Manistee County public meetings in 2022

Manistee 911 Board

The board approved the purchase of a new radio and telephone recorder to replace failing equipment. Members also approved bills totaling $98,619.20 and accepted the treasurer's report regarding a transition to West Shore Bank.

• Approved payment of bills totaling $98,619.20 (6-0)
• Approved replacement of radio and telephone recorder not to exceed $40,000.00 (6-0)
• Approved November 16, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
• Accepted Treasurer's Report (unanimous)
• Accepted Executive Committee meeting minutes from December 13, 2022 (unanimous)

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners approved a settlement agreement for the Wayside Church class action case. They also authorized several service agreements, approved over $1.1M in bills and payroll, and filled multiple board and commission vacancies.

• Adopted Resolution #2022-15 to approve settlement for Wayside Church, et al v Van Buren County, et al (7-0)
• Approved $1,183,801.92 for on-demand checks, bills, and payroll (7-0)
• Approved Code Enforcement Officer agreement with Glen Zaring not to exceed $15,000 (7-0)
• Approved Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control agreement with Glen Zaring not to exceed $10,000 (7-0)
• Approved $60,000 from Title III funds for two snowmobiles and a trailer (7-0)
• Appointed Phillip Landis and Jeffrey Lawrence to the Road Commission (7-0)
• Appointed George Becker (Airport Authority), Julie Griffis (Land Bank), Ralph Mortensen and Terry Bennett (Library Board), and Harold Beldo and Linda Cudney (Parks and Recreation)
• Approved Recycling Program Interlocal Agreements with Bear Lake, Brown, Cleon, Marilla, Onekama, Pleasanton, and Stronach townships (7-0)

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee reviewed a draft Starting Wage Policy, which will serve as the first part of a broader Wage Classification Policy. The committee voted to recommend the policy for approval by the Board of Commissioners.

• Recommended approval of the Wage Classification Policy (All Ayes)

Local Revenue Sharing Board

The Board approved several grants for fire and police equipment and facilities. One request for parking lot paving and one for firefighter equipment were denied. The 2023 Cycle I grant application deadline was set for March 3, 2023.

• Approved $12,500 payment to Manistee County for administrative fees (3-0)
• Awarded $30,825 to Manistee County Sheriff’s Department for ballistic shields, trauma packs, and storage lockers (3-0)
• Awarded $39,600 to Village of East Lake Fire & Rescue for building addition and insulation (3-0)
• Awarded $6,611.02 to Filer Township Fire Department for an All-Terrain Rescue Trailer (3-0)
• Awarded $9,646.20 to City of Manistee Fire Department for life jackets, ice rescue gear, and a PPV fan (3-0)
• Awarded $31,865.90 to City of Manistee Police Department for active shooter equipment and an interview room recording system (3-0)
• Awarded $30,000 to Manistee Township Fire Department for a Medical Rescue Vehicle (3-0)
• Denied Cleon Township Fire Department's $45,000 parking lot request and $20,000 equipment request (3-0)

Brownfield Commission

The Commission approved the meeting agenda and previous minutes. A proposal regarding the Landbank was tabled until a representative can present in person, and the board discussed the establishment of a $60,000 Revolving Fund using County ARPA funds.

• Approved December 8, 2022 agenda (voice vote)
• Approved October 5, 2022 minutes (voice vote)
• Tabled Landbank proposal until Rachel Nelson can present in person

Planning Commission

The Planning Commission recommended that Manistee Township approve a rezone proposal to redevelop the Kennedy School. The commission also updated its 2023 meeting schedule and received a presentation on the County Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan.

• Recommended support for Manistee Township rezone proposal for Kennedy School redevelopment (voice vote)
• Approved amended December 8, 2022 agenda (voice vote)
• Approved September 22, 2022 minutes (voice vote)
• Approved 2023 meeting schedule changes: removed Nov 23 and Dec 28, added Dec 14

Green Team Committee

The committee reviewed the December 8, 2022, Recycling Program Report and discussed the possible relocation of the Onekama Township recycling site to county-owned property north of John Street. No formal votes were recorded.

• Discussed relocating Onekama Township recycling site to one of three county-owned parcels north of John Street

Ways & Means Committee

The committee recommended approval of November 2022 financial summaries and several service contracts. They also approved funding for Sheriff's Department equipment and a new electric seal embosser for the County Clerk.

