City Council Meeting - 2021-05-03

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs City Council Meeting — May 3, 2021 - Council approved Shay Days at Shay Park for July 16-17, including setup and takedown time, with a stated maximum attendance of 100 people and compliance with applicable distancing requirements. It separately approved the Memorial Day Parade for May 31. Staff said the parade route would run from the police station to Zorn Park and recommended temporary parking restrictions on Main and State streets to allow more spacing. - The council postponed a decision on Fourth of July fireworks and parade activities. Staff will return May 17 with updated information on local cases, vaccination rates, state health orders, CDC guidance, and other municipalities’ plans. Discussion noted that fundraising timing is a concern for fireworks, while the fireworks company had begun paperwork but knew the event was not yet approved. - Council approved rezoning 153 Zoll Street from residential multiple to R-2, two-family residential, and then adopted the ordinance implementing the change. During public comment, a resident said the change would create a new setback nonconformity for the existing expanded house. The planning consultant confirmed that rezoning would create that nonconforming condition, while the city attorney explained that a nonconformity can result from a later zoning change and differs from a zoning violation. - The Marina Park Plan was approved to move forward. Council favored trying food stands or tents on grass rather than reserving six parking spaces for Harbor Eats. Staff said landscaping bids will come back to council because the bid is expected to exceed $10,000. Estimated project costs discussed were $30,000-$40,000, but final costs and fund allocations remain unsettled. - Council approved reclaiming 100,000 gallons per day of sewer capacity that had been rented to Bear Creek Township, after city sewer usage exceeded capacity in 2020. The rental payment will end. - Council approved proposed November 2 ballot language concerning city millage authority. Staff said the proposal would restore the charter-permitted 15-mill rate, cap any annual increase at one-half mill, and require a council finding that an increase is necessary or advisable. Staff said public education and outreach will be needed. - Council also approved flying the city flag at City Hall, creating a consent-agenda process, reorganizing staff to eliminate the assistant city manager position and make the parks director full time, and a five-year city manager contract. Worth watching: - The May 17 Fourth of July decision and whether health conditions support fireworks, a parade, both, or neither. - Final Marina Park bids, project costs, and the allocation of general, Waterfront, and electric-fund expenses. - Public education before the November 2 millage-authority ballot question. Upcoming: Council expects to revisit Fourth of July events on May 17; the millage-authority proposal is scheduled for the November 2, 2021 ballot. Why it matters: The meeting set near-term event decisions while advancing zoning, park investment, sewer capacity, staffing, and tax-policy actions with direct effects on city operations and residents.

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