City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 21, 2020 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, July 21, 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, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - July 7, 2020 Regular Meeting - July 14, 2020 Work Session • Financial Reports - Payroll June 2020 - Invoices June 2020 • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – August 11, 2020, 7:00 pm A discussion will be conducted on Local Revenue Sharing Board grant for the Armory Youth Project; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski 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 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. This ordinance was introduced at the July 7, 2020 meeting and could be adopted at this time. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 21, 2020 MOTION by Cooper, second by Grabowski to adopt 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 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS FOR THE CITY CLERK, DPW DIRECTOR AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. When City Council approved the appointment of the Police and Fire Chief positions, they also approved employment agreements for those positions. The Police and Fire Chief positions are Department Directors. I believe it is appropriate to provide employment agreements to the remaining Department Directors; City Clerk, DPW Director and Chief Financial Officer. MOTION by Martin-Pontiac, second by Szymanski to approve employment agreements for the City Clerk, DPW Director and Chief Financial Officer. Discussion followed. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-3. AYES: Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: Cooper, Beaton, and Grabowski CONSIDERATION FOR BUDGET AMENDMENT 2020-5 FOR FISCAL YEAR END JUNE 30, 2020. The City of Manistee is required by State law to ensure the actual expenditures do not exceed budgeted amounts. Over the course of the current fiscal-year, unanticipated and unbudgeted events and/or Council approved expenditures have occurred. The proposed budget amendment addresses expenditures associated with these events to ensure compliance with State statutes regarding appropriations. MOTION by Cooper second by Beaton to adopt Budget Amendment 2020-5 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2020. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin-Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF SALT CITY ROCK & BLUES, INC. TO HOLD A LABORFEST EVENT, SCHEDULED FOR SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2020 FROM 4:00 P.M. – 11:00 P.M. The Salt City Rock & Blues Laborfest will include a parade, live music, possibly kids’ games, and a hot air balloon. Food will be available, but no alcohol will be sold. All events will be held on Saturday, September 5, 2020 between 4:00 p.m. – 11 p.m. The parade will start at the City Marina and end at the Lions Pavilion. The musical events will take place at the Lions Pavilion at Douglas Park beginning at 5:00 p.m. This event was cancelled by the Laborfest committee. No action taken by Council. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 21, 2020 CONSIDERATION OF MANISTEE DOWNTOWN MERCHANTS TO HOLD A SIDEWALK SALE ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 AND SATURDAY, AUGUST 8, 2020. The sidewalk sale would run on Friday, August 7 from 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 8 from 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Vehicular traffic would be closed on River Street between Poplar and Maple Streets. There would also be a food truck parked at 421 River Street (Ideal Kitchen) during the event. MOTION by Cipcic, second by Cooper to support and approve the request for the Manistee Downtown Merchant’s sidewalk sale on Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8, 2020. Subject to departmental approvals. 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 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. Robert Brook, 352 Lakeshore Drive Zielinski appointed Robert Brook, 352 Lakeshore Drive, to the Parks Commission for a term ending 6/30/23. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to support the Mayor’s appointment of Robert Brook, 352 Lakeshore Drive, to the Parks Commission for a term ending 6/30/23. The City Clerk clarified that there is one vacancy at this time because the other vacancy was filled at the July 7,2020 meeting. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Cooper, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Martin-Pontiac (Grabowski absent from vote) NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 21, 2020 CITIZEN COMMENT None OFFICIALS AND STAFF Taylor gave a reminder that the new schedule for City Hall begins next Monday; the newspaper published an article regarding the changes and information is posted to the City’s webpage and Facebook. He also stated the Work Share Program ends this week and employees will be back to their regular schedules next week. Bradford gave an update on the USDA RD Phase II grant loan application. COUNCILMEMBERS Beaton stressed the importance of preserving a good relationship with the DDA and also asked for an update on the savings generated from the Work Share Program. She also thanked the Laborfest committee for their decision to cancel the event. Szymanski noted the Sleighbell committee is suspending the parade for this year but there may still be other weekend events held. Zielinski asked Councilmembers for input on continuing with virtual meetings as allowed by the current executive order or returning to in person meetings. Council and staff agree that the City Council Chambers do not provide enough space for Council, staff, and the public to practice proper social distancing; however, the Ramsdell Theatre could be used for future in person meetings and would provide adequate room. Councilmembers are interested in returning to in person meetings if they can be held at the Ramsdell Theatre. ADJOURN MOTION to adjourn was made by Grabowski. Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. Heather Pefley MiPMC, CMC City Clerk | Page 4