City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 7, 2020 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 7:00 pm remotely as authorized by Executive Order of the Governor. PRESENT: Dale Cooper, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Jermaine Cipcic, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski and Erin Martin-Pontiac ABSENT: None 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 The following update was provided by Mayor Zielinski: As an important step in preventing the spread of the COVID-19 virus, our Governor, Gretchen Whitmer, issued an Executive Order authorizing public boards in Michigan to conduct their meetings remotely. This is a critical step to help stop the spread. All aspects of how this meeting is being run is in compliance with the Open Meetings Act, as modified by the Executive Order, and has been reviewed by the City Attorney. The City of Manistee is taking various steps to do our part during this pandemic, and this is one of them. We need to keep members of the public, our City Council and City Staff healthy. Therefore, no members of the public, City Council or City Staff are present in the Council Chambers. We will now begin the meeting. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS All individuals in attendance of the virtual meeting were in a virtual waiting room, with their microphones muted. When it came time for public comment, each person waiting in the virtual waiting room was called individually by the City Clerk by the last four digits of their telephone number. Individuals were asked if they had a comment or if they were passing. Mayor Zielinski reviewed the items on the agenda for those in attendance that did not have a copy of the agenda. Ray Lebert, 59 Greenbush Street – questioned placement of the dumpsters and if input was requested from surrounding residents. DPW Director Mikula provided information. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - March 17, 2020 Regular Meeting | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 7, 2020 • Financial Reports - Cash Balances February 2020 - Revenue & Expenses February 2020 • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – April 14, 2020, 7:00 pm A discussion will be conducted on the 2020-2021 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of Proclaiming April As Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. The Manistee County Parkinson’s Support Group has requested that the City of Manistee proclaim the month of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. MOTION by Beaton, second by Cooper to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF RESOLUTION FOR TEMPORARY EMERGENCY MEASURES. To provide for the health and safety of our citizens and our employees, while still providing necessary and expected services to the community; the City Manager is asking for adoption of the Resolution for Temporary Emergency Measures. The resolution was drafted by the City Attorney and if adopted by the City Council, would allow for the delegation of certain basic administrative powers on a temporary basis during the restrictions imposed due to the COVID- 19 virus pandemic. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to adopt the Resolution for Temporary Emergency Measures. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH CONSUMERS ENERGY COMPANY TO ALLOW ENVIRONMENTAL TESTING AND REMEDIAL ACTIVITIES. Consumers Energy Company is requesting the City enter into an agreement that would allow Consumers Energy Company to conduct environmental testing and remediation activities in the section of the river channel that abuts the North Riverside Park and to place a generator and air compressor on shore. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 7, 2020 MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the license for environmental testing and remedial activities. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A PICKUP TRUCK PURCHASE. Recently a Public Works truck suffered an engine failure and has been taken out of service. The truck was planned for replacement later this year. A MiDEAL quote was received from Gorno Ford for a 2020 4x4 F250 in the amount of $30,026.00. MOTION by Cooper second by Grabowski to approve the purchase of a 2020 Ford F250 from Gorno Ford in the amount of $30,026.00. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A PROPOSAL FROM LARSEN’S LANDSCAPING TO RESET BRICK PAVERS ALONG RIVER STREET. The Department of Public Works has been working with the DDA to upgrade portions of the brick pavers on River Street. The DDA has budgeted $20,000 for the initial work. The project was publicly advertised with one bid being received. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Beaton to approve the bid from Larsen’s Landscaping to reset brick pavers along River Street from Greenbush to Poplar in the amount of $19,860.00. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING A CONTRACT TO CONSTRUCT DUMPSTER CORRALS IN THE DDA DISTRICT. The Ad-Hoc Refuse Committee recommended construction of two dumpster corrals in the DDA District. These dumpsters would be utilized by property owners along River Street between Division and Maple Street. The DDA Board approved the recommendation and contributed up to $80,000.00 for the design and construction of the corrals. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 7, 2020 The project was publicly bid with three bids received as follows. Gerber Construction, Co. $66,000.00 Sajdak Contractor $67,000.00 Orshal Construction $71,840.00 MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski to award a contract to the low bidder, Gerber Construction Co. in the amount of $66,000.00 and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTING A GRANT AGREEMENT WITH THE MANISTEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. The City received notification on July 1, 2019 that it had successfully received a $39,700.00 grant from the Community Foundation to assist with renovating the First Street Tennis Courts. A contractor has been hired and the City is prepared to order new equipment. MOTION by Szymanski second by Cipcic to approve the acceptance of the grant agreement with the Manistee County Community Foundation and authorize the City Manager to execute the document. Discussion included a review of the work to be completed with this project. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A FIVE-YEAR REFUSE CONTRACT WITH REPUBLIC SERVICES. The current five-year contract with Republic Services will expire on June 30, 2020. City staff have negotiated a new five-year contract following direction from City Council. The contract includes implementation of new programs, such as the Citywide tote system and DDA dumpster corrals. The City attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Cooper to approve a five-year Refuse Collection and Removal Agreement with Republic Services and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement. Discussed: • opt out option for those who do not want a tote • bags have been received and will be available for purchase in the near future | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 7, 2020 • no charge on water bill for refuse if opt out chosen • tote cost With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies to the Downtown Development Authority, Downtown Development Authority Citizens Council, Harbor Commission, Parks Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. Mayoral and Manager 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 nominees until one nominee receives majority support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. One vacancy – at large member – term ending 06/30/22; City Manager appointment. Kenneth E. Urban, Ed.D., 701 Fairview Avenue Zachary Pawlowski, 273 Sixth Street City Manager Thad Taylor appointed Kenneth E. Urban, Ed.D., 701 Fairview Avenue to the Downtown Development Authority as an at large member for a term ending 06/30/22. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to support the Manager’s appointment. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None INTRODUCTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 BUDGET. Administration has prepared the proposed 2020-2021 Fiscal Year Budget. The Finance Director gave a brief introduction of the City Manager’s budget recommendations to City Council and the Community. The public hearing to review these budget recommendations and receive public input on them has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 21, 2020. Various work sessions have been established: a regular work session on Tuesday, April 14 and an optional work session on Tuesday, April 28. | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 7, 2020 CITIZEN COMMENT Every person waiting in the virtual waiting room was called by the last four digits of their telephone number. Kenneth Urban, 701 Fairview Avenue – thanked Council for appointing him to the DDA; looks forward to working with everyone. Dennis Otto, 333 Fifth Street – questioned if the City plans to limit short term rentals during the COVID 19 pandemic. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Taylor informed Council of the new sustainability schedule being implemented by the DPW, Fire Department, and Police Department during the COVID 19 pandemic to minimize exposure with employees. He stated not all employees will be working normal hours but will continue to be paid for their normal hours. Staff will be tracking costs during this crisis for FEMA reimbursement. Taylor expressed he is very proud of the employees for all of the work they continue to do during this difficult time. Mikula reminded Council and the public of the bulk yard waste pickup next Monday and stated the recycling center at MCC is receiving a lot of abuse with yard waste; this is not a yard waste site. He indicated that cardboard is being piled outside of the dumpsters and urged the public not to do this; an additional dumpster has been added and PCA has a trailer behind the Bungalow for cardboard collection. Kozal thanked everyone for their support for the Police and Fire Departments during this difficult time. Middleton stated Spicer is fully operational and has essential construction projects starting; contractors are aware of social distancing guidelines and are authorized to proceed under the current emergency order. COUNCILMEMBERS Cooper thanked Public Safety Director Kozal for all his work with the City over the last three years. Beaton reiterated appreciation to PSD Kozal for his work; thanked the Police Department for notifying the public about the officers with COVID 19; appreciates all the work everyone in the City has done. Grabowski offered his appreciation for everything everyone has done during this time and hopes they stay safe. | Page 6  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 7, 2020 Martin-Pontiac wished PSD Kozal luck in the future; thanked the Police Department and hopes everyone is well soon. Szymanski thanked first responders and everyone working through this pandemic; they are taking risks to provide for us; mentioned kids playing in the parks in groups and asked people to take precautions and maintain social distancing of 6 feet. Zielinski expressed his gratitude to Police, Fire and EMS and appreciates the people of the community for social distancing and protecting others during this time. ADJOURN MOTION to adjourn was made by Grabowski. Meeting adjourned at 8:25 p.m. Heather Pefley CMC/CMMC, MiCPT City Clerk | Page 7