RESOLUTIONS
142. A Resolution authorizing the submittal of a grant application to the Federal Transit Administration ( FTA ) for capital funds under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act ( ARRA ) of 2009
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Motion to approve
Moved By: John Godfrey City Commissioner
Supported By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Jerry Hutchison explained the grant application is for stimulus funds and can not be used for operating expenses, but for projects to maintain or create jobs in the community. He noted that Battle Creek Transit has been allocated approximately $1.3M and the regulations require that at least 50% be obligated in a grant application to be submitted to the Federal Transportation Department no later than July 1, 2009. The initial grant application is for $944,000 funds and represents about 75% of the total apportionment and are to be used for capital projects. These funds provide a great opportunity to replace equipment, support vehicles, and make various facility improvements.
Comm. Hersha appreciated the breakdown provided by Mr. Hutchison and was pleased to see the American Recovery Act in a specific way helping the City of Battle Creek meet its service needs.
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
144. A resolution recommending the adoption of a Master Plan for site improvements at Hamilton Park.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: John Godfrey City Commissioner
Supported By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Ann Rootbecraft, a new resident of Battle Creek, stated she would like to see the Post/Franklin neighborhood more safe so that she could ride her bicycle to work. As a newcomer, she was impressed with how many people were in attendance in support of Hamilton Park renovations and asked them to stand in Commission Chambers.
David Moore felt Hamilton Park improvements were not a necessity and that there are bigger priorities in the city's budget.
Comm. Yankama believed having a park for children to play is very important and asked for support of the resolution.
Comm. Thompson asked if this resolution was approved, are we held to every line item.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the Commission is adopting the basic concepts and site improvements. With any construction project, the details will come in the final stages. It is possible to use other resources to complete and move the project forward.
Comm. Thompson supported looking at ways for volunteerism and making it a win/win for both parties.
Vice Mayor Walker asked how Hamilton Park fits into the Master Plan and are there monies to maintain the park.
Mr. Hovarter stated Hamilton Park was identified in the Master Plan twenty years ago. An investment was made to improve many of our community parks and we are just now focusing on neighborhood parks. We must become more creative in finding ways outside the budget for funding. Neighbors are becoming more empowered and the city has engaged neighbors in bringing creative plans forward.
Comm. Sofia asked by approving the resolution, would it allow the city to make an application for grant money.
Mr. Hovarter answered that the application would assist the grant process with the DNR.
Comm. Simmons supported a more phased approach with park renovations. He pointed out other collaborative efforts and welcomed them.
Comm. Hersha did not understand the logic of a phased approach. He felt it was an important investment to make, particularly for a neighborhood who is banding together to see the project succeed. He will continue to speak out for an actual investment for Hamilton Park.
Comm. Baldwin was pleased with the plan and supported the concept. She asked if Parks and Recreation has too many properties to maintain.
Mr. Hovarter stated staff has not gone down that road with the 31 city parks and 1800 acres.
Comm. Godfrey asked if some parks can not be abandoned according to state law.
Mr. Hovarter answered that is true for contracts with the federal government, approximately 8 to 10 sites.
Comm. Yankama remarked that there are children who have nothing but a park to play and reminded the Commission that the future of Battle Creek lies in the hands of the children.
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
145. A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to renew the City's property, inland marine, and auto physical damage insurance coverges with Allianz Insurance Company, for a one-year term beginning 6-1-09 at a cost of $189,982, based on current limits and values.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: John Godfrey City Commissioner
Supported By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
146. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to execute a 2009 Restated and Amended Management Agreement enabling Cereal City Development Corporation (CCDC) to manage Kellogg Arena, the Rink, the Showmobile and assist with the management of Binder Park and various other facilities as their services are required.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: John Godfrey City Commissioner
Supported By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Kenefick, 234 South Avenue, asked what has CCDC done to make the Rink, Kellogg Arena, or Binder Park Golf Course profitable and what has the citizens paid to make up the difference. He also asked what does CCDC costs include and will they be cutting jobs and salaries to help the City with its budget shortfalls.
Comm. Yankama asked what would happen if the Rink contract with a third party would not work out.
Mr. Tsuchiyama stated they are continuing contract negotiations and the City would revert back to the current contract.
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
147. A Resolution adopting the final Transit Planning Study conducted by The Corradino Group, including authorization to implement '' short term '' service recommendations identified in the Transit Planning Study, effective July 20, 2009.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: John Godfrey City Commissioner
Supported By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Mayor Behnke asked Chairperson Baldwin of the Public Transportation Committee to provide an overview of the transportation changes.
Comm. Baldwin stated she would like the language changed in Resolution 147 to reflect that the Public Transportation Committee was receiving the study and not adopting it. She pointed out the 0-6 month recommendations. The Corradino Group looked at the routes to see which routes were the most productive and where the most citizens could be served.
