City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF APRIL 21, 2020 The Manistee City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, April 21, 2020 at 7:42 pm, following the regular City Council Meeting, remotely as authorized by Executive Order of the Governor. MEMBERS PRESENT: Dale Cooper, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Jermaine Cipcic, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski and Erin Martin-Pontiac MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Department Directors, Public, and Media Continued Discussion on Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. City Manager Thad Taylor and Finance Director Ed Bradford led the continued discussion on the Fiscal Year 2020-2021 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. Taylor reminded Council that staff has presented a proposed balanced budget without the use of fund balance although there are a lot of uncertainties as we move forward with State Revenues. The State of Michigan is forecasting significant deficits in their current and future fiscal year budgets. Department Directors have been instructed to provide recommendations for potential operating budget reductions by 5%- 30% for each department. Bradford stressed the magnitude of revenue reductions the State is anticipating far exceed the 2008 recession. The City’s current fund balance is strong, but it has taken us several years to establish. The purpose of the fund balance is to generate interest income, serve as a buffer for natural disasters, and for unforeseen circumstances such as the pandemic. Areas of discussion included: 1. Hiring additional Police Officer to fill vacant position: • Previous millage established for an officer; does not bind future Councils • Importance of public safety • Timing for hiring with forecasted budget deficits • Allocation of Marihuana License Fees • Officer stress levels • Budget adjustment for adding officer • Assistance from State Police/Sheriff/Tribal Officers • Overtime with staffing shortage 2. Appropriations: • Reinstate budget for the Teen Center • Consider reduction to all appropriations Council Work Session – April 21, 2020 Page 1 CONSENSUS: Council asked Staff to make the necessary changes to the proposed budget to include hiring of a police officer, reinstating the budget for the Teen Center, and reducing all appropriations by ten percent. An additional work session on the budget will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 7:00 pm. Adjourned at 8:40 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Pefley CMC/CMMC, MiCPT City Clerk Council Work Session – April 21, 2020 Page 2