City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF MARCH 11, 2014 The Manistee City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT: Colleen Kenny, Eric Gustad, Bob Hornkohl, Catherine Zaring, Ed Cote, Robert Goodspeed, Mark Wittlieff MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: Department Directors, City Attorney, City Engineer, Media and Public Discussion on Fireworks Ordinance. City Attorney George Saylor and Public Safety Director Dave Bachman discussed several alternatives in regard to regulation of consumer fireworks. Significant discussion was had between Council and Staff.Two options were identified by Councilmembers: 1.) limit fireworks except for the week around the Fourth of July, except between the hours of 1 a. m. to 8 a.m., and except for the three days surrounding national holidays. 2.) Limit time that fireworks can be shot off between 11 p.m. and 8 a.m., except for the three days surrounding the national holidays. The majority of Council felt the second option was the best choice. City Attorney will prepare the revised ordinance and it will come back to Council before the Fourth of July weekend. Discussion on Twelfth and Oak Street. City Manager Mitch Deisch, Public Works Director Jeff Mikula and City Engineer Shawn Middleton discussed proposed plan for Twelfth Street improvements. Representatives from Filer Township, Manistee Area Public Schools, Manistee County Road Commission and Manistee County were also present. Staff discussed the fact that legal research identified that there was not a public right- of-way on the south side of Twelfth Street. Staff discussed the safety issues and maintenance issues. Council directed staff to work with the other governmental stakeholders and approach the Filer Township property owners about an amenable resolution that would allow the street to be straightened. Staff will set up a meeting with stakeholders to discuss the next step. Councilmembers Hornkohl and Wittlieff both expressed interest on sitting on this ad hoc committee. Discussion on 2014-2015 Budget Process. City Manager Mitch Deisch and Finance Director Ed Bradford updated Council on the current challenges staff is facing to balance the budget before it is presented to Council. The budget will be available to the Council and the public on Friday, March 21, 2014 and will be presented to Council at their meeting of April 1, 2014. Council Work Session - March 11, 2014 Page 1 This is the sixth straight year that taxable value has declined in the City, causing extreme pressure on balancing the budget. City has also had a very large health insurance increase and increased taxes due to the Patient Protection Affordable Care Act ( PPACA). Staff is reviewing various options to present a balanced budget to Council. Will need flexibility regarding staffing to balance the budget. Reorganization and attrition position layoffs are on the table as possible ways to balance the budget. Discussion on Street Funding— City Manager Mitch Deisch, Finance Director Ed Bradford and Public Works Director Jeff Mikula made a brief presentation to City Council regarding street funding options. Discussed how this presentation was a follow-up to the December 2013 presentation and the March 2014 approval of the strategic plan. Main take-away is that without additional revenue, the street network will continue to decline at an alarming rate. Council identified that the only way to generate the amount of revenue that will address the street issues is to have a dedicated millage. Staff will prepare several options looking at a dedicated street millage as well as the use of street funds and how this will impact the overall street network. Options will be presented to Council at an upcoming Council meeting. Adjourned at 9: 15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Mitchell D. Deisch, City Manager MDD: cl Council Work Session - March 11, 2014 Page 2