City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2024 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, May 7, 2024, 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, Deputy Clerk – Lora Laurain, City Assessor – Molly Whetstone, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Community Development Director – Theresa Waldo, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton CITIZEN COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes April 16, 2024 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances March 2024 Revenue & Expenses March 2024 • Consideration of Chalk the Walk & Have a Talk event The Manistee County Suicide Prevention and Awareness Coalition would like to host an event to raise awareness about mental health. The members will create beautiful messages of hope on sidewalks and on the driveways of members, businesses, churches, and schools (with permission). This event is scheduled to take place May 12-18, 2024. • Consideration of the 2024 Manistee National Forest Festival The 2024 Manistee National Forest Festival is scheduled to be held Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7, 2024. This event will include a carnival, marketplace, petting zoo, food trucks, parade, 5K race, music, and fireworks over Lake Michigan. • Consideration of the Manistee Arts & Crafts Show The Manistee Arts & Crafts show will be held during the Manistee National Forest Festival, July 5-7, 2024. Vendor booths will be set up outside on the grounds of the Armory Youth Project with parking in the adjacent lot and the First Street overlook parking lot. MOTION by Lundberg, second by Bachman to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2024 AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None MDOT US-31 SAFETY PRESENTATION – Dan Wagner, P.E. Manager and Krista Phillips, P.E. Operations Manager presented results of a recent Road Safety Audit along with recommendations and plans for the reconstruction of US 31 scheduled for 2027. CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE 2024-2025 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024-2025 Under Section 7-4 of the Charter, the annual budget must be adopted before May 15 of each year. The budget has been subject to multiple discussions and a public hearing. Additionally, the City of Manistee is required by state statute to approve the budget of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) before it can be adopted by the Downtown Development Board. The DDA’s proposed budget was presented to City Council at the April 2, 2024, City Council regular meeting. If approved by Council, the Downtown Development Authority Board must still hold a public hearing on their budget and vote to adopt it. MOTION by Bachman, second by Smith to adopt a resolution approving the 2024-2025 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan and approve the Downtown Development Authority’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2024-2025. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 5-2. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: Pratt and Grabowski CONSIDERATION OF APPLYING FOR A GRANT FROM THE MANISTEE COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION The Department of Public Works is requesting authorization to submit a $4,000.00 grant request to the Manistee County Community Foundation to purchase and install a new basketball hoop at Fifth Avenue Beach. The total project cost is $5,457.00, with the balance provided from the Parks operation fund. MOTION by Pratt, second by Martin Pontiac to authorize a grant submission to the Manistee County Community Foundation for the purchase of a basketball hoop at Fifth Avenue Beach. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 24-06 TO AMEND CHAPTER 288 PEG COMMISSION, OF THE CITY OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN CODIFIED ORDINANCES | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2024 Ordinance 24-06 would amend Chapter 288 to reduce the commission size from five to three and change Filer Township’s ability to appoint a member from two to one. Making these changes would allow PEG to have a meeting with a quorum of two. 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 Grabowski, second by Pratt to introduce Ordinance 24-06 amending Chapter 288 PEG. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE PEG COMMISSION BYLAWS The members of the PEG Commission are requesting the approval of amendments to their bylaws to reduce the commission size from five to three and change Filer Township’s ability to appoint a member from two to one. Making these changes would allow PEG to have a meeting with a quorum of two. MOTION by Lundberg, second by Smith to approve the proposed changes to the PEG Commission bylaws. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING ELECTION SIGNAGE The City Clerk is requesting approval from City Council to place necessary signage at the early voting site and election day precincts so that voters know where they are to vote during the nine days of early voting and on election day. There will be various types of signage used including feather flags. Section 2103 of the Zoning Ordinance identifies signs posted by a governmental agency as exempt signs. MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to adopt a resolution to authorize the City Clerk to place all necessary signage for the purpose of notifying electors of early voting and election day for all future elections. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2024 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, Housing Commission, PEG Commission, Tree Commission, and 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 COMPENSATION COMMISSION – Two vacancies – one (1) term ending 09/30/25 and one (1) term ending 09/30/28; applicants must be registered voters in the City. Purpose: Establish compensation for City Council Members; Mayoral appointment. Linda Gamache-Chick – 345 Fourth Avenue Sullivan appointed Linda Gamache-Chick, 345 Fourth Avenue to the Compensation Commission term ending 09/30/25. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to support the mayor’s appointment of Linda Gamache-Chick, 345 Fourth Avenue to the Compensation Commission term ending 09/30/25. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None HARBOR COMMISSION – One vacancy – term ending 10/31/25; two members can be non-residents but must own real estate or a business or profession having a licensed business location in the City. Purpose: Advisory on Marina, Harbor Development Issues; Council appointment. James D. Courtright – 1805 Surfside Drive Pratt nominated James D. Courtright, 1805 Surfside Drive to the Harbor Commission term ending 10/31/25. With a roll call vote this nomination passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2024 HOUSING COMMISSION – One vacancy – term ending 05/31/26. Purpose: oversees senior/low- income housing; Mayoral appointment. Michael Szymanski – 332 Fifth Street Sullivan appointed Michael Szymanski, 332 Fifth Street to the Housing Commission term ending 05/31/26. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to support the mayor’s appointment of Michael Szymanski, 332 Fifth Street to the Housing Commission term ending 05/31/26. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS – Two vacancies – one (1) term ending 05/31/27 and one (1) term alternate member term ending 05/31/27 (terms begin 06/01/24); Applicants shall be representatives of the population distribution and of the various interests present in the City. Purpose: Hears appeals to zoning, building issues; Mayoral appointment. *Denis Johnson – 464 Fifth Street Sullivan appointed Denis Johnson, 464 Fifth Street to the Zoning Board of Appeals, regular term ending 05/31/27. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to support the mayor’s appointment of Denis Johnson, 464 Fifth Street to the Zoning Board of Appeals, regular term ending 05/31/27. 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 CITY ASSESSOR Ms. Molly Whetstone reported on the activities of the City Assessor’s office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT None OFFICIALS AND STAFF | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2024 Mikula reported the City received 2 loads of free stone left from a roof project at Trinity Lutheran School. COUNCILMEMBERS Pratt, Grabowski, Bachman, and Smith made inquiries and provided comments. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, UNION CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS City Manager William Gambill has requested a Closed Session as permitted by the Michigan Open Meetings Act, Section 8 (c) to discuss negotiations with the Police Officers Association of Michigan and Command Officer Association of Michigan. MOTION by Lundberg, second by Martin Pontiac to proceed to Closed Session under Section 8 (c) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. TIME: 8:13 p.m. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Returned to open session at 8:26 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Pratt to adjourn the meeting at 8:26 p.m. Lora Y Laurain CMC, MiPMC Deputy Clerk | Page 6