Manistee County boards review blight demolition, personnel policies, and 911 grievance
Manistee County's advisory boards and commissions met over the past two weeks to weigh blight elimination contracts, internal personnel policies, and a pending 911 Board grievance. Because minutes have not yet been published for any of these sessions, only agenda items can be reported — no votes or final decisions are confirmed in the public record at this time.
Land Bank Authority — 267 Third St. demolition bids
On July 7, the Land Bank Authority was scheduled to review bids for asbestos abatement and demolition of a commercial structure at 267 Third Street, Manistee (parcel 51-572-703-09). The agenda indicated a contract could be awarded at the meeting. The project is funded by a state blight elimination grant and carries a completion deadline of August 21, 2026; missing that deadline risks loss of grant funding.
Work would include removal of asbestos, PCB-containing floor tiles, universal waste, and full demolition with site restoration. Contractors must submit separate NESHAP 10-day notices for abatement and demolition. The agenda notes that Davis-Bacon wage requirements do not apply to this federally funded project.
Policy/Personnel Committee — employee policies reviewed
On July 13, the Policy/Personnel Committee was set to discuss several personnel matters, including a classification analysis for the Executive Assistant/Legal Assistant (Paralegal) position. The agenda also listed an Employment of Minors Policy, a Religious Accommodation Policy, a Smoke-Free Workplace Policy, and a Contingency Funds Policy for Fund 216 with a $10,000 cap per department. Members were also scheduled to review the Aggregate Insurance discussion and a PA 152 recommendation.
No vote tallies or outcomes are available; minutes have not been published.
Manistee 911 Board — grievance and finances
The Manistee County 911 Board met July 15 with a largely procedural agenda. All four standing committees — Executive, Finance, Personnel/Policy, and Technology — did not meet since the previous board meeting. Under old business, the board was scheduled to consider grievance G25-21.
The agenda included approval of June 17, 2026 meeting minutes, a treasurer's report with the June 2026 check register and profit/loss versus budget statements, and payment of bills. The agenda references payment of bills for November, a discrepancy from the meeting month that is noted as written. The director's report was to include a project update.
Brownfield Redevelopment Authority — Kemmer Road plan
The Brownfield Redevelopment Authority met July 16. A separate procedural notice for that date contained no specific items. The substantive agenda called for a recommendation on the Kemmer Road BRA Plan to the Board of Commissioners, review of the Fishbeck compensation schedule, review of bylaws, and a policy discussion on the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund (LBRF).
Coming up
- **July 20 — Land Bank Authority:** Draft purchase agreement for 1001 Kosciusko Street; blight elimination progress updates for 267 3rd Street, 518 1st Street, and 141 Washington Street; review of expiring contracts with Fishbeck and other service providers; and discussion of the Bear Lake property (US-31/Lynn St) and Java Lodge progress.
- **July 21 — Board of Commissioners:** Consideration of appointments for Sally Trisch to the Recreation Commission and Larry Bielski to the Department of Health and Human Services Board; appropriations of $13,392.42 for District Health Dept. #10 and $21,299.59 for Centra Wellness Network; a report from the Area Agency on Aging of Northwest Michigan; and notice of a Budget Study Session on August 7, 2026.
- **July 23 — Planning Commission:** Review of the Dickson Township Master Plan amendment, approval of June 25, 2026 minutes, a Planning Department staff update, and reports on meetings and trainings attended by commission members.