City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 16, 2022 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Lynda Beaton on Tuesday, August 16, 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, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton AMEND AGENDA MOTION by Grabowski second by Sullivan to amend the agenda to add item IX. Notices, Communications, Announcements., *c.), Consideration of the Laborfest event, scheduled for Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 9:00 A.M. – 12:00 A.M. (Sunday, September 4, 2022) allowing action by Council on this additional item on the Consent Agenda. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None ABSTAIN: Szymanski CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes July 19, 2022 Regular Meeting August 9, 2022 Study Session • Financial Reports Cash Balances June 2022 Revenue & Expenses June 2022 Payroll July 2022 Invoices July 2022 Investment Report • Consideration of text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance – Z22-03 | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 16, 2022 • Notification Regarding Next Study Session – September 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. A construction update will be given; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of the American Legion Auxiliary poppy distribution – Labor Day Weekend • Consideration of the Laborfest event, scheduled for Saturday, September 3, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. (Sunday, September 4, 2022). MOTION by Martin Pontiac, second by Grabowski 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 CONSIDERATION OF A CHANGE ORDER FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE WASTEWATER IMPROVEMENTS PHASE II PROJECTS Various delays have occurred during the construction of the wet weather control projects referred to as RDII A and B. Permitting of a railroad crossing and material delivery delays have impacted the start and completion date of both projects. This has resulted in additional construction administration being required. The engineers have estimated the impact at two months and have requested a change order to their contract. The total amount requested totals $70,000 and will be covered by loan proceeds. MOTION by Bachman, second by Szymanski to approve a $70,000 change order for construction administration services with the Spicer Group and authorize the Mayor to sign the Amendment to Owner-Engineer Agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING AN INVASIVE PLANT CONTROL AGREEMENT WITH THE GRAND TRAVERSE CONSERVATION DISTRICT REGARDING INVASIVE SPECIES CONTROL For the past six years the City has entered into a contract with the Grand Traverse Conservation District (GTCD) to assist with invasive species removal along Veterans Oak Grove Drive, the Riverwalk, and other areas, in addition to treating Phragmites at Man Made Lake. The program has been very effective for the community. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Grabowski to approve the Invasive Plant Control Agreement with Grand Traverse Conservation District for treatments in 2022 and authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 16, 2022 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING SUBMITTAL OF A RESILIENT LAKESHORE HERITAGE GRANT FOR THE RESTORATION OF THE PILLARS AND MAIN FAÇADE AT THE RAMSDELL THEATRE The State Historic Preservation Office has created a grant program for small lakeshore communities called the Resilient Lakeshore Heritage Grant program. The program has very specific requirements and the City’s Ramsdell Theatre meets those. The grant request is for funds to rehabilitate the pillars and main entrance façade. MOTION by Szymanski, second by Martin Pontiac to adopt a resolution authorizing submittal of a Resilient Lakeshore Heritage Grant for the restoration of the pillars and main façade at the Ramsdell Theatre. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Compensation Commission, Harbor Commission, Historic District Commission, PEG Commission, and Tree Commission. Mayoral and Manager appointments require a motion, second and Council voted support. Nominations for Council appointments do not require a second. After all nominations are made, Council votes on the nominees until one nominee receives majority support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent Historic District Commission – One vacancy, term ending 2/28/23; applicants must be City residents. Purpose: Historic preservation. Council appointment. Angie Quinn – 268 First Street Bachman nominated Angie Quinn, 268 First Street, to be appointed to the Historic District Commission term ending 2/28/23. With a roll call vote this appointment passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 16, 2022 PEG Commission – Three vacancies, two (2) terms ending 12/31/23, one (1) term ending 12/31/24; applicants must be Manistee County Residents. Purpose: Oversees operation of Manistee Public Access. Council appointment. Jonathan Hanson – 356 Third Street Szymanski nominated Jonathan Hanson, 356 Third Street, to be appointed to the PEG Commission term ending 12/31/24. With a roll call vote this appointment passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENT Seth Pratt, 355 Second Street / stated various concerns including comments made at the previous study session regarding the Jefferson Park green space initiative and provided his reasons for running for City Council. Ruth Pratt, 463 Fourth Street / read a letter from Jodi Picardat, owner 471 Fourth Street, regarding concerns with the current street conditions in their area of Fourth Street and asked for resurfacing consideration. Sammie Lukaskiewicz, 315 Fifth Avenue / introduced herself as the new executive director of the Manistee County Visitors Bureau and looks forward to working with everyone to promote Manistee. Brian Maue, 536 Fourth Street / expressed concerns with comments made at the previous Council Study Session regarding the Jefferson Park green space initiative. Brian Hosticka, Whitehall, MI / introduced himself as the Democratic nominee for State Representative of the 102 District and provided his background. Onalee Ruddy, 286 Fifth Avenue/ inquired on the follow up process for blight complaints made and expressed concerns with current blight and parking issues on Fifth Avenue. John Veach, 485 Oxford Court / commented on the MAPS millage passed in 2021 and expressed concerns with comments made at the precious Council Study Session regarding the proposed Jefferson Park green space. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill – stated Twelfth Street has reopened and provided an update on work completed at the Marina and Sands Park. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 16, 2022 Mikula – stated the new headworks at the wastewater treatment plant is now online and the project is almost 90 percent complete and provided an update on conveyance project. COUNCILMEMBERS Bachman commented on the Jefferson School issue and the recent school board decision regarding the project. Lundberg commented on the Ramsdell Master Plan meeting and asked for additional information on the complaint process for blight. Grabowski commented on Jefferson Park green space issue, concerns with kids jumping off the pier, branch blocking yield sign at Water and River Street merging intersection, River Street clock repair, and current condition of Arthur Street. Szymanski offered apology for remarks made at previous study session; expressed the need for single family housing. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS City Manager William Gambill has requested a Closed Session this evening as permitted by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Section 8 (c) to discuss contract negotiations with the International Association of Firefighters. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Bachman to proceed to Closed Session under Section 8 (c) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Time: 7:52 p.m. With a roll call vote this appointment passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Szymanski, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Returned to regular open meeting at 8:12 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Sullivan to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 5