City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 18, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Wesley Smith, Liz Laskey, Jermaine Sullivan, Kay Keck, James Grabowski, and Lani Rozga ABSENT: Julia Raddatz ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – Blake Conklin, 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 PUBLIC HEARING ON THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DEVELOPMENT AND TAX INCREMENT FINANCING PLAN AMENDMENT. The Manistee Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved an amendment to their Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan (Plan) during their November 13, 2024, regular meeting. The Plan amendment adds a section outlining a new TIF gap financing tool. This allows the DDA to help finance housing-related development costs for projects in the DDA district. The Plan amendment will be considered later in tonight’s meeting. The public had an opportunity to comment on the Downtown Development Authority Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan amendment. No public comments received. Public Hearing Closed at 7:01 p.m. COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS None. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes February 4, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Payroll January 2025 Invoices January 2025 • Consideration of Authorizing the Manistee County Community Foundation Riverwalk grant agreement. As discussed at the December 17, 2024, Council meeting, the Manistee County Community Foundation is generously contributing $217,000 to help bring the South Riverwalk Renovation Project to fruition. • Consideration of the 2025 Manistee National Forest Festival. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 18, 2025 On behalf of the Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, we are asking the City Council to consider approval of the use of public lands during the Manistee National Forest Festival, scheduled for July 2-6, 2025. • Consideration of the 2025 Manistee Arts & Crafts Show. The Manistee Arts & Crafts Show will be held during the Manistee National Forest Festival, July 4-5, 2025. Vendor booths will be set up outside on the grounds of the Armory Youth Project with parking in the City’s parking lot adjacent to the Armory building and the First Street overlook parking lot. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None COAST GUARD CITY/COMMUNITY PROGRAM DISCUSSION Police Chief Josh Glass provided information on becoming a Coast Guard Designated City and offered information on the application process. He inquired if Council would be interested in the City pursuing this designation. Consensus was given by Council to move forward with the Coast Guard Designation City application process. MANISTEE AREA LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PROJECT PRESENTATION David Jarvi, Manistee County Planner/Leadership Participant gave a presentation on the Manistee Area Leadership Program and the leadership cohort 2025 Annual Community Service Project. The group would like to install art sensory walls in Manistee County for people of all abilities. They have proposed two locations within the City for the installation of the walls and are seeking support from Council. CONSIDERATION OF MANISTEE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY TIF FINANCING AMENDMENT. The Manistee Downtown Development Authority (DDA) approved an amendment to their Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan (Plan) during their November 13, 2024, regular meeting. The Plan amendment adds a section outlining a new TIF gap financing tool. This allows the DDA to help finance housing-related development costs for projects in the DDA district. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to approve the amended DDA Development and Tax Increment Financing Plan. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 18, 2025 CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING THE CITY’S PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES MANUAL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF PUBLIC ACT 338 OF 2018: THE EARNED SICK TIME ACT. Public Act 338 of 2018: The Earned Sick Time Act, was a voter-initiated law that was passed by the legislature and is effective February 21, 2025. The City Labor Attorney has reviewed the City’s Personnel Policies & Procedures manual and made changes, to ensure the City is in compliance with the new law. MOTION by Smith, second by Grabowski to amend the City’s Personnel Policies and Procedures manual to be in compliance with Public Act 2018: The Earned Sick Time Act. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 25-01 TO AMEND CHAPTER 662 PEACE DISTURBANCES, OF CITY OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN CODIFIED ORDINANCES. Ordinance 25-01 would change Ordinance 662.01(B)(1) to state the following: Be under the influence of alcohol or any narcotic drug in a public place and who is endangering directly the safety of another person or of property or acting unreasonably to annoy or disturb the quiet, comfort and repose of people in the vicinity. 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 Smith to introduce Ordinance 25-01 amending Chapter 662 Peace Disturbances. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVAL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COUNTY HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DISPOSAL PROGRAM. Each year a countywide Household Hazardous Waste Disposal program is offered. The committee has set the rates for each participating community at $0.45 per capita. The contribution for the City of Manistee is $2,816.55 for this year. MOTION by Rozga, second by Grabowski to approve the contract and agreement for services with the Manistee, Mason, and Oceana Conservation Districts and authorize the City Manager to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 18, 2025 AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None A REPORT FROM REPUBLIC SERVICES. Mr. AJ Johnson reported on the activities of Republic Services and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. BEACH MASTER PLAN DRAFT DISCUSSION Cynthia Todd, Spicer Group, gave a presentation on the Beach Master Plan which included the project scope, project task, and reviewed the public input received through the Steering Committee, Stakeholder work sessions, public open house, and public input survey. Ms. Todd revealed the conceptual plan and provided the next steps in the process. COUNCIL TRAINING ON OPEN MEETINGS ACT, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER Blake Conklin, City Attorney gave a presentation on the Open Meetings Act (OMA), the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), Parliamentary Procedure, and offered an opportunity for Council to ask any questions they had regarding the information provided. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - John Veach - Mike Herbert - Karen Asiala OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill gave an update on the Refuse RFP and stated a recommendation will come before Council by April. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, and Laskey 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 February 13, 2025. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to proceed to Closed Session. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-2. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – FEBRUARY 18, 2025 AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, and Keck NAYS: Grabowski and Rozga Exited to Closed Session at 8:43 p.m. Returned to Open Session at 9:28 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 9:28 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC II City Clerk | Page 5