City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 19, 2019 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, November 19, 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, Jermaine Cipcic, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and 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 – Shawn Middleton MOTION by Szymanski, second by Pontiac to amend the agenda to add item VIII. a.) Consideration of Introducing New City Employees, John Robydek and Kali Owens. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - November 6, 2019 - Regular Meeting - November 12, 2019 - Organizational Meeting • Financial Reports - Payroll October 2019 - Invoices October 2019 • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – November 26, 2019, 7:00 pm A discussion will be conducted on Chamber Quarterly Economic Development Update, DDA TIF, Substance Education & Awareness SEA Youth Presentation, Increasing the Number of Recreational Marihuana Licenses, Marihuana Grow Licenses, Safe Harbor and Homelessness, and Proposed Cost Recovery Ordinance; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Cooper, second by Grabowski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 19, 2019 AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF INTRODUCING NEW CITY EMPLOYEES, JOHN ROBYDEK AND KALI OWENS. Manistee Public Safety Director Tim Kozal introduced our newest firefighter, John Robydek. Director Kozal officially welcomed him by pinning his fire department badge on him. Finance Director Ed Bradford introduced Kali Owens recently hired as the Utility Billing Clerk. CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT. The Council Audit Committee is established by Section 23 of the City Council Guidelines. This section spells out the duties and responsibilities of the committee. As part of its responsibilities the Audit Committee prepares a written report on how the committee discharged its duties and responsibilities. MOTION by Beaton, second by Szymanski to accept the annual report of the Council Audit Committee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None PRESENTATION BY KEN TALSMA OF ANDERSON TACKMAN ON THE JUNE 30, 2019 AUDIT. Ken Talsma, lead auditor of Anderson, Tackman & Company PLC, gave an overview of the City’s June 30, 2019 audit; the City received an unmodified opinion for this audit. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR THE 2019-2020 STREET IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. The City has publicly bid out local street improvements for 2019-2020. The project includes construction of storm sewer and reconstructing a portion of Fremont, Third Avenue, and Hastings Street. Two bids were received as follows: Elmer’s Crane and Dozer $401,098.62 Hallack Contracting, Inc. $358,205.00 The engineer’s estimate is $370,779.50. The Public Works Department and City Engineers are recommending a contract award to the low bidder. The contract documents were prepared by the Spicer Group and approved by the City Attorney. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 19, 2019 MOTION by Grabowski, second by Beaton to award a construction contract to the low bidder, Hallack Contracting, Inc. in the amount of $358,205.00 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the documents. Discussion included possible reasons for difference in bids, review of project, work to begin spring 2020. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF DIRECTING STAFF TO NEGOTIATE A NEW REFUSE COLLECTION AGREEMENT WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES. City Council created an Ad Hoc Refuse Committee to review and make recommendation on refuse collection in the City. The committee has recommended a change for residential collection. This change would include providing every resident a refuse tote. Residents will be able to opt out of the program by purchasing City of Manistee 30 gallon trash bags. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Pontiac to authorize City staff to negotiate a new Refuse Collection Agreement with Republic Services to convert residential refuse collection to mandatory cart service with an opt out option to utilize City of Manistee trash bags. Discussion included: • New service to begin approximately spring 2020 • Bags need to be manufactured • Recycling center to be moved to Manistee Catholic Central • Use of garbage cans with new trash bags With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE BRANDING TOOLKIT FOR THE CITY OF MANISTEE AS PROPOSED BY THE PROJECT RISING TIDE INITIATIVE. At the work session of October 8, 2019 Councilmembers discussed the adoption of the new brand for the City. This agenda request is made to officially adopt the brand/logo selected so City staff can start making the changes and updates required. MOTION by Cooper, second by Szymanski to adopt the Project Rising Tide proposed logo for the City of Manistee and officially update the City’s brand. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 19, 2019 AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A BLOCK PARTY BY CAFÉ 1907 AND SENG’S MARINA FOR THE STOMP OUT CANCER FUND. Café 1907 and Seng’s Marina have requested authorization to conduct a Block Party on Friday, December 6, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. to benefit the Stomp Out Cancer Fund. The event will be held in the parking lot on the corner of River and Cross Street. The event is a family friendly event and will include an appearance by Santa, along with a band and fire pits. Wrist bands will be distributed to those over 21 years of age as beer, wine and spirits will be available for purchase. MOTION by Beaton, second by Cooper to support and approve the request to use City services, parks, and streets for Café 1907 / Seng’s Marina Block Party to benefit the Stomp Out Cancer Fund on Friday, December 6, 2019 from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.; subject to appropriate department approvals. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE PEG COMMISSION. Mr. Barry Lind reported on the activities of the PEG Commission and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Ashlyn Korienek, 378 Fourth Street/ announced she will be leaving the Manistee News Advocate and this will be her final Council meeting; she thanked Council and City staff and stated she has enjoyed learning about local government. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Mikula stated leaf pickup has resumed and will continue through the first week of December if weather allows; first obligation is to keep streets safe. If weather does not allow for leaf pickup to continue, there will be a special pickup in the spring. Kozal reminded everyone that alternate parking is in effect. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 19, 2019 COUNCILMEMBERS Pontiac asked if soil would be moved to MCC with recycling. Mikula stated a bin for topsoil will be placed at MCC. Szymanski gave recognition for World War II veteran Ted Sielski who recently passed away at the age of 104. Beaton asked for an update on the WWTP timeline. Mikula gave an update on State timeline requirements, NPDS permit, delays from RD loan process, bid opening for RD Phase 1 A / B scheduled for December 3rd, and RD Phase 2. Zielinski thanked the DPW for their work on Christmas decorations. ADJOURN. MOTION to adjourn was made by Szymanski, second by Grabowski. Meeting adjourned at 8:19p.m. Heather Pefley CMC/CMMC, MiCPT City Clerk | Page 5