City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 6, 2014 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Colleen Kenny on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Colleen Kenny, Edward Cote, Robert Hornkohl, Robert Goodspeed, Catherine Zaring, and Mark Wittlieff (arrived at 7:03 p.m.) ABSENT: Eric Gustad ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Mitch Deisch, City Attorney – Richard Wilson, City Clerk – Michelle Wright, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton/Spicer Group AMEND AGENDA. MOTION by Zaring, second by Goodspeed to amend the order of the agenda by moving item VIII. b.) Consideration of Proposed MSDDA Budget for Fiscal Year 2014‐2015 to the first item under New Business. The reason for this change is because the MSDDA budget is included within the City budget and should be approved first. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Goodspeed, and Zaring NAYS: None Councilman Wittlieff arrived at 7:03 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. Judy Carl – 159 Quincy Street commented on the budget stating that the economy is not the whole cause of the City’s problems, but because of poor decisions; asked Council to take responsibility. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ April 15, 2014 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ April 15, 2014 ‐ Work Session ‐ April 22, 2014 ‐ Work Session ‐ April 29, 2014 ‐ Work Session  Payroll ‐ April 14‐27, 2014 ‐ $ 111,325.18 | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 6, 2014  Monthly Bills ‐ March 27, 2014 ‐ $ 1,568,700.99 ‐ April 10, 2014 ‐ $ 301,606.90 ‐ April 29, 2014 ‐ $ 236,748.39  Cash Balances Report ‐ March 2014  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – May 13, 2014 A discussion will be conducted on Commercial Fire Inspections; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of the United Veterans Council Annual Memorial Day Parade. The United Veterans Council has requested authorization to conduct the Annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 26, 2014 in recognition of veterans and their service to our country. The parade will commence at 10 a.m. at the corner of River and Division Street, travel west along River Street, cross the Maple Street Bridge to the Veterans Memorial. MOTION by Hornkohl, second by Zaring to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Goodspeed, Zaring, and Wittlieff NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF PROPOSED MSDDA BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2014‐2015. The Manistee Main Street Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors approved their 2014‐ 2015 Fiscal Year Budget at their meeting of April 30, 2014 to be presented to City Council. The board is now requesting that City Council approve the budget as presented. City Code of Ordinance No. 282.09 (b) requires the DDA to submit their annual budget to Council by the same date that the City Budget is required by Charter to be approved which is May 15. MOTION by Hornkohl, second by Goodspeed to take action to approve the MSDDA’s 2014‐2015 Fiscal Year Budget. Questions were asked regarding the timeliness of this budget, clarification of the new DDA direction, and downtown trees. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Goodspeed, Zaring, and Wittlieff NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE 2014‐2015 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. Under Section 7‐4 of the Charter, the annual budget must be adopted before May 15 of each year. The budget has been the subject of multiple work sessions and a public hearing. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 6, 2014 MOTION by Hornkohl, second by Zaring to adopt a resolution approving the 2014‐2015 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan for the City of Manistee. Questions asked about inclusion or removal of a utility trailer and pump, whether these items should be included in the Motor Pool, and the wage increases for employees. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Goodspeed, Zaring, and Wittlieff NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A LETTER OF SUPPORT, LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS SEWER PROJECT. On November 7, 2012 the Manistee City Council passed a resolution supporting a collaborative multi‐ governmental concept that would allow for a current force main sewer along US‐31 in Manistee Township to be replaced by a gravity sewer by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Federal and State jurisdictional matters threaten to jeopardize or delay this project. A letter of support from City Council has been requested and has been prepared. MOTION by Hornkohl, second by Goodspeed to sign a letter of support regarding the proposed sewer upgrades in Manistee Township north of M‐55 as proposed by the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians. Brief discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Hornkohl, Goodspeed, Zaring, and Wittlieff NAYS: None PRESENTATION OF THIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL AND INVESTMENT REPORT BY FINANCE DIRECTOR ED BRADFORD. CITIZEN COMMENT. Patrick Kay, MSDDA Director, commented on various happenings in the downtown area. Christa Johnson, chair of the Non‐Motorized Transportation Committee, presented Council with the Governor’s Council Active Community Award that was recently given to the City. Carol Pasco – 610 Spruce Street stated that Manistee is a wonderful place to live, it is a small city but has lots to offer; she also commended Council for the job they have done. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Deisch stated that dredging is occurring at the marina and a portion of the Riverwalk is detoured; the First Street boat launch is now open also. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 6, 2014 COUNCILMEMBERS. Hornkohl echoed Ms. Pasco’s comments, has heard a lot of good comments on Manistee. Zaring thanked Rachel Estabrook for organizing trash cleanup on the Riverwalk. Wittlieff had a couple of safety concerns: 1) River Street ‐ can the speed limit be lowered in downtown area, and 2) deer in town – they are a nuisance to drivers, bikers, and joggers. Deisch will put this on an upcoming work session agenda for discussion. Kenny thanked Deisch, Bradford, and department directors for all of the time and effort put into the budget. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Cote, second by Goodspeed. Meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. Michelle Wright MMC / CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer | Page 4