City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 17, 2016 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Colleen Kenny on Tuesday, May 17, 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, James Smith, Robert Goodspeed, Eric Gustad. ABSENT: Mark Wittlieff. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Deputy Clerk – Mary Bachman, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula (arrived at 7:04 p.m.), Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Public Safety Director – Dave Bachman (arrived at 7:30 p.m.), City Engineer – Shawn Middleton / Spicer Group, Planning & Zoning Administrator – Denise Blakeslee. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. Michelle Dalton – 383 11th Street / revenue to fund Riverwalk repairs, Ramsdell Theater business plan, purified water in budget. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ May 3, 2016 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ May 10, 2016 ‐ Special Meeting ‐ May 10, 2016 ‐ Work Session  Financial Reports ‐ Payroll ‐ April 29, 2016 ‐ $114,996.60 ‐ May 13, 2016 ‐ $117,111.16 ‐ Invoices ‐ April 12, 2016 ‐ $517,806.36 ‐ April 26, 2016 ‐ $185,858.51  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – June 7, 2016 A discussion will be conducted on the organizational structure of the Manistee Main Street Downtown Development Authority; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of VFW Buddy Poppy Campaign The VFW Walsh Post 4499 has requested authorization to conduct their annual Buddy Poppy Sales in the City of Manistee from July 1 through July 4. Money collected from the event goes to veteran’s relief fund and back to needy veterans in our community. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Goodspeed to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Smith, Goodspeed, and Gustad NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 17, 2016 PRESENTATION BY MANISTEE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOLS ON TRACK PROJECT. Manistee Area Public Schools Superintendent Ron Stoneman and Nick Jaskiw made a presentation to City Council regarding their new track project. CONSIDERATION OF A LICENSE AGREEMENT, CONSTRUCTION OF MANISTEE AREA PUBLIC SCHOOL TRACK. The Manistee Area Public Schools has proposed a new track to be constructed on school property south of the High School. Re‐grading of approximately 40 feet of City property east of Water Well #7 would eliminate the need for a retaining wall to be constructed. Eliminating the wall would save the project approximately $30,000. The Department of Public Works has reviewed the site and proposed plans and recommends granting the license agreement. The City Attorney prepared and approves the license agreement. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Goodspeed to approve a license agreement allowing Manistee Area Public Schools to grade a portion of City property for the construction of the Manistee High School Track; and further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the document. Brief discussion followed regarding impact on well protection area; if there are proposed changes it will come back before Council. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Smith, Goodspeed, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF DRAFT MASTER PLAN FOR REVIEW AND COMMENT. The City of Manistee Planning Commission has been working on a new Master Plan since 2013. The plan has been drafted using information that was received at a visioning session, online survey and charrette. The County Planning Department was hired in 2015 to prepare all the maps and finish the document. On May 5, 2016 the Planning Commission performed their final review and is now submitting the draft to City Council for review and comment as required under the Planning and Enabling Act. MOTION by Smith, second by Zielinski to approve the proposed plan for distribution to the public for review and comment; and further assert Council’s right to have final review and adoption of the plan. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Smith, Goodspeed, and Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACT FOR RIVERWALK REPAIRS. Last fall it was discovered that a section of the Riverwalk adjacent to the Riverside Marina and Motel has been compromised by erosion. A study was conducted by the City Engineer to look at options for the repair. The selected design includes removing the City’s concrete sidewalk, backfilling, and armoring the bank with stone. The sidewalk will be replaced along with reinstalling the private wooden boardwalk. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the contract. The project was publicly bid with two bids received as follows: | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 17, 2016 Schultz Excavating and Asphalt of Ludington LLC $74,600.00* Swidorski Brothers Excavating LLC $77,675.00 *Recommended Bid MOTION by Gustad, second by Goodspeed to award a contract to Schultz Excavating and Asphalt of Ludington LLC in the amount of $74,600.00; and further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the contract and notice of award. Discussion followed regarding where the money will come from for repair; how projects are advertised. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Smith, Goodspeed, Gustad NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF EVENT SIGNAGE REQUEST FOR SALMON‐A‐RAMA. A request has been received from the organizers of Salmon‐A‐Rama (lake wide fishing contest on Lake Michigan) to allow the placement of three signs near the boat launch at First Street Beach from June 10 through July 17, 2016. Under Section 2101.A.8 of the Sign Ordinance City Council may approve exceptions to the ordinance for community events. MOTION by Smith, second by Goodspeed to grant an exception to the Sign Ordinance for the placement of three signs advertising Salmon‐A‐Rama at the First Street Beach Boat Launch from June 10 through July 17, 2016. Discussion followed regarding being considerate and fair; language that dictates duration; exception to guidelines. With a roll call vote this motion passed. AYES: Kenny, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Gustad NAYS: Beaton CONSIDERATION OF ENTERING INTO A LEASE FOR THE RAMSDELL THEATRE WITH THE NON‐PROFIT CORPORATION RAMSDELL REGIONAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS. At the March 9, 2016 City Council work session, a group of concerned citizens from the Ramsdell Theatre Citizen Committee presented to Council their proposal for the creation of a new board of directors and operational model for the Ramsdell Theatre. Council consensus was that this was a direction they would like to move in. Subsequently, the City Fiscal Year 2016‐2017 Budget was prepared and adopted assuming that the Ramsdell would be leased to a non‐profit corporation effective July 1, 2016. The City has negotiated a lease agreement with the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts to accomplish this. It has been reviewed and approved by the City Attorney. MOTION by Beaton, second by Smith to enter into a lease agreement for the Ramsdell Theatre with the non‐ profit corporation Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. Discussion followed regarding budget impact; lease issue regarding employment. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – May 17, 2016 AYES: Kenny, Beaton, Zielinski, Smith, Goodspeed, and Gustad NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE PEG COMMISSION AND THE ALTERNATIVES FOR AREA YOUTH. Mr. Keith Brown reported on the activities of the PEG Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. Ms. Sheila Kaminski reported on the activities of the Alternatives for Area Youth and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. PRESENTATION BY DPW DIRECTOR JEFF MIKULA ON ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO BE FUNDED BY REITH‐RILEY DEVELOPER AGREEMENT. CITIZEN COMMENT. Comments received by: ‐ Robert Grabowski, 341 4th Street / Asphalt on Maple Street ‐ Glen Zaring, 321 5th Street / Repairs to Riverwalk OFFICIALS AND STAFF. None received COUNCILMEMBERS. Beaton stated that some decisions are difficult to make when there is no money but they need to look at safety first; encouraged by the Ramsdell Governing Board. Zielinski stated that it is refreshing to see the Council room full of people. Goodspeed wished everyone a great weekend. Smith asked if recycling containers could possibly be placed downtown in addition to trash containers. Gustad encouraged community involvement this weekend in the Tight Lines for Troops event; requested an update on 12th Street, Saylor stated that Initial Court Hearings are scheduled for the first week in June/defendants filed a Motion for Public Necessity/continue to have ongoing discussions to find a resolution. Kenny encouraged community involvement at the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed. Meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. Mary Bachman, CMMC/LIA City Deputy Clerk/Accounts Payable | Page 4