City Commission Regular Meeting

GLADSTONE CITY COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING City Hall Chambers – 1100 Delta Avenue August 14, 2023 6:00 PM MINUTES CALL TO ORDER Mayor Thompson called the meeting to order, Invocation given by Commissioner Pontius and roll called by Clerk Kim Berry: PRESENT Mayor Joe Thompson Commissioner Judy Akkala Mayor Pro-Tem Brad Mantela Commissioner Robert Pontius ABSENT - EXCUSED Commissioner Greg Styczynski PUBLIC COMMENT Steve Viau, Delta County Commissioner - 817 Delta Avenue CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Commissioner Mantela; seconded by Commissioner Akkala to approve the consent agenda. MOTION CARRIED UNFINISHED BUSINESS Motion by Mayor Thompson; seconded by Commissioner Mantela to table the Jones Property on Lake Shore Drive to Monday, August 28, 2023 regular Commission meeting. MOTION CARRIED NEW BUSINESS Motion by Mayor Thompson; seconded by Commissioner Akkala to approve the hire of Municipal Well & Pump to rebuild the Water Department high service pump in the amount of $10,380.00. MOTION CARRIED 1 Motion by Commissioner Mantela; seconded by Commissioner Akkala to appoint Commissioner Robert Pontius as the City of Gladstone Voting Delegate at the MML Annual Meeting scheduled for October 18, 2023 conference held in Traverse City. MOTION CARRIED Motion by Commissioner Mantela; seconded by Commissioner Pontius to approve the METRO Act Right of Way Permit Extension to December 31, 2028 and authorize Manager Eric Buckman to sign the extension documents. MOTION CARRIED Motion by Mayor Thompson; seconded by Commissioner Akkala to approve Request for Disbursement of Funds Draw #13 totaling $753,669.00. MOTION CARRIED CITY MANAGER'S REPORT Manager Eric Buckman reported on the following: Met with Teamsters Union regarding grievance filed on contract language related to interdepartmental transfers; in reference to the recent Electric Department external hiring of two Apprentices; going to mediation the end of the month. Attended Waterworth Zoom presentation for software and support for tracking assets and rates. Attended Zoom meeting with ATC regarding moving 69 kv line Attended monthly EDC and DATA meetings. Spent much of my time at the Campground, Parks and Harbor due to personnel changes and shortage of part-time seasonal employees as many returning back to college or starting school athletics. Hired Perry Good Cleaners for bathrooms and showers. Hired three full-time employees and want to welcome Bryce Dykes and Tyler Flynn, Apprentice Linemen to the Electric Department and Lief Sjoquist to Public Safety. The EPA notified us that they will begin cleaning up and removing the equipment from the site on Lake Shore Drive. BOARDS & COMMISSIONS REPORTS Patricia West, DDA Coordinator presented the DDA Informational Meeting #2 as follows: 2  Meeting Downtown Development Authority City of Gladstone 1 To enhance the quality of life and develop a positive image of Downtown Gladstone for businesses, residents and visitors." 2 3  What is a   DDAs comprehensively manage downtowns to maximize the local economy. • Downtown District (as defined by ordinance) DDAs are downtown management organizations that  • Its Businesses, Property Owners, and Residents rely on TIF dollars for their operation  Quasi-governmental arm of the City • Community- What happens in Downtown affects ALL Goal to halt property value deterioration and increase property tax valuation to eliminate the causes of that deterioration, and to promote economic growth. 3 What is TIF?  Tax Increment Financing (TIF) is the annual capture of the year-to-year growth in property values in a defined district.  Upon adoption of a TIF plan, the ‘Taxable Value Base Year’ is set; which all growth is calculated from  Allows community to direct funds to engage in specific, critical economic development activities without raising local property taxes.  Stimulates economic growth and is self-sustaining: As property values increase, the DDA captures more funding through TIF and is able to do more projects. 4 4  TIF District  The first was established in 1992  The second was established in 2009 5 2023 Pursue Revenue Sources outside of the Tax Increment Financing Plan.  Property Development Opportunities Grant Revenue • North Shore Development • Hannahville 2% Grant for the North Shore • Farmers Market ($4000 Secured!) Rental Revenue Market Square 6 5  2023 Goals Build upon the Gladstone Farmers Market to encourage foot traffic downtown.  Expand our Food Assistance Program offerings through the implementation of Senior Project Fresh  Improve marketing of the event to our community  Onboard new Farmers Market Coordinator  Recruit Vendors  Replace the deteriorating brick pavers along the sidewalk of the market square 7 Increase property tax valuation by eliminating the causes of deterioration and promote economic growth Coordinate with city departments on strategized  Secure funding to implement the façade street improvements and utility upgrades within the improvement program downtown district Support development of the North Shore waterfront Partner with property owners in the downtown through infrastructure allowing mixed used district to promote residential and office space commercial and residential zoning opportunities above downtown businesses Encourage and support the creation of a Gladstone Pursue development opportunities for key properties Business Association to promote businesses within the downtown district through activities and events while serving as a resources to one another 8 6  2023 Projects Here’s where you’ll see us this year! 9 North Shore The DDA is actively involved in the future North Shore • Financial support in acquiring the North Shore property • Ongoing meetings with investors, developers and engineers • Pursuing grant funding to secure public access to the waterfront 10 7  Market Sponsor and support the Gladstone Farmers Market! • Band Coordination • Farmers Market Promotion on Social Media • Food Assistance Programs • General Market Oversight • Market Square Upkeep • Market Space Rentals for Vendors 11 Christmas Sponsor and support the Old-Fashioned Christmas! • Collaboration with Businesses and Sponsors • Coordination with Event Planner • Promotion of the Event 12 Manager Buckman reviewed the year-to-date financial reports. 8 CITY CLERK COMMENTS Clerk Berry reported she will be out of the office utilizing some vacation days over the next two weeks. CLOSED SESSION Motion by Commissioner Mantela; seconded by Commissioner Pontius to enter closed session at 6:37 pm to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state of federal statute as allowable under the Open Meetings Act 267 of 1976 (15.268) Section 8 item h. Voting Yea: Mayor Thompson, Commissioner Akkala, Mayor Pro-Tem Mantela, Commissioner Pontius MOTION CARRIED Mayor Thompson called the meeting back into open session at 7:24 pm and reported no action taken in closed session. No action required staff will continue to work with Miller Canfield attorneys regarding the Gladstone Oaks, LLC matter. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business before the Commission Mayor Thompson adjourned the meeting at 7:25 PM ____________________________ Mayor Joe Thompson ____________________________ City Clerk Kimberly Berry 9