City Council Meeting - 2022-08-15

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs City Council Meeting — August 15, 2022 ATTENDEES: Roll call recorded Al Deyka, Nancy Rondell, John Cups, John Leo, and Matt Viguera. • Council approved the consent agenda. A resident also raised questions during public comment about eligibility for city boards; staff responded that state law permits up to two non-city residents on the Planning Commission and said the city code recognizes exceptions where state law provides them. • Staff presented a proposed public safety millage of up to 1 mill for five years, following the August 2 failure of the Headlee override. Staff said the proposal could provide about $316,000 annually for police and fire operations, with voter renewal required after five years. Council members generally supported exploring the proposal, but the transcript does not clearly show a final motion or vote to place it on the ballot. Staff said the deadline for a November 8 ballot proposal was August 16 at 4 p.m. • The public safety discussion included concerns about potential service reductions if revenue does not improve. Staff said future cuts cannot yet be specified because they depend on the next budget cycle. The police chief said current staffing reflects replacements and a shift from part-time to full-time positions, rather than a major expansion. • Council approved a noise-control committee to review the city’s noise ordinance and make recommendations. Public comments differed sharply over church bells and electronic church music, while others urged attention to motorcycles, loud vehicles, construction, parties, and other noise. Staff proposed a committee with city staff, a council member, and three public members. • Council postponed any decision on a second electric-substation location. Discussion covered the original wooded site, Deer Park, Peets Run/old reservoir land, park land, wetland-adjacent land, and possible private parcels. Members asked for visual examples of enclosed or screened substations and more site-specific information before choosing a location. • Staff began an early review of the city’s capital-improvements plan. General-fund projects will require caution while revenue remains uncertain. Updates included a City Hall chiller replacement in progress, State Street sidewalk work planned for mid-September through October 1, and Kiwanis Park water-tank work moved to spring 2023. Worth watching: • Whether council takes formal action on the proposed public safety millage before the stated ballot deadline. • Appointments and recommendations from the new noise-control committee. • Whether staff provides substation visuals, wetland information, and cost comparisons before council selects a site. Upcoming: Staff said public applications for the noise committee would be sought, with appointments anticipated at the September 19 council meeting. Why it matters: The council’s pending revenue, noise, and power-infrastructure decisions could affect city services, neighborhood conditions, and major future spending.

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