Motion to amend Resolution 147 to "receiving" the final Transit planning study recommendations by the Corradino Group including implementing the following short-term service changes: modify the West Michigan Avenue, Emmett - East Avenue, and NE Capital Avenue routes as shown in the Final Report, connect or interline the Kendall-Goodale and Main-Post routes in order to minimize the need to physically transfer from one bus to another, increase the frequency of service on the NE Capital Avenue route from 60 minutes to 30 minutes, resume regular service to the Felpausch store and Crown Chase Apartments on the NE Capital Avenue route, restore 30 minute service on Saturday to the Emmett - East Avenue, Kendall-Goodale, Main-Post and NE Capital Avenue routes.
Moved By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Supported By: Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
AMENDMENT APPROVED
Bill Walketory moved his trailer from Bedford Hills to Rolling Hills in order to receive bus service. He believed the new schedule would not help him.
David Moore, 102 Taylor Avenue, spoke about the trolley service and the changes to the transportation route. He felt the City was concerned more about transportation to businesses.
Comm. Simmons rode the bus route with his daughters and spoke of the dedicated van service in the Urbandale area. He asked if there has been any residency involvement to make sure that it meets the needs of the Urbandale area.
Mr. Hutchison stated the residents understood the reasons for the change but was concerned about the Rolling Hills impact. The dedicated van service decision was made based on the ridership data received. This is not the perfect solution because of limited resources. Mr. Hutchison added that the focus was on the short-term recommendations and make what the city has more efficient.
Comm. Simmons was pleased with maintaining services for Bedford Hills and the nursing home in the Urbandale area.
Comm. Baldwin stated as of July 20th, there are two portions of the van service to Rolling Hills. Dedicated vans will be available on a daily basis regardless of whether a citizen has a reservation. Additionally, a caller can ask for a ride at a reduced fare.
Comm. Hersha was pleased with the changes made for the Rolling Hills residents and asked if anything was being done to improve capacity.
Mr. Hutchison stated the Rolling Hills piece is not a part of the short-term recommendations. Capacity is a moving target as the schedule changes from day to day. Transit has not been able to meet 100% of requests, but it varies from day to day.
Comm. Yankama thanked Mr. Hutchison for recognizing the problem in Rolling Hills.
Vice Mayor Walker agreed with Comm. Hersha on some points, however, he noted our transit system ranked high in many categories. He appreciated staff for going above and beyond to accommodate as many people as possible.
Comm. Baldwin stated the reason for the W. Michigan change was low ridership, high ridership on Capital Avenue N.E., and it relieved some safety issues.
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
AMENDED RESOLUTION APPROVED
148. A Resolution endorsing the Southwest Michigan Regional Sustainability Covenant.
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Comm. Sofia could not support the resolution as it did not seem that other areas were endorsing the idea besides Kalamazoo and the City of Battle Creek.
Mayor Behnke noted the County of Kalamazoo, the City of Portage, and the CIty of Kalamazoo have approved a similar resolution. It is anticipated that other entities will be contacted after the approval of this resolution. He stated he was impressed with the enthusiasm of the Environmental Committee and their support and diligence regarding the Covenant's language.
Comm. Godfrey concurred with Comm. Sofia and questioned why thirteen entities from Kalamazoo and only one entity from Battle Creek have endorsed the Covenant.
Mayor Behnke believed the Sustainability Covenant is an effort by the Kalamazoo Mayor and Western Michigan University.
Comm. Simmons stated that Kalamazoo Mayor Hopewell indicated at the Environmental meeting that this document is what the Commission makes of it and it is not binding.
Mayor Behnke believed the document is a good start in cooperating with other municipalities.
Comm. Yankama felt commissioners should pay close attention to the region and learn from other communities.
Eileen Wicklund stated there is no enforceability of the Covenant. She felt Comm. Simmons' prospective was accurate.
Vice Mayor Walker suggested postponing the resolution to a date certain.
Comm. Hersha urged the Commission to support the concept.
Comm. Thompson did not feel the Commission needed to sign a document for regional cooperation and agreed with Comm. Sofia and Godfrey.
Vice Mayor Walker would hate to lose what is of value.
Mayor Behnke stated there has been some effort to work with Battle Creek.
Comm. Simmons noted the Environmental Committee supported the concept and the language is a little more acceptable now.
Mayor Behnke noted that Kalamazoo is waiting for Battle Creek's action.
Vice Mayor Walker felt it sends the wrong signal when commissioners have concerns.
Comm. Thompson felt it brings more concern on what the intent of the document is.
Comm. Godfrey asked if someone from Kalamazoo could make a presentation to the City Commission regarding the Covenant.
Motion to postpone for 90 days
Moved by Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Supported by John Godfrey City Commissioner
Votes for = 4
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Votes Against = 5
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Motion to postpone defeated
Motion to call question
Moved by Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Supported by Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Votes For = 7
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker City Commissioner
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Votes Against = 2
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Motion carried
Motion to approve
Moved By: John Godfrey City Commissioner
Supported By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Votes For = 5
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Votes Against = 4
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
149. A Resolution setting a Closed Session immediately following the regular City Commission Meeting on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, in Room 302A, City Hall, Battle Creek, Michigan, on a labor matter.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: John Godfrey City Commissioner
Supported By: Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin City Commissioner
John Godfrey City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons City Commissioner
Mark Behnke Mayor
Sherry Sofia City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Tony Walker Vice Mayor
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED |