City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – October 18, 2011 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Richard Mack on Tuesday, October 18, 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 Clerk – Michelle Wright, Community Development Director – Jon Rose, DPW Director – Jack Garber, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, and Public Safety Director – Dave Bachman. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None received. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ October 4, 2011 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ October 11, 2011 ‐ Work Session  Payroll ‐ October 3‐ 9, 2011 ‐ $ 53,268.97 ‐ October 10 ‐ 16, 2011 ‐ $ 50,882.17  Cash Balances Report ‐ September 2011  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – December 13, 2011 A discussion will be conducted on 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 CONSIDERATION OF A PLACEMENT MARKER, DEATH PLACE OF PERE MARQUETTE. Local citizen Bob Adams has spent a lifetime researching the actual location that Pere Marquette died along the West Michigan coastline. Based upon his information it is believed to be the northwest corner of Man‐Made Lake. City Council Minutes Page 1 October 18, 2011 Administration has reviewed the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund agreement between the City of Manistee and the State of Michigan regarding the acquisition of property around Man‐Made Lake and finds no issues with placing the stone monument at this location. MOTION by Haydon, second by Cote to approve the location of a placement marker honoring the death place of Pere Marquette on the northwest corner of Man‐Made Lake. Bob Adams read the information inscribed on the placement marker and gave a history of his research. Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4‐1. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack NAYS: Marshall CONSIDERATION OF AN EXCEPTION TO ARTICLE 21 FOR VOGUE THEATER CAMPAIGN FUND SIGN. A request has been received from the Vogue Theater to allow the installation of a Campaign Fund Sign at 21 Cypress Street (former Mobile station). City Council may approve exceptions to Article 21 (Signs) of the Zoning Ordinance for community events. MOTION by Kenny, second by Cote to allow the installation of a fund raising sign for the Vogue Theater at 21 Cypress Street for a four month period. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF VEHICLE REPLACEMENT FOR PUBLIC WORKS AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. The fiscal year 2011‐2012 budget includes the replacement of three (3) Police Department patrol cars and two (2) pickups for the Department of Public Works. Under the Ford package the price for each patrol car is $28,540, the price for the ½ ton truck is $23,462.40 and $23,661.25 for the ¾ ton truck. MOTION by Kenny, second by Haydon to authorize vehicle replacements in the Police Department and the Department of Public Works as budgeted. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTING FEDERAL GRANT REIMBURSEMENT FOR SSCENT TEAM PARTICIPATION. City Council Minutes Page 2 October 18, 2011 The City Police Department is participating in the SSCENT Team and anticipated the reimbursement of partial officer wages estimated at $15,000. The attached agreement sets the federal pass‐through reimbursement at $14,038. The City pays the remainder of the officer’s wages. MOTION by Kenny, second by Cote to accept federal grant money provided by the Byrne Justice Systems program passed through the State of Michigan in an amount of $14,038; and authorize the City Manager, Finance Director and the Public Safety Director to execute the appropriate documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Board of Canvassers, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Compensation Commission, Historic District Commission, Parks & Beautification Commission, and the Ramsdell Theatre Governing Authority. The following applications have been received: BOARD OF CANVASSERS ‐ One vacancy, Republican member, term ending 12/31/14; Council appointment. Chad LaFave, 302 ½ Twelfth Street Lynda J. Beaton, 256 Hughes Street BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY ‐ Three vacancies, two terms ending 06/30/13 and one term ending 06/30/14; Mayoral appointment. John Rulison, 533 Third Street COMPENSATION COMMISSION – Two vacancies, terms ending 09/30/14 and 09/30/15; Mayoral appointment. None received HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION – One vacancy, term ending 02/28/14; Council appointment. None received PARKS & BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION – Two vacancies, one unexpired term ending 06/30/12 and one three year term ending 06/30/14; Mayoral appointment. None received RAMSDELL THEATRE GOVERNING AUTHORITY – One vacancy, three year term ending 06/30/14; Mayoral appointment. City Council Minutes Page 3 October 18, 2011 None received MOTION by Haydon, second by Marshall to appoint Ms. Lynda J. Beaton, 256 Hughes Street to the Board of Canvassers, Republican member, for a term ending 12/31/14. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None Mayor Mack appointed Mr. John Rulison, 533 Third Street, to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority for a term ending 6/30/14. MOTION by Haydon, second by Kenny to support the Mayor’s appointment. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Haydon, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE HARBOR COMMISSION. Mr. Ross Spencer reported on the activities of the Harbor Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. PRESENTATION ON HEALTH INSURANCE OPT OUT. City Manager Deisch reviewed the City retiree health insurance policy, the opt out option available to IAFF, POAM, and COAM union members, and the history of the opt out payments made according to the union contracts and a recent payment being made in error. The Employee Handbook will be revised and reviewed annually. CITIZEN COMMENT. None received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Deisch thanked Garber, Jeff Mikula and Jim Johnson (Abonmarche Consultants) for the early re‐ opening of the Maple Street Bridge; construction will continue in January which may cause short shut downs of the bridge. Update on the First Street reconstruction project – roundabout is staked, curb work will begin either the end of this week or next week, depending on the weather; Hallack Construction is on schedule. Bachman gave an update on the Police and Fire Departments – 2 part‐time firefighters/paramedics have been hired; 5 police officers are certified Firefighter I/II; training together to efficiently work City Council Minutes Page 4 October 18, 2011 together. Fire Department and DPW are working together on hydrant maintenance; marking hydrants with low flow so that other water hydrants are used in case of a fire; this is a new initiative, cooperative effort between departments. COUNCILMEMBERS. Haydon received a thank you letter from Susan O’Hagan who lived next door to the blighted house that was recently taken down; also thanked all people involved with the Pere Marquette placement marker for their help and support. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Kenny, second by Haydon. Meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m. Michelle Wright CMC/CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer City Council Minutes Page 5 October 18, 2011