CITY OF MASON

REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING

MINUTES OF JULY 21, 2003

Whipple called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at 201 W. Ash Street, Mason, Michigan. Johnson led the Pledge of Allegiance and offered the invocation.

Present: Councilmembers: Clark, Helbig, Johnson, Preadmore, Bruno, Whipple

Absent: Councilmember: Naeyaert

Also present: Martin Colburn, City Administrator

Dennis McGinty, City Attorney

Kathy Revels, Finance Director

Joe Dean, DPW Director

Ken Baker, DPW Supervisor

Deborah Stein, Deputy City Clerk

APPROVAL OF MINUTES - REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING: July 7, 2003

The Regular Meeting Minutes of July 7, 2003 were approved as submitted.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

MOTION by Bruno, seconded by Clark, to approve the payment of bills in the amount of $62,422.07 as submitted.

MOTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

None.

REGULAR BUSINESS

Resolution No. 2003-48 Final Plat Approval for Riverwalk Meadows Phases 4 & 5

Resolution No. 2003-48 was introduced by Johnson and seconded by Helbig.

CITY OF MASON

CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2003-48

FINAL PLAT APPROVAL FOR RIVERWALK MEADOWS PHASES 4 AND 5

July 21, 2003

WHEREAS, the final plats of Riverwalk Meadows Phases 4 and 5 have been received from T.A. Forsberg, Inc./Pinehill Estates LLC with a surveyor=s certificate dated June 3, 2003; and

WHEREAS, Phase 4 consists of 9 lots numbered 71 through 79 and 6.36 acres along Raindrop Court, while Phase 5 comprises 8 lots numbered 80 through 87 at the north end of Riverwalk Drive along with Riverwalk Commons Area North, a private park, totaling 14.04 acres; and

WHEREAS, said plats were reviewed and approved by the Planning Commission at its regular meeting of July 15, 2003; and

WHEREAS, the final plats were found to be in substantial conformity with the preliminary plat previously approved;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby approve the final plats for Riverwalk Meadows Phases 4 and 5.

RESOLUTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

Resolution No. 2003-49 Rezoning Request for 205-207 N. Mason Streeet

Resolution No. 2003-49 was introduced by Johnson and seconded by Helbig.

CITY OF MASON

CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION NO. 2003-49

REZONING REQUEST FOR 205-207 N. MASON STREET

July 21, 2003

WHEREAS, a request has been received from the owner of property at 205 and 207 N. Mason Street to rezone the property to C-1/Central Business District; and

WHEREAS, the southern portion of 205 N. Mason is currently zoned C-1, with the remainder zoned AG/Single Family Agricultural; and

WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the C-1 zoning would be consistent with the zoning of adjacent properties; and

WHEREAS, a public hearing on the request was noticed and held by the Planning Commission at its July 15, 2003 meeting, with testimony given and public comment solicited; and

WHEREAS, the Planning Commission did recommend approval of the request by City Council via Resolution PC 2003-10 adopted July 15, 2003;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council does hereby approve the request to rezone 205 and 207 N. Mason to C-1.

RESOLUTION APPROVED UNANIMOUSLY

Discussion – Playground Equipment for Laylin Park

Bruno requested that a portion of the $23,000 budgeted to purchase voting equipment be applied to purchase playground equipment for Laylin Park. He indicated that based on the information that he has read in the newspapers and the information relayed to Naeyaert by the Secretary of State, it is possible that the State will pay for 95% of the new voting equipment. The playground equipment could be purchased and still meet the city’s 5% portion of the voting equipment.

Colburn informed the Council that he spoke to Chris Thomas, State of Michigan Bureau of Elections Director. Mr. Thomas indicated that the Federal Government has not given information regarding the release of additional federal funds at this time. Mr. Thomas indicated that the state requested a waiver, however he felt that it would be premature to say that a waiver will be granted.

Whipple commented that the Federal Law states that the new voting equipment must be implemented by 2004 unless a waiver is requested and granted. However, he recommended waiting until next year to purchase playground equipment because revisions are being drafted for the Recreation Plan that will include playground equipment for the parks.

MOTION by Bruno, seconded by Clark, to purchase replacement playground equipment for Laylin Park this summer, not to exceed $16,000.

Yes: (3) Clark, Johnson, Bruno

No: (3) Helbig, Preadmore, Whipple

Absent: (1) Naeyaert

MOTION FAILED

Discussion - Water Source at Laylin Park

Discussion was held regarding the best location to place a water spigot at Laylin Park. City resident, Ms. Stoner, has requested that water would be reasonably available for use to water the flower garden planted in memory of Steve Anderson and anyone else that may need water at the park.

Discussion - DDA Budget Amendments

Phil Birdsall, DDA Director, commented regarding the proposed DDA budget amendments. Discussion ensued to align the DDA budget process along with the City budget process. It was the consensus of the Council to follow current practices and amend the DDA budget in June.

Discussion - Standardized Meeting Minute Format for City Council, Boards, and Commissions

Discussion was held regarding the proposed standardized meeting minute format submitted by Stein that would be utilized by the Council as well as all city boards and commissions. Suggestions and changes were addressed and agreed to by consensus.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Whipple informed the Council and the public that the August 5, 2003 Capital Area District Library Special Election ballot will include nine City Charter Amendments in addition to the library millage proposal. The ballot language for the proposed charter amendments can be viewed at the city web site.

Whipple, Clark, and Colburn attended the County Parks Board Planning Committee meeting regarding the proposal for sports fields at Rayner Park and provided an update regarding the city’s plans.

NEW BUSINESS

Clark informed staff that the vacant property located at the corner of Elm and Henderson Streets has noxious weeds. Johnson asked that the Ingham County Fair be listed next year in the City Newsletter Calendar of Events. Stein indicated that it was not included on the schedule provided by the Fair Board.

COUNCIL CORRESPONDENCE

Distributed.

LIAISON REPORTS

Cable Commission

· Elections were held: Chairperson, Randy Gladstone; Vice Chairperson, Phil Birdsall; Secretary, Mark Farrell.

· Adopted videotape disposal policy.

· The Commission determined to meet twice a year, in January and July instead of quarterly.

Planning Commission

· Council acted on both items recommended for approval by the Planning Commission, final plat for Riverwalk Meadows, Phases 4 & 5, and rezoning of 205-207 N. Mason Street.

· Riverwalk was originally approved with 60’ right-of-ways, conflicting with the Zoning Ordinance.

ADMINISTRATOR=S REPORT

· The Franklin Farm well failed and is under repair. An electrical failure occurred Saturday at the Haye’s Park well resulting in a city wide 24-hour advisory warning that water used for consumption should be boiled. The Council’s recent approval for the SCADA system, which will monitor all of the wells in the city, and the construction of a new water tower are both protection against this type of failure. Dean and Baker addressed the current status of the city wells. The Council commended Colburn, Baker, and the DPW staff for their response. Clark asked that a procedure be put in place to update the City Hall voice mail in the event of emergencies to provide immediate information.

· Colburn commended Police Officer Girard for the recent drug arrests

· State Shared Revenues were cut three percent.

PEOPLE FROM THE FLOOR

None.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:50 P.M.

_____________________________ __________________________

Martin A. Colburn, City Clerk Russell W. Whipple, Mayor