City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 18, 2022 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Lynda Beaton on Tuesday, January 18, 2022, 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: Cindy Lundberg ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director - Ed Bradford, Police Chief – Josh Glass, and Fire Chief – Mark Cameron PUBLIC HEARING ON THE ADOPTION OF A BROWNFIELD PLAN FOR THE AREA IN THE VICINITY OF 101 LAKESHORE DRIVE LOCATED IN THE CITY OF MANISTEE. The purpose of the public hearing is to afford an opportunity for all citizens and interested parties to provide comments on the adoption of the proposed Brownfield Plan for the Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC Redevelopment project. No Public Hearing Comments Received. Public Hearing ended 7:02 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. None received. CONSENT AGENDA. • Minutes January 4, 2022 Regular Meeting January 11, 2022 Study Session • Financial Reports Payroll December 2021 Invoices December 2021 • Notification Regarding Next Study Session – February 8, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. A Council study session has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 8, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. The State of the Streets 2021 report will be presented; and such business as may come before Council. 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, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 18, 2022 CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING 2022 POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES AS APPROVED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION. The Governor recently signed significant legislation concerning the Poverty Exemptions. The City of Manistee needs to make some changes to our guidelines to become compliant with the State Tax Commission Bulletin 3 of 2021. The new Act also takes away the ability of the Board of Review to deviate from the Standards. The proposed changes to the Policy mirror the information in Bulletin 3 of 2021. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to approve the resolution establishing 2022 Poverty Exemption Guidelines. 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 FORD EXPLORER FROM GORNO FORD. The Manistee City Police Department utilizes an unmarked police vehicle as part of the police fleet. This vehicle is assigned to the Detective Sergeant. Currently, the vehicle is a 2010 Ford Escape and is at the end of its life cycle. Bids have been solicited from Mi Deals participants, as well as other dealerships and upfitting companies. One Ford dealership and one upfitting company have been identified, based on pricing and need, for recommendation. MOTION by Bachman, second by Grabowski to authorize the purchase of a 2022 Ford Explorer from Gorno Ford for $31,279 and to be upfitted by Tel-Rad Inc. for $1,154. Discussion included clarification that this purchase would be in lieu of the previously approved vehicle purchase made by Council on July 6th, 2021. The vehicle previously approved was no longer available. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZATION FOR ENTERING A CLINICAL AGREEMENT WITH WEST SHORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. The Manistee Fire Department would collaborate with West Shore Community College to provide a clinical site for students to obtain required assessment time on an ambulance. This agreement would allow students in the EMT/Paramedic program to assess points under the supervision of a City Fire Paramedic to meet program required benchmarks in order to obtain state and national licensing. MOTION by Martin Pontiac, second by Grabowski to authorize entering into a clinical agreement with West Shore Community College and the City of Manistee Fire Department. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 18, 2022 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A BROWNFIELD PLAN FOR THE HOTEL VENTURES MANISTEE, LLC REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Earlier this evening a public hearing was held on the proposed Brownfield Plan for the Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC Redevelopment project. The City of Manistee Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has approved the Brownfield Plan. Public Act 381 of 1996 requires the municipality where the project is located to also approve the Plan. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Bachman to adopt a resolution approving the Brownfield Plan for the Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC Redevelopment. Finance Director Ed Bradford gave a presentation which included a review of the timeline for the project, Brownfield Plan and Development & Reimbursement Agreement, Tax Impact, public infrastructure, and shared infrastructure. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A DEVELOPMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE HOTEL VENTURES MANISTEE, LLC REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Earlier this evening a public hearing was held on the proposed Brownfield Plan for the Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC Redevelopment project. Council also considered approving the Brownfield Plan. As part of the approval process for the project, a Development and Reimbursement Agreement between the City, Developer, and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority needs to be approved. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Martin Pontiac to enter into a Development and Reimbursement Agreement with Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC and the City of Manistee Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and further authorize the Mayor to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE MANISTEE RECREATION ASSOCIATION. Erica Cramer was unable to give her report. This item will be rescheduled. CITIZEN COMMENT. Marty Spaulding, 259 River Street / spoke on the previously approved zoning ordinance amendment Z21- 18 regarding lot coverage and the negative impacts he is facing due to the provisions of this amendment. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 18, 2022 Tianna Gremore, 380 Twelfth Street / expressed concerns with increased traffic near Rotary Park from the proposed Hotel project and asked if a fence could be constructed around the park for safety. OFFICIALS AND STAFF. Gambill stated funding for fencing around Rotary Park will be discussed during the upcoming budget process and he will be having further discussion with Mr. Spaulding and the Planning and Zoning Department regarding the lot coverage issue. He updated Council on the EGLE action level exceedance requirements and stated recent water testing results were negative for lead and copper, and also provided updates as requested from Council at the last council meeting regarding public input on the Ramsdell Master Plan, City Property Listing update, 12th Street bump, River Street boarded store fronts, and the Blight Ad Hoc information will come back to Council in February. COUNCILMEMBERS. Bachman asked for clarification on the zoning issue and if there would be an amendment to the zoning ordinance; expressed frustration with ongoing issue presented to the Tree Commission and asked if Council could intervene; asked for an update on the sidewalk plow previously approved for purchase. Szymanski asked if the bridge sidewalks are a priority for snow removal. Sullivan had additional questions regarding the bump on Twelfth Street and the Tree Commission issue and who has the final authority. Beaton stated Save A Lot grocery store has posted notice that the store will be closing and expressed concerns with the impact this will have on the Northside residents. She also requested an update on the signage previously requested for the electric vehicle charging stations. ADJOURN. MOTION by Szymanski to adjourn the meeting at 7:58p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC/MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 4