City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 19, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, August 19, 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, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Lucas Richardson COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments received by: - Tom Amor, 432 Fourth Street – amendment to ordinance for residential rental properties CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes August 5, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Payroll July 2025 Invoices July 2025 Quarterly Investment Report • Consideration of Manistee High School Homecoming Parade. The Manistee High School Homecoming Parade will be held on Friday, October 3, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. The parade route will go from Manistee Elementary to Manistee Middle High School. • Consideration of the Century Boat Club Thoroughbred Round-Up 2025. The Century Boat Club Thoroughbred Round-Up 2025 will be held on Friday and Saturday, September 12-13, 2025. A welcome reception and free ship cruise on the lake will be held on Friday evening. On Saturday, events will include an in-the-water boat show at the Manistee Municipal Marina, boat display on River Street between Pine and Water Streets, and the Manistee Fire Department’s Best Darn Root Beer Floats. Closure of River Street from Pine Street to Water Street is requested and is supported by the DDA. • Consideration of the 36th Annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend. The City of Manistee is hosting the 36th Annual Victorian Sleighbell Parade & Old Christmas Weekend from Thursday, December 4 through Sunday, December 7, 2025. Most activities are focused in the Downtown area. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Rozga to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 19, 2025 With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ORDINANCE 25-07 TO AMEND CHAPTER 1482 RESIDENTIAL RENTAL PROPERTIES, OF THE CITY OF MANISTEE, MICHIGAN CODIFIED ORDINANCES. On August 8, 2025 the Ordinance Committee met to review potential updates to the rental ordinance. Working with the City Attorney, the committee recommends adding several provisions. These provisions include, recognizing sham land contracts as rentals, denial of new licenses to owners of illegal rentals, adding an insurance requirement, and elevated penalties for repeat violations. These changes are requested in response to enforcement challenges and growing concerns about public safety and welfare due to unsafe rental properties. 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 Keck, second by Grabowski to introduce Ordinance 25-07 amending Chapter 1482 Residential Rental Properties. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT TO PARTICIPATE IN THE MANISTEE COUNTY-WIDE PARK AND RECREATION PLAN. Over the past ten years Manistee County has organized and developed Park and Recreation Plans for the governmental entities in Manistee County. Manistee County has reached out to gain support for updating the existing 2022-2026 plan. The cost to the City is $1,500. A Current Master Plan is required to participate in many MDNR grant opportunities. The City Parks Commission voted to support participation at their July 18, 2025 meeting. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Keck to approve the resolution of support to participate in the Manistee County-Wide Park and Recreation Plan and authorize the Mayor and Clerk to sign. 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 COUNCIL GUIDELINES POLICY. It has been requested that City Council consider amending Council Policy CP-10 to change the start | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 19, 2025 time of future City Council meetings from 7:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. This amendment would apply to both regular meetings and study sessions. If approved, the change would take effect beginning with the first meeting in September. MOTION by Smith, second by Laskey to amend CP-10 City Council Guidelines Policy to change the start time of Council meetings and study sessions to 5:30 p.m. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF ADOPTING CP-41 PUBLIC ART POLICY. The Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission voted to recommend adoption of CP- 41 Public Art Policy, to the City Council. This policy outlines the guidelines, processes, and standards for the selection, placement, and maintenance of public art throughout the City. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to adopt CP-41 Public Art Policy. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF AUTHORIZING THE CITY MANAGER TO EXECUTE A TEMPORARY ARTWORK EASEMENT AGREEMENT. The City Attorney has drafted a Temporary Artwork Easement agreement to allow the City and or its designated commission, the Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission, to make improvements to the mural painted on the concrete wall on the south side of First Street near Pine Street. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Rozga to approve the Temporary Artwork Easement agreement and authorize the City Manager to sign the agreement. 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 Compensation Commission, Neighborhood Restoration and Beautification Commission, and Zoning Board of Appeals. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 19, 2025 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 COMPENSATION COMMISSION – two vacancies, one term ending 09/30/28 and one term ending 09/30/30. Purpose: Establish compensation for City Council member; Mayor appointment. Linda Gamache-Chick – 345 Fourth Avenue Mayor Sullivan appointed Linda Gamache-Chick to the Compensation Term ending 9/30/30. MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to support the Mayor’s appointment of Linda Gamache-Chick to the Compensation Term ending 9/30/30. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None FIRE DISTRICT/AUTHORITY DISCUSSION Fire Chief Tom Hernden provided information on current Fire and EMS protection within Manistee County and staffing challenges faced throughout the community. He reviewed cost sharing recommendations, fire district goals, next steps in the process, and answered questions and concerns from council. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Anita Shaffer and Deanna Marsh, provided 2025 Fall Festival event update OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill provided an update on masonry projects completed by Bornor Restoration. Richardson gave an update on the Washington Street construction project. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, Laskey, Smith, and Raddatz made inquiries and provided comments. | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – AUGUST 19, 2025 CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGED COMMUNICATION. Request to convene a closed session pursuant to the Open Meetings Act, PA 267 of 1976, pursuant to MCL 15.268(1)(h) to discuss attorney-client privileged communication dated July 31, 2025. MOTION by Raddatz, second by Keck to proceed to Closed Session. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 4-3 vote. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Sullivan, and Keck NAYS: Laskey, Grabowski, and Rozga Exited to Closed Session at 7:58 p.m. Returned to Open Session at 8:14 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 8:14 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC III City Clerk | Page 5