HUDSONVILLE CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
City Commission Minutes

March 11, 2007

Mayor Van Doeselaar called a WORK SESSION of the Hudsonville City Commission to order on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 at 6:05 P.M.

Present:

Mayor Van Doeselaar, Commissioners Brandsen, Leerar, O’Brien, Ten Harmsel, Unema, City Manager Luben, City Attorney Wendt and City Clerk Wiersum.

Absent: Commissioner Kooistra
6724. Alcohol Ordinance: Attorney Dick Wendt was present and reviewed with the City Commission the proposed alcohol ordinance. He stated that the ad hoc committee looked at several ordinances from other communities to draft the City’s ordinance. The Ordinance does not duplicate what is already covered in the City’s Code of Ordinances and this proposed ordinance is in harmony with state law, which governs liquor licensing. The City is allowed five on premise licenses and three off premise licenses. The City is not required to give out all these licenses. Also, the City does not have to accept all applications and can deny any applications.
Attorney Wendt reviewed specific requirements for hotels, motels and gas stations. Licenses are good for one year and expire on April 30 of each year. The Commission discussed the requirement for seating capacity, which is set at not less than 150 people. The Ordinance will become effective on the date a summary of the ordinance is published in The Grand Rapids Press.
6725. Rental Inspections: City Manager Luben stated that the initial phase of the City’s rental inspection program is completed. Professional Code Inspections, who performs these inspections submitted a summary of the program and is suggesting the following changes:
  1. Extend the inspection cycle time period to three years with a five-year extension if no violations are found;
  2. Randomly inspect a minimum of 25% of units in a multi-unit complex;
  3. If three or more violations occur in a 12-month period, the registration would be revoked.
Commissioner Unema stated he would like to see the inspections done in house instead of through PCI. It was agreed that an ad hoc committee consisting of Commissioners Unema, Leerar and O’Brien will review the Rental Inspection Ordinance and bring back to the City Commission any recommended changes to the current ordinance.

Mayor Van Doeselaar adjourned the work session at 6:55 P.M. for the 7:00 P.M. regular session.

Mayor Van Doeselaar called the Regular Session of the Hudsonville City Commission to order at 7:00 P.M., March 11, 2008. The Pledge of Allegiance was stated and Commissioner Unema gave an invocation.

Present:

Mayor Van Doeselaar, Commissioners Brandsen, Leerar, O’Brien, Ten Harmsel, Unema, City Manager Luben, City Attorney Wendt and City Clerk Wiersum
Absent: Commissioner Kooistra
PUBLIC COMMENTS
6726. Brad Slagh, Ottawa County Treasurer, was present and introduced himself to the Commission. He was appointed Treasurer in September. He gave the following statistics on Ottawa County: (1) There are currently approximately 7,000 parcels in the county that are on the delinquent tax roll; (2) One parcel in the City of Hudsonville is facing forfeiture because of unpaid taxes for 2005; and (3) Ottawa County had issued 420 dog licenses for the residents of Hudsonville in 2006.
Tom Vander Hulst, Attorney, was present representing Roberto LaFranca, who would like to be considered for an alcohol license. Mr. Vander Hulst encouraged the Commission to consider a smaller restaurant when issuing an alcohol license. The City would be supporting a member of the community, and their restaurant could become a place of destination as well as a unique dining experience as opposed to a large chain-type restaurant.
Maurizio LoGiudice and Frank Vitale of Maurizio’s Pizza addressed the Commission on their interest in an alcohol license. The Vitale family currently owns and operates 10 restaurants and would like to be considered for an alcohol license.
Emil Pieri & John Tocco also addressed the Commission on obtaining an alcohol license for an Italian restaurant they would like to open in the downtown area.
6727. Motion by Brandsen, seconded by Leerar, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the following:

MINUTES & CORRESPONDENCE:

  1. Minutes of City Commission work session and regular session dated February 12, 2008.
  2. Minutes of Planning Commission meeting dated February 20, 2008.
Yea 6, Nay 0, motion carried.
PUBLIC SAFETY
6728. Fire, Police and Emergency Services reports were received as information.

PUBLIC WORKS
6729. Motionby Unema, seconded by Leerar, to approve the extension of a contract with Three Oaks for Playsafe Bark and for Red Bark and to The Big Chipper for brown shredded bark. They will both extend to us the same prices as last summer.
Yea 6, Nay 0, motion carried.
6730. Motion by Unema, seconded by Leerar, to approve the request from Freedom Baptist Schools for the use of Sunrise Park from March 24 through May 22, 2008.
All aye, motion carried.
6731. Motion by Unema, seconded by Leerar, to approve the request from Hudsonville Little League for the use of Hughes Park, Hillcrest and Sunrise Park ball fields. They will use the fields from April through the end of June along with Adult Recreation Softball.
All aye, motion carried.
6732. Motion by Unema, seconded by Leerar, to approve the Application for Payment No. 2 in the amount of $70,785 for work performed on the pump station project.
Yea 6, Nay 0, motion carried.
6733. Motion by Unema, seconded by Brandsen, to approve the Agreement with Knowledge Learning Corporation to use the Hughes Park shelter house for four weeks beginning June 23, 2008 for $500 per week.
Yea 6, Nay 0, motion carried.
FINANCE
6734. Finance Director’s report for January 2008 was given by City Manager Luben

APPROVAL OF BILLS
6735. Motion by Brandsen, seconded by O’Brien, to approve the payment of the bills in the amount of $861,066.42 and to confirm payment of bills paid between meetings and reviewed by the Finance Committee.
Yea 6, Nay 0, motion carried.
6736. Motion by Brandsen, seconded by Ten Harmsel, to approve Ordinance 08-264 an Ordinance to amend Chapter 3, “Alcoholic Beverages”, of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Hudsonville.
Yea 6, Nay 0, motion carried.
6737. Motion by Brandsen, seconded by O’Brien, to approve the fee of $1,250 for a Class C or on-premise liquor license and a fee of $750 for off-premise license that requires legislative body approval and as changed from time to time with our fee schedule.
Yea 6, Nay 0, motion carried.
6738. Motion by Brandsen, seconded by O’Brien, to approve the Resolution of Support for the request from TPC Events, Inc. located at 3330 Highland Drive for a Class C liquor license subject to completion of an investigation and sign off of the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department. Such approval will be effective as of the effective date of Ordinance 08-264.
Yea 4, Nay 2 (Leerar & Ten Harmsel), motion carried
COMMISSIONERS’ COMMENTS:
6739. Commissioner O’Brien attended a Hudsonville Chamber of Commerce meeting and the Chamber is encouraging the City to be proactive in getting new signs, especially for the downtown area and Chicago Drive area.
Mayor Van Doeselaar thanked the City’s Department of Public Works for the terrific job they have done in keeping the City’s streets clear and maintained this winter.
ADJOURNMENT
6740. Motionby Leerar, seconded by Ten Harmsel, that the regular meeting be adjourned at 7:35 P.M.
All aye, motion carried.

Jan Wiersum Mayor Van Doeselaar
City Clerk City of Hudsonville

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