City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 1, 2011 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Richard Mack on Tuesday, March 1, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Colleen Kenny, Ed Cote, Ilona Haydon, Richard Mack, and Alan Marshall. ABSENT: Robert Hornkohl and Catherine Zaring. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Mitch Deisch, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Deputy Clerk – Mary Bachman, City Assessor – Julie Beardslee, DPW Director – Jack Garber, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Acting Fire Chief – Timm Smith, Police Chief – Dave Bachman, and City Engineer – Jeff Mikula, Abonmarche. PUBLIC HEARING ON MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND GRANT APPLICATION. The purpose of this hearing is to afford an opportunity for all citizens to express opinions, ask questions, and discuss a proposed grant application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to assist in the construction of a new Beach House at First Street Beach; as well as other beach amenities. City Council will take action on the request later in the meeting. This project would be done in the next fiscal year’s budget (2011-2012). Cost of the project is estimated at $400,000; grant funds of $300,000 will equal a balance of $100,000 in local matching funds. The public was invited to speak on the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant application. Richard Knechtges, 1310 Cornell Street – Spoke in favor of the Grant on behalf of the Manistee County Chapter of People with Physical Disabilities. CITIZENS COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. Jim Riffle, 1339 Meadowwood, Chair of the Manistee County Manufacturing Council, spoke in opposition to Ordinance Z11-01 changes Place of Public Assembly Small from a Use by Right to a Special Use and deletes Industrial Uses in Article 12 Waterfront District; urged the Council to consider how strategic those locations are; do not give up rail as it is vital to manufacturing in this area. Barry Lind, 532 4th Street, commented on agenda item d.) Consideration of Cedar Street Hill Options. Indicated that he had emailed two memos to Council regarding his opinion; would like to see a 4th option; also expressed concerns about the process. Tom Kubanek, 316 Tamarack Street, commented on agenda item d.) Consideration of Cedar Street Hill -1-  Options. Urged the Council to consider traffic flow; Three streets in the City have already been closed and would like to see Cedar Street remain open. Liz Lasky, 537 4th Street, commented on agenda item d.) Consideration of Cedar Street Hill Options. Urged Council to consider Historical significance of Cedar Street Hill; Presented a petition of signatures in favor of keeping Cedar Street Hill open; Indicated that this would be a permanent closure; urged Council to think long and hard before making a decision. Jackie Kiszelik, 535 2nd Street, commented on agenda item d.) Consideration of Cedar Street Hill Options. Spoke in opposition to Option#1; one issue is that there is a plant, Japanese Knotweed, that is very invasive. Once the soil is disturbed the plant will take over; Encouraged Option#2. #11-26 CONSENT AGENDA Minutes - February 15, 2011 - Regular Meeting Payroll - February 14 - February 20, 2011 $50,160.75 Payroll - February 21 - February 27, 2011 $56,935.51 Monthly Bills - February, 2011 Notification Regarding Next Work Session A Council work session has been scheduled for Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on the Strategic Plan Update; and such business as may come before the Council. MOTION by Haydon, second by Cote to approve the Consent Agenda as stated. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None #11-27 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENT Z11-01 TO THE MANISTEE CITY ZONING ORDINANCE. Ordinance Z11-01 changes Place of Public Assembly Small from a Use by Right to a Special Use and deletes Industrial Uses in Article 12 Waterfront District. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. This amendment was first introduced by Council at their meeting of February 1, 2011 and could be adopted this evening. MOTION by Haydon to table until next Council Meeting. No second on motion. MOTION by Haydon, second by Marshall to take action to adopt Ordinance Amendment Z11-01 to amend the Manistee City Zoning Ordinance. Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion failed. -2- AYES: Haydon, and Mack NAYES: Kenny, Cote, and Marshall #11-28 CONSIDERATION OF LRSB GRANT APPLICATIONS. The Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB) distributes 2% money from the Little River Casino. The deadline for first cycle applications is Friday, March 4, 2011. City Staff has prepared grant applications for submission to the LRSB. MOTION by Haydon, second by Cote to take action to authorize the submission of grant applications to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for the first cycle in 2011. Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYES: None #11-29 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION, MICHIGAN NATURAL RESOURCES TRUST FUND GRANT APPLICATION. At their meeting of December 7, 2010 City Council took action to authorize the Alliance for Economic Success to pursue funding for the development of the First Street Beach Conceptual Plan. Along that line, the City of Manistee is making application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund for a grant in the amount of $300,000 to assist in the construction of a new Beach House at First Street Beach. If the grant is awarded and accepted, the City is committing to a grant match of $100,000. Earlier tonight a public hearing was held to allow the public to discuss and comment on the proposed grant application. MOTION by Haydon, second by Cote to take action to authorize the Mayor and Deputy City Clerk to sign a Resolution of Support for a grant application to the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to assist in the construction of a new Beach House at First Street Beach and other possible amenities. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYES: None #11-30 CONSIDERATION OF ENERGY GRANT ALLOCATIONS. The Alliance for Economic Success and Northwest Michigan Council of Governments coordinated a program to assist municipalities with energy audits of municipal buildings. Subsequently one grant was awarded per county to achieve energy efficiencies in various municipal buildings. The City of Manistee was awarded a $40,000 grant. As part of the grant requirements a Green Team was appointed to make recommendations on the distribution of funds. The project will include various upgrades to lighting and heating in the City Garage and Fire Hall. MOTION by Kenny, second by Haydon to take action to approve the Green Team’s recommendations. -3- Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYES: None #11-31 CONSIDERATION OF CEDAR STREET HILL OPTIONS. The City will begin the Cedar Street Sewer Separation Project this spring. A component of the project will be the removal of the pavement on Cedar Street Hill to install new pipes. The grade of Cedar Street Hill exceeds the ASHTO safety guidelines with a slope of 19%. There are three options for Council consideration: Option 1: Close Cedar Street Hill to vehicular traffic (reseed the hill, retain the sidewalk for pedestrian use, install guardrails at the Third Street intersection, City retains ownership) Option 2: Locate an engineer who will design and seal the resurfacing of the hill at the existing 19% grade Option 3: Reconfigure the grade of the hill which results in closing the Second Street intersection MOTION by Marshall, second by Cote to table this agenda item until the next Council Meeting on March 15, 2011 to allow all Council Members to participate in the selection of an option relating to Cedar Street Hill. Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed. AYES: Cote, Haydon, and Mack NAYES: Kenny and Marshall #11-32 A REPORT FROM THE CITY ASSESSOR. Ms. Julie Beardslee reported on the activities of the City Assessor’s Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. Richard Knechtges, 1310 Cornell Street, thanked Council for their approval of the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant Application. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. City Manager, Mitch Deisch, requested direction from the Council regarding the Z11-01 Zoning Ordinance. Kenny stated that she would like to rezone the north part of the bridge. -4- Rose stated that it would make no sense to send this item back to the Planning Commission; recommended sending it back to the Council Ordinance Committee. Mayor Mack agreed sending this item back to the Council Ordinance Committee was the best option. COUNCILMEMBERS. Marshall publically stated that his intention was to vote YES on Agenda item d.) table the Agenda item until the next Council meeting, March 15, 2011. Mayor Mack read a letter from Timm Smith, 361 Tenth Street, regarding the Public Safety process; stated that the City Manager will begin the process and present to Council at the March 15, 2011 Council Meeting; He also commented that the City Manager, Jon Rose, Cindy Fuller and himself attended the Northwest Michigan Council of Government Place Making Summit in Traverse City. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Haydon, second by Cote. Meeting adjourned at 8:19 p.m. Mary Bachman, CMC Deputy Clerk/Payroll&Benefits -5- -6-