City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES OF FEBRUARY 14, 2023 The Manistee City Council met in a study session on Tuesday, February 14, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT: Lynda Beaton, Cindy Lundberg, Jermaine Sullivan, Seth Pratt, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac MEMBERS ABSENT: David Bachman ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Department Directors, Media, and Public PUBLIC COMMENTS ON STUDY SESSION RELATED ITEMS. Elissa Laskey, Fourth Street / commented on the sidewalk ordinance and utility rates. John Veach, 485 Oxford Court / commented on sewer issue and responsibility for repairs. Pat Veach, 485 Oxford Court / commented on sewer issue and responsibility for repairs. Ruth Pratt, 463 Fourth Street / commented on the lack of communication received for her previous water/sewer issue. DISCUSSION ON NEIGHBORHOOD ENTERPRISE ZONES – Tracy Davis, Housing Ready Coordinator was not in attendance; no discussion ensued. UTILITY RATE SUFFICIENCY STUDY UPDATE –DPW Director Jeff Mikula, Stantec Representatives Jim Bearman and Peter Napoli, and Finance Director Ed Bradford led a discussion regarding the current water and sewer rate study. The City’s last rate study was completed in 2014. Bearman and Napoli gave a presentation which provided the rate study’s revenue sufficiency analysis results, rate recommendations, and bill impacts. The water revenue sufficiency analysis resulted in a recommended annual water rate increase of 7 percent and sewer revenue sufficiency analysis recommended an annual increase of 2.25 percent. The combined average of these two increases would equal a 3.5 percent increase which is equivalent to the rate increase from the prior rate study. Discussion included: • Ready to serve fees • Rate increase impacts • Rate structure • Mandatory capital projects RAMSDELL REGIONAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS UPDATE – Gini Pelton, Board Member, and Bill Hattendorf, Board of Directors President gave an update of the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts. They are entering the 120th year of celebrating the Ramsdell Theatre and are currently looking for an operational managing director and a fundraising development director. Interviews have been scheduled for the managing director position. Council Study Session – February 14, 2023 Page 1 Mr. Hattendorf reviewed current and upcoming events and stated there are several weddings under contract for 2023. Discussion included: • Fundraising director position advertisement • Current lease agreement • City appointed member of RRCA board • Accounting services • Review needed of contract/lease agreement Council offered their appreciation to the Ramsdell and voiced their support. DISCUSSION ON THE SIDEWALK ORDINANCES – City Manager Bill Gambill and DPW Director Jeff Mikula led a discussion on the sidewalk ordinances and how the City currently handles sidewalk snow removal. The current ordinances do not require residents to remove snow from their sidewalk. Council was offered an option to change the ordinance to require snow removal by the resident or property owner. This would raise consideration for enforcement. Discussion included: • Snow removal on downtown sidewalks • Residential sidewalks • Current equipment for sidewalk snow removal • Current process • Process improvement • Consistency throughout the City • Placing the burden on the resident would prove difficult for many • System needed that allows for all areas to be cleared OTHER Gambill stated he received the easements from Harbor Drive property owners. Pratt offered comments on City staff communication, suggested purchasing a camera for sewer issues, read a letter of request for information, and requested resolution for the bill issued to Mr. & Mrs. Veach. Grabowski also commented on the bill issued to Mr. & Mrs. Veach. Sullivan commented on the letter Councilmember Pratt read and stated a copy should have been provided to Council. Sullivan also read a letter to be sent to the members of the Housing Commission requesting full cooperation with the forensic audit. Respectfully submitted, Heather Pefley, CMC/ MiPMC City Clerk Council Study Session – February 14, 2023 Page 2