HUDSONVILLE CITY COMMISSION MINUTES

HUDSONVILLE CITY COMMISSION MINUTES
City Commission Minutes

August 14, 2007

Mayor Van Doeselaar called a WORK SESSION of the Hudsonville City Commission to order on Tuesday, July 10, 2007 at 5:45 P.M.

Present:	Mayor Van Doeselaar, Commissioners Brandsen, Jelsema, Kooistra, Redder, Ten Harmsel, Unema, City Manager Luben and City Clerk Wiersum. Paul Geerlings from the Ottawa County Drain Commissioner’s Office was also present.
Absent:	None
6594.	Van Buren St. and Elm Ave. Pump Station Improvements: City Manager Luben reviewed with the Commission the bids received for improvements to the Van Buren St. and Elm Ave. Pump Station. The lowest bid was $206,000 from Schippers Excavating, Inc. Money to fund this project will come from the Unity Timbers Development and the Capital Improvement Fund.
6595.	Buttermilk Farm Estates Area Drainage: Paul Geerlings from the Ottawa County Drain Commissioner’s Office addressed the Commission and nine homeowners from the Buttermilk Farm Estates area on possible solutions to the drainage and erosion problems that are occurring. (A listing of homeowners in attendance is attached.) Recommendations from the County include (1) Reconfiguring the channel side banks to reduce the speed of the water flow at a cost of $16,065; (2) Reducing the volume of flow at a cost of $5,730; and (3) place rocks in the ditch at 40th/Ransom intersection to deter the rain water at a cost of $2,300. Rich Sterken of 3945 Glenview Ct. has agreed to put back the orifice on his property, and the City will fix the catch basin and install a lid. Mr. Geerlings offered to meet with the homeowners and assist them should they chose to go ahead on their own and place rocks along the creek edge to help correct the erosion issues.

Mayor Van Doeselaar convened the meeting 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., August 14, 2007. The Pledge of Allegiance was stated and Pastor Eric Thorsen of Hudsonville Congregational Church gave an invocation.

