City Council
Regular MeetingManistee, MI · November 12, 2019
Minutes
PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
The Organizational Meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by City Clerk Heather
Pefley on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street,
followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
In accordance with Section 2‐13 of the Charter of the City of Manistee, "the City Council shall meet
at 7:30 p.m. on the Tuesday night following the completion of the official canvas at which time the
members shall be sworn and assume the duties of their office. "
At the regular election of Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Councilmembers were elected to seats on the
Manistee City Council. Members include:
DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBER TERM
Second District Lynda Beaton Two Years
Fourth District Jermaine Cipcic Two Years
Sixth District James Grabowski Two Years
Pefley administered the oath of office to Lynda Beaton, Jermaine Cipcic, and James Grabowski as
members of the Manistee City Council.
PRESENT: Dale Cooper, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Jermaine Cipcic, Mick Szymanski,
James Grabowski, and Erin Pontiac.
ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather
Pefley, and Public Safety Director - Tim Kozal.
CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS.
Jeff Dontz, 405 E. Kott Road/Manistee County Commissioner District 5 - congratulated new and
returning Councilmembers; stated it has been a great year working with the City.
ELECTION OF THE MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF MANISTEE.
At the Organizational Meeting of the City Council held on this date the Council elects from its
membership a Mayor and a Mayor Pro-Tem. The Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem are elected for a one
year term. Under Section 2-4 of the Charter "the Council shall elect a Mayor by a majority vote of its
members." This provision of the Charter requires four affirmative votes to elect the Mayor, a majority
of the Council, regardless attendance at the Organizational Meeting. Sections 2-4 and 2-13 of the
Charter require that the Mayor be elected at the Organizational Meeting. The voting procedures
should continue until a candidate receives four affirmative votes.
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
Pefley asked for nominations to elect a Mayor for the City of Manistee. Szymanski nominated
Zielinski, second by Pontiac; Cooper nominated Beaton, second by Grabowski. No other nominations
were received.
A roll call vote was taken as follows:
ZIELINSKI: Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Pontiac
BEATON: Cooper, Beaton, and Grabowski
Councilmember Zielinski was elected Mayor. Mayor Zielinski assumed the Chair at this time.
ELECTION OF A MAYOR PRO‐TEM FOR THE CITY OF MANISTEE.
The same provisions identified in the Charter for the Mayor apply for the Mayor Pro‐Tem. The Mayor
Pro‐Tem serves as the Mayor in the Mayor's absence.
Mayor Zielinski opened the floor for nominations to elect a Mayor Pro‐Tem for the City of Manistee.
Cooper nominated Beaton; Beaton declined the nomination; Cooper nominated Grabowski. No other
nominations were received.
A roll call vote was taken as follows:
GRABOWSKI: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac
OTHER: None
Councilmember Grabowski was elected Mayor Pro‐Tem.
REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL GUIDELINES.
Under the adopted City Council Guidelines, the Guidelines are reviewed at the Organizational
Meeting of the City Council. While the Guidelines may be amended at any time during the year, the
Organizational Meeting is the traditional opportunity to review the operating procedures of the
Council.
No amendments were made.
CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING REGULAR MEETINGS FOR 2020.
In accordance with Section 2-13 of the Charter, the City Council “shall meet in public session at least
twice each month at such times as may be prescribed by the rules....” The City Council Guidelines
reviewed during the previous agenda item indicate that regular meetings shall be held on the first
and third Tuesdays of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. with work sessions conducted on the
second Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. This results in the attached schedule for
regular meetings and work sessions throughout the year 2020, with exceptions made for known
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 12, 2019
election dates and holidays.
MOTION by Szymanski, second by Cooper to adopt the attached schedule for regular meetings and
work sessions for the year 2020.
With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously.
AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac
NAYS: None
CITIZEN COMMENT.
None
OFFICIALS AND STAFF.
None
COUNCILMEMBERS.
Grabowski thanked City employees for their work on snow removal.
Szymanski reminded everyone it is National Diabetes Month and there will be free diabetes testing
at the Health Department on Thursday, November 14 from Noon-4:00.
Zielinski thanked everyone for their support.
ADJOURN.
MOTION to adjourn was made by Cooper, second by Beaton. Meeting adjourned at 7:44 p.m.
