A.                Chair Holtrop called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

B.                 The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Commissioner VanderHoff.

 

C.                 Roll Call:

Members Present: Maurice Groce, John Helder, Dan Holtrop, Ed Kape, Ed Swanson, Frank Vander Hoff,  Don Yokom and Johngerlyn Young

Members Absent: Laurie Sheldon (with notification)

Others Present: Community Development Director Terry Schweitzer, Economic Development Planner Lisa Golder, Staff Secretary Monique Collier, Assistant Finance Director Phil Tietz and Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Kendall Klingelsmith

 

 

-          Motion Carried (8-0) –

-          Sheldon absent -

 

D.                Approval of the Minutes and Findings of Fact

 

-          Motion Carried (8-0) –

-          Sheldon absent -

E.                 Approval of the Agenda

 

 

-          Motion Carried (8-0) –

-          Sheldon absent -

 

F.                  Acknowledge visitors wishing to speak to non-agenda items.

 

            There was no public comment.

 

G.                Old Business

 

            There was no Old Business

 

H.                Public Hearing

 

Case # 6-11 Structures and Improvement Plan (SIP)

 

Assistant Finance Director/Purchaser Phil Tietz was present to represent the request. He stated the only actual change made to the SIP document was the removal of the 44^th Street Linear Park as an unscheduled item. He stated there were two items left out intentionally and will probably require an amendment to the plan sometime during the year. He stated we are anticipating the replacement of about 1,200 feet of sanitary sewer beneath Breton Avenue running from South Breton Court to North Breton Court and then lining and/or replacement of about another 1,000 feet to 1,500 feet running west off Breton and ending down in the apartment complex South Breton Court in a public manhole located on private space. He stated we don’t have a rough cost so at the moment it is left out but we will be planning it further, a summer 2012 project, but the exact timing has not been determined.

 

Tietz stated we have engaged URS Green Lakes to do a traffic study of Breton from 44^th to 52^nd and the Breton/Walma intersection. He stated we are looking at a number of traffic issues: signalization and/or considering a roundabout. He stated this is a two part piece. One is the possible narrowing of Breton from 4 lane undivided to 3 lane with a center turn lane as a way of better managing traffic. Part of the reason for that is to consider bicycle lanes. He stated we expect within a year or so to extend the east/west trail from Breton to Stauffer, phase 3, phase 1 and 2 are in from Eastern to Kalamazoo. He stated the phase from Kalamazoo to Stauffer will be done in the same time period funded by Congestion Mitigation Air Quality Funds but the 4^th phase we are seeking a combination of Block Grants Funding and Act 51 Funding because part will be in the right-of-way of a public street. He stated we anticipate a heavy load of bicycle and pedestrian traffic. He the issue is how to get people safely across the street anticipating that the library will become a destination point on the east/west trail. He stated a study is underway right now and he would anticipate within 60 days or so we will have a preliminary report with recommendations

 

Below are the following questions and answers provided by Engineering, Parks & Recreation and Purchasing staff that the Planning Commission had.

 

Yokom asked will there be a traffic light going out on Breton. Tietz stated that is an option they are reviewing, one option is a traffic light with appropriate pedestrian signal another option is a roundabout with pedestrian crossing. 

 

Swanson asked if the report will come to the planning commission when it is done for review. Schweitzer stated in two weeks we have a joint meeting of the City/Planning Commission scheduled to review the preliminary report

 

Chair Holtrop opened the public hearing.

 

There was no public comment.

-          Motion Carried (8-0) –

-          Sheldon absent - 

 

Helder asked if there were concerns for Breton North of 44^th past Holland Home, due to the Charter School. He thinks this has become a very dangerous corridor. Tietz stated a few years ago the City, School and Grand Rapids joined together to revise the road cross section to provide for a better turn movement in and out of the school. He stated he is not aware of any impending addition at this point.

 

Holtrop asked about the Safe Routes to School project. Tietz stated the Safe Routes to School project that is listed is a multi-faceted project that not only includes sidewalk construction it also includes other activities that had nothing to do with the City.

 

Young asked about the old Library on Kalamazoo. Tietz stated the building and property is for sale, It encompasses about 6 acres oon two parcels and at this point we are leaving the building intact on the property.He stated if we go a year they city will take a look at demolition of the building.

 

Klingelsmith stated the Parks & Recreation Department is working on the 4^th of July Fireworks. He stated there is a Golf Outing coming up May 17^th at Stone Water in conjunction with the Rotary. He stated the fundraising has been successful for the fireworks.  He stated from a Parks standpoint they are planning on getting the Pinewood splash pad up and running and they are in the process in putting the bid together and would like to have it ready by July. He stated they submitted a grant for the Northeast Park for expansion and replacement of some of the boardwalks.

Discussion Ensued

 

-          Motion Carried (8-0) –

-          Sheldon absent -

I.                   Work Session

 

            There were no work sessions

           

J.                   New Business

 

            There was no New Business

 

K.                Other Business

 

1.      Commissioners’ Comments

           

Holtrop suggested staff should take a look at DJ’s Lawn’s landscaping Plan

           

2.      Staff’s Comments

 

Schweitzer stated there will be a joint meeting with the Planning/City Commission regarding the proposed Breton Avenue Street improvements both commissions will be provided with the study and draft report that has been put together.

 

Schweitzer stated Fire Chief Jim Carr will be retiring in June.

 

L.                 Adjournment  

 

-          Motion Carried (8-0) –

-          Sheldon absent -

 

Meeting adjourned at 7:58p.m.

 

 

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

 

                                                            Don Yokom, Secretary