FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
Monday, December 18, 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: 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 Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake and carried to approve the following Consent Action Items:
- Minutes of the Regular Session held December 4, 2006
- Sale of Used 2000 Chevy Impala Police Vehicle to City of Grant for $5,500
- Change Order #1 (Final): Fremont Municipal Airport Aircraft Parking Apron Rehabilitation Contract Decrease of $28,801.32, amounting to City’s 2.5% savings of $720
- Request from Fremont Public Schools to again Collect 100% of the School Property Tax Levies in Summer ’07 for $700
Minutes of the Closed Session held December 4, 2006
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the Minutes of the Closed Session held December 4, 2006; motion approved.
Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated December 14, 2006 totaling $387,081.19
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the December 14, 2006 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $387,081.19; motion approved.
Amendment to Previously-Approved Trade Bids for the Downtown NE Block Parking & Marketplace Project
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling and approved to:
- Accept Fleis & VandenBrink Construction Management’s recommendation to change contractor and revise the price for Trade #3 “Decorative Concrete,” by using Nobel Concrete for $332,770, instead of R.A. Holmes for $282,167.
- Accept Revised Exhibit A to FVCM’s “Construction Management Contract” to reflect the above contractor and price changes.
- Authorize City Manager and FVCM to pursue collection of $14,000 bid bond from R.A. Holmes due to its refusal to execute a contract based on its submitted bid.
City Manager Yonker noted the above changes result in an overall increase in the estimated project total of $39,024.
Reports
City Manager Yonker reported that the Public Works Superintendent recently hired Mr. William Prewitt of Fremont to replace DPW employee Raymond Cargill who has announced his retirement this January 2007.
The City Manager also reported that the MI Dept. of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) & Dept. of Agriculture have confirmed their mishandling of a City employee’s simple phone inquiry as a formal complaint and will be contacting Mr. Aaron Bennett soon to make an apology.
City Manager Yonker discussed with Council that it should consider conducting a deer census and review of their habitats and geographic areas of concern in the City in order to prepare a proper deer management plan. Following discussion, Council requested the City Manager contact the MI Dept. of Natural Resources (MDNR) for guidance on the process for urban deer management and to see if the Dept. could assist with coordinating a deer count this winter.
Councilmember Drake reported that the Yahaba Civic Art Subcommittee recently prepared and mailed 365 letters seeking contributions toward the civic art project’s construction.
The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Information:
- City Manager’s Friday Newsletter of 12/15/06
- Revenue/Expense Comparison for Month of November ’05 & ’06: General, Water & Sewer Funds
- Fundraising Letter and Donor Card for the Yahaba Friendship City Sculpture Project
- Comcast 12/12/06 Letter: Notice of February ’07 Billing System Conversion Plans
- Property Tax Millage Breakout: Tax Year ’06
- Fremont Area Park & Recreation Advisory Committee Minutes of the 12/13/06 Meeting
- Fremont Zoning Board of Appeals Minutes of the 11/14/06 Meeting
- Fremont Planning Commission Minutes of the 11/28/06 Meeting
- Joint Meeting- DDA Public Art and Marketing Subcommittees Minutes of the 12/04/06 Meeting
- 12/12/06 Staff Letter to Habitat for Humanity: Proposed Lot Split @ 509 E. Maple Street
- 12/12/06 AT&T Letter of Denial re: City DDA’s Request for Financial Participation for Public Artwork on both the Front & Rear Facades of AT&T’s own Building in the NE Block of Downtown
- NCEDO Ex. Director & Economic Development Specialist Reports for Sept.-Nov. ’06
- Misc. Links to Press Articles & Press Releases: Novartis’ Sale of Medical Nutrition Unit to Nestle`
- Lon Vredeveld Article in Nov./Dec. Issue of Fremont Legacy Magazine
- Misc. Email Communications re: State Legislature’s Passage of CATV Franchise Bill
- 12/11/06 CM’s email to Sen. VanWoerkom: “HB 6456-CATV: Jerry, We Need you on This One”
- Dist. Health Dept. #10 & GMHS Pandemic Flu Planning Committee Minutes of the 12/4/06 Meeting
- Governor’s 12/14/06 Press Release: “Granholm Signs Legislation Permanently Capping new Billboard Permits”
- MML Issue Advisories of 12/12 “Legislature’s Passage of CATV Bill” & 12/15/06: “Four Legislative Victories!”
- MML Educational Training Opportunities: Jan. & Feb. ’07
- Links to Misc. Gerber Buy-out Rumors by Nestle`
- Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission Materials:
- Cover Letter & Request for Services to LIAA for Update of Joint Comprehensive Plan
- Overview & Recommendations for Implementing Smart Growth in the Fremont Area: MSU Smart Growth Assessment Pilot Project
- Minutes of the 11/27/06 FCJPC Meeting
- FCJPC Meeting Schedule for Calendar Year ’07
- Recycling for Newaygo County Board Minutes of the 11/02/06 Meeting
- Recycling for Newaygo County Director’s Report for Nov. ’06
- GMHS President “Ned’s Notes” for 12/1/06
- Governor’s 12/7/06 Press Release (along w/ CM’s initial analysis): Proposed SBT Reform Package
- Half-Staff Flag Advisories for December 4, 5, 13 & 15, ’06
- 12/4/06 ATM Theft Alert PowerPoint
- Board Meeting Materials from Fremont Area District Library:
- Board Minutes of the 10/17 & 11/21/06 Meetings
- Agenda for 12/19/06 Board Meeting
- Director’s Report for December ’06
- Chamber of Commerce “Chamber & Member Calendar” of 12/5/06
- Times Indicator Articles from the 12/06/06 & 12/13/06 Editions
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM; motion approved.
_________________________________
James M. Rynberg, Mayor
_________________________________
Todd M. Blake, City Clerk