City Council

MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL STUDY SESSION MINUTES OF JANUARY 14, 2025 The Manistee City Council met in a study session on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, Manistee, Michigan 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT: Julia Raddatz, Liz Laskey, Jermaine Sullivan, Kay Keck, James Grabowski, and Lani Rozga MEMBERS ABSENT: Wesley Smith ALSO PRESENT: City Manager, Department Directors, Public, and Media PUBLIC COMMENTS ON STUDY SESSION RELATED ITEMS None. AMPHITHEATER DISCUSSION – Mark Sandstedt, Manistee Community Amphitheater Foundation, presented information about the newly organized nonprofit group with the goal of developing a music/performance venue in the First Street Beach area. JEFFERSON SCHOOL AND SANDS PARK FUTURE PLANNING DISCUSSION – MAPS Superintendent Ron Stoneman and City Manager William Gambill led a discussion on a Concept for Recreational Asset Optimization with a proposed property interest exchange. Highlights of the exchange include: • MAPS relinquishes the Jefferson property, with defined (R-1/R-2 aligned) deed restrictions to the Land Bank. • The Land Bank becomes responsible for demolition of the Jefferson Elementary building and prepares the land for division. • Once divided, the City takes ownership of the recreational portion of the Jefferson property. • MAPS takes ownership and maintenance responsibilities for Sands Park, relinquishing City’s responsibility to that property. • The Land Bank sells 6-10 homesites, proceeds from the sale reimburses the Land Bank for demolition expense. • The City pursues funding and development for a phased outdoor pickleball facility. Taxes collected from the new homesites offset additional costs for maintaining this new recreational asset. • MAPS pursues partnership with MRA for optimizing Sands Park assets. CITY PROPERTY SALE PROCEEDS DISCUSSION – City Manager William Gambill led the discussion about upcoming sales of City owned property. Mr. Gambill reported the sales of two Renaissance Park lots have not yet closed and the buyer of the Sixth Avenue property has backed out of the sale. DISCUSSION ON BUDGET PRIORITIES – Finance Director Ed Bradford and City Manager William Gambill led a discussion on the 2026 Budget process. Discussion included the budget calendar, challenges, mandated curbside recycling, Medicaid reimbursement, Fire District, facilities, DDA Streetscape, and contracts with the Chamber of Commerce and Housing North. Mr. Bradford asked councilmembers to submit their top three budget priorities by Friday, January 31, 2025. Council Study Session – January 14, 2025 Page 1 OTHER: Grabowski, Raddatz, and Laskey made inquiries and provided comments. Adjourned at approximately 8:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Lora Y Laurain, CMC/ MiPMC Deputy Clerk Council Study Session – January 14, 2025 Page 2