City Council

ORDINANCE COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES OF JUNE 5, 2025 A meeting of the Manistee City Council Ordinance Committee was held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the First Floor Conference Room, City Hall, 70 Maple Street, Manistee MI 49660. MEMBERS PRESENT: Jermaine Sullivan, Kay Keck, Julia Raddatz OTHERS PRESENT: City Manager – William Gambill, City Attorney – Blake Conklin, Community Development Director – Theresa Waldo, Recording Secretary – Kelly McColl Review Attorney feedback on blight ordinance: • Courts often go easy on offenders and fines are difficult to collect. • Ordinance is sufficient, what could be adjusted is the fine amounts. If fines are increased, it doesn’t mean the courts will award those amounts. Courts will be easier for the first offense but will enforce recommended fees on subsequent offenses. • Not about collecting fees but encouraging clean-up efforts. • Repeat offenders and/or intensifying issues can be escalated to circuit court – more costly. • Judgements can be added to the tax roll if recorded. • Asked attorney to explore an Absentee Owner ordinance – public nuisance if structural issues. Mayor to provide addresses of know houses in Manistee. • Consensus: Raise fees for structural blight to $300/$1000; environmental blight to $300/$1,500. Begin utilizing the Municipal Ordinance Violations Bureau under MCL600.8707(6) to encourage cleanup without court intervention (fees come directly to City). Reviewed and Discussed PowerPoint Presentation and Recommendations : • Reviewed PowerPoint Presentation • Consensus: Recommendations – All condos included in exempt area, 5% cap, up the registration fee to $100 per year, change response time to 24 hours. Meeting adjourned at approximately 4:00 p.m. Kelly McColl Recording Secretary COUNCIL ORDINANCE COMMITTEE MINUTES – JUNE 5, 2025 PAGE 1