridan Twp. Board Minutes-3/21/06”

MiBizWest 3/20/06 Articles:
“Cummings: Grand Rapids Getting Closer to “The Prize’”
“WMSA Lands Green Grant”
Planning & Zoning News March ’06 Article: “Zoning Enabling Acts to be Repealed”
Governing March ’06 Article: “The Big Thaw”
Parks & Rec. Business March ’06 Article: “Purpose and Perseverance – Reinvigorating your Daily & Lifelong Purpose Takes Faith & Strength”

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 PM; motion approved.

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James M. Rynberg, Mayor

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Gay E. Krouse, Deputy City Clerk