City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 18, 2021 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, May 18, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. remotely as authorized by the Open Meetings Act (MCL 15.263a). PRESENT: David Bachman – attending remotely from City of Manistee, Manistee County, MI 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 ABSENT: None 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 & Zoning Administrator – Zachary Sompels, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief - Mark Cameron and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS James Beaudrie, 1249 Maple Rd. – spoke in favor of the proposed Social District. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - May 5, 2021 Regular Meeting May 11, 2021 Work Session • Financial Reports Payroll April 2021 Invoices April 2021 • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – June 8, 2021, 7:00 p.m. A Council work session has been scheduled for Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on staff liaisons to boards and commissions; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of the 2021 Catamaran Racing Association of Michigan (CRAM) to hold its annual Manistee Regatta on August 5 – 8, 2021 The CRAM Regatta is scheduled for Thursday, August 5 through Sunday, August 8, 2021.Thursday is for arrivals and setup only. Racing will take place on August 6 – 8, 2021. This event will utilize Douglas Park boat launch parking area, beach area NW of the open space. The conclusion of all CRAM events will occur on Sunday, August 8, 2021 by 6:00 p.m. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Beaton to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 18, 2021 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A SOCIAL DISTRICT LOCATED DOWNTOWN MANISTEE The Downtown Development Authority (DDA) would like to request the activation of a Social District, as allowed by the Michigan Public Act 124 of 2020, signed into law on July 1, 2020. This would allow the City of Manistee to establish a Social District with “common areas,” where two or more contiguous licensed establishments could sell alcoholic beverages in special cups to be taken out into the designated “common area” for consumption. MOTION by Sullivan, second by Martin Pontiac to adopt a resolution to support the establishment of a Social District in downtown Manistee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF RENEWING A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT FOR ASSESSING SERVICES WITH GREAT LAKES ASSESSING, INC. AND DESIGNATING MARLENE WHETSTONE AS CITY ASSESSOR The City entered into a five-year contact in June 2016 with Great Lakes Assessing, Inc.; that contract is expiring. The City has negotiated a new five-year agreement to provide assessing services. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement. MOTION by Beaton, second by Bachman to enter into a five-year contract for assessing services with Great Lakes Assessing, Inc. and designate Marlene Whetstone as the City Assessor. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A THREE-YEAR MOORING AGREEMENT WITH HARBOR TOURS, LLC Harbor Tours, LLC has relocated its vessel, Princess, to the Manistee Harbor. The Princess will operate commercially from a location within the City Marina, along the Riverwalk. A mooring agreement has been prepared by the City Attorney to define the terms of the agreement. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the mooring agreement with Harbor Tours, LLC and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the document. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 18, 2021 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY (DDA) 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET AMENDMENT The DDA needs to correct a budget line item for the current FY 2020-2021 budget to ensure actual expenditures do not exceed the current budget. Expenditures were approved and budgeted in the 2019- 2020 fiscal year for dumpster corrals in the DDA district but the DDA was not billed until the 2020-2021 fiscal year. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Bachman to amend the 2020-2021 fiscal year budget to correct current approved expenditures. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Compensation Commission, Historic District Commission, PEG Commission, Tree Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mayoral 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 the nominees until one nominee receives majority support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent Tree Commission. Four vacancies, three terms ending 12/31/22 and one term ending in 12/31/23; Mayoral appointment. Zachary Sompels – 158 Taylor Street Mayor Zielinski appointed Zachary Sompels, 158 Taylor Street. to the Tree Commission term ending 12/31/23. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Beaton to support the Mayor’s appointment of Zachary Sompels to the Tree Commission term ending 12/31/23. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 18, 2021 Zoning Board of Appeals. One vacancy (alternate), term ending 5/31/24; applicants shall be a representative of the population distribution and of the various interests present in the City; Mayoral appointment. *Denis R. Johnson – 464 Fifth Street Mayor Zielinski appointed Denis R. Johnson, 464 Fifth Street as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals term ending 5/31/24. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Bachman to support the Mayor’s appointment of Denis R. Johnson as an alternate to the Zoning Board of Appeals term ending 5/31/24. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Zielinski, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THE ENGINEER OF RECORD Mr. Jeff Mikula reported on the activities of the Department of Public Works and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. Mikula’s report included updates in all of the following DPW capacities: • Utilities • Fleet • Parks • Refuse/Recycling • Streets • Marina Mr. Shawn Middleton reported on the activities of the Engineer’s Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. Spicer Group provides general engineering consulting and engineering projects services to the City. Middleton highlighted 2020 and 2021 projects including sewer lining, Transportation Improvement Plan, asset management and leveraging of grant funding. A PRESENTATION FROM HOUSING NORTH Housing North Executive Director Ms. Yarrow Brown presented the work Housing North is doing with the Housing Ready Program and Housing Michigan Coalition. The goal of the organization is to address barriers to housing and work toward housing solutions through the following: • Awareness • Advocacy • Capacity & Resources. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 18, 2021 CITIZEN COMMENT None OFFICIALS AND STAFF None COUNCILMEMBERS Beaton asked when Council will be resuming meeting in person. Taylor reported that the June 1, 2021 Council meeting will be the final virtual meeting. Sullivan asked if the letters received regarding the Lakeshore Motel property were also provided to the Planning Commission; requested a work session regarding a crosswalk at First and Maple Streets; asked for an update on ARP funds; and expressed concerns regarding SAFEbuilt’s ability to manage the rental program in a timely manner. Grabowski inquired about the Parks Commission’s budget and reporting process. Szymanski expressed concern regarding construction permitting being required by SAFEbuilt in the City of Manistee which is possibly not required throughout Manistee County and the State of Michigan. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to adjourn. 8:44 p.m. Lora Y Laurain Deputy Clerk Heather Pefley MiPMC/CMC City Clerk | Page 5