City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 21, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan on Tuesday, January 21, 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 Clerk – Heather Pefley, 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 No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes January 7, 2025 Regular Meeting January 7, 2025 Closed Session January 14, 2025 Study Session • Financial Reports Payroll December 2024 Invoices December 2024 • Consideration of Tight Lines for Troops charity veteran’s event to be held on May 16-17, 2025. Tight Lines for Troops charity veteran’s event is scheduled for Friday, May 16 – Saturday, May 17, 2025. The bulk of the event will take place at the Iron Works building, Seng’s Marina, and the Lions Pavillion. The boats will launch from Seng’s Marina, fishing from the pier at Fifth Avenue, and cleaning fish at First Street fish cleaning station. Onlookers and supporters are expected up and down the channel and additional traffic throughout the event between locations is expected. • Consideration of proclaiming February 9-15, 2025, as National Future Business Leaders of America Week in the City of Manistee. The local advisor for the Middle and High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) has requested that the City of Manistee proclaim February 9-15, 2025, as National FBLA Week. Councilmember Rozga requested removal of the approval of January 14, 2025 Study Session minutes from the Consent Agenda. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 21, 2025 MOTION by Grabowski, second by Rozga to approve the Consent Agenda as presented with the removal of the approval of the January 14, 2025 Study Session Minutes. With a roll call vote this motion failed, 3-4. AYES: Laskey, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: Raddatz, Smith, Sullivan, and Keck After additional clarification on the Consent Agenda process, Council asked to vote again on the original MOTION. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None APPROVAL OF MINUTES Approval of the minutes of the January 14, 2025 study session. MOTION by Smith, second by Laskey to approve the minutes of the January 14, 2025 study session. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None INTRODUCTION OF JORDAN LAPOINT, FIREFIGHTER. Manistee City Fire Chief introduced the City’s newest firefighter Jordan LaPoint. Mr. LaPoint thanked Council for the opportunity to serve the community. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A CONTRACT WITH THE MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (MDOT) TO RECEIVE A CATEGORY “F” GRANT. The City has applied for and received a $375,000 Category “F” grant from the Transportation Economic Development Fund. The contract requires the City to administer and construct the project to MDOT standards and provide matching funds to complete the project. The scope of the work includes, “hot mix asphalt, cold milling and paving along First Street from US-31 to Sibben Street, from First Street to Fifth Street, along Fifth Street from Sibben Street to Ramsdell Street and from Kosciusko Street westerly approximately 170 feet, and along Kosciusko Street from Fifth Street to Eighth Street; including concrete curb ramps, shoulder widening and permanent pavement markings; and all together with necessary related work.” | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 21, 2025 MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to approve the resolution and contract with MDOT, Control Section EDF 51000, Job Number 220261CON, Contract No. 24-5519; and authorize Public Works Director Jeffrey Mikula to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING CP-25 TAX INCENTIVES POLICY. Council Policy CP-25 was last edited in 1998. A comprehensive overhaul of the tax incentive framework has been completed, and the updated policy aligns with the City’s current goals. These goals include a commitment to fostering sustainable economic growth and enhancing community assets. The current changes to CP-25 will ensure that future incentives will prioritize projects that generate the greatest benefit to the City and its residents. MOTION by Rozga, second by Raddatz to approve amending CP-25 Tax Incentives Policy. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING THE SUBMISSION OF REVITALIZATION AND PLACEMAKING (RAP) GRANT APPLICATION FOR RIVER STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND AMENDING THE FY25 BUDGET TO ALLOCATE FUNDS FOR THIS PROJECT. The MEDC is requesting grant applications for a RAP grant for place-based infrastructure projects. The grant application is due on January 30, 2025, and requires at least a 50% match with a minimum grant award being $500,000 and a maximum grant of $1,000,000. The west end of the DDA’s streetscape project, estimated to be $1,390,000, is a recommended scope for this application. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to authorize the submission of Revitalization and Placemaking grant application for River Street improvements, contingent on DDA allocating remaining matching funds, and amending the FY25 Budget to allocate $200,000 of street funds for this project. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 21, 2025 CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING CONCESSIONAIRE AGREEMENT WITH SABLE POINTS LIGHTHOUSE KEEPERS ASSOCIATION (SPLKA) FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE MANISTEE NORTH PIERHEAD LIGHTHOUSE. The City took ownership of the Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse in 2011 with the Manistee County Historical Museum as the concessionaire. The Museum was contacted by SPLKA regarding potential operations at the Lighthouse. After discussion with the Museum and City Council in January 2024, the City began working with SPLKA to reach an agreement to make SPLKA the concessionaire. They anticipate commencing limited operations this summer, full operations next summer and be well positioned to celebrate the Lighthouse’s 100-year anniversary in 2027. MOTION by Smith, second by Raddatz to authorize the concessionaire agreement with Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association for management of the Manistee North Pierhead Lighthouse. Jack Greve, SPLKA Executive Director gave a presentation on the Sable Points Lighthouse Keepers Association and responded to questions from Council. He provided an updated timeline with renovations occurring in 2025, reduced operational hours in 2026, and full operations in 2027 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of the Lighthouse. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE TREE COMMISSION. Mr. John Helge reported on the activities of the Tree Commission and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. RAMSDELL DISCUSSION Nancy Ferguson, RRCA Board President provided a presentation to Council summarizing their request to the City and illustrating financial history. Council made inquiries and provided input. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Mike Herbert, Manistee OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided follow up information on the cardboard recycling trailer located at the DPW for city residents. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JANUARY 21, 2025 COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, Laskey, Raddatz, and Sullivan made inquiries and provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:39 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 5