City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 5, 2017 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor James Smith on Tuesday, September 5, 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, Deputy City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Public Safety Director – Tim Kozal, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton / Spicer Group. Councilmember Pontiac requested to be recused from AES discussion and voting due to a potential conflict of interest with her current employment. City Attorney, George Saylor did not see a conflict and stated a vote of council would be required if she did not want to vote on this agenda item. Mayor Smith called for a vote of council to recuse Councilmember Pontiac from voting on the AES agenda item. With a roll call this vote failed unanimously. AYES: None NAYS: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, and Wittlieff CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. Tyler Leppanen, DDA ‐ thanked Council for their consideration on the issue of dogs on the Riverwalk, believes allowing dogs would increase use, making Manistee pet friendly would encourage visitors. Stacie Bytwork, President ‐Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce ‐ supports dogs on the Riverwalk; submitted a petition in support of this discussion for the record. Nancy Day, 325 Lighthouse Way and Julie Raymond, 2546 Red Apple Road ‐ Paint the Town Pink Event, want to promote breast cancer screenings and early detection, partnered with the Vogue this year for event, walk starts at the Vogue, presented flyers to Council. Patrick McDuff, 260 ½ First Street ‐ expressed opposition to dogs on the Riverwalk, has witnessed dogs behaving badly, showed photos of dog waste around town to Council. Shirley Baker, 298 Lakeshore Drive ‐ stated Sleeping Bear Dunes allows dogs in the park and believes we should allow them on the Riverwalk. Rick Jensen, 1395 Princeton Road ‐ not in favor of dogs on the Riverwalk, believes allowing them would make it pet friendly not people friendly, gave photos of pet waste around town to Council. Tom Swedenborg, 562 First Street ‐ pleaded with Council to not allow dogs on the Riverwalk, dogs are | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 5, 2017 free to walk everywhere else, animals are unpredictable, you never know what will happen. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ August 22, 2017 ‐ Special Meeting  Financial Reports ‐ Cash Balances July 2017 ‐ Revenue & Expense July 2017  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – September 12, 2017 A discussion will be conducted on the Sidewalk Ordinance / Sidewalk Program; Sale of City‐ Owned Property CP‐3; Recycling Center; Water and Sewer Rates; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of Northern Michigan Recovery Residences Third Annual Run for Recovery Event The Northern Michigan Recovery Residences is requesting approval of the Run for Recovery 5K/Walk on Saturday, September 23, 2017 beginning at 8:30 a.m. Proceeds from the event will go to establish Michael’s House. Northern Michigan Recovery Residences are a one of a kind transitional residential program for individuals in recovery who would otherwise be experiencing homelessness. The run will start and end at the First Street Dog Park and will not hinder the flow of traffic.  Consideration of the Manistee High School Homecoming Parade Manistee High School is requesting approval for their annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, September 29, 2017 at 5 p.m. The parade will assemble near the former Eagles parking lot, begin on Division Street, and follow River Street west to the fountain in front of the Municipal Marina.  Consideration of the Annual Paint the Town Pink Event The Manistee Hospital Foundation is requesting approval of the Annual Paint the Town Pink Event. The Tenth Annual Paint the Town Pink Ribbon Walk for Breast Cancer Awareness is scheduled for October 5, 2017. The venue has changed this year. The event will begin at the Vogue Theatre, walk east on River Street to the House of Flavors and then back again down River Street to the Vogue. A road closure is requested on Poplar Street from Clay Street to River Street at 8 a.m. on October 5, 2017 to keep vehicles from parking on Poplar Street before the event. The Committee has also requested to hang pink weatherproof bows in honor and memory of breast cancer victims on the downtown street lamp posts from September 29 through October 13, 2017. A Mayoral Proclamation is attached, recognizing October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  Consideration of Annual Hops and Props Event | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 5, 2017 The Hops and Props Committee is requesting permission to use the Manistee Municipal Marina property to hold their annual Hops and Props event on Friday and Saturday, September 15 and 16, 2017. The actual event will be held on September 16 from 2:00 – 7:00 p.m. This event includes street closures for River Street and Water Street, around the fountain area. City fencing/barricades, trash cans, and picnic tables are requested. Set up will begin on Friday, September 15. