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Minutes for 10/28/2009

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING
OF THE KENTWOOD CITY COMMISSION
HELD OCTOBER 28, 2009
Commission Chambers

Mayor Richard L. Root called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.

Reverend Gerald DeRuiter of Kentwood Community Church gave the invocation.

Commissioner Brown led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Roll Call: Present: Commissioners: Sharon R. Brinks, Michael W. Brown, Robert Coughlin, Richard Clanton, Frank Cummings, Frank Raha III and Mayor Richard L. Root.

Also Present: All Department Heads, support staff, Police Officers, Fire Fighters, concerned residents, business owners and news organizations.

Over One hundred (100) staff, citizens and members of the news media attended the meeting.

Motion by Coughlin, supported by Clanton, to approve the agenda.

Motion Carried.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor Root made opening remarks and asked for public comments.

Fire Fighters Union representatives spoke on having no input and asked about placing a millage question on a ballot. Police Union representative spoke on making more cuts in general areas prior to layoffs. Residents and business owners spoke of safety concerns. A KEGA member spoke of other options such as pay cuts and reduced hours to balance the budget. Former City and County Commissioner Mast spoke of regional cooperation to help in budget problems.
Mayor Root explained the procedure for tonight?s meeting with City Attorney Sluggett reviewing his memorandum clarifying procedures. Mayor Root, as head administer, stepped down to be able to review the budget with the Commission and Mayor Pro-Tem Clanton then took over as Chair of the meeting.

PRESENTATIONS AND PROCLAMATIONS:
Each Department Head reviewed their proposed budget reductions with the City Commission who, after the review of recommended cuts, asked questions of the Department Heads and of the Finance Department. The Commission discussed revenue and expenses.

RESOLUTIONS:

ADOPT RESOLUTION 65?09 TO AMEND THE CITY OF KENTWOOD 2009-2010 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
Motion by Cummings, supported by Raha, to adopt Resolution 65?09 to amend the City of Kentwood 2009-2010 Fiscal Year Budget by changing the Mayor?s recommended budget adjustments of twenty three positions eliminated to reflect that the Police Department reduce Police Officers from the recommended four Officers to a reduction of two Officers and change the recommended reduction of six Fire Fighters and reduce Fire Fighters by three, totaling eighteen positions eliminated, shown on as exhibit ?B?.

The Commission discussed the motion with Commissioner Brinks requesting this be tabled until November 9th City Commission Meeting so more time could be spent on the decision regarding the budget. After further discussion, action on the vote was taken.

Roll Call Vote: Yeas: Clanton, Coughlin, Cummings, Raha and Root. Nays: Brinks and Brown. Absent: None.

Resolution Adopted.


BIDS:

APPROVE THE CONTRACT FOR CUSTODIAL SERVICES.
Motion by Coughlin, supported by Cummings, to authorize the Mayor to enter into a contract of up to three years (contingent upon City Commission appropriation of funds for this purpose in future budgets) for custodial services within City buildings with Grand Rapids Building Services, Inc. at an annual cost not to exceed $150,000.00 with funds from the General Fund Budget for the Fiscal Year ending June 30, 2010, as permitted under City of Kentwood purchasing rules in accordance with the representation contained in R. Woods/C. Kane/P. Tietz memorandum of October 23, 2009.

Motion Carried.
Brinks and Brown dissenting.

COMMENTS OF COMMISSIONERS AND MAYOR:

Mayor Root stated the future is bleak and the need to move ahead beginning tomorrow, when this amended budget become effective.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 P.M.


Dan Kasunic Richard L. Root
City Clerk Mayor