REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
BELDING CITY COUNCIL
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
7:00 p.m.
A meeting of the Belding City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan was convened in open and public session at the Pere Marquette Depot, 100 Depot Street, at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
Mayor Steele called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Pastor Ryan Snyder from the Family Life Center Church of God gave the Invocation.
Mayor Steele led with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Clerk Janae Ortego took the roll call:
Members present: Linda Curtis, Shelley Visser, Mike Brady, Nikolai Zerkle (Active U.S. Military, virtual attendance per MCL 15.263(2)) and Bonita Steele
Members absent: None
Mayor Steele noted Dawn Klein is absent and recommended that City Council remove “VII. Presentation — Dawn Klein” from the agenda. Moved by Brady, seconded by Visser to adopt the agenda as amended. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
None
Moved by Visser, seconded by Brady to approve the Consent Agenda as listed. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
The Consent Agenda is as follows:
A. Approve Independent Bank Checks 85532 to 85622 in the amount of $674,983.12
Approve Mercantile Bank Checks 1776 to 1779 in the amount of $864,429.66
Approve ACH Payments
B. Approve Minutes: City Council Regular Meeting – August 4, 2026
C. Special Event Application – The B Foundation Glow Run
Visser noted the Planning Commission is next week Tuesday, August 25, at 6:30pm. Curtis noted the Housing Commission is this Thursday. Steele attended a Rec Board meeting and that board is making progress on its eligibility for grants.
A. Consider Purchase of 2027 Ford Super Duty Diesel Truck for DPW. Moved by Visser, Seconded by Curtis to open discussion on this item. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
Manager Niemela requested the purchase of a new truck to replace a 2004 DPW truck. Moved by Curtis, seconded by Brady, to purchase the 2027 Ford Super Duty Diesel Truck for DPW at a cost of $59,343.16. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
B. Consider purchase of 2027 Dodge Durango Police Cruiser. Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Brady to open discussion on this item. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
Chief Sower detailed that the 2027 Dodge Durango would replace a 2021 Ford Explorer that has had serious issues over several months. Chief Sower noted that the City spent $2200 in the last month to address some issues, but ongoing overheating issues make the vehicle not viable long-term. Ed Cohen has agreed to honor the $45,830 purchase price as if being purchased under the MiDeal Extended Purchasing Program. Motion by Zerkle, seconded by Visser, to purchase the 2027 Dodge Durango Police Cruiser for $45,830. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
C. Designate MML Annual Meeting Delegate and Alternate. Moved by Brady, seconded by Visser to open discussion on this item. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
Manager Niemela noted that the MML conference will be October 7-9, 2026 in Traverse City. Moved by Visser, seconded by Brady to appoint John Niemela as the Delegate and Visser as the Alternate to represent Belding. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
D. Consider approval of Labor Day Fireworks Permit. Moved by Brady, seconded by Curtis to open discussion on this item. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
Manager Niemela detailed that this is the routine annual application. Chief Sower confirmed that it has met all safety metrics. Moved by Curtis, seconded by Zerkle to approve the Labor Day Fireworks Permit. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
E. Consider Second Amendment of FY 2027 Resolution of Intent for Dial-A-Ride. The Resolution is as follows:
CITY OF BELDING
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF BELDING, MICHIGAN
TO AMEND RESOLUTION NO 2026-08-26 APPROVING FY 2027 RESOLUTION OF INTENT
A regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Belding, County of Ionia, Michigan, was held in said City on the 18th day of August, 2026.
WHEREAS, pursuant to Act 51 of the Public Acts of 1951, as amended (Act 51), it is necessary for the Belding Dial-A-Ride (hereby known as THE APPLICANT) established under Act 279 to provide a local transportation program for the state fiscal year of 2027 and, therefore, apply for state financial assistance under provisions of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary for the governing body, to name an official representative for all public transportation matters, who is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to certify that no changes in eligibility documentation have occurred during the past fiscal year; and
WHEREAS, the performance indicators have been reviewed and approved by the governing body.
WHEREAS, THE APPLICANT, has reviewed and approved the proposed balance (surplus) budget, and funding sources of estimated federal funds $61,740, estimated state funds $113,809, estimated local funds $167,451 with total estimated expenses of $343,000.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Belding, Michigan That THE APPLICANT hereby makes its intentions known to provide public transportation services and to apply for state financial assistance with this annual plan, in accordance with Act 51; and
HEREBY, appoints Kristine Mangus as the Transportation Coordinator for all public transportation matters, who is authorized to provide such information as deemed necessary by the State Transportation Commission or department for its administration of Act 51 for 2027.
THIS RESOLUTION WAS THEREUPON DECLARED ADOPTED THIS 18th DAY OF AUGUST, 2026.
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Brady to open discussion on this item. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
Moved by Zerkle, seconded by Visser to approve the Second Amendment of FY 2027 Resolution of Intent for Dial-A-Ride. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
Carolyn Wieczorek mentioned ideas to reduce excess trash at the Labor Day Parade.
Manager Niemela noted that the MML conference is open for all City Council members to attend and to contact him to register. He mentioned that the new City Hall construction is making progress. He mentioned ongoing road repairs. He noted that the Wastewater Treatment Plant and opening was canceled because of some ongoing repairs and the desire to better market a later grand opening. Belding has 10 new building permits for new homes. DPW garage has a leak, and Belding has received a quote around $200,000 for a 20-year fix to the leaky roof; the City is exploring other options for DPW.
Zerkle noted he has been travelling for the past 48 hours but was glad he could attend.
Brady thanked Chief Sower for keeping up with the needs of the Police Department.
Visser thanked folks for attending this Council meeting.
Curtis thanked the Council for some recent positive moves, and Manager Niemela for hitting the ground running.
Mayor Steele thanked Manager Niemela for coming back to help stabilize the City and mentioned the progress on the new City Hall.
Moved by Brady, seconded by Curtis to adjourn the meeting at 7:32 p.m. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Yes — all.
Brady moved, Curtis seconded, to adjourn. Steele adjourned the meeting at 7:32 p.m.
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Bonita Steele, Mayor Eric Roberts, Deputy Clerk