City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 4, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, April 4, 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, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Mark Cameron, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes March 21, 2023 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances February 2023 Revenue & Expenses February 2023 • Notification Regarding Next Study Session – Tuesday, April 11, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on Neighborhood Enterprise Zones, short-term rentals, rental inspection program, blight, and Fiscal Year 23-24 Budget; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of Proclaiming April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. The Manistee County Parkinson’s Support Group has requested that the City of Manistee proclaim the month of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. • Consideration of a Resolution of Support for the Great Lakes Environmental Festival. The Great Lakes Environmental Festival, Inc. has requested that the City of Manistee become the official hometown for the Great Lakes Environmental Festival (GLEF). The vision of the non-profit organization is to improve the environment we all share. During the weekend of Earth Day, April 22, 2023, the GLEF will hold several events around the area to promote and educate the public on responsible management of the earth and the environment. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 4, 2023 • Consideration of 2023 Memorial Day Parade. The United Veterans Council would like to host a Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 29, 2023, beginning at 9:15 a.m. The parade route will run from the corner of Division and River Street, west to Maple Street, north across the bridge to Veteran’s Memorial Park. • Consideration of Combat Veteran’s Motorcycle Association Bike Night on July 7, 2023. The Combat Veteran’s Motorcycle Association (CMVA) is requesting permission to hold the CMVA Bike Night on Friday, July 7, 2023, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on River Street, west of Maple Street to the fountain. The event is a family-friendly motorcycle event to coincide with the CMVA annual state meeting in Manistee. Bike Night is a meet-and-greet event that will include music, merchandise sales, motorcycle show and general camaraderie. It is anticipated that approximately 100-200 motorcycles will be involved. • Consideration of Manistee World of Arts and Crafts During the Manistee Forest Festival, July 1 and 2, 2023. The Manistee World of Arts and Crafts will be held on Saturday and Sunday, July 1 and 2, 2023 in Red Syzmarek Park. This event is held during the Manistee Forest Festival. Set up will be on Thursday and Friday, June 29 and 30, 2023. This is the 50th Annual Arts and Crafts Show. MOTION by Beaton, second by Pratt 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 CONSIDERATION OF COMPENSATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL SALARIES. Under the established procedures, the City Council may not develop compensation rates even though the rates do not become effective during the term of the City Council. Rates are developed by an independent compensation commission which only meets every other year. The Council may accept or reject the Compensation Commission’s recommendations, they may not be modified. Rejection can only occur if a 2/3 majority of Council, five (5) members, vote to reject the recommendations. If the recommendations are accepted, they will be implemented at the beginning of the year 2025. If no action is taken, the determination of the Compensation Commission shall become effective 30 days following the filing of its determination with the City Clerk, April 20, 2023, pursuant to MCL117.5c. The current salaries for the Mayor and City Council are $4,774 and $3,713 per year respectively. These rates have been in effect since January 2009. The Compensation Commission recognizes the importance of City Council and acknowledges the commitment required of its members. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 4, 2023 Therefore, the Compensation Commission is recommending that these amounts be increased to $6,802.07 and $5290.34, based on compounding inflation from 2009 to 2023. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to accept the Compensation Commission’s recommendation to increase the salaries for the Mayor and City Council. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-3 vote. AYES: Bachman, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski NAYS: Beaton, Lundberg, and Martin Pontiac CONSIDERATION OF A DEVELOPMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE RIVER STREET HOTEL, LLC REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. At the January 17, 2023, City Council meeting, Council approved a Brownfield Plan for the River Street Hotel, LLC redevelopment project at 348 River Street. As part of the approval process for the project, a Development and Reimbursement Agreement between the City, Developer and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority also needs to be approved. The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority and Developer have approved the agreement. MOTION by Bachman, second by Lundberg to enter into a Development and Reimbursement Agreement with River Street Hotel, LLC and the City of Manistee Redevelopment Authority, and further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AN AGREEMENT WITH FISHBECK FOR EDA RIVERWALK GRANT ENGINEERING AND DESIGN SERVICES. The City issued a Request for Proposals for Engineering and Design Services for the EDA Riverwalk Grant project. The City received one bid from Fishbeck, which was slightly above the $120,000 estimate at $127,200. The Riverwalk RFP Committee recommends awarding Fishbeck the contract, contingent on final approval from the City Attorney. MOTION by Beaton, second by Martin Pontiac to enter into a contract with Fishbeck for Engineering and Design services for the EDA Riverwalk Grant and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement and agreement amendment #1. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 4, 2023 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE PURCHASE OF A SINGLE AXLE PLOW TRUCK. The City of Manistee has received quotations from MiDeal vendors for the purchase of a single axle plow truck to replace a 2006 truck. D and K Trucking Company has quoted $130,721 for the cab and chassis. Truck and Trailer Specialties has quoted $98,116 for the equipment package and outfitting. The total purchase price is $228,837. MOTION by Beaton, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the quotations from D and K Trucking Company and Truck and Trailer Specialties for the purchase of a single axle plow truck. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 6-1 vote. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: Pratt INTRODUCTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET. Administration has prepared the proposed 2023-2024 Fiscal Year Budget. The Finance Director gave a brief introduction of the City Manager’s budget recommendations to City Council and the community. The public hearing to review these budget recommendations and receive public input on them has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Various study sessions have been established: a regular study session on Tuesday, April 11 and an optional work session on Tuesday, April 25. No action was required on this item. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments provided by: - Dennis Skiera, 1453 Maple Road - Shirley Madden, Great Lakes Environmental Festival OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill, Pefley, and Richardson provided comments. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Beaton, and Lundberg provided comments. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION. Request to convene a closed session pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, PA 267 of 1976, | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 4, 2023 pursuant to MCL 15.268(1)(h) to discuss attorney-client privileged communication from legal counsel dated March 24, 2023. MOTION by Pratt, second by Martin Pontiac to proceed to Closed Session. TIME 8:05 p.m. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Return to regular open meeting. Time 8:38 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Lundberg to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC City Clerk | Page 5