Mayor Robert Backon, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Megowen, Councilors Rachel Lankton, Gernot Joachim, Craig Kurtz, Mike Needham, and Dan Salo.

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1 REGULAR MEETING HOUGHTON CITY COUNCIL WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23, :30 p.m. CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS, CITY CENTER PRESENT: Mayor Robert Backon, Mayor Pro Tem Robert Megowen, Councilors Rachel Lankton, Gernot Joachim, Craig Kurtz, Mike Needham, and Dan Salo. Also present for the City: City Manager Scott MacInnes, Clerk Ann Vollrath, Treasurer Jodi Reynolds, Director of Public Works Mark Zenner, and Police Chief John Donnelly. ABSENT: ALSO PRESENT: A Representative of WMPL, WOLV, Eric Waara of U.P. Engineering, Gail Sanchez, Mark Kemppainen, and Ann West. REGULAR MEETING: Mayor Backon called to order a Regular Meeting of the Houghton City Council and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES: A motion was made by Joachim and seconded by Lankton to approve the minutes of the October 9, 2013 Regular Meeting as written. A motion was made by Joachim and seconded by Salo to approve the minutes of the October 17, 2013 Special Meeting as written. REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF AGENDA: OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC TO ADDRESS COUNCIL: City Manager MacInnes added under New Business Item G City Manager Selection Committee. Gail Sanchez of Hancock spoke about the results of the FOIA request made by Derek Bradway regarding the proposed rezoning of the Good Will Farm Property. The FOIA request did not provide anything in writing about why the 1

2 council must state a reason if they vote no on a zoning issue. Ms. Sanchez said she feels that this situation is an example of an inside job of coercion and bias, misrepresentation, and discrimination on behalf of the city manager representing the developer. She feels that her side of this issue is not being heard. She feels that Jon Julien should have to provide reasons as to why the property should be zoned B-3 versus R-3. City Manager MacInnes explained that he works with all developers to help them present their developments to the City Council. He feels it is his job to help promote development in the City. The reason that no document was provided stating that a council person must state a reason if they vote no on a request is because the City does not have a document stating this. The city attorney recommended that this be done many years ago. Mark Kemppainen said he wants the Council to know that the landlords opposed to the rezoning are not fighting with the City. They just want to point out things that they think are important for the Council to consider. He feels this development could be done with an increase in density and not a zoning change. PETITIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS: Clerk Ann Vollrath read a letter from Derek Bradway of Dollar Bay who said that he does not feel the proposed master plan received enough public input as he was never invited to a meeting or sent a survey even though he owns properties in Houghton and that the insights and desires of residents and business owners were not sought. Mr. Bradway also asked if the trend in the United States to high-density living pertains to Houghton. City Manager MacInnes responded that there were direct mailings sent to Mr. Bradway for the neighborhood meetings. The residents living in his rental properties and all residents living in the City were sent surveys. Mr. MacInnes said that he attended a meeting with a young professional group about the types of housing arrangements and the price per unit that this group is looking to live in. Most young professionals said that they prefer high-density, downtown living and want to live close to the university or close to where they work. Mr. MacInnes also answered Mr. Bradway s concern that the proposed rezoning in East Houghton was being made without asking the people directly impacted. Mr. MacInnes read out of the master plan where it says the zoning regulations could be modified. PUBLIC HEARINGS: REPORTS: Director of Public Works Mark Zenner reported that a water leak on Jasper Street was repaired, crews have removed the benches, bike racks, and planters for the winter. They will soon put up the holiday decorations. Crews have also been cold patching. Agate Street is now paved where the water/sewer project is complete. The FEMA paving on Garnet Street and Portage Street will be done next week. 2