Heather Pefley CMC / CMMC, MiCPT
City Clerk
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Agenda
MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING AGENDA
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 2018 – 7:30 P.M. – COUNCIL CHAMBERS
I. Call to Order.
Acting Chair – City Clerk Heather Pefley.
a.) PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.
b.) ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL.
In accordance with Section 2-13 of the Charter of the City of Manistee, "the City
Council shall meet at 7:30 p.m. on the Tuesday night following the completion of
the official canvas at which time the members shall be sworn and assume the
duties of their office...."
At the regular election of Tuesday, November 5, 2019 Councilmembers were
elected to seats on the Manistee City Council. Members include:
DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBER TERM
Second District Lynda Beaton Two Years
Fourth District Jermaine Cipcic Two Years
Sixth District James Grabowski Two Years
At this time the City Clerk could take action to swear in Lynda Beaton, Jermaine
Cipcic, and James Grabowski as members of the Manistee City Council.
c.) ROLL CALL.
d.) CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS.
e.) ELECTION OF THE MAYOR FOR THE CITY OF MANISTEE.
At the Organizational Meeting of the City Council held on this date the Council
elects from its membership a Mayor and a Mayor Pro-Tem. The Mayor and Mayor
COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 12, 2019 PAGE 1
Council Agenda Packet Page 1
Pro-Tem are elected for a one year term. Under Section 2-4 of the Charter "the
Council shall elect a Mayor by a majority vote of its members." This provision of
the Charter requires four affirmative votes to elect the Mayor, a majority of the
Council, regardless attendance at the Organizational Meeting. Sections 2-4 and 2-
13 of the Charter require that the Mayor be elected at the Organizational Meeting.
The voting procedures should continue until a candidate receives four affirmative
votes.
At this time Council could take action to nominate and elect a Mayor for the City
of Manistee. The Mayor will assume the Chair at this time.
f.) ELECTION OF A MAYOR PRO-TEM FOR THE CITY OF MANISTEE.
The same provisions identified in the Charter for the Mayor apply for the Mayor
Pro-Tem. The Mayor Pro-Tem serves as the Mayor in the Mayor's absence.
At this time Council could take action to nominate and elect a Mayor Pro-Tem for
the City of Manistee.
g.) REVIEW OF CITY COUNCIL GUIDELINES.
Under the adopted City Council Guidelines, the Guidelines are reviewed at the
Organizational Meeting of the City Council. While the Guidelines may be
amended at any time during the year, the Organizational Meeting is the traditional
opportunity to review the operating procedures of the Council.
At this time Council could take action to review and/or modify the City Council
Guidelines.
h.) CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING REGULAR MEETINGS FOR 2020.
In accordance with Section 2-13 of the Charter, the City Council “shall meet in
public session at least twice each month at such times as may be prescribed by the
rules....” The City Council Guidelines reviewed during the previous agenda item
indicate that regular meetings shall be held on the first and third Tuesdays of each
month beginning at 7:00 p.m. with work sessions conducted on the second
Tuesday of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. This results in the attached
schedule for regular meetings and work sessions throughout the year 2020, with
exceptions made for known election dates and holidays.
At this time Council could take action to adopt the attached schedule for regular
meetings and work sessions for the year 2020.
COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 12, 2019 PAGE 2
Council Agenda Packet Page 2
II. Concerns and Comments.
a.) CITIZEN COMMENT. This is an opportunity for citizens to comment on
municipal services, activities or areas of City involvement. Citizens in attendance
shall be recognized by the Mayor for comments (limited to five minutes). Letters
submitted to Council will not be publicly read.
b.) OFFICIALS AND STAFF.
c.) COUNCILMEMBERS.
III. Adjourn.
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ATTACHMENTS:
City Council Guidelines
2020 Meeting Schedule & Calendar
COUNCIL ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING – NOVEMBER 12, 2019 PAGE 3
Council Agenda Packet Page 3
CITY COUNCIL GUIDELINES POLICY
Adopted: March 16, 1993 (Amendments listed at end of document)
COUNCIL MEETINGS
1. Regular Council Meetings. The City Council shall meet in regular session on the first and
third Tuesdays of each month beginning at 7:00 p.m. When Tuesday is a holiday or election
day, the regular meeting shall be held on the following Wednesday at the same hour unless
otherwise provided by motion. Regular meetings may be otherwise rescheduled with the
approval of a majority of the Council. The place of the meetings shall be the Council
Chambers at City Hall, unless otherwise provided by motion. See Charter Section 2-13.
