City Commission Minutes

WALKER CITY COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES
CITY COMMISSION CHAMBERS
4243 REMEMBRANCE RD.
MAY 11, 2009

Mayor Robert Ver Heulen called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Frank Wash gave the Commission an update on the Community Development Department.

This is the combination of the Building department and Planning department. Frank and Pat have moved into the building department, this has helped with extra staffing in this department. The website will be updated to combine these departments. There will be a press release in the paper to inform the public. Frank also spoke on the Sustainable Energy Ordinance, the standard building and planning department fees will apply to this ordinance. The Fee Resolution will be presented to the Commission at the next Commission meeting.

Police Chief, Catherine Garcia, spoke about the tabled Ordinances. ORD 09-565 will be revised to be a violation as a civil infraction.

John Stuckey was sworn in as a volunteer policeman, by the City Clerk and Police Chief.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to open Public Hearing. Motion carried. Tim Dedinas stated his company is a second generation business that has been in business for 45 years. They are expanding their business and plan to hire 10 – 15 new employees within the first year.

PUBLIC COMMENT: None

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to close the Public Hearing. Motion carried.

Mayor Ver Heulen called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM

Commissioner Parent gave the invocation, and City Clerk called the roll.

Present: Mayor Ver Heulen, Commissioners: Kent, Parent, Holt, Deschaine Stek, and Versluis.

Also present was City Manager Vander Meulen and Assistant City Manager Schmalzel.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to approve the City Commission minutes of April 27, 2009. Motion carried.

Mayor Ver Heulen designated the week of May 17 – 23, 2009, as Emergency Medical Services Week, and read the Proclamation. Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to approve the proclamation. Motion carried.

Traffic Control Order # 203 was discussed, and Police Chief Garcia, stated she would like to present a resolution that would cover emergency traffic control orders, since they are short term.

This resolution will be prepared and presented at a future Commission meeting for approval.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to approve the expenditures in the amount of $342,285.29. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Ken, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to approve Resolution 09-86 for Dedinas/Franzak Enterprises. Motion carried..

Sue Wyngaarden, from Varnum, spoke about the Special Assessment for Riverbend Walker Water Project.

Motion by Commissioner Versluis, seconded by Commissioner Stek to approve Resolution 09-87 for the Special Assessment for the Walker – Riverbend water project. Roll call vote was taken by City Clerk. Mayor Ver Heulen, Commissioner Kent, Commissioner Parent, Commissioner Deschaine, Commissioner Holt, Commissioner Stek and Commissioner Versluis all voted yes, with a 7-0 vote.

Motion by Commissioner Parent, seconded by Commissioner Holt to support and approve the Community Development Department Report. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Stek, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to approve the 1^st Reading of ORD 09-572 Sustainable Energy Ordinance. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to remove ORD 09-564 from the table. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to approve the 2^nd Reading of ORD 09-564 adding section 50-49 to article 1 of Chapter 50, Tobacco products. Yeas 6 Nays 1 with Kent opposing. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to remove ORD 09-565 from the table. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to approve 1^st Reading of ORD 09-565 and amending violation as a civil infraction. Yeas 5, Nays 2 with Kent and Stek opposed. Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Stek, to take ORD 09-567 off the table. Motion carried. Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Kent to reject 1^st Reading of ORD 09-567. Motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Allyn Krueze, 4120 Mission St, was in attendance for her Calvin Christian Government Class.

Commissioner Deschaine mentioned the Senior neighbors group would like to see a bus shelter at the Meijer location in Standale, and would also like to see if the Rapid could possibly stop at the Walker City Hall as one of their bus stops.

Motion by Commissioner Parent, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 9:00 pm.

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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