Present:	Mayor Van Doeselaar, Commissioners Brandsen, Jelsema, Kooistra, Redder, Ten Harmsel, Unema, City Manager Luben, City Attorney Wendt and City Clerk Wiersum
Absent:	None
	PUBLIC COMMENTS
6596.	Jim Fredricks, Economic Development Coordinator for the City, addressed the Commission on the possibility of lifting the alcohol ban. He has received a number of requests from businesses to lift the ban because they felt the ban was an economic deterrent to business and the community in general. A committee with members for and against lifting the ban was formed to look into this issue. The Committee met with other municipalities in this area that had recently dealt with this issue in order to find out whether their liberalization of the alcohol laws in their community had a negative impact on crime (i.e. DUI’s and break ins) and found out that was not the case. Also, because of Zoning Ordinances and Codes it was determined that Hudsonville would not become a City of bars and taverns if the ban was lifted. The Committee received signatures from 63 area businesses requesting that the Hudsonville City Commission place this issue on the November 6, 2007 ballot. Larry Gemmen also addressed the Commission on lifting the alcohol ban. As a retailer in Hudsonville he has experienced significant competition and pressure for the past 7 years. He is concerned with surrounding communities being able to sell alcohol and if we do not have that ability, the playing field is not level. There have been pharmacy chains and restaurants that have wanted to come to Hudsonville, but have not because of that part of Hudsonville’s Ordinance. We are asking that the playing field become level and each retailer is given equal opportunity to function as a player in the retail community. He appreciates the Commission looking at this issue again. Jerry Costen, 5566 Pleasant Avenue, read a statement to the Commission regarding the rental property at 5565 Pleasant Avenue. The property is continually full of junk. The tenant also is constantly selling items from his front yard. He has complained to the City for the past three years about this property. The landlord has been notified of the problems, but has continued to neglect the problems and nothing has been done for three years. This property devalues the surrounding neighborhood. He is asking the City and Sheriff’s Department to get this property cleaned up. Mr. Costen also submitted pictures of the property. Judd Newenhouse, 5557 Pleasant Avenue, agreed with what Jerry stated. He has lost renters of his property because of the tenants at 5565 Pleasant. City Manager Luben stated that the City would look into this matter. The City will work with the Sheriff’s Department and will contact PCI about inspecting this rental property. William Becker – Stated that the alcohol vote has gone to the voters twice in the last ten years. He doesn’t feel it will increase the business district. State law states that you can’t have a liquor license within a half-mile of a school, so the state would not allow a liquor license in Hudsonville if it is in violation of that state law.
6597.	Motion by Brandsen, seconded by Jelsema, to approve Resolution 07-1467 recommending the repeal of Section 3-6 of the Hudsonville Code prohibiting the retail sale of alcoholic beverages be submitted as a ballot proposal to the electors of the City at the November 6, 2007 General Election. Commissioner Comments: Commission Unema opposes the Resolution for the following reasons: The City of Hudsonville is a unique place to live, which many attribute to the fact that we do not serve alcohol. In 2006 Hudsonville was the only city in the state named as best for families. Why will we try to spoil that? We should use that as a means to promote economic growth. Why contribute to more alcohol related deaths? We should exploit our new downtown development program and provide for wholesome family activities. Once the City adopts the issuing of liquor licenses, it can never be repealed. Commissioner Kooistra understands the rational of the DDA, the Economic Development Committee and the Chamber has in that the lifting of the alcohol ban would assist in maximizing the economic development of our community. Hudsonville has prized itself in being a church and family centered community. The Chamber motto is Good People, Good Living, and I would like to keep it that way. If we relinquish the right to ban alcohol, it is another example of how we are blending with the world and losing our distinctiveness as a community. I cannot support that. Commission Brandsen thanked the business community for stepping forward. We need to be sensitive to them. If we loose our business community or allow them to fail, what have we gained? If we can have a better competitive edge for these businesses, why should we not support that? Mayor Van Doeselaar stated that we all have been witnesses to the fact that things are changing very quickly in the business community. The things that have happened around us have certainly had a tremendous impact on our downtown and our community. If the citizens of Hudsonville were to overturn this prohibition in November, it certainly will not automatically change everything for the City of Hudsonville. It is only one part. In the light of all the changes being planned for our downtown, this issue has to be resolved for the planners and the business people and for committees that are working on developing our town. Resolving this issue will help in the decisions that have to be made in the future. He understands the purpose for it and can support it.
		Yea 5, Nay 2 (Unema, Kooistra) Motion carried.
6598.	Motion by Brandsen, seconded by Redder, to approve the Consent Agenda consisting of the following: MINUTES & CORRESPONDENCE: Minutes of City Commission regular session dated July 10, 2007 Minutes of Planning Commission meeting dated July 18, 2007 Minutes of July 2007 Board of Review Minutes of Library Advisory Board meeting dated July 17, 2007
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
	PUBLIC SAFETY
6599.	Fire and Police statistical reports were received as information.
6600.	Motion by Brandsen, seconded by Ten Harmsel, to approve Temporary Traffic Order No. 07-04 for a temporary road closure of the Service Road from Cherry to School and part of Plaza to Harvey on Saturday, September 15, 2007.
		All aye, motion carried.
6601.	Motionby Brandsen, seconded by Ten Harmsel, to approve Temporary Traffic Order No. 07-03 closing some roads temporarily for the 5k Run to be held on August 18, 2007.
		All aye, motion carried.
6602.	Motion by Brandsen, seconded by Ten Harmsel, to approve the purchase of 4 Motorola Minitor V pagers from Russ’ Communications for the cost of $2,140.
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
	PUBLIC WORKS
6603.	Motion by Unema, seconded by Kooistra, to approve the bid for replacement of some sidewalks from AAA Poured Walls at a cost of $2.98 for 4” sq. ft., $3.46 for 6” sq. ft. and $4.04 for 8” sq. ft. as seen in the enclosed packet.
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
6604.	Motion by Unema, seconded by Kooistra, to approve the bid from Schippers Excavating for the Van Buren and Elm Pump Station Improvements at a cost of $206,000.
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
	FINANCE
6605.	Treasurer’s report for June 2007 was given by City Manager Luben
	APPROVAL OF BILLS
6606.	Motion by Jelsema, seconded by Redder, to approve the payment of the bills in the amount of $874,297.02 and to confirm payment of bills paid between meetings and reviewed by the Finance Committee.
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
6607.	Motion by Jelsema, seconded by Redder, to approve the payment of $2,450 to Ottawa County Economic Development Office for financial support for this year.
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
	LIBRARY
6608..	Motion by Kooistra, seconded by Unema, to approve the payment of $3,476.57 to the Lakeland Library Co-op for delivery service and taking the money from the USF Funds held for us at Lakeland.
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
6609.	Motion by Kooistra, seconded by Redder, to approve the order from Popular Subscription Service for a total of $2,313.69 for annual periodicals for the library.
		Yea 7, Nay 0, motion carried.
	APPOINTMENTS/RE-APPOINTMENTS
6610.	Motion made and supported to appoint Commissioner Kooistra as the representative and City Manager Luben as the alternate at the Annual Business Meeting of the Michigan Municipal League to be held September 19, 2007.
		All aye, motion carried.
	ADJOURNMENT
6611.	Motion by Redder, seconded by Ten Harmsel, that the meeting be adjourned at 8:00 P.M.
		All aye, motion carried.

Jan Wiersum Mayor Van Doeselaar

City Clerk City of Hudsonville

This page last updated: