City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 5, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, August 5, 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, City Assessor – Molly Whetstone, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton PUBLIC HEARING FOR ESTABLISHING AN OBSOLETE PROPERTY REHABILITATION DISTRICT FOR 375 RIVER STREET Pursuant to PA 146 of 2000, the City of Manistee has the authority to establish Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Districts within the City. The City is requesting the establishment of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for an area in the vicinity of 375 River Street located in the City of Manistee. The affected property owner has received formal written notice of the public hearing, and the public will be provided with an opportunity to comment. No Public Comments Received. Public Hearing Closed at 7:01 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING FOR ESTABLISHING AN OBSOLETE PROPERTY REHABILITATION DISTRICT FOR 453 RIVER STREET Pursuant to PA 146 of 2000, the City of Manistee has the authority to establish Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Districts within the City. The City is requesting the establishment of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for an area in the vicinity of 453 River Street located in the City of Manistee. The affected property owner has received formal written notice of the public hearing, and the public will be provided with an opportunity to comment. No Public Comments Received. Public Hearing Closed at 7:02 p.m. PUBLIC HEARING FOR ESTABLISHING AN OBSOLETE PROPERTY REHABILITATION DISTRICT FOR 87 DIVISION STREET Pursuant to PA 146 of 2000, the City of Manistee has the authority to establish Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Districts within the City. The City is requesting the establishment of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for an area in the vicinity of 87 Division Street located in the City of | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 5, 2025 Manistee. The affected property owner has received formal written notice of the public hearing, and the public will be provided with an opportunity to comment. No Public Comments Received. Public Hearing Closed at 7:03 p.m. COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS No comments received. CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes July 15, 2025 Regular Meeting July, 17, 2025 Study Session • Financial Reports Cash Balances June 2025 Revenue & Expenses June 2025 Balance Sheet June 2025 • Consideration of 2025 Run the Town Pink 5K and 1-Mile Memorial Walk Run the Town Pink, scheduled for Saturday, October 4, 2025, is a 5K Run and 1-Mile Memorial Walk held to honor those currently battling cancer, celebrate survivors, and remember those we have lost. To allow for event setup and ensure participant safety, a street closure on River Street between Maple and Water Streets is requested. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Keck 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 CONSIDERATION OF A LIFE SAVING AWARD Aaron Snay is being recognized for his extraordinary life-saving actions on Friday, July 11, 2025. On that day, Mr. Snay observed an unaccompanied young child enter Manistee Lake. The child wandered into deep water that quickly rose above his head. Without hesitation, Mr. Snay entered the lake and reached for the child's outstretched hand. After several attempts to grasp the child’s arm, Mr. Snay successfully secured a hold and pulled the child to safety, preventing a potential drowning. Mr. Snay’s bravery, quick response, and dedication to helping others exemplify the highest standards of the Manistee City Fire Department. MOTION by Smith, second by Laskey to recognize Mr. Snay for life-saving actions. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 5, 2025 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF PROCLAIMING AUGUST 2025 AS UNITED STATES COAST GUARD MONTH IN THE CITY OF MANISTEE The United States Coast Guard and the City of Manistee share a long-standing partnership dating back to 1879, when a Life-Saving Station was first established in the community. Over time, this vital presence has evolved into today’s Coast Guard Station Manistee, reflecting a continued legacy of service, safety, and collaboration along Lake Michigan’s shoreline. MOTION by Keck, second by Smtih to proclaim the month of August 2025 as United States Coast Guard Month in the City of Manistee and authorize the Mayor to sign the proclamation. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING AN OBSOLETE PROPERTY REHABILITATION DISTRICT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 375 RIVER STEET The City is requesting the establishment of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for an area in the vicinity of 375 River Street, pursuant of Public Act of 2000. A public hearing was held earlier in this meeting. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to approve the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the property located at 375 River Street. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING AN OBSOLETE PROPERTY REHABILITATION DISTRICT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 453 RIVER STEET The City is requesting the establishment of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for an area in the vicinity of 453 River Street, pursuant of Public Act of 2000. A public hearing was held earlier in this meeting. MOTION by Raddatz, second by Smith to approve the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the property located at 453 River Street. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 5, 2025 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ESTABLISHING AN OBSOLETE PROPERTY REHABILITATION DISTRICT FOR THE PROPERTY LOCATED AT 87 DIVISION STREET The City is requesting the establishment of the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for an area in the vicinity of 87 Division Street, pursuant of Public Act of 2000. A public hearing was held earlier in this meeting. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to approve the Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District for the property located at 87 Division Street. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING THE BEACH MASTER PLAN The City, in collaboration with the Spicer Group, has completed a comprehensive and inclusive public planning process to shape the future of the four City Parks along Lake Michigan. This process has resulted in detailed Master Plans for First Street Beach, Fifth Avenue Beach, Manmade Lake, and North Beach Access. These plans reflect extensive community input and professional analysis, ensuring that each park meets the evolving needs of residents and visitors alike. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to approve the Beach Master Plan which includes the recommendations from the Parks Commission for First Street Beach, Fifth Avenue Beach, Manmade Lake and North Beach Access. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING AN AGREEMENT WITH CONSUMERS ENERGY FOR VICTORIAN- STYLE ORNAMENTAL STREETLIGHTS The City has requested a quote for the installation of Victorian-style ornamental streetlights along Maple Street, between River and First Streets. This project will extend the existing decorative lighting theme already in place along River, Division, and Washington Streets, enhancing both continuity and streetscape aesthetics. Consumers Energy has submitted a proposal for the work totaling $43,979.80. The current Capital Improvement Budget allocates $43,200 for this project. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 5, 2025 MOTION by Rozga, second by Grabowski to approve the Consumers Energy proposal to install ornamental lighting along Maple Street in the amount of $43,979.80 and amend the capital improvement budget accordingly. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF DESIGNATING A VOTING DELEGATE FOR THE MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE ANNUAL MEETING The Michigan Municipal League (MML) Annual Convention will be held September 17-19, 2025. Pursuant to the provisions of the League Bylaws, we are requested to designate by action of the governing body, one official who will be in attendance at the convention as the official representative to cast the vote of the City of Manistee at the annual meeting, and if possible, to designate one other official serve as an alternate. Mayor Sullivan and Mayor Pro-Tem Smith will be attending the convention. MOTION by Raddatz, second by Keck to appoint Sullivan as the voting delegate and Smith as the alternate for the MML Annual Convention. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE CITY ASSESSOR Ms. Molly Whetstone reported on the activities of the City Assessor’s Office and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - David Holmer, 909 High Street - Cindy Leach - Dennis Skiera, Manistee OFFICIALS AND STAFF None. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, Laskey, Smith, Raddatz, and Sullivan made inquiries and provided comments. | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 5, 2025 ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC III City Clerk | Page 6