FREMONT CITY COUNCIL

MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING

Monday, April 2, 2007 – 7:00 PM

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

Present at Roll Call: Mayor James Rynberg and Councilmembers Larry Breuker, Dick Conley and Jane Drake.  Councilmember James Breinling was absent as he was out of town.

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

Public Present: Jeffrey Barnes

Approval of Meeting Agenda

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Drake and carried to approve the meeting agenda with the addition of:

• Discussion on Special Event for Yahaba Sculpture Unveiling
• Approval of Consumers Energy Agreement for Electric Distribution Line Extension
• Consideration for Sale of Fremont Industrial Park Lots

Introduction by Sgt. Randy Wright of Newest Full-Time Police Officer Cameron Hanson

Police Sergeant Randy Wright introduced Mr. Cameron Hanson as the Department’s newest full-time Police Officer.

Consent Action Items

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

• Minutes of the Regular Council Session held March 19, 2007
• March of Dimes’ request for use of Veterans Memorial Park & Amphitheater for “Walk America 2007”
• Mr. Mark Williams & Ms. Stephanie Parks’ request for use of Branstrom Park Picnic Pavilion & surrounding area for wedding ceremony and reception on Saturday, July 28, 2007
• Authorization to execute grant agreement #PR 4167-8E with the MDNR for $2,000 under the ’07 DTE Energy Foundation Tree Planting Grant Program
• Authorization to execute agreement with Mead & Hunt for professional engineering services ($93,370), contingent upon MDOT Bureau of Aviation’s approval of $126,000 grant for: Design of Parallel Taxiway for Runway 18/36 at the Fremont Municipal Airport
• Authorization to execute Change Order No. 1 to the DT Market Place & NE Parking Lot Project: Install in-floor radiant heating system to Market Pavilion bathrooms for $5,088.65
• Authorization to execute agreement for Professional Assessor Services for the 3-year period 4/15/2007 – 4/14/2010 with GIG Consulting, Inc. at: 1st year- $39,600; 2nd year- $40,800; and
  3rd year- $42,000
• Authorization to execute agreement with Paradigm Design for professional design services
  ($8-12,000) for: City Hall Roof & Attic Improvements

Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated March 29, 2007 totaling $186,131.80

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley and carried, to approve the March 29, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register Report totaling $186,131.80.

Review & Consideration of Proposed Routing Location for Hemlock St. between Stone Rd. & Market Avenue

Because no one was in attendance to address this request, Council agreed to postpone discussion on this matter until the April 16th regular meeting.

Resolution R-07-07: Designation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) as the Basis for all Incident Management in the City of Fremont

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve Resolution R-07-07 as presented; motion approved.

Resolution R-07-08: The State Budget Crisis

Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve Resolution R-07-08 requesting the Michigan Legislature and the Governor demonstrate bipartisan leadership during their State budgeting process; motion approved.

Discussion on Special Event for Yahaba Sculpture Unveiling

Following discussion, Council selected Saturday, June 9th at 3:00 PM, for the unveiling of the Yahaba Sculpture.  The Committee will arrange for a reception and dinner to follow the event.

Approve Consumers Energy Agreement for Electric Line Relocation & Extension

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to enter into an agreement with Consumers Energy for relocation and extension of electric distribution lines for $22,680, to accommodate the Downtown alley and parking lot reconstruction project; motion approved.

Consideration for Sale of Fremont Industrial Park Lots

City Manager Yonker reported receiving a request for purchase of approximately 15.5 acres in the Fremont Industrial Park for the development of an alternative energy production facility.  Council noted that the current asking price for land in the Park is $12,500 per acre, but also noted it is negotiable depending on the overall benefit of the project to the community.  By consensus, the City Manager and City Attorney were authorized to negotiate a reasonable option for the sale of Lots 19-21 for the proposed project and return to Council for approval of the proposed option agreement.

Reports

The City Manager reported that AT&T notified the City it will begin the relocation of communication lines along W. 48th Street within the next three weeks.  These relocations would then allow for the extension of water and sanitary sewer mains to service the Mousel property.

Public Comment

Mr. Jeffrey Barnes expressed interest in serving on the DDA’s Marketing Subcommittee.

The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Information:

• General/Water/Sewer Fund Budget Comparison Summary for February 2007
• FCJPC Comprehensive Plan Revision Work Plan
• City of Fremont “2006 Water Quality Report”
• City of Fremont “Water Supply Contingency Plan”
• FACF 3/23/07 Letter: “Notice of Additional Contributions to Fremont/Yahaba Sculpture Project”
• 2007 Fremont Farmers Market Brochure
• Minutes of 3/21/07 Progress Meeting #6: DT Farmers Market & Parking Lot Improvement Project
• 3/19/08 Resignation Letter: Part-Time Police Officer Andrew Crisman
• MI Tax Tribunal Consent Judgment accepting the Joint Stipulation for Consent Judgment re: MI Consolidated Gas Co. vs. City of Fremont, Docket No. 249174
• 3/29/07 Letter of Appointment of CM to the Newaygo County Brownfield Redevelopment Auth.
• Newaygo Co. Quarterly Newsletter : Winter 2007
• 3/30/07 CM Email: Governor’s E. O. # 2007-11: “Moratorium on State Grant Expenditures”
• Comcast 3/28/07 Letter: Name Changes for Digital & Internet Service Packages
• Minutes of the 3/26/07 Meeting of the Fremont Fire Department
• Minutes of the 3/26/07 Meeting of the FCJPC
• Minutes of the 3/21/07 Meeting of the DDA Streetscape/Signage Subcommittee
• Notice of 4/11/07 Joint Meeting of the DDA and the DDA Façade/Streetscape Subcommittee
• FADL Materials:
• Minutes of the 2/20/07 Meeting of the FADL Board
• Agenda for the 3/20/07 Meeting of the FADL Board
• Director’s Report for March 2007
• Urban/Rural Observations Email from Jack & Mary Butterick
• City Manager’s March 2007 Times Indicator Article for City Column “From the City Desks”

Closed Session

Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to close the Regular Session at 9:25 PM and enter into a Closed Session to consider a possible property acquisition; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.

The Closed Session ended at 9:52 and the Regular Session reconvened.

Adjournment

Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Conley to adjourn the meeting at 9:52 PM; motion approved.

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      James M. Rynberg, Mayor

                                                                                      _________________________________

                                                                                      Todd M. Blake, City Clerk