2. Quorum. Four Councilmembers shall constitute a quorum to conduct municipal business. A
majority of the quorum may take action on behalf of the City; except as provided by Charter.
A majority vote of the membership of the Council (four votes) is specifically required for the
appointment of the Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem and members of the Council (to fill a vacancy): as
well as to adopt ordinances. Other provisions of the Charter also apply. See Charter Section
2-13.
3. Council Meeting Agenda. The City Manager shall prepare agendas for City Council
meetings which shall be made available and distributed to the City Council on the Friday
preceding the Council meeting. If the Friday is a holiday, the agenda shall be transmitted to
the City Council on the last regular work day of the week preceding the Council meeting. All
items which members of the public or the Council desire to have on a Council agenda must
be received by the City Manager not later than two full business days prior to the time that
the agenda is transmitted to the City Council. Except for holidays, the deadline for
submission of agenda items to the City Manager is 5:00 p.m. on the Tuesday preceding the
Council meeting.
a. Agenda Addendum. Late items submitted for Council consideration shall be added to
the agenda only on an affirmative vote of a majority of the Council present at the
meeting. The Council shall not act on items submitted late or items raised at the
Council meeting without first amending the agenda to add the item for consideration.
4. Special Meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Mayor, City Manager, or any two
Councilmembers on reasonable notice. The reasonable notice requirement shall be met if
notice of the meeting is provided to each member of the Council via email, Dropbox (or other
Cloud storage), phone call, first class mail, or personally delivered to the residence of each
Councilmember at least 18 hours prior to the meeting. City officials and representatives of the
local media shall be likewise informed and the notice shall be publicly posted at City Hall and
on the City’s website at least 18 hours prior to the meeting.
An emergency session may be held without the written notice or noted time constraints if the
public health, safety or welfare is severely threatened but only if a minimum of four
Councilmembers are present and as the first order of business a minimum of four affirmative
votes are recorded to conduct the emergency meeting. Only those matters relating to the
subject of the emergency may be considered. See Charter Section 2-13 and the Open
Meetings Act.
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5. Adjourned Sessions. Any session of the City Council may be continued or adjourned from
day to day or for more than one day; but any meeting which is adjourned for more than 36
hours can only be reconvened if re-noticed in accordance with the provisions relating to a
special meeting. See the Open Meetings Act.
6. Work Sessions. The Council shall regularly meet in work sessions on the second Tuesday
of each month at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers, City Hall. Work sessions may be
canceled by the Mayor or City Council, as they shall deem appropriate. The Mayor, City
Manager, or any two Councilmembers may, following reasonable notice, call the Council
together for a work session at any other time. Work sessions shall be devoted exclusively to
the exchange of information relating to municipal affairs.
Rules of decorum and order and these City Council Guidelines apply to work sessions as
well as regular meetings. However, no votes shall be taken on any matters under discussion
nor shall any Councilmember enter into a formal commitment with another member regarding
a vote to be taken subsequently at a public meeting of the Council; provided however that
nothing herein shall prevent Councilmembers from expressing opinions and indicating
probable votes as a result of the discussion.
7. Closed Sessions. Closed sessions shall only be called in accordance with the provisions of
the Open Meetings Act.
8. Voting. All voting shall be by roll call and each Councilmember is required to vote on each
item before the Council unless excused by the unanimous consent of the remaining members
present. In the event of a conflict of interest, the member shall identify that conflict when the
matter comes before the Council and shall refrain from participating in the discussion and
debate regarding the matter and shall not vote on the question. At the discretion of the
presiding officer, the member may be requested to vacate his/her seat during the discussion
and voting on the question. See Charter Section 2-17.
If any member so requests, a paper ballot shall be used to record the vote of each member
on any item. When so requested, the vote shall be recorded and forwarded to the Clerk who
shall read and tally each member's vote.
