RESOLUTIONS
34. Resolution approving a 'Performance Resolution For Governmental Agencies' required by the Michigan Department of Transportation for a City of Battle Creek gateway project in the State right-of-way.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Supported By: Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Robert Ashley, 24 LaSalle, hoped that funding for this resolution was not being paid out of the General Fund.
Comm. Hersha asked what might be ahead for City Commission involvement regarding the transformation effort.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated when a contract is awarded for the construction, the City Commission will have an opportunity to act on it. He was not certain if there will be a cost participation agreement that would proceed the contract.
Comm. Fulton asked if there will be monies coming from the General Fund.
The City Manager said they will be coming out of grant funds associated with the downtown transformation effort or from the Downtown Development Authority.
Comm. Thompson commended BCU for their work on the gateway project.
Comm. Morris commended BCU and noted they are working hard to improve the community.
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin Mayor
Elizabeth Fulton City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons Vice Mayor
Lynn Gray City Commissioner
Laurie Sullivan City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Bill Morris City Commissioner
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
46. A Resolution appointing a member to the Board of Review.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Supported By: Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Comm. Fulton asked if the position was opened up to the public.
Mayor Baldwin said this person has served on the Board of Review and he expressed an interest to continue. Since it was a reappointment, it was agreed this was an appropriate appointment.
Ken Tsuchiyama said it is important to have someone return on the Board of Review who has experience and knowledge.
Having served on the Board of Review for three years, Comm. Yankama agreed with the City Manager.
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin Mayor
Elizabeth Fulton City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons Vice Mayor
Lynn Gray City Commissioner
Laurie Sullivan City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Bill Morris City Commissioner
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
48. A Resolution Authorizing the Modification of Traffic Restrictions at Various Locations - TTCO No's 1595, 1597, 1598 and 1599
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Motion to approve
Moved By: Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Supported By: Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin Mayor
Elizabeth Fulton City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons Vice Mayor
Lynn Gray City Commissioner
Laurie Sullivan City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Bill Morris City Commissioner
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
Mark Jones, 46 East Avenue North, asked what are the traffic restrictions.
Comm. Gray asked for an overview of the process and if citizens receive notification.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated a resident made the request for temporary traffic control order #1595 involving the installation of stop signs on Hanover/Seedorff. Traffic Engineering first conducted a study to see if it was warranted. Generally, other contact is made with other residents in the neighborhood.
Comm. Thompson asked if there were any negative consequences for putting these into place.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated sometimes there are. This resolution makes the temporary traffic orders, permanent. He noted the City has not received any negative response to these temporary traffic control orders.
Mayor Baldwin noted the resolution involves orders for handicap parking, stop and yield sign placement, and a safety concern.
51. A resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign a Development Agreement with the Family YMCA creating the framework for negotiating a future operational agreement between the two parties.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Supported By: Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Mark Jones, 46 East Avenue North, commented on Full Blast not being a productive water park; however, YMCA has been a great community resource and is not only a gateway, but a cornerstone of the community. He suggested demolishing Full Blast and making the land a corporate park. He also suggested vacating Cherry Street and creating more space for the YMCA.
John Kenefick stated he has many times requested the financial history of Full Blast to better understand the financial viability of the recreational center. Mr. Kenefick suggested keeping the Y Center where it is because he believed keeping Full Blast is not economically feasible.
Robert Ashley, 24 LaSalle, asked if the City had explained the plan to citizens as he felt it was very confusing.
Gary Lincoln, Executive Director of the Wattles Park Men's Club. stated he engages over 1,600 kids that play at the multi-sports center under a two year agreement. Mr. Lincoln thanked the Y Center staff for making it possible and would like to see the programs continue.
Dan Fullenkamp, YMCA Director, stated the YMCA is financially sound, and this project will create future efficiencies so that the Y Center can invest more money into people and less into a building. Mr. Fullenkamp believed the plan was a very sound financial and strategic decision.
John Cash, 121 Academy, did not support the development agreement with the Y Center.
Kent Bieberich, 100 Minges Forest, YMCA Board member, stated this agreement is the first step in finding funding for the project and asked the Commission in making it a reality for the community.
Comm. Gray asked if the City obtained a copy of the YMCA Board's minutes to show support of the development agreement.
Ken Tsuchiyama said that he would be happy to supply the minutes.
Comm. Gray questioned if interested parties have been found to locate in the YMCA building and did not want to see an empty building on the site.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the YMCA has established a committee to look for a reuse for the property. The committee anticipates working with others in the community to determine the reuse.
Comm. Gray would like to be involved with the YMCA Committee because it is in Ward 2. She questioned if the City will have funding problems with the multi sports complex.
Ken Tsuchiyama offered to supply the initial report that contained exploratory estimates. This development agreement contains a lease agreement for the multi sports complex. Very little would need to be done to operate the multi sports complex. Costs will be identified more as the City/YMCA works through the process.
