FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, September 4, 2007 – 7:00 PM
Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and Councilmember James Breinling gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Present at Roll Call: Mayor James Rynberg and Councilmembers James Breinling, Larry Breuker, Dick Conley and Jane Drake
Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker, Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake and Police Chief Phil Deur
Public Present: Mike Dennis
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the meeting agenda; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breinling and carried, to approve the following Consent Action Items:
Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated August 30, 2007 totaling $3,272,404.38
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the August 30, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $3,272,404.38; motion approved.
City Manager Yonker requested Council’s consensus on whether the City should pursue the possible vacation of one block of Ammon Ave., between Oak & Pine Streets. The subject of the future of this segment of Ammon arose as staff & the City’s engineering/surveying consultants were preparing design/bidding materials for other street and utility capital improvements adjacent to Ammon.
One of the options staff reviewed was to vacate the street ROW and proceed to subdivide the resultant parcel (66’ x 264’) into two buildable residential lots, each 66’ x 132’ deep. These lots could then be marketed for sale to a purchaser who would have to construct a single-family, owner-occupied home on each lot. Currently, the 66’ ROW is unimproved with a light gravel surface. No public utilities (water, sanitary or storm) are present or planned within in the block; staff will confirm the existence of any private utilities within the ROW (gas, electric, phone, cable.)
Such a process would embrace the concept of “infill housing” in built-up communities, where services, utilities & infrastructure are all present, and provide new housing sites in an existing, stable urbanized neighborhood. This process also meets most of the 10 Tenets of Smart Growth, which will be the underlying goals of the new Fremont Area Joint Master Plan.
Mr. Mike Dennis, owner of one of the four parcels that abut Ammon Ave. noted that he would prefer the street be left as is, with no changes or improvements. He also would accept the vacation if the ROW is split between the four abutting property owners.
Following discussion, Council requested staff set a public hearing to receive public input on this matter before deciding to move forward with the vacation. The hearing was tentatively set for the October 1st City Council meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to approve Resolution R-07-25 disapproving Wal-Mart’ request for a ‘Resort SDD’ license, authorizing the sale of alcoholic liquor for consumption off premises; motion approved.
Resolution R-07-26: MML Legal Defense Fund: MPSC Consumers Energy Rate Case
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve Resolution R-07-26 agreeing to participate financially up to $1,000 with the Michigan Municipal League’s Legal Defense Fund, and the Cities of Grand Rapids and Wyoming in the Consumers Energy Public Service Commission Rate Case No. U-15245; motion approved.
Staff submitted the final draft of the Hybrid Form-Based Zoning Ordinance, as recommended by the City Planning Commission. Staff also submitted a summary of the highlights of the ‘Review Procedures’ and ‘Downtown Main Form-Based District.’ Adoption of the Ordinance is scheduled for the September 17th Council meeting.
The City Manager submitted his objectives with several recommended changes and noted a final amended copy would be submitted at the next regular meeting.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the City Manager’s Performance Objectives for Fiscal Year 07/08, with the changes as recommended by the City Manager; motion approved.
Reports & Comments
Councilmember Breinling reported the next Deer Management Task Force meeting is scheduled for 7 PM on September 25th.
The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Review:
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, Clerk/Finance Director