Minutes and Agendas

City Commission Minutes

CITY OF WALKER SPECIAL COMMISSION MEETING
JUNE 1, 2009
7:00 PM

Mayor Robert Ver Heulen called the Special Commission Meeting to order at 7:00 PM.

Commissioner Kent 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.

Mayor VerHeulen, updated the Commission on the request for a bus shelter at Meijer in Standale, ITP would like a written letter from the City of Walker asking for this shelter.

Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to approve the City Commission minutes of May 11, 2009. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Stek, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to approve Leonard Adams to the Downtown Development Association. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Stek, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to approve the purchase of BS&A Accounting Software. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to approve Traffic Control Order # 204. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Parent, seconded by Commissioner Stek, to approve MLCC request for a new dance permit, at 3303 Alpine. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Versluis, seconded by Commissioner Deschaine, to approve Resolution 09-88 for Green fees related to the Sustainable Energy Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to approve Resolution 09-89 for Budget Amendments for 08/09 fiscal year. Motion carried unanimously.

As the 08/09 fiscal year comes to an end, there is a need for a budget amendment in the amount of ($104,497) from our general fund. This amount is mostly due to reduced revenue from State Revenue share, and reduced revenues in some departments.

City Manager Vander Meulen reviewed the fifth draft of the 09/10 Budget, this will be approved at the June 8^,2009 Commission meeting.

Commissioner Deschaine asked what grants the City has applied for that are currently pending.

City Manager Vander Meulen stated COPS Grant, JAG Grant, and Fire Department Turnout Gear Grant.

Commissioner Holt asked if we could possibly have the City contact a Plumbing Company to help the residents get the most competitive lowest bid to hook up to the new Walker-Riverbend Water Project.

Motion by Commissioner Stek, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to approve Resolution 09-90, support for the Fred Meijer Standale Trail. Motion carried unanimously.

Scott Connors, Engineering Department gave an update of the project. This resolution is for final MDOT approval for the Fred Meijer Standale Trail. This is required to satisfy the MDOT requirements. The Engineering department has done some minor adjustments to save on cost, limited retaining walls, changed location of trail on certain parts, Remembrance Rd was relocated, and boardwalk design was altered. The original budget has increased, so with these cuts, this will keep the cost down. The bids will go out this summer, with a project start date this fall. The City of Walker received $2000.00 from Friends of Trails to start a fund to use toward maintaining the trails. We currently have enough funding to build the trail and move forward. However, we are still waiting for Consumers Power agreement to be finalized.

Motion by Commissioner Parent, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to approve the second reading of ORD 09-565 – Careless Discharge of BB Gun Ordinance as a civil infraction. Yeas: 5, Nays 2, Motion carried.

Motion by Commissioner Stek, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to approve the second reading of ORD 09-572 – Sustainable Energy Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Denise Raap, Walker Resident spoke of concern with the fire department.

Motion by Commissioner Kent, to refer a request to increase the amount of paid on call firemen to a higher number. After further discussion, Motion failed.

Motion by Commissioner Kent, seconded by Commissioner Parent to refer to the Personnel Committee what level of minimum staffing is appropriate to maintain the number of paid on call firemen needed. Motion carried unanimously.

The Commission agreed to have monthly meetings with the Police Chief and Fire Chief on the third Monday of every month.

Motion by Commissioner Parent, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to adjourn the meeting.

Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 9:05pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Sarah Bydalek

City Clerk.

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
All information © 2012 City of Walker

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