City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF APRIL 13, 2021 The Manistee City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, April 13, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., remotely as authorized by the Opens Meeting Act (MCL 15.263a). MEMBERS PRESENT: David Bachman – attending remotely from City of Kissimmee, Osceola County, Florida Lynda Beaton – attending remotely from City of Manistee, Manistee County, MI Roger Zielinski – attending remotely from City of Manistee, Manistee County, MI Jermaine Sullivan – attending remotely from City of Manistee, Manistee County, MI Michael Szymanski - attending remotely from City of Manistee, Manistee County, MI James Grabowski – attending remotely from City of Manistee, Manistee County, MI Erin Martin Pontiac – attending remotely from City of Manistee, Manistee County, MI MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Department Directors, and Public PUBLIC COMMENTS: Jenn Teller, 712 Harbor Dr. – spoke in support of grandfathering current number of short-term rentals existing in the City of Manistee. Tim Riley, 72 Spinnaker Dr. - rental manager for Century21 Boardwalk Vacation Rentals, reported challenges working with SafeBuilt scheduling rental inspections and receiving rental certificates. Suzanne Riley, 314 Lakeshore Dr. – owner of Century 21 Boardwalk, spoke in support of the first two callers and recommended Council not mirror a short-term rental plan from Ludington. Nicki Smith, 227 Parkdale Ave. / West Shore Rental Management - spoke in support of the first three callers and recognized the importance of having a short-term rental plan in place. Todd Lloyd, 556 First St. – recommended annual fees for short-term rentals mimic fees for month to month rentals and spoke of the value of short-term rentals bringing families and visitors to Manistee. Council Work Session –April 13, 2021 Page 1 DISCUSSION ON SHORT-TERM RENTALS – City Manager Thad N. Taylor presented a draft of a short-term rental ordinance which included number of allowable rentals, frequency of inspections, and licensing fees. Discussion included: • Current number of short-term rentals in the City of Manistee • Water-front rentals • Owner occupied rentals • Required notifications regarding fireworks restrictions • Owner/Manager availability 24/7 • Health and safety regulations • Number of days to be considered as short-term rental CONSENSUS: Council directed staff to determine the number of current short-term rentals located in the City and present a revised draft for the proposed short-term rental ordinance to include unlimited water-front and owner-occupied rentals and to increase the number of days to be considered as short-term from 30 to 60. DISCUSSION ON CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS, SHORELINE, AND STREETS – Public Works Director Jeff Mikula and Engineer of Record Shawn Middleton presented updates on current and future City improvements that included: • Shoreline o North Beach access o 5th Ave. area flood mitigation o Erosion & Riverwalk repairs • Parks • Marina Docks • Roofing Projects o DDA restroom/Bridge House o City Hall o WWTP o Pump well houses o Fire Station o Water Works building • Fire Station • Street & Utility o Jackson & VanBuren Streets watermain loop o 8th Street o M-55 Bridge watermain & sanitary sewer o Quincy & Cleveland Streets o Washington St. watermain • Water Dept. Council Work Session –April 13, 2021 Page 2 DISCUSSION ON FISCAL YEAR 2021-2022 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN – City Manager Thad N. Taylor and Finance Director Ed Bradford led a discussion on the proposed 2021- 2022 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. Discussion items included: • Housing North • Chamber of Commerce – Economic Development • Ramsdell Theatre • Morton Park • Welcome Signs • Water/Sewer rate increases • Future purchase of new fire truck A Public Hearing on the proposed 2021-2022 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan will be held at the next City Council meeting on April 20, 2021, 7:00 p.m. OTHER: Sullivan asked for an update on the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Exemption granted for property located at 314 Sibben Street. Marc Miller of the Chamber of Commerce reported that the owner is working on plans for the building as well as his business plan. Sullivan also asked if there has been any progress on the boarded-up buildings on River Street. Chief Glass stated that second citations were recently issued, and the next step would be for the City Attorney to file for a court judgment. Grabowski asked for an update on the Manistee Gateway project. Taylor stated there have been a series of meetings regarding applying for grants and loans through EGLE to clear the property. Szymanski asked to share with the community the planned Riverwalk repairs and improvements; and asked if the DDA will present their proposed budget at the next Council meeting. Zielinski thanked staff for their work on the proposed budget. Adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lora Y Laurain Deputy Clerk Heather Pefley MiPMC/CMC City Clerk Council Work Session –April 13, 2021 Page 3