City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 17, 2021 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Lynda Beaton on Tuesday, August 17, 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, Cindy Lundberg, Jermaine Sullivan, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Interim City Manager/Finance Director – Ed Bradford (arrived at 7:03), City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton AMEND AGENDA MOTION by Sullivan, second by Bachman to amend the agenda to add item VIII. New Business e.) Consideration of A Parcel Split at 220 Arthur Street (51-51-174-707-05). With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes August 4, 2021 Regular Meeting August 10, 2021 Work Session • Financial Reports Payroll July 2021 Invoices July 2021 • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – September 14, 2021, 7:00 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers. A discussion will be conducted on the City sign ordinance, recycling, construction update; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of the annual Manistee Lions White Cane Fundraiser. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 17, 2021 CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 21-16 PAYMENT IN LIEU OF TAXES FOR HOUSING. Rietz Park Village Limited Dividend Housing Association Limited Partnership has proposed renovations to its Rietz Park Apartment complex. It has requested the adoption of a Payment In Lieu of Taxes ordinance that provides for a 2% PILOT. Additional payments under a Municipal Services Agreement and a Road Resurface Agreement were considered separately by Council at the August 4, 2021 meeting. As an ordinance, two separate readings are required. This ordinance was introduced at the August 4, 2021 meeting and could be adopted at this time. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to adopt Ordinance 21-16 Payment In Lieu Of Taxes for Housing. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH WILLIAM GAMBILL FOR THE CITY MANAGER POSITION. The City previously extended a conditional offer of employment to City Manager candidate William Gambill. The offer was contingent on a pre-employment physical, drug screen, background check and Council approval of an employment agreement. The first three conditions have been satisfactorily addressed. The interim City Manager has negotiated an employment agreement with Mr. Gambill, and he has agreed to the terms. MOTION by Bachman, second by Szymanski to approve an employment agreement with William Gambill for the City Manager position. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE CITY'S PERSONNEL POLICY AND PROCEDURES MANUAL FOR SICK TIME. The sick time policy for non-union, non-department heads is included in the City’s Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Each of the four Union groups also has a sick time policy in their respective collective bargaining agreements. The non-union group has requested a change to the policy to better align it with the benefits received by the Union groups. The two proposed changes would allow for a greater payout for unused sick time at retirement or death, and an annual payout for unused sick time above a capped amount. These changes would help reduce the disparity between employee groups, while being affordable for the City. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to approve an amendment to the City's Personnel Policy and Procedure Manual for sick time. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 17, 2021 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE LOCAL REVENUE SHARING BOARD GRANT APPLICATIONS. The Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB) distributes 2% money from the Little River Casino. The deadline for the 2021 Cycle II applications is Friday, September 3, 2021, at 5:00 p.m. City staff has prepared two grant applications for submission to the LRSB. This agenda item will include two separate motions, one for each grant application. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Sullivan to authorize submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for Police Department Patrol Jackets in the amount of $5,471.80. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to authorize submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for Fire Department Rope Rescue Team Kit with 4 Atom Rescue Harnesses in the amount of $11,911.00. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, 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, Downtown Development Authority, Historic District Commission, PEG Commission, and Tree Commission. Mayoral and Manager appointments require a motion, second and Council voted support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. One vacancy for an At Large Member, unexpired term ending 06/30/22. City Manager appointment. Kelly J. Greve – 606 Broad Avenue Interim City Manager Ed Bradford appointed Kelly J. Greve, 606 Broad Avenue to the Downtown Development Authority as an at large member for the unexpired term ending 6/30/22. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to support the Interim Manager’s appointment of Kelly J. Greve, 606 Broad Avenue to the Downtown Development Authority as an at large member for the | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 17, 2021 unexpired term ending 6/30/22. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A PARCEL SPLIT AT 220 ARTHUR STREET (51-51-174-707-05). B & L Capital Investments, LLC would like to split their parcel at 220 Arthur Street (51-51-174-707-05) so they can sell the hotel on a smaller parcel. The parcels meet Zoning requirements, and the City Assessor has confirmed that the split is legal and allowable. The City of Manistee Planning Commission gave their recommendation of approval to City Council for the parcel split request to continue. MOTION by Bachman, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the parcel split of 220 Arthur Street. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENT Diane Knapp, 318 ½ River Street – commented on the walk through of the Riverwalk that took place earlier in the day. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Cameron acknowledged Brandon Nelson for his paramedic certification. Mohr thanked Council for approving the changes to the sick time policy for non-union employees. COUNCILMEMBERS Lundberg commented on the walk through of the Riverwalk. Sullivan requested future discussions on SAFEbuilt’s contract and the process for Boards & Commissions appointments. She also commented on the current process of using Police officers for the reporting of noxious weeds/ tall grass to the DPW and for placement of the beach flag; asked if this process could be changed. Martin Pontiac asked if there was an anticipated start date for Mr. Gambill. Grabowski questioned if a plan would be developed for the maintenance needed on the Riverwalk. Szymanski asked for an update on Tree Commission. Beaton thanked everyone is attendance at the meeting, expressed appreciation to the DPW for attending | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 17, 2021 the walk through of the Riverwalk, and offered concerns with the proposed housing development on Washington Street. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski to adjourn at 7:32 p.m. Heather Pefley CMC/MiPMC City Clerk | Page 5