PRESENT: Meyer, Rupprecht, Schmitzer and Schoenow.

ABSENT: Galsterer, Loeffler and Zeilinger.

The Mayor called the meeting to order at 7:00 P.M. and opened the meeting leading the pledge of allegiance.

The Mayor advised that earlier today Clerk Kerns had administered the oath of office for recently elected Mayor Gary C. Rupprecht and Councilmembers Arthur A. Loeffler, Vickie J. Schmitzer and Carl H. Schoenow.

The Mayor requested nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.

Meyer nominated Loeffler as Mayor Pro Tem.

There being no other nominations, the Mayor requested a motion to close nominations for Mayor Pro Tem.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schmitzer, to close nominations and unanimously elect Loeffler as Mayor Pro Tem of the Frankenmuth City Council. Unanimously carried.

There were no public comments.

The Mayor reviewed the consent agenda.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schmitzer, to approve the agenda as reviewed by the Mayor. Unanimously carried.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schoenow, to approve minutes from the regular meeting and the work session meeting held on December 6, 2011 with the correction that "Assistant City Manager John Deterding" be deleted as attending the work session meeting for he had retired and was not in attendance at that meeting. Unanimously carried.

Historic District Commission Chairperson Dan Walter reviewed the annual report of the Commission and recent corrections of some long standing concerns.

Moved by Schmitzer, seconded by Meyer, to accept the Historic District Commission annual report. Unanimously carried.

Police Chief Mawer reviewed department activities during the month of November. The Mayor commented on the December financial reports and City Clerk Kerns reviewed the construction code activity for the month of December.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schoenow, to accept the Police, Treasurer’s and Construction Codes monthly reports as submitted. Unanimously carried.

The Mayor advised that the information to be presented details the Downtown Development Authority District's Tax Increment Financing Plan (TIFP) as a result of a Council Resolution adopted in February 1997 requiring an annual review on the TIFP. DDA Director Stamiris reviewed a presentation which detailed that in 1992 the State Equalized Value or SEV (at that time it was the same as the taxable value) of properties within the DDA District was approximately $42.2 million. This established the base amount in order for the Tax Increment Financing Plan to begin capturing tax monies for the DDA. In 2011, the DDA District's taxable value was $89 million. As a result, the tax monies levied on the approximately $46.7 million difference is captured by the TIFP and is used for projects within the DDA District. The 2011 DDA capture is estimated to be approximately $950,000.

Stamiris reviewed on-going projects by the DDA including energy efficient street lighting fixtures, the fish passage project, and Main Street sculpture display; discussed tax appeals and their anticipated effect on the DDA Budget; and discussed the capture of tax money that would have gone to other taxing entities and is able to be used within the City for approved projects because of the TIFP.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schmitzer, to adopt Resolution No. 2012-01 reconfirming Resolution No. 97-14 regarding the City of Frankenmuth Tax Increment Financing Plan. Unanimously carried.

The Mayor advised that as a result of two recently annexed properties on E. Tuscola Road being annexed into the City as of January 1, 2011, special assessments for infrastructure improvements must be levied on those parcels.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schoenow, to adopt Resolution No. 2012-02 approving the levying of special assessments for infrastructure improvements on two recently annexed properties located on E. Tuscola Road. Unanimously carried.

The Mayor reviewed a proposed contract with Michigan Municipal Management Services, LLC to provide Assessor Services to the City of Frankenmuth being that City Assessor John Deterding retired on November 30, 2011. After review, it is the City Administration’s recommendation that this contract will accommodate the short term needs of the City to save costs. This proposed contract has been reviewed and approved by the City attorney and can be terminated by either party with 30 days notice.

Moved by Schoenow, seconded by Meyer, to adopt Resolution No. 2012-03 approving a contract with Michigan Municipal Management Services, LLC to provide City Assessor Services at an annual cost of approximately $36,400. Unanimously carried.

The Mayor reviewed a proposed contract with Michigan Municipal Management Services, LLC to provide Treasurer Services to the City of Frankenmuth being that City Treasurer John Deterding retired on November 30, 2011. After review, it is the City Administration’s recommendation that this contract will accommodate the short term needs of the City to save costs. This proposed contract has been reviewed and approved by the City attorney and can be terminated by either party with 30 days notice.

Moved by Schoenow, seconded by Schmitzer, to adopt Resolution No. 2012-04 approving a contract with Michigan Municipal Management Services, LLC to provide City Treasurer Services at an annual cost of $55,000. Unanimously carried.

City Clerk Kerns and Parks & Recreation Director Kaschinske presented a proposed amendment to the Parks Ordinance, Chapter 31 of the Frankenmuth City Code. The purpose of the amendment is to update the Parks Ordinance which has been in effect for many years. The amendments will address updates to all sections including definitions, conduct, sanitation, traffic, general prohibitions, policy, enforcement and violations.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schmitzer, to introduce an ordinance amendment to the Parks Ordinance, Chapter 31 of the City Code, and to schedule a public hearing for Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 7:00 P.M. Unanimously carried.

Moved by Schmitzer, seconded by Meyer, to adopt Resolution No. 2012-05 establishing the 2012 Board of Review meeting dates on February 27 & 28, 2012 from 12:30 P.M. to 6:30 P.M; to adopt Resolution No. 2012-06 approving Zehnder's 2012 Snowfest Activities, including fireworks on Saturday, January 28, 2012 with the location of the fireworks launch area to be at the driving range within The Fortress Golf Course, 950 Flint Street; to adopt Resolution No. 2012-07 approving the Frankenmuth Jaycees Winterlaufe event on Saturday, February 4, 2012, contingent upon the event being coordinated with applicable City departments; and to adopt Resolution No. 2012-08 approving a request from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Michigan Chapter to conduct a fundraising walk on Saturday, May 12, 2012. Unanimously carried.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schoenow, to appoint Lori Ettema, David Geiger and Randy Trinklein to the Planning Commission, terms expiring December 31, 2014. Unanimously carried.

Moved by Meyer, seconded by Schoenow, to appoint Willie Beck, Thomas Bierlein and Gary Zeilinger to the Parks & Recreation Commission, terms expiring on December 31, 2014. Unanimously carried.

Moved by Schmitzer, seconded by Meyer, to appoint Ryan Buchinger, Christianne Keilhofer, Cheryl Mossner, Gary Pickelmann, Mark Schutte and Andreas Schwarzkopf to the Sister City Committee, terms expiring December 31, 2014. Unanimously carried.

It was noted that one vacancy exists on the Sister City Committee being that Raymond Bergdolt did not wish to seek reappointment.

Moved by Schoenow, seconded by Meyer, to approve payment of the bills for December 2011 in the amount of $1,099,558.27. Unanimously carried.

1. City Manager - Monthly Report.

2. Annual Report of the DDA.

3. Aged Accounts Receivables Report – December 2011.

4. Gunzenhausen Christmas Greetings.

5. Fish Passage Fundraising Report – Sheila Stamiris.

1. City-Township Commission – September 15, 2011

2. Downtown Development Authority Board – December 8, 2011.

3. Library Board – December 12, 2011.

4. Parks & Recreation Commission – November 16, 2011.

5. Transportation Advisory Committee – January 4, 2012.

6. Chamber of Commerce Board – November 16, 2011.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:02 P.M.

Phillip W. Kerns

City Clerk