City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 18, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, March 18, 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, Deputy Clerk – Lora Laurain, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Community Development Director – Theresa Waldo, Police Chief – Josh Glass, and Fire Chief – Tom Hernden COMMENTS ON RELATED ITEMS None. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes March 4, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Payroll February 2025 Invoices February 2025 • Consideration of proclaiming April 25, 2025, Arbor Day in the City of Manistee. The Tree Commission has requested that the City of Manistee proclaim April 25, 2025, as Arbor Day in the City of Manistee, which is one of four required standards to qualify as a Tree City USA community. • Consideration of the Manistee Lions White Cane Days. The Manistee Lions Club is requesting permission to collect cash donations during their White Cane Days on May 16-18, 2025, 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. • Consideration of a Resolution of Support for the Great Lakes Environmental Festival. The City of Manistee is proud to be the official hometown of the Great Lakes Environmental Festival (GLEF). The vision of the non-profit organization is to improve the environment we all share. The 2025 GLEF will be held on World Water Day, March 22, 2025, to highlight the importance of fresh water and sustainable management of freshwater resources. • Consideration of T.J.’s Block Party and Concert. T.J.’s would like to hold a concert and block party on Saturday, July 19, 2025. The request includes closing River Street from Poplar to Maple for 3 hours, from 7:00-10:00 p.m. T.J.’s will sponsor the event and provide a small stage. The event is free and open to the public. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 18, 2025 • Consideration of the 2025 Run the Pier racing event. NOMI Racing is requesting to hold the Run the Pier Run/Walk on Saturday, July 26, 2025, 5:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The event includes a 5k, 10k, ½ marathon and a full marathon. As part of the event NOMI is requesting the use of Duffy Park and parking lot. NOMI will work with the police department regarding road closures and presence on the race route. A beer tent, provided by Stomp Out Cancer will be set up in the baseball diamond at Duffy Park from 1:00-9:00 p.m. • Consideration of Music Sparks Meaning hosting the Roots on the River Concert Series. Music Sparks Meaning is requesting to host the Roots on the River concert series on July 10, 17, 24, 31, and August 7, 2025. This is a free concert series held at the Veterans Memorial Park/North Riverwalk gazebo. The aim of the series is to support regional and local artists while also providing a free and memorable experience to our community. • Consideration of Trinity Lutheran School 5k Color Run. Trinity Lutheran School is requesting to hold a 5k Color Run on Saturday, May 24, 2025, beginning at 8:15 a.m. The race will start and end at Trinity Lutheran Church/School at 420 Oak Street and is a fundraiser for the school. 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 A RAMSDELL REGIONAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS BOARD APPOINTMENT Section 4.a. of the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts (RRCA) lease agreement with the City states: The City shall have the right to appoint at least one voting member of the RRCA Board to serve as City representative. The City’s Chief Financial Officer was serving in this role but has stepped down. MOTION by Keck, second by Grabowski to nominate and appoint Rozga as the City representative to the RRCA Board. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE Z25-01 TO AMEND ARTICLE TWO, SECTION 206 ENTITLED “DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS - E” OF THE ZONING ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MANISTEE. Definitions of electronic message board and electronic sign were added to the Zoning Ordinance. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. If this ordinance is introduced at this time, it | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 18, 2025 could be adopted at the next regular meeting. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Raddatz to introduce Zoning Ordinance Z25-01 amending Article Two Section 206. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. Chief Josh Glass reported on the activities of the Manistee Police Department and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. Chief Tom Hernden reported on the activities of the Manistee Fire Department and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. MANISTEE AREA LEADERSHIP PROGRAM PROJECT LOCATION DISCUSSION. The Leadership Program project discussion was tabled until the April 1, 2025, regular meeting. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Mike Herbert, 483 1st Street - Lara Ollis - Karen Maue, 536 4th Street OFFICIALS AND STAFF Manager Gambill offered comments on the bird nesting structures, Police and Fire Department reports, proposed short-term rental ordinance and the Refuse and Recycling Services RFP received. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, Keck, Raddatz, and Laskey made inquiries and provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Rozga to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m. Lora Y Laurain, CMC / MiPMC Deputy Clerk | Page 3