City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 1, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Julia Raddatz, Jermaine Sullivan, Kay Keck, James Grabowski, and Lani Rozga ABSENT: Wesley Smith and Liz Laskey ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Community Development Director – Theresa Waldo, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments received by: - Dyllan Walker, Kott Road – Grant application Shoreline Cycling Club CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes March 18, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances March 2025 Revenue & Expenses March 2025 Balance Sheet • 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. This ordinance was introduced at the March 18, 2025, meeting and could be adopted at this time. • Notification regarding next study session. A Council study session has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025. A discussion will be conducted on the FY 2025-2026 Budget. • Consideration of proclaiming April as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. The Manistee County Parkinson’s Support Group has requested that the City of Manistee proclaim the month of April as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. • Consideration of Music Sparks Meaning – 4th of July Roots on the River Kickoff Event. . Music Sparks Meaning is requesting to host a day of fun and music at the Veterans Memorial Park, including part of the parking lot and gazebo on July 4, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m., as a kickoff to the Roots on the River concert series. This event will include food trucks, alcohol sales, lawn games, a raffle and an evening concert. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 1, 2025 MOTION by Grabowski, second by Keck to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A MOORING AGREEMENT WITH HARBOR TOURS, LLC. The Princess of Manistee, operated by Harbor Tours, LLC, has requested a one-year mooring agreement with the City of Manistee. The agreement allows the vessel to dock along the Riverwalk and utilize a gangway to access the vessel. The seasonal rate would remain the same as 2024 at $6,063 and in exchange the Princess will fuel at the City Marina. MOTION by Keck, second by Grabowski to approve a Mooring Agreement with Harbor Tours, LLC for the 2025 boating season and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the document. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE PURCHASE OF A FORESTRY BUCKET TRUCK. The current City budget includes the replacement of the City’s forestry bucket truck. The Public Works Department has researched available models and is recommending the purchase of an AxionLift on a Ford F550 Chassis from MTech. The quoted price is $184,900 based on CoPro+ contract with the Michigan Association of Counties (similar to MiDeal). The budgeted funds for this purchase is $198,000. MOTION by Rozga, second by Grabowski to approve the purchase of the AxionLift from MTech in the amount of $184,900. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF SUPPORTING A GRANT APPLICATION BY THE SHORELINE CYCLING CLUB TO PURCHASE MAINTENANCE EQUIPMENT AND A STORAGE BUILDING FOR USE AT THE NON- MOTORIZED TRAIL PARK. The Shoreline Cycling Club (SCC) has a Maintenance Agreement with the City for the Non-Motorized Trail Park. The SCC is applying for a grant to upgrade equipment and to construct a storage building. The SCC will provide matching funds and the City will provide in-kind services to clear the building site and construct a gravel pad. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 1, 2025 MOTION by Raddatz, second Keck by to approve a grant application to the Manistee County Community Foundation, prepared and submitted by the Shoreline Cycling Club. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF COMPENSATION COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION FOR COUNCIL SALARIES. Compensation for the Mayor and members of the City Council are established based on procedures in the Charter, State Statute and local ordinance. Under the established procedures, an independent commission develops and recommends compensation rates for City Council. If approved, these rates would not become effective during the term of the current elected City Council. The Council may accept or reject the Compensation Commission’s recommendations, they may not be modified. Rejection can only occur if a 2/3 majority of Council, five (5) members, vote to reject the recommendations. If the recommendations are accepted, they will be implemented at the beginning of the year 2027. If no action is taken, the determination of the Compensation Commission shall become effective 30 days following the filing of its determination with the City Clerk, April 2, 2025, pursuant to MCL117.5c. The current salaries for the Mayor and City Council are $6802.07 and $5290.34 per year respectively. These rates have been in effect since January 2025. The Compensation Commission recognizes the importance of City Council and acknowledges the commitment required of its members. Therefore, the Compensation Commission is recommending a ten (10) percent increase to the current annual salaries. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Keck to accept the Compensation Commission’s recommendation to increase the salaries for the Mayor and City Council. With a roll call vote this motion failed, 2-3. AYES: Keck and Grabowski NAYS: Raddatz, Sullivan, and Rozga Although this motion failed, it did not meet the 2/3 majority of Council, five (5) members, vote to reject the recommendations, therefore the determination of the Compensation Commission shall become effective January 2027. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING A CITY OF MANISTEE AD HOC HOUSING COMMITTEE. In accordance with Section 13-16 of the City Charter, special committees may be appointed to make recommendations to City Council. The City of Manistee Housing Commission is interested in working | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 1, 2025 with the City to determine the future of the 47 scattered sites. The purpose of the committee is to work with the Housing Commission to make recommendations regarding the scattered sites and other housing initiatives to City Council. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Rozga to authorize a City of Manistee Ad Hoc Housing Committee. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF COMMISSION APPOINTMENT. The City of Manistee Housing Commission has taken action to advertise among their residents the one resident vacancy, five-year term ending 05/31/2028. This is a mayoral appointment which requires a motion, second and Council voted support. The following application was received: Sue Majchrzak – 1204 Cypress Street Mayor Sullivan appointed Sue Majchrzak, 1204 Cypress Street to the City of Manistee Housing Commission term ending 5/31/2028. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Keck to support the Mayor’s appointment of Sue Majchrzak, 1204 Cypress Street to the City of Manistee Housing Commission term ending 5/31/2028. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Board of Review, Compensation Commission, Historic District Commission, and Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission. Mayor and Manager appointments require a motion, second and Council voted support. Nominations for Council appointments do not require a second. After all nominations are made, Council votes on the nominees until one nominee receives the majority support. The following applications have been received: *Incumbent | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 1, 2025 BOARD OF REVIEW – one vacancy (alternate member), term ending 12/31/26. Purpose: Hears property valuation appeals; Council appointment. Nicholas D. Licina – 374 Eighth Street Rozga nominated Nicholas D. Licina, 374 Eighth Street to the Board of Review, alternate member term ending 12/31/26. With a roll call vote this nomination was unanimously approved. LICINA: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga OTHER: None NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION AND BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION – two vacancies, term ending 04/30/28. Purpose: Identify, research, and recommend opportunities and resources to help prevent, remediate, and eliminate blight and help beautify the City of Manistee; Council appointment. Nicholas D. Licina – 374 Eighth Street Jane Schimke – 722 Harbor Drive Keck nominated Nicholas D. Licina, 374 Eighth Street, to the Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission term ending 4/30/28. With a roll call vote this nomination was unanimously approved. LICINA: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga OTHER: None Rozga nominated Jane Schimke, 722 Harbor Drive, to the Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission term ending 4/30/28. With a roll call vote this nomination was unanimously approved. SCHIMKE: Raddatz, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga OTHER: None A REPORT FROM THE CITY OF MANISTEE HOUSING COMMISSION. Operations Manager Mark Sochocki, commission member Steve Fosdick, and commission member Karen Goodman reported on the activities of CMHC and responded to any questions Council had regarding their activities. INTRODUCTION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026 BUDGET. Administration has prepared the proposed 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget. The Finance Director gave a brief introduction of the City Manager’s budget recommendations to City Council and the | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – APRIL 1, 2025 community. The public hearing to review these budget recommendations and receive public input on them has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 15, 2025. A study session has been scheduled for budget discussion on Tuesday, April 8 and an optional study session can be added if needed on April 22. No action was taken on this item. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Mike Herbert, Manistee OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill thanked Bradford and department directors for their work on the budget and provided updates. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, and Raddatz made inquiries and provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Rozga to adjourn the meeting at 8:24 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC III City Clerk | Page 6