City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 1, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, July 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, Wesley Smith, Liz Laskey, Jermaine Sullivan, Kay Keck, James Grabowski, and Lani Rozga ABSENT: None 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 ADOPTION OF A BROWNFIELD PLAN FOR PROPERTY AT 284, 285, 289, 294, 295, 305 RIVER STREET AND UNADDRESSED PARCEL IN THE CITY OF MANISTEE. The purpose of the public hearing is to afford an opportunity for all citizens and interested parties to provide comments on the adoption of the proposed Brownfield Plan for the property at 284, 285, 289, 294, 295, 305 River Street and unaddressed parcel in the City of Manistee (Gateway). The public was invited to speak on the proposed Brownfield Plan for the Gateway Redevelopment project. Public comments received by: - Carmen Kott, on behalf of the Manistee DDA - Tyler Leppanen, COO Little River Holdings Public Hearing closed at 7:03 p.m. COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments received by: - Brian Chick, 276 First Ave – Short Term Rental Ordinance - Ron Adams, Lighthouse Landings Association – Short Term rental Ordinance CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes June 17, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances May 2025 Revenue & Expenses May 2025 Balance Sheet May 2025 • Consideration of International Overdose Awareness Day event. Centra Wellness Network is requesting to hold an event for International Overdose Awareness Day on August 27, 2025, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. The event is to take place in and around the Manistee Municipal Marina and would include an Awareness March to City Hall. There will be vendors, educational information, music and guest speakers as part of the event. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 1, 2025 MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith 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 A REPORT FROM THE MANISTEE AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY. Ms. Carmen Kott, President/ CEO, reported on the activities of Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development, and the Downtown Development Authority and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING A THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH THE MANISTEE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. The City has contracted with Manistee Area Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development Services since 2019. This position most recently assisted with the City’s Redevelopment Ready Community recertification and economic stimulus applications, such as the Revitalizing and Placemaking grant. The City has budgeted $20,000 in the adopted FY 2026 budget for this position. The City Attorney has reviewed and approved the proposed agreement. MOTION by Raddatz, second by Keck to approve a three-year agreement with the Manistee Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development Services and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to execute the document. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None THE CONSIDERATION OF A BROWNFIELD PLAN FOR THE GATEWAY REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Earlier this evening a public hearing was held on the proposed Brownfield Plan for the Gateway Redevelopment project. The City of Manistee Brownfield Redevelopment Authority has approved the Brownfield Plan. Public Act 381 of 1996 requires the municipality where the project is located to also approve the Plan. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to adopt a resolution approving the Brownfield Plan for the Gateway Redevelopment project. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 1, 2025 CONSIDERATION OF A DEVELOPMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT FOR THE GATEWAY REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. Earlier this evening a public hearing was held on the proposed Brownfield Plan for the Gateway Redevelopment project. Council also considered approving the Gateway Redevelopment Brownfield Plan. As part of the approval process for the project, a Development and Reimbursement Agreement between the City, Developer and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority needs to be approved. The Brownfield Authority has approved the Development and Reimbursement Agreement and recommends its approval by City Council. MOTION by Rozga, second by Smith to enter into a Development and Reimbursement Agreement with Little River Holdings, LLC and the City of Manistee Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and further authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute the agreement. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 25-02 TO ADD CHAPTER 868 SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND AMEND CHAPTER 1482 RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTIES, OF CITY OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN CODIFIED ORDINANCES. City staff prepared a draft short-term rental (STR) ordinance which went before the Planning Commission on March 13, 2025. The City Ordinance Committee comprised of three City Council members met on May 21 and June 5, 2025 to review the STR draft ordinance. The current draft being considered includes the Ordinance Committee’s recommendations. 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 Smith, second by Rozga to introduce Ordinance 25-02 adding Chapter 868 Short-Term Rentals and amending Chapter 1482 Residential Rental Properties. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 6-1 vote. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: Grabowski CONSIDERATION OF ZONING ORDINANCE Z25-02 TO ADD ARTICLE 23 SHORT-TERM RENTALS AND AMEND VARIOUS ARTICLES TO INCLUDE SHORT-TERM RENTALS. Zoning Ordinance Z25-02 adding Article 23 Short-Term Rentals and amendments to various articles, defines and establishes the short-term rental overlay which shows the exempt areas from the short-term rental cap for the rest of the City. 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. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 1, 2025 MOTION by Keck, second by Smith to introduce Zoning Ordinance Z25-02 adding Article 23 Short-Term Rentals and amending various articles to include short-term rentals. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, 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 Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, Compensation Commission, Parks 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 BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY – one vacancy, term ending 06/30/28. Purpose: Promote revitalization of environmentally distressed and functionally obsolete areas; Mayor appointment. *Shelly Memberto – 347 Second Street *Vidar Lerum – 445 Cedar Street Mayor Sullivan appointed Shelly Memberto, 347 Second Street to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority term ending 6/30/28. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Laskey to support the Mayor’s appointment of Shelly Memberto, 347 Second Street to the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority term ending 6/30/28. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None PARKS COMMISSION – one vacancy, term ending 06/30/26. Purpose: Advisory on parks development, maintenance, improvements, and identifying, planning, implementing public and private beautification projects; Mayor appointment. *Tim O’Connor – 330 Fourth Avenue Mayor Sullivan appointed Tim O’Connor, 330 Fourth Avenue to the Parks Commission term ending 6/30/26. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 1, 2025 MOTION by Smith, second by Laskey to support the Mayor’s appointment of Tim O’Connor, 330 Fourth Avenue to the Parks Commission term ending 6/30/26. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Brian Chick, 276 First Ave - Ron Adams, Lighthouse Landings - Seth Pratt, 355 Second Street - Jeff Kiss, 208 Walnut Street OFFICIALS AND STAFF None COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, Keck, Laskey, Smith, Raddatz, and Sullivan made inquiries and provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:51 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC III City Clerk | Page 5