COUNCIL OFFICERS
9. Organizational Meeting. In accordance with Section 2-13 of the Charter, on the first
Tuesday following the official canvas of the vote the Council shall conduct an Organizational
Meeting. Newly elected members shall be sworn and assume their duties of office. The
Council shall then elect a Mayor by majority vote of its members. A Mayor Pro-Tem shall also
be elected.
The City Clerk shall act as temporary Chair until the Mayor has been elected, at which time
the Mayor shall assume the duties of office. Four affirmative votes are required to elect the
Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem. Voting shall be by roll call.
After the election of the Mayor and Mayor Pro-Tem, the next order of business at the
Organizational Meeting shall be a review of the City Council Guidelines. At that time
Guidelines may be amended for the ensuing year by majority vote. Guidelines will remain in
effect from year to year unless modified in accordance with this Section or Section 34.
10. Temporary Chair. In the case of the absence of the Mayor and the Mayor Pro-Tem, the City
Clerk shall call the Council to order and call the roll of the members. If a quorum is present,
the Council shall elect, by a majority vote of those present, a Chair of the meeting to act until
the Mayor or Mayor Pro-Tem appears.
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11. Secretary. In accordance with Section 5-9 of the Charter, the City Clerk shall act as the
Secretary for the Council.
12. City Manager. In accordance with Section 2-15 of the Charter, the City Manager shall have a
seat at all Council meetings and may take part in all proceedings and deliberations; but
without the right to vote.
13. City Attorney. The City Attorney shall attend all regular and special meetings of the City
Council.
14. Restriction. The presiding officer of the Council (Mayor, Mayor Pro-Tem or temporary Chair)
may make nominations and debate from the Chair, subject only to such limitations as are by
the rules imposed on all members; however the presiding officer shall not move or second a
motion without first vacating the chair to the Mayor Pro-Tem or temporary Chair.
15. Decorum and Order. The presiding officer shall maintain decorum and decide all questions
of order, subject to appeal to the City Council. The Chief of Police or his designee or other
City employees appointed by the City Manager shall serve as the Sergeant at Arms and shall
act at the direction of the presiding officer.
a. During Council meetings, Councilmembers shall preserve order and decorum and
shall neither by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings nor
refuse to obey the orders of the presiding officer or the rules of the Council. Every
Councilmember desiring to speak shall address the Chair and upon recognition, shall
confine themselves to the question under debate and shall avoid all personal and
inflammatory language.
Councilmembers may address questions to the administrative staff in attendance at
Council meetings; however the City Manager may choose to intervene and answer
the inquiry on behalf of the administrative staff; or designate some other member of
the staff for that purpose.
A Councilmember once recognized shall not be interrupted while speaking unless
called to order by the presiding officer, unless a point of order is raised by another
member or unless the speaker chooses to yield to questions from another member. If
the presiding officer fails to maintain order and decorum, any member may move to
require enforcement of the Guidelines and an affirmative vote by the majority of the
Council shall require the presiding officer to act.
b. Members of the Administrative Staff and employees of the City shall observe the
same rules of procedure and decorum applicable to members of the Council. While
the presiding officer has authority to preserve decorum in meetings so far as staff
members and City employees are concerned, the City Manager shall be responsible
for the orderly conduct and decorum of all employees under his direction and control.
The City Manager shall take such action as may be necessary to ensure that such
decorum is preserved at all times by City employees in Council meetings, and may
direct that employees leave the meeting at any time.
c. Public members attending Council meetings shall observe the same rules of
propriety, decorum and good conduct applicable to members of the Council. Any
person making personal, impertinent and slanderous remarks or who becomes
boisterous while addressing the Council or while attending a Council meeting shall be
removed from the meeting if so directed by the presiding officer. In case the presiding
officer shall fail to act, any member of the Council may move to require them to act to
enforce the rules, and the affirmative vote of the majority of the Council shall require
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the presiding officer to act.
Any public member desiring to address the Council shall be recognized by the Chair
and shall limit remarks to the question under discussion. The public member must
approach the podium and state their name and address to be recognized by the
Chair. Comments by members of the audience shall not exceed five minutes in
length; however in the event that a group of citizens desires to address the Council
regarding the same subject, the group may designate one or more representatives
who may speak on behalf of the group for a total duration not to exceed thirty
minutes.
