FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
Monday, January 8, 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 Councilmembers Dick Conley, Jane Drake, James Breinling and Larry Breuker
Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, City Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake, Police Sergeant Randy Wright, Public Works Superintendent Brian Hettinger and new DPW employee William Prewitt
Public Present: none
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the meeting agenda; motion approved.
Introduction of New Department of Public Works Employee
Superintendent Hettinger introduced recently hired DPW employee William Prewitt. Mr. Prewitt is filling the position recently created by the retirement of Raymond Cargill. The Council welcomed William to the City’s Team.
Minutes of the Regular Session held December 18, 2006
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling and carried to approve the Minutes of the Regular Session held December 18, 2006.
Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve the January 5, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $122,504.28; motion approved.
Based on the City Council’s direction in response to the receipt of a citizen petition requesting City efforts to control the White-Tailed Deer population, City Manager Yonker submitted an analysis of the issues involved with any potential management of the deer population within and adjacent to the City. He addressed a variety of methods to help manage the local deer herd, including possible culling of the herd, an educational component for citizens and property owners regarding management issues & techniques, banning of recreational feeding, and the designation of high-accident areas for special roadway warning signage. He also reviewed several other communities’ efforts and policies regarding deer management.
City Manager Yonker reported that efforts are already underway to help address the deer herd population and its damage to agricultural crops adjacent to the City. In December, the MI Dept. of Natural Resources issued Damage Control Permits to four farmers around the perimeter of the City. The results of those permits must be submitted to the MDNR by January 12, 2007 and they will share them with the City. This information, along with other indicators, would assist the Task Force in determining whether additional deer should be culled later this fall or winter.
Council concurred with the City Manager’s recommendation to use a community-based Deer Management Task Force with the guidance of a facilitator to develop a deer management plan for the greater Fremont area. The Task Force should focus its efforts on: 1) education; 2) monitoring; 3) population management; and 4) any needed ordinance and policy revisions/amendments.
Council selected Councilmember James Breinling to act as facilitator of the Task Force and as Council’s liaison.
City Clerk Blake reported that the Fremont Area Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee recommended contracting for services to guide the Committee through the development and preparation of the 5-year Recreation Plan update. Mr. Blake noted that Sherman Township agreed to continue participating in the planning process and contribute toward the overall costs of services to conduct the update, including the upcoming phone survey. He also noted a phone survey would be conducted throughout the Fremont area consisting of questions similar to the recreational survey conducted in 2003. The updated Plan would now include the City of Fremont and Dayton, Sherman and Sheridan Townships.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to enter into a professional services agreement with the Land Information Access Association (LIAA) for $7,900 to assist with updating the Fremont Area 5-Year Parks & Recreation Master Plan and to amend the FY 06/07 Budget reflecting said appropriation and the participating Township’s formulated share of said appropriations; motion approved.
Reports
Mayor Rynberg confirmed the itinerary and Councilmembers’ assignments for the 55th Annual City Employee Recognition Dinner to be held January 29th at All Saints Catholic Church.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to amend Council’s policy on certificate awards for employees’ years of service by adding: $350 for 35 years of service and $400 for 40 years of service; motion approved.
Councilmember Breuker requested staff investigate potential solutions to address the increasing amounts of horse manure left from daily Amish horse-n-buggy traffic on public and private streets and parking lots throughout town.
The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Information:
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to adjourn the meeting at 8:55 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, City Clerk