City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 19, 2022 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Lynda Beaton on Tuesday, April 19, 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, Michael Szymanski, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: Jermaine Sullivan ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – Richard Wilson, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Finance Director – Edward Bradford, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton PUBLIC HEARING ON THE 2022-2023 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN. The City fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Under Section 7-4 of the Charter, a public hearing is required on the budget which must be adopted not later than May 15 of each year. A study session was held on Tuesday, April 12, and a budget discussion is on the agenda for later this evening. An optional budget study session is scheduled for April 26. The Budget Calendar anticipates adoption of the budget at the May 3, 2022, meeting. The public had an opportunity to comment on the 2022-2023 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. John Helge, 450 Cedar Street / commented on ARPA fund use, supported investment in monitoring for PFAS contamination, and thanked Council for their work on the budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Ruth Pratt, 463 Fourth Street / questioned the amount budgeted for the bathroom at the City Garage. Public hearing ended at 7:06 p.m. CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes April 5, 2022 Regular Meeting April 12, 2022 Study Session • Financial Reports Payroll March 2022 Invoices March 2022 | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 19, 2022 • Notification Regarding Next Study Session – April 26, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on the 2022-2023 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING THE DEMOLITION BID FOR 150 MONROE STREET TO BOLLE CONTRACTING LLC FOR THE AMOUNT OF $12,960.00. The residence at 150 Monroe Street has been ordered by the courts to be demolished. This residence previously sustained fire damage and the City has received $13,000.00 from the insurance company for demolition. As part of our anti-blight efforts, the City has solicited sealed bids for demolition. The lowest bid received was from Bolle Contracting LLC for $12,960.00. MOTION by Bachman, second by Grabowski to award Bolle Contracting LLC the demolition bid in the amount of $12,960.00. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF GRANTING A RIGHT OF ENTRY TO THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. United States Army Corps of Engineers has requested a Right of Entry be granted to allow access for construction work on the South Breakwater. Improvements to the Breakwater are planned to begin in late 2022 and completed in 2023. Access to the Breakwater parcel will be through First Street Beach/Douglas Park. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Szymanski to grant a Right of Entry to the United States Army Corps of Engineers to allow for construction activities on the South Breakwater. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR WATER TOWER IMPROVEMENTS. Based upon regular inspections and recommendations from our water tower consultant, Dixon Engineering, the City has planned out improvements for both water towers. The project was publicly | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 19, 2022 advertised with seven bids being received: L.C. United Painting Co., Inc. $291,000.00 L&T Painting Company, Inc. $306,400.00 Seven Brothers Painting, Inc. $337,000.00 E&L Contractors, Inc. $337,800.00 George Kountoupes Painting, Inc. $373,300.00 Viking Painting, LLC $397,700.00 MW Cole Construction, LLC $429,800.00 Engineer's Estimate $327,000.00 The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the documents. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Bachman to award a contract to low bidder, L.C. United Painting Co., Inc., in the amount of $291,000.00 and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreements. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE ALTERNATIVES FOR AREA YOUTH. Ms. Shelia Kaminski reported on the activities of the Alternatives for Area Youth and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. DISCUSSION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 BUDGET. Administration has prepared the proposed 2022-2023 Fiscal Year Budget. It was introduced to Council and the community at the April 5, 2022, Council meeting by the Finance Director. A public hearing to review these budget recommendations and receive public input on them took place earlier in this meeting. In addition to tonight’s discussion, a budget study session took place on April 12 and an optional study session on Tuesday, April 26 is scheduled. The Budget Calendar anticipates adoption of the budget at the May 3, 2022, meeting. Finance Director Ed Bradford reviewed the budget change summary and asked Council if the items presented accurately captured the consensus of Council from the previous study session. The changes were as follows: • Reject the proposed 0.5 mill refuse millage increase to cover PFAS contamination. • Reject the proposed 3.5% water and 3.5% sewer rate increase. • Apply the 2022 marijuana proceeds toward the water and sewer rate increase in an amount of $45,000 water and $108,000 sewer. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 19, 2022 • Restrict $100,000 of the remaining marijuana proceeds for use toward future PFAS expenses. • $20,000 for Housing North (as part of a three‐year, $60,000 commitment) and an additional $20,000 for the Chamber (bringing the total to $40,000 annually). Areas of discussion included: • Chamber of Commerce • Morton Park • City Garage Bathroom Project CONSENSUS: Council directed staff to decrease the Chamber of Commerce funding from $40,000 to $20,000. The optional budget and capital improvement study session scheduled for April 26, 2022, will not be necessary. CITIZEN COMMENT Ruth Pratt, 463 Fourth Street / spoke on previous water issue at her residence and the costs incurred from the event. Seth Pratt, Manistee / commented on communication with Council and the City Manager regarding the water incident at his parents’ residence; would like further investigation on this matter. Shirley Madden, Lakeshore Rd / spoke on behalf of the Great Lakes Environmental Festival to be held on Earth Day, April 22, 2022, and read a resolution of support. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided updates on the EDA Riverwalk Grant and offers received on Renaissance Park properties. He stated he will follow up with Mr. Pratt for further discussion. COUNCILMEMBERS Bachman requested additional information regarding the findings of the sewer company used by the Pratts and asked the City Manager to look into it further. In addition, he asked how it is handled when someone requests an investigation on the City Manager. Last, he asked if the Great Lakes Environmental Festival group could reach out ahead of time before next year’s event so the resolution can be added to an agenda for approval. Martin Pontiac was happy to hear about the Great Lakes Environmental Festival. Lundberg echoed Bachman’s comments on the Pratt situation and would like to see a resolution to the issue. Grabowski would also like to find a resolution to the Pratt issue. Szymanski offered his support for the Great Lakes Environmental Festival and announced that he would not be running again for the 5th District City Council position. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 19, 2022 Beaton asked the newspaper reporter if he could include an article in the paper on the Great Lakes Environmental Festival and stated she would be having a conversation with Gambill regarding the Pratt issue. ADJOURN MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to adjourn the meeting at 8:16 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 5