FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

Wednesday, July 5, 2006 – 7:00 PM

Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM.  Councilmember James Breinling 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: None

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Consent Action Items

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breuker, and carried to approve the following Consent Action Items:

• Minutes of the Regular Session held June 19, 2006
• Confirm Fire Department appointment of Jason Best to Lieutenant to fill vacancy
• District Library’s request for street closures for FADL summer activities on 7/18, 7/29 & 8/12
• Proposed Stipulation for Consent Judgment for settlement of DTE Energy MI Tax Tribunal Appeal, which requires no refunds, interest or penalties because the City has been using the State Tax Commission’s personal property multiplier tables since 2000.

Purchase of Pipe & Fittings for Watermain Replacement Project on Stewart Ave. (Cherry to 44th) and 44th St. (Stewart to Darling)

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to purchase the required pipe & fittings from R. VanderLind & Son for $43,275.72; following discussion, City Manager Yonker recommended the City purchase East Jordan Iron Works fire hydrants to remain consistent with the current system and repair parts.

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to amend the motion by purchasing the fire hydrants from East Jordan for $2,100 and the remaining items for $41,400.21; amending motion approved; main motion approved.

Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated June 30, 2006 totaling $377,753.12

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the June 30, 2006 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $377,753.12; motion approved.

Establish Fremont Banner Program Guidelines; Purchase Banners; Authorize Grant Application

Councilmember Breuker excused himself from discussion on this item and left the room.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the Fremont Banner Program Guidelines; motion approved.

City Manager Yonker reported the following bids were received for holiday/seasonal banners and hardware:

Diversity Signs, Fremont                                                   $ 38,705.50

Kalamazoo Banner Works, Kalamazoo                               38,780.00

Bronners, Frankenmuth                                                       38,900.00

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize purchase of holiday and seasonal banners and hardware from Diversity Signs for $38,705, contingent upon Diversity Sign’s total cost including shipping remaining as the low bid; motion approved.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to authorize submission of a $40,000 grant request from the Fremont Beautification Endowment Fund, overseen by the Fremont Area Community Foundation (FACF); motion approved.

Councilmember Breuker rejoined the meeting.

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

Following discussion, staff and Council noted several changes to the schedule.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve Resolution R-06-15 as amended; motion approved.

Community Labor Day Walk / Run Event

Staff reported the Healthy Lifestyles Committee recommended a walk/run event take place in the fall.  Staff recommended the possibility of coordinating such an event with the Harvest Festival in October.

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

Reports & Discussion

City Manager Yonker announced a second Public Forum on Joint Planning has been scheduled for Monday, July 10th at 7:00 PM at the Sheridan Charter Township Hall.

Council expressed its concern for the current blight situation at Fremont Metal & Paper at Elm & Weaver Streets and suggested staff again meet and work with the owner and NCEDO on possible relocation options and financing.

The Following Written Communications Were Submitted for Council Review:

• Fremont Fire Department Minutes of the 6/26/06 Meeting
• Downtown Development Authority (DDA) Minutes of the 6/7/06 Meeting
• DDA Public Art Subcommittee Minutes of the 6/14/06 Meeting
• DDA Minutes of the 6/21/06 Public Forum on Downtown Fremont Enhancement Plan
• Fremont Area Joint Planning Commission (FAJPC) Minutes of the 6/12/06 Meeting
• FAJPC Minutes of the 6/26/06 Meeting
• Committee to Promote Healthy LifeStyles Minutes of the 6/29/06 Meeting
• Final Consent Judgment- Gerber Products Co. MTT Case
• Water System Demonstration Flier
• Times Indicator Articles:
• 6/21/06: Letter to Editor- “Exchange Student Says Thanks”
• 6/21/06: “Support for NCEDO”
• 6/28/06: “W. Main Assessments Questioned”
• 6/28/06: “Grant Awarded for Farmers Market”
• 6/28/06: “Saving Space at Landfills”
• 6/28/06: “Dayton Twp. Hearing Notice- Fire Assessment”
• Muskegon Chronicle 6/25/06 Article: “New Signs to Point the Way to Muskegon’s Downtown”

Closed Session: Pending Litigation

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to close the Regular Session at 8:25 PM and enter into a Closed Session to discuss pending litigation; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.

The Closed Session ended at 8:40 PM and the Regular Session reconvened.

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adjourn the meeting at 8:52 PM; motion approved.

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      James M. Rynberg, Mayor

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, City Clerk