City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 03, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, October 03, 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 – Timothy Figura, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Planning & Zoning Director – Theresa Waldo, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Lucas Richardson CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments provided by: - Marc Miller, Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce – Economic Development Director CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes September 19, 2023 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances August 2023 Revenue & Expenses August 2023 • Notification regarding next study session – Tuesday, October 10, 2023, 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on the NEZ Policy; and such business as may come before Council. 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 MANISTEE COUNTY MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT. The Manistee County Mutual Aid Agreement is renewed every three years. There have been no changes from the previous agreement that was signed in 2019. MOTION by Bachman, second by Grabowski to approve the Manistee County Mutual Aid Agreement; authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the agreement. Chief Hernden provided a presentation on Mutual Aid use for 2023. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 03, 2023 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION, GOOD STUFF LLC, 308 RIVER STREET, ON-PREMISES TASTING ROOM. Good Stuff LLC is proposing to open a small distillery located at 308 River Street and is requesting a resolution from the City Council to support their application to the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Liquor Control Commission. This application is for an On-Premises Tasting Room permit. MOTION by Lundberg, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the resolution supporting the request from Good Stuff LLC for an On-Premises Tasting Room permit. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, 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, Planning 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 PLANNING COMMISSION – Three vacancies, terms ending 10/31/26. Purpose: Reviews Master Plan, Zoning, Site Plans Development Issues. Mayoral appointment. *Roger Yoder – 225 Seventh Street *Pamela Weiner – 410 Pine Street *Mick Szymanski – 332 Fifth Street Mayor Sullivan appointed Roger Yoder, 225 Seventh Street, to the Planning Commission term ending 10/31/26. MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to support the appointment of Roger Yoder, 225 Seventh | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 03, 2023 Street, to the Planning Commission for term ending 10/31/26. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Mayor Sullivan appointed Pamela Weiner, 410 Pine Street, to the Planning Commission term ending 10/31/26. MOTION by Beaton, second by Martin Pontiac to support the appointment of Pamela Weiner, 410 Pine Street, to the Planning Commission for term ending 10/31/26. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Beaton, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Mayor Sullivan appointed Mick Szymanski, 332 Fifth Street, to the Planning Commission term ending 10/31/26. MOTION by Beaton, second by Grabowski to support the appointment of Mick Szymanski, 332 Fifth Street, to the Planning Commission for term ending 10/31/26. 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 PARKS COMMISSION. Ms. Liz Laskey reported on the activities of the City of Manistee Parks Commission and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. A DISCUSSION ON TAX INCENTIVES/NORTHERN HOTEL OPRA. Marc Miller, Economic Development Director, gave a presentation on the proposed Northern Hotel mixed use project OPRA and responded to questions from Council regarding the process for the OPRA abatement. Kevin Schaeffer, owner of 141 Washington Street, provided an estimated timeframe for the proposed project, financial projections, and recently completed projects. The public hearing on the OPRA District and OPRA Exemption Certificate is scheduled for the October 17, 2023, City Council meeting. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 03, 2023 CITIZEN COMMENT No comments received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided updates and introduced the new Planning and Zoning Director Theresa Waldo. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Martin Pontiac, Bachman, Beaton, and Lundberg asked questions of staff and offered concerns and comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Lundberg to adjourn the meeting at 8:37 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 4