Belleville City Council approves appointment of Copsey to DDA seat

By Rosemary K. Otzman
Independent Editor
Brian Copsey, owner of the Bayou Grill on Main Street in downtown Belleville, was appointed to a seat on the Belleville Downtown Development Authority with a term to expire Dec. 31, 2016.
Mayor Kerreen Conley’s appointment of Copsey was endorsed unanimously by members of the city council at its regular meeting Feb. 4.
Copsey replaces retired police officer Ken Voigt who asked not to be reappointed when his term expired because of his busy personal schedule.
Other mayoral appointments and reappointments approved at Monday’s meeting were:
• James Fitch to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, with a term to expire Dec. 31. Fitch also was appointed to a seat on the Parks and Recreation Commission with a term to expire Dec. 31, 2016;
• James Graham to the Board of Review with a term to expire Dec. 31, 2014;
• David C. Brown to the Cemetery Advisory Committee with a term to expire Dec. 31, 2015;
• Michael Hawkins and Mike Renaud reappointed to the Planning Commission with terms to expire Dec. 31, 2015; and
• William Emerson and Michael Hawkins (planning commission representative) to the Zoning Board of Appeals with terms to expire Dec. 31, 2015.
In other business at the Feb. 4 meeting, the council:
• Set a public hearing for 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 19, for use of the estimated $57,000 in the 2013 Community Development Block Grant program. Currently it is proposed to be targeted for senior/disabled services, barrier-free improvements, senior chore services, and program administration. Those with suggestions for use of the funds are asked to contact City Manager Diana Kollmeyer or speak up at the hearing;
• Approved the Bunnies on Main competition for March 25-31, sponsored by the Belleville Area Council for the Arts. Councilwoman Kim Tindall, who is on the Bunny Committee, said this will be the last year of the event if they can’t get more people to participate. It was suggested she contact school classes and the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission who could help or participate;
• Took no action on the list of 2013 events planned by the Central Business Community, since CBC president Bill Wolters did not attend the meeting. This will be put on the Feb. 19 meeting agenda. The events included Flop E. Bunny, March 30; Belleville Boat Show at Horizon Park, tentatively July 20; Taste of Belleville, Aug. 15; and Trick or Treat Halloween downtown on Oct. 31;
• Approved accounts payable of $150,419.69 and departmental purchases in excess of $500: for sand from Farmer Underwood, $786.99; for S2 grant application by Hennessey, $1,887; for sewer lining by Hennessey, $4,646; for DWSD consulting by Hennessey, $1,628; for test meters from SLC, $530; and for officer classes from the Sumpter Township Fire Department, $1,920;
• Directed Boc to check into the Citgo gas station and how it stores its trash. Mike Renaud told the council Citgo has no dumpster and just piles up trash bags until collection day;
• Also asked Boc to produce a schedule for holidays that the city’s trash collector observes, so residents will know when to put out their trash;
• Heard Steve Jones report that recently the Fire Auxiliary earned almost $400 at McDonald’s, who gave 15% of sales during their benefit and from those who threw money in the boot outside for the fire department; and
• Went into closed-door session to discuss the status and strategy of pending police union negotiations.