City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 15, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, August 15, 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 Attorney – George Saylor, Deputy Clerk – Lora Laurain, WWTP Leadman – Bruce Banks, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, Planning & Zoning Administrator – Katie Mehl, and City Engineer – Lucas Richardson CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments provided by: - Kelly Greve, 606 Broad Ave. - Liz Laskey, 537 4th St. - Steve Fosdick, Manistee City Housing Commission Chairperson - Karen Wrzesinski-Goodman, 1925 12th St, and Manistee County Board of Commissioners - Tim O’Connor, 330 4th Ave., and Parks Commission - Karen Maue, 536 4th St., and Parks Commission CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes August 1, 2023 Regular Meeting August 8, 2023 Study Session • Financial Reports Payroll July 2023 Invoices July 2023 Quarterly Investment Report • Consideration of a temporary activity permit for the use of signage for the Manistee Farmers Market from May 15-October 15 The Manistee County Council on Aging is seeking a temporary activity permit for the use of signage for the Manistee Farmers Market held from May 15-October 15. Per section 2101, the City Council may approve exceptions to Article 21: Signs of the City of Manistee Zoning Ordinance for community events. • Consideration of T.J.’s Block Party and Concert, Saturday, September 16, 2023 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. on Saturday, September 16, 2023, to hold a block party and concert. T.J.’s will sponsor the event and provide a stage. The event will be free and open to the public. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 15, 2023 MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski 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 ZONING ORDINANCE Z23-04 Zoning Ordinance Z23-04 would amend Article 2 and 5 of the Zoning Ordinance. Adding corner lot, double-frontage lot and established front yard to the definitions in Article 2. In Article 5 it would allow for accessory buildings and storage sheds to exist in the front yard of double-frontage lots, if not located in the established front yard. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. If this ordinance is introduced at this time, it could be adopted at the next regular meeting. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Beaton to introduce Zoning Ordinance Z23-04. Council requested Mehl update wording in the proposed zoning ordinance amendment and bring the revised amendment to Council for consideration. With a roll call vote this motion failed unanimously. AYES: None NAYS: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac CONSIDERATION OF ZONING ORDINANCE Z23-05 Zoning Ordinance Z23-05 would amend Article 9 of the Zoning Ordinance to add the use of Automobile Repair Facility as a special land use that requires key-street frontage in R-2 Medium Density Residential District. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. If this ordinance is introduced at this time, it could be adopted at the next regular meeting. MOTION by Beaton, second by Martin Pontiac to introduce Zoning Ordinance Z23-05. With a roll call vote this motion failed, 3-4. AYES: Sullivan, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, and Pratt CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH ZUPIN INDUSTRIAL FOR THE RENOVATION OF THE PRIMARY SETTLING TANKS AT THE CLEAN WATER RECOVERY FACILITY. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 15, 2023 The primary settling tanks have the original shaft wall bearing that were installed in 1978; one has seized up making the collector inoperable. Funds were budgeted for the 23-24 Fiscal Year to replace the collector system in the tanks. Quotes were taken from three vendors with Zupin Industrial submitting the low bid at $111,664.82. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the contract with Zupin Industrial to renovate the primary settling tanks in the amount of $111,664.82 and authorize the City Clerk to execute the documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION (NRBC) REVISION OF BYLAWS At the July 17, 2023, regular meeting of the NRBC, the commission voted to change Section 3(f) of the NRBC’s bylaws to read: The Commission may implement projects within the City parks that are related to beautification and restoration after input from City Staff and the Parks Commission. No action taken. CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION REQUIRING CITY COUNCIL APPROVAL BEFORE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ANY COMPENSATION OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION DIRECTOR The Michigan Housing Facilities Act outlines the powers and duties of the Housing Commission and provides for certain oversight duties of the City Council. The Act provides upon the recommendation of the Mayor, the City Council may adopt a resolution, either conditioning the establishment of any compensation of an officer or employee of the Housing Commission upon the approval of the Council or establishing compensation ranges and classifications to be used by the Housing Commission in fixing the compensation of its officers and employees. MCL 125.655(3). No action taken. A REPORT FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION Ms. Katie Mehl and Mr. Mark Wittlieff reported on the activities of Planning and Zoning and the Planning Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 15, 2023 CITIZEN COMMENT No comments received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Bradford and Richardson provided comments. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, and Sullivan asked questions of staff and offered concerns and comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Beaton to adjourn the meeting at 8:27 p.m. Lora Y Laurain, CMC / MiPMC Deputy Clerk | Page 4