FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
Monday, August 6, 2007 – 7:00 PM
Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and 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 and Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake
Public Present: Ron Mousel, Emmet Ridley, Doug Hartger, Chris Bainbridge, Don Hanson, Linda Hanson, Sandy Siegel, Sue Nieboer, Stephanie Zim, David DeJong, Rick Plite, Kevin Conley, Jerry Townsend, Siria Pinnick, Joseph Pinnick and Ginger Townsend
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the meeting agenda; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake and carried, to approve the following Consent Action Items:
- Victor Stanley, Inc., Maryland $ 9,633
- Canterbury International, Los Angeles, California 1,040
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to authorize execution of the $35,000 FACF Grant Agreement from the Fremont Beautification Fund for the Fremont/Yahaba Friendship City art sculpture project; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the August 3, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $668,277.80; motion approved.
Mr. Don Hanson requested the City consider extending street maintenance and repair services to the privately-owned Garten Haus Site Condo development. Their street system has fallen in disrepair and potential costs for their association are extremely high.
Staff reported the City receives no Act 51 motor fuel tax funds from the State for private streets. The City maintains the publicly-owned streets solely with those funds; no property tax revenues are used.
Following discussion, Council suggested their street repairs may be able to be contracted for separately by the Association at the same time the City bids street repair contracts each year. While no City funds could be used for those repairs, the Association might be able to negotiate a better price based on the larger volume of City work. The City would also look into the possibility of performing some repairs and billing back the Association, although the City does not currently do so for any other private streets or properties.
Mr. Rick Plite, of Kisscross Events, requested permission to conduct a “Cyclocross” race in Branstrom Park on Saturday, October 14, 2007. The proposed race would utilize portions of the paved drive, dirt foot-trail and grassy area on the northern half of the Park. Mr. Plite noted their races attract an estimated 70 racers and 50 spectators.
Ms. Sue Nieboer noted GMHS is sponsoring the race to promote healthy lifestyles awareness.
City Clerk Blake reported inspecting the proposed route and does not anticipate any damage to the foot-trails in the wooded areas. He also reported there would have to be an ordinance amendment to permit “self-propelled” vehicles off the paved area of the Park, if approved.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize the request and direct staff to submit an ordinance amendment as recommended, subject to approval by the Fremont Public Schools for use of the Park property owned by FPS; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize the retaining of the above noted professional engineering services; motion failed unanimously.
Following discussion, Councilmember Drake motioned, seconded by Councilmember Breuker, to authorize staff to propose that Hemlock Street be extended westerly to connect to the proposed development’s street system and the City be given an easement through the southwest corner of the development’s property for the extension of State Street westerly to Market Avenue, in exchange for the City’s current easement for Hemlock Street extending to Market Avenue; motion approved.
City Manager Yonker reported staff met with DDA Board Chair Lon Vredeveld to discuss the proposed DDA millage and assessment, due to the DDA tabling the Resolution approving the proposed .54-mill levy for the 2007 tax year. He noted Mr. Vredeveld expressed strongly that the DDA Board is not interested in collecting a “DDA” millage and requested the City propose other options to funding this year’s projects.
Council requested staff to summarize any other budget options and present them to the DDA Board and Council for approval before September 30th.
Appointments to the Downtown Development Authority Board
Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to appoint Mr. Merle Ross to the DDA to fulfill the remainder of Mr. Tom Schuiteman’s term expiring 6/30/10; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to re-appoint Dusty Bitson and Kim Deur to the DDA Board for four-year terms expiring 6/30/11; motion approved.
Reports & Comments
City Manager Yonker reported the next Deer Task Force meeting is scheduled for August 28th and that public meetings for the Fremont Zoning Code re-write are scheduled for August 21st and 28th.
Councilmember Breinling requested Council consider amending the City Resolution identifying “non-smoking” areas within city-owned properties, to include the new Fremont Market Place pavilion and the certain areas around the Fairgrounds.
The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Information:
Due to the lateness of the meeting, Councilmember Drake moved, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to schedule a Special Meeting on Monday, August 13th, from 6-7:00 PM, for the purpose of conducting the City Manager’s annual performance review; motion approved.
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, Clerk/Finance Director