City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, September 5, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Lynda Beaton, Cindy Lundberg, Jermaine Sullivan, Seth Pratt, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: David Bachman ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – George Saylor, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, Planning & Zoning Administrator – Katie Mehl, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments provided by: -Marc Miller, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce - Director of Economic Development CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes August 15, 2023 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances July 2023 Revenue & Expenses July 2023 • Review of actions taken by the City Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. As a requirement of the Michigan Planning Enabling Act and for Redevelopment Ready Community certification, a summary of action taken by the City Planning Commission, Historic District Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals is to be presented to City Council each year. • Consideration of the 34th Annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend. The Manistee Sleighbell Committee is requesting authorization to hold the 34th Annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade and Old Christmas Weekend from Thursday, November 30 through December 3, 2023; with activities focused in the downtown area. The event will include closing several streets in the City to accommodate the parade and other activities. • Consideration of the Manistee Lions Club White Cane Days. The Manistee Lions Club is requesting permission to collect cash donations during their White Cane Days on September 8 and 9, 2023, at various locations in the City of Manistee. These donations will be used to support projects benefiting persons of all ages in the service area which includes the City of Manistee, Manistee Township, and Filer Township. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 AYES: Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ZONING ORDINANCE Z23-04. Zoning Ordinance Z23-04 would amend Articles 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. At the August 15, 2023, City Council meeting, Z23-04 was presented and Council requested that the reference to “driveway” within the definition of “Established Front Yard” be removed from the proposed language. This modification has been made, as well as modifying the proposed diagram to remove the driveway depicted. 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 Z23-04. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A REDEVELOPMENT LIQUOR LICENSE FOR THE OUTSIDER RESTAURANT LOCATED AT 457 RIVER STREET. The Manistee Downtown Development Authority is requesting City Council consider approval of a Redevelopment Liquor License for a restaurant in the Downtown Commercial District. The business meets the qualifications of investment in the building, attempts at acquiring a regular license, and the District’s overall investment. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Lundberg to approve the resolution supporting the request from the DDA for a Redevelopment Liquor License for The Outsider Restaurant. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-2 vote. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: Beaton and Pratt CONSIDERATION OF THE LOCAL REVENUE SHARING BOARD GRANT APPLICATIONS. The Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB) distributes 2% money from the Little River Casino. The deadline for 2023 Cycle II applications is Friday, September 8, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. City staff has prepared four grant applications for submission to the Local Revenue Sharing Board. This agenda item will include four separate motions, one for each grant application. MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for the Police Department in the amount of $4,215.93 for Water Rescue | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 Equipment. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for the Police Department in the amount of $4,969.53 for Portable Radar Sign. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for the Fire Department in the amount of $13,992.74 Digital Fire Extinguisher Training System. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for the Fire Department in the amount of $31,312.80 for Digital Fire Training System. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Board of Review, Compensation Commission, Harbor Commission, Tree Commission, and the Zoning Board of Appeals. Mayoral and Manager appointments require a motion, second and Council voted support. Nominations for Council appointments do not require a second. After all nominations are made, Council votes on the nominees until one nominee receives the majority support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent HARBOR COMMISSION – One vacancy, term ending 10/31/26. Purpose: Advisory on Marina and harbor development issues. Council appointment. Wayne Johnson – 341 Sixth Street | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 Pratt nominated Wayne Johnson, 341 Sixth Street, to the Harbor Commission term ending 10/31/26. With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. JOHNSON: Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac OTHER: None A REPORT FROM THE PLANNING AND ZONING AND THE PLANNING COMMISSION Mr. Mark Fedder reported on the activities of the Manistee County Historical Museum and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. Ms. Katie Mehl reported on the activities of the Historic District Commission and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. A HOUSING REPORT PRESENTATION FROM YARROW BROWN AND TRACY DAVIS FROM HOUSING NORTH. Ms. Yarrow Brown and Ms. Tracy Davis reported on the Housing Needs Assessment for the City of Manistee and responded to any questions the Council had regarding the information provided. CITIZEN COMMENT No comments received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided updates. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Martin Pontiac, Grabowski, Beaton, and Lundberg asked questions of staff and offered concerns and comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Lundberg, second by Grabowski to adjourn the meeting at 8:38 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC City Clerk | Page 4