City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES OF MAY 10, 2022 The Manistee City Council met in a study session on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, 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, Department Directors, Public, and Media PUBLIC COMMENTS: None. DISCUSSION ON BLIGHT ENFORCEMENT AND FEES – City Manager William Gambill, Police Chief Josh Glass, and City Attorney George Saylor led a discussion on blight in the City of Manistee. Discussion included: • 13 blight citations issued in the past 4 weeks • 3-4 blight court cases • Using GIS mapping system • 3 types of blight: structure, vehicle, and rubbish • Education was the focus in 2020; Citations began in 2021; Increased enforcement in 2022 • Blighted vehicles on public property vs. private property • Prioritization of blighted structures • 3 blight related ordinances: Chapters 650, 654, and 1454 • Due process • Collection of unpaid blight fines: property liens vs. property taxes • Setting up a fund to increase capacity to handle repeat blight offenses • Rental inspection process includes addressing blight issues • Home rehabilitation loan program CONSENSUS: Council directed staff to pursue the possibilities of adding uncollected blight fines to property taxes and creating a dedicated blight fund using ARPA money received. OTHER: Grabowski requested an update regarding a previous complaint against the City Manager. Beaton reported that she has dealt with the issue and the complaint has been closed. Szymanski asked for an update regarding aligning the exemptions for ordinary repair and maintenance with other jurisdictions in the County. Gambill reported that SafeBuilt has been notified and the notice is available on the City’s website. Gambill reported the Gateway project is waiting for permitting from EGLE and is expecting the demolition to begin in a few weeks. Council Study Session – May 10, 2022 Page 1 There being no further business, the study session adjourned at approximately 8:10 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lora Y Laurain, CMC/ MiPMC Deputy Clerk Council Study Session – May 10, 2022 Page 2