City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL -DECEMBER 18, 2018 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, December 18, 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 (arrived at 7:32 pm), Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and Erin Pontiac. ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, Deputy Clerk – Lora Laurain, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Public Safety Director – Tim Kozal, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton AMEND AGENDA. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to amend the agenda to add item VIII. d.) Consideration of The Sale of Filer Township Property allowing action by Council on this additional item. This item will be considered immediately following item a.) on the agenda. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None. CONSENT AGENDA.  Minutes - December 4, 2018 - Regular Meeting December 11, 2018 - Work Session  Financial Reports - Payroll November 2018 - Invoices November 2018  Notification Regarding Next Work Session – January 8, 2019 A discussion will be conducted on Special Events, Deer Cull, and CIP Presentation; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Cooper, second by Szymanski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF TERMINATING THE LIGHTHOUSE PARK PROJECT FUND AGREEMENT WITH THE MANISTEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. City Council entered into an agreement with the Manistee County Community Foundation as a repository for funds donated for the maintenance of Lighthouse Park. The fund has not grown as anticipated and the administrative fee charged to the fund is eroding the fund principal. MOTION by Beaton, second by Cooper to terminate the agreement and have the City hold the funds and accept future donations. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL -DECEMBER 18, 2018 CONSIDERATION OF THE SALE OF FILER TOWNSHIP PROPERTY. City Staff has negotiated the sale of 3.82 acres of the City’s 40 acre parcel along Red Apple Road in Filer Township. The sale price is $25,460 and includes the mineral rights to the full 40 acres, excluding oil, gas, and hydrocarbon rights, which the City shall retain. The City Attorney and Morton Salt Attorney have prepared the Purchase Agreement. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Cooper to approve the sale of 3.82 acres of City property in Filer Township to Morton Salt, Inc. in accordance with the proposed Purchase Agreement; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the same. With a roll call vote this motion passed 5-1. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: Pontiac CONSIDERATION OF A PURCHASE AGREEMENT WITH MORTON SALT. In connection with the Wastewater Treatment Plant expansion, City Staff have negotiated the acquisition of additional land from Morton Salt, Inc. The terms of the sale provide for a sale price of $335,000; with a closing on or before July 1, 2019. The City Attorney, along with Morton Salt’s attorney, has drafted a proposed purchase agreement. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to approve the purchase of land from Morton Salt, Inc. for purposes of expanding the Wastewater Treatment Plant, approve the proposed Purchase Agreement, and authorize and direct the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the same. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF SNOW REMOVAL OPTIONS ON RIVER STREET BETWEEN JONES AND CROSS STREETS. A property owner has made a request to enhance snow removal on River Street between Jones and Cross Streets. The Department of Public Works has reviewed the request and offers three options: Option #1 Status Quo, Option #2 Full snow Removal, and Option #3 Windrow Street. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Cooper to select Option #3 Windrow Street of winter maintenance desired on River Street between Jones and Cross Streets. Discussion included:  Three options proposed by DPW  Snow removal schedules  DPW staffing schedules Councilmember Goodspeed arrived at 7:32 pm. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-3. AYES: Cooper, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: Beaton, Zielinski, and Pontiac A REPORT FROM THE CITY MANAGER. The City Manager’s Office annually prepares a comprehensive review of calendar year activities. That review provides City Council and the Community an opportunity to step back from day to day operations and take a longer look at what has been accomplished during the year. CITIZEN COMMENT. Jeff Seng, Seng’s Marina, 33 Lake St. – spoke regarding the Morton Salt property transactions, snow removal on River Street and the sewage overflow issues. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL -DECEMBER 18, 2018 OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Mikula stated that the ice skating rink liner has been installed but asked that residents refrain from using the rink until the ice is ready for use; gave an update on the DEQ grant for water service replacements that survey crews are collecting data and locating curb stops. Kozal stated that a new firefighter has been hired and a conditional offer of employment has been made to another perspective new firefighter. COUNCILMEMBERS. Councilmembers wished all a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. Beaton stated she would have liked to see more options for the snow removal issue on River Street. Szymanski thanked all City employees and volunteers for their work this year. Grabowski stated that several City light decorations are not working. Mikula responded that the issue is related to lack of power to those decorations. Pontiac gave information regarding a Parks Commission Broom Ball Tournament which will be held in February and will be open to the public of all ages; expressed disappointment with terms of the Morton Salt property deal. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed. Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m. Lora Laurain City Deputy Clerk | Page 3