FREMONT CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES – REGULAR MEETING
Monday, November 5, 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 and Clerk/Finance Director Todd Blake
Public Present: Kara Campbell, Pat Puff, Stephanie Bagwell, Nichole Cruzan, Samantha Conklin, Lisa Berens, Darrick VanBoven, Carley DeKryger, Jordan Kiester, Michelle Vasquez, Jared Vandenberg, Joey Baker, Andy Harrington, Maranda Hanna, Neil Comis, Michelle Maynard, Loren Edwards, Mitch Strong, Dan VanBoven, Matt McDonald, Jeremy Gerth, Joyce Tubergen, Matt Nash, James Lanciaex, Alex Clink, Katie Hanna, Steven Jochanski, Lizzie Paris, Sam Shanas, Jon & Karla Gilliland, Josh Warfield, Kristin O’Brien, Ryan St. Peter, Marianne Boerigter, Audrey Baner, Seth Braafhart, Jason Bush, Ron Vliem, David Jaunese, Evan Matthews, Rachele Crandell, Curt Crandell, Allie Kooistra, Joseph Fox, Kathe Oosterhouse, Oikawa Shim, Ayano Sasaki and Koichi Akishino
City Manager Yonker requested the addition of “Council Reconsideration of the Novi Energy Land Purchase Option” to the agenda.
Motion by Councilmember Conley, seconded by Councilmember Breuker to approve the meeting agenda as amended; motion approved.
Mayor Rynberg and Fremont/Yahaba Friendship City Program Director Loren Edwards presented Marianne Boerigter the “2007 Ray Rathbun Volunteer of the Year” award.
Director Edwards reported that over the 16-year Friendship City program, 328 students, 85 teachers and 125 community representatives have participated in the exchange between Yahaba and Fremont.
Mayor Rynberg presented a plaque of appreciation to Yahaba Government representative Koichi Akishino and thanked him for his continued support in the Friendship City Program. Mr. Akishino is the Assistant Manager of the General Administrative Division in the Town of Yahaba. Mr. Akishino also presented a ceremonial badminton paddle to Mayor Rynberg.
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Breuker and carried to approve the following Consent Action Items:
Newaygo County Council for the Arts - 13 E. Main Street
Ace Real Estate, Inc. - (Conflitti's) - 12 W. Main Street
Accounts Payable Check Register Report dated November 1, 2007 totaling $425,749.81
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to approve the
November 1, 2007 Accounts Payable Check Register totaling $425,749.81; motion approved.
Chamber Director Ron Vliem reported the Festival went well and asked that Council consider a future request for road closures downtown during next year’s event to accommodate tractor parking and sidewalk sales.
Attorney David Jaunese, on behalf of property owners Doug & Nanci Nieboer, requested Council reconsider their request for a license agreement for use of a portion of the Boathouse Avenue ROW for a possible garage construction. Mr. Jaunese questioned whether or not the Avenue had been abandoned and if so, if his client is entitled to half of the abandoned ROW.
Council announced the property falls within the City Park system and noted if the City abandoned the avenue, it most likely retained ownership of the right-of-way. There was no support for a motion to approve the request.
Fremont Christian School Principal Joe Fox requested permission to install a temporary “way-finding” sign along East Main Street as a locator for the Middle and Elementary Schools.
City Manager Yonker reported this type of sign is not permitted within any public street right-of-way under the City’s Streets & Sidewalk Ordinance and recommended Mr. Fox wait for the design & installation of the City’s new Wayfinding Signage System next spring.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to allow a temporary non-advertising wayfinding sign to be installed at the intersection of E. Main Street and Hillcrest Drive until the City adopts the proposed Wayfinding Signage program; After further discussion, motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to amend the main motion to require the temporary sign be place on the First Congregational Church’s existing signpost at the northwest corner of the above intersection; amending motion approved; main motion approved.
Staff reported the County has performed the necessary corrections to the County’s GIS-based property parcel data map and recommended the City make a retroactive payment for tax years 2004-2006.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Conley to authorize payment of $9,968.50 to Newaygo County and amend the FY 07/08 Operating Budget accordingly (101-253.000-801.000 & 101-209.000-801.000); motion approved.
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to authorize staff’ pursuit of the design work necessary to move forward with a more definitive streetscape project in the area; motion approved. City Manager Yonker noted he would return with preliminary design work and cost estimates for the project.
Councilmember Drake recommended the City Council consider meeting with the Fremont School Board to continue discussions on issues of mutual importance. These could include future plans for the High School expansion, traffic-related issues around school facilities and status of the Secondary Crosstown Routes. Councilmember Breinling noted the FCJPC met with representatives of the School Board and the meeting seemed beneficial for community cooperation.
Following discussion, Council encouraged the FCJPC continue collaborating with the School Board, but Council should wait for School Board confirmation of a joint meeting between the Boards.
City Manager Yonker reported Novi Energy has asked Council to reconsider its request for the 15.5 acres in the Fremont Industrial Park for no charge, unless they are successful in obtaining “tax exempt” status for their development.
Council noted that because it has already reduced the low asking price of $12,500 per acre by 60% to $5,000 per acre, it did not wish to reconsider the price.
Reports & Comments
City Manager Yonker reported Verizon Wireless has requested the City authorize a lease agreement for their placement of antennas on the City’s Weaver/Hemlock water tower. A formal lease agreement and rental fee will be brought to Council for consideration in the near future.
City Clerk Blake reminded Council of the City’s General Election tomorrow and reported that construction of Phase 2 of the Town & Country Path is almost complete. The path section through the wooded area of Outlot B in the Industrial Park has been paved and the two bridges are almost complete.
Mayor Rynberg reported the City hosted the West MI Shoreline Regional Development Commission (WMSRDC) meeting today and noted he received his “Master Citizen Planner” certification.
City Clerk Blake reminded Council the City is hosting a National Incident Management System (NIMS) training session in the Council Chambers on November 12th from 5:30 to 9:00 PM.
The Following Communications were transmitted for Council Review:
Closed Session
Motion by Councilmember Drake, seconded by Councilmember Breinling to close the Regular Session at 10:14 PM and enter into a Closed Session for the purpose of discussing pending litigation; motion approved by unanimous roll call vote.
The Closed Session ended at 10:25 PM and the Regular Session reconvened.
Adjournment
Motion by Councilmember Breinling, seconded by Councilmember Drake to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 PM; motion approved.
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James M. Rynberg, Mayor
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Todd M. Blake, Clerk/Finance Director