• Recommended approval of on-demand checks, bills, and payroll totaling $1,183,801.92 (All Ayes)
• Recommended Code Enforcement Officer Services Agreement with Glen Zaring not to exceed $15,000 (All Ayes)
• Recommended Soil Erosion and Sedimentation Control Inspection Temporary Services Agreement with Glen Zaring not to exceed $10,000 (All Ayes)
• Recommended amended contract with Manistee County Conservation District for $33,124.43 (All Ayes)
• Recommended use of contingency funds for County Clerk electric seal embosser not to exceed $1,900 (All Ayes)
• Recommended up to $60,000 from Title III County Funds for two snowmobiles and a trailer for Sheriff's Department (All Ayes)
• Recommended approval of MMRMA insurance policy renewal for Jan 1, 2023 to Jan 1, 2024 (All Ayes)

Land Bank Authority

The Land Bank Authority approved the meeting agenda and the minutes from the November 1, 2022, meeting. The board discussed progress on the Bear Lake Maple Street property and the status of the Land Bank Project Manager recruitment process.

• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved November 1, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Recreation Commission

The Recreation Commission authorized a grant application for up to $1 million to fund a multi-use trail from Kaleva to Thompsonville. The commission also recommended updating the county ORV map and opposed the removal of two dams.

• Authorized submission of Spark Grant application for up to $1 million (9-0)
• Recommended Planning Commission and Board of Commissioners update the Manistee County ORV Use Map (carried)
• Requested submission of a letter of support opposing the removal of Tippy Dam and Hodenpyl Dam (carried)
• Approved amended December 5, 2022, meeting agenda (carried)
• Approved November 7, 2022, meeting minutes (carried)

Public Safety Committee

The committee recommended adding Amy Fairchild from Mobile Medical Response (MMR) to the 911 Board to represent ambulance services. Other agenda items consisted of departmental reports and statistics from the Sheriff's Office, City of Manistee, and the Coast Guard.

• Recommended adding Amy Fairchild (MMR) to the 911 Board (All Ayes)

Policy/Personnel Committee

The committee reviewed the 2022 performance evaluation for Controller/Administrator Lisa Sagala. Members discussed the 2024 contract renewal and the annual review process for October.

• Reviewed 2022 Performance Evaluation for Lisa Sagala
• Requested copies of the Controller/Administrator contract be sent to committee members

Airport Authority

The Airport Authority approved the October 2022 financial reports and identified five priority infrastructure projects to be funded by ARPA grants. The board also met with Cape Air management to discuss flight cancellations and communication improvements.

• Approved November 21, 2022 meeting agenda
• Approved October 17, 2022 meeting minutes
• Approved October 2022 Accounts Payable Report (5-0)
• Approved October 2022 Financial Statement (5-0)
• Prioritized T-Hanger repairs as the top ARPA grant project
• Prioritized purchase of a new truck as the second ARPA grant project
• Prioritized purchase of a new brush hog/mower as the third ARPA grant project
• Prioritized flooring and door security system replacements as fourth and fifth ARPA grant projects

Policy Committee

The committee discussed first drafts of the Pay for Performance Merit Program Guidelines and the Starting Wage Policy. No formal votes or decisions were recorded during the meeting.

Manistee 911 Board

The board approved the work agreement for Alvin Rischel to serve as the new Manistee County 911 Deputy Director/Emergency Management Coordinator. The board also authorized a bank transfer of 911 funds and approved several financial payments.

• Approved work agreement for Alvin Rischel as Deputy Director/Emergency Management Coordinator (6-0)
• Approved $3,928.32 payout to Mr. Rischel for accrued dispatcher time (6-0)
• Approved moving 911 funds from PNC Bank to West Shore Bank (6-0)
• Approved payment of bills totaling $137,799.52 (6-0)
• Approved transfer of $2,395.00 from Professional Fees to Maintenance Agreements (6-0)
• Approved October 19, 2022 meeting minutes
• Accepted Treasurer's Report
• Accepted Executive Committee meeting minutes

Board of Commissioners

The Board of Commissioners approved an amended 2022 Apportionment Report to include new millages for Arcadia and Marilla Townships. The Board also formally opposed the removal of Tippy Dam and requested an independent economic impact study. Additionally, the Board approved over $2.8 million in bills, payroll, and on-demand checks.

• Approved $2,889,312.61 for on-demand checks, bills, and payroll (7-0)
• Approved Amended 2022 Apportionment Report for millage levies (7-0)
• Approved letter to Consumers Energy opposing Tippy Dam removal (6-0-1)
• Passed Resolution #2022-13 requesting independent study on Consumers Energy dams (6-0-1)
• Approved $47,027 MSU Extension Services Agreement for FY 2022/23 (7-0)
• Approved $58,000 Michigan Drug Court Grant Program contract (7-0)
• Approved $9,000 bid from Insight for Sheriff’s Data Center storage (7-0)
• Approved PTO Policy and PTO Policy Addendum for non-union, non-court staff (7-0)

Recreation Commission

The Commission approved the meeting agenda and previous minutes. Members discussed the Spark Grant application process, potential trail expansions using DTE pipelines, and the installation of eight new gates by West Shore Community College students.

