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Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 25, 2005, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.
Mayor Miller called the meeting to order and the Pledge Of Allegiance was recited.
Commissioners Present: Mayor Miller; Commissioners Bissell, Joslin, Moreno, Spycher and Tilmann
Commissioners Absent: Vice Mayor Bradley (excused)
Others Present: City Manager Preston, City Clerk Flynn and City Attorney Martineau
Awarded a $500 neighborhood mini grant to the Riverview Community Council for their beautification project. Mayor Miller presented the check to Cindy Johnston, President, Riverview Residents Council, and Valerie Booth, Housing Commission Clerk.
Awarded a $500 neighborhood mini grant to the South West Association of Neighbors for their Fall brush pick-up project. Mayor Miller presented the check to Tom Moffit, representing S.W.A.N.
Lise Mitchell, Chippewa River District Library Director, gave a presentation about Library services and upgrades.
Mayor Miller proclaimed May 2005 as “Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month” and presented the proclamation to Tom Martin, Barb Oggletree and Cathy Zuker, representing the Isabella County-area M.S. support group.
Mayor Miller proclaimed May 2005 as “National Historic Preservation Month” and presented the proclamation to Sherry Sponseller, President, Mt. Pleasant Area Historic Society.
Central Michigan University students from Dr. Chris Petras’ Lobbying and Interest Group Behavior class, made a presentation on their lobbying efforts and submitted their report to the City Commission.
City Manager Preston moved agenda items #16 and #17 to the Consent Calendar.
Received the following petitions and communications:
1. Letter from Kevin Sawnick, 1434 E. Gaylord, resigning as a member of the
9 1 1 Central Dispatch Governing Board.
2. Letter from George Dunn, President, Middle Michigan Development
Corporation, 111 S. University, regarding repaving University Street,
between Michigan and Broadway.
3. Code Enforcement (First Quarter)
4. Investment Report (First Quarter)
5. Mt. Pleasant Housing Commission Minutes (March)
6. Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes (February, March)
7. Wastewater Treatment Plant (March)
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Spycher to approve the following items on the amended Consent Calendar:
1. Bid from McGuirk Sand and Gravel, Mt. Pleasant, MI, in the amount of
$587,662.75, for the 2005 street and water main reconstruction project.
2. Extended the Operations Management Agreement with Gateway Air
Service, Inc., from March 25, 2005 – March 24, 2006, located at the Mt.
Pleasant Airport, at the same annual payment amount of $22,000.
3. City Manager Preston’s Status Report – April 2005.
4. Payrolls, dated April 13, 2005 and April 22, 2005, check numbers 47911-
48157, and warrants, dated April 14, 2005, check numbers 47361-47543, all totaling $872,308.66.
Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Moreno to approve the minutes of the regular and closed meetings held April 11, 2005. Motion unanimously adopted.
A public hearing was held on the plans and estimates to construct new sidewalk on the north side of Fessenden Street, from Bradley to Henry, Special Assessment District No. 8-05. Marianne McJames, 16604 Fessenden, Robert Gilray, 1708 Fessenden, and Rosalia Rau, 1608 Fessenden, were present and spoke in opposition to the project. No additional comments were heard or communications received. Mayor Miller closed the public hearing.
The following Resolution No. 3 was offered by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Spycher:
WHEREAS, the City Commission, after due and legal notice, has met and heard all interested persons to be affected by the proposed public improvements hereinafter described;
AND, WHEREAS, the City Commission deems it advisable and necessary to proceed with Special Assessment No. 8-05;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. The City Commission hereby determines to construct new sidewalk on the north side of Fessenden Street, from Bradley to Henry, in the City, Special Assessment District No. 8-05.
2. The plans, profiles and specifications previously prepared by the City Manager are hereby approved.
3. The Commission hereby approves the detailed estimates of cost and determines that of said total estimated cost of $24,940, $9,570 shall be paid by special assessments upon the properties specially benefited, and that $15,370 shall be the obligation of the city-at-large because of the benefit to the city-at-large.
4. The City Assessor is directed to prepare a special assessment roll in accordance with the Commission's determination.
5. When the Assessor has completed the assessment roll he shall file the roll with the City Clerk for presentation to the Commission.
6. All resolutions and parts of resolutions conflicting with the provisions of this resolution be and the same hereby are rescinded.
AYES: Commissioners Miller, Moreno, Spycher and Tilmann
NAYS: Commissioners Bissell and Joslin
ABSENT: Commissioner Bradley
Resolution adopted.
The following Resolution No. 4 was offered by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Spycher:
WHEREAS, the Assessor has prepared the special assessment roll for Special Assessment District No. 8-05 to special assess that portion of the cost of the public improvements to the properties specially benefited by said public improvements, and the same has been presented to the City Commission by the City Clerk.
