City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 6, 2019 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, November 6, 2019 at 7:00 pm in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Dale Cooper, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Robert Goodspeed, Michael Szymanski, and James Grabowski ABSENT: Erin Pontiac ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Public Safety Director – Tim Kozal, and City Engineer – Richard Kathrens CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - October 15, 2019 - Regular Meeting • Financial Reports - Cash Balances September 2019 - Quarterly Financial Update - Quarterly Investment Update • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – November 26, 2019, 7:00 pm A discussion will be conducted on the Chamber Quarterly Economic Development Update; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of Tight Lines for Troops 2020 Event. The Tight Lines for Troops fishing event for Michigan Veterans is being scheduled for Friday and Saturday, May 15 and 16, 2020. The event organizers wish to hold the event at the public boat launch on First Street, use the ball diamond / playground parking lots on Cherry Street; as well as the City parking lot at the Armory. The event will also use the Lions Pavilion beginning Friday at 4:00 p.m. and all areas will be cleared by Saturday at 8:00 p.m. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Cooper to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A MANISTEE COUNTY MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT. The Manistee Fire Department is a member of the Manistee County Fire Association. The Association has recognized the need for a county-wide mutual aid agreement. The agreement is specific to the fire | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 6, 2019 apparatus response. This agreement is for an emergent event where assistance is necessary and requested by a participating jurisdiction. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement. MOTION by Cooper, second by Szymanski to approve a five-year Manistee County Mutual Aid agreement. Kozal answered questions from Council regarding length of agreement, entities included, and limitations. This is a five-year agreement and includes all fire entities in Manistee County. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF INCREASING SEASONAL LAUNCH RAMP RATES. The Manistee Harbor Commission met on August 20, 2019 and discussed seasonal boat launch rates. The current seasonal boat launch rate is $40 and has been in place since 2013. The Harbor Commission, by unanimous vote, recommends that the seasonal rate be increased to $45 beginning with the 2020 season. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Grabowski to authorize the increase of the seasonal launch ramp rate to $45. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF REDUCING THE SALES PRICE FOR VACANT LOT 2 ON MONROE STREET. On September 17, 2019 the City Council approved a Sales Contract for the sale of Vacant Lot 2 on Monroe Street at a price of $90,000. After due diligence, the Buyers have requested that the sales price be lowered to $75,000 because of high utility construction costs. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Beaton to approve an addendum to a real estate sales contract to lower the price from $90,000 to $75,000 for the Monroe Street Lot 2; and authorize the Mayor to sign any needed documents. Discussed the price received for adjacent lot previously sold, price for this lot was already lowered and accepted, and estimated costs for utility construction. With a roll call vote this motion failed unanimously. AYES: None NAYS: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski CONSIDERATION OF RAMSDELL THEATRE AND FIRE STATION ROOF REPAIRS; AND A BUDGET AMENDMENT TO COVER THE COST. The Garland Company has inspected the Ramsdell Theatre and Fire Station roofs and developed a scope of work to effect repairs to both. The Ramsdell work is necessary to correct some issues and reinstate the remaining twenty years of warranty on the roof. The Fire Station work is necessary to address persistent | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 6, 2019 leaks in an area of the tower roof. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Szymanski to authorize roof repairs for the Ramsdell Theatre and Fire Station; and amend the budget to pay for the work. Discussion included: • Money for repairs to come from fund balance • Costs not anticipated in budget • Ramsdell roof issues, history of warranty and conditions of warranty • Repairs must be completed to re-certify the roof and reinstate the remaining 20 years of the warranty. • Fire department roof recurring leak problems • Cost for repairs With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Compensation Commission, Downtown Development Authority Citizens Council, Harbor Commission, Historic District Commission, Parks Commission, PEG Commission, Planning Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mayoral appointments require a motion, second and Council voted support. Nominations for Council appointments do not require a second. After all nominations are made, Council votes on the nominees until one nominee received majority support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent HARBOR COMMISSION – Three vacancies, one term ending 10/31/20 and two terms ending 10/31/22; two members can be non-residents but must own real estate or a business or profession having a licensed business location in the City; Council appointment. Alex Zaccanelli, 457 Fourth Street* Ty Cook, 373 Second Street* Goodspeed nominated Alex Zaccanelli, 457 Fourth Street to the Harbor Commission for a term ending 10/31/22. With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. ZACCANELLI: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski OTHER: None Goodspeed nominated Ty Cook, 373 Second Street to the Harbor Commission for a term ending 10/31/22. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 6, 2019 With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. COOK: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski OTHER: None PARKS COMMISSION – Two vacancies, one term ending 6/30/20 and one term ending 6/30/22; applicants may be non-residents but must own real estate or a business/profession having a licensed business location in the City or have a child attending school within the City; Mayoral appointment. Thomas Oele, 376 Sixth Street Mayor Zielinski appointed Thomas Oele, 376 Sixth Street, to the Parks Commission for a term ending 6/30/22. MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Szymanski to support the Mayor’s appointment. With a roll call vote this appointment was approved unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None PEG COMMISSION – One vacancy term ending 12/31/20; applicants must be Manistee County residents; Council appointment. Christopher K. Rowe, 187 Eighth Street, Apt. #3 No nomination was received. PLANNING COMMISSION – three vacancies terms ending 10/31/22; Applicants must be City residents; Mayoral appointment. Mark Wittlieff, 363 Tenth Street* Bruce Allen, 74 Pine Street Christopher K. Rowe, 187 Eighth Street, Apt. 3 Marlene McBride, 217 River Street* Dennis Miller, 395 Fourth Street Robert Slawinski, 256 Hughes Street* Mayor Zielinski appointed Mark Wittlieff, 363 Tenth Street to the Planning Commission for a term ending 10/31/22.MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Szymanski to support the Mayor’s appointment. With a roll call vote this appointment was approved unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None Mayor Zielinski appointed Marlene McBride, 217 River Street to the Planning Commission for a term ending 10/31/22.MOTION by Szymanski, second by Cooper to support the Mayor’s appointment. With a roll call vote this appointment was approved unanimously. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 6, 2019 AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None Mayor Zielinski appointed Robert Slawinski, 256 Hughes Street to the Planning Commission for a term ending 10/31/22.MOTION by Goodspeed, second by Cooper to support the Mayor’s appointment. With a roll call vote this appointment was approved unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Goodspeed, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS – One vacancy term ending 5/31/22; applicants shall be a representative of the population distribution and of the various interests present in the City; Mayoral appointment. Christopher K. Rowe, 187 Eighth Street No appointment was made. A REPORT FROM THE HARBOR COMMISSION. Mr. Tom Swedenborg reported on the activities of the Harbor Commission and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CONSIDERATION OF A REQUEST TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF RECREATIONAL MARIHUANA LICENSES. Mr. Joseph Nafsu, Esquire has requested an opportunity to approach Council on behalf of his client Urban Roots Detroit, LLC to increase the number of recreational marihuana licenses issued in the City. Mr. Nafsu stated that his client Urban Roots Detroit, LLC submitted their application for a Recreational Retail License and were the 6th applicant on the list of received applications. There are currently only five licenses available. Mr. Nafsu asked Council to increase the number of recreational retail licenses currently allowed. Council directed staff to add this item to the next work session for further discussion. CITIZEN COMMENT Ryan Fitzsimmons, 209 St. Mary’s Parkway/70 Arthur Street – stated applicants may not apply for a microbusiness license because of the requirements for this type of business; asked for consideration of lowering the number of licenses allowed for microbusiness and increasing the retail licenses. OFFICIALS AND STAFF None COUNCILMEMBERS Mayor Zielinski and Councilmembers presented Goodspeed with a card and thanked him for his 15 years | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 6, 2019 of service to the City. Grabowski asked if leaf pickup will continue even with the recent snow fall. Mikula stated leaf pickup started this week and will continue throughout the month of November. Plow drivers will be mindful of the piles of leaves if streets need to be plowed. Szymanski stated November is homeless awareness month and Safe Harbor is having a difficult time filling dates needed for homeless shelter; asked that this issue be added to the next work session to discuss what can be done to help our area homeless. Beaton asked for an update on the WWTP. Mikula gave updates on several items including bid opening that happened today for Local Street Improvements which will be brought to next Council meeting, approval received to bid for RD Phase 1 Contract A & B, and RD Phase 2. Goodspeed wished Jermaine Cipcic luck and offered thanks to Council and City staff. Zielinski thanked everyone for meeting attendance and input received; offered support and assistance to new Councilmember Jermaine Cipcic. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Goodspeed. Meeting adjourned at 7:45 pm. Heather Pefley CMC/CMMC, MiCPT City Clerk | Page 6