City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 2, 2021 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, February 2, 2021 at 7:00 pm remotely as authorized by the Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.263a). PRESENT: David Bachman, Lynda Beaton, Roger Zielinski, Jermaine Cipcic, Michael Szymanski, and James Grabowski ABSENT: Erin Martin Pontiac ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Thad Taylor, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Deputy Clerk – Lora Laurain, City Assessor – Molly Whetstone, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Planning and Zoning Administrator – Mike Szokola, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - January 19, 2021 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances December 2020 Revenue & Expense December 2020 Quarterly Financial Update Quarterly Investment Update • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – February 9, 2021, 7:00 pm A Council work session has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The Annual RRC Board and Commission Discussion to Identify and Prioritize Redevelopment Sites will take place, a discussion will be conducted on the SAFEbuilt rental program and food trucks; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Bachman to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None INTRODUCTION OF NEW EMPLOYEE, POLICE OFFICER TAD SCHMELING Chief Glass introduced new City of Manistee Police Officer Tad Schmeling. Councilmembers welcomed Officer Schmeling to the City. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 2, 2021 CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION ALLOWING ALL TAXPAYERS THE RIGHT TO PROTEST BY MAIL This resolution will allow all taxpayers the ability to protest by mail and not have to make a personal appearance before the Board of Review, according to MCL211.30(8). The statute has always allowed nonresidents to protest by mail; this will allow everyone to protest by mail. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to approve a resolution allowing all taxpayers to protest by mail. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING CHANGES TO THE OIL AND GAS INVESTMENT POLICY AND SPENDING RULE The Oil and Gas Investment Board oversees the investments of the Oil and Gas Fund pursuant to Section 260 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Manistee. The board has adopted an Investment Policy and Spending Rule for this purpose. Because of significance of the Oil and Gas Fund to the City, the oil and gas investment policy requires City Council approval on any changes to the policy. The board has recommended a change in the policy lowering the spending rule percentage from 4.0% to 3.5% over two fiscal years and is presenting it to Council for ratification. MOTION by Bachman, second by Grabowski to approve changes to the Oil and Gas Investment Policy and Spending Rule. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 5-1. AYES: Bachman, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: Beaton CONSIDERATION OF DISTRIBUTING AN ESTATE GIFT FOR RAMSDELL THEATRE IN THE AMOUNT OF $16,304 TO THE RAMSDELL REGIONAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS TO PARTIALLY FUND A SOUND SYSTEM UPGRADE, WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEM, AND HEARING ASSIST INDUCTION LOOP The City received an estate gift for the Ramsdell Theatre in 2017 from the Julianne Scott Trust. The Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts has identified a sound system upgrade in the Theatre that would be an appropriate use for these funds. It has requested that these funds be released to them to fund a portion of the project. All additional funds needed to complete the project have already been secured. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to approve the distribution of the Julianne Scott Estate Gift for the Ramsdell Theatre to the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts for use in a sound system upgrade. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 2, 2021 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN 18-HOLE DISC GOLF COURSE AT FIRST STREET BEACH/DOUGLAS PARK The City of Manistee Parks Commission has been working cooperatively with the Public Works Department to develop a disc golf course within the City of Manistee Parks System. A conceptual layout was presented to City Council at the January 12, 2021 work session. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski to approve the development of an 18-hole disc golf course at First Street Beach and authorize the Parks Commission and Public Works to seek out funding including but not limited to grants, sponsorships, and donations. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None A REPORT FROM MANISTEE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Ms. Stacie Bytwork reported on the activities of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. The Chamber of Commerce focused on advocacy during 2020 and policy priorities included supporting businesses, developing and attracting a talented work force, and being competitive with other areas of Michigan. Mr. Marc Miller reported on the activities of Economic Development and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. Economic Development focused on 9 major projects in 2020 including WSCC Manistee Center, Downtown Gateway, Lakeshore Hotel, Fricano’s on Manistee River, Monroe Cottages, River Water Development, Northern Hotel, Thoroughbred Boat Company and Hillcrest Village Development. Economic Development Vision for 2021 includes Developer Day, Entrepreneurial Day, being the point of contact for business, advancing of existing projects, and building business resiliency. CITIZEN COMMENT None OFFICIALS AND STAFF DPW Director Mikula reported that the Sands Park ice skating rink is open and has skates available for use. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 2, 2021 COUNCILMEMBERS Bachman asked if the City had considered purchasing the Lakeshore Motel property for public use. City Manager Taylor responded that the cost of the property is prohibitive and purchasing the property would remove that property from the City tax rolls. Beaton stated that the listing price of the Lakeshore Motel property is $2,700,000. Grabowski congratulated Beaton on her recent retirement and thanked DPW for their efforts in setting up the ice skating rink. Szymanski reported that a recent HSCB meeting discussed the need for county wide broadband internet service and a broadband survey is being conducted. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, MANAGER ANNUAL EVALUATION City Manager Thad N. Taylor has requested a Closed Session this evening as permitted by the Open Meetings Act, Section 8 (a) for discussion on the City manager’s Annual Evaluation. Motion by Beaton, second by Szymanski to proceed to Closed Session under Section 8 (a) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Time: 8:18 pm. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None Motion by Cipcic, second by Beaton to return to regular session. Time: 8:39 pm. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Cipcic, Szymanski, and Grabowski NAYS: None ADJOURN MOTION to adjourn was made by Szymanski. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 pm. Lora Y Laurain Deputy Clerk Heather Pefley MiPMC/CMC City Clerk | Page 4