City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 12, 2021 The Manistee City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at 7:20 pm, following the City Council Special Meeting, remotely as authorized by the Opens Meeting Act (MCL 15.263a). MEMBERS PRESENT: David Bachman, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Jermaine Cipcic, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski and Erin Martin Pontiac MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Department Directors, and Public Public Comments: Jim Schultz, Paw Paw, Michigan resident, has been active with the formation of disc golf courses in Ludington and spoke in favor of creating a disc golf course in Manistee. DISCUSSION ON DISC GOLF – Tom Oele, Vice Chair of the Parks Commission presented plans for a proposed disc golf course to be located in the First Street beach area. Discussion included the increased popularity of the sport throughout the country, courses can be created on a variety of landscapes, the sport can be played by people of all ages, costs and maintenance. The Parks Commission is requesting the City authorize the land use and assist with placing wood chips, maritime poles as course obstacles and perform maintenance. Consensus: Council supports moving forward with creating a disc golf course in Manistee and directed Staff to introduce the project at a regular meeting of the Council for approval. DISCUSSION ON TREE REMOVAL DUE TO SEWER ISSUES – Mayor Pro-Tem Szymanski led a discussion on the City policy for tree removal. Szymanski has received input from residents regarding damage to home foundations, sewer systems and sidewalks caused by trees located on City property. Current policy is to only allow for removal of trees due to disease. Szymanski suggested amending policy to allow the Tree Commission to consider additional factors when deciding whether to approve residents’ requests for removal of trees. CONSENSUS: Council directed DPW Director Mikula to work with the Tree Commission to allow for consideration of petitions for tree removal for factors other than disease of the tree on a case by case basis. Council Work Session – January 12, 2021 Page 1 DISCUSSION ON SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM – Mayor Pro-Tem Szymanski led a discussion on City sidewalk issues. There are numerous factors that cause sidewalks to be impassable such as tree damage, overgrown grass, bushes, snow piles and cars/boats parked across the sidewalk access. Szymanski suggested using a system similar to the Asset Management used for City Street maintenance to maintain sidewalks. DPW Director Mikula explained the current three phase approach used to maintain sidewalks: 1. Trip hazard repairs – currently repair 400-500 hazards annually 2. Disrepair/Cracks 3. Gap filling CONSENSUS: City Manager and DPW Director Mikula will meet to discuss options to be brought back to Council. OTHER: None Adjourned at 8:18 pm. Respectfully submitted, Lora Y Laurain Deputy Clerk Heather Pefley MiPMC/CMC City Clerk Council Work Session – January 12, 2021 Page 2