City Council

PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 7, 2025 A regular meeting of the Manistee City Council was called to order by her honor, Mayor Jermaine Sullivan, on Tuesday, October 7, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 70 Maple Street, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. PRESENT: Wesley Smith, Liz Laskey, Jermaine Sullivan, Kay Keck, James Grabowski, and Lani Rozga ABSENT: Julia Raddatz ALSO PRESENT: City Manager – Bill Gambill, City Attorney – Blake Conklin, City Clerk – Heather Pefley, DPW Director – Jeff Mikula, Finance Director – Ed Bradford, Interim Community Development Director – Jerry Bleau, Police Chief – Josh Glass, Fire Chief – Tom Hernden, and City Engineer – Shawn Middleton COMMENTS ON AGENDA RELATED ITEMS Comments received by: - Eve Hansen-Schlafley, Manistee – Amphitheater Resolution - Cynthia Leach – Amphitheater Resolution CONSENT AGENDA • Minutes September 16, 2025 Regular Meeting • Financial Reports Cash Balances August 2025 Revenue & Expenses August 2025 Balance Sheet August 2025 • Consideration of a resolution authorizing Consumers Energy Company to make changes in lighting service in the City of Manistee. On August 5, 2025 Council approved a proposal to install ornamental lights along Maple Street from River to First Street. Consumers Energy has requested a resolution from the City to support the additional lights. • Consideration of tabling the Conditional Rezone from R-1 to C-2 for 555 First Street, Armory Youth Project. At its September 16, 2025 meeting, Council voted to table this item until the next regular meeting as the Armory Youth Project (AYP) requested additional time to review the changes made to the conditional rezoning agreement; it is still under review by the AYP. • Consideration of The Outsider Car Club Meet Up. The Outsider Car Club Meet Up, hosted by The Outsider, will be held at the west end of River Street in the parking space surrounding the fountain on Saturdays; October 11, 18, 25, and November 1, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The reserved parking spaces will be used exclusively for classic cars, invited by The Outsider. | Page 1  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 7, 2025 MOTION by Laskey, second by Grabowski to approve the Consent Agenda as presented. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF RENEWING THE LEGAL SERVICES CONTRACT WITH BLOOM SLUGGETT, PC. On October 15, 2024, the City of Manistee entered a contract with Bloom Sluggett, PC, to provide municipal legal services. The agreement requires Bloom Sluggett to submit a renewal request and an annual summary of work performed to the City by September 30, 2025. If renewed, the contract will automatically continue on an annual basis unless terminated in accordance with its terms. The City Manager recommends the approval of the contract renewal. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to renew the legal services contract with Bloom Sluggett, PC. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A ONE-YEAR AGREEMENT WITH HOUSING NORTH. The City’s three-year contract with Housing North recently expired. In the current fiscal year budget, the City allocated $10,000 for this activity; however, ongoing housing-related grant projects require Housing North to take a more active role while staffing gaps are addressed in the coming months. An amount of $16,000 is proposed for this special housing-related grant work and the additional funds are available in the Community Development budget due to an unfilled staff position. MOTION by Rozga, second by Grabowski to authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the Housing North agreement and the necessary budget amendment transferring $6,000 from the Community Development to the Economic Development department. MOTION by Laskey, second by Keck to AMEND the original motion to change the one year contract with Housing North to $12,000 and authorize transferring $2,000 from the Community Development to the Economic Development department. With a roll call vote the motion to amend the previous motion passed, 5-1. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Grabowski NAYS: Rozga With a roll call vote the original motion as amended passed, 5-1. | Page 2  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 7, 2025 AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Grabowski NAYS: Rozga CONSIDERATION OF APPROVING A CONTRACT FOR BOULEVARD TREE PLANTING. The Department of Public Works and the Manistee Tree Commission jointly worked to submit a grant application to Consumers Energy to support boulevard tree planting. The grant application was successful, with a $3,000 grant being awarded. The tree planting scope of work was publicly bid; two bids were received with Upland Meadows Landscaping submitting the low bid of $6,500. MOTION by Smith, second by Rozga to approve a contract with Upland Meadows Landscaping in the amount of $6,500 and authorize the Public Works Director to sign. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE MANISTEE AMPHITHEATER FOUNDATION. The Manistee Amphitheater Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, proposes to construct a permanent amphitheater at Douglas Park/First Street Beach, consistent with the City’s adopted Beach Master Plan. The Manistee Amphitheater Foundation requests approval of the Resolution of Support authorizing the Foundation to move forward with fundraising, grant applications and preliminary design efforts. MOTION by Keck, second by Grabowski to approve the Resolution of Support for the Manistee Amphitheater Foundation. Mark Sandstedt gave a presentation from the Manistee Amphitheater Foundation. With a roll call vote this motion passed 5-1. AYES: Smith, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: Laskey CONSIDERATION OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS LOCAL 645. MOTION by Keck, second by Rozga to approve a three-year collective bargaining agreement with the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 645; and authorize the Mayor and City Manager to execute the agreement. MOTION by Laskey, second by Keck to AMEND the original motion to approve the agreement with amendment to Paramedic Certification to state the City will pay the current cost for Paramedic | Page 3  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 7, 2025 Certification Tuition. With a roll call vote the motion to amend the previous motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski, and Rozga NAYS: None With a roll call vote the original motion as amended passed, 5-1. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, and Grabowski NAYS: Rozga 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, Parks Commission, Planning 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 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. Scott Warsen – 816 Robinson Street Mayor Sullivan appointed Scott Warsen, 816 Robinson Street, to the Parks Commission term ending 6/30/26. MOTION by Smith, second by Grabowski to support the mayor’s appointment of Scott Warsen to the Parks Commission term ending 6/30/26. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None PLANNING COMMISSION – three vacancies, terms ending 10/31/28. Purpose: reviews master plan, zoning, site plans, development issues; Mayor appointment. *Mark Wittlieff – 363 Tenth Street *Marlene McBride – 217 River Street | Page 4  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 7, 2025 Mayor Sullivan appointed Mark Wittlieff, 363 Tenth Street, to the Planning Commission term ending 10/31/28. MOTION by Grabowski, second by Smith to support the mayor’s appointment of Mark Wittlieff to the Planning Commission term ending 10/31/28. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None Mayor Sullivan appointed Marlene McBride, 217 River Street, to the Planning Commission term ending 10/31/28. MOTION by Smith, second by Grabowski to support the mayor’s appointment of Marlene McBride to the Planning Commission term ending 10/31/28. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None A REPORT FROM THE PARKS COMMISSION. Ms. Karin Maue reported on the activities of the Parks Commission and responded to any questions the Council had regarding their activities. CITIZEN COMMENT Comments received by: - Mark Wittlieff, 363 Tenth Street - Douglas Dominick, 920 Engelmann Street OFFICIALS AND STAFF None. COUNCILMEMBERS Rozga and Grabowski made inquiries and provided comments. CONSIDERATION OF A CLOSED SESSION, MANAGER’S ANNUAL EVALUATION. City Manager William Gambill has requested a Closed Session this evening as permitted by the Open Meetings Act, Section 8(a) for discussion on the City Manager’s Annual Evaluation. | Page 5  PROCEEDINGS OF THE MANISTEE CITY COUNCIL – OCTOBER 7, 2025 MOTION by Smith, second by Laskey to proceed to Closed Session under Section 8(a) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. With a roll call vote this motion passed unanimously. AYES: Smith, Laskey, Sullivan, Keck, Grabowski and Rozga NAYS: None Exited to Closed Session at 7:11 p.m. Returned to Open Session at 7:44 p.m. ADJOURN MOTION by Rozga to adjourn the meeting at 7:45 p.m. Heather Pefley, CMC / MiPMC III City Clerk | Page 6