City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 13, 2014 The Manistee City Council met in a work session on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 7 p.m., Council Chambers, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT: Colleen Kenny, Bob Hornkohl, Catherine Zaring, Ed Cote, Robert Goodspeed MEMBERS ABSENT: Mark Wittlieff, Eric Gustad OTHERS PRESENT: Department Directors, City Attorney, City Engineer, Media and Public Public Comments. No public comments. Discussion on Sewer and Water Bond Projects. DPW Director Jeff Mikula made a presentation on the upcoming utility bond projects. Current budget anticipates a 3. 7 million dollar bond to complete a range of necessary / required projects. Utility Rate Study anticipated a $ 4, 170, 008 bond. Discussed continuing work on SSES project which will impact future projects. Based upon all the research and the need to push some projects further out, the amount staff will recommend bonding for is $ 3, 100,000. Finance Director Ed Bradford went over the process including a proposed timeline; looking for bond sale in January 2015. Additional discussion regarding each project associated with the $ 3, 100,000 bond. Utility Rate Study rate increase that took effect July 1, 2014 anticipated this bond issuance. CONSENSUS: City Council gave direction to staff to prepare the Notice of Intent to start the process of the 45 day referendum period. The Notice of Intent should be in front of Council in November 2014. Discussion on Off Premises Signs. Planning & Zoning Administrator Denise Blakeslee made a presentation on off premises signs, governmental exemptions, and political signs. Significant discussion between staff and Council. CONSENSUS: Use special event request form for those entities that want to have off premises signs. Educate on yard sale sign enforcement. Council Work Session - October 13, 2014 Page 1 Discussion on Animal Ordinance. City Attorney George Saylor explained to Council the new interpretation of the Department of Agriculture regarding the Right to Farm Act. As drafted, the current revised animal ordinance would prohibit non-domestic animals from being in the City. CONSENSUS: Direction by Council to send the draft ordinance to the Planning Commission for their review as to whether or not non-domesticated animals should be permitted through zoning. Adjourned at 8: 45 p. m. Mitchell D. Deisch, City Manager MDD: cl Council Work Session - October 13, 2014 Page 2