All remarks and questions addressed to the administration of the City shall be
addressed to the City Manager and not to any individual City employee. No person
other than members of the Council and the person having the floor shall enter into
any discussion either directly or indirectly without the permission of the presiding
officer.
DUTIES AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS
16. Seating Arrangement. Members shall occupy the respective seats in the Council Chamber
assigned to them by the Mayor, but any two or more members may exchange seats by
advising the Mayor to that effect.
17. Right of Appeal. Any member may appeal to the Council from a ruling of the presiding
officer. If the appeal is seconded, the member making the appeal may briefly state the reason
for the same and the presiding officer may briefly state the ruling. There shall be no debate
on the appeal and no other member shall participate in the discussion. The presiding officer
shall then put the question, "Shall the decision of the Chair be sustained?" If a majority of the
members present vote "aye" the ruling of the Chair is sustained; otherwise it is overruled.
18. Personal Privilege. The right of a member to address the Council on a question of personal
privilege shall be limited to cases in which the member's integrity, character or motives are
assailed, questioned or impugned; or to matters interfering with the conduct of business such
as excessive noise, temperature, inability of a speaker to be heard, etc.
19. Dissents and Protests. Any member shall have the right to express dissent from or protest
against any ordinance, resolution or motion of the Council and have the reason therefore
entered upon the minutes. Such dissent or protest must be filed in writing and be presented
to the Council not later than the next regular meeting following the action giving rise to the
objection.
20. Code of Ethics. Councilmembers, public officers, members of boards and commissions and
employees occupy positions of public trust. All municipal business must be subject to the
scrutiny of public opinion both as to the legality and to the propriety of such business.
Acceptance or solicitation of gifts, gratuities, bribes, or rewards from any person, business, or
organization is prohibited.
In addition to matters of financial interest, Councilmembers, public officers, advisory board
members and employees shall refrain from making use of special knowledge or information
before it is available to the general public and shall refrain from using the public office as a
method of directly or indirectly favoring self, friends, customers, clients, family members,
business associates or any other special interests. Councilmembers, officers, advisory board
members and employees shall at all times be mindful of their responsibility to the entire
electorate and shall refrain from actions benefitting special interest groups at the expense of
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the City as a whole and shall do everything in their power to ensure equal and impartial law
enforcement and opportunity without unlawful discrimination.
a. Nepotism. In accordance with Section 2-12 of the Charter of the City of Manistee and
Council Policy 9 as amended September 1, 2009 nepotism is prohibited as it applies
to relatives of the Council and City Manager to the second degree of consanguinity
including grandparents, sons and daughters, grandsons and granddaughters,
siblings, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, and first cousins, whether by blood,
marriage or law. Applicants who are related by this degree shall not be considered for
employment unless the City Manager individually, specifically and in writing
determines that the skills, abilities or talents of the applicant are unique and of such a
value to the City generally that an exception to the policy is warranted. The Manager
must seek the concurrence of the entire City Council by formal vote at a properly
noticed regular or special meeting prior to the hiring of such an applicant.
b. Pecuniary Interest. In accordance with Section 2-9 of the Charter of the City of
Manistee and Public Act 317, 1968, as amended, members of the City Council,
officers and employees shall not be a party to a contract involving the City except as
provided by law and this Section. Councilmembers who have an interest in a firm
(meaning as an officer or employee of a firm including a co-partnership or other
unincorporated association or private corporation in which he/she is a stockholder
owning more than 1% of the total outstanding stock) which is involved in the supply of
routine goods or services to the City handled as administrative purchases not subject
to formal Council approval shall at the Organizational Meeting of the City Council
advise in writing the Council and administrative staff of that interest in that firm.
Thereafter the firm is eligible to supply goods or services in accord with normal
municipal purchasing policies provided however that within 30 days following the
conclusion of each fiscal year the City Treasurer shall separately tabulate the dollar
amount of the total business which has been conducted with that firm during the fiscal
year with that summary published in the newspaper designated as the official
publication for the City.
c. It is recognized that no ethics clause can adequately address the broad scope of
potential conflicts and ethical dilemmas. The City Council, officers and employees
must be dedicated to the highest ideals of honor, integrity and fidelity with no color of
self-interest in the execution of the public's business.
