City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Wednesday, May 7, 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, and Lani Rozga ABSENT: James Grabowski 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, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes April 15, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances March 2025 Revenue & Expenses March 2025 Balance Sheet March 2025 Quarterly Financial Update Quarterly Investment Update • Consideration of Ordinance 25-03 to Amend Chapter 867 Recreational Marihuana, of City of Manistee, Michigan Codified Ordinances. The Ordinance Committee recommends changes including establishing scoring criteria for applications as well as creating a Marihuana License Review Committee to review applications and serve other administrative functions. As an ordinance two separate readings are required. This ordinance was introduced at the April 15, 2025 meeting and could be adopted at this time. • Consideration of Lakeshore by the Lakeshore Music Event date correction. Lakeshore Church’s Christian Praise and Worship Concert to be held at First Street Beach Pavilion on Saturday, August 2, 2025, 6:00-8:00 p.m. was approved at the April 15, 2025 meeting. Lakeshore Church has advised that the date should be corrected to Saturday, August 9, 2025. MOTION by Rozga, second by Keck to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2025 AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ENTERING INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE RAMSDELL REGIONAL CENTER FOR THE ARTS AND AUTHORIZE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE. On January 10, 2025, in accordance with the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts’ (RRCA) 2016 contract with the City, they provided 90 days notice to terminate the contract. The RRCA and City hoped to negotiate a new lease agreement to continue operations at the Ramsdell Theatre. The City Manager, Mayor, and Mayor-Pro Tem met with RRCA representatives over several months to negotiate the new agreement. Part of this agreement includes additional immediate financial support in the amount of $22,176 for mini-split and elevator repairs and operational support through the end of the City’s fiscal year. MOTION by Smith, second by Laskey to approve the agreement with the Ramsdell Regional Center for the Arts and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the document. In addition, amend the current year budget to provide financial assistance in the amount of $22,176. Gambill reviewed minor revisions to the agreement that were requested by the RRCA. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to AMEND the original motion to include the revisions to the agreement. With a roll call vote the motion to amend the previous motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None With a roll call vote the original motion as amended passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING A CONTRACT FOR REFUSE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL AND CURBSIDE RECYCLING. The City publicly advertised for refuse collection and disposal along with curbside recycling bids. One bid was received from Republic Services. The final bid is in line with the FY 2026 budget numbers for refuse costs. The budget also includes rates for a curbside recycling program to comply with state law, eliminating the cost for the co-mingled recycling bin and DPW overtime for the PCA cardboard trailer. MOTION by Smith, second by Raddatz to approve a five-year contract with Republic Services and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2025 AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING THE 2025-2026 BUDGET AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN AND APPROVING THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2025-2026. Under Section 7-4 of the Charter, the annual budget must be adopted before May 15 of each year. The budget has been subject to multiple discussions and a public hearing. Additionally, the City of Manistee is required by state statute to approve the budget of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) before it can be adopted by the DDA board. The DDA’s proposed budget was presented to City Council at the April 1, 2025, City Council regular meeting. If approved by Council, the DDA Board must still hold a public hearing on their budget and vote to adopt it. This agenda item will include two separate motions, one for the City 2025-2026 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan and one for the DDA proposed budget. MOTION by Smith, second by Raddatz to adopt a resolution approving the 2025-2026 Budget and Capital Improvement Plan. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None MOTION by Raddatz, second by Rozga to approve the Downtown Development Authority’s proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF DECERTIFYING NORTH STREET. Research has indicated that North Street (commonly referred to as North Water Street) is privately owned and does not have any public right-of-way. The segment is shown on the City’s current Michigan Department of Transportation Act 51 Map and should be corrected in accordance with findings and past practice. The segment is recommended to be removed from the City’s Act 51 Map. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to approve a resolution for decertifying 544 feet of North Street, south of Sixth Avenue. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Rozga NAYS: None | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2025 CONSIDERATION OF DECERTIFYING FOURTEENTH STREET. Research has indicated that Fourteenth Street (commonly referred to as Kosciusko Street and Hospital Hill) is privately owned and does not have any public right-of -way. The segment is shown on the City’s current Michigan Department of Transportation Act 51 Map and should be corrected in accordance with findings and past practice. The segment is recommended to be removed from the City’s Act 51 Map. MOTION by Keck, second by Smith to approve a resolution for decertifying 888 feet of Fourteenth Street to Care Center Drive. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-2 vote. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Sullivan, and Keck NAYS: Laskey and Rozga CONSIDERATION OF AWARDING A CONTRACT TO PERFORM TREE PLANTING. Each year the City partners with our citizens to plant trees within the City right-of-way. Once the number of trees has been determined, bids are accepted to plant these trees. This year one bid was received from Anthony’s Outdoor Services. The contract amount based on current orders is $10,343.82. MOTION by Rozga, second by Smith to approve a contract with Anthony’s Outdoor Services in the amount of $10,343.82 for the annual tree planting program. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY, RENAISSANCE LOT 4. The City received an offer to purchase the parcel described as Renaissance Lot 4. This lot is part of the Renaissance Park located in Manistee Township. A price of $18,000 was negotiated. The buyer is BOS Manufacturing LLC; they own the adjacent lot and are interested in purchasing Lot 4 for possible expansion of their current business. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to approve the purchase agreement and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute all necessary documents for the sale of Renaissance Lot 4. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2025 CONSIDERATION OF APPLICATIONS TO BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS. The City Clerk has taken action to advertise vacancies on the Compensation Commission, Historic District Commission, Housing Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. 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 HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION – two vacancies, one (1) term ending 02/28/27 and one (1) ending 02/28/28. Purpose: Historic preservation; Council appointment. Chad Lafave – 7 Filer Street Smith nominated Chad LaFave, 7 Filer Street, to the Historic District Commission term ending 2/28/28. With a roll call vote this nomination was unanimously approved. LAFAVE: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga OTHER: None HOUSING COMMISSION – one vacancy, term ending 05/31/30. Purpose: Oversees senior/low- income housing; Mayor appointment. *Karen Goodman – 1925 Twelfth Street Mayor Sullivan appointed Karen Goodman, 1925 Twelfth Street, to the Housing Commission Term ending 5/31/30. MOTION by Raddatz, second by Smith to support the mayor’s appointment of Karen Goodman to the Housing Commission term ending 5/31/30. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS – two vacancies, terms ending 05/31/28. Purpose: Hears appeals to zoning, building issues; Mayor appointment. *Marty Spaulding – 354 First Street Mayor Sullivan appointed Marty Spaulding, 354 First Street, to the Zoning Board of Appeals term | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – MAY 7, 2025 ending 5/31/28. MOTION by Laskey, second by Smith to support the mayor’s appointment of Marty Spaulding to the Zoning Board of Appeals Term ending 5/31/28. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENT No Comments received. OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill thanked the NRBC for their efforts to make this year’s Spring Clean-up Day a successful event. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga and Keck provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 7:52 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC III City Clerk | Page 6