MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

Monday, June 19, 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 Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake, Police Chief Phil Deur and Police Officer Cameron Hanson

Public Present: Ginny Johnson, Kurt Schornagel, Dave Stout, Kurt Lowdermilk, Jack & Sue Church, Kelli Ashbaugh, Steve Johnson, Greg Cook, Dan Stout, Marjorie Robinson, Tony Johnson, Andy Lofgren, David Glerum and Dusty Bitson

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Councilmember Conley suggested the City Council schedule a Special Meeting to address the FY 06/07 Budget and remove the following items from the agenda:

• Review of Proposed FY 06/07 City Operating / Capital Budget
• Public Hearing: Proposed FY 06/07 City Operating / Capital Budget
• Continued Review of Proposed FY 06/07 City Operating / Capital Budget (if necessary)
• Resolution R-06-14: Establishing the City of Fremont 2006 Property Tax Millage Rate
• Adoption of the FY 06/07 City Operating / Capital Budget
• Year-End Amendments to the FY 05/06 City Operating / Capital Budget

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the amended meeting agenda with the above noted items removed; motion approved.

Introduction of New Police Department Part-Time Reserve Officer

Chief Deur introduced the newly appointed Reserve Police Officer Cameron Hanson.

Consent Action Items

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake, and carried to approve the following Consent Action Items:

• Minutes of the Regular Session held June 5, 2006
• Traffic Control Order (TCO) No.1314: Parking restrictions for vehicles without boat trailers at Fremont Lake Park Boat Launch
• Mr. Eric Hanson’s request for permission to conduct annual Independence Day Fireworks discharge over Fremont Lake
• Authorize submission of nomination for Fremont Downtown as a “Historic District” to the National Register of Historic Places
• Acceptance of $85,000 USDA Rural Development Grant for Farmers Market Pavilion project; estimated total cost $529,275
• Purchase of Materials for $15,021.13 from East Jordan Iron Works, for Water & Sewer Project Extending West from Industrial Drive

Request for use of Veterans Memorial Park and Amphitheater for a Music Festival

Councilmember Conley expressed his concern for other requests for event signage along City streets and in City parks and regulation of such.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to authorize Church of the Living Christ’s request for use of the Park on August 19, 2006 from 10 AM to 10:30 PM, for a Christian Music Festival and require staff approval of the sign and its placement for the event; motion approved.

Review of Proposed FY 06/07 City Operating / Capital Budget

Council set a Special Council Meeting for Friday, June 30, 2006 at 5:30 PM.

Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated June 16, 2006 totaling $140,513.53

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the June 16, 2006 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $140,513.53; motion approved.

Public Hearing: West Main Street Special Assessment for the Installation of Watermain, Sidewalks and Street Lighting

Mayor Rynberg opened the Public Hearing at 7:15 PM to receive public comment.  Mayor Rynberg also noted another Public Hearing to discuss this proposed assessment has been scheduled for Monday, July 17, 2006 at 7:00 PM to allow an additional opportunity for public comment.

Staff explained the project status and the special assessment procedures for property owners in both the City and Dayton & Sheridan Townships.

Property owners in attendance expressed the following concerns:

• The City’s authority to assess township parcels included in the P.A. 425 Boundary Agreement and hold the assessments  in abeyance for future collection
• Cleanup procedures following completion of the construction project
• Short notice of the public hearing for property owners that do not live in the area
• Why the City decided to implement sidewalks and streetlighting
• When does annexation take place, if at all

Mayor Rynberg closed the public hearing at 7:50 PM and reminded those in attendance of the additional opportunity to speak on this proposed assessment on July 17, 2006.

Resolution R-06-13: Establishing a Special Assessment District for the Installation of Watermain, Sidewalks & Street Lighting along W. Main Street between Market Avenue & Industrial Drive

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to table Resolution

R-06-13 until the regular Council meeting scheduled for July 17, 2006; motion approved.

Presentation of Newaygo County Economic Development Office, Inc. (NCEDO) 2005 Annual Report

Mr. Andy Lofgren, Director of NCEDO gave a presentation of the organization’s 2005 Annual Report and thanked the City Council for its ongoing support of the countywide economic development organization.

Resolution R-06-15: Establishing the City of Fremont FY 06/07 Fee Schedule

Council requested additional information and postponed approval until the next regular meeting.

Approval of Fremont Façade Improvement Program Guidelines and RFP Process

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the guidelines and authorize staff to issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for architectural services and development of downtown façade design guidelines; motion approved.

Community Labor Day Walk / Run Event

Council questioned staff’s availability for this event and suggested the City conscript members from other community organizations such as the Chamber, Hospital and NC-RESA to coordinate with City staff.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to authorize an amount not to exceed $1,000 for the promotion and staging of the event, funds to come from the Community Promotions Department of the General Fund; motion approved.

Planning Commission Re-Appointments

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to concur with Mayor Rynberg’s recommendation to reappoint Dale Hanson, Mike DeKuiper and Peg May to the Planning Commission for terms ending June 30, 2010; motion approved.

Reports & Discussion

City Manager Yonker reported the City received the Michigan Tax Tribunal final settlements on Gerber Products 2003 & 2004 real property appeals and DTE’s personal property appeals for the years 1997-2005.  He also noted that DURA Automotive recently filed an appeal on its 2005 real property assessment values with the MTT.  More would be available on the DTE and Dura appeals at the next Council meeting.

Councilmember Breinling asked if the City had ever considered contracting-out for law enforcement services.  Following discussion, Council requested staff research other communities that have and for what kinds and levels of services.

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

• Fremont Fire Department Minutes of the 6/12/06 Meeting
• Fremont Area District Library Minutes of the 4/18/06 and 5/23/06 Meetings
• Fremont Area District Library Director’s Report for June ’06
• Public Service Announcements to City Water & Sewer Customers (being mailed end of June):
• “2005 Annual Water Quality Report”
• “Sanitary Sewer Billing Policy Change”
• Arbor Day Report on Current/Previous Years’ Tree-Coupon Redemption Program
• Financial Report on Mayor Exchange Day @ Fremont with City of Zeeland
• NCEDO Ex. Director’s & Economic Development Specialist’s Reports for May ’06
• MML Legislative Link of 6/12/06
• Times Indicator Articles:
• 6/7/06: “Memorial Day in Fremont”
• 6/7/06: “Professional Counseling Available for Small Businesses”
• 6/7/06: “Public Hearing Notice: Proposed Special Assessment for W. Main St. Sidewalk, Street Lighting & Watermain Projects”
• 6/7/06: “Zeeland Officials Visit for Mayors Exchange”
• 6/7/06: “The Dirty ‘S’ Word”
• 6/14/06: “Public Hearing Notice: Proposed FY 06/07 City Operating / Capital Budget”
• 6/14/06: “Fremont Farmers Market Ad”

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 PM; motion approved.

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      James M. Rynberg, Mayor

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, City Clerk