COMMITTEES
21. Appointments to Boards and Commissions. All appointments to City boards and
commissions shall be made in accordance with appropriate statutes and local ordinance.
Except as otherwise provided by ordinance or statute; boards and commissions shall serve at
the pleasure of the City Council and report to the City Council. All vacancies shall be
advertised in the official publication of the City of Manistee.
The Mayor and City Council are not limited to a selection from among the applicants;
however, the Mayor and Council shall generally give preference to those citizens who apply
in accordance with the terms of the vacancy. The Mayor and Council shall generally give
preference to residents of the City of Manistee.
The following board and commission members are appointed by the Mayor and City Council
respectively:
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MAYOR CITY COUNCIL
Airport Authority Board of Review - Residency Required
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Harbor Commission
Compensation Commission-Residency Required Historic District Commission
Downtown Development Authority PEG Commission
DDA Citizens Council
Housing Commission
Oil and Gas Investment Board
Parks Commission
Planning Commission
Sands Park Control Board
Tree Commission
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.
22. Appointments. By ordinance the Mayor is the Chair of the Oil and Gas Investment Board.
23. Council Standing Committees. Immediately after the annual Organizational Meeting of the
Council, the Mayor shall appoint the following standing committees, subject to confirmation
by the Council: a.) Audit Committee, b.) Ordinance Committee. Three members of the
Council shall be appointed to each committee with the Mayor designating the member who is
to serve as Chair of the committee. Vacancies occurring in any committee shall be filled in
like manner.
a. The Audit Committee shall be responsible for the selection (through a
recommendation to Council), retention and oversight of the City’s independent
auditors, using the Government Finance Officer’s recommended practice for Audit
Committees as a guideline. The committee shall consist of three Councilmembers.
The Committee shall have access to the services of at least one financial expert
familiar with municipal accounting and auditing practices. The Committee shall
present annually a written report of how it has discharged its duties and
responsibilities.
b. Ordinance Committee. All ordinances proposed, whether by a member of the Council,
City Manager, Advisory Board or Commission or the public at large shall be put in
proper form and reviewed by the Ordinance Committee. The Ordinance Committee
shall make a recommendation to the City Council on each ordinance reviewed, with or
without modification. If the recommendation of the Ordinance Committee is that the
ordinance not be approved, the person or group sponsoring the proposed ordinance
may request consideration by the entire Council with the committee's negative
recommendation.
c. Personnel Committee. In accordance with Section 5-6 of the Charter, the City
Manager may appoint a Personnel Committee subject to the approval of the City
Council.
24. Special Committees. In accordance with Section 13-16 of the Charter, special committees
for particular purposes may be appointed by the Mayor, by the City Council, or by the City
Manager to investigate and/or make recommendations to the City Administration or City
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Council. Such committees shall be ad hoc and serve only until such time their charge has
been fulfilled.
25. Meeting Notice. It shall be the duty of the Chair of any standing or special committees and
advisory boards and commissions to give advance notice of the time and place of the
meeting in accordance with the Open Meetings Act (minimum 18 hour notice) and to advise
all members of the committee, the City Council, the City Manager, and other persons who
have made known in writing their interest in the particular matters to be considered. Minutes
shall be kept and circulated in like manner.
26. Reports. Reports by committees, boards and commissions to the City Council shall be
reduced to writing and represent the views of the majority. This shall not be construed to
prohibit minority reports. Reports shall be submitted to the City Clerk who, in addition to
maintaining a file copy will post a copy in City Hall and forward a copy to the City Manager for
distribution to the affected City Staff and City Council.
27. Per Diems, Expenses. No standing or special committees or advisory boards or
commissions shall receive compensation in the form of per diem for time spent on municipal
business. All reasonable, normal and customary expenses incurred by the committee and its
members, including meal expenses, shall be borne by the City in accord with the City's
Travel & Expense Reimbursement Policy.
The Compensation Commission shall meet in odd numbered years to make
recommendations to the City Council regarding Council stipends, per diems, etc. Any
modifications approved by the Council as a result of recommendations by the Compensation
Commission shall automatically amend this section of the Council Guidelines. See State
Statute on this subject.
