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Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, April 24, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.
Mayor Bradley Kilmer called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Commissioners Present: Mayor Bradley Kilmer and Vice Mayor Spycher; Commissioners Bissell, Joslin (arrived at 7:16 p.m.), Moreno and Tilmann
Commissioners Absent: None
Others Present: City Manager Preston, City Clerk Flynn and Attorney Matthew Romashko (substituting for City Attorney Martineau)
Mayor Bradley Kilmer proclaimed April 30 through May 6, 2006 as "Municipal Clerks Week" and presented the proclamation to City Clerk Robert Flynn.
Mayor Bradley Kilmer proclaimed May 2006 as "National Historic Preservation Month" and presented the proclamation to Michelle Sponseller, City liaison to the Mt. Pleasant Historic District Commission.
Commissioner Moreno requested that the resolution adopted at the April 10th meeting, regarding elimination of local cable franchise agreements, be read. City Manager Preston read the resolution.
Received the following communications and petitions:
1. Airport Advisory Board Minutes (March, April)
2. Code Enforcement and Building Safety (First Quarter)
3. Investment Report (First Quarter)
4. Mt. Pleasant Housing Commission Minutes (February, March)
5. Planning Commission Minutes (March)
6. Street Department and Motor Pool (March)
7. Wastewater Treatment Plant (March corrected)
8. Receive City Manager's status report - April 2006.
Moved by Commissioner Tilmann and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher to approve the following items on the Consent Calendar:
1. Bid from Malley Transport and Well Drilling, Mt. Pleasant, MI, in the
amount of $628,057.75, for the 2006 Local Street Reconstruction Project.
2. Taxicab license to Abraham S. Kamara for The Cosmos Team.
3. Recognized Mid-Michigan Quilters' Guild as a non-profit organization
for the purpose of obtaining a charitable gaming license.
4. Payrolls dated April 21, 2006, check numbers 54379-54600, and warrants dated April 13, 2006, check numbers 52118-52289, all totaling $840,965.96.
Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to approve the minutes of the special, regular and closed meetings held April 10, 2006. Motion unanimously adopted.
A public hearing was held on the special assessment roll to provide funding for the operations of the Principal Shopping District, Special Assessment District No. 1-06. Jack Neyer, 304 E. Broadway, asked the Commission to consider separating the parking fee from DBA promotions. A letter was received from Jean M. Prout and Samuel W. Staples, Michigan Building, Inc., Shepherd, MI, regarding 300 W. Michigan, 110 Pine, 311 W. Broadway and W. Michigan, objecting to being included in the Principal Shopping District. No additional comments were heard or communications received. Mayor Bradley Kilmer closed the public hearing.
The following Resolution No. 5 was offered by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher:
WHEREAS, the City Commission has met after due and legal notice and reviewed the special assessment roll to provide funding for the operations of the Principal Shopping District, in the City, Special Assessment District No. 1-06;
WHEREAS, after hearing all persons interested therein and after carefully reviewing the special assessment roll, the City Commission deems said special assessment roll to be fair, just and equitable and that each of the assessments contained thereon are in accordance with the benefits to be derived by each parcel of land assessed;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
1. Said special assessment roll as prepared by the City Assessor, in the amount of $84,330, is hereby confirmed.
2. Said special assessment roll will be divided into two installments, each of which will be billed on July 1and December 1 of this year.
3. No interest will be charged on the unbilled balance of said special assessment roll.
4. The City Clerk is directed to attach his warrant to a certified copy of this resolution within ten (10) days after its adoption requesting the Assessor to spread and the Treasurer to collect the sums and amounts as directed by the Commission.
5. The City Clerk is directed to endorse the date of confirmation on the roll.
6. All resolutions and parts of resolutions conflicting with the provisions of this resolution are rescinded.
Resolution unanimously adopted.
A public hearing was held on a proposed ordinance to repeal Chapter 93 "Uniform Fire Code" and adopt by reference the 2003 edition of the International Fire Code, including any additions, insertions, deletions and changes. No comments were heard or communications received. Mayor Bradley Kilmer closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Tilmann that Ordinance No. 919, as hereinbefore described, now be passed, ordained and ordered published. Motion unanimously adopted.
Received a letter from Judge Ervin inviting a representative from the City Commission to serve on the Community Advisory Committee, whose purpose is to support the Isabella County Juvenile Drug Treatment Court. Mayor Bradley Kilmer appointed Commissioner Tilmann.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher to accept Michigan Municipal League's bid, in the amount of $12,500, plus out-of-pocket expenses, to conduct a candidate search for position of City Manager.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher that the above motion be amended to include that out-of-pocket expenses shall not exceed $7,000. The amendment was carried unanimously.
The original motion, as amended, was unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Moreno to authorize the City Manager and City Attorney to enter into negotiations with J.E. Johnson Group for the development of the Borden Building. Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Tilmann and supported by Commissioner Bissell to authorize Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director, to seek a variety of retail and food operations that would be appropriate in the Central Business District and these activities shall not exceed $10,000.
Moved by Commissioner Tilmann and supported by Commissioner Joslin to amend the above motion to include that authorization is contingent on the Downtown Development Board's approval.
AYES: Commissioners Bradley Kilmer, Joslin, Spycher and Tilmann
NAYS: Commissioners Bissell and Moreno
The original motion, as amended, was unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher to concur with the Appointments Committee and appoint Jim Holton to the City Commission until the August 8th elected Commissioner is sworn in. Motion unanimously adopted.
Commissioners thanked the Committee for their efforts and thanked the many candidates for applying. City Clerk Flynn stated that Mr. Holton's duties as a City Commissioner will commence when he is officially sworn in.
Announcements on City-related Issues and Concerns
Commissioner Joslin asked about deadlines for the August 8th and November 7th elections and advertising to fill the Planning Commission vacancy.
Commissioner Tilmann thanked participants and entities regarding the recent film festivals.
City Manager Preston discussed scheduling a special meeting to discuss revenue enhancements and the budget. Commissioners agreed on May 30, 2006 at 5:00 p.m.
Public Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items:
Darlene Coffell, 1 W. Mosher, thanked the City for clearing the Riverview Apartment and Borden building areas following the recent wind storms and the availability of the garden for 2006.
Helen Thomas, 319 Arnold, asked that the Commission support a "No" vote on the ballot proposal regarding affirmative action. City Manager Preston indicated that a citizen had requested making a presentation on this issue at the May 8th meeting.
Keith Spycher, 1315 E. Maple, promoted the Lions barbecue being held on Sunday, May 7th, at Island Park.
Sharon Tilmann, 306 Andre, announced the "Take Back The Night" event scheduled for April 26, at 6:00 p.m., at Kiva Hall.
Jon Joslin, 320 E. Illinois, asked if the Michigan Municipal League is forwarding information regarding the state shared revenue amendment.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 p.m. Motion unanimously adopted.
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Cynthia Bradley Kilmer, Mayor Robert J. Flynn, City Clerk