City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 1, 2015 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Colleen Kenny on Tuesday, September 1, 2015 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, Roger Zielinski, Robert Goodspeed, James Smith, Mark Wittlieff, and Eric Gustad. ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager – R. Ben Bifoss, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Michelle Wright, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Public Safety Director – Dave Bachman, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton / Spicer Group. AMEND AGENDA. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski to amend the agenda by adding Item VIII. New Business f.) Consideration of a Local Revenue Sharing Board Grant Application. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. Nancy Day and Julie Raymond commented on the Paint the Town Pink event, invited everyone to join them at 4 p.m. on October 8th, thanked Council for their support for the past eight years of the event. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ August 18, 2015 ‐ Regular Meeting  Payroll ‐ August 17 – 30, 2015 ‐ $ 118,771.23  Cash Balances Report ‐ July 2015  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – September 8, 2015 A discussion will be conducted on Open Meetings Act, Combined Sewer Overflows, Fireworks Discussion; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of Hops & Props on the River The Downtown Development Authority is requesting permission to use River Street, Marina property and other property to hold the annual Hops and Props on the River event scheduled for Saturday, September 19, 2015. This request includes street closures; with addition requests for City fencing, trash cans and picnic tables. The Public Safety Director and DPW Director have reviewed and approved this request. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 1, 2015  Consideration of MHS Homecoming Parade A request has been received from Manistee High School to hold their annual homecoming parade on Friday, September 25, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. Student and floats will gather by the Eagle’s parking lot and travel down the length of River Street, ending at the City Marina.  Consideration of Paint the Town Pink Event The eighth annual Paint the Town Pink celebration and ribbon walk is scheduled for Thursday, October 8, 2015. This breast cancer awareness project and fundraiser starts with a gathering at the large parking lot adjacent to the fountain in front of the City Marina at 4 p.m. There will be a walk from the City Marina to the House of Flavors, then back down River Street on the sidewalk to the City Marina. MOTION by Cote, second by Goodspeed to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT, MANISTEE NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY AND BRAVO TROOP. Plans have been announced the Bravo Company may be transferred out of Manistee. A local group including Mayor Pro Tem Smith has been working to keep Bravo Company in Manistee. The resolution under consideration would encourage state and federal elected officials to work to save the Bravo Company and the local armory. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Cote to adopt a resolution in support of the Manistee National Guard Armory and Bravo Troop. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING MANISTEE TOWNSHIP WATER AGREEMENT. The agreement proposes that the City will provide potable water in those areas of Manistee Township where necessary infrastructure already exists. Existing property owners who are not connected to the water lines will not be required to connect until their existing system fails or unless required by the Health Department. Township customers will be treated similarly to City customers except they will pay a rate 118% of the City rate. That is the rate recommended in the final report issued by Burton & Associates in September 2014. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 1, 2015 Current City customers within the Township also make a payment in lieu of taxes (PILT). Those customers would be offered the choice of changing to the new rate structure under this agreement and phasing out the PILT over three years or staying with their current contract with the City. The Township would adopt ordinances necessary to ensure the safety of the water supply. The initial term of the Agreement is for 10 years. The City would continue to own and operate the system. MOTION by Smith, second by Goodspeed to approve the terms of the Water Service Agreement between the City of Manistee and Manistee Township; and allow minor, non‐substantive changes by the City Manager. Bifoss noted that Manistee Township will also take action on this item within two weeks. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR LOCAL STREET PAVING. During the budgeting process for FY 2015‐2016, a two‐year Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) was created. Year one included mill and fill paving operations for local streets which do not have immediate utility upgrades contemplated. The second year of the plan included resurfacing using a slurry seal process on major streets. Spicer Group compiled a bid package for the local street projects. One additional street segment was added to the approved TIP along with two blocks of curb and gutter. The bid package also included a $25,000 allocation from Michigan Department of Transportation to include sectional mill and fills along US‐31 within the City limits. Three bids were received: ‐ Reith Riley $490,971.74 ‐ Hallack Contracting $456,451.14 ‐ Elmer’s Crane & Dozer $422,349.64 (recommended) MOTION by Gustad, second by Wittlieff to award a contract to Elmer’s Crane & Dozer in the amount of $422,349.64 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the appropriate documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ENTERING INTO A MASTER AGREEMENT WITH THE MANISTEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 1, 2015 The Manistee United Methodist Church and the Ramsdell Theatre are adjacent to each other. The parties have been working for a number of years to address issues of joint concern. The City and Church have negotiated a master agreement which addresses the outstanding issues. MOTION by Smith, second by Cote to enter into a master agreement with the Manistee United Methodist Church and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF DESIGNATING A VOTING DELEGATE TO THE MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING. The Annual Convention of the Michigan Municipal League will be held September 16‐18, 2015. Pursuant to the provisions of the League bylaws, we are requested to designate by action of the governing body, one official who will be in attendance at the convention as the official representative to cast the vote of the City of Manistee at the annual meeting, and if possible, to designate one other official to serve as an alternate. Signed up to attend the convention are Mayor Pro‐Tem Smith, Councilmember Zielinski, and Interim City Manager Bifoss. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Cote to appoint Smith as the voting delegate and Zielinski as the alternate to the Michigan Municipal League’s annual convention. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A LOCAL REVENUE SHARING BOARD GRANT APPLICATION. The Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB) distributes 2% money from the Little River Casino. The deadline for 2015 Cycle II applications is Friday, September 4, 2015 at 5:00 p.m. City Staff has prepared one grant application for submission to the Local Revenue Sharing Board. Council has requested an opportunity to approve individual grant applications. This agenda item will include one separate motion for the one grant application. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Cote to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for AED replacements in the amount of $8,214. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Cote, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Gustad NAYS: None | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 1, 2015 A REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THE TREE COMMISSION. The report was postponed due to technical difficulties. CITIZEN COMMENT. Dennis Skiera / owner of several rental units in Manistee voiced concerns with the Spicer Group and the new fee schedule for rental inspections; asked who to call regarding weeds or blight. Tad Wagner – 196 Sixth Street / commented on a cockroach infestation around 600 Kosciusko Street, asked what can be done, and how things can be disposed of without the bugs travelling with them. Stephanie Cabot – 623 Kosciusko Street / stated that landscapers cutting grass actually transfer the cockroaches to other properties; what if the bugs get into the kids backpacks and get transferred to the schools. Teresa Pacel – 140 Ford Street / commented on the new guidelines for rentals, would like landlords to be included in meetings with the Spicer Group. Ashley Pratt – 607 Kosciusko Street / has been dealing with the roaches since 6/17/15, talked to everyone and was told it was not their problem, asked that this subject be added to the Council agenda so that the problem can be discussed, feels no one cares. Lynda Beaton ‐ 256 Hughes Street / realtors asked to sell rental properties should have a certificate or something to prove the house meets certain standards. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Saylor gave an update on Ms. Pratt’s discussion – owner was issued a ticket, homeowner has taken steps to have home treated but it only takes care of the inside of home, exterior needs to be treated, City can negotiate the ticket if owner provides proof that it is taken care of. Middleton stated he would be happy to meet with the landlords. COUNCILMEMBERS. Goodspeed wished everyone a safe and happy Labor Day weekend. Wittlieff asked what else can be done regarding the cockroaches; commented on the washout and weeds along the Riverwalk behind the old Glik’s building. Gustad thanked the citizens that brought the cockroach situation to Council’s attention, stated that this is near his neighborhood also and will make sure we follow up on the situation. | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 1, 2015 Zielinski has spent the last few days reading up on the German cockroaches, sympathizes with them. Kenny also appreciated them bringing the situation to our attention, appreciates their comments, and will look into this further. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski. Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m. Michelle Wright MMC / CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Deputy Treasurer | Page 6