City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ January 19, 2016 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Colleen Kenny on Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Colleen Kenny, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Robert Goodspeed, James Smith, and Mark Wittlieff. ABSENT: Eric Gustad. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Michelle Wright, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Public Safety Director – Dave Bachman, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton / Spicer Group. AMEND AGENDA. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Goodspeed to amend the agenda to add item X. Concerns and Comments d.) adding Closed Session. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Wittlieff NAYS: None PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2016‐2021 PARK AND RECREATION PLAN. The purpose of this hearing is to afford an opportunity for all citizens to express opinions, ask questions, and discuss all aspects of the 2016‐2021 City of Manistee Park and Recreation Plan. This plan is part of a greater collaborative county‐wide recreation planning process known as the Manistee County‐Wide Park & Recreation Plan. The plan describes the physical features, existing recreation facilities, and desired actions to be taken to improve and maintain recreation facilities during 2016‐2021. The Park and Recreation Plan is required to be filed with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to qualify for grant funds. City Council will take action on this item later in the meeting. Tamara Buswinka / Alliance for Economic Success gave a background presentation how the plan was developed. Mayor Kenny invited the public to speak on the 2016‐2021 City of Manistee Park and Recreation Plan. Ed Tegler / Chair of Parks Commission – 522 Fifth Avenue stated the Park and Recreation Plan is not new to the City of Manistee; there have been five plans already; questioned if the County‐Wide Plan will supplement or substitute our plan. Buswinka stated that it is an individual plan for the City of Manistee; there are 20 individual plans included; it is DNR compliant; this does replace it, reflects the old plan and takes it into the future. Jeff Mikula / DPW Director stated the Parks Commission, Non‐Motorized Transportation Committee, and the Planning Commission each appointed someone to the leadership team; all made recommendations to the plan; it is an enhanced plan that integrates with our neighbors; better grant opportunities; old plan would have needed updating this year anyway. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ January 19, 2016 Erin Pontiac / Parks Commission representative – 1003 Engelmann Street stated they tried to make this the best fit for the City; talked to a lot of people to get input. Councilmember Smith asked how the County‐Wide Plan contrasts with the City’s. Buswinka stated that the County doesn’t own any parks land except the fairgrounds in Onekama; County’s part is how to implement the individual plans; stated that the City hasn’t given up anything. Smith questioned if it would hurt the City’s priority in receiving grants. Mikula stated this is an opportunity similar to the Explore the Shores program, part of a larger project; does not slow down or hurt our opportunities, only enhances it. Tegler didn’t want Council to have the impression that the Parks Commission wasn’t for it. Beaton asked if in regards to the City parks playground equipment, does the plan have any issues dealing with arsenic in the equipment; would we have to start the process over. No further comments received. The Public Hearing closed at 7:32 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None received. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ January 5, 2016 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ January 12, 2016 ‐ Work Session  Financial Reports ‐ Payroll ‐ December 7‐20, 2015 ‐ $ 119,686.46 ‐ Dec. 21, 2015 – Jan. 3, 2016 ‐ $ 121,203.47 ‐ January 4‐17, 2016 ‐ $ 123,456.45 ‐ Invoices ‐ December 11, 2015 ‐ $ 274,734.50 ‐ December 23, 2015 ‐ $ 829,571.39  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – February 9, 2016 A discussion will be conducted on Fireworks, Downtown Trees; and such business as may come before the Council. MOTION by Smith, second by Zielinski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Wittlieff NAYS: None | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ January 19, 2016 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ADOPTING THE 2016‐2021 PARK AND RECREATION PLAN. The City of Manistee has undertaken a process to plan for recreation in the community. The 2016‐2021 City of Manistee Park and Recreation Plan was created by extensive participation in a collaborative county‐wide process called the Manistee County‐Wide Park and Recreation Plan. The plan has been available for public review and comment from November 30, 2015 through December 31, 2015. The plan was endorsed by the City Planning Commission on January 7, 2016. The Parks Commission also reviewed the plan and provided their input. A public hearing was conducted earlier this evening to allow for public input. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a Resolution adopting the 2016‐2021 City of Manistee Park and Recreation Plan. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Wittlieff NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION, THE FILLMORE LIQUOR LICENSE REQUEST. The Manistee Main Street Downtown Development Authority has submitted a resolution for Council to approve the issuance of a liquor license to The Fillmore at 318 River Street from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission under the redevelopment program. This agenda item has been reviewed by the Public Safety Director who provided no objections to this request. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Wittlieff to approve a resolution supporting the application by The Fillmore of 318 River Street for a liquor license through the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Wittlieff NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF FILER SEWER AGREEMENT. The City of Manistee and the Charter Township of Filer have negotiated an agreement for the collection and treatment of wastewater. The agreement is for 40 years and treats the Charter Township of Filer as a bulk City customer. This agreement was discussed at the January 12, 2016 Council work session. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Goodspeed to approve the terms of the sewer agreement between the City of Manistee and the Charter Township of Filer; allow minor, non‐substantive changes by the City Manager; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement. Brief discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Wittlieff NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ January 19, 2016 A REPORT FROM THE MANISTEE BLACKER AIRPORT. Mr. Barry Lind reported on the activities of the Manistee Blacker Airport and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. Comments received by: ‐ Carol Pasco, 610 Spruce Street / wonderful job snow plowing on Manistee streets compared to Traverse City. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Bachman gave an update on the deer herd issue, will keep Council informed. Mikula reported on the lead levels in the City of Manistee’s water system; 2015 State of the Streets report available, intend to update annually; certain households prone to water freeze ups have been notified to begin running water, no frozen lines reported yet. COUNCILMEMBERS. Beaton commented on a Grand Rapids Free Press article regarding US Coast Guard Aids to Navigation inactive sub‐cables, which the Manistee North Pier Lighthouse is on the list; Mikula stated that the largest section of that cable was removed last year. Wittlieff thanked Bachman and crew for their quick action on the fire at Century Terrace. Kenny asked those in attendance this evening to fill out a quick survey regarding the public hearing held earlier; requested that the business plan for liquor license applicant be removed from the website, reviewed what documentation should be presented to Council for those requests. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, CITY ATTORNEY OPINION. City Attorney George Saylor recommends a Closed Session this evening to discuss an Attorney’s Opinion as permitted by Section 8 (h) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act as involving material covered by the attorney‐ client privilege. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Wittlieff to proceed to Closed Session under Section 8 (h) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Time: 8:31 p.m. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Wittlieff NAYS: None MOTION by Smith, second by Goodspeed to return to Regular Session. All in favor. Time: 8:45 p.m. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ January 19, 2016 ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed, second by Wittlieff. Meeting adjourned at 8:46 p.m. Michelle Wright MMC / CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Chief Deputy Treasurer | Page 5