City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐APRIL 17, 2018 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor James Smith on Tuesday, April 17, 2018 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, James Grabowski, and Erin Pontiac. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton / Spicer Group. AMEND AGENDA. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Beaton to amend the agenda to remove item VIII. a.) Consideration of Economic Development Services Proposal from the Chamber of Commerce. This item will be added to the May 5th work session agenda. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2018‐2019 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. The City fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Under Section 7‐4 of the Charter, a public hearing is required on the budget which must be adopted not later than May 15 of each year. A work session was held on Tuesday, April 10 with an additional work session scheduled for later this evening. An optional work session can be scheduled for Tuesday, April 24. The Budget Calendar anticipates adoption of the budget at the May 1, 2018 meeting. Mayor Smith invited the public to comment on the 2018‐2019 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. Comments received by:  Sarah Helge, 450 Cedar Street / spoke on behalf of the RRCA and the importance of support for arts in our community; the building itself is an asset but requires support for local programming; RRCA board has succeeded beyond goals; would like Council to approve original proposed appropriation of $55,000.  Al Frye, 2264 Merkey Road, RRCA board member / Ramsdell Theatre is a gem, the City is the guardian of this asset; board has made great strides but needs government support, and every dollar taken away will make further advancement difficult.  Phil Kliber, 448 Second Street / spoke on behalf of the Manistee Saints and thanked Council for support for previous year, discussed costs from last year, and asked that Council keep the partnership between the City and Saints in mind for the upcoming year. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐APRIL 17, 2018  Xavier Verna, RRCA executive director / advocating for arts in this community; programming adapted to be more desirable; visitors to the Ramsdell results in increased business throughout the community; new tax reform could negatively impact donations; City’s support is essential.  Rachel Brooks, 71 Oak Street / Ramsdell Theatre brings people to the community and brings the community together, can’t understand why funding would be taken away.  Gini Pelton, 329 First Avenue / Ramsdell Theatre is an asset and to continue momentum it needs continued support; people are investing in our town because of jewels like the Ramsdell; has an effect on the entire community.  Laura Heintzelman. Manistee County Community Foundation president / privileged to work with area non‐profits; critical for a city our size to invest above and beyond essential services; make enrichment of lives of citizens a priority.  Jerry Johnson, 390 River Street / does not want to see cuts to Police, Fire, or EMT services; feels the new Chief is doing a great job; proud to be a Manistee resident.  Karen Goodman, 1925 12th Street, 6th District County Commissioner / acknowledged that the City is growing and making big changes; people want things to do; cuts will impact where we are going; economic development is essential to decisions on what is cut or kept.  Stacie Bytwork, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce / echoed previous comments; businesses have a hard time recruiting; appreciates what Council does and knows the job is tough.  Linda Gamache Chick, 345 Fourth Avenue, Manistee Teen Center‐ AAY / teen center is used every day; the youth in the community need a place they can go to; asked for continued support.  Frank Cardella. 580 Broad Avenue / believes the Ramsdell is a significant resource for the community; sees potential in Manistee; things need to change to get people to come here.  David Meister 9179 Northwood Hwy., Onekama Township Supervisor / familiar with budget process; commented on the Ramsdell and the improvements that have been made; proposed $5000 cut was enough and sees effort being made with Ramsdell through programming and attendance; asks that Council reconsider and restore Ramsdell budget to original proposed amount. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS.  Shelly Doyan, 421 River Street, Ideal Kitchen / asked Council for consideration on approving a food truck for anniversary celebration. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes ‐ April 3, 2018 ‐ Regular Meeting ‐ April 10, 2018 ‐ Work Session | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐APRIL 17, 2018  Financial Reports ‐ Payroll March 2018 ‐ Revenue & Expense February 2018 ‐ Invoices March 2018  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – April 24, 2018 A discussion will be conducted on the 2018‐2019 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan; and such business as may come before the Council.  Consideration of National Day of Prayer Gathering at City Hall. The National Day of Prayer Committee is requesting permission to gather on the Maple Street entrance steps of City Hall on Thursday, May 3, 2018. They have also requested the ability to hook into City Hall for electrical power to run their sound system. The ceremony would begin around 11:45 a.m. and finish up around 1:00 p.m. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Grabowski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A FOOD TRUCK ON RIVER STREET FOR IDEAL KITCHEN CELEBRATION. The Ideal Kitchen is celebrating 12 years of operation in the City of Manistee. The Ideal Kitchen is requesting approval for a food truck to be parked in front of the business during the celebration on April 21, 2018 from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The truck would take up three parking spaces in front of the Ideal Kitchen, 421 River Street and Surroundings, 423 River Street. MOTION by Beaton, second by Goodspeed to approve the usage of a food truck in front of Ideal Kitchen and Surroundings on River Street; subject to appropriate department approvals. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE TIGHT LINES FOR TROOPS CHARITY FISHING EVENT. The Tight Lines for Troops Committee is requesting approval for their 2018 charity veterans fishing event to be held May 18 and 19, 2018. The event will be held at the three‐acre parking lot across from the public boat launch on First Street. The committee also requests use of the Municipal Marina, the marina building (both upper and lower), River Street in front of the marina for bus loading and unloading, and the ball diamond parking lots on Cherry Street for volunteer parking. MOTION by Zielinski, second by Goodspeed to approve the Tight Lines for Troops charity fishing event to be held May 18 and 19, 2018; subject to appropriate department approvals. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL ‐APRIL 17, 2018 AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Smith, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE MANISTEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. Ms. Laura Heintzelman reported on the activities of the Manistee County Community Foundation and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. PROJECT UPDATE BY CONSUMERS ENERGY, 30 JONES STREET. Consumers Energy updated Council on their planned remediation efforts this year at 30 Jones Street (location of former manufactured gas plant). Discussion followed. CITIZEN COMMENT. None received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Taylor gave a brief update on the seiche event; received an email from insurance carrier regarding coverage of losses; working on damage assessment; interesting event; happy with staff response. Middleton stated he would be summarizing findings on the Riverwalk. COUNCILMEMBERS. Zielinski thanked everyone who spoke at tonight’s public hearing. Goodspeed questioned the motion presented at previous Council meeting on the sale of city property and asked for clarification. Grabowski thanked everyone for a job well done during seiche event. Pontiac commented on the upcoming Parks Commission meeting. Smith reiterated previous comments on the seiche event, it was a focused event; offered appreciation to everyone who participated in this evening’s discussion. ADJOURN TO BUDGET WORK SESSION. A Council work session on the proposed Fiscal year 2018‐2019 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan has been scheduled for immediately following the regular meeting. MOTION to adjourn to the Budget Work Session was made by Zielinski, second by Goodspeed. Meeting adjourned at 8:36 p.m. Heather Pefley CMC, CMMC / MiCPT City Clerk | Page 4