City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 20, 2024 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, August 20, 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 – George Saylor, Deputy City Clerk – Lora Laurain, 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 COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments received by: - Andrew Stafford, 275 1st St, Economic Development Director - Rick Tetsworth, 1405 Cornell St. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes August 7, 2024 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Payroll July 2024 Invoices July 2024 Quarterly Investment Report • Consideration of the Manistee Lions Club White Cane Days The Manistee Lions Club is requesting permission to collect cash donations during their White Cane Days on October 4-6, 2024, at various locations within the City of Manistee. These donations will be used to support projects benefiting persons of all ages in Manistee Lions Club service area. 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 INTRODUCTION OF TOBY VAN ESS, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER Councilmembers welcomed Mr. VanEss as the new Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Manistee. INTRODUCTION OF KELSO KELLEY, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT FOR THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 20, 2024 Councilmembers welcomed Ms. Kelley as the new administrative assistant for the Community Development Department for the City of Manistee. PRESENTATION BY THE MANISTEE COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY Katie Mehl of the Manistee County Planning Department gave a brief history and purpose of Michigan Land Banks and Manistee County Land Bank and responded to questions councilmembers had regarding the program. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN FOR TRUNKLINE MAINTENANCE Every five years the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) contracts with the City to perform maintenance on the US-31 Trunkline within the City limits. The State reimburses the City for the costs associated with the work. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Martin Pontiac to enter into a State Trunkline Maintenance Contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A LEASE AGREEMENT WITH T-MOBILE T-Mobile leases space at the industrial water tower site. T-Mobile has acquired Sprint, who also leases space at the site. T-Mobile is canceling the Sprint lease and upgrading all their equipment. A new lease in the amount of $30,000/year has been negotiated. The City Attorney has reviewed the approved the lease. MOTION by Bachman, second by Grabowski to approve the lease with T-Mobile and authorize the City Clerk and Mayor to execute the documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY, 9.5 ACRE PARCEL IN RENAISSANCE PARK The City received an offer to purchase the 9.5 acre City-owned property located in Renaissance Park in Manistee Township. Global Carrier Incorporated is proposing to use the parcel for a trucking warehouse distribution center which is in line with the zoning requirements and protective covenants on the parcel. The lot is listed for $29,000; a sale price in the amount of $25,500 has been negotiated. The City Manager recommends accepting the offer and authorizing the sale contingent on the final City Attorney approval of the purchase agreement. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 20, 2024 MOTION by Lundberg, second by Martin Pontiac to accept the offer and authorize the City Clerk and Mayor to execute all closing documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING A WAIVER OF LIEN ON 1018 HIGH STREET City staff has been approached by an individual interested in purchasing 1018 High Street and is requesting a waiver of lien from the City to complete the transaction. The City had the blighted structure at 1018 High Street demolished in September 2021; a lien was placed on the property for the amount of demolition. Since that time the property was foreclosed by advertisement and is now owned by 8 Dunnigan LLC. At this point it is unlikely that the City could collect on the lien however the title company is requesting an explicit waiver of lien from the City to complete this new sale. The City negotiated a $2,000 price to provide this. The City Manager recommends accepting the offer and providing the Waiver of Lien. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Pratt to accept the offer and authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary waiver of lien documents contingent on the final City Attorney approval. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE 2024 THOROUGHBRED ROUND UP CENTURY BOAT CLUB SHOW The 2024 Thoroughbred Round Up Century Boat Club Show will be held on Friday, September 13 and Saturday, September 14, 2024. Friday’s event will include a welcome reception and free ship cruise on the lake. Saturday’s events will include an in-water boat show at the Manistee Municipal Marina. Boat display on River Street from Pine to Water Streets in front of the Marina and the Manistee Police Department’s Best Darn Root Beer Floats. Closure of River Street from Pine Street to Water Street is requested. MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to support and approve the 2024 Thoroughbred Round Up Century Boat Club Show; subject to departmental approval. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO THE TREE COMMISSION Tree Commission vacancies were advertised by the Clerk for appointment at the August 7, 2024, regular meeting. No action was taken on August 7 and the appointment was moved to tonight’s meeting. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 20, 2024 Mayoral appointments require a motion, second and Council voted support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent TREE COMMISSION – two vacancies, terms ending 12/31/26. Purpose: Oversees public tree program; Mayoral appointment. David Blair – 213 Tenth Street Nicholas D. Licina – 374 Eighth Street Mayor Sullivan appointed David Blair, 213 Tenth Street, to the Tree Commission term ending 12/31/26. MOTION by Pratt, second by Grabowski to support Mayor Sullivan’s appointment of David Blair to the Tree Commission term ending 12/31/26. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Bachman, Smith, Lundberg, Sullivan, Pratt, Grabowski, and Martin Pontiac NAYS: None Mayor Sullivan appointed Nicholas D. Licina, 374 Eighth Street, to the Tree Commission term ending 12/31/26. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Lundberg to support Mayor Sullivan’s appointment of Nicholas D. Licina to the Tree Commission term ending 12/31/26. 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 PLANNING COMMISSION AND THE PLANNING AND ZONING DEPARTMENT Mr. Mark Wittlieff reported on the activities of the Planning Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. Ms. Theresa Waldo reported on the activities of the Planning and Zoning Department and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT None OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill asked councilmembers to submit their comments regarding the short-term rental documents recently sent to them. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 20, 2024 COUNCILMEMBERS Lundberg, Pratt, Grabowski, Martin Pontiac, and Sullivan made inquiries and provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Lundberg to adjourn the meeting at 7:51 p.m. Lora Y Laurain, CMC / MiPMC Deputy Clerk | Page 5