MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
Monday, June 5, 2006 – 7:00 PM
Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM, gave the invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Present at Roll Call: Mayor James Rynberg and Councilmembers James Breinling, Larry Breuker and Dick Conley. Councilmember Jane Drake was absent.
Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker and City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake
Public Present: Betty Carpenter, Mike Spahr, Jean Morehouse, Wayne Luchies, John Dykman, Gary Springstead, Holly Moon and Dusty Bitson
Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the meeting agenda; motion approved.
Consent Action Items:
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley, and carried to approve the following Consent Action Items:
Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the June 1, 2006 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $222,416.64; motion approved.
City resident Mr. Gary Springstead, of 515 Vista Lane, requested Council consider adopting a noise ordinance to address the modified vehicle exhaust systems and the loud playing of music in his neighborhood. He also requested a speed bump be placed on Hillcrest Drive to slow down some of the speeding traffic.
Council noted the ordinance would be reviewed and the Police Department would be notified of his concerns.
Mayor Rynberg opened the Public Hearings at 7:13 PM to receive public comment.
City Clerk Blake briefly summarized the E. Maple Street Special Assessment project and the unanticipated significant increased costs over prior estimates.
Habitat for Humanity Director Mike Spahr expressed his dissatisfaction with the increased costs being assessed and requested Council consider a longer pay-back period on the special assessment.
Mayor Rynberg offered to write a letter of support for funding assistance from other sources for Habitat’s portion of the proposed special assessment. Mayor Rynberg closed the public hearings at 7:40 PM.
Newaygo County Treasurer Holly Moon gave a brief update on her office’s activities and noted several cost-saving changes implemented in the services they provide.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to remove “Acceptance of the Study” from the table; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to accept the “Economic Feasibility of the Local History Museum Study” as submitted by Germann & Associates; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve Resolution R-06-11 confirming the special assessment for a 10-year period, if allowable by law; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve Resolution R-06-12 setting a public hearing for June 19, 2006 to consider the establishment a special assessment district for said improvements; motion approved.
City Manager Yonker noted that by repealing Section 21-55, residents would be on an actual water-usage based fee for sanitary sewer billing. He also noted residents have the option to implement a separate irrigation meter to avoid sewer billing for water not entering the sanitary sewer system.
Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to adopt Ordinance O-06-01 amending Chapter 21 “Water & Sewer” of the City Code of Ordinances; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote of:
Yeas: Rynberg, Conley, Breinling & Breuker
Nays: None
Absent: Drake
City Manager Yonker informed Council of a request for possible detachment of parcels bordering the north-side of Second Lake. The six parcels do not receive water and sewer services and most likely will not anytime soon, due to the extremely high cost to reach their properties. Following discussion, there was Council consensus to look into anticipated costs for detachment, which would involve an election for both the City and Dayton Township residents. Costs are typically born by those parcel owners requesting the detachment.
City Manager Yonker reported the budget would be delivered to Council in time for the budget review session. Council consensus was to schedule the budget work session on June 19th at 5:00 PM, prior to the regular Council meeting and budget hearing at 7:00 PM.
City Manager Yonker reminded Council of the Public Forum for Joint Planning scheduled for 7:00 PM on Monday, June 12 in the District Library Community Room.
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 10:02 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, City Clerk