City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 20, 2021 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by his honor, Mayor Roger Zielinski on Tuesday, July 20, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: David Bachman, Lynda Beaton, Jermaine Sullivan, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: Roger Zielinski ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager/Finance Director – Ed Bradford, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Planning & Zoning Administrator – Zachary Sompels, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes - July 6, 2021 Regular Meeting July 8, 2021 Special Meeting July 13, 2021 Special Meeting July 13, 2021 Work Session • Financial Reports Payroll June 2021 Invoices June 2021 • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – August 10, 2021, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers. A discussion will be conducted on the use of the American Rescue Plan Funds; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of Manistee DDA holding the Hops & Props event on Saturday, September 18, 2021. • Consideration of a temporary activity permit for 291 First Street for garage sales. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION FOR THE INTERIM CITY MANAGER. Chief Financial Officer Ed Bradford was appointed Interim City Manager effective July 2, 2021. At the time the appointment was made, there was not an increase in compensation for the additional duties. It has | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 20, 2021 been past City practice to adjust compensation for individuals serving in the role of Interim City Manager. MOTION by Martin Pontiac, second by Grabowski to increase the salary of the Interim City Manager and CFO by $300 per week effective July 3, 2021, until such time as a permanent City Manager is appointed and serving in the position. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE PURCHASE OF A 2022 CHEVY TAHOE 4WD PPV UTILITY VEHICLE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT. The Manistee City Police Department maintains a fleet of police vehicles to serve City residents. One of the patrol vehicles is nearing the end of its life cycle and warrants replacement. Pricing has been secured from one MiDeals Chevy dealer. In addition, bids were obtained from three upfitting companies. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Bachman to authorize the purchase of a 2022 Chevy Tahoe 4wd PPV utility vehicle from Todd Wenzel Chevrolet, to be upfitted by Tele-Rad Inc. for a total price of $54,886.96. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS MADE BY THE AD HOC BLIGHT COMMITTEE. The purpose of the ad Hoc Blight Committee is to provide recommendations to City Council on the prevention and elimination of contributing factors and causes of blight. The Ad Hoc Blight Committee is comprised of City residents and has been meeting on a regular basis since September 2020. They have come to consensus on recommendations to City Council. MOTION by Martin Pontiac, second by Grabowski to accept the recommendations from the Ad Hoc Blight Committee. Discussion followed and Council requested revisions to the resolution for future consideration. With a roll call vote this motion failed, 1-5 vote. AYES: Szymanski NAYS: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac CONSIDERATION OF CITY OF MANISTEE PLANNING COMMISSION BYLAW AMENDMENT. The proposed amendment to the bylaws dictates that letters to the Planning Commission will no longer be required to be read aloud at meetings but rather shared with the Planning Commission prior. Letters would still be available to the public and the chair can determine if certain letters should be read aloud. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 20, 2021 MOTION by Bachman, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the proposed bylaw amendment. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE UTILITIES DEPARTMENT. Bruce Banks and Rick Mohr reported on the activities of the City of Manistee Utilities Department and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Stephen Glagola, 314 Sibben Street – expressed concerns with parking requirements for the proposed housing development at 314 Sibben Street. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Bradford updated Council on a recent conversation with Mr. Gambill, progress with Parks and DPW, and a meeting scheduled for Thursday with Mr. Glagola. Mikula provided updates on the vehicle auction scheduled for next week and plans for managing the Japanese Knotweed. COUNCILMEMBERS Beaton provided data from Manistee Proud including hours of work provided by the group of volunteers and the extensive work completed; expressed gratitude for their efforts. Sullivan asked Chief Glass if the blight resolution will be rewritten, expressed importance of the blight committee, and asked Bradford to add a discussion to an upcoming work session regarding SAFEbuilt. Martin Pontiac asked for clarification on the maintenance of Hamlin Baseball Field. Grabowski expressed concerns with parking at First Street beach and inquired on the status of a blighted structure on 8th Street. Szymanski read a Resolution of Thanks and Appreciation for Mayor Roger Zielinski for his service to the City of Manistee and thanked everyone for attending the meeting. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski to adjourn at 8:12 p.m. Heather Pefley CMC/MiPMC City Clerk | Page 3