City Council Meeting — 2025-05-19

Detailed briefing

City Council Meeting — May 19, 2025 ATTENDEES: The transcript records a quorum and roll call for Wendy Reed, Michael Bearman, Jamie Melke, Tom Graham, and Kathy Macho. • Council approved $2,000 in Chamber Foundation event sponsorships: $1,000 for street music and $1,000 for Fourth of July fireworks. One council member voted no, questioning whether the city should first quantify police, fire, DPW, and other services provided to events, especially amid unresolved ice-storm costs. • Council approved a July 12 public fireworks display in the bay as part of a memorial for Chris Gamble. The Gamble family will cover the display, and the approval requires the family to pay any unforeseen city costs. Discussion included concerns about noise, dogs, boating safety, potential city expenses, and whether approval could set a precedent for later requests. • A proposed Hanna family plaque at Childs Park received conditional approval. The plaque recognizes a 1935 shoreline-property deed swap tied to public park use. The Parks Board will advise on location and placement, while the family must cover installation time, labor, and materials. • Council approved a 3% increase in Blackbird Museum funding, raising the annual amount from $49,000 to $50,500. The Harbor Springs Area Historical Society reported progress under its agreement, including full-time museum leadership, expanded visitation, new exhibits, cataloging the collection, and collaboration with tribal-community representatives. • Council voted to direct staff to prepare an $8 million electric-system bond resolution for the June 2 meeting. Staff said the figure is intended to cover the substation/transmission project and the M-119 line rebuild. Members and public commenters discussed future electric-rate increases, infrastructure needs, and the annual transfer from the electric fund to the general fund; no rate decision was made. • Council authorized staff to spend up to $1,000 to repair and partially reopen the east boardwalk stairs. The opening would allow visitors to access a limited portion while the broader boardwalk remains closed. Worth watching: • Staff is expected to bring the $8 million bond resolution to council June 2; future budget work is expected to address electric rates and the electric-fund return-on-investment transfer. • The Parks Board must advise on the Childs Park plaque’s final placement. • Council indicated it will discuss policies for events on public property, including whether organizers should pay for city services. Upcoming: June 2 council meeting; DDA applications are due May 30; the approved memorial fireworks display is scheduled for July 12. Why it matters: The meeting advanced large infrastructure financing while raising unresolved questions about utility affordability, city-service costs, and public-space policy.

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