City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ October 3, 2017 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor James Smith on Tuesday, October 3, 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, and Public Safety Director – Tim Kozal. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. Deb Green / Manistee County Humane Society thanked Council for allowing them to hold the Strut Your Mutt event; they are a 501c3 organization and funded by donations, fundraisers and grants; need the support of all the community; invited Council to visit the Homeward Bound facility. Tamara Buswinka / Latitude 44 consultant gave a brief description of planning a project thru implementation; gave an example of costs associated with the US‐31 Corridor Study. AMEND AGENDA. Councilmember Beaton requested an addition to the agenda by adding an unfinished item from the 9/5/17 agenda ‘Discussion With The Alliance For Economic Success’. It was stated at that meeting that it would be placed on the agenda for the first meeting in October for further consideration. It was not on the current agenda. MOTION by Beaton, second by Wittlieff to add this item to the agenda. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None Beaton also stated there has not been enough information on the salary request received. MOTION by Beaton, second by Pontiac to table Item VIII. b.) Consideration of Establishing Salary for Heather Pefley as City Clerk to the 10/17/17 meeting. Taylor asked them to provide him a list of what information they need. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 5‐2. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Smith, and Pontiac NAYS: Goodspeed and Wittlieff CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ September 19, 2017 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ September 26, 2017 ‐ Special Work Session | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ October 3, 2017  Financial Reports ‐ Cash Balances August 2017 ‐ Revenue & Expense August 2017  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – October 10, 2017 A discussion will be conducted on the US‐31 Corridor presentation; economic development funding; Quarterly Strategic Plan Update; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of Tight Lines for Troops Event The Tight Lines for Troops event is set for next May 17 through May 20, 2018. The event organizers wish to reserve the First Street Beach parking lot for the event. This request is specifically for the use of the parking lot. There are no other events during this time period.  Consideration of Manistee Catholic Central High School Homecoming Parade Manistee Catholic Central High School is requesting approval for their annual Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 6, 2017 at 4:30 p.m. The parade will assemble near the Manistee Tire parking lot, begin on Division Street, and follow River Street west to the fountain in front of the Municipal Marina. MOTION by Cooper, 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 BOARD OF DIRECTOR CANDIDATES FOR THE MML LIABILITY AND PROPERTY POOL. Four members of the MML Liability and Property Pool Board of Directors are seeking re‐election. As a member of the Liability and Property Pool, the City is asked to vote on the four incumbents or offer write‐in candidates. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Cooper to approve voting for the four incumbent candidates for the MML Liability and Property Pool. Brief discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Wittlieff, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING SALARY FOR HEATHER PEFLEY AS CITY CLERK. Council appointed Heather Pefley as City Clerk when City Clerk Michelle Wright retires on January 5, | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ October 3, 2017 2018. City Charter stipulates that Council sets the salary for City Clerk. The City’s wage and classification system sets the Clerk’s position in Paygrade 6. The City Manager is recommending that City Council set Heather Pefley’s salary as City Clerk at $58,578 which is Step 1 of Paygrade 6. Item tabled until the 10/17/17 regular Council meeting. A REPORT FROM THE ALLIANCE FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS. Ms. Tamara Buswinka and Ms. Lisa Leedy reported on the activities of the Alliance for Economic Success and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. DISCUSSION ON THE ALLIANCE FOR ECONOMIC SUCCESS. Representatives from the Alliance for Economic Success (AES) made a presentation to City Council this evening about their organizational plans moving forward and continued interest in providing economic development services to the City. After lengthy discussion it was decided Council was not ready to make a decision at this time; would like more discussion at the work session; and place the decision on the next available agenda. No action taken at this time. CITIZEN COMMENT. None received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Taylor stated the DPW and Engineer smoke testing is finished and has identified several areas of illegal connections; they will work with property owners to make adjustments; this could amount to $1‐2 million in construction cost savings. He also stated the paving projects are done for this construction season and will pick back up in the spring, still in the current fiscal year. Wright informed Council that absentee ballots for the November election are now available. COUNCILMEMBERS. Beaton asked for an update on deer control. Zielinski said it is disturbing and is saddened by what happened in Las Vegas; keep those affected in your thoughts and prayers. Wittlieff gave information to the City Manager on the deer cull in Grand Haven; asked if the weeds in the downtown area have been taken care of and if the DDA has any part in this. Pontiac was surprised by the advertisement on the City website for the Deputy Finance Director/Deputy Treasurer, asked why they were not notified first; Taylor stated the wage and job description is in the City Manager’s discretion and is part of the reorganization of the department; it | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐ October 3, 2017 was requested that further discussion be added to next week’s work session. Smith offered condolences to the families involved in the tragedy in Las Vegas; thanked visitors and staff for their attendance this evening. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed. Meeting adjourned at 8:29 p.m. Michelle Wright MMC / CPFA, MiCPT City Clerk/Chief Deputy Treasurer | Page 4