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Minutes of the regular meeting of the City Commission held Monday, May 22, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., in the City Commission Room.
Mayor Bradley Kilmer called the meeting to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Commissioners Present: Mayor Bradley Kilmer and Vice Mayor Spycher; Commissioners Bissell, Holton, Joslin, Moreno and Tilmann
Commissioners Absent: None
Others Present: City Manager Preston, City Clerk Flynn and City Attorney Martineau
Mayor Bradley Kilmer proclaimed May 21 – May 27, 2006 as "Public Works Week" and presented the proclamation to Duane Ellis, Director of Public Works.
Mayor Bradley Kilmer proclaimed May 28 – June 3, 2006 as "Special Olympics Michigan Week" and presented the proclamation to Heidi Alexander, Administrative Assistant, Special Olympics Michigan.
Awarded the following neighborhood mini grants to the: Southwest Association of Neighbors (SWAN) to conduct an annual brush pickup day; Riverview Residents Council to continue their beautification efforts at Riverview Apartments; Downtown Gardens to establish a Square Foot Garden at the vacant SE corner lot on S. Main and Michigan; and Pheasant Run Kids Club to plant flowers in their townhouse neighborhood, hold a block party and make crafts for their monthly meetings. Mayor Bradley Kilmer presented checks to Nancy Nagler, Gene Methner, Cindy Neal and Viviana Escamilla.
The following individuals spoke regarding the proposed amendment to the Mt. Pleasant Liquor Policy for on-premise: Lori Gillis, 902 W. Michigan; Lyn Markham, 820 S. Franklin; Cindy Neal VanderPloeg, owner of The Mole Hole at 120 S. Main; and Ryan Larrabee, owner of the Broadway Grille at 105 E. Broadway.
Lori Gillis, 902 W. Michigan; Helen Thomas, 319 S. Arnold; Nancy Nagler, 1360 Tomah Drive; Sean Novak, 3300 Deerfield Road; and Charles Novitski, 1208 E. Preston, spoke regarding the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative resolution.
Received the following petitions and communications:
1. Moved by Commissioner Holton and supported by Commissioner Moreno
to approve the requests from Mt. Pleasant Summer Festival for four one-day liquor licenses for June 22-25, 2006, and two fireworks display permits for June 23 and 24, 2006. Motion unanimously adopted.
2. Comments from the Planning Commission on the proposed 2007-2011
Capital Improvement Plan.
3. Downtown Development Board's recommendation regarding liquor licenses.
4. Airport Advisory Board Minutes (May)
5. Capital Projects Status Report (April)
6. City-CMU Staff Liaison Committee Minutes (April)
7. Planning Commission Minutes (March, April)
8. Street Department (April)
9. Wastewater Treatment Plan (April)
10. Water Department (April)
11. Receive City Manager's Status Report – May
Mayor Bradley-Kilmer requested removing Item #19 from the Consent Calendar.
Moved by Commissioner Holton and supported by Vice Mayor Spycher to approve the following items on the Consent Calendar as amended:
1. Bid from Fisher Transportation Company, Mt. Pleasant, Michigan, in
the amount of $20,180, for the 2006 Street Sweepings Disposal program.
2. WHEREAS, under the date of February 28, 2006, the Traffic Engineer of the City of Mt. Pleasant issued temporary traffic control orders Nos. 1-06 (Install “No Parking Zone" sign on the south side of Bellows Street at the curb bump out at the intersection with University Street); 2-06 (Install "No Parking" sign on the west side of Franklin Street, just south of Chippewa Street, between the two driveways into the parking lot); which said temporary traffic control orders were presented to the City Commission on May 22, 2006, for review and after reviewing said temporary traffic control orders and being fully advised in the premises,
BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Commission approves making temporary traffic control orders Nos. 1-06 and 2-06 to be permanent traffic control orders.
