FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

Monday, June 4, 2007 – 5:30 PM

Mayor James Rynberg called the budget meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

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

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

City Manager Yonker submitted an updated proposed budget and reviewed the “City Manager’s Budget Message” with Council.  Following review and discussion, Council took a five-minute recess at 6:55 PM.

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

Public Present: Kathy Oosterhouse, Makenzie Hall, Connor Caplis, Mariah Busch, Mitch Rowe, Ben Blamer, Bev Blamer, Marilyn Rowe and Jeffrey Barnes

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the meeting agenda; motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to amend the motion with an addition to the agenda of “8.1a Establish Commitment to Support the Need for a Southside Alternate Crosstown Route in the City of Fremont”; amendment to motion approved; main motion approved.

Presentation: Fremont/Yahaba Friendship City Program Presentations by FPS Student Representatives

High School student Ben Blamer and Middle School student Makenzie Hall gave their Yahaba presentations as prepared for their trip to Yahaba, Japan later in June.  Their presentations entailed brief descriptions of the National Baby Food Festival and American Dance.  Council applauded their presentations and wished them a safe and rewarding trip.

Consent Action Items

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

• Minutes of the Regular Session held May 21, 2007
• Authorization to Execute USDA Rural Development Grant ($40,000) for Downtown Marketing Plan as follows:
• $20,000: Consulting services for merchants
• $10,000: “Place-Branding” for Downtown Fremont
• $10,000: Artwork for the AT&T Building Facades
• Coach Panozzo’s request for use of Branstrom Park for Frisbee Golf Scramble Event Benefiting the FPS Volleyball Program
• Authorization to Execute Easement Agreements for placement of decorative concrete in Privately-Owned Areas along & South of Public Alley in NE Downtown block:
• The Arts Place (NCCA)- Property Parcel No. 62-13-35-485-013
• William Jannenga- Property Parcel No. 62-13-35-485-014
• Authorization to Execute License Agreement for Artwork Placement on Downtown AT&T Building at 25 E. Main Street
• Amended Downtown Façade Improvement Program Guidelines
• Authorization to Purchase ($67,736) & Install ($31,000) of new Automated Weather Observation System (AWOS) @ Fremont Municipal Airport, as recommended by MDOT

Authorize Execution of Change Order #1 (Roof) to Contract for the Fremont Market Place Structure

Councilmember Breuker expressed concern for the general contractor/engineer Fleis & VandenBrink’s (F&V) error with the original metal roof order, whereas a 12”-on-center standing-seam metal roof had been planned for, but not delivered.

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize execution of Change Order #1 for an additional $8,000 for the increase in costs for said standing-seam metal roof, conditioned on the reimbursement of the City of $2,000 from F&V and the contribution of $2,000 from the Pavilion supplier, Litchfield Industries; motion approved.

Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated May 31, 2007 totaling $296,475.48

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the May 31, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $296,475.48; motion approved.

Consider Concept for Need of Southside Alternate Crosstown Route Development

Councilmember Drake recommended Council consider re-addressing the concept for the need for of the Southside Alternate Crosstown Route, whereas there has been increased truck traffic from new business development in town.  She also noted high traffic volumes in residential areas, from traffic avoiding Main Street continues to be a safety concern.

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve the concept of recognizing the need for the Southside Alternate Crosstown Route in Fremont; motion approved.

Review of FPS Concepts for Modification of Parent & Bus Vehicular Access to Middle & Daisy Brook Schools

City Manager Yonker submitted draft concepts for modification to the parent and bus access areas at the Middle & Daisy Brook schools.  Fremont Public Schools has asked the City to review and provide feedback on the proposed traffic routing concepts.

Following discussion, there was Council consensus to authorize staff to submit the schools’ concepts to the City’s traffic engineering firm, Mead & Hunt for review and analysis regarding traffic safety and the effects on any future routing of the Southside Alternate Crosstown Route.

Continued Review of Proposed FY 07/08 City Operating / Capital Budget

Following further review of the budget, Council agreed to reconvene at 6 PM prior to the next regularly scheduled 7 PM meeting on June 18th.

The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Information:

• City Manager’s Friday Newsletter of 6/01/07
• Friendship City Program Newsletter, June ’07
• CRC Notes, May ’07: “Michigan’s Deteriorating Cash Position”
• Detroit News 5/29/07 Article: “Crisis of Confidence”
• Detroit News 5/30/07 Article: “Balance ’08 Budget without Hocus Pocus”
• MML Member Services Materials Folder (from mtg. on Wednesday w/ MML staff)
• Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission Minutes of the 5/14/07 Meeting
• FACF Letter 5/18/07: Notification of Receipt of Grant Request for Post Office Sculpture
• March of Dimes Letter 5/18/07: Thanking City for help on coordination of  Walk America event
• NC Veterans’ Affairs Committee 5/18/07 Notice of upcoming Committee Vacancy
• District 50 “Lansing Week in Review” for 5/21-29/07
• NLC 6/1/07 “Federal Relations Update”
• Copies of Various Concept Plans for FPS Modifications of Parent & Bus Access to Middle & Daisy Brook Schools
• Chamber & Member Calendars of 5/30/07 & 5/31/07

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 8:50 PM; motion approved.

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                                                                                      James M. Rynberg, Mayor

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                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, Clerk/Finance Director