City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 7, 2017 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor James Smith on Tuesday, February 7, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Dale Cooper, Roger Zielinski, Robert Goodspeed, James Smith, Mark Wittlieff, and Erin Pontiac. ABSENT: Lynda Beaton. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Michelle Wright, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, and Finance Director – Ed Bradford. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None received. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ January 17, 2017 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ January 24, 2017 ‐ Special Meeting ‐ January 24, 2017 ‐ Special Work Session  Financial Reports ‐ Cash Balances December 2016 ‐ Quarterly Financial Update ‐ Quarterly Investment Update  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – February 14, 2017 A discussion will be conducted on the City Charter; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of Manistee World of Arts & Crafts Use of Red Szymarek Park. The Manistee World of Arts & Crafts is requesting the use of Red Szymarek Park for their 46th Annual Arts & Crafts show to be held July 1 & 2, 2017. They would like Council approval to use the park starting June 28 to allow time for set up. This request is subject to appropriate department approvals, and contingent upon the receipt of a certificate of liability insurance. MOTION by Zielinski, 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 Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 7, 2017 CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY PROSECUTING ATTORNEY / MANISTEE COUNTY. In November 2015 the City negotiated a one year agreement with the County Prosecuting Attorney to prosecute violations of certain City ordinances, codes and state statutes, which are by definition misdemeanors. That agreement expired December 31, 2016. Staff is recommending an eleven month successor agreement through December 31, 2017. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Cooper to authorize an agreement with Manistee County and the County Prosecuting Attorney, expiring December 31, 2017. City Attorney Saylor gave a brief background of the agreement with the County Prosecutor. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE T‐MOBILE SITE LEASE AT THE INDUSTRIAL PARK WATER TOWER. The City of Manistee leases space at both water towers to communications companies who provide cellular services. T‐Mobile has a current lease at the Industrial Park Water Tower. In order to comply with federal regulations, T‐Mobile is proposing a backup power generator at the site along with a propane tank. The leased area would be expanded by ten square feet and the rent would increase by $60 per month. The Fire Department and City Attorney have reviewed and approved the amendment. MOTION by Wittlieff, second by Goodspeed to approve the second amendment to the T‐Mobile Central LLC lease agreement and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING THE ANNUAL ST. PATRICK’S DAY PARADE. The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks would like to hold the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017. Start time would be at 5 p.m. with the staging area at the parking lot on the corner of Greenbush and Water Street. The parade would begin at the corner of Greenbush and River Street, traveling west on River Street. This is a new location and sponsor for this annual event. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Pontiac to authorize the Elks St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Friday, March 17, 2017; subject to the appropriate department approvals. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 7, 2017 AYES: Cooper, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A NORTHWEST MICHIGAN HEALTH DEPARTMENT FITNESS TRAIL GRANT APPLICATION, DOUGLAS PARK. The City of Manistee has been invited to submit a grant application to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan. The Parks Commission has selected the construction of a fitness trail within Douglas Park for this grant application. Total project costs for Phase I is $39,000. The grant request is for $20,000. The Public Works Department would provide in‐kind services valued at $6,000. The remaining $13,000 match would need to be included in the 2017‐2018 fiscal year budget. MOTION by Wittlieff, second by Goodspeed to approve a grant application to the Health Department of Northwest Michigan in the amount of $20,000; and commit matching funds to complete Phase I of a Fitness Trail in Douglas Park. Brief discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM REPUBLIC SERVICES. Mr. Matt Biolette reported on the activities of Republic Services and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. Comments received by:  Robert Carpenter, executive director, and Gary Buren, construction manager of the Armory Youth Project updated Council on their plans and goals for the new youth center; anticipated opening date in June 2017. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Bradford stated the new Ramsdell executive director Xavier Verna will begin on February 15th, an open house to meet Mr. Verna is scheduled for February 23rd, 5:30‐7:30 p.m. He also commented on the recent downgrade of the City’s S & P rating, they have changed their rating formula, nothing fundamentally has changed. COUNCILMEMBERS. Wittlieff congratulated the Snowshoe Stampede committee who raised over $21,000 this past weekend; also congratulated the seven new members of the Manistee Catholic Central hall of fame. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – February 7, 2017 Zielinski stated that our regular videographer Tom Geoghan is having health issues and to keep him in our thoughts. Smith stated the Council on Aging has invited councilmembers to come and speak to their group individually, Wittlieff will be the first to attend; League of Women Voters meeting with City Council is scheduled for March 9th and has been posted, minutes will be taken as a majority of Council will be in attendance. CONSIDERATION OF ADJOURNING TO A CLOSED SESSION, ANNUAL CITY MANAGER EVALUATION. City Manager Thad N. Taylor has requested a Closed Session this evening as permitted by the Open Meetings Act, Section 8 (a) for discussion on the City Manager’s annual evaluation. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski to proceed to Closed Session under Section 8 (a) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Time: 7:32 p.m. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski to return to Regular Session. Time: 7:50 p.m. All in favor. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski. Meeting adjourned at 7:51 p.m. Michelle Wright MMC / CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Chief Deputy Treasurer | Page 4