City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 6, 2022 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, December 6, 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, Seth Pratt, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, City Assessor – Molly Whetstone, Finance Director – Edward Bradford, Planning & Zoning Administrator – Katie Mehl, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes November 22, 2022 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances October 2022 Revenue & Expenses October 2022 • Notification Regarding Next Study Session – Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on the City of Manistee Housing Commission; Strategic Planning, High Functioning Boards, and Goal Setting; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski, to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION PRESENTATION OF UPCOMING PROJECTS IN AND/OR IMPACTING THE CITY OF MANISTEE Jim Johnson, construction engineer from the Traverse City TSC office provided information on the US 31 Bridge rehabilitation project including vehicle and pedestrian detour information. The project has been awarded to Milbocker and Sons and the construction schedule is set for July 2023 through April 2024. Krista Phillips, operations engineer presented the 2023-2028 construction map including projects and projected timelines. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 6, 2022 CONSIDERATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT APPROVAL FOR MICHIGAN LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE HAMPTON INN LOCATED AT 101 S. LAKESHORE DRIVE, MANISTEE 6PM Hospitality Partners, LLC is applying to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) for a New Resort B-Hotel, Class C liquor license for the Hampton Inn located at 101 S. Lakeshore Drive, Manistee. Part of the application includes a Local Government approval. The City Police Chief has reviewed the request and has no objections to the approval. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the resolution supporting the request from 6PM Hospitality Partners, LLC for a New Resort B-Hotel, Class C liquor license. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING 2023 POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES AS APPROVED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION A resolution needs to be adopted for the 2023 Assessment Cycle, which has the updated income levels published by the State Tax Commission. MOTION by Martin Pontiac, second by Grabowski to approve the resolution establishing 2023 Poverty Exemption Guidelines. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING HOW PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTIONS ARE GRANTED AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION A resolution needs to be adopted which addresses how tax-exempt property exemptions are granted, as required by the State Tax Commission, which will be part of the new audit they will conduct on municipalities. MOTION by Bachman, second by Grabowski to approve the resolution establishing how property tax exemptions are granted. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac. NAYS: None | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 6, 2022 CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING HOW PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX IS HANDLED AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION A resolution needs to be adopted which addresses how Personal Property Tax is handled, as required by the State Tax Commission, which will be part of the new audit they will conduct on municipalities. MOTION by Bachman, second by Pratt to approve the resolution establishing how Personal Property Tax is handled. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac. NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING HOW ACCESS TO THE LOCAL ASSESSOR IS AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC AS REQUIRED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION A resolution needs to be adopted which addresses Local Assessor availability to the public, as required by the State Tax Commission, which will be part of the new audit they will conduct on municipalities. MOTION by Bachman, second by Beaton to approve the resolution establishing how access to the Local Assessor is available to the public. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac. NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF TEXT AMENDMENT TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE For the approval of language developed to provide for the allowance of Places of Public Assembly, Large to be a Special Use that does not require Key-Street Frontage in the C-3 District and also to require parking for this use within the C-3 District. After consideration, the Planning Commission does not recommend the approval of this request to Council. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. If this ordinance is introduced at this time, it could be adopted at the next regular meeting. NO MOTION RECEIVED CONSIDERATION OF COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS Mayor Sullivan made the following Council Committee appointments: • Alternatives for Area Youth - Martin Pontiac • Audit Committee - Martin Pontiac, Grabowski, Beaton* • Local Revenue Sharing Board - Grabowski • MRA Board - Lundberg | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 6, 2022 • Neighborhood Restoration & Beautification Commission - Sullivan • 911 Board Authority - Glass • Oil & Gas Investment - Sullivan(chair), Beaton, Bradford • Ordinance Committee - Grabowski*, Sullivan, Bachman • Sands Park Control Board - Pratt* • Utilities Committee - Bachman Names without an asterisk were reappointed to the same committees they are currently serving. City Manager Gambill made the following appointments to the Council Personnel Committee: • Bachman, Sullivan, and Grabowski MOTION by Grabowski, second by Sullivan to support Gambill’s appointment of Bachman, Sullivan, and Grabowski to the Council Personnel Committee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac. NAYS: None REPORTS FROM THE CITY CLERK AND THE HARBOR COMMISSION Ms. Heather Pefley reported on the activities of the City Clerk’s Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. Mr. Tom Swedenborg reported on the activities of the Harbor Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Mick Szymanski, 332 5th Street / thanked City staff for their hard work over the Sleighbell weekend. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill thanked the Sleighbell committee and provided updates to Council on previous meeting action items; stated a FOIA presentation could be put on a study session if Council is interested. Cameron stated John Robydek has completed his paramedic program. Glass stated there were no major issues during the Sleighbell weekend. COUNCILMEMBERS Lundberg commented on the Sleighbell weekend and expressed her pride in the City. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – DECEMBER 6, 2022 Martin Pontiac asked for an update on leaf pick up and if pick up would continue until snow falls. Grabowski congratulated Chief Cameron on the announcement of his retirement and asked the City Manager if there was going to be work done to the marina restrooms to make needed repairs. Pratt asked for an update on the Housing Commission audit and City audit extension. He also made inquiries on brush pickup, criteria for voiding alternate parking tickets, enforcement on the alternate parking ordinance after November 15th, status of repairs needed for the River Street clock, and possible DPW open house with Q & A session. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski to adjourn the meeting at 8:21 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC City Clerk | Page 5