City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, September 19, 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, City Assessor – Molly Whetstone, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Chief Glass notified Council that the Manistee Catholic Central Homecoming Parade listed on the Consent Agenda will have a change in location due to the current detour. The police department is working with them to find a new location. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes September 5, 2023 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Payroll August 2023 Invoices August 2023 • 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. • Notification regarding next Study Session scheduled - Tuesday, October 10, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on OPRA for the Northern Hotel; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of Manistee Catholic Central Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 13, 2023. A request has been received to hold the Manistee Catholic Central Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 13, 2023, beginning at 4:30 p.m. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 19, 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 CONSIDERATION OF A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT WITH CLARE COUNTY. The Manistee City Police Department, in partnership with the Sleighbell Committee, has requested assistance from the Clare County Mounted Division. Clare County will assist with police presence and crowd control on Saturday, December 2, 2023, during and after the Manistee Victorian Sleighbell Parade. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the agreement. MOTION by Beaton, second by Pratt to approve the Clare County Mutual Aid Agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (MEDC) GRANT TO FUND BEACH MASTER PLAN UPDATE. The MEDC announced that the City has been awarded funding for a Beach Master Plan update. The grant will fund 75% of the project over two State of Michigan fiscal years. This proposed beach master plan will identify, prioritize, and map out potential sustainable and accessible beach improvements for the next 10 years and beyond. If approved, Council could appoint a representative for the beach master plan steering committee. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to authorize the City Manager to execute a grant agreement with the MEDC to fund a beach master plan update. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Grabowski, second by Beaton to appoint Councilmember Pratt to the beach master plan steering committee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 CONSIDERATION OF AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR GUS MACKER EVENT RECOMMENDATION. Section 13-16 of the City Charter allows for the creation of special committees to make recommendations to City Council. Hosting a Gus Macker event involves an initial expense, a commitment to fundraising, as well as a commitment to recruit volunteers to work at the events. The goal of this committee is to determine if there is an acceptable commitment from interested stakeholders to sign a contract with Gus Macker for a 2024 or 2025 event. The City Manager is requesting that Council provide a representative to participate in the committee. MOTION by Pratt, second by Sullivan to establish an ad hoc committee for the Gus Macker event. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MOTION by Beaton, second by Sullivan to designate Councilmember Lundberg to serve on the ad hoc committee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE CITY ASSESSOR. Ms. Molly Whetstone reported on the activities of the City Assessor’s Office and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT No comments received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided updates. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Martin Pontiac, Bachman, Beaton, and Lundberg asked questions of staff and offered concerns and comments. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, MANAGER ANNUAL EVALUATION. City Manager William Gambill has requested a Closed Session this evening as permitted by the Open Meetings Act, Section 8 (a) for discussion on the City Manager’s Annual Evaluation. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to proceed to closed session under Section 8 (a) of the Open Meetings Act. TIME 7:33 p.m. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Returned to open session at 8:11p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Grabowski to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 4