CITY OF LINDEN
Minutes for City Council Regular Meeting
Held at 7pm on Monday, November 14, 2016
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 7pm by Mayor David Lossing one last time. The meeting was held in the Council Chambers on the lower level of the Mill Building at 201 N. Main Street, Linden, Michigan.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
The Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag was recited by all present. A moment of silence in memory of those who have served on behalf of the United States was observed by all.
ROLL CALL
Present: Mayor David Lossing, Danielle Cusson, Heather MacDermaid, Ray Culbert, Brad Dick, Ed Ciesielski
Absent: Charlie Ross
Others Present: Paul Zelenak, City Manager, Matt McKone, Attorney
MINUTES
Motion by Culbert, second by Dick, to approve the minutes of the October 24, 2016 regular City Council Meeting. Motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING/PRESENTATION
Annual Audit Report by Rana Emmons
Mrs. Emmons thanked City Manager Paul Zelenak and Bev Vondra and staff for working with her during the audit. Mrs. Emmons gave an overview of the audit for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016. She stated by refinancing bonds earlier this year, it will save the City over $160,000 over time. You will need a different actuarial report starting next audit.
Motion by Lossing, second by Culbert, to accept the 2016 fiscal year budget as presented by Mrs. Rana Emmons. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
Mayor noted the receipt of the following correspondence items;
(A) Park and Recreation Workshop
(B) Thompson Road Regional Dog Park Committee
CITIZENS COMMENTS
None.
CONSENT AGENDA
None.
OLD BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
(A) CAS 44-16 LAFF Pathway
Nowak and Fraus Engineers gave an overview of the pathway. They covered the pros and cons on the north and south side of Silver Lake Road. 20% of the pathway will be in Linden, 42% Fenton Township and 38% City of Fenton.
Cusson – Glad to see it moving forward.
Culbert – Thanks for the work on this project, we asked a lot of questions.
MacDermaid – Have the property owners on the south side been contacted?
Dick – Thanks Vic for not giving up on us.
Ciesielski – Why not go to west with it? Argentine Township is working on their pathway.
Motion by Lossing, second by Cusson, to approve the recommendation from Nowak and Fraus Engineering and committee to locate the proposed pathway on the south side of Silver Lake Road between the cities of Linden and Fenton. Motion carried.
YEAS: Dick, MacDermaid, Culbert, Lossing, Cusson, Ciesielski
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ross
(B) CAS 45-16 Michigan Main Street Resolution No. 11-16
Motion by Lossing, second by Cusson, to adopt Resolution No. 11-16 Michigan Main Street Associate Level Program. Motion carried.
(C) CAS 46-16 Application Permit Use for Special Event – Holiday Happenings
Motion by Lossing, second by Ciesielski, to approve the Holiday Happenings Parade, Fireworks and other events on December 2, 2016 beginning at 6pm, and closing Broad Street, Mill Street and part of North Bridge Street. Motion carried.
CITY MANAGER’S REPORT
City Manager, Paul Zelenak reported on:
Children's Halloween Parade: The event was another success. We had over 800 children and hundreds of parents and teachers walk in this year's parade. The children were given treats at Caretel.
Dog Park: The project is moving forward. We are still looking for a few residents to sit on a committee that is planning the new multi-jurisdictional Dog Park. The group is meeting once every 4-6 weeks. They are working on plans for fundraising and getting the word out for the park.
Ladies Night Out Event: The event was held last weekend. It was a huge success. We had over 500 women in town for the festivities. The volunteer business group did a fantastic job organizing the event.
Linden Mill Building: The next stages of the building assessment are being done. I will report back to council when the report is completed.
CITY ATTORNEY’S REPORT
None.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
The Council reviewed the Police Department Monthly Activity Report, Fire Department Monthly
Activity Report, and Building Official’s Monthly Activity Report and Code Enforcement Report.
COUNCIL COMMENTS AND REPORTS
Dick – Small Cities is December 7th and we are the host with Drew Shapiro as our speaker. I was recently elected as Vice-President for Small Cities and Villages.
Ciesielski – Tonight is my last night. I want to congratulate the new Mayor Elect and new Councilors. Mayor Lossing thank you for your years of service.
Cusson – Thank you for coming back Ed when we needed you. David, thank you for your time dedicated to the City and the mentoring that you have done for me and I am looking forward to taking on the challenge of being the next Mayor of Linden.
Culbert – David, we have worked a long time on the Council and I am going to miss you. I really respect what you have done for the City of Linden, the support you have given to Council, and the ability to work together with people. We will miss Ed too. Good luck.
MacDermaid – It has been enjoyable and positive working with you. Congratulations Danielle, looking forward to working with you.
Dick- Has been fun working with Ed and David, David is the reason I am sitting here now after he pulled me into the Planning Commission 8 years ago. Has been a pleasure serving with both of you and I look forward to working with Danielle.
Lossing – I have been looking forward to this day with mixed emotions. I decided last fall that it was time to turn the gavel over to someone else, and I am glad that the residents of Linden saw fit to make that person Danielle, because I think she will do a good job for our community. I was 35 when I was first elected in 1998, and I have enjoyed the service to my colleagues, to our city manager, department heads, staff, and our community. I am looking forward to stepping back now and letting Danielle take the lead because I think new leadership is a good thing for local government. I know my wife will be disappointed to not be here, but this means a lot what you have done for me and we have given a lot to Linden. We plan on staying here. We have bought the old blue chip paint shop to make into a gallery and studio. Thank you all very much for your friendships, for being my sounding board, it has meant a lot to me, and thank you all for your service as well. We have a great council, a great staff, and a great community.
FINANCIAL REPORTS
Motion by Culbert, second by Cusson, to approve accounts payable in the amount of $86,033.13. Motion carried.
YEAS: Lossing, Culbert, Dick, MacDermaid, Cusson, Ciesielski
NAYS: None
ABSENT: Ross
EXECUTIVE SESSION
None.
ADJOURNMENT
Mayor Lossing was presented a Proclamation for his time being Mayor for the City of Linden. We wish him nothing but the best on his next journey.
Respectfully Submitted,
______Approved: ______
Lynn M. Henry, City Clerk
City of Linden Minutes for November 14, 2016Page 2