3. Payrolls dated May 15, May 16 and May 19, 2006, check numbers 54829-55083, all totaling $280,597.20.
Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to approve the minutes of the special and regular meetings held May 8, 2006. Motion unanimously adopted.
A public hearing was held on the proposed 2007-2011 Capital Improvement Plan. Lori Gillis, 902 W. Michigan, raised concerns regarding Airport land, City Hall building maintenance and the West Broadway Revitalization project. No additional comments were heard or communications received. Mayor Bradley Kilmer closed the public hearing.
No action was taken at this time.
Received the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Year Ending December 31, 2005. Commissioner Bissell read the Audit Committee's report. Mayor Bradley Kilmer and Commissioner Tilmann praised City staff.
Moved by Commissioner Moreno and supported by Commissioner Tilmann to accept the Historic District Commission recommendation, and create a Historic District Study Committee for parcels A and B in the West Broadway Revitalization Project, and appoint Michelle Sponseller, Downtown Development Director, Tony Kulick, City Planner and Greg Saxton, representing the property owner, and also two members from the Historic District Commission. Motion unanimously adopted.
Moved by Commissioner Tilmann and supported by Commissioner Moreno to postpone considering an amendment to the Mt. Pleasant Liquor Policy for on-premise until the June 12th meeting.
AYES: Commissioners Bradley Kilmer, Holton, Moreno, Spycher and Tilmann
NAYS: Commissioners Bissell and Joslin
ABSENT: None
Motion carried.
Set the date for a special joint meeting with the Planning Commission to discuss the Master Plan draft document, at 7:00 p.m., June 13, 2006.
Moved by Commissioner Bissell and supported by Commissioner Joslin to postpone action until the June 12th meeting on the proposed resolution in opposition to the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.
AYES: Commissioners Bissell, Bradley Kilmer, Joslin and Spycher
NAYS: Commissioners Holton, Moreno and Tilmann
Motion adopted.
Announcements on City-related Issues and Concerns
Commissioner Moreno relayed information on concerns regarding telecommunications, cable franchise fees, internet, and public access television.
Commissioner Joslin discussed information regarding owner/occupied incentives; requested a closed session at the next meeting regarding property acquisition issues; would like Charter Committee to continue to meet and discuss issues such as election of Mayor and ward or precinct investigation and the need to review the number of signatures for referendum petitions. Commissioner Joslin also made some additional comments on the liquor policy and downtown committees involved, and finally commented on his concerns regarding storage facility at Pickens Field.
City Manager Preston informed the commission that he will address some of the previously mentioned concerns during his work session presentation on the capital plan.
Commissioner Tilmann raised questions concerning the current liquor license policy and proposed policy regarding responsibility of applicants to follow which policy. She also explained her position regarding postponing the action on the Affirmative Action Resolution.
City Clerk Flynn announced that Commissioner James Holton is the only City Commission candidate on the August 8th election. Mr. Flynn also reminded the public that August 8th is the deadline to submit nominating petitions for the City Commission election on November 7th.
Public Comment on Agenda and Non-Agenda Items
Darlene Coffell, 1 W. Mosher St., thanked the Commission for mini grant and congratulated Paul Preston on his retirement.
Robert Bucholtz, 1037 S. Fancher, spoke in regards to the election of Mayor and at large commissioners election to a precinct vote. He also spoke regarding giving lands away without the public having a say in the process.
Lyn Markham, 820 S. Franklin, responded to her recollection of the vote that occurred at the Downtown Development Board recent meeting regarding the proposed liquor policy.
Doug Vander Ploeg, 120 S. Main, supports getting people together to further review the proposed liquor policy.
Lori Gillis, 902 W. Michigan, spoke on issues of park land, charter violations, public input on actions and conflict of interest.
Moved by Commissioner Joslin and supported by Commissioner Bissell that the meeting adjourn at 9:06 p.m. Motion unanimously adopted.
Cynthia Bradley Kilmer, Mayor Robert J. Flynn, City Clerk