COUNCIL PROCEDURE
28. Order of Business. The regular business at all regular meetings of the Council shall be
transacted in the following order, unless the Council shall by a vote of at least two-thirds of
the members present suspend the rules and change the order:
I. Call to Order.
a. Pledge of Allegiance.
II. Public Hearing(s), if any.
III. Citizen Comments on Agenda Related Items.
IV. Consent Agenda.
Prior to approval of the Consent Agenda, any member of Council may have an
item from the Consent Agenda removed and taken up during the regular portion of
the meeting.
V. Approval of Minutes.
VI. Financial Report.
VII. Unfinished Business.
VIII. New Business.
IX. Notices, Communications, Announcements.
X. Concerns and Comments.
a. Citizens
b. Officials and Staff
c. Councilmembers
XI. Adjourn.
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29. Parliamentary Procedure. The most recent edition of Roberts Rules of Order is adopted as
the Council Guidelines of parliamentary procedure for City Council so that meetings are
orderly and address the matters before City Council. Specific Council Guidelines shall take
precedence over Roberts Rules of Order. Matters of parliamentary procedure not specifically
addressed in Council Guidelines, shall generally follow Roberts Rules of Order. The purpose
of Roberts Rules of Order is to provide an organized and orderly procedure for addressing
business before Council, without elevating form over substance in the conduct of Council
meetings.
a. Precedence of Motions. When a main motion is before the Council, other motions
may not be entertained except 1.) to adjourn, 2.) to recess, 3.) to table, 4.) for the
previous question (to limit debate)*, 5.) to refer to a committee, or 6.) to amend.
These motions have precedence in the order indicated. Once made and seconded,
each motion shall be put to a vote without debate; except that a motion to amend is
debatable.
* Requires two-thirds vote.
b. When a motion is made and seconded, it shall be restated by the presiding officer
before debate. Any member may demand that it be put in writing. A motion may be
withdrawn at the request of the mover with the consent of the second in which event
the motion shall not be recorded in the minutes and shall not be subject to further
action.
c. After a decision on any ordinance, resolution or motion, any member who voted with
the majority may move for a reconsideration of the action on the same or the next
succeeding meeting; provided however that a motion for reconsideration is out of
order if the action earlier authorized has been implemented or partially implemented.
A motion for reconsideration does not require a second. If approved, the effect is to
place the original action before the Council for further consideration, not to overrule
the original decision.
d. A point of order, parliamentary inquiry, personal privilege and similar actions do not
require a second and are subject to a ruling by the presiding officer which may be
appealed to the Council.
MISCELLANEOUS
30. Depositories, Official Publication. The City Council shall take action to designate
depositories for municipal funds as part of the budget adoption process. The official
publication named by the City shall be the Manistee News Advocate, unless there is more
than one newspaper publication located in Manistee. All official notices and communications
of the City will be published therein. This provision shall not preclude publication in other
newspapers, as appropriate.
31. Complaints. The procedure for complaints shall be:
a. All complaints involving municipal policies shall be referred to the City Council for
appropriate action and, except in the most unusual cases, such action shall be
preceded by a report and recommendation of the City Manager who shall have had
ample opportunity and time in which to investigate and render a report.
b. All complaints involving charges of unfair, improper or inadequate hearings before
advisory boards and commissions or Council committees shall be referred
immediately to the particular board or commission concerned for a rehearing provided
City of Manistee 8 City Council Policy CP-10
Council Agenda Packet Page 11
however that such referral shall be accompanied by a written statement from the
person complaining of such improper hearing which statement shall delineate the
specific charges in order that the board or commission concerned may be able to take
appropriate action.
c. All complaints with the respect to the management of the City shall be referred to the
City Manager for necessary or appropriate action. A copy of written complaints will be
forwarded to the City Council for information. In the case of those complaints against
the management of the City wherein the Council desires further information, then the
City Manager when so requested by a majority of the Council shall be given adequate
time in which to make the necessary investigation and report to the City Council.
d. Questions, comments or concerns regarding municipal services shall be conveyed to
the City Manager or appropriate department during regular business hours and shall
not be raised at Council meetings unless the City Manager has failed to adequately
respond to the issue following a reasonable opportunity to address same.
