City Commission Minutes

CITY OF WALKER
COMMISSION MINUTES
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2009 AT 7:00 P.M.
COMMISSION CHAMBERS – 4243 REMEMBRANCE RD

Mayor Ver Heulen called the Committee of the Whole meeting to order at 7:00 P.M.

Kent County Commissioner Art Tanis, reported on Kent County updates.

If anyone would like more information or a tour of any of these facilities please contact Kent County Commissioner Art Tanis.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to open the Public Hearing for Rock Interface. Motion carried 6-0.

Mr. Mike Dorato was present from Rock Interface; The purpose of this Certificate is to amend the Certificate to acknowledge the increased personal property amount.

Motion by Commissioner Versluis, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Ver Heulen introduced our new Grand Rapids Press reporter; Aaron Ogg.

Bonnie Broadwater, Engineer Dept., gave an update on the gypsy moth spraying. Two bid proposals were received. The lowest bid was from Mid Michigan Helicopter at $50.00 per acre. Commissioner Stek and Kent spoke of concern around the selected areas, and would like to see these areas enlarged. There is 348 acres in five areas of Walker that have been selected for spraying. Mayor Ver Heulen authorized City Manager Vander Meulen to move forward with a special assessment on the residents in these areas. The special assessment will be a 50/50 split with the City of Walker.

The Regular Commission Meeting was called to order 8:00 p.m.

Invocation was given by Commissioner Kent.

Roll Call was taken by the City Clerk.

Present: Mayor Rob Ver Heulen, Commissioners; Steve Versluis, Cyndy Stek,

Barb Holt, Charles Deschaine, and Dan Kent. Absent: Commissioner Al Parent

Also Present: Cathy Vander Meulen, City Manager, Darrel Schmalzel, Assistant

City Manager and Jeff Sluggett, City Attorney.

Mayor Ver Heulen asked the Commission’s approval to amend the 2/9/09 Commission minutes, by striking the previous public comment and replacing with Diane Jedrzejczak’s objection to the practice of appointing City employees and elected officials to City Committees.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Stek, to approve the minutes as amended. Motion carried 6-0.

Public Comment: None

Motion by Commissioner Versluis, seconded by Commissioner Stek, to move forward with 50/50 Special Assessment agreement for the Gypsy moth spraying, and the Engineering department will look at possibly expanding the selected five zones. Motion carried 6-0.

Ordinance 09-566 Second Reading: Amendment to Chapter 67, Article IV, Section 23, entitled "Interference with natural or Artificial Drains". Motion by Commissioner Kent, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to adopt the second reading of ORD 09-566 as amended after the first reading. Motion carried 6-0.

Mayor Ver Heulen asked the Commission their feedback as to if they were interested in pursuing audio or video taping the Commission meetings. It was agreed to hold off pursuing this due to budget constraints.

Motion by Commissioner Versluis, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to approve the expenditures in the amount of: $412,873.56. Motion carried 6-0.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to approve Resolution 09-69 amending Recreation department revised park fees. Motion carried 6-0.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to approve Resolution 09-70 Agreement with Kent County and Kent County Sheriff. Motion carried 6-0. Commissioner Deschaine stated that this will be a significant cost savings to Walker and appreciated all the hard work that went into this.

Motion by Commissioner Versluis, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to approve Resolution 09-71 to amend Act 198 Certificate for Rock Interface. Motion carried 6-0.

Ordinance 09-564 Second Reading: Adding Section 50-49 to Article 1 of Chapter 50 Tobacco products; violation as a civil infraction. After discussion the Commission decided to table until further information is obtained.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Deschaine, to table second reading of this Ordinance until the next meeting. Motion carried 6-0.

Ordinance 09-565 – Currently tabled.

Ordinance 09-565 Second Reading: Adding Section 50-66 to Article II of Chapter 50 Careless use of BB handguns. After discussion from the City Attorney and the Commission, they decided to leave this Ordinance on the table until further information is obtained.

Ordinance 09-567 First Reading: To amend Chapter 82, Vehicle Use Prohibited.

Motion by Commissioner Kent, seconded by Commissioner Deschaine, to table this first reading. Motion carried 6-0.

Ordinance 09-568 First Reading: Licensing Revisions to amend Sections 6-6, 6-8, 22-9, 22-13, 38-53, 62-57, and 70-81. This Ordinance will bring uniformity to the City Licensing Ordinance. Streamlining all licensing to be on calendar year rather than fiscal year, and also clarifying the Ordinance. Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to approve the First Reading of Ordinance 09-568. Motion carried 6-0.

City Managers comments: Personnel meeting scheduled for March 16 at 5:30 p.m.

Motion by Commissioner Kent, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Bydalek

City Clerk

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The City of Walker, Michigan
4243 Remembrance Rd. NW
Walker, MI  49534
(616)453-6311
City Hall hours: Mon-Thursday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Closed Fridays
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