Kentwood Committees & Boards
Committee of the Whole (Back to index)
Minutes for 03/02/2010

APPROVED MINUTES OF THE
COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE
March 2, 2010
Conference Room #119
7:40 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 Administrator Rich Houtteman, City Clerk Dan Kasunic, Police Chief Richard Mattice, City Assessor Deb Ring, Administrative Assistant to the Fire Department Nancy Shane, City Attorney Jeff Sluggett, Public Works Director Ron Woods. Also present: representing American Community Developers, John Williamson and Richard Penning and the Advance, Grand Rapids Press reporters.

1. PRESENTATION FROM AMERICAN COMMUNITY DEVELOPERS REGARDING GREENTREE APARTMENTS.
The representatives from American Community Developers spoke on the proposed improvements, that ?MSHDA? financing will be used for this senior complex. The Committee discussed the ramifications of the sale which rolled into the second item on the agenda.

2. TAXATION ORDINANCE AMENDMENT (PILOT) RECOMMENDING CHANGE TO SECTION 8 FINANCING PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES.
The representatives explained that the sale of this property is contingent on the approval of the proposed six percent amendment change to the ordinance, noting they wanted the four percent but would agree to the six percent. After discussion, the consensus was to move this action on to the March 16, 2010 City Commission Meeting.

3. REVISIT DISCUSSION ON WKTV AS REQUESTED BY RAY VERWYS.
Commissioner VerWys reviewed the history of the proposal by WKTV to broadcast the City Commission Meetings and stated this would help towards transparency of government and requested that the Commission approve this action. Some of the Commissioners were concerned with the timing because of budgeting of funds for WKTV and of other concerns; there was also a brief discussion regarding web casting. After discussion, it was requested to postpone any action until after the budget sessions.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:10 P.M


Dan Kasunic Richard Clanton
City Clerk Mayor Pro-Tem