Regular Council Meeting Tuesday, 412 Main St. - City Hall Frankfort, Michigan 49635 (231) 352-7117 Meeting was called to order by Mayor Johnson at 5:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance Roll Call Present: Condon, Holwerda, Johnson, Luedtke, Walenta Also present: Department Heads Kidder, Lozowski, Mills Absent: None Request to Appear Before Council Mayor Johnson Wanted to acknowledge the public for allowing him to serve this community for the last eight years and the department heads he worked with. Holwerda also expressed the same sentiment. Dick Bayer FCCAA Administrator Gave an update on the airport. The used car that was purchased is getting a lot of use. Hangar leases and the rules and regulations have been changed and updated, the faded runway has been re-striped and tree encroachment/air easement has been taken care of. MDOT came to inspect and the FCCAA was given the general utility airport license back. There was a complete inspection on October 12 th. Public Input Alma House 221 Michigan Ave. Wanted to know why Heffron Hill remains closed and wants it known that she would like it to be two-way when it is re-opened. Why not just close it to foot traffic? Jay Darling 1361 Bellows Wanted to make a complaint regarding economic discrimination. The authority is charging some tenants an 8% increase while his lease was increased 31%. The lease went from a 4 page lease to a 17 page lease. He is now at a different airport where the hangar lease consists of 2 pages. Darling made numerous complaints and allegations regarding the airport. Frank Post Benzie County Emergency Management Coordinator Spoke to the council regarding the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRM) that are being redone by FEMA which could require homes to carry flood insurance. Nancy Bordine 808 James St/1100 Main St Supports Mr. Darling s claims of discrimination. Bordine also feels discrimination since Mr. Darling spoke for well longer than three minutes and when she was before the council on the skateboard issue she was limited to three minutes. When there is a subject that is contentious the body language of the council becomes very defensive. Mayor Johnson stated that was due to the number of people wanting to speak and apologized if he displayed any defensive body language.
Page 2 Correspondence Charter Channel line up change Oliver Art Center Received $15,000 grant to promote arts in Benzie County Leader Dogs for the Blind Thank you for help with the Grand Tour Becky Ogilvie Want Heffron Hill re-opened for two-way traffic Approval of Minutes Motion by Condon, seconded by Walenta to approve regular meeting minutes of 09/19/2017 as presented. Approval of Bills Motion by Holwerda, seconded by Condon to approve prepaid vouchers #49599-49659 in the amount of $815,277.07 of which $737,146.87 was for tax distributions and $25,496.52 for West Shore Bank Street sweeper payment. Payroll vouchers #32021-32115 in the amount of $47,773.62. Motion by Condon, seconded by Walenta approving vouchers 49660-49709 in the amount of $266,679.19. Committee Reports a) Personnel b) Public Safety c) Finance Budget amendments are on the agenda. d) Water/Sewer & Solid Waste Mills and Jeff Cockfield are working on the M-22 project. Mills met with MDOT and is trying to get everything in order to move forward from strip topo survey and other things to coordinate timelines and hopefully start in the spring. e) Recreation Board f) Fire Advisory
Page 3 g) Planning Commission Need to keep working on Master Plan. Discussed annual meetings and sign ordinance, capital improvements, marketing properties on the east end and beach restrooms. h) Airport Authority Luedtke reported they hired Carl Noffsinger to cut grass and plow and Aaron Beyette to service vehicles. The next airport authority meeting will be next Thursday at 7 p.m. i) Grants No meeting j) BLUA Nothing new to report. k) Marina Authority l) Tree Board They are working on the nursery, updating the tree inventory and replanting at the end of Nippising. m) Downtown Development Authority Discussed flags, made a motion to spend $5,000 to complete flags on Main St. n) Commissioner s Report Commissioner Griner handed out the construction report from the county. The county now has their own Medical Examiner from Manistee. Having a medical examiner closer will save money and autopsies will be performed quicker. Griner stated that Michigan has 20,000 miles of public trails which is a huge tourist attraction for the state. Farming s biggest crops are corn and soy beans and much of these crops are transported by boat or barge. Ferry boats and tour ships are making a comeback on the Great Lakes. Departmental Reports Clerk/Treasurer Kidder thanked Johnson and Holwerda for their service and dedication to the community. The new assessor is doing a good job and we should see some revenues in the future. The public accuracy test has been finished and ballots are available for absentee voting. BCBS issued a loss ratio rebate back to the City to be used for premiums and a portion shared with employees. Superintendent Mills stated that the DPW is hard at work prepping for winter and buttoning up from summer. Leaves will continue to be picked up as many are still on the trees. Salt/sand has been ordered, benches on the beach getting moved and snow fencing ready to set. Mills may be looking at a referendum for next year for the M-22 project.
Page 4 Chief of Police Fall Festival went well. Lozowski and his officers plan on handing out glow sticks for Halloween. Lozowski was asked by the new medical examiner to start e-mailing cases of any deaths not in hospital or hospice. Hoping to give families a reason for the death such as a drowning in Crystal Lake that was actually caused by a seizure. Hoping to get the life rings off the pier if weather permits. Old Business Recreation Facility Update- Mills No new discussion. Electric Skateboard Lozowski Nothing to report. Fresnel Lens Mills The Department of Interior and the Coast Guard are supposed to be coming sometime this month to look at locations but there is no confirmed date yet. New Business A) Budget Amendments - Holwerda Motion by Johnson, seconded by Walenta to approve the budget amendments from the 10/11/2017 finance meeting as presented. B) MDOT Special Trunkline Maintenance Contract - Mills This agenda item was for the maintenance and operations of the Gateway Arch. Council would like to see it designated as an historic structure. This agenda item was TABLED. NO ACTION TAKEN. C) Heffron Hill Attorney Expenses Bluffs of Frankfort Mills Motion by Condon, seconded by Walenta to reimburse legal expenses in the amount of $ 2,250.00 to the Bluffs of Frankfort associated with Heffron Hill quit claim deed and rescind the $1,500.00 amount previously voted on from the Regular meeting of September 19, 2017. D) Wetland Park Fund - Mills Motion by Holwerda, seconded by Condon to rename the current Wetland Park Fund (246-000.000.001.111) to a Park and Recreation Improvement Fund.
Page 5 E) MDNR Easement Application Mills Motion by Condon, seconded by Walenta to authorize City Superintendent Josh Mills to sign the Easement Application for Utility or Public Road work. F) Sheriff Snowmobile Patrol Contribution - Kidder Motion by Condon, seconded by Johnson to approve donation of $300.00 to help support the Snowmobile Safety Program contingent on proof that the classes were held. PUBLIC INPUT Nancy Bordine 808 James St Where would medical marihuana grow facilities be able to operate in Frankfort? Mills stated there is only a small strip of land along Bridge St. right of way and dispensaries are not permitted. Bordine also asked why the monthly bills are not stated for the public. Adjournment Motion by Condon, seconded by Walenta to adjourn the meeting at 7:00 p.m. Robert J. Johnson, Mayor Kimberly K. Kidder, Clerk/Treasurer