City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – October 4, 2011 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Richard Mack on Tuesday, October 4, 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, Robert Hornkohl, Ilona Haydon, Catherine Zaring, Richard Mack, and Alan Marshall. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Mitch Deisch, City Attorney – George Saylor, Deputy City Clerk – Mary Bachman, Community Development Director – Jon Rose, DPW Director – Jack Garber, and Public Safety Director – Dave Bachman. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None received. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ September 20, 2011 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ September 20, 2011 ‐ Board of Review  Payroll ‐ September 19 – 25, 2011 ‐ $ 56,863.94 ‐ September 26‐October 2, 2011 ‐ $ 51,205.75  Monthly Bills ‐ September 2, 2011 ‐ $ 786,624.09 ‐ September 14, 2011 ‐ $1,003,975.51 ‐ September 26, 2011 ‐ $1,099,771.89 ‐ September 28, 2011 ‐ $ 210,808.47  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – October 11, 2011 Possible financial projection review by the Finance Director; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of Annual Fire Prevention Week Parade. This annual event includes a display of fire apparatus and demonstration with a parade of fire equipment down River Street. Council could take action to authorize a request for a parade permit for the Annual Fire Prevention Week Parade on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 11:00 a.m.  Consideration of MHS Homecoming Parade. The Manistee Area Public Schools requests permission to hold their annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 14, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. beginning at Division Street and proceeding City Council Minutes Page 1 October 4, 2011  west along River Street. MOTION by Haydon, second by Hornkohl to approve the Consent Agenda as stated. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Haydon, Zaring, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT OFFICE AND THE BUILDING INSPECTOR. Mr. Jon Rose reported on the activities of the Community Development Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. Mr. Mark Niesen reported on the activities of the Building Inspector’s Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. Deb Green, 300 Spruce Street, President of the Manistee County Humane Society, thanked the City for their help and the use of the Manistee City Marina for the Strut Your Mutt Event; she also stated that the event was very successful, raising over $2,500; and would like to make it an Annual Event. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Deisch stated that the Dashboard is on the website at manisteemi.gov. He has requested that Ed Bradford make a presentation regarding the Dashboard at an upcoming meeting. Deisch also stated that an update on the Strategic Plan will be presented in the near future. Deisch has created a Time Line Spreadsheet for Major Projects which lays out the time lines; task, duration, start, finish and will absolutely incorporate financial data into the spreadsheet as well. Deisch presented an example Time Line explaining the progress on the Maple Street Bridge Project. Deisch commented that he and many of the Council Members will be leaving tomorrow morning for the MML Conference in Grand Rapids; he also noted that there are many interesting education items on the agenda. Deisch also stated that there has been discussion regarding zoning of the Consumers Energy Property; a request has been made to ask City Attorney Saylor his opinion on reconsideration of zoning. Saylor stated that his conclusion is that City Charter trumps Roberts Rules; he commented that if the City Council so desires, they may revisit the zoning again as many times as they want. City Council Minutes Page 2 October 4, 2011 Marshall noted that if the Ordinance is to be reviewed again it must go before the Ordinance Committee first; all Council Members agreed. Deisch stated that he has received many questions regarding employee health insurance and the opt out payments for retirees; the Labor Attorney, Bruce Gockerman, Ed Bradford, Mary Bachman and Mitch Deisch have all been reviewing the policy; findings will be presented the last week in October. COUNCILMEMBERS. Kenny thanked the City and the DPW for a great job supporting the Strut Your Mutt Event; Marshall commented that he also attended the event and requested a work session in the future to discuss a Dog Friendly Community; Deisch stated that citizens from Wellston are proposing a secondary enclosure to be added to the existing Dog Park; citizens are working on raising the funds for the addition. Hornkohl requested that the poison ivy located on the River Walk behind the Riverside Motel be attended to. Haydon reminded everyone of the Paint the Town Pink Event to be held on Thursday; she also commented that many of the small communities are decorated for fall; she would like to see some decorations in our downtown as well; Deisch commented that the MSDDA are in charge of the downtown decorations. Marshall commented that the Paint the Town Pink Event to be held on Thursday will begin at 4pm downtown on the west end of River Street; he also commented that it is a good time to be a friend and support the Paint the Town Pink. Mayor Mack read a Proclamation for Paint the Town Pink; he also encouraged the Councilmembers that are attending the MML Conference in the morning to stick around after the meeting to schedule rides. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Hornkohl, second by Haydon. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m. Mary Bachman CMC Deputy City Treasurer/Payroll & Benefits City Council Minutes Page 3 October 4, 2011