32. Administration. In accordance with Section 2-10 and Section 5 of the Charter, the City
Manager is responsible for the administrative affairs of the City including the appointment,
discipline and removal of employees except as otherwise noted in the Charter. The Manager
shall supervise and control the administrative affairs of the City and all departments thereof.
Members of the Council shall not individually provide direction to City employees or
departments, nor make inquiry thereof except through the office of the City Manager. This
Section in no way limits the Council from fully and freely discussing its views with the City
Manager pertaining to the appointment, discipline or removal of employees; nor limit the
Council's ability to initiate investigations into municipal affairs in accordance with Section 13-
10 of the Charter.
This Section shall not limit individual Councilmembers' ability to make requests for services
from departments, nor convey a request for services to a department by a constituent as
would be available to a citizen at large.
33. Separability. Any part of these Guidelines which shall conflict with any state or federal law
now or in the future, or the Charter of the City of Manistee, or any ordinance of the City duly
adopted now or in the future shall be null and void but only to the extent of the conflict. All
other parts shall continue in full force and effect.
34. Amendments. These Guidelines may be amended by the City Council at the annual
Organizational Meeting of the Council by majority vote. These Guidelines may be amended
by the City Council at any other regular or special meeting of the City Council, by a majority
of the members elect.
ADOPTED: March 16, 1993 AMENDED: November 15, 1994
AMENDED: December 17, 1996 AMENDED: November 12, 1997
AMENDED: November 9, 1999 AMENDED: December 5, 2000
AMENDED: January 16, 2001 AMENDED: November 12, 2003
AMENDED: November 15, 2005 AMENDED: November 21, 2006
AMENDED: November 13, 2007 AMENDED: November 10, 2009
AMENDED: February 2, 2010 AMENDED: November 20, 2012
AMENDED: December 15, 2015 AMENDED: November 15, 2016
AMENDED: December 5, 2017 AMENDED: May 7, 2019
City of Manistee 9 City Council Policy CP-10
Council Agenda Packet Page 12
CITY OF MANISTEE
70 MAPLE STREET
MANISTEE MICHIGAN 49660
231-398-2801
To comply with the Michigan Open Meetings Act 267 of 1976, notice is hereby given that the
Manistee City Council will meet on the following dates in 2020. All meetings will be held in the
Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. Individuals with disabilities
requiring auxiliary aids or services should contact the City Manager’s Office at City Hall.
Interested public is welcome to attend.
Regular Meetings at 7:00 p.m. Work Sessions at 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, January 7, 2020 Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Tuesday, January 21, 2020 Tuesday, February 11, 2020
Tuesday, February 4, 2020 Wednesday, March 11, 2020 (Election)
Tuesday, February 18, 2020 Tuesday, April 14, 2020
Tuesday, March 3, 2020 Tuesday, April 28, 2020
Tuesday, March 17, 2020 Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Tuesday, April 7, 2020 Tuesday, June 9, 2020
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 Tuesday, July 14, 2020
Wednesday, May 6, 2020 (Election) Tuesday, August 11, 2020
Tuesday, May 19, 2020 Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Tuesday, June 2, 2020 Tuesday, October 13, 2020
Tuesday, June 16, 2020 Tuesday, November 24, 2020
Tuesday, July 7, 2020 Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
Wednesday, August 5, 2020 (Election)
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
Tuesday, October 6, 2020
Tuesday, October 20, 2020
Wednesday, November 4, 2020 (Election) Organizational Meeting at 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17, 2020
Tuesday, December 1, 2020 Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
cc. City Clerk / Bulletin Board
Manistee News Advocate
City Website
Public Meeting Calendar
City Manager Calendar
Room Calendar
Council Agenda Packet Page 13
2020
January February March April
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May June July August
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17 18 19 20 21 22 23 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 16 17 18 19 20 21 22
24 25 26 27 28 29 30 28 29 30 26 27 28 29 30 31 23 24 25 26 27 28 29
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September October November December
S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S S M T W T F S
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27 28 29 30
Holidays: Yellow Council Meetings: Red Council Work Sessions: Green
Organizational Meeting: Orange Elections: Blue Working Holiday: Purple
Council Agenda Packet Page 14
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