City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF MARCH 10, 2015 The Manistee City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 7 p. m., Hardy Hall, Ramsdell Theatre, 101 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT: Colleen Kenny, Roger Zielinski, Robert Goodspeed, James Smith, Mark Wittlieff, Eric Gustad, Ed Cote MEMBERS ABSENT: None OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager, Public Works Director, Finance Director, City Engineer, Ramsdell Theatre Director, Media, Public and representatives from the Manistee Civic Players and Manistee Art Institute Public Comments. No comments. Discussion on Ramsdell Theatre. Finance Director Ed Bradford previously prepared a memo for this work session that recognizes a fatal flaw in the current governance model at the Ramsdell Theatre. The presence of representatives from our partners ( the Manistee Civic Players and the Manistee Art Institute) on the Ramsdell Governing Authority represents an untenable and insurmountable conflict of interest. The RGA and interested parties participated in a two-day strategic planning process last summer which identified the current governance structure as one of the key areas that was hindering the success of the Ramsdell. Creating a new Ramsdell governance structure was the top priority identified. The Council Ordinance Committee discussed this at their February 13, 2015 meeting. They were unanimous that the governance model needs to change. Bradford made a presentation to the Council and audience. It discussed sustainability, City subsidization, and a recent Request for Proposals for a business model. The AES and the Manistee County Community Foundation is working with the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to help secure funding for the project. The presentation focused on the need for greater community involvement. Following the presentation numerous citizens made various comments about the Ramsdell and the various operational models discussed. CONSENSUS: City Council supported the Ramsdell Governing Authority moving forward with the market study and continuing to work toward more community involvement at the Ramsdell. Adjourned at 8: 15 p. m. Mitche 1 D. Deisch, City Manager MDD:cl Council Work Session - March 10, 2015 Page 1