Alan Dika, Alan Hegedus, Frederick Holdorph, Cecelia Johnston and Pringle Pfeifer

Transcription

1 Mayor Dika called the thirteenth meeting of the seventy-ninth Harbor Springs City Council to order at 7:01 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at 160 Zoll Street, Harbor Springs, Michigan. 1. Roll Call and Verification of Quorum Present: Absent: Alan Dika, Alan Hegedus, Frederick Holdorph, Cecelia Johnston and Pringle Pfeifer None Also Present: City Manager Thomas C. Richards, City Attorney James T. Ramer, City Police Officer David Heater, Harbormaster Michael Johnson and City Clerk Ronald B. McRae 2. City Clerk / Comptroller / Treasurer A. Approval of Minutes It was noted that the following corrections need to be made to the April 18, 2011 minutes: 1. On Page 4, Item 4A, first paragraph, first sentence reads, remaining Water Reliability Projects mandated It should read, " remaining Water Reliability Projects for 2011 mandated..." 2. On Page 7, Item 4D, first paragraph reads, for direction of the process It should read, " for direction on the process " 3. On Page 7, Item 4E, first paragraph, first sentence reads, be clearer for the products to be sold. It should read, be clearer about which products that may be sold. 4. On Page 7, Item 4E, second paragraph, 4. reads, hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m It should read, hours from 8:00 a.m. to noon to 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m #7806 Motion by Pfeifer, second by Hegedus, to approve the April 18, 2011 regular City Council meeting minutes as amended and the April 28, 2011 special City Council meeting minutes as read. Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion carried. B. Approval of Bills I have examined the bills appearing on the vouchers below and recommend they be allowed and payment made from the following funds:

2 Page 2 Voucher Number Description Fund Name Amount Payroll Ending 4/24/11 General Fund $34, Major St. Fund 1, Local St. Fund Historical Fund Electric Fund 11, Water/Sewer Fund 5, Waterfront Fund 2, Equipment Fund 1, Accounts Payable General Fund $19, Council 5/2/11 Major St. Fund 1, Local St. Fund 1, Police Reserve Fund 0.00 Historical Fund Electric Fund 5, Water & Sewer Fund 9, WTTP Water Fund 4, Waterfront Fund 1, Weather Buoy Fund 0.00 Equipment Fund 5, Farmers Market Fund 0.00 #7807 Motion by Hegedus, second by Johnston, to approve the bills in the amount of $105, Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion carried. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that claims on voucher numbers 7721 and 7722, checked by the Finance Committee, in the amount of $105, be allowed for payment, and the City Manager and the Mayor are hereby authorized to execute warrants to be drawn on the following funds: General Fund $54, Major Streets Fund 2, Local Streets Fund 2, Police Reserve 0.00 Historical Fund Electric Fund 16, Water & Sewer Fund 15, West Traverse Water Fund 4, Waterfront Fund 3, Weather Buoy Fund 0.00 Equipment Fund 6, Trust Fund 0.00 Farmers Market Fund Total $105, ============

3 Page 3 3. Citizen Comments None 4. City Manager s Section A. Removal and Demolition Bids on the House at 351 Spring Street City Manager Richards stated that bids were received for the demolition and removal of the house at 351 Spring Street. The bids are based on the demolition, cleanup and preparation of the lot for the eventual construction of a proposed parking lot. The bids received were as follows: Tri-County Excavating $10, Northern Excavating $10, Harbor Springs Excavating $13, KRG Excavating $14, City Manager Richards stated that he recommends City Council approve awarding the above construction contract to the lowest bidder, Tri-County Excavating for the bid price of $10,000. Councilperson Hegedus stated that he has been talking to a friend from Traverse City who will look over the project, determine if items in the house have any value and pay the City to allow him to remove the items. City Manager Richards stated that he would look into this issue and report back to City Council at the May 16, 2011 regular City Council Meeting. It was the consensus to allow the City Manager to contact Councilperson Hegedus and make arrangements to allow the Traverse City Contractor to review the premises. B. Consideration of the Proposal to Build Piling Covers for the East Dock City Manager Richards stated that collars have covered the pilings on the East Floating Dock since the dock was built. Over the years the collars have become weather worn and should be refurbished. Further, the water levels have dropped and so has the East Floating Dock, which is attached to the pilings that are covered by the collars. Due to the Floating Dock dropping with the water level, the pilings are pushing the collars up. As part of renovating the East Dock, the Harbor Commission has requested a proposal to rebuild these collars with the low maintenance trex composite deck material that is being used to redeck the East Dock. Walstrom Dock and Dredge has provided a proposal stating they will raise and or lower the existing pilings to a consistent (and lower) level and reconstruct the six-sided collars with composite deck material and a low maintenance metal cover on the top of the collar (at table-top height) for $15,000. Councilperson Pfeifer asked how many collars are to be replaced. Harbormaster Johnson stated 16. Council, by consensus, authorized City Manager Richards to execute the agreement with Walstrom Dock and Dredge Company to raise and or lower the pilings to make them consistent and to refurbish the sixteen collars, as proposed, for a total cost of $15,000.

4 Page 4 C. Consideration of Replacement of an Overhead Door on the DPW Building City Manager Richards stated that one overhead door on the DPW Building needs replacing. The door is the first door on the east side of the rear service entrance on the south side of the building. The door has had several repairs and more are anticipated. To solve the issue, bids were requested to replace the 16-foot wide by 14-foot high door. Three bids were returned. They are: J & J Garage Door Service (Harbor Springs) $9,175 Overhead Door (Traverse City) 9,424 EZ Lift (Cheboygan) 9,450 City Manager Richards stated that he recommends awarding the contract to the low bidder, J & J Garage Door Service. City Council discussed this issue. After a brief discussion, it was the consensus of City Council that City Manager Richards be authorized to execute the contract with J & J Garage Door Service to replace the overhead door in question. D. Consideration of a Vendor License Request for Zorn Park City Manager Richards stated that Pam Pfeifle and Wally Wertman have requested a Vendor License for Zorn Park to operate their Beachside Grill. The Beachside Grill is operated from a customized trailer on the northeast corner of Lower Zorn Park just south of the screened transformer. City Manager Richards stated that he has received word that Walstrom Marine does not plan to request a Concession License for the Boathouse. No other requests have been made for either a Vendor or Concession License. City Manager Richards stated that Wertman indicated that the menu will be essentially the same. They may offer a specialty sandwich not on the menu last year. City Manager Richards stated that there were no complaints on the Beachside Grill s operation received last year. #7808 Motion by Pfeifer, second by Johnston, to approve the Vendor License for the operation of the Beachside Grill to Pam Pfeifle and Wally Wertman for Zorn Park, as presented. Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion carries. E. Consideration of Local Events 1. Big Dog Show Sculpture Event City Manager Richards stated that as a benefit for the Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, the organization has requested to use Zorn Park as the location to host an outdoor sculpture exhibit called The Big Dog Show. City Manager Richards introduced Teresa Chaney, Little Traverse Bay Humane Society, to discuss the proposed exhibit in more detail and to address City Council concerns.