• Approved amended November 7, 2022 agenda
• Approved corrected October 4, 2022 meeting minutes
• Decided to draft a newsletter article regarding current projects, the Spark Grant, and new gate installations

Public Safety Committee

The committee received operational reports from the Sheriff's Office, City of Manistee Police and Fire, Tribal Police, Mobile Medical Response, and the County Jail. No formal votes or policy decisions were recorded during the meeting.

Policy/Personnel Committee

The committee recommended approval of a new Paid Time Off (PTO) policy for non-union, non-court staff and a related transition addendum. Additionally, the committee recommended approval of a work agreement addendum for Alvin Rischel to serve as Emergency Management Coordinator.

• Recommended approval of PTO Policy for all non-union, non-court staff (All Ayes)
• Recommended approval of PTO Policy Addendum with change to section (D) to allow payout of remaining time as determined by employee (All Ayes)
• Recommended approval of Addendum to Work Agreement with Alvin Rischel for Emergency Management Coordinator duties (All Ayes)

Ways & Means Committee

The Committee recommended approval of October 2022 bills, payroll, and on-demand checks totaling $2,889,312.61. They also recommended several contracts for MSU extension services, emergency IT storage, and a drug court grant.

• Recommended approval of October on-demand checks, bills, and payroll totaling $2,889,312.61 (All Ayes)
• Recommended approval of FY 2022/23 MSU Extension Services Agreement for $47,027 (All Ayes)
• Recommended approval of Insight bid for Sheriff's Data Center emergency storage replacement not to exceed $9,000 (All Ayes)
• Recommended approval of FY 2023 Michigan Drug Court Grant Program contract for 85th District Court DWI Sobriety Court for $58,000 (All Ayes)

Land Bank Authority

The Authority approved a one-year extension for the completion of rehabilitation activities on the Bear Lake Maple Street property. Members also discussed a professional services proposal from Fishbeck for brownfield consulting.

• Approved Addendum II to Purchase Agreement with Tiny Developers, Inc. extending completion deadline to December 31, 2023 (4-0)
• Approved meeting agenda (unanimous)
• Approved October 10, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)

Green Team Committee

The committee received a recycling program report noting increased September volumes and the status of various township contracts. No formal actions were decided by the committee during the meeting.

Policy Committee

The Policy Committee reviewed a draft Paid Time Off (PTO) policy and addendum, then voted unanimously to forward both to the Personnel Committee for further action. No final decisions were made; the items remain pending.

• Moved PTO Policy and Addendum to Personnel Committee (unanimous)

Regional Summit Committee

The Regional Summit Committee will meet to discuss the upcoming 18th Regional Summit scheduled for September 29, 2022. The discussion includes reviewing the event agenda and potential invitations for participants.

• Discussion of 18th Regional Summit agenda (September 29, 2022)
• Discussion of invitations for the 18th Regional Summit
• Summit presentation topics include Landbanks & Brownfield Authorities, City Projects, Housing crisis, Recreation Plan, and Mental Health

Regional Summit Committee

The committee will hold a meeting including a presentation and discussion. The agenda also includes saving dates/invitations and other items from committee members.

• Presentation and discussion
• Save the date/invitations

Regional Summit Committee

The Regional Summit Committee is planning details for the upcoming Manistee County Summit scheduled for September 29, 2022. Discussions include catering options from Zupin Catering, LLC and specific morning and afternoon session topics.

• Menu options from Zupin Catering, LLC at $15.00 per person
• Morning topic: Economic Development including housing and land bank discussions
• Afternoon topic: Mental Health involving law enforcement and education partners
• Theme: Recovery, Rebuild, Rejuvenate/Renew

Regional Summit Committee

The committee will meet to evaluate options for event venues and brainstorm potential topics. The agenda also includes a call to order, public comment, and other items from members.

• Discussion of venue options
• Discussion of topic ideas

Regional Summit Committee

The committee is meeting to discuss feedback from the 2021 Regional Summit and plan for the 2022 Regional Summit.

• Feedback regarding the 2021 Regional Summit
• Planning for the 2022 Regional Summit

Public Safety Committee

The committee will review monthly statistics from the Sheriff’s Office and other agencies. The agenda also includes updates from emergency management, jail administration, and 9-1-1 services.

• Sheriff’s Office monthly statistics for December 2021
• MMR monthly statistics
• 2022/2023 Committee meeting schedule

Public Safety Committee

The Public Safety Committee is holding a regular monthly meeting. The agenda provided consists of procedural boilerplate and meeting notice information.