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Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, July 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 Moreno and Tilmann
Commissioners Absent: Commissioners Bissell, Joslin and Holton
Others Present: Acting City Manager Grinzinger, City Clerk Flynn and City Attorney Romashko
1. Mayor Bradley Kilmer made a presentation to police officers and firefighters for their water rescue efforts on June 13, 2006.
2. City Clerk Flynn made a presentation on new AutoMark election equipment.
3. Mayor Bradley Kilmer read special resolution to Sister City Okaya.
Public Input on Agenda Items:
Nicholas Budimir of Big Rapids; Michael Dover, 1820 Orchard; and Margaret Williams, 1104 E. Michigan spoke on encouraging the City Commission to adopt the resolution opposing the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.
Received the following petitions and communications:
4. Investment Report (Second Quarter 2006)
5. Mt. Pleasant Housing Commission Minutes (May)
6. Planning Commission Minutes (June)
7. Wastewater Treatment Plant (June)
8. Water Department (June)
9. Receive Acting City Manager’s status report.
Commissioner Moreno requested that item #13, board and commission appointments, be removed from the consent calendar.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to approve the following items on the Consent Calendar as amended:
1. Consider request from Friends of Isabella Seniors for recognition as a non profit organization for the purpose of obtaining charitable gaming license.
2. Payrolls dated July 14, 2006, check numbers 0055832-056103, and warrants dated July 20, 2006, check numbers 053401-053558 all totaling $656,177.66.
Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher to approve the minutes of the special meeting held July 10, 2006; the regular meeting held July 10, 2006; the special meeting held July 17, 2006; the special meeting held July 18, 2006; and the closed meeting held July 18, 2006.
A public hearing was held on the creation of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for property at 201 South University Street. George Ronan, 605 S. Kinney, owner of the property, spoke in favor of the creation and was available for questions. Mayor Bradley Kilmer closed the public hearing.
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann:
WHEREAS, The City of Mount Pleasant has been deemed a Qualified Local Governmental Unit, according to Section 2(k) of PA 146 of 2000; and
WHEREAS, The City Commission as the legislative body of the City of Mount Pleasant may establish an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District on its own initiative; and
WHEREAS, The property located at 201 South University Street, Mount Pleasant, Michigan is found to be functionally obsolete in that it is unable to be used to adequately perform the function for which it was intended for the following reasons:
a) A floor plan which is inappropriate for the highest and best use of the property.
b) A heating system which is inadequate for the highest and best use of the property.
c) Mechanical systems (e.g. electrical, plumbing, etc.) which are inadequate for the highest and best use of the property.
WHEREAS, The City of Mount Pleasant is authorized under the provisions of PA 146 of 2000 to establish obsolete property rehabilitation districts by resolution; and
WHEREAS, The City Commission of the City of Mount Pleasant scheduled a Public hearing on Monday, July 24, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Commission Chambers in regard to this matter and a written notice by certified mail was provided to the owners of all real property within the proposed obsolete property rehabilitation district.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the City Commission of the City of Mount Pleasant does hereby establish an obsolete property rehabilitation district for the property located at 201 South University Street, Mount Pleasant Michigan. Further described as:
“Original Plat Lot 5 & 6, Block 23 and the North 8 ft of Lot 7 Block 23”. Parcel Identification Number is 17-000-00395-00. This district to be known as “Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District No. 2”.
Resolution unanimously adopted.
A public hearing was held on Brownfield Redevelopment Plans for Site #4 (1521-1523 South Mission Street). Finance Director Ridley had recommended a couple of amendments to the plans. There were no other comments heard or communications received. Mayor Bradley Kilmer closed the public hearing.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher to approve Brownfield Redevelopment Plans for Site #4 as amended. Motion unanimously adopted.
A public hearing was held on Brownfield Redevelopment Plans for Site #5 (510-600 West Pickard Street). Finance Director Ridley recommended the same amendments as site #4. There were no other comments heard or communications received. Mayor Bradley Kilmer closed the public hearing.
Moved by Vice Mayor Spycher and supported by Commissioner Moreno to approve Brownfield Redevelopment Plans for Site #5 as amended. Motion unanimously adopted.
Commissioner Moreno read the following recommendations from the Appointments Committee for appointments to boards and commissions:
Term To Expire
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT BOARD
David Verwey January 31, 2007
HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION
Robert Banta January 31, 2007
Mary Ellen Brandell January 31, 2008
PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION
Charles E. Carlson January 31, 2009
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher to approve the Appointments Committee’s recommendations as presented. Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Vice Mayor Spycher and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to approve the contract with SpeedNet, Mt. Pleasant in the amount of $2,050 a month, for lease of communications space on two City-owned towers. Motion unanimously adopted.
The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to approve the Resolution in opposition to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Supreme Court of the United States ruled in Grutter v Bollinger that affirmative Action is necessary for realizing democracy in our great nation, which is increasingly diverse and multicultural; and
WHEREAS, a constitutional amendment entitled “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative” has been proposed that would remove from local governments their ability to control their own employment policies, processes, and practices; and
WHEREAS, the City of Mt. Pleasant has long recognized diversity of its citizens as one of its most valuable assets and further recognizes that it must be allowed to continually review and improve its employment practices to better serve its residents; and
WHEREAS, the proposed amendment would remove the ability of locally elected officials to bring about diversity within the operations of local government by violating the fundamental principle of local control as embodied in the Home Rule Cities Act, which seeks to ensure that each city is allowed to determine how best to serve its residents; and
WHEREAS, numerous civic organizations, labor unions, business groups, educational institutions, persons from all political parties, religious, ethnic, and women’s organizations oppose the adoption of this amendment; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Mt. Pleasant City Commission reaffirms its support for diversity as well as the principle of local control; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Mt. Pleasant City Commission goes on record as opposing the “Michigan Civil Rights Initiative” amendment to the Michigan Constitution; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That we wish to encourage our citizens as well as our citizen organizations to become informed and educate themselves on this important issue and to actively participate in efforts to defeat this proposal; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each and every member of the Michigan State Legislature.
Resolution unanimously adopted.
Moved by Vice Mayor Spycher and supported by Commissioner Moreno to approve the donation agreements with Mr. Dane Clark and Dr. Michael Sullivan for storm sewer construction. Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to set a public hearing for August 14, 2006 on proposed 425 Agreement with Charter Township of Union. Motion unanimously adopted.
Acting City Manager Grinzinger explained that the agreements on the Borden Building are not ready to be discussed or presented. No action was taken.
Mayor Bradley Kilmer thanked everyone, especially Director of Public Safety Yeagley, for time spent on the City Manager search. Since three (3) Commissioners were absent, the Mayor requested a special meeting be held on Monday, July 31, 2006 at 7:00p.m. to consider the appointment.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to schedule a special meeting on Monday, July 31, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. to consider the appointment of a City Manager. Motion unanimously adopted.
Announcements on City-related Issues and Concerns
Vice Mayor Spycher announced National Night Out program to be held Tuesday, August 1, 2006 at Mt. Pleasant High School.
Commissioner Moreno praised the concert at Island Park held on July 22nd and hoped there would be more concerts in the park soon.
Public Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items:
1. Nicholas Budimir of Big Rapids thanked the City Commission for passing the Initiative Resolution.
2. Mayor Bradley Kilmer publicly thanked Isabella County Prosecutor Larry Burdick for his time and efforts in the recent murder trials.
Moved by Commissioner Tilmann and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher that the meeting adjourn at 8:19 p.m. Motion unanimously adopted.
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Cynthia Bradley Kilmer, Mayor Robert J. Flynn, City Clerk