FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

Monday, October 2, 2006 – 7:00 PM

Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM. Councilmember Larry Breuker gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

Present at Roll Call: Mayor James Rynberg and Councilmembers Larry Breuker, Dick Conley, Jane Drake and James Breinling

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker and City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake

Public Present: Dusty Bitson and Ron & Betty Mousel

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

Minutes of the Regular Session held September 18, 2006
Contract with Parker Excavating for the Crushing & Re-use of City Waste Concrete & Asphalt @ $3.00 per yard

Change Order No. 1: Architectural Design Contract for Downtown Enhancement Program: Restrooms

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve Change Order No. 1 authorizing the engineering and design of a restroom and storage building next to the proposed Market Pavilion, increasing the architectural design agreement with Fleis and VandenBrink by $5,400; motion approved.

Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated September 28, 2006 totaling $254,973.77

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the September 28, 2006 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $254,973.77; motion approved.

Request for Support and/or Collaboration on Development of a Portion of Redeemer Lutheran Church’s Property as a Park

City Manager Yonker noted the Fremont Area Park & Recreation Master Plan identifies this area as one that should be protected as a valuable natural area along the green corridor running from Fremont Lake northeast toward other natural areas in Dayton & Sherman Townships.

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to authorize the Mayor to draft a letter supporting the Church’s community park project and potential funding from the Fremont Area Community Foundation; motion approved.

Review of Rationale for Proposed Downtown Parking Assessment in Context of Near Final Design for Reconstruction of the Parking Lot Areas in the Northeast Block of Downtown

Following discussion, there was Council consensus to not pursue a special assessment for the re- construction of the parking areas in the northeast block of downtown. Council did request staff to continue research and presentation of the proposed assessment for annual parking lot maintenance in the core downtown area.

Engagement of Financial Advisor to the Issuance of Capital Improvement Bonds for the Downtown and Industrial Park Enhancement Projects

City Clerk Blake noted the City has used Bond Counsel Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone as Financial Advisor for previous City bond sales and recommended the City contract with the firm for similar services on the upcoming capital improvement bond issue.

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to authorize engagement with Miller, Canfield, Paddock & Stone as the City’s Financial Advisor to the issuance of the proposed bonds, for an amount not to exceed $15,000; motion approved.

Discuss Status of W. Main St. Water & Sewer Extension Project & Review Alternative Alignment

Council discussed the importance of keeping public utilities in the rights-of-way (ROW) for both future maintenance and extensions. Staff was directed to move forward with the original alignment (within the ROW) for the installation of water and sewer line extensions from Industrial Drive west to the east property line of Crandell’s Funeral Home.

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize up to an additional $30,000 toward the costs of relocating private utilities (telephone & possibly natural gas) due to the alignment within the M-82 ROW; motion approved. Council also noted the additional costs were not to be included in the final special assessment spread to abutting property owners.

The Following Communications were Transmitted for Council Information:

City Manager’s Friday Newsletter of 9/29/06
Fremont Fire Department Minutes of the 9/18/06 Meeting
9/19/06 Ltr. of Invite: Gerber Products Co. Grand Opening of the Dorothy S. Gerber “Start Healthy, Stay Healthy” Culinary & Technology Center
FACF 3rd Quarter ’06 Newsletter Article: “Summer Magic” and “A History of Philanthropy- Gerber & the Fremont Area Community Foundation”
Muskegon River Watershed Assembly Brochure “Protecting the Waters”
City Planning Commission Minutes of the 8/22/06 Meeting
Healthy Lifestyles Committee Minutes of the 9/13/06 & 9/25/06 Meetings
Museum Committee Minutes of the 9/20/06 Meeting
Fremont Area Park & Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of the 6/13/06 Meeting
Sherman Twp. Board Minutes of the April, May & June 2006 Regular Meetings
Times Indicator Articles:

9/06/06: “Permanent Market Pavilion Planned for Downtown Fremont”
9/13/06: “Fremont Fall Festival Organizers Plan Variety of Events”
9/13/06: “Smoking Truck Blocks Traffic Downtown”
9/13/06: “A Three-Spatula Salute!”
9/13/06: “Fall Harvest Festival Hike & Bike, October 7th”
9/20/06: “MSU Ext. Lines: Buy Fresh, Buy Local”
9/20/06: “Fremont Harvest Festival Schedule”
9/20/06: “Watermain Flushing Public Notice”
9/20/06: “Notice to Bidders- NE Parking Lot Reconstruction & Construction of Fremont Market Place Pavilion”

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 PM; motion approved.

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James M. Rynberg, Mayor

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Todd M. Blake, City Clerk