WHEREAS, the district is described as: construct new sidewalk on the north side of Fessenden Street, from Bradley to Henry, in the City,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Said special assessment roll is accepted and will be on file in the office of the City Clerk for public examination.
2. The City Commission shall meet at City Hall, 401 N. Main Street, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, at 7:00 p.m., Daylight Savings Time, on May 9, 2005, to hear all persons interested in reviewing the special assessment roll, and shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard, and the City Clerk is directed to publish and mail, in accordance with applicable statutory and ordinance provisions, the notice of hearing.
3. All resolutions and parts of resolutions insofar as they conflict with the provisions of this resolution be and the same hereby are rescinded.
AYES: Commissioners Miller, Moreno, Spycher and Tilmann
NAYS: Commissioners Bissell and Joslin
ABSENT: Commissioner Bradley
Resolution adopted.
A public hearing was held on a proposed ordinance to repeal Sections (A) Criteria for special use permits and (C) Application procedures, in their entirety, and adopt new Sections (A), (C), and (D) Revocation, all located in Chapter 154.171 “Special Use Permits” of Chapter 154: Zoning Ordinances. The purpose of the proposed ordinance is to provide more definitive criteria on which to base special use permits and revocation of special use permits for non-compliance. Denny Martin, 113 N. Harris, spoke in favor of seeking community input and placing this issue on a ballot for the electorate. No other comments were heard or communications received. Mayor Miller closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Spycher and supported by Commissioner Moreno that Ordinance No. 907, an ordinance to repeal Sections (A) Criteria for special use permits and (C) Application procedures, in their entirety, and adopt new Sections (A), (C), and (D) Revocation, all located in Chapter 154.171 “Special Use Permits” of Chapter 154: Zoning Ordinances, having been introduced and read, now be passed, ordained and ordered published. Discussion ensued.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Bissell to amend
(C)(1)(a) of the above proposed Ordinance No. 907 to read as follows: “Any person owning or having an interest in the property may file with the Secretary of the Planning Commission an application accompanied by a non refundable fee in accordance with a fee schedule adopted by the City Commission to cover the cost of processing the application.” The amendment was unanimously adopted.
Moved by Mayor Miller and supported by Commissioner Spycher to amend (C)(1)(g) of the above proposed Ordinance No. 907 to read as follows: “When requested by the Planning Administrator, or a majority of the Planning Commission, additional information shall be provided by the applicant such as:” The amendment was unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Spycher to amend (A)(3) of the above proposed Ordinance No. 907 to read as follows: “Applicant shall demonstrate how the exterior structure is compatible with the surrounding area (defined as adjacent and/or abutting properties including those properties separated by streets alleys or other rights-of-way) and how the use is compatible with surrounding land uses.” The ordinance amendment was unanimously adopted.
The original motion, as amended, was unanimously adopted.
A public hearing was held to receive comments on the City’s close-out of the $1.2 million Michigan Economic Development Corporation loan that was used to create infrastructure improvements to allow the construction of the 12,000 square foot technology incubator facility in University Park. George Dunn, President, Middle Michigan Development Corporation, 111 S. University, spoke about the project. No additional comments were heard or communications received. Mayor Miller closed the public hearing. No action was necessary or taken. City staff will send the necessary paperwork to the State of Michigan.
Moved by Commissioner Tilmann and supported by Commissioner Joslin to set the date for a special meeting, 1:00 p.m., May 16, 2005, at Mt. Pleasant Country Club, 3686 E. River Road, to discuss budget priorities. Motion unanimously adopted.
Announcements on City-Related Issues and Concerns
Commissioner Moreno spoke about the movement to extend the length of daylight savings time, movement to eliminate cable consortiums, and reminded the public about the Special Municipal Election being held May 3rd for a City Commissioner.
Commissioner Tilmann praised Central Michigan University students for their contributions to the community.
Commissioner Joslin announced he will be absent from the May 9th meeting, would
like a schedule of upcoming work session topics, and suggested that available liquor licenses and overnight parking as topics for the May 23rd meeting. He thanked the C.M.U. students for their excellent presentation.
Mayor Miller thanked City Manager Preston and staff for the hospitality they showed the Okaya delegation and he will look into the process of taping City meetings.
Public Comments on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items
Keith Spycher, 1315 E. Maple, reminded the public about the Lions Club barbecue being held Sunday, May 1st, at Island Park.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Bissell that the meeting adjourn at 8:25 p.m. Motion unanimously adopted.
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Adam A. Miller, Mayor Robert J. Flynn, City Clerk