City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 1, 2022 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Lynda Beaton on Tuesday, February 1, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: David Bachman, Cindy Lundberg, Lynda Beaton, Jermaine Sullivan, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton PUBLIC HEARING ON AN APPLICATION FOR COMMERCIAL REHABILITATION EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE FROM HOTEL VENTURES MANISTEE, LLC An application has been received from Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC for a Commercial Rehabilitation Certificate for the property located at 101 S. Lakeshore Drive, pursuant to Public Act 210 of 2005. The City Clerk completed the required notices of the public hearing, and the public was provided an opportunity to comment. Gini Pelton, 329 First Avenue/ spoke in support of the application for Commercial Rehabilitation Certificate from Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC. Jeff Dontz, 405 E. Kott Road – Manistee County, County Commission Chair and EDC Chair/ spoke in support of the application for Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate from Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC. Liz Laskey, 537 Fourth Street/ asked Council to consider approving the application for Commercial Exemption Certificate for only one year instead of the requested 10 years and then review annually. Marc Miller, 414 Cedar Street – Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, Director of Economic Development/ spoke in support of the application for Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate from Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC for the full 10 years as requested. Peter Beukema, Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC/ expressed the importance of the Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate for the success of this project. Public Hearing ended 7:16 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes January 18, 2022 Regular Meeting | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 1, 2022 • Financial Reports Cash Balances December 2021 Revenue & Expenses December 2021 Quarterly Financial Update Quarterly Investment Update • 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 presentation will be given; 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, Lundberg, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE COMMERCIAL REHABILITATION EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE APPLICATION FROM HOTEL VENTURES MANISTEE, LLC City Council adopted a resolution establishing the Lakeshore Commercial Rehabilitation District No. 1 on November 16, 2021. Pursuant to PA 210 of 2005, once the district is established, the property owners may file an application with the local clerk for a commercial rehabilitation exemption certificate. On January 12, 2022, the City Clerk received a Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Application from Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC for the property at 101 S. Lakeshore Drive. A public hearing was held earlier this evening and public notice was provided in accordance with the Commercial Rehabilitation Act. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Bachman to adopt a resolution to approve a ten-year Commercial Rehabilitation Exemption Certificate for Hotel Ventures Manistee, LLC for the property at 101 S. Lakeshore Drive. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Lundberg, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CITY OF MANISTEE COUNCIL DISTRICT BOUNDARIES In the second year following each federal census, election commissions shall divide election precincts as they deem necessary to make the population of each precinct equitable. The 2020 Census declared the population of Manistee as 6,259 which is an increase of 33 from the 2010 Census. The current population distribution between the City precincts is equitable and does not require a revision. However, upon review of the City Council Districts, there is a population deviation between Districts 5 and 6 that make a revision necessary. The City of Manistee Election Commission has reviewed the matter according to Michigan Election Law and City Charter and has prepared new Council District boundaries to rectify the inequity and recommend City Council accept the proposed changes to the boundaries between Districts 5 and 6 to reflect the 2020 Census population changes. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 1, 2022 MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign a resolution approving changes to the City of Manistee City Council districts as recommended by the Election Commission effective immediately. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Lundberg, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING TREE COMMISSION BYLAW UPDATES The City of Manistee Tree Commission has reviewed and recommended minor updates to its bylaws. The City Attorney has reviewed the revisions and recommended additional updates. The Tree Commission has approved the recommended revisions and updates. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to accept the proposed revisions and updates to the Tree Commission Bylaws. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 6-1. AYES: Lundberg, Beaton, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: Bachman A REPORT FROM THE MANISTEE RECREATION ASSOCIATION Mr. Mitch Deisch and Ms. Erica Cramer reported on the activities of the Manistee Recreation Association and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT No comments received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided updates on lot coverage zoning issue, electric vehicle charging station signs, parks reservation system, and free water testing available from MDHHS. COUNCILMEMBERS Sullivan asked if any progress has been made downtown with new restaurant and retail recruitment and requested an update on the land replacement needed for the property sale to be completed with Fricano’s. Martin Pontiac asked if more benches could be placed at the Ice Rink. Grabowski asked for an update on the Gateway project. Szymanski commented that homes on the city run water list would not be able to have their water tested | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 1, 2022 because of the requirement to have water off for 6 hours prior to testing. He also thanked the DPW for their work shoveling all the snow off the bridge. Beaton inquired on the property sale to Fricano’s and if the State will put restrictions on the use of the proceeds from the sale. ADJOURN MOTION by Szymanski to adjourn the meeting at 7:54 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC/MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 4