City Council Meeting - 2020-02-03

Detailed briefing

City Council Meeting — February 3, 2020 • Council approved the January 20 open-session and closed-session minutes, payment of bills, and resolutions formalizing two fees: a $250 after-hours electric-service reconnection fee and a $500 monthly peddler-license fee. Staff said the reconnection after-hours period is 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m. • Staff reported that Charter Spectrum has challenged the city’s do-not-knock registry and peddler-license rules. The city is consulting its attorney and the Michigan Municipal League and is checking how other municipalities have handled similar correspondence. • Council approved purchase of a Sweep-All feces sweeper to address goose feces at waterfront public spaces. Staff’s broader approach includes more frequent sweeping and raking at docks and beaches, limited trials of sight or sound deterrents, and outreach asking people not to feed wildlife. Staff said 171 survey responses were received; 80% identified a goose-related problem and 52% said they had avoided public spaces because of geese or feces. • Council authorized staff to seek bids for the West Third Street infrastructure project with a possible north-side widening between State and Traverse streets. The widening would generally be about one to two feet and was estimated to raise projected cost from roughly $203,000-$204,000 to roughly $215,000. Staff said bidding the larger option does not itself decide whether widening will occur; council expects to revisit that choice when bids return. • A West Third Street resident objected to possible tree loss, loss of green space, limited notice, and the lack of traffic-safety information presented. Staff said a pre-construction meeting would be held if the project proceeds, and the projected construction schedule was an early-April start with completion around early June, subject to weather and contractor timing. • Council approved a five-year essential-maintenance agreement with ASCO for emergency-power equipment at a total stated cost of $41,116.95, and approved buying two F-150 vehicles from Brown Motors at $29,198.28 each. The city will also explore renewable-energy goals with MPPA, Petoskey, and Traverse City. Worth watching: • Whether council ultimately selects the West Third Street widening option after bids and further public discussion. • The city’s response to Charter Spectrum’s challenge to its peddler and do-not-knock regulations. • Results of the new goose-feces cleanup and deterrence measures during waterfront use periods. Upcoming: Ice Fest is scheduled for the weekend following this meeting; staff expects online and credit-card payment system updates to transition in March. Why it matters: The council’s actions commit city funds to safety, equipment, waterfront maintenance, and potential street work while leaving key design and policy questions for follow-up.

No open public follow-ups are linked to this meeting yet.