City Council Meeting - 2024-06-17

Detailed briefing

CITY COUNCIL — June 17, 2024 ATTENDEES: Five council members were present, establishing a quorum; the transcript contains inconsistent spellings of some names. • Council unanimously approved the consent agenda by roll call after a previously identified correction was made to the minutes. It also approved resolutions recognizing electric employees John Mary Hughes and Dan Huey for 25 and 27 years of city service, respectively. • A Forest Street resident asked the city to address speeding and increased traffic, particularly while other routes are closed. He requested a permanent traffic-calming measure, such as a stop sign or speed bumps, and sought clarification about legal street parking. His and a neighbor’s letters were provided to council, but no action was taken during the meeting. • The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society presented plans to install restored Shay locomotive No. 2005 in Shay Park. The proposed locomotive and future pavilion would use an estimated 3.8% of the park. The society reported $177,000 invested in restoration and said pavilion fundraising remains up to $50,000 short. Council discussed green space, parking, tourism, weather protection, site work and delivery logistics. • Council did not approve the locomotive placement at this meeting. Members preferred to receive the Parks Board’s recommendation and staff feedback on feasibility and site work. A short special council meeting was discussed so the project would not necessarily wait until the July 15 regular meeting. The society said an August installation may be possible if approvals and site preparation proceed. • Council supported seeking architectural and design proposals for Kiwanis Park improvements using a $500,000 donation. Concepts include indoor-outdoor restroom access, windows, a small kitchen, a deck and possible alternatives for an ice rink and playground upgrades. The donated money must be used by December 31, 2026. Proposals will be reviewed by the Parks Board before returning to council. • Council unanimously amended the DDA’s 2024 budget to authorize up to $126,000 for the Merchants Walkway project, including concrete work, drainage or infrastructure work and repairs near Main and Bay streets. Officials said repairing rather than replacing a wall might lower the final cost. Worth watching: • Whether the Parks Board and council approve the Shay Park location and how pavilion funding, site preparation and traffic concerns are resolved. • The scope and cost selected for Kiwanis Park before the donation deadline. • Final Merchants Walkway costs and whether the wall can be repaired. Upcoming: Zoning information session June 25 at 5 p.m.; Zorn Beach Playground ribbon cutting June 22 from noon to 1 p.m.; skate park ribbon cutting June 26 from 5 to 7 p.m.; next regular council meeting July 15. Why it matters: The meeting advanced major park and downtown investments while leaving key design, funding and implementation details for further public review.

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