Comm. Hersha was concerned with the agreement, particularly the future use of the YMCA building. He was uncomfortable moving forward with the agreement not knowing what would happen with the YMCA building.
Comm. Fulton echoed Comm. Gray's and Hersha's concerns.
Comm. Yankama stated he did not think the YMCA was an optimal use for the Full Blast building.
Ken Tsuchiyama believed the YMCA would be a great use for the building and compatible with the downtown transformation effort. There is a need for food inspectors to have a place in the proximity of the McCamly Plaza Hotel to exercise. There is also a desire on the part of Kellogg's to have a health enhancement facility for its employees.
Comm. Sullivan asked who will be responsible for maintaining the multi-sports complex and how much will it be.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the lease agreement details will still need to be worked out. There is a need to have a commitment by both parties to continue negotiations.
Comm. Sullivan asked if a trade will take place before an occupant is found for the old Y Center.
Vice Mayor Simmons reminded the Commission that the Y Center is a private entity and it is an opportunity to keep the Y Center downtown. Also, the City has had to subsidize Full Blast for the last few years at $200,000 per year. This is an opportunity for a win/win solution.
Comm. Morris stated Full Blast is next to the railroad tracks, and he does not know of a better use for the building than the YMCA. He has been following the transformation project and feels the YMCA will work well for downtown employees. The area is a prime location for how it is being used now and the Y Center has a great history and should remain here.
Mayor Baldwin asked what will happen if this resolution is passed this evening.
Ken Tsuchiyama said that conversations will continue; however, contracts would need to be approved by the City Commission. The Y Center could start to pursue their fund raising efforts with the confidence that the City will be committed to the project.
Dan Fullenkamp added it will allow the Y Center to make the preliminary steps and go out to the community.
Ken Tsuchiyama said it will allow the city to analyze the multi-sports complex and to do something tangible with the downtown transformation effort.
Mayor Baldwin asked what are the benefits for the City.
Ken Tsuchiyama said the CIty will no longer pay a yearly $200,000 subsidy to maintain Full Blast. Family entertainment in the 90's was a great idea; however, programs need to refreshed, but are costly. The agreement provides the City with a positive collaborative effort in the community.
Comm. Yankama stated the City does not have the money to take on a liability.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated he is not convinced that we will have greater liability continuing with what we are doing now; this agreement helps both entities fulfill their missions.
Comm. Yankama asked if this agreement would be a feasibility study.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated this agreement authorizes the City to work out the details and to proceed with contracts.
City Attorney Wicklund stated the liability issues will be flushed out in the lease agreements and future agreements.
Comm. Sullivan asked if it is possible that the City would end up with both buildings.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated this agreement identifies where the facilities are heading and are not bound by any terms. No details have been laid out.
The Y Center is committing to working with Full Blast as their selection for their future site.
Comm. Sullivan expressed an interest in keeping the Y Center downtown.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated the Y Center could move anywhere, but this agreement provides the City an opportunity to keep the Y Center downtown.
Comm. Sullivan asked for clarification on paragraph D on the last page of the agreement.
Eileen Wicklund noted there were some agreements that the City entered into and it states that those are enforceable. She added paragraph B has some missing words. There will be annual reviews to determine if both parties have complied in good faith, and either party can terminate the agreement.
Votes For = 5
Susan Baldwin Mayor
Chris Simmons Vice Mayor
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Bill Morris City Commissioner
Votes Against = 4
Elizabeth Fulton City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Lynn Gray City Commissioner
Laurie Sullivan City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED
52. A Resolution authorizing the City Manager to sign Contract #09-5745, Job #101245 with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for: Part A - reconstruction work along Emmett Street from Fremont Street easterly to McKinley Street; including hot mix asphalt paving, concrete curb and gutter, sidewalk ramps, and drainage structure work; and Part B - sanitary sewer and watermain work along Emmett Street from Fremont Street easterly to McKinley Street.
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Motion to approve
Moved By: Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
Supported By: Diane Thompson City Commissioner
John Hennink, 36 Orchard Place, stated his neighborhood had not been informed on the different phases. He would like the City to inform Merritt Commons regarding any future work. He believed there will be a traffic issue when the street is torn up.
Comm. Sullivan asked if residents are notified when the City is working in the area.
Ken Tsuchiyama stated there was public notification through the media. Once the cost participation agreement is authorized, another press release will be issued.
Votes For = 9
Susan Baldwin Mayor
Elizabeth Fulton City Commissioner
Ryan Hersha City Commissioner
Chris Simmons Vice Mayor
Lynn Gray City Commissioner
Laurie Sullivan City Commissioner
Diane Thompson City Commissioner
Bill Morris City Commissioner
Andrew Yankama City Commissioner
MOTION APPROVED |