City Council Meeting - 2021-11-15

Detailed briefing

City Council Meeting — November 15, 2021 • Council approved the consent agenda. It also received a staff orientation covering the city charter, council and manager roles, budgeting, ordinances, Open Meetings Act requirements, boards and commissions, and city departments. • A resident asked the city to pursue possible infrastructure funding for dedicated bike paths. Another resident praised DPW, police, and city staff, and said state parks and recreation funding may offer an opportunity for bike-path discussions with the DNR. • Harbor Springs school superintendent Michael Barron said the school district is seeking public feedback on a proposed May 2022 bond issue. He described it as an opportunity to address facilities while existing debt is falling off, potentially without a tax-levy increase. The school’s video and survey were said to be available on its website. • Following the failed Headlee override, staff presented revenue options including paid parking, special assessments, targeted millages, city income tax, tax-base expansion, rental licensing, asset sales, grants, and donations. Council discussion focused most strongly on paid public parking, with suggestions to study seasonal or year-round operations, rates, and locations. Staff will return with recommendations and options before any action is taken. • The city manager reported that the boardwalk was closed immediately after the DPW director found serious deterioration in its underlying supports and structural components. Council and public commenters discussed rebuilding alternatives, including a more direct stairway with landings and retaining an observation deck. Staff said costs, engineering, funding sources, property rights, and grant eligibility still need review. • Council supported converting the Marina Park Committee into a broader Parks and Recreation Board and asked staff to return with a proposal. Council also voted to restart the Redevelopment Ready Communities process. Staff said the process can help improve city practices and support eligibility for certain grants. • Council appointed Rick Turchinski to the Planning Commission. It also declined to reopen a prior hedge/right-of-way dispute and directed staff to seek removal of the remaining hedge/tree required under the earlier council direction. Worth watching: • Whether staff brings forward a paid-parking proposal, including costs, boundaries, timing, and expected revenue. • How quickly the city develops a boardwalk replacement or alternative-access plan and identifies funding. • Whether the proposed Parks and Recreation Board and renewed redevelopment process produce grant-ready plans. Upcoming: Council expects to review the proposed budget and capital improvements plan on December 6; staff may also return with revenue-option recommendations. Why it matters: The city is weighing new user-based revenue and targeted funding options while facing infrastructure needs and limits on general-fund revenue.

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