Kentwood Committees & Boards
Committee of the Whole(Back to index)
Minutes for 3/15/2011
APPROVED MINUTES OF THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
March 15, 2011
Conference Room #119
6:00 P.M.
Present: Commissioners: Mayor Pro-Tem Richard Clanton, Sharon R. Brinks, Michael W. Brown, Robert Coughlin, Frank Cummings, Ray VerWys, and Mayor Richard L. Root. Also present: Fire Chief James Carr, Finance Director Tom Chase, Deputy Police Chief Tom Hillen, Deputy Administrator Rich Houtteman, City Clerk Dan Kasunic, Police Chief Richard Mattice, Fire Department Administrative Assistant Nancy Shane, Public Works Director Ron Woods and Parks & Recreation Director Charlie Ziesemer.
Also present: Grand Rapids Press Julie Makarewicz.
1. FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR INDEPENDENCE DAY.
Director Ziesemer reviewed his memorandum dated March 14, 2011 regarding the approval of Melrose Pyrotechnics.
Motion by Brown, seconded by VerWys, to recommend to the City Commission to approve the contract with Melrose Pyrotechnics, Inc. for the fireworks display for 201 at the cost of $14,250.00 with funds from the Parks & Recreation Department Budget (with funds from donated monies).
Motion Carried.
2. DNR GRANT RESOLUTION.
Director Ziesemer reviewed his memorandum dated march 15, 2011 regarding the grant application.
Motion by Cummings, seconded by Root, to recommend to the City Commission to approve the submission of an application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment Trust Fund, with City Funds from Dedicated Park Millage totaling $100,000.00 of the total project not to exceed $225,400.00 for the replacement and development of Boardwalk Trails at Northeast Park.
Motion Carried.
3. DISCUSSION OF COMMITTEE STRUCTURE AND MEETING TIMES.
Commissioner Clanton opened the meeting and asked for comments pertaining to the alternatives for times and meetings. The Committee discussed how the old model wasn’t an efficient use of staff time and by changing to having two meetings a month is preferred by the Commission and asked for a consensus of what is preferred on the other Standing Committees. All liked having the meetings on Tuesdays, all like the 7:00pm start time for the City Commission Meetings. They discussed making the Standing Committees more of a work session where all meetings would be prior to the City Commission on an “as needed” basis, and would have all standing Committees twice a month instead of once a month. Noting it will not be in “stone” and could be changed in the future. It was also noted that the staff presentations will be tweaked to be part of the work sessions. Commissioner Brinks requested the new Work Sessions be more “citizen friendly” with name plates for Commissioners, public seating and directional signs. By consensus they agreed to change to a work session format.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:17 P.M
Dan Kasunic Richard Clanton
City Clerk Mayor Pro-Tem