City Council Meeting - 2022-02-21

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs City Council Meeting — February 21, 2022 ATTENDEES: Roll call recorded Al Daika, Nancy Rondell, Matt Rivera, John Cupps, and John Leo present. • Council approved revised public-comment procedures. Zoom participants may comment on agenda items by speaking, but chat comments will not be read aloud. Speakers may be directed to the front desk or podium for audibility, and council members are not required to answer questions during the comment period. • Council approved sending Emmet County a letter of support for creating a public transit authority. The presentation said the authority model would provide representation for municipalities, townships, the tribe, and other stakeholders. A possible authority millage would require voter approval. • Council voted not to renew its library-services contract. Staff said the proposed three-year agreement would increase the annual cost from about $3,600 to about $5,700, while reported Harbor Springs use was low. Discussion noted that residents may have other library-access options. • The council reviewed a broad menu of revenue options after paid parking was tabled to March 7. Options included a Headlee override, public-safety or parks millages, fire-authority funding, greater township contributions, special assessments, donations, grants, fees, and paid parking. Staff said the city is not in an emergency situation, but continued use of reserves without new revenue or cuts could eventually require state corrective action. • Public comments focused heavily on opposition to paid parking, requests for spending cuts and more analysis, and questions about township cost-sharing. Other speakers urged clearer public education about Headlee and noted the earlier budget discussion had faced strong resistance to service cuts. Council directed staff to work with legal counsel on potential ballot language for both a Headlee override and paid parking, with August identified as the next election cycle. • Council selected John Cassidy for the Tree Advisory Board and approved Barry Lustgarten for the Planning Commission. Staff also reported that the East Third water and sewer project is expected to begin around mid-April, weather dependent, and take about six weeks. Worth watching: • Staff is to prepare possible ballot language for Headlee and paid parking; the legal form and election timing remain unresolved. • Council plans a future discussion of potential cost reductions and savings. • Paid parking remains tabled until March 7. Upcoming: March 7 — continued paid-parking discussion. Why it matters: Council is weighing long-term tax authority, visitor-paid revenue, service levels, and cost controls as it seeks a sustainable city budget.

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