5 Page 5 Chaney introduced Chip Ironside to review the proposed Big Dog Show Exhibit and events. Ironside reviewed the Exhibit and proposed event schedule for the Big Dog Show Exhibit. City Council discussed this issue with City Manager Richards. After their discussion, it was the consensus of City Council to approve the Big Dog Show with the conditions that: a. The Little Traverse Bay Humane Society coordinates with the City Manager for the setting of the sculptures and pads to protect the sprinkler system, b. To minimize the effect of the sculptures and pads on the Coastal Crawl and allow room for the tent for the Meet the Artist Wine & Cheese Party, and c. To provide the required insurance coverage, if necessary. 2. Main Street Baptist Church 5K Run City Manager Richards stated that the Main Street Baptist Church is requesting approval to host a 5K Run (the Run ) to benefit the Pregnancy Center of Petoskey. City Manager Richards introduced Reverend Dennis Rew, the pastor at the Main Street Baptist Church. Reverend Rew stated the date of the Run is proposed for Saturday, September 10, The race would begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Main Street Baptist Church and end at the Main Street Baptist Church. City Council discussed this issue with Reverend Rew and City Manager Richards. It was the consensus of City Council to approve the 5K Run to Benefit the Pregnancy Center of Petoskey with the condition that the Church work out the details with the City Manager and Police Chief and to coordinate the event with the approval of the City Manager. 3. Harbor Springs Race Day and the Thanksgiving Day Run City Manager Richards stated that the Outfitter, who is hosting the Harbor Springs Race Day and the Thanksgiving Day Run, will be presenting their proposed events at the May 16, 2011 regular City Council Meeting. F. Electric Market Reform Initiative City Manager Richard s stated that in 2006 the American Public Power Agency (APPA) launched the Electric Market Reform Initiative (EMRI). The EMRI was an effort in response to problems that municipal utilities were experiencing in obtaining power supplies in regions with centralized power supply markets operated by Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), similar to the Midwest Independent System Operator (MISO), which has been discussed on several occasions in our City Council meetings. The EMRI was started to investigate the restructured wholesale electricity markets and develop proposals for needed reforms to the markets, especially in light of situations where there have been substantial problems and where the electric markets are not yielding just and reasonable rates, as required by the Federal Power Act.

6 Page 6 Participants in these public power agencies, such as the APPA, Michigan Public Power Agency (MPPA) and the City of Harbor Springs, are being asked to contribute to support the efforts of the EMRI for such items as legal action to curb the unfair allocation of expenses of building new transmission facilities that won t serve Michigan. The contribution requested from small systems like Harbor Springs is $500. If all of the MPPA member utilities agree to participate, the cost is reduced to $350 per member. City Manager Richards recommended to City Council to contribute the $350. The contribution is voluntary. City Council discussed this issue with City Manager Richards. The consensus of the City Council was to authorize the City Manager to inform the MPPA that the City would contribute $350. G. Consideration of the Approval of Easements for the Hoyt Road Trail City Manager Richards stated that the engineering is underway for the Safe Routes to School Trail (the Trail ) on Hoyt Road. Property owners along the Trail are being asked to approve easements where the Trail route requires more property than the width that the existing road right-of-way provides. The City has received three requests for easements and a permit for the City owned property that was formerly the site of the Hoyt Reservoir. The easements and permit are: 1. An easement permitting the trail to use an additional five feet of property west of the existing right-of-way along the eastern edge of the property, 2. A grading permit (west of the trail easement permitting the alteration of the existing slope to meet the requirements for construction of the trail, and 3. A five feet by ten feet utility easement for AT&T, providing a new location for their existing pad-mounted telephone cable enclosure on the City s property (outside of the right-of-way). City Manager Richards stated that he has reviewed the easements and permit with City Attorney Ramer. Both City Manager Richards and City Attorney Ramer believe that the easements and permit are appropriate and reasonable accommodations that meet the minimum requirements of the Trail. City Manager Richards recommended that City Council approve the easements and permit as presented. #7809 Motion by Holdorph, second by Hegedus, to approve the easements and the permit as presented and to authorize the City Manager to execute said easements and permit. Ayes 5 Nays 0 Motion carries. H. Consideration of the Street Musique Chamber of Commerce Program City Manager Richards stated that the Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce (the Chamber ) would like to hold their weekly Street Musique Program again this summer and are asking the City Council to also assist with funding the program. This would be the City s third or fourth year for funding the program. City Manager Richards stated that Scott Herceg, the Executive Director of the Chamber, was present this evening to answer any questions or address City Council concerns.

