City Council Meeting - 2023-06-19

Detailed briefing

Harbor Springs City Council Meeting — June 19, 2023 ATTENDEES: Anthony Gira, Jamie Melky, John Cox, John Leo and Nancy Rondell were recorded as present at roll call. • Council approved the consent agenda, including a renewal of the Little Traverse Bay Foundation ferry license on the same terms and conditions for 2023 and 2024. The Harbor Commission had reviewed the renewal. • Council approved the Hallmark Channel’s return of a holiday camera to the light pole near First Street Bakery. The discussion described the prior seasonal setup as operating from after Thanksgiving through year-end, generally 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Members cited positive public response and publicity for the city, while noting a small number of past privacy concerns. • The American Legion Veterans Riders Group proposed selling hot dogs, brats and bottled water on July 4, with a possible hot-dog-eating contest. Staff and council supported the fundraiser but objected to reserving roughly nine city parking spaces across from the Legion because of July 4 congestion and pedestrian traffic. The group will explore private-property options and may work with Parks Director Rachel on Marina Park if needed. No formal approval was recorded. • Council discussed ballot proposals to update outdated city-charter provisions and conform them to state law. The clerk said the many separate yes/no questions could require an unusually long ballot. Council did not adopt the ballot resolution; discussion favored a 2024 election, with March mentioned, to allow more time for public education and required review. • Jervis B. Webb asked to purchase about 5.5 acres of city-owned land tied to the vacant former Daifuku building near the airport. The company said it would prefer to sell the facility for light manufacturing after acquiring city and county interests. Public and council comments raised possible job creation, affordable housing, preservation of city land, auction safeguards and township planning concerns. Council took no recorded action and entered closed session for legal advice on the lease. • Staff announced a $50,000 Offield Foundation donation for the skate park and a $50,000 Ben Andel Foundation donation for the boardwalk. Fundraising was reported above $400,000 for the skate park and above $500,000 for the boardwalk. The upper boardwalk platform was expected to be open by July 4; full pedestrian access was still uncertain pending handrails, inspections and approvals. Worth watching: • Whether the Legion Riders secure a private site or use Marina Park for the July 4 fundraiser. • When council returns with a charter-amendment election resolution and ballot plan. • Whether the Webb land-purchase proposal advances after legal review. Upcoming: Staff said charter ballot options could return after county and state-related information is gathered; the Legion Riders planned to pursue site arrangements in the next few days. Why it matters: The meeting paired near-term holiday logistics and public amenities with unresolved decisions about election governance and a potentially important airport-area property.

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