City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 21, 2023 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, November 21, 2023, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: David Bachman, Wesley Smith, Cindy Lundberg, Jermaine Sullivan, Seth Pratt, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – Tim Figura, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Police Chief – Josh Glass, , Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, , and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes November 8, 2023 Regular Meeting November 14, 2023 Organizational Meeting November 14, 2023 Study Session • Financial Reports Payroll October 2023 Invoices October 2023 Quarterly Financial Update September 2023 Quarterly Investment Update September 2023 • Notification of next study session – Tuesday, December 12, 2023, 7:00 p.m. A discussion will be conducted on the Transportation and Capital Improvement Plans and 2024 goal setting; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Lundberg, second by Grabowski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF SUPPORTING BLIGHT ELIMINATION GRANT APPLICATIONS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY’S BLIGHT ELIMINATION PROGRAM. The Manistee County Land Bank Authority (Land Bank) is requesting the City’s support for three blight elimination projects located within the City, to be submitted for the competitive round 4 of the Blight Elimination Program. City staff recommend supporting the Land Bank’s grant applications. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to approve a resolution supporting blight elimination grant applications for the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity’s Blight Elimination Program. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 21, 2023 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION TO AMEND THE FISCAL YEAR 23/24 BUDGET TO INCREASE THE ALTERNATIVES FOR AREA YOUTH ALLOCATION UP TO AN ADDITIONAL $10,000 FOR FURNACE REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. The Alternatives for Area Youth (AAY) recently informed the City that the furnace at the Rec at Sands Park has failed. The additional $10,000 for the AAY would go towards the repair/replacement of the failed equipment. MOTION by Pratt, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the Fiscal Year 23/24 Budget amendment to allocate up to an additional $10,000 to the AAY for the repair/replacement of the furnace at the Rec at Sands Park building. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE CITY OF MANISTEE HOUSING COMMISSION BYLAW AMENDMENTS. The City of Manistee Housing Commission took action at their October 19, 2023 meeting to review and approve changes to their bylaws. A copy of the bylaws showing proposed amendments has been attached. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to approve amendments to the bylaws of the City of Manistee Housing Commission and authorize the Mayor to execute the document. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE PEG COMMISSION. Mr. Barry Lind reported on the activities of the PEG Commission and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. The commission is now essentially non-functional due to a lack of quorum. There are only two remaining members on the commission and by the end of the year Mr. Lind may be the only remaining member. Future discussion with Council is needed to determine the future of the PEG Commission. POLICE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE DEPARTMENT NEW PATCH UNVEILING Chief Josh Glass and Chief Tom Hernden presented the new uniform patches for the Police and Fire Departments. Chief Hernden introduced new City Firefighters Hayden Crosby and Bryce Bonwell. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – NOVEMBER 21, 2023 MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP Mayor Jermaine Sullivan and Councilmember Cindy Lundberg shared information and ideas received at the 2023 Michigan Municipal League Convention with Council and staff. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments provided by: - Eileen Postma, local artist - Lani Rozga, 1507 Vine Street - Theresa Anderson, MAPS School Board President - Kelly Greve, 606 Broad Avenue - Sammie Lukaskiewicz, 315 Fifth Avenue #23 OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided updates. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Martin Pontiac, Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, and Sullivan provided comments and concerns. ADJOURN MOTION by Lundberg to adjourn the meeting at 8:13 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 3