7 Page 7 Council members discussed the noise issues with Herceg. When the program first started there was no amplification of the music permitted. Then Council relaxed the no amplification to a little amplification. Now some music can be heard on the next block. Herceg also requested that the City contribute $600 toward the program this year. It was the consensus of City Council to approve the contribution of the $600 from the Electric Fund Community Promotion budget. Further, Council authorized the continuation of the Street Musique Program with the condition that the Chamber restrict and control the volume of the performers. I. Planning Commission Report for 2010 Mayor Dika thanked City Manager Richards for the Planning Commission report. He asked if there were any comments or questions form the other City Council members. There were none. J. Consideration of the Calendar of Events City Manager Richards discussed the Calendar of Events. It was the consensus to approve the Calendar of Events as presented. K. Millage Memorandum City Manager Richards stated that City Clerk McRae had put together a memorandum concerning the need for an increase in the City s Operating Millage to meet the revenue requirements from Property Taxes. City Manager Richards stated that a Truth in Taxation Public Hearing must be held in order for the City to levy an increase in the millage rate. It was the consensus of City Council to have the Truth in Taxation Public Hearing at the May 16, 2011 regular City Council meeting. 5. Manager's Report A. Construction Schedule City Manager Richards stated that the following construction schedule is set for the Spring of 2011: a. East Bluff Drive and Spring Street Water Main Project began on April 27 th and will be completed by June 17, b. Traverse Street and Second Street Water Main Project is scheduled to begin by May 6 th and be completed by June 24 th. c. Spring Street Water Main Project, from East Main Street south to East Bay Street, is scheduled to begin by May 9 th and be completed by June 13 th. d. The East Dock Deck Replacement Project is underway and is scheduled to be completed by May 15, e. The Shay Reservoir Demolition Project is underway. The Contractor has begun to cap the flowing wells. As soon as the capping of the wells is complete, the building will be demolished.

8 Page 8 B. Kiwanis Request for the Fourth of July City Manager Richards stated that the Kiwanis Club of Harbor Springs has requested the use of the parking lot between the Pier s Chart Room and Bay Street on the Fourth of July. The Kiwanis Club is out of the lot by 3:00 to 4:00 p.m. most years. Unless there is a City Council objection, City Manager Richards stated he would authorize the space to be used by the Kiwanis Club for their Fund Raiser. There were no City Council objections. C. Little League Parade City Manager Richards stated that the Baseball Commission has requested to hold their annual parade Saturday, May 7, 2011 on Main Street from State Street east to the ball fields on Hoyt Street. The Parade will commence at 9:00 a.m. If there were no City Council objections, City Manager Richards stated he would approve the Parade. There were no City Council objections. D. Website Design City Manager Richards stated that the redesign of the City s website has begun. It will be more user friendly for the benefit of the residents and property owners. The new website should be fully operational in mid-june. E. Dog Park Next Step City manager Richards stated that the Dog Park Committee has indicated that they plan to bring a design / site plan to the Planning Commission at its June meeting. F. Zoning Board of Appeals Training City Manager Richards stated that a training seminar was hosted by City Planner Larry Nix and City Attorney Ramer. It was thought to be a benefit to the Zoning Board of Appeals members, especially the new members. G. Removal of Danger Trees on Public Property City Manager Richards stated that the highest risk trees on public property have been identified and property owners have been notified that certain trees will be removed. The tree removals will begin the third week of May. Two contractors have been engaged to remove the trees that are beyond the capabilities of the City Staff and the City s equipment. The Michigan Department of Transportation will be responsible for several of the tree removals needed on East Main Street. 6. Boards and Commissions A. Planning Commission (PC) Mayor Dika stated the next PC meeting is scheduled for 6:00 p.m., Thursday, May 26, 2011 in the City Council Chambers.

9 Page 9 B. Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) Mayor Dika announced that the next ZBA meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 11, 2011 in the City Council Chambers. C. Next Council Meeting The next regular City Council meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., Monday, May 16, 2011 in the City Council Chambers. 7. Old and New Business A. Flowers in Town Councilperson Pfeifer stated that she is looking forward to the flowers in town this spring. 8. Adjournment With no further business, Mayor Dika adjourned the meeting at 7:55 p.m. Approved: May 16, 2011 Ronald B. McRae, City Clerk Alan J. Dika, Mayor

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