City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 2, 2024 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Cindy Lundberg, Jermaine Sullivan, Seth Pratt, James Grabowski, and Erin Martin Pontiac ABSENT: David Bachman and Wesley Smith ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – Tim Figura, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Community Development Director – Theresa Waldo, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments provided by: - Deanna Marsh, DDA board member - Lindsey Swidorski, owner TJ’s Pub /Ramsdell Inn and DDA board member - Nicole Bromley, Gold & Silver Exchange - Chris Shilts, 500 Second Street CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes March 19, 2024 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances February 2024 Revenue & Expenses February 2024 • Notification regarding the next Study Session, Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at 7:00p.m. A discussion will be conducted on the FY 2024-2025 Budget; and such business as may come before Council. • Consideration of proclaiming April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. The Manistee County Parkinson’s Support Group has requested that the City of Manistee proclaim the month of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. • Consideration of the United Veterans Council (UVC) 2024 Memorial Day Parade, Monday, May 27, 2024. The United Veterans Council (UVC) would like to host a Memorial Day Parade on Monday, May 27, 2024, 9:15-11:45 a.m. The parade will start on River Street at Division Street, moving west to Maple Street, crossing the Maple Street bridge, ending at the Veterans Memorial parking lot and gazebo. The focus of the parade is to honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our great Nation. MOTION by Pratt, 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 – APRIL 2, 2024 AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MDOT US-31 RECONSTRUCTION PRESENTATION Dan Wagner, MDOT P.E. Manager and Krista Phillips, MDOT P.E. Operations Manager gave an update on the US 31 bridge project and provided information on the upcoming US-31 reconstruction project. The reconstruction project is expected to begin in 2 ½ years with the contract to be awarded in December 2026. The project will be a full construction. MDOT is looking for input from the City and Council on a proposed lane conversion or road diet for Ninth Street to Lakeshore Road before they begin meeting with the public. CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE TITLE VI NON-DISCRIMINATION PLAN On January 21, 2014, City Council adopted the Title VI Non-Discrimination Plan. The City Clerk is designated as the Title VI Coordinator and is responsible for making sure the City remains in compliance with Title VI. A notification was received from MDOT of revised Title VI Complaint Procedures per the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The City Clerk has updated the City’s Title VI Non-Discrimination Plan to align with regulatory requirements. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to approve the amended Title VI Non-Discrimination Plan. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 24-05 TO AMEND CHAPTER 1480 PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE, OF THE CITY OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN CODIFIED ORDINANCES Ordinance 24-05 would amend Chapter 1480 Property Maintenance Code to adopt the use of the 2021 edition of the International Property Maintenance Code. 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 Pratt, second by Grabowski to introduce Ordinance 24-05 amending Chapter 1480 Property Maintenance Code. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF CHANGE TO THE BUILDING FEES WITHIN THE SCHEDULE OF FEES. City Council approves the Schedule of Fees with the approval of the annual budget. The current Schedule | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 2, 2024 of Fees reflects the building fees from the previous contractor. In October 2023 the City brought this service back in-house; the City building official has reviewed the current schedule and is recommending updates. The proposed fee schedule is easily understood, comparable in prices per project to the current schedule, though less expensive for projects that take over six (6) months and less than one (1) year. The Community Development Director and City Manager have reviewed the building official’s proposed fee schedule and recommend the changes. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to amend the Schedule of Fees to reflect the building official's proposed fee schedule. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: 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, Downtown Development Authority, Harbor Commission, Historic District Commission, Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission, PEG Commission, and Tree Commission. 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 DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY – One vacancy, interest member, term ending 06/30/2026. Purpose: Central Business District and Tax Increment Financing Authority; Manager appointment. Nicole Bromley – 282 Sixth Avenue James Oswald – 615 Maple Street Benjamin A. Crowley – 363 River Street Tristann Carroll – 1525 County Line Rd W Gambill appointed Benjamin A. Crowley,363 River Street to the Downtown Development Authority interest member term ending 6/30/2026. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to support the manager’s appointment of Benjamin A. Crowley to the Downtown Development Authority interest member term ending 6/30/2026. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION – One vacancy, term ending 02/28/2025. Purpose: Historic | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 2, 2024 preservation; Council appointment. Ed Kriskywicz – 387 River Street Pratt nominated Ed Kriskywicz, 387 River Street to the Historic District Commission term ending 2/28/2025. With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION – Four vacancies, two (2) terms ending 04/30/2026 and two (2) terms ending 04/30/2027. Purpose: Identify, research, and recommend opportunities and resources to help prevent, remediate, and eliminate blight and help beautify the City of Manistee; Council appointment. *Mary Kaye Wilkosz – 253 Seventh Street Kayla Willim – 113 Walnut Street *Kathleen Grabowski – 1235 Cornell Street Sarah Harless – 311 Fifth Street Pratt nominated Sarah Harless, 311 Fifth Street to the Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission term ending 4/30/2027. With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Pratt nominated Kathleen Grabowski, 1235 Cornell Street to the Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission term ending 4/30/2027. With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Grabowski nominated Mary Kaye Wilkosz, 253 Seventh Street to the Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission term ending 4/30/2026. With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Pratt nominated Kayla Willim, 113 Walnut Street to the Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission term ending 4/30/2026. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 2, 2024 With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. AYES: Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE CITY OF MANISTEE HOUSING COMMISSION Executive Director Laurie Hatchew and Operations Manager Mark Sochocki reported on the activities of the CMHC and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. INTRODUCTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023-2024 BUDGET. Administration has prepared the proposed 2024-2025 Fiscal Year Budget. The Finance Director gave a brief introduction of the City Manager’s budget recommendations to City Council and the community. The public hearing to review these budget recommendations and receive public input on them has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 16, 2024. A study session has been scheduled for budget discussion on Tuesday, April 9 and optional study sessions can be added if needed. No action was required on this item. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments provided by: - Jerry Johnson, Gold & Silver Exchange - Nicole Bromley, Gold & Silver Exchange - Lindsey Swidorski, owner TJ’s Pub & Ramsdell Inn - Mark Herberger, 409 Oak Street - Deana Grant, 507 Ramsdell Street - Chris Shilts, 500 Second Street OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill asked Council to review the budget and submit their comments, questions, and suggestions by end of day Friday for next week’s study session. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Martin Pontiac, and Lundberg made inquiries and provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Pratt to adjourn the meeting at 8:49 p.m. Heather Pefley CMC, MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 5