COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE MEETING:
Mayor Robert Ver Heulen called the Committee of the Whole Meeting to
order at 7:00 PM.
Phil McCormack gave a report on Residential Sprinkler Safety.
The Fire Department announced they will be holding an open house in
October.
Public Hearing for Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for
Kenona Industries.
Motion by Deschaine, seconded by Versluis, to open the Public
Hearing. Motion carried 7-0.
Brian Morrissey, Vice President of Kenona Industries stated they will
be expanding their location to 63,000 sq feet, tripling their original
size.
Motion by Parent, seconded by Kent, to close the Public Hearing.
Motion carried 7-0.
Fire Chief Schmidt and Police Chief Garcia-Lindstrom gave a report on
the Texas Training they attended. This program was offered by Texas
Engineering Extension Service and was funded by a grant from the
Department of Homeland Security.
Fire Chief Schmidt reported on the City Watch Program. Kent County
received a DHS Grant for this project. There is 20 months left on the
grant. The program allows for the City of Walker to program phone
numbers in for a specific area to notify residents of an emergency. If
the City of Walker chooses to participate it is no charge to the City of
Walker. The Commission was in favor of proceeding with this on a trial
basis. A Resolution will be prepared and brought back to the Commission
at the next meeting.
REGULAR COMMISSION MEETING
Mayor Ver Heulen called the meeting to order at 8:00 PM
Commissioner Holt gave the invocation, and City Clerk called the
roll.
Present: Mayor Ver Heulen, Commissioners: Parent, Kent, Holt,
Deschaine, Stek, and Versluis.
Also present: City Manager Vander Meulen and Assistant City Manager
Schmalzel.
Motion by Commissioner Parent, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to
approve the City Commission minutes of July 13, 2009. Motion carried
7-0.
Public Comment:
George Garland spoke in reference to the Military Pay Policy.
Fire Chief Schmidt spoke about the Automatic Aid Agreement with the
City of Grand Rapids.
Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Versluis,
to approve the Automatic Aid Agreement with the City of Grand Rapids.
Motion carried 7-0.
Fire Chief Schmidt invited the Commission to attend the Fire Fighter
Orientation on August 1, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. at Station 2.
Mayor VerHeulen reminded the Commission they are invited to attend
the Seniors luncheon at Fire Station 3 on August 25th at
12:00 noon.
Motion by Mayor VerHeulen, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to
appoint Dr. Joseph Taylor to the Local Official Compensation Committee.
Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Commissioner Deschaine, seconded by Commissioner Parent, to
reappoint Jack Stewart to the Local Official Compensation Committee.
Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Commissioner Versluis, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to
approve the expenditures in the amount of $396,384.25. Motion carried
7-0.
Motion by Commissioner Stek, seconded by Commissioner Versluis, to
approve Traffic Control Order # 206. Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Commissioner Holt, seconded by Commissioner Deschaine, to
approve Resolution 09-99 Industrial Facilities Exemption Certificate for
Kenona Industries. Motion carried 7-0.
Motion by Commissioner Kent, seconded by Commissioner Holt, to
approve Resolution 09-101 to dissolve the Urban Cooperation Board.
Motion carried. 7-0.
City Manager Vander Meulen stated Resolution 09-101 is to formalize
dissolving of this board.
City Manager Vander Meulen stated she is working on the sewer issue
for a resident on Cloverdale. She is meeting with the City of Grand
Rapids on this issue. The Commission is in favor of a Resolution to
support this sewer issue.
City Manager Vander Meulen has asked the City Commission to decide if
they would like to pursue a Public Forum to discuss having a single
waste hauler in the City of Walker.
Motion by Commissioner Stek, seconded by Commissioner Kent, to
adjourn the meeting.
Motion carried 7-0. Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Sarah Bydalek
The City
of Walker, Michigan