FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

Monday, December 17, 2007 – 7:00 PM

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

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

Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake, Police Chief Phil Deur, Officer Matt Hendrie, Officer Jon Geeting and Officer Cameron Hanson

Public Present: Ben Landheer, Doug Berens, Marianne Boerigter and Cindy Geeting

Approval of Meeting Agenda

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

Police Chief Deur’s Presentation of Certificates of Recognition to Police Officers Jon Geeting and Matt Hendrie

Chief Deur presented letters of recognition to Officers Jon Geeting and Matt Hendrie for their exceptional and professional efforts leading to recent criminal arrests.

Consent Action Items

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

• Minutes of the Regular & Closed Sessions held December 3, 2007
• Approval of the Extended (18-month) Operating Budget for the Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission from January 1, 2007 to June 30, 2008, to coincide with the City’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2008
• Authorization to Execute Change Order No. 3 to the Professional Services Agreement with Fleis & Vandenbrink, on the Market Place & NE Downtown Block Reconstruction project, for a net decrease of $375
• Request from Fremont Public Schools to collect 100% of the School Property Tax Levies again in Summer 2008, for $700

Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated December 13, 2007 totaling $238,738.02

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve the
December 13, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $238,738.02; motion approved.

Request for Council Reconsideration to Authorize Installation of Stained-Glass Artwork on Fremont Market Place Pavilion

Marianne Boerigter, Chair of the DDA Public Art Subcommittee, asked Council to consider authorization for installation of stained-glass artwork on the new Fremont Market Place Pavilion.  She noted a local donor has agreed to fully fund the project and several proposed designs will be submitted for Council’s final selection.

Following discussion, there was Council consensus for the committee to move forward on the project, with final presentation of proposed designs to follow.

Review & Consideration of Developer’s 11/29/07 Draft of Development Agreement for Serenity Springs Project

City Manager Yonker recommended the following revisions and additions to the developer’s proposal:

• Clarifying in more detail those capital improvements to be installed, by whom & paid by whom
• Removal of any language not germane to the actual mutual responsibilities / obligations (such as issue w/ Hemlock St. deed)
• Correction of the existing zoning district designations & the process (if necessary) to address any inconsistencies / departures from the new F-B Zoning Code
• Clarification of the ultimate use of the property, number of residential units, extent & density of proposed “commercial” portion of the mixed-use project, build-out timeline, minimum capital investment
• Need for easements for public utility lines within the development to serve both the project & adjoining properties
• Need for acceptable routing & easements for the installation of a portion of Phase 3 of the Town & Country Path
• Intention to provide access to the project’s “commercial/office” parcels based on sound Access Management principles / policies
• Requirement of at least 3 functioning connecting entrances to the residential complex off of Market, 44th & Stone
• Connection of Locust Hill Apt. complex to Hemlock St. extension

Current land owner of the proposed site, Ben Landheer, noted he will contact City Manager Yonker soon, as to whether or not the purchase option is still open to the developers of the proposed Serenity Springs project.

The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Review:

• City Manager’s Friday Newsletter: Progress Report & Calendar
• City Hall Roof/Attic Improvement Project Minutes of the 11/27/07 Progress Meeting
• 12/07 Edition of Chicago Fed Letter: “Future State Business Tax Reforms: A Conference Summary”
• Councilmember Assignments for 1/28/08 City Employee Appreciation Event
• City Hall Roof/Attic Improvement Project Minutes of the 12/10/07 Progress Meeting
• Change in IRS Mileage Reimbursement Rates for use of Personal Vehicle for Business Purposes
• MiBiz 12/10/07 Article: “Prosperity Counts: Muskegon County Prosperity Index”
• 12/11/07 MML e-mail: MML Training Seminars for January/February 2008
• Recycling for Newaygo County Minutes of the 11/1/07 Meeting & November Director’s Report
• NLC Federal Relations Update - Period ending 12/14/07
• MML Legislative Link - 12/10/07- w/ “Talking Points on H.B. 4401- Cancer Presumption Bill”

Closed Session: To Discuss a Purchase of Property, Pending Litigation and a Personnel Performance Review

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to close the Regular Session at 8:20 PM and enter into a Closed Session to discuss: 1) Purchase of property; 2) Pending litigation; and 3) City Manager’s Mid-Year Performance Review; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.

The Closed Session ended at 9:21 PM and the Regular Session reconvened.

Councilmember Drake requested the minutes reflect completion of the City Manager’s mid-year performance review.

Purchase of Property

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize purchase of the property located at 1203 Ramshorn Drive for $89,900, pending positive outcome of an environmental screening and basic well sampling; motion approved.  Council noted that with the 4 ½ acre parcel bordering Branstrom Park and encompassing most of Kempf Lake, it will make a great addition to the City’s recreational opportunities.

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to adjourn the meeting at 9:25 PM; motion approved.

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                                                                                      James M. Rynberg, Mayor

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                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, Clerk/Finance Director