3 The waterfront trail between the MTU campus and Portage Cove is in need of repair. City Manager MacInnes said he will look into possible grant funds through the DNR s passport funding. Mark Zenner reported that Bacco is now fixing the water shut-off valves that are sticking up in some yards and sidewalks. They had to wait until all of the landscaping was finished so that the shut-offs would not be damaged during landscape work. Police Chief John Donnelly reported that the department answered 112 calls to service with 10 misdemeanor arrests, 2 city tickets, and 14 civil infraction tickets. Officers have been taking part in firearms training. Treat Street is Friday from 5:30 to 7:00. Ladies Night is November 15 th. Men s night is December 19 th. The Blue Key Society is meeting with the City to work on Winter Carnival. City Manager MacInnes thanked Susie Landers for all of her work downtown and with FinnFest. Mayor Pro Tem Megowen reported that the Fire Department Open House was a success. It was a fun family event. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: NEW BUSINESS: Councilor Lankton asked about the large expenditure for the Dee Stadium. City Manager MacInnes said that was to rebuild a head on a compressor that was needed during the annual maintenance. A motion was made by Lankton and seconded by Joachim to approve the accounts payable for October 10, 2013 to October 23, 2013 as presented. Yes: Lankton, Joachim, Salo, Backon, Megowen, Kurtz, Needham City Manager MacInnes reported that the City of Houghton was recently awarded Bike Friendly Status at the Silver Level from the League of American Bicyclists for the next five years. Ann West of the Non-Motorized Transportation Committee thanked the Council for their support. Houghton has led the way locally for many new biking initiatives. The bike committee started Bike to Work Day in 2008 with one stop in Houghton. There are now stops in Hancock, Calumet and Lake Linden. 3

4 There are eight bike-friendly communities in the State of Michigan. Only Houghton and Ann Arbor have silver designation. To obtain gold status the City needs to: Put bike facilities on 43% of city roads Implement community outreach Hold more events Implement outreach to the schools Get 5.5% of the population riding Keep bike fatalities under 100 per every 10,000 residents Find a part-time bike coordinator Ann thanked Ray Sharp and Sara Salo of the Health Department, Scott MacInnes and John Donnelly, Craig Kurtz, Gernot Joachim, and Bob Megowen. City Manager MacInnes explained WUPPDR s application to receive funding through the State s Regional Prosperity Initiative. A motion was made by Lankton and seconded by Needham to adopt Resolution to support the WUPPDR s grant application. Yes: Lankton, Needham, Kurtz, Megowen, Backon, Joachim, Salo The Council reviewed the additions to the master plan made by the planning commission as a result of comments made during the public comment period for the master plan and the recreation plan. A motion was made by Joachim and seconded by Lankton to adopt Resolution to adopt the City of Houghton Master Plan and Recreation Plan. Yes: Joachim, Lankton, Salo, Backon, Megowen, Kurtz, Needham City Manager MacInnes reviewed the zoning compliance for Houghton Power Sports at 1550 Brickyard Lane and realized that they need approval from the planning commission and council for the outdoor sale of recreation vehicles stating that they must comply with the following: a. Ingress and egress to the outdoor sales area shall be at least 30 feet from a street intersection. 4

5 b. No major repair or major refinishing shall be done except in an enclosed building. c. Dust and surface water runoff shall be controlled. Houghton Power Sports complies with all of the above. The planning commission gave their approval last night. A motion was made by Needham and seconded by Kurtz to permit the outdoor sale of recreation vehicles by Houghton Power Sports at 1550 Brickyard Lane with the conditions listed above. Yes: Needham, Kurtz, Megowen, Backon, Lankton, Joachim, Salo The Council agreed to move the second November meeting to November 20 th. The December meetings will be held on December 4 th and December 18 th. The personnel committee will meet before the next Council meeting to review the applications received for the city manager position. They will make a recommendation to the council of who they would like to appoint to the selection committee. The council discussed that the selection committee can decide on the top 3-5 candidates who will then be interviewed in front of the council at an open meeting. A motion to adjourn was made by Needham and seconded by Lankton. Motion carried Ann Vollrath, Clerk 5