Planning Commission attacks city manager at her final meeting

“This is my last meeting,” said Belleville City Manager Diana Kollmeyer near the end of the Dec. 12 meeting of the Belleville Planning Commission.
“I do not intend to be beaten up any more by boards and commissions,” she said, holding back tears.
She said if the planning commission holds a meeting in January she will not be there and, “Feb. 3, I’m out.” Kollmeyer told city officials a year ago what her plans were about retirement.
“I’ve spent 22 years here doing my level best,” Kollmeyer continued. “There have been people who appreciated it and some who didn’t. I loved being here.”
She said later that she actually had spent 40 years working for municipal governments and, “I stayed too long here.”
Her comments came near the end of a meeting which had no business to consider. The only business on the agenda was approval of the June 13 meeting minutes – the last meeting the commission had held – and General Discussion.
And commission members came prepared for the General Discussion ambush of City Manager Kollmeyer and DPW Director Rick Rutherford, with lists and photos and computer depictions of what they didn’t like about how the city looked.
The Independent had been at another meeting that night and didn’t hear the beginning remarks, but arrived around a half hour into the discussion, which lasted another hour.
Discussion was on the hair salon next to city hall and whether it had any parking. City Councilman Ken Voigt said years ago there was a disagreement between the city and the salon on parking and a study showed the salon actually owned just 5’ into the parking lot. He said the city cut off the salon’s lot for a while, but then worked out an amicable use of the space.
Then, Commissioner John Juriga said he attended a meeting between the library, DDA, museum, and Van Buren Township where there was talk about putting a LED lighted message board in front of the museum. It was explained to the township that if that was allowed by the city, others would want to have signs, too. Juriga said he told them the city council didn’t seem interested in approving such a sign that goes against present ordinances.
Juriga said VBT Supervisor Kevin McNamara said he would use his money elsewhere and back off from the LED sign the township wanted to put in front of the museum and just put a simple sign there.
Then, an irritated commission chairman Steve Jones started talking about the renovations done to the old car wash on East Huron River Drive near Edgemont.
“They have permits for everything,” DPW Director Rutherford said.
Jones said the property owners have blacktopped all around the building, where they used to have gravel, and he had hoped to have some landscaping. He wanted to know what the building was going to be used for and Rutherford said he didn’t have any information on use.
Jones said they’re getting to a point when anything will be approved.
Rutherford said they put a roof on it and put in doors and the hard surface was already in place.
“The use of the building is going to change … It’s not going to be a carwash,” Jones continued. “We have no say in how that building is being developed… That part of the city is not as pretty and we wanted to have input … We could get a curb, greenspace…
“We’re going down a wrong road … We should have had a say here … We seem to be letting stuff go,” he said, then referring to a past pharmacy put in place in the fifth block of Main Street with a big front to satisfy the ordinance. Now it’s a barber shop.
“I don’t know how a planning commission can tell them not to do something,” Rutherford said about the carwash. “They’re not changing the footprint.”
He said he would get some clarification on that from the city attorney and bring his opinion back to them.
Commissioner Michael Renaud said the concern is that they don’t know the use.
“The city cannot deny him doing improvements on his property,” Rutherford said. He said the property owners have put in basic bathrooms inside.
Jones referred to the former Chesley Odom Design building on the water on Main and when the new owner came to city hall to tell what she wanted to do, she was told what the ordinance allowed and she did it.
Commissioner Renaud thought it was important to know the use. He recalled the former dentist office that was purchased and money put into renovations so they could have a marijuana shop. Then the city told them that was against the ordinance. Now, it’s another dentist office.
“They should be able to renovate their own building,” Rutherford said, noting if they pay for something that they won’t be able to use that is on them.
“It’s not considered a renovation,” Jones insisted.
“I’ll get a legal opinion and bring it back to you,” Rutherford repeated, adding he doesn’t believe you can deny building permits on private property.
“They’re changing the use,” Jones insisted. “Do we have the ability to say there are things we want to see? Landscaping and parking. They covered over the wells and that’s good.”
Commissioner Matthew Wagner asked what if he says he wants a tattoo parlor and he can’t have that. “The city should ask ‘What’s your intent?’” he said.
Commissioner Juriga said he wanted to put artists lofts in his barn on East Huron River Drive and he asked Keith Boc, the former DPW director. Boc told him it wasn’t in the ordinance and so he didn’t do it.
“Wasn’t there discussion?” asked Commissioner Becky Hasen, concerning use of the former carwash.
“He came in to put a roof on it to save the building,” Rutherford said. “We’d get in trouble with the state if we denied it.”
