City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 3, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, January 3, 2023, 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, 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 CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None Received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes December 19, 2022 Special Meeting December 19, 2022 Closed Session December 20, 2022 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances November 2022 Revenue & Expenses November 2022 • Consideration of a Text Amendment to the Zoning Ordinance. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. This ordinance was introduced at the December 20, 2022, meeting and could be adopted at this time. For the approval of amending Zoning Ordinance language to remove Public from the phrase Parking Facility, Public. The use of Parking Facility will replace all mentions of Parking Facility, Public. This amendment is occurring due to ordinance amendment Z08-02 removing Public from the definition of Parking Facility, the Special Land Use Standards, and several districts within the Zoning Ordinance. When Z08-02 occurred, all sections of the Zoning Ordinance were not amended to remove Public from Parking Facility. • Notification Regarding Next Study Session – Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. A Council study session has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on budget priorities, dining platforms, and Bird Scooters; and such business as may come before Council. 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, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 3, 2023 CONSIDERATION OF THE ANNUAL AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT The Council Audit Committee is established by Section 23 of the City Council Guidelines. This section spells out the duties and responsibilities of the committee. As part of its responsibilities the Audit Committee prepares a written report on how the committee discharged its duties and responsibilities. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski to accept the annual report of the Council Audit Committee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None PRESENTATION BY KEN TALSMA OF ANDERSON TACKMAN ON THE JUNE 30, 2022, AUDIT Mr. Ken Talsma, lead auditor of Anderson, Tackman & Company PLC, provided an overview of the City’s June 30, 2022 audit. CONSIDERATION OF ACCEPTING A GRANT AWARD FOR PARK IMPROVEMENTS The City has been working with the Parks Commission to identify various park needs. A grant application was submitted to the Manistee Community Foundation’s Minger Fund. The total project has been budgeted at $171,538, with $20,000 of in-kind services, $54,000 cash match, and $97,500 in grant proceeds. The in-kind services will be provided by the DPW and volunteers for construction and installation of the equipment. The cash match would be provided from Parks Capital Outlay, Refuse Fund, and a donation from the Senior Softball League. The Community Foundation has awarded the grant request. MOTION by Beaton, second by Pratt to accept the $97,500 grant from the Manistee Community Foundation and authorize the City Manager to sign the grant agreement on behalf of the city. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING NEW RATES AND ENTERING INTO FIVE-YEAR LEASE AGREEMENTS FOR RIVERFRONT LEASES. On December 31, 2022, the current five-year riverfront leases expired. Staff has reviewed the rates and determined the fees for the renewal. The City Attorney has drafted updated five-year leases with the new rates that will run from January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2027. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to establish rates for and enter into five-year riverfront leases; and further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the necessary documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 3, 2023 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac. NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A STREET VACATION REQUEST A street vacation request was received from the owner of the property at 114 Pine Street, 51-51-349-713- 07, for the portion of Second Street which abuts to his property. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and considered the request at their November 3, 2022, meeting. The Planning Commission recommends approval of this request by Council. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the street vacation request made for the portion of Second Street which abuts 114 Pine Street. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac. NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE TREE COMMISSION Mr. John Helge reported on the activities of the Tree Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Karen Maue, Parks Commission member / invited everyone to attend a talk on the history of City parks to be given by Mark Fedder on Thursday, January 19th after the Parks Commission meeting and said it will be recorded for those who are unable to attend. Liz Laskey, Parks Commission Chair / commented on positive points from tonight’s meeting and suggested a tree memorial program. Ellissa Laskey, Fourth Street / commented on plowing and maintenance of city sidewalks and offered appreciation to Councilmember Pratt for his assistance. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided an update on the fire suppression system leak that occurred at City Hall over the Christmas holiday and offered his appreciation to Councilmember Pratt for his assistance with sidewalk issue. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt commented on sidewalk cleanup needed from plows, requested DPW public meeting, communication issues/ policy for return calls, open/closed sign for City Hall, online compliments/complaints process, job description updates, and Facebook policy for employees. Grabowski commented on the current ordinance for sidewalks and responsibility for snow removal. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 3, 2023 Beaton mentioned that the Senior Center has a list of people who will assist with shoveling sidewalks. Lundberg thanked Bradford and staff for their work on the audit and asked what the proper way is to dispose of Christmas lights. Sullivan inquired about improving the decorations for the downtown Christmas trees next year and stated that the DPW provides an annual report to Council to which the public is welcome to attend and feels this would be a better venue for public comment than an open forum. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to adjourn the meeting at 8:12 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC City Clerk | Page 4