City Council

AD HOC BLIGHT COMMITTEE MINUTES OF THURSDAY, JANUARY 28, 2021 A meeting of the Ad Hoc Blight Committee was held on Thursday, January 28, 2021. The meeting was held remotely via video conferencing with real-time messaging available. The meeting commenced at 11:00 a.m. PRESENT: Kelly Greve, Kathy Grabowski, Chief Glass (Committee Facilitator) ABSENT: Andy Lee, Robert Hornkohl, Dennis Otto OTHERS ATTENDING: Media-Manistee News Advocate DISCUSSION Discussion was held regarding blight progress and what resolutions were achieved in 2020, how to improve on that for 2021 and to allow for input on how best to move forward to achieve results. Discussion ensued on the proposed Chapter 650 (redefined) portion of the city ordinance. Potential revisions could include: reducing the number of steps in enforcement, setting construction time limits, issuing municipal citations, defining the repeat offender process and clarifying the definition of blight by including the Michigan Blighted Area Rehabilitation Act in the ordinance language. Several buildings on River Street were addressed as to why those buildings have not been cited for blight. At present, the priority of the Manistee City Police Department is to address vacant buildings and boarded up structures. Several of the buildings on River Street that were discussed are not vacant at this time. It is thought that many River Street blight issues are in progress toward being resolved. Demolition costs for blighted structures were discussed and there is now an annual amount budgeted in the City of Manistee budget for said demolition, with the goal being at least one structure per year being demolished. The current thought is to hit the ground running in the spring and be aggressive with blight efforts through the spring through autumn. Solutions will be sought in addition to enforcement as solving issues is thought to be a community effort. Volunteer groups/agencies could be sought out for assistance if agencies could be coordinated for what efforts they might be able to provide and how they could assist in providing those efforts. The ordinance, if/once it is amended, will receive a media push to assist in educating citizens on the changes to the ordinance. The media push will also inform the public which officer is responsible for each district re: blight enforcement. The committee is actively seeking members and active members are asked to inform anyone who might be interested to contact the Manistee City Police Department to become a member of the committee. The committee wished to convey their gratitude to Sergeant VanSickle for his continued efforts regarding blight resolution. Meeting adjourned at 11:51 a.m. Submitted by: Bridget Guillen Police Secretary