City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 7, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Julia Raddatz, Wesley Smith, Liz Laskey, Jermaine Sullivan, Kay Keck, James Grabowski, and Lani Rozga ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – Blake Conklin, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, City Assessor – Molly Whetstone, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes December 17, 2024 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances November 2024 Revenue & Expenses November 2024 Balance Sheet November 2024 • Notification regarding Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Study Session A Council study session has been scheduled for Tuesday, January 14, 2025. A discussion will be conducted on budget priorities; and such business as may come before Council. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Keck to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING A CONTRACT TO UPGRADE SEWER MAINS ALONG US-31. The City has budgeted to upgrade three sanitary sewer mains along US-31 by installing a cured in place liner inside the pipelines. The project has been publicly bid with two bids being received. Corby Energy Services Inc. $124,135.00 Insituform Technologies $143,068.00 Engineer Estimate $89,960.00 | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 7, 2025 MOTION by Smith, second by Rozga to award a contract to the low bidder, Corby Energy Services LLC in the amount of $124,135.00, authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement, and increase the sewer capital outlay budget for this project by $35,000.00. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING 2025 POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES AND NEW FEDERAL INCOME GUIDELINES AS APPROVED BY THE STATE TAX COMMISSION. The adoption of a resolution establishing poverty exemption guidelines for exemption from property tax contributions is required in order for the Board of Review to grant poverty exemptions. The homestead of persons who the Board of Review determines by reason of poverty to be unable to contribute to the public charge, is eligible for exemption in whole or in part from taxation under Public Act 390, 1994 (MCL 211.7u). The State Tax Commission requires that the City of Manistee adopt this resolution every year and approve the income guidelines, adopted by the State Tax Commission. The resolution states that we use the Federal Income Guidelines and is substantially the same as last year’s resolution. MOTION by Raddatz, second by Grabowski to approve a resolution establishing 2025 Poverty Exemption Guidelines. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None TRI-SHARE DISCUSSION Kristina Bajtka, United Way, gave a presentation on the MI Tri-Share employer benefit program which is an income-based program where the cost of an employee’s childcare is shared equally between the employee, the employer, and the State of Michigan. Bajtka reviewed eligibility requirements, employer responsibilities, and answered questions from Council. PRESENTATION OF THE ANNUAL STATE OF THE STREETS REPORT DPW Director, Jeff Mikula, and Spicer Group Engineers, Shawn Middleton and Lucas Richardson presented the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP) and responded to any questions from Council. Presentation included: • Asset Management • Considerations for selection streets • 2024 PASER treatment methods and cost breakdown | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 7, 2025 • 2024 Completed projects • Current 3-year TIP • Overall system PASER ratings • Grants recently received • Funding CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Mike Herbert, Manistee OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill thanked staff and Spicer for their work on the streets presentation. COUNCILMEMBERS Grabowski, Rozga, and Keck made inquiries and provided comments. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION. Request to convene a closed session pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, PA 267 of 1976, pursuant to MCL 15.268(1)(h) to discuss attorney-client privileged communication dated January 2, 2025, concerning the MDNR Conversion and property sale. MOTION by Smith, second by Grabowski to proceed to Closed Session. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None Exited to closed session at 7:59 p.m. Returned to open session at 8:39 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 3