City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 15, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, July 15, 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 (via teams) , City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Lucas Richardson COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments received by: - Brian Chick, 276 First Avenue – Short Term Rentals - Elizabeth Herrman 305 First Avenue – Short Term Rentals - Donna Melzner, 273 Fourth Avenue – Short Term Rentals - Mary Wilhelm, Manistee – Short Term Rentals - Tim Riley, 346 Tenth Street / Boardwalk Rentals – Short Term Rentals CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes July 1, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Payroll June 2025 Invoices June 2025 • Consideration 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. This ordinance was introduced at the July 1, 2025, meeting and could be adopted at this time. • Consideration 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 | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 15, 2025 readings are required. This ordinance was introduced at the July 1, 2025, meeting and could be adopted at this time. Laskey requested to remove item VI. b) Invoices from the Consent Agenda. Rozga requested to remove items VII a.) Consideration Ordinance 25-02 to add Chapter 868 Short- Term Rentals and amend Chapter 1482 Residential Rental Properties, of City of Manistee, Michigan Codified Ordinances and VII b.) Consideration Zoning Ordinance Z25-02 to add Article 23 Short-Term Rentals and amend various Articles to include Short-Term Rentals. MOTION by Smith, second by Laskey to approve the Consent Agenda with the removal of items VI. b., VII. a, & VII. b. With a roll call vote this motion passed , 6-1. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: Raddatz INVOICES Information was provided to Council on an invoice in question. MOTION by Rozga, second by Smith to approve the invoices for June 2025. 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. This ordinance was introduced at the July 1, 2025 meeting and could be adopted at this time. MOTION by Rozga second by Grabowski to adopt Ordinance 25-02 adding Chapter 868 Short-Term Rentals and amending Chapter 1482 Residential Rental Properties removing “regarding traffic, parking, congestion, litter, noise, and other similar issues” from section 868.01. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 15, 2025 AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None 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. This ordinance was introduced at the July 1, 2025 meeting and could be adopted at this time. MOTION by Keck second by Rozga to adopt 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 INTRODUCTION OF TIM BALL, CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER. Tim Ball introduced himself to Council and thanked them for the opportunity to serve the community. CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE MANISTEE COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY AND A CORRESPONDING LETTER OF INTENT REGARDING THE JEFFERSON SCHOOL PROPERTY. Manistee Area Public Schools (MAPS) has indicated its intent to sell the Jefferson School property to the Manistee County Land Bank Authority (MCLBA) for the development of single-family homes. As part of their planning, the MCLBA would like to know whether the City is interested in acquiring a portion of the site for public green space. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to approve a memorandum of understanding with the MCLBA and the corresponding letter of intent regarding the Jefferson School property, indicating acquisition preference of Option A with the parking lot. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None This item was addressed again at 8:50 p.m. MOTION by Rozga, second by Grabowski to amend the previously approved motion related to the | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 15, 2025 Memo of Understanding with the Manistee County Land Bank to strike the previously approved language and authorize the City Manager to draft a letter of interest to acquire option A including the parking lot. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF THE SALE OF CITY-OWNED PROPERTY, RENAISSANCE PARK LOT #2. The City received an offer to purchase City-owned property, Renaissance Park Lot #2 in Manistee Township, for the listing price of $18,000. Owners of Grand Rental Station in Manistee are proposing expanding their operations by constructing a facility for the storage and processing of rental equipment. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to accept the offer and authorize the City Clerk and Mayor to execute all closing documents. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF UPDATING CP-39 SPECIAL EVENTS POLICY. The proposed updates to Policy CP-39 Special Events would include several key recommendations from the City Attorney, the Events Ad-Hoc Committee and the Downtown Development Authority. In addition to reflecting these key recommendations, the revisions to CP-39 Special Events aim to establish a clear, legally compliant, and community-oriented framework for supporting public events. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to update CP-39 Special Events Policy. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AMENDING CP-10 CITY COUNCIL GUIDELINES POLICY. It has been requested that Council consider amending CP-10 to include language to limit Council members serving on other City Commissions. The proposed language is intended to allow for a Council liaison while limiting broader Council involvement, thereby preserving the independence of the City’s Boards and Commissions. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to amend CP-10 City Council Guidelines Policy. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – JULY 15, 2025 With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-2. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Sullivan, and Keck NAYS: Grabowski and Rozga ABSTAIN: Laskey A REPORT FROM THE FINANCE DIRECTOR, BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY, AND OIL AND GAS INVESTMENT BOARD. Mr. Ed Bradford reported on the activities of the Treasurer’s Office, Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, and Oil and Gas Investment Board and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Karin Maue, 536 Fourth Street - Jeff Kiss, 208 Walnut Street OFFICIALS AND STAFF None. COUNCILMEMBERS Grabowski and Rozga made inquiries and provided comments. Rozga requested to revisit the previously approved motion for the Memo of Understanding with the Manistee County Land Bank and motioned for an amendment; action is documented with the item above in the minutes. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 9:03 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC III City Clerk | Page 5