City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 3, 2015 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Colleen Kenny on Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Colleen Kenny, Roger Zielinski, Robert Goodspeed, James Smith, Mark Wittlieff, and Eric Gustad. ABSENT: Edward Cote. ALSO PRESENT: City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Michelle Wright, City Assessor – Julie Beardslee, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton/Spicer Group. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None received. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ January 13, 2015 ‐ Work Session ‐ January 20, 2015 ‐ Regular Meeting  Payroll ‐ Jan. 19 – Feb. 1, 2015 ‐ $ 113,031.04  Cash Balances Report ‐ December 2014  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – February 10, 2015 A discussion will be conducted with the Ad Hoc Street Committee, and discussions will be held on Council’s Strategic Plan and the Peninsula District; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of Authorizing the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade The Fraternal Order of the Eagles is requesting permission to hold their annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Tuesday, March 17, 2015. The parade would begin at 5 p.m. and be held on Division Street, from First Street to the Eagles Lodge three blocks to the north. MOTION by Gustad, second by Goodspeed to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 3, 2015 CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO THE HOUSING COMMISSION, RESIDENT MEMBER. The Housing Commission currently has a vacancy on their board for a resident member, an unexpired term ending 05/31/17. The Housing Commission Executive Director has notified residents of this opening and has received three eligible applications for the position. This is a Mayoral appointment. All appointments by the Mayor are subject to the Council’s approval, unless otherwise specified by statute or ordinance. The following applications have been received: James Hancock ‐ 237 Sixth Avenue, #325 Sheryl A. Kuenzer ‐ 273 Sixth Avenue, #505 Roberta K. Huff ‐ 237 Sixth Avenue, #326 Mayor Kenny appointed Sheryl A. Kuenzer to the Housing Commission as the Resident Member. MOTION by Smith, second by Wittlieff to support the Mayor’s appointment of Sheryl A. Kuenzer – 273 Sixth Avenue #505 to the Housing Commission to fill the unexpired Resident Member term ending 05/31/17. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A SEPARATION AGREEMENT FOR THE CITY ASSESSOR. Per City Council direction a separation agreement was drafted between the City of Manistee and City Assessor Julie Beardslee by City Labor Attorney John Gretzinger. The agreement provides certain financial incentives to Ms. Beardslee and in return she has committed to continue her employment until March 15, 2015, prepare and sign the 2015 tax roll, and complete all requirements for the March 2015 Board of Review meetings. MOTION by Smith, second by Zielinski to approve the separation agreement between the City of Manistee and City Assessor Julie Beardslee effective March 15, 2015; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF NOTICE OF SALE RESOLUTION AND BOND ORDINANCE FOR THE ISSUANCE OF WATER AND SEWER REVENUE BONDS IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $2,770,000. The 2014‐2015 budget and recently completed utility rate study included bond financing of a number of capital projects for the Water & Sewer Utility. These projects were further discussed at the City | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 3, 2015 Council Work Sessions on October 13, 2015 and January 13, 2015. A Notice of Intent Resolution was approved by Council on November 5, 2014. No referendum petitions were filed. The approval of the Notice of Sale Resolution and Bond Ordinance is necessary to authorize and proceed with the bond sale. MOTION by Gustad, second by Smith to approve a Notice of Sale Resolution and Bond Ordinance for Water & Sewer Revenue Bonds in an amount not to exceed $2,770,000. Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4‐2. AYES: Kenny, Zielinski, Smith, and Gustad NAYS: Goodspeed and Wittlieff PRESENTATION OF SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT BY FINANCE DIRECTOR ED BRADFORD. PRESENTATION OF SECOND QUARTER INVESTMENT REPORT BY FINANCE DIRECTOR ED BRADFORD. A REPORT FROM REPUBLIC SERVICES. Mr. Todd Harland reported on the activities of Republic Services and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. Comments were received from: ‐ Sarah Helge – 450 Cedar Street / the ineffectiveness of the Ramsdell Governing Authority. ‐ Rose‐Marie Smith / West Shore Rental Management – 227 Parkdale Avenue / the importance of the Rental Registration Program. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. None received. COUNCILMEMBERS. Zielinski thanked those that spoke tonight. Goodspeed asked if the appointment to the Housing Commission was done correctly. Smith would like to move forward with having exit interviews of employees and distributed some samples; stated the bond issue is a necessary thing to do, but past projects were completed and not as important as current projects. Wittlieff questioned the demolition of the house on Clay Street ‐ who pays for the DTE disconnection of service, was there anything in the bid regarding asbestos removal? | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 3, 2015 ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski. Meeting adjourned at 7:28 p.m. Michelle Wright MMC / CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer | Page 4