City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 16, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, May 16, 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, Jermaine Sullivan, Seth Pratt, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: Cindy Lundberg ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – Alex Henderson, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Interim Deputy Fire Chief – Chris Jeffries, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes May 3, 2023 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Payroll April 2023 Invoices April 2023 • Consideration of approval for the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales event on behalf of Ludington Beverage Company on Thursday, June 8, 2023. In honor of 90 years of service to West Michigan and to celebrate the birthdays of both the Ludington Beverage Company and the World-Famous Budweiser Clydesdales, Ludington Beverage Company is requesting to bring the Clydesdales to the Douglas Park/First Street Beach area on June 8, 2023, from 5:00-7:00 p.m. 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, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None ANNUAL RRC BOARD AND COMMISSION DISCUSSION TO IDENTIFY AND PRIORITIZE REDEVELOPMENT SITES Marc Miller, Economic Development Director led the annual joint discussion with members present from the Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, Downtown Development | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 16, 2023 Authority, and Zoning Board of Appeals. An annual joint meeting is required by the State of Michigan for Redevelopment Ready Communities. Discussion included: • Importance of the RRC Program o Access to grants and incentives • Top six priority redevelopment sites o The Gateway Project o 141-149 Washington Street – Northern Hotel o 348 River Street – Emerald Cove Hotel & The Mill Restaurant o 451-453 River Street – Jones Dairy Building o 443 Water Street – Amor Sign – The Livery o 540 First Street – The Waterworks Building • Other suggested sites o 100 Washington Street o Oleson’s Market o Ringo Oil Building o Manistee Iron Works Building CONSIDERATION OF THE EMPLOYMENT OF THOMAS HERNDEN AS THE CITY’S NEW FIRE CHIEF Thomas Hernden was identified as the top candidate for the Fire Chief position by the interview panel. The City Manager has made a job offer and negotiated a wage and benefit package subject to Council approval. MOTION by Pratt, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the City Manager’s appointment of Thomas Hernden as Fire Chief and the proposed wage and benefit package. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A PROPOSAL FOR REPAIRS TO WATER WELL #10 Water well #10 experienced a leak and was pulled and inspected by Northern Pump and Well. The worst-case scenario for all repair work is $60,598. The fiscal year 2024 has $60,000 budgeted for a well rehabilitation and will cover the expenses. MOTION by Beaton, second by Bachman to approve the proposal from Northern Pump and Well in the amount of $60,598 to complete repairs to water well #10. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 16, 2023 AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF T.J.’S BLOCK PARTY AND CONCERT, FRIDAY JULY 15, 2023 T.J.’s Pub has a band coming from Florida (Manistee is their only stop in Michigan) and would like to hold a Block Party and allow them to perform in the street. T.J.’s is requesting to have River Street closed from Poplar Street to Maple Street for 3 hours, from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. T.J.’s will sponsor the event, provide a stage and whatever costs needed for barriers, etc. The event will be free and open to the public. MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to approve the request from T.J.’s Pub to hold a Block Party and Concert, July 15, 2023. MOTION by Sullivan, second by Bachman to AMEND the original motion to change the date to July 14, 2023. With a roll call vote this motion to AMEND the original motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None With a roll call vote the original motion as amended passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS AND THE ENGINEER OF RECORD The report from the Department of Public Works will be rescheduled for a future meeting. Mr. Shawn Middleton and Mr. Lucas Richardson reported on the activities of the Engineer’s Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. DISCUSSION ON THE PARKS COMMISSION BYLAWS Karin Maue, Parks Commission member, led the discussion on the Parks Commission bylaws and received input from Council. Discussion included: • Review of proposed changes • Current bylaws purpose statement vs. proposed objective wording Section 1. • Conflict of interest section • Term length | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 16, 2023 The Parks Commission will discuss the feedback from Council at their next meeting and bring back their new proposed bylaws on a future Council agenda for consideration. CITIZEN COMMENT No comments received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided updates. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Martin Pontiac, Bachman, Beaton, and Sullivan provided comments. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIOATIONS City Manager William Gambill has requested a Closed Session this evening as permitted by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Section 8 (c) to discuss negotiations with the United Steelworkers. MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to proceed to Closed Session under Section 8 (c) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Time 8:00 p.m. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Return to open meeting at 8:26 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Beaton, second by Pratt to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC City Clerk | Page 4