City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 10, 2023 The Manistee City Council met in a study session on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, 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, Seth Pratt, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac MEMBERS ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Department Directors, Media, and Public PUBLIC COMMENTS ON STUDY SESSION RELATED ITEMS. None received. DISCUSSION ON BIRD SCOOTERS – City Manager Bill Gambill led the discussion on Bird Scooters and asked Nick Mitchell, representative from Bird Scooters, to provide additional information. Discussion included: • Summary of use in 2022 • Scooter pickup timing • Lost/damaged scooters • User requirements • No liability on the City • Helmets – location for distribution • Education for those under 18 years of age • Citizen complaints • Improved schedule for pickup of scooters CONSENSUS: Council will consider a renewal agreement with Bird Scooters with tightened parameters at a future regular meeting. GATEWAY PROJECT UPDATE – Eugene Magnusen and T. Eftaxiadis provided an update on the Gateway project and the challenges that have currently paused the project. Discussion included: • Increased costs • Lack of resources • Increased financing • Labor shortage • Overall plan for the project • Engagement with consultants • Approximate timeline for the next two years • Retaining wall - inspected by structural engineer • Appearance of fenced area • Active EGLE grant and loan site Council Study Session – January 10, 2023 Page 1 DISCUSSION ON DINING PLATFORMS – Police Chief Josh Glass led the discussion on outdoor dining platforms. He stated that restaurant owners purchased the dining platforms during COVID to allow for outdoor dining, but the current ordinance does not allow for them and would need to be modified for their continued use. CONSENSUS: Council directed staff to draft an amendment to the current ordinance to allow for the outdoor dining platforms and present it for consideration at a future regular meeting. DISCUSSION ON BUDGET PRIORITIES – City Manager Bill Gambill led the discussion on the following General Fund items to prioritize as we approach budget season. • Manistee Proud Project Planning o Plaque presented to Manistee Proud in appreciation of their hard work o Consider a Budget line item to support volunteer efforts CONSENSUS: Council supports this item. • Boat Launch Machine o Reviewed history and current processes o Staff recommends no change at this time CONSENSUS: Council would like to see additional advertising and staff to look at online options. • First/Maple Street Pedestrian Crossing/Light o Lighting improvements – staff will work with Consumers to replace/improve streetlight o Traffic Signal Head Replacement – included in FY 2023 Budget o Pedestrian Crossing Upgrade option o Full Modernization option CONSENSUS: Council directed staff to include the pedestrian crossing upgrades in the budget and move ahead with an engineer design. • 5th Avenue Beach Wall o Reviewed estimate for parking lot sand barrier wall o Estimate for native dune grass plantings CONSENSUS: Council asked staff to provide this as an option in the capital improvement budget. • Lions Pavilion Bathrooms o Plan reviewed o Estimated cost o Location o Possible funding – ARPA funds, Grant funds, Fund Balance CONSENSUS: Council asked staff to provide this as an option in the capital improvement budget. • Sands Park Tennis Courts o Demo / Replacement costs o School joint owners o Possible grant assistance Council Study Session – January 10, 2023 Page 2  o Alternate use for space o Temporary options – volleyball court CONSENSUS: Council directed staff to work with the Teen Center, Parks Commission and meet with the Sands Park Control Board; apply for Minger Grant. • Veterans Memorial Park Improvements o Site improvement plan for fishing access and improvements o Trust Fund Grant not received CONSENSUS: Staff will apply for another grant. OTHER Pratt followed up on concerns regarding sidewalks. Bachman asked Kelly Greve if she was happy with the direction taken for volunteers and asked the City Manager that any staff change recommendations made to the budget come to Council for review before he presents his budget recommendation to Council. Lundberg asked what the next step is in the process for the budget items discussed. There being no further business, the study session adjourned at approximately 9:27 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Heather Pefley, CMC/ MiPMC City Clerk Council Study Session – January 10, 2023 Page 3