City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 7, 2021 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Lynda Beaton on Tuesday, December 7, 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: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – George Saylor, Deputy Clerk – Lora Laurain, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes November 16, 2021 Regular Meeting November 23, 2021 Work Session • Financial Reports Cash Balances October 2021 Revenue & Expenses October 2021 • Consideration of Ordinance 21-19 to amend Chapter 863, Food Vendors, of the City of Manistee, Michigan Codified Ordinances. The Downtown Development Authority requested an amendment to the Chapter 863 Food Vendor Ordinance to allow for short term food truck opportunities in the downtown district. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. This ordinance was introduced at the November 16, 2021, meeting and could be adopted at this time. • Notification Regarding Next Work Session – A Council work session has been scheduled for Tuesday, December 14, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on parks reservation system and water billing; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski 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 CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING CHANGE ORDER #4, CLEAN WATER RECOVERY FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS, GENERAL WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS, PHASE II, CONTRACT B. Change Order #4 includes revisions to the Headworks building, storage tanks and the addition of a 60” steel casing below the railroad tracks, along with railroad flagging control and construction monitoring. The net change is a contract increase of $82,752.00 and requires City Council approval. MOTION by Bachman, second by Szymanski to approve Change Order #4, Clean Water Recovery Facility Improvements, General Wastewater Improvements, Phase II, Contract B, in the amount of $82,752.00 and authorize the City Manager to execute the documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 7, 2021 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF AN ARTICULATING LOADER A piece of equipment utilized by the Department of Public Works experienced a severe mechanical breakdown this summer that resulted in the machine being retired from service and subsequently being sold at auction. The proposed replacement machine is a 2022 Wacker Neuson Articulation Loader, with a snow blower and V plow. This is an unbudgeted item and therefore the DPW has proposed deferring the purchase of a hot patch trailer and pickup until a future budget year. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Bachman to approve the purchase of an articulating loader and associated equipment from Fredrickson Supply in the amount of $82,241.30. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 6-1. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: Sullivan CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING A GRANT APPLICATION TO UPDATE THE BEACH MASTER PLANS In 2008 the City of Manistee completed work on Master Plans for First Street Beach, Fifth Avenue Beach and Manmade Lake. Many recommendations of the Master Plans have been implemented. The Department of Public Works has recommended that the Master Plans be updated. Total estimated costs for the Master Plans are $28,000.00. A grant application is being prepared for submission to the United States Department of Commerce, Coastal Management Program for $14,000.00. The City’s $14,000.00 match will need to be included in an upcoming budget cycle. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to approve the resolution to approve the submission of the grant application, commit to the required matching funds, and authorize the City Clerk to certify the document. 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 Board of Review, Compensation Commission, Harbor Commission, Historic District Commission, Parks Commission, PEG Commission, and Tree Commission. Mayoral and Manager 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 Board of Review. One vacancy (regular member) – term ending 12/31/24. (term starts 12/31/21). Applicants shall be taxpaying electors of the City who are owners of property assessed for taxes in the City and, at the time of their appointment, are neither elected or appointed officials of the City; Council appointment. *Erica Starkey-Hawkins – 5 Magill Street | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 7, 2021 *Mary Kowalski Wilhelm – 421 Cedar Street Sullivan nominated Erica Starkey-Hawkins, 5 Magill Street, to the Board of Review term ending 12/31/2024. Szymanski nominated Mary Kowalski Wilhelm, 421 Cedar Street, to the Board of Review term ending 12/31/2024. With a roll call vote the appointment of Mary Kowalski Wilhelm was approved, 4-3. Mary Kowalski Wilhelm: Bachman, Lundberg, Szymanski, and Grabowski Erica Starkey-Hawkins: Beaton, Sullivan, and Martin Pontiac Parks Commission. Two vacancies, one (1) term ending 6/30/22, one (1) term ending in 6/30/23. Applicants may be nonresidents but must own real estate or a business/profession having a licensed business location in the City or have a child attending school within the City; Mayoral appointment. Karin Maue – 536 Fourth Street Mayor Beaton appointed Karin Maue, 536 Fourth Street, to the Parks Commission term ending 06/30/2023. MOTION by Sullivan, second by Szymanski to support the Mayor’s appointment of Karin Maue to the Parks Commission term ending 06/30/2023. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Mayor Beaton made the following Council Committee appointments: • Alternatives for Area Youth - Martin Pontiac • Audit Committee - Martin Pontiac • Local Revenue Sharing Board - Grabowski • MRA Board - Lundberg • 911 Board Authority - Glass • Oil & Gas Investment - Beaton (Chair), Sullivan & Bradford • Ordinance Committee - Szymanski (Chair), Sullivan & Bachman • Sands Park Control Board - Sullivan • Utilities Committee - Bachman City Manager Gambill made the following appointments to the Council Personnel Committee: • Sullivan, Grabowski & Bachman Motion by Bachman, second by Sullivan to support Gambill’s appointment of Sullivan, Grabowski, and Bachman to the Council Personnel Committee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 7, 2021 A REPORT FROM THE CITY CLERK Ms. Pefley’s report was rescheduled for December 21, 2021. RESPONSE TO OXFORD SHOOTING In response to the recent school shootings in Oxford, Michigan, City Manager Gambill and Police Chief Glass reported on steps that are taking place locally to prevent similar situations. The police department participates in the Liaison Program with Manistee Area Public Schools, officers are trained to respond to active shooter situations and the public is encouraged to report suspected issues via the Ok to Say Tip Line (855) 565-2729. CITIZEN COMMENT None. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill reported that 82 water filters and 53 water sample kits have been distributed by the DPW. Residents are encouraged to share test results with the City. State of Michigan announced the City of Manistee will be awarded a DWAM grant of $606,932 to assist with upgrading water infrastructure. Chief Glass reported there were no incidents during Sleighbell Festival. COUNCILMEMBERS Bachman thanked Chief Glass for his comments regarding the police department’s efforts in working with school authorities; was pleased with Sleighbell Festival; and asked to discuss the possibility of returning to Zoom council meetings for the winter months. Lundberg reported she will be attending training for newly elected officials and she is proud of the Manistee community for providing a great Sleighbell Festival. Martin Pontiac agreed that it was great to see the Sleighbell Festival return to Manistee this year. Grabowski was pleased to see the Sleighbell Parade horses return and asked Chief Glass for an update on the previous laundromat property on Washington Street. Szymanski commended the DPW on leaf removal and thanked the security staff at Sleighbell Festival. Beaton enjoyed participating in Sleighbell Festival activities and expressed her appreciation of the close collaboration between the police department and local schools. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Lora Y Laurain, MiPMC Deputy Clerk | Page 4