City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 21, 2022 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Lynda Beaton on Tuesday, June 21, 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, Cindy Lundberg, 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, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Edward Bradford, Planning & Zoning Administrator – Katie Mehl, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton AMEND AGENDA MOTION by Szymanski, second by Martin Pontiac to amend the agenda to add item VIII. New Business b.) Consideration of a Resolution Proposing a Charter Amendment to Section 2-3 of the City Charter and allow action by Council on this additional item. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes June 7, 2022 Regular Meeting June 14, 2022 Study Session • Financial Reports Payroll May 2022 Invoices May 2022 • Notification Regarding Next Study Session – July 12, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on business as may come before Council. • Consideration of temporary activity permit for Manistee County Conservation District to hold two boat washing events at First Street Beach. 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, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 21, 2022 CONSIDERATION OF THE PURCHASE OF A 2022 CHEVY TAHOE. The Manistee City Police Department maintains a fleet of police vehicles to serve City residents. Police vehicles are replaced as they reach the end of their useful life cycle, and the purchase of a new patrol vehicle is warranted. Vehicle pricing has been secured from Berger Chevrolet through MiDEAL and three quotes were collected from upfitting companies with Tele-Rad being the lowest bid. MOTION by Bachman second by Grabowski to authorize the purchase of a 2022 Chevy Tahoe from Berger Chevrolet for $39,528, to be upfitted by Tele-Rad for $12,069. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION PROPOSING A CHARTER AMENDMENT TO SECTION 2-3 OF THE CITY CHARTER. At the July 14, 2022 study session City Council determined it is advisable and in the best interests of the residents of the City of Manistee to remove from the City Charter the requirement that individuals be at least twenty-five (25) years old to be eligible for office of City Councilperson and directed staff to prepare the necessary documents to proceed accordingly. The City Attorney has drafted two resolutions for Council to consider that would accomplish this request. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Beaton to adopt the first Resolution proposing the amendment of Section 2-3 of the City Charter to remove only the minimum age requirement for candidates for City Council and submitting the appropriate amendment to the city electors at the November 8, 2022 election. Discussion included the desire to remove the 25 year age requirement but the need for more time to review the drafted resolutions in order to not rush the Charter amendment process. Council would like to discuss this item further at a future study session. With a roll call vote this motion failed, 3-4. AYES: Beaton, Szymanski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: Bachman, Lundberg, Sullivan, and Grabowski A REPORT FROM THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, OIL AND GAS INVESTMENT BOARD, AND BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Mr. Ed Bradford reported on the activities of the Treasurer’s Office, the Oil and Gas Investment Board, and the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Seth Pratt, 355 Second Street / commented on previous complaints made to the Mayor and City Manager; asked that the City establish a process for filing a formal complaint and/or ethics complaint. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JUNE 21, 2022 OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill gave an update on the Milwaukee House site plan approval and stated the PFAS remediation plan was submitted to the State and a response letter has been received; an update will be given to Council after further discussion with EGLE. Mikula provided updates on construction projects including Quincy Street, Memorial Drive, Maple Street Bridge, Beach Shoreline, 12th Street Construction, WWTP Expansion, Jackson & VanBuren Streets, Maywood Water Tank, DWAM, and miscellaneous roofing projects; responded to questions regarding beach cleaning and removal of fencing at Mack Park. COUNCILMEMBERS Bachman stated we are failing our citizens if response is not being given to complaints. Lundberg thanked Mikula and DPW crew for their work on the Riverwalk; interested in a mentorship program with Councilmembers and high school students; provided an MRA Board update. Martin Pontiac commented on several complaints received regarding Bird Scooters and asked if they could be picked up more often or additional limits set. Grabowski inquired about the bleachers at the First Street softball field, WWTP tour, and repair of damaged light pole on River Street. Szymanski asked if there were updates on recently submitted grants. Gambill stated the North Riverwalk preliminary scoring will be late August early September with final in December; additional information provided on South Riverwalk, Amphitheater, and Beach Master Plan. Beaton thanked Mr. Pratt for his comments and responded to some of the issues addressed; would like to see a place on the website to register complaints. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski, second by Grabowski to adjourn the meeting at 8:07 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 3