City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – November 1, 2011 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Richard Mack on Tuesday, November 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, Robert Hornkohl, Ilona Haydon, Catherine Zaring, Richard Mack, and Alan Marshall. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Mitch Deisch, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Michelle Wright, Community Development Director – Jon Rose, DPW Director – Jack Garber, and Finance Director – Ed Bradford. AMEND AGENDA. MOTION by Hornkohl, second by Haydon to amend the agenda to include item VIII. New Business b.) Consideration of a Temporary Appointment to the Harbor Commission. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Haydon, Zaring, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None received. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ October 18, 2011 ‐ Regular Meeting  Payroll ‐ October 17 ‐ 23, 2011 ‐ $ 51,619.58 ‐ October 24 ‐ 30, 2011 ‐ $ 52,457.09  Monthly Bills ‐ October 11, 2011 ‐ $ 118,019.25 ‐ October 26, 2011 ‐ $1,084,090.72  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – December 13, 2011 Mr. Rick Liptak from the Michigan Department of Transportation will make a presentation on proposed improvements to the US‐31 / Memorial Bridge intersection scheduled for 2012; and such business as may come before the Council. MOTION by Hornkohl, second by Cote to approve the Consent Agenda as stated. City Council Minutes Page 1 November 1, 2011 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Haydon, Zaring, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None PRESENTATION BY DAVID E. WILSON, CPA AND FINANCE DIRECTOR ED BRADFORD ON THE JUNE 30, 2011 AUDIT. Mr. Wilson gave the City a Clean Audit Opinion stating there weren’t any ‘material weaknesses’ or ‘significant deficiencies’ in the internal controls. He informed Council that this is very rare for them to report both. It shows the quality of the work being done in that department. A brief discussion followed. CONSIDERATION OF A TEMPORARY APPOINTMENT TO THE HARBOR COMMISSION. The term of Mr. Roger Zielinski on the Harbor Commission expired on October 31, 2011. Council will not be considering the appointment of this position until the regular meeting of December 6, 2011. Council is being asked to consider a temporary appointment of Mr. Zielinski to allow him to continue his service on the Harbor Commission until Council makes the required three‐year appointment at the December 6, 2011 meeting. MOTION by Hornkohl, second by Zaring to extend the appointment of Mr. Roger Zielinski on the Harbor Commission for approximately one month; covering the November meeting of the Harbor Commission. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Haydon, Zaring, Mack, and Marshall NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE CITY CLERK. Ms. Michelle Wright reported on the activities of the City Clerk’s Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. Glen Zaring, 325 Fifth Street, invited Council to a presentation on sturgeon in the Manistee area being held at the Ramsdell next Monday evening at 7 p.m. The program is being presented by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Sturgeon are very unique to this area. Ross Spencer thanked Council for finding a solution to the Harbor Commission’s dilemma. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Wright reminded everyone to vote next Tuesday. City Council Minutes Page 2 November 1, 2011 Deisch concurred with Mr. Wilson’s statement on the difficulty in getting a clean audit and stated that Bradford does a terrific job, along with Wright, Mary Bachman, and Heather Pefley. The community should be proud where the City of Manistee is in these financially difficult times. Bradford announced the ability to look up water and sewer bill history and usage on‐line through the City’s web site and also being able to make credit card payments on‐line. Credit card payments are not available at City Hall. A convenience fee will be added to each transaction. COUNCILMEMBERS. Haydon echoed the City Manager’s comments and stated that we have very rich, exceptional people working for the City. Mack held Mayor’s office hours last week. Some of the comments received from those attending included needing help in navigating the City’s web page; location of Consumers Power Company poles; and good service received from the Police Department receptionist. He also congratulated staff and Council on the team effort on the audit. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Hornkohl, second by Haydon. Meeting adjourned at 7:48 p.m. Michelle Wright CMC/CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer City Council Minutes Page 3 November 1, 2011