Flushing City Council
Minutes
A Regular Meeting of the Flushing City Council was called to order on Monday, June 24, 2002 at 7:30 p.m. by Mayor Janice L. Gensel, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and invocation.
Present: Richard L. Bade
John C. Gault
Janice L. Gensel
Chris A. Girard
Jay E. Johnson
Teresa K. Salem
Michael T. Szukhent
Absent: None
Others Present: Dennis J. Bow, City Manager
Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer
Edward G. Henneke, City Attorney
Approval of Agenda – Motion by Gault, seconded by Szukhent, to approve the June 24, 2002 agenda.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC:
The following individuals addressed City Council:
Rowe, Inc. 212 Mary Street 121 N. Elms
Elva Cook Rena Ocenasek
CONSENT AGENDA – Motion by Gault, seconded by Szukhent, to approve the consent agenda, City Council Minutes (June 10, 2002 Regular Meeting) and June 24, 2002 Council Bills List.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Flushing City Council
Minutes
Page Two
REPORTS:
AT & T Comcast Corporation – The Comcast Cable Television Franchise adopted on September 30, 2001, mandated that any proposed merger or change in control from Comcast to a new entity is subject to City Council approval. Comcast is now merging with AT & T Corporation to form a new corporation to be known as AT & T Comcast Corporation.
The Resolution and Acceptance Agreement Approval are subject to certain conditions. The main ones are as follows and relate to assuring that Comcast complies with the franchise agreement:
- The franchise is not affected by the change in control.
- Comcast Cablevision of Flint reaffirms that it will comply with franchise sections and commitments relating to education and government channels, senior discounts and high-speed internet service.
- Comcast Cablevision of Flint is given the option to change its legal form to a limited liability company (LLC).
- AT & T Comcast (the new Parent Company) agrees to use its best efforts with the terms of the franchise and applicable law.
- Comcast Cablevision of Flint will reimburse the City for costs associated with this matter, including legal consultation.
Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Girard, to adopt Resolution No. 02-0624, a resolution approving the merger of Comcast Cablevision of Flint, Incorporated and AT & T Corporation to create a new entity which will be called AT & T Comcast Corporation.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Riverview Park Pavilions – Administration presented guidelines for scheduling and use of the Riverview Park Pavilions. This policy mimics policies previously adopted for the rental of the Bandshell and the rental of the sound equipment, which was purchased last year.
Flushing City Council
Minutes
Page Three
The pavilion guidelines provide for a manner in which the pavilions are to be scheduled for use, fees to be charged and rules to abide by. The rental of the pavilions for the summer begins on January 1st of each year. As of May 15th, every Saturday and Sunday for the rest of the summer had been booked for both pavilions. As of that date, a Flushing resident may only select a weekday for pavilion use. The policy allows city residents to reserve pavilions within twelve (12) months of their anticipated rental date. Non-residents may apply for use of the pavilions within two (2) weeks of their anticipated rental date.
The amount of the fees collected in the past has been Twenty-Five ($25.00) Dollars for pavilion reservations. In addition, persons may have been billed for extra costs as determined by the City in order to recover utility and maintenance costs. The new policy maintains the same $25.00 for residents and One Hundred ($100.00) Dollars for non-residents. With the availability of a playscape, bathrooms, and the Tucker Pool facility, we feel that this fee is still a bargain for non-residents that decide to use our facility.
Riverview Park Pavilions – Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Bade, to refer the pavilion policy to the Parks, Recreation, Environmental and Beautification Committee for a report and recommendation.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
BID/AWARD
PURCHASES:
Sidewalk Bids – Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Johnson, to award the 2002 sidewalk project to Donaldson & Sons, Inc., Flushing, Michigan, at a rate for removal and replacement of $5.25 for 4 inch and $6.50 for 6 inch, and at a rate of $3.85 for new 4 inch and $4.50 for new 6 inch.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Flushing City Council
Minutes
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OLD BUSINESS:
Zoning Ordinance – Several changes to the proposed zoning ordinance were discussed. Signs will be regulated through an ordinance, which is separated from zoning. A summary of changes is as follows:
Storage – The open storage of recreational vehicles and equipment, including motor homes, travel trailers and boats, are proposed to be prohibited in the front yard, and may not protrude past the front of the house.
Exterior Lighting – The reference to shoebox/recessed lighting was reinserted and a possible measurement of lumens was discussed.
Automobiles for Sale – Lots for which new or used motorized vehicles (as defined by the Motor Vehicle Code) sales is not the principal use, one automobile parked on the lot is allowed.
Dwelling unit – The definition of dwelling unit will contain the word kitchen.
Buildable lots – Increase the twenty thousand square feet requirement to a full one (1) acre where sewers are not present.
Required greenbelt planting strip – Planning Commission can waive this requirement at their discretion.
Planned Residential Development – The PRD section of the ordinance will be removed.
Ponds – A new section has been added to regulate the construction, size and location of ponds.
Changes to the ordinance will be written by Mr. Doug Piggott, Rowe, Inc., and submitted to City Council for review and approval.
Closed Session - Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Johnson, that pursuant to the Open Meetings Act compiled laws 15.268(d) to go into closed session to consider the purchase or lease of real property and to consider the option to purchase or lease real estate.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
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Minutes
Page Five
Adjourn: 10:05 p.m.
Reconvene: 10:24 p.m.
Purchase of Real Property – Motion by Gault, seconded by Johnson, to instruct the City Manager to proceed with the purchase of property pursuant to closed session discussion.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Adjourn – Motion by Szukhent, seconded by Johnson, to adjourn.
Yea: Bade, Gault, Girard, Johnson, Salem, Szukhent, Gensel
Nay: None
Motion Carried.
Adjourn: 10:26 p.m.
_____________________________ ______________________________
Janice L. Gensel, Mayor Nancy G. Parks, City Clerk/Treasurer