City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 7, 2020 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, July 7, 2020 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 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, Det./Sgt. – Josh Glass, Deputy Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Dave Bachman, 422 Spruce Street / spoke in support of the appointment of Josh Glass to Police Chief and Mark Cameron to Fire Chief. Bob Hornkohl, 432 Cedar Street / spoke in support of the appointment of Josh Glass to Police Chief and Mark Cameron to Fire Chief; asked for an explanation on the reported savings for the City. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - June 16, 2020 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports - Cash Balances May 2020 - Revenue & Expense May 2020 • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – July 14, 2020, 7:00 pm A discussion will be conducted on City Hall hours of operation, dumpster/enclosure enforcement, Labor Fest, Sleighbell Parade, and the Chamber Quarterly Economic Development Update will be presented; and such business as may come before Council. Consideration of a Banner Permit for the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce. MOTION by Beaton, second by Martin-Pontiac 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 | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 7, 2020 CONSIDERATION OF APPOINTMENT OF DETECTIVE SERGEANT JOSH GLASS TO POLICE CHIEF AND ACTING DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF MARK CAMERON TO FIRE CHIEF. With the departure of PSD Kozal this is an opportunity to move from a Public Safety Director and return to a Police Chief for the Police Department and a Fire Chief for the Fire Department. I am appointing D/Sgt. Josh Glass to the position of Police Chief and Acting Deputy Fire Chief Mark Cameron to the position of Fire Chief and ask for City Council's approval of both appointments. MOTION by Grabowski to table the approval of the appointment of D/Sgt. Josh Glass to the position of Police Chief and Acting Deputy Fire Mark Cameron and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign their employment agreements. With a roll call vote this motion failed, 3-4. AYES: Cooper, Cipcic, and Grabowski NAYS: Beaton, Zielinski, Szymanski, and Martin-Pontiac MOTION by Martin-Pontiac, second by Szymanski to approve the appointment of D/Sgt. Josh Glass to the position of Police Chief and Acting Deputy Fire Mark Cameron and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign their employment agreements. Taylor reviewed how the decision was made for these appointments and explained the reduction in cost to the City. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 6-1. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Martin -Pontiac NAYS: Grabowski CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 20-06 AMENDING CHAPTER 1060 GARBAGE AND RUBBISH COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL. Recommendations from the Ad-Hoc Refuse Committee have been approved by City Council and are currently being implemented. The City Attorney has proposed updated language in Chapter 1060 to reflect these changes. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. If this ordinance is introduced at this time, it could be adopted at the next regular meeting. MOTION by Cooper, second by Martin-Pontiac to introduce Ordinance 20-06 amending Chapter 1060 Garbage and Rubbish Collection and Disposal. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 7, 2020 CONSIDERATION OF CONTRACTING WITH SAFEBUILT TO ADMINISTER THE CITY'S RENTAL INSPECTION PROGRAM. Due to an increased workload in their core operations, The Spicer Group has found it difficult to devote the necessary time to the Rental Inspection Program and wish to discontinue this service to the City. SAFEbuilt performs rental inspection services in ten (10) Michigan communities and they are willing to administer the City's program. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to approve SAFEbuilt to administer the City's Rental Inspection Program. Representatives from SAFEbuilt gave an explanation on fees, enforcement, inspection schedule and complaint procedures. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF NAMING THE BASEBALL FIELD AT RIETZ PARK. At the June 9 Work Session, City Council discussed naming the baseball field at Rietz Park in honor of Phil Kliber. Staff was asked to reach out to Rietz family members and get their input on naming the field. Staff was unable to get any input from family members. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski action to authorize the naming of the baseball field in honor of Phil Kliber, subject to staff's approval of the design and location of the sign. 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 Citizens Council, Harbor Commission, Oil and Gas Investment Board, 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 OIL AND GAS INVESTMENT BOARD – One vacancy, term ending 6/30/24; Mayoral appointment. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 7, 2020 *Douglas A. Parkes, 724 Harbor Drive Zielinski appointed Douglas A. Parkes, 724 Harbor Drive, to the Oil and Gas Investment Board for a term ending 6/30/24. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to support the Mayor’s appointment of Douglas A. Parkes, 724 Harbor Drive, to the Oil and Gas Investment Board for a term ending 6/30/24. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None PARKS COMMISSION – Two vacancies, term ending 6/30/23. Applicants may be nonresidents 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. *Tom Swedenborg, 562 First Street Zielinski appointed Tom Swedenborg, 562 First Street, to the Parks Commission for a term ending 6/30/23. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin-Pontiac to support the Mayor’s appointment of Tom Swedenborg, 562 First Street, to the Parks Commission for a term ending 6/30/23. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENT Bob Grabowski, 341 Fourth Street / commented on Police relations with the public. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Cameron expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to service the community. Glass thanked Council and Staff for their support; excited to serve as Police Chief. Bradford reminded the public that even though City Hall has reopened there are still multiple options for making payments to the City including the drop box at City Hall, online payments, phone payments, and mail-in payments; audio issues for staff members attending the meeting virtually will be addressed for future meetings. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 7, 2020 COUNCILMEMBERS Martin-Pontiac asked for an update on the work share program. Grabowski inquired on cracking on the newly resurfaced tennis courts; commented on the costs that were incurred for police arbitration. Cipcic offered congratulations to Chief Glass and Chief Cameron. Beaton asked for an update on the DPW contract; congratulated Chief Glass and Chief Cameron. Zielinski offered congratulations to Chief Glass and Chief Cameron. He asked Council if they are comfortable with continuing with in person meetings and expressed his concerns with new information from the CDC, increased COVID 19 cases, and importance of wearing masks to protect others. ADJOURN MOTION to adjourn was made by Szymanski. Meeting adjourned at 8:01 p.m. Heather Pefley CMC, MiPMC City Clerk | Page 5