City Council Meeting - 2022-03-07

Detailed briefing

City Council Meeting — March 7, 2022 • Council voted to move forward with “Proposal B” for an August Headlee override ballot question. The proposal would partially restore the city’s authorized millage maximum to 8 mills and would permanently limit annual millage levy increases to 0.5 mill unless voters approve another change. Members stressed that passage would not automatically raise the levy to 8 mills; annual budget review, public discussion, and a truth-in-taxation hearing would still apply. • Council discussed, but did not record a final vote on, paid-parking ballot language. Direction favored keeping proposed hours at 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; making Sundays and holidays free; using kiosks in parking lots; operating seasonally from May through October; and extending the paid area to include the beach. The discussion also recognized the need to retain some free parking for employees and others. Public comment was sharply divided, with some residents urging council to drop paid parking and others supporting a public vote or revenue diversification. • Council approved a public participation plan intended to guide city outreach and engagement. The plan addresses engagement goals, inclusive participation, stakeholder identification, outreach methods, and review of participation results. The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society asked to be included among key stakeholders, and staff said it would reach out. • For boards and commissions, council favored defining a city resident as a registered City of Harbor Springs voter, unless a specific ordinance, bylaw, or state law provides a different eligibility rule. Staff said an ordinance amendment would be drafted. Council also noted a future need to clarify qualifications and appointment processes for boards and commissions. • Staff recommended pursuing private easements for underground electric lines north of M-119 after MDOT raised bluff-stability concerns about the planned Phase 3 rebuild. The change could add substantial cost and delay the project; staff said Charter Spectrum is willing to share some conduit-related costs, while AT&T’s participation was not settled. • City updates included flooding at the Harbormaster building, likely from a frozen sewer line; inspection and pump rebuilding at the Pepper Street well; and postponement of a planned half-ton DPW vehicle purchase because government discounts were unavailable. Worth watching: • Whether final paid-parking ballot language is brought back with the revisions discussed by council. • The city’s public education effort before the August Headlee vote. • Timing, easement acquisition, and added costs for the M-119 electric project. Upcoming: The Headlee override question is planned for the August ballot. Why it matters: The council is weighing long-term revenue options while facing infrastructure needs, public concern over taxes and parking, and a potentially more expensive electric-line project.

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