City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, at 5:30 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) , Deputy Clerk – Lora Laurain, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Interim Community Development Director – Jerry Bleau, Police Chief – Josh Glass, and Fire Chief – Tom Hernden MOTION by Smith, second by Keck to amend the agenda to add item VIII. New Business a1.) Introduction of New Firefighter with the remainder of the agenda to follow accordingly. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None INTRODUCTION OF NEW FIREFIGHTER Chief Hernden introduced new City of Manistee Firefighter/EMT Ann VanDuinen. COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments received by: - Dave Mielke, Harbor View Apartments – Housing Commission and HDC meeting recordings CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes August 19, 2025 Regular Meeting / Closed Session • Financial Reports Cash Balances July 2025 Revenue & Expenses July 2025 Balance Sheet July 2025 • 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. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 As an ordinance two separate readings are required. This ordinance was introduced at the August 19, 2025 meeting and could be adopted at this time. • Consideration of Taco Bout It’s Halloween Fiesta. Taco Bout It Mexican Fusion is hosting an outdoor Halloween Fiesta on Friday, October 31, 2025, from 7:00-10:00 p.m., located in front of Taco Bout It Mexican Fusion on River Street. The Fiesta will feature live music, costume contest, and a street performer. They are requesting a street closure from Division Street to Greenbush Street from 5:30-11:00 p.m. They have strong support from over 90% of the neighboring businesses. 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 THE LOCAL REVENUE SHARING BOARD GRANT APPLICATIONS. The Local Revenue Sharing Board (LRSB) distributes 2% money from the Little River Casino. The deadline for 2025 Cycle II applications is Monday, September 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. City staff have prepared two grant applications for submission to the Local Revenue Sharing Board. This agenda item will include two separate motions, one for each grant application. MOTION by Smith, second by Grabowski to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for the Fire Department in the amount of $10,000 for Firefighter Turnout Gear. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None MOTION by Smith, second by Grabowski to authorize the submission of a grant application to the Local Revenue Sharing Board for the Police Department in the amount of $20,863.98 for Body Worn Cameras. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A CONDITIONAL REZONE FROM R-1 TO C-2 FOR 555 FIRST STREET, ARMORY YOUTH PROJECT. At its August 7, 2025 meeting, the Planning Commission approved, with conditions, a request to recommend a conditional rezone from R-1 to C-2 for 555 First Street, home of the Armory Youth Project (AYP). The AYP seeks to allow the River of Life Church to use the building for Sunday services. As the AYP operates on a limited budget funded primarily through donations, the rental income from this | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 arrangement would provide needed financial support to the organization, benefiting both the AYP and the River of Life Church with minimal impact on the surrounding community. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to approve the conditional rezone, with conditions, from R-1 to C-2 for 555 First Street and authorize a conditional rezoning agreement between the property owner and City which will be recorded against the property. MOTION by Smith, second by Raddatz to table the conditional rezone, with conditions, from R-1 to C-2 for 555 First Street to the next regularly scheduled meeting. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF BUDGET AMENDMENT 2026-1 FOR FISCAL YEAR END JUNE 30, 2026. The City of Manistee is required by State law to ensure that actual expenditures do not exceed budgeted amounts. Over the course of the current fiscal-year, unanticipated and unbudgeted events and\or Council approved expenditures have or will occur. The proposed budget amendment addresses expenditures associated with these events to ensure compliance with State statutes regarding appropriations. MOTION by Smith, second by Raddatz to adopt budget amendment 2026-1 for fiscal year ending June 30, 2026. With a roll call vote this motion passed, 5-2. AYES: Raddatz, Smith, Sullivan, Keck, and Rozga NAYS: Laskey and Grabowski CONSIDERATION OF A MUTUAL AID AGREEMENT WITH CLARE COUNTY. The Manistee City Police Department, in partnership with the Sleighbell Committee, has requested assistance from the Clare County Mounted Division. Clare County will assist with police presence and crowd control on Saturday, December 6, 2025, during and after the Manistee Victorian Sleighbell Parade. MOTION by Keck, second by Rozga to approve the Clare County Mutual Aid Agreement. 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 COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM AND HISTORIC DISTRICT COMMISSION. Mr. Mark Fedder reported on the activities of the Manistee County Historical Museum and the Historic District Commission and responded to questions the Council had regarding their activities. | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – SEPTEMBER 2, 2025 CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Doug Dominick, 920 Engelman St. – Blight ordinance and Aztec Co. - Karen & Howard Hudson – Lighting issue OFFICIALS AND STAFF Gambill reported DPW is coordinating with Top Line Electric addressing the lighting issue and there will be a joint Land Bank meeting on September 22 or 29 regarding the Jefferson property. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga, Grabowski, Keck, Laskey, Smith, Raddatz and Sullivan made inquiries and provided comments. ADJOURN MOTION by Smith to adjourn the meeting at 6:50 p.m. Lora Y Laurain, CMC / MiPMC Deputy Clerk | Page 4