Then, Jones switched his criticism to Kollmeyer with questions about the building next door that the city bought for back taxes.
Kollmeyer said the building is falling in and they have to figure out something to do with the contents. Someone suggested putting brown paper over the windows and Kollmeyer said they can’t because it’s against the ordinance.
“Why not take the signs down?” Commissioner Hasen asked.
Kollmeyer said since there are just two and a half people in the DPW Department they have to choose between putting up the Christmas decorations or working on the signs.
“It’s been over a year,” Jones said.
“Rick, will you see all the posters are pulled down?” Kollmeyer asked Rutherford.
Jones said he gets frustrated because out on the street people are saying the city is insisting they follow the ordinances and the city can’t even keep their own house clean.
“We’re really having a hard time, getting people to enforce ordinances,” Jones said.
Commissioner Randy Priest showed a picture on his computer of the garage behind city hall that should get its door fixed. He then complained about the arcade building on South Street, near the tracks, that had awnings flying in the breeze.
“I took pictures around the city,” Priest said, noting trash bins in front yards, utility trailers in drives and trash in yards. Rutherford asked him to send the pictures to his email for him to study.
He also complained about the Chapman house and its drainage into the street and trucks parking over the sidewalk. He said he’s fallen in that area.
Then he mentioned that there are no sidewalks across from the Secretary of State office on East Columbia, which is hazardous for walkers. He said the Iron Belle Trail is coming through town and they have to fix the sidewalks.
Juriga said that Jets had outdoor tables all summer, with no café ordinance.
Renaud, who helped put that ordinance together, said they don’t need a permit if it’s on private property.
Rutherford said the city needs to replace the sidewalks it is responsible for before asking residents to fix sidewalks. He said with the library project, Doane’s Landing issue with the seawall, and other things, he’s been very busy.
“Now that the library is almost complete, the real work begins,” Rutherford said, pointing out there will be the demolition of the old library and construction of the parking lot.
“The DPW yard is a shit hole,” Juriga said. “I’d like city fathers to take a look” and Councilman Voigt said the city mothers should take a look, as well.
Rutherford said the brush piled there is used by the fire department to do training and the dirt piled there is important when surfaces have to be restored in emergencies so the citizens’ services are put back in place.
Jones then moved to the cars inside a building at South Street and East Wabash. Rutherford said the owner has been issued a warning and he has 21 days to respond.
Jones said that’s never going to be resolved with the way the owner moves off for a day and then goes back and does it again.
“Keith Boc was so hated he had to carry a gun,” Juriga said.
“We have to enforce ordinances,” Jones insisted. “This is not the first time I mentioned that building. And, the building next door [to city hall]. I love Marlene, but there are three A-frames out in front.”
Rutherford suggested commissioners go to the city council and express concerns about how the city needs help in enforcing ordinances. He said Boc had a building inspector and several people to help with ordinances.
“This is not really productive,” Rutherford said of the ongoing complaints. “It’s turning into a gripe session. We were supposed to talk about planning.”
Commissioner Priest said he had offered to do ordinance enforcement without cost because Rutherford needs help, but he was not taken up on his offer.
“Doesn’t the city have money?” Juriga asked, noting the 2-mill levy is going to be collected.
Voigt said the 2 mills are dedicated funds for public safety.
“We’re not doing anything productive right now,” said commission vice chairman Michael Hawkins. “People can’t do anything about it.”
After hearing Kollmeyer’s comments, Jones moved on to trustee comments on the agenda.
Priest asked others on the commission to send him their email addresses so they can communicate without this kind of meeting.
“Thanks for Diana’s service to the city,” said Commissioner Matthew Wagner.
Juriga said the library construction is coming along and it will take six weeks to get in the railing and they may have to delay the soft opening in February. The grand opening is scheduled for July. He said before the present library is demolished, they will have a New Orleans funeral with a band. He also thanked Kollmeyer for her work.
“Thank you, Diana,” Renaud said. “I hope we end on a positive note.”
Jones said he appreciates Kollmeyer’s hard work, but he has frustrations.
“I apologize if you perceive it as a personal attack,” Jones aid.
Voigt suggested they put the ordinance officer request on the council agenda.
“Especially in the budget season,” Kollmeyer agreed.
Priest wanted to know when the report on the sidewalks would be done and pressed Rutherford for a timetable. Rutherford said this is not the right season for sidewalks and Priest said it’s the time to make the plans.
Vice chairman Hawkins stopped to thank Kollmeyer for her work in case he wouldn’t see her before she left.