FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
Monday, October 15, 2007 – 7:00 PM
Mayor James Rynberg called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and Councilmember Jane Drake gave the Invocation and led the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
Present at Roll Call: Mayor James Rynberg and Councilmembers Jane Drake, James Breinling, Larry Breuker and Dick Conley
Staff Present: City Manager Chris Yonker and Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake
Public Present: Eric VanDop, James & Kelly Atchison and Doug Berens
Mayor Rynberg requested the removal of the Proclamation for “National Hospice Month” from the agenda and Councilmember Drake requested the addition of “Discussion on coordination between Fremont Public Schools and the Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission.”
Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the meeting agenda as amended; motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Breuker, seconded by Councilmember Drake and carried to approve the following Consent Action Items:
Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated October 11, 2007 totaling $73,508.44
Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Drake to approve the
October 11, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $73,508.44; motion approved.
Mayor Rynberg opened the hearing at 7:05 PM. City Clerk Blake summarized the project and discussed the township parcel abeyance procedure. He also noted property owners will be contacted regarding curb-cuts to their parking lot areas and that the project will most likely be constructed next spring. Following brief discussion the hearing was closed at 7:15 PM.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve Resolution R-07-33 ordering the creation of the “Snyder Avenue Special Assessment District for Street Paving and the Installation of Curb & Gutter, Sidewalks and Water, Sanitary Sewer & Storm Sewer Mains”; motion approved.
Mr. & Mrs. Atchison announced they purchased KC’s Pub and are currently managing the business. Once the City Council and the MI Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) have approved their request for transfer, they will rename the business to “Kelly’s Pub.”
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to adopt Resolution
R-07-34 transferring a 2007 Class C Resort Liquor License from Cory Boys, Inc. to KJA Enterprises, Inc.; motion approved.
Mr. Eric VanDop of Brickley/DeLong presented the audit of the City’s FY 06/07 Financial Statements and gave a brief overview of the year. The City again received no cited management concerns and received an “unqualified audit opinion,” which is the highest recommendation from an auditor.
Mr. VanDop did recommend changing the Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission’s fiscal year (currently the calendar year) to coincide with the City of Fremont’s (7/1-6/30). Since the City is acting as the fiduciary for the FCJPC, this would eliminate the need to split budgets and track expenditures between the two different fiscal years.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to accept the City’s FY 06/07 Audited Financial Statements as submitted; motion approved.
Council expressed its concern for any additional significant expenditures for repair work on the property and asked staff what the bare essentials should be to ready the property for sale. Staff recommended at a minimum the City should address: 1) the leaking roof on the two-story original (main) building; 2) the safety concerns on the one-story addition on the back (south) of the building; and 3) the replacement of the smaller broken window pane to the immediate west of the front door.
Staff proposed to investigate the feasibility of removing the entire one-story section, which is in deplorable condition, rather than go to the expense of cleaning it up & replacing the roof & roof sheathing prior to disposition. Council requested staff research costs on the above concerns and submit a recommendation for Council consideration.
City Manager Yonker also recommended the City invite local realtors to submit brief sales proposals for the property for Council review and select the firm most advantageous to the City. Interested purchasers should summarize the levels of investment, renovation & employment for the building. Ultimate uses of the building should be based on the needs for certain businesses in the Downtown as recommended in the Hyatt/Palma Downtown Blueprint Study. In compliance with the new Form-Based Zoning Code, the first floor must be used for retail (not office), with offices or residential units on the second floor.
Discussion on Coordination between Fremont Public Schools and the Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission
Councilmember Drake informed Council that representatives from the Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission, Fremont Public Schools and the City of Fremont will be meeting tomorrow to discuss issues and projects affecting all involved. She also noted she has been attending the School’s recent “In the Loop” community meetings, which have identified the following four objectives: student achievement, parent/community engagement, facilities, and technology. Councilmember Breinling will be attending the joint meeting as a member of the FCJPC; the City Manager & Director of Neighborhood & Economic Development are also participating in the session.
Reports & Comments
City Manager Yonker submitted an updated draft of the “Summary of Staffing Responsibilities for Boards, Commissions, Committees and Task Forces” and noted final revisions will follow.
City Clerk Blake reported the “Safe Routes to Schools” program Steering Committee would be meeting soon to identify unsafe routes and areas where students travel to and from schools. The City will submit a grant for State funding to construct additional sidewalks/pathways and implement signage in identified areas.
The City Clerk also informed Council its mandated National Incident Management System (NIMS) training has been scheduled for Monday, November 12th from 5:30-9:00 PM in the Council Chambers and dinner will be provided.
Mayor Rynberg informed Council he received a letter of appreciation and gratitude from Gerber Products Company, for Police Chief Deur’s service during the recent visit from Nestlé’s President. The Mayor reminded Council that Dunham’s Sporting Goods will open in the old D&W Foods building on Friday, October 19th, with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9:00 AM.
Councilmember Breinling reported the FCJPC will meet on October 22nd and will also conduct a meeting for the public on October 29th.
The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Review:
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to adjourn the meeting at 9:00 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, Clerk/Finance Director