City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION MINUTES OF OCTOBER 12, 2021 The Manistee City Council met in a work session on Tuesday, October 12, 2021, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT: David Bachman, Lynda Beaton, Cindy Lundberg, Jermaine Sullivan, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager and Department Directors PUBLIC COMMENTS: None DISCUSSION ON MDNR LAND CONVERSION REQUIREMENT FOR MARINA PROPERTY SALE TO FRICANO’S MANISTEE RIVER – City Manager William Gambill led the discussion on the MDNR Land Conversion requirement for the Marina property sale to Fricano’s Manistee River. Gambill provided historical background on the property and explained that a conversion occurs when either a grant assisted site, or portion of the site, is no longer available for public outdoor recreation or the property rights or control of the grant-assisted site, or a portion of the site, are conveyed by the Grantee to another entity. The purchase agreement with Fricano’s is for .082 acres of the marina property. Discussion included: • Overview of the conversion process • Fricano’s conversion currently at Step 1 • Negative consequences of triggering a conversion; points loss for future Trust Fund Grant Applications • Current proposed mitigation property (replacement land) – 9th Street boat launch; proposed addition of a kayak launch • Additional City owned properties that could be used if denial received from the National Park Service on 9th Street property • Property must have comparable market value and recreational usefulness to offer as replacement land • Large conversion as opposed to small conversion; a sale over $25,000 triggers a large conversion • Next steps in the process o Continue with Parcel split o Council could consider an addendum to sell the parcel for just under $25,000 to trigger a small conversion o Staff to pursue all administrative steps for the conversion o Goal for completion - end of August 2022 • Original purchase agreement with Fricano’s was extended, but has since expired; an extension or new agreement is needed CONSENSUS: Council requested a new purchase agreement for the marina property be drafted and placed Council Work Session –October 12, 2021 Page 1 on a future agenda for consideration. Council would like the purchase agreement to be contingent upon the City receiving approval on a location for the conversion. OTHER Lundberg would like to have further discussion on the Parks Commission and items addressed in their annual report. Beaton requested a discussion on recording of all Boards & Commission meetings. Sullivan added that she would also like to have a discussion on the current process for appointments to fill vacancies on Boards & Commissions. Pefley updated Council on the procedure to approved closed session minutes. Bradford stated that new employee Kendra Cook will start her position tomorrow as Accountant/Deputy Treasurer. Glass notified Council that both Police and Fire received their LRSB grants and gave an update on the traffic study and investigation/arrest/arraignment of subject involved in copper theft. Martin Pontiac requested information on Trick or Treating in the City. Middleton provided information on upcoming US-31 closures. There being no further business, the work session adjourned at approximately 7:56 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Pefley, CMC/MiPMC City Clerk Council Work Session –October 12, 2021 Page 2