City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – March 20, 2017 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor James Smith on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Dale Cooper, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Robert Goodspeed, James Smith, Mark Wittlieff, and Erin Pontiac. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Michelle Wright, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Planning & Zoning Administrator – Denise Blakeslee, Public Safety Director – Dave Bachman, City Engineer – Shawn Middleton / Spicer Group. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. Sean Taylor – 240 Tenth Street / questioned the selection of police chief when we have been grooming a police officer for 10+ years for that position; would like to table this item as there is more to be discussed on that position. Denis terHorst – 63 Clay Street / commented on the PILOT ordinance, listing several concerns; suggested not changing anything and let the developers make their own budgetary decisions. Bob Daniels, Council on Aging president – 59 Smith Street / encouraged Council’s support in regards to the PILOT; offered to help answer questions; read a letter from Sarah Howard, Executive Director of the Council on Aging, voicing her support. Paula Vartan – Filer Township / she is a renter on the list for new housing, is very excited, has looked at different housing in Cadillac and Traverse City; this will help seniors and the whole community; senior center needs to be larger; can’t make money on an empty lot. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ March 7, 2017 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ March 9, 2017 ‐ Special Work Session ‐ March 14, 2017 ‐ Work Session  Financial Reports ‐ Payroll ‐ February 13‐26, 2017 ‐ $ 111,263.95 ‐ February 27‐March 12, 2017 ‐ $ 113,612.83 ‐ Invoices ‐ February 8, 2017 ‐ $ 527,034.19 ‐ February 24, 2017 ‐ $ 996,252.39  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – April 11, 2017 A discussion will be conducted on the 2017‐2018 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan; and such business as may come before the Council. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – March 20, 2017  Consideration of Proclaiming April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month The Manistee County Parkinson’s Support Group has requested that the City of Manistee proclaim the month of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. 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, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING CHAPTER 1489 LOW OR MODERATE INCOME HOUSING ORDINANCE. This item was tabled at the February 21, 2017 meeting of City Council. City Ordinance 1489 mandates that a PILOT must be equal to 10% of annual shelter rents, there’s no mechanism for the City to accept a lower PILOT. Ordinance language also restricts the PILOT term to 35 years. City staff recommends that this ordinance be amended. MOTION by Wittlieff, second by Goodspeed to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance amendment for Chapter 1489 that changes the wording from “an amount equal to ten percent (10%) to “an amount up to ten percent (10%) and change “or the thirty‐fifth (35th) year” to “or the fiftieth (50th) year;” for a first reading at the April 4, 2017 Council meeting. Zielinski stated there is a third option, eliminate the ordinance and review each request individually. After discussion, a MOTION by Zielinski, second by Pontiac to AMEND the current motion. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Zielinski, second by Pontiac to direct the City Attorney to draft an ordinance to repeal Chapter 1489 Low or Moderate Income Housing Ordinance. Taylor stated that this option provides a higher level of flexibility. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF EMPLOYMENT OF TIM KOZAL AS CITY’S NEW PUBLIC SAFETY DIRECTOR. Tim Kozal was identified as the top candidate for the Public Safety Director position by the interview panel. City Manager has made a job offer and negotiated a wage and benefit package subject to | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – March 20, 2017 Council approval. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Beaton to approve the City Manager’s appointment of Tim Kozal as Public Safety Director and the proposed wage and benefit package. Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A PARCEL SPLIT AND COMBINATION, JEFF GORDON AND ISO GRAND RAPIDS REAL ESTATE VI LLC. A request has been received from Jeff Gordon, owner of the building at 411 River Street and ISO Grand Rapids Real Estate VI LLC owner of the parking lot to the east of 411 River Street for a parcel split and combination. The request will address an adverse possession/encroachment claim as submitted; with survey prepared by Nordlund and Associates, Inc. File S17‐002 (corrected drafting effort) dated February 2, 2017. The Planning Commission reviewed and recommends Council endorsement of the request. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Goodspeed to approve the request from Jeff Gordon and ISO Grand Rapids Real Estate VI LLC for a parcel split and combination request as submitted with application PC‐ 2017‐05. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE HOUSING COMMISSION. Mr. Clinton McKinven‐Copus reported on the activities of the Manistee Housing Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. Comments received by:  Dale Priester, president of the Housing Commission / 2016 PILOT payment to the City was over $39,000. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Mayor Smith read two resolutions of Thanks and Appreciation to Mary M. Bachman, Deputy City Clerk and David Bachman, Public Safety Director for their upcoming retirement. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – March 20, 2017 Staff members thanked the Bachman’s for their years of service and congratulated them on their retirement. Taylor will be attending the MML Capital Conference on Tuesday and Wednesday. Bachman stated he has been blessed to work for this organization, thanked the Council and previous City Council’s for their support. COUNCILMEMBERS. Councilmembers thanked Mary and Dave Bachman and welcomed the new public safety director Tim Kozal; also stated that it is great to see so many people in attendance this evening. Smith stated that the final board meeting for West Shore Hospital in the current form will be held on Wednesday, they will then become Munson Medical Center, would like to show the Council’s appreciation to the board; also commented on the new fire truck and training trailer. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed. Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Michelle Wright MMC / CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Chief Deputy Treasurer | Page 4