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF REQUESTS TO ALLOW DOGS ON THE RIVERWALK. Letters have been received from the Manistee Downtown Development Authority, the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Manistee County Visitors Bureau requesting that Council reconsider their ban on allowing dogs on the Riverwalk and make the community more pet‐friendly. The DDA notes that when polling the downtown merchants there is at 60/40 split in favor of allowing dogs on the Riverwalk. They have also offered to reach out for sponsors of dog bag stations at each entrance to the Riverwalk. The Chamber’s Imagine Manistee event ranked allowing dogs on the Riverwalk as #5 in the recreation category. The Chamber notes “We as a community need to move forward and expand our efforts to create opportunities and bring more people to the area, to have a greater economic impact.” and asks that Council consider making the Riverwalk and the community more pet‐friendly. The Visitors Bureau reports that some visitors report avoiding Manistee because we are not pet‐friendly. Discussion followed; no action taken. DISCUSSION WITH THE ALLIANCE FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS. Representatives from the Alliance for Economic Success (AES) were in attendance this evening to make a presentation to City Council about their organizational plans moving forward and continued interest in providing economic development services to the City. Discussion followed; no action taken. Council asked to have this item placed on the agenda for the first meeting in October. CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 17‐10, AMENDING CHAPTER 289 PARKS COMMISSION. The Manistee City Parks Commission has requested that Chapter 289 Parks Commission be amended by replacing Section 289.02 A. and modifying the qualifications for nonresidents of the City to serve as members of the Parks Commission. The ordinance under consideration would increase the number of | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 5, 2017 nonresident members to three. This ordinance has been reviewed by the Council Ordinance Committee. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. If this ordinance is introduced this evening, it could be adopted at the next regular meeting. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Cooper to introduce Ordinance 17‐10, amending Chapter 289 Parks Commission, Section 289.02. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Boards of Review, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Downtown Development Authority, Parks Commission, PEG Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. All appointments by the Mayor are subject to the Council’s approval, unless otherwise specified by statute or ordinance. Nominations for Council appointments do not require a second. After a member of Council nominates an individual for appointment, Council shall vote on the nomination. A majority vote in favor of placement of the nominee is required for appointment. The following applications have been received: BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Three vacancies, one term ending 6/30/18 and two terms ending 6/30/20. Applicants must be City resident or person with interest in property in the City. Mayoral appointment. Susan Meyers, 212 Second Avenue Mayor Smith declined to appoint Ms. Susan Meyers, 212 Second Avenue, to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority as she is a seasonal resident of Manistee DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. One vacancy, term ending 6/30/21. Applicants must have an interest in property in the downtown district. Mayoral appointment. Karen Goodman, 1925 Twelfth Street Shari Wild, 7700 Milarch Road, Onekama Mayor Smith appointed Karen Goodman to the Downtown Development Authority for a term ending 6/30/21. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Wittlieff to support the Mayor’s appointment. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – September 5, 2017 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE TREE COMMISSION. Jeff Mikula reported on the activities of the Tree Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT. None received OFFICIALS AND STAFF. None received COUNCILMEMBERS. Wittlieff asked where we were with the deer cull issue, and also if anything could be done with the current blight ordinance regarding cars. Pontiac questioned the current situation with the sink hole at Century Terrace; city engineer responded. She also commended the police department on officer training; asked that everyone be careful with kids and buses now that school has started. Smith stated he continues to receive comments from citizens regarding the walk/don’t walk signs at River & Maple Street. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed, second by Zielinski. Meeting adjourned at 8:44 p.m. Heather Pefley CMC, CMMC Deputy City Clerk | Page 5