REGULAR MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF PORT HURON

Monday, September 28, 2009.

The Port Huron City Council met for their regular meeting at 7:30 p.m. in the Meeting Room of the Municipal Office Center. After the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, Julianne (lead singer of the country music band Redhill) sang the National Anthem.

The roll call was done and all council members were there and accounted for.

The last meeting minutes were read approved.

A Presentation by Dennis Zembala, Director of the Port Huron Museum was given concerning the museums activities. Dennis said he had been at the museum for two and a half years now and felt he had made tremendous strides.

The top priority for him had been to improve visitor experience. To do this they have brought in interesting exhibits like the giant insect display. Many of the newer exhibits focused on science because they were interactive and draw interest.

They partnered with the Bayview Yacht Club to do an exhibit called Tactical Matters which was about the yachts and their restoration, in particular the first boat to win the Port Huron to Mackinac Race in 1925.

The current exhibit is called The Terrorist Within, which shows terrorist attacks on U.S. soil . It is interactive and an educator packet comes with it for teachers so they can bring their students and use it as a teaching experience.

Future exhibits will include The Centennial of Scouting, Mackinac Weather, The Medical Heritage of Leadership (which will be a permanent exhibit) and Wizards Workshop at the Edison Depot which will be a learning center.

New Programs that have been initiated include Overnight Stays on the Bramble. Many scouting troups and youth groups have spent the night there. A couple reserved it for their anniversary over the summer and had a party and watched the fireworks from there. People have booked a stay there from all over South East Michigan.

The Wizards Workshop at the Edison Depot is all about magnetism, electricity, environment and communications. They partnered with SC4 and RESA to put this together.

The Fort Gratiot Lighthouse is another new and exciting adventure. They have formed a new group called Friends of the Fort Gratiot Light House (these are charter memberships and there are about 30 left). Mr. Zembala thanked the city council for helping in the transition of ownership and the money they contributed to get the match grant. Because of this the tower will be restored sooner than expected and people will be able to take tours up into the tower.

The museum has formed many partnerships over the last couple years with RESA, the city of Port Huron, St. Clair County Community College and Port Huron Area School District.

He did admit that their resources are diminishing. There is less Foundation support, the endowment revenue has been cut in half last year. There is cutbacks in education and personal spending that have hurt the museum. To deal with that, they have reduced public hours, focused on group tours (if there are 20 or more people they will open the museum at 2 a.m. if that's what the group wants), eliminated benefits for employees, laid off staff and reduced some full time people to part time.

In the future they plan to try to get more support for collections. Mr. Zembala mentioned that they had moved the collections three times since he's been here which is not good. Right now they have them in a private storage that is heated but is not appropriate for museum quality pieces. He would like to find a place to store the collections long term so they don't get ruined. Artwork can be ruined easily. He also mentioned that they will prune some of the items they have. He mentioned some of the McMorran pieces cannot be preserved at the museum and aren't appropriate museum pieces.

Councilmember Byrne asked how memberships are doing. Mr. Zembala said that membership levels have increased a little but that had a lot to do with the Friends of the Fort Gratiot Lighthouse group. He also mentioned that they will hold a benefit concert in November at McMorran to rise money.

Councilmember Doorn asked if the endowment had grown. Mr Zembala said he was not sure but he did know there had not been an active fund raiser for this.

The Mayor opened up the floor to Public Audience.

Anthony America came up to announce he is a write in candidate for City Council and to give a speech about the evils of government. Then he sang for us.

Faye Caballero introduced herself as a major owner of Black River Plastics. In 2000 Faye retired from Ford and cashed in all her stock. She then partnered with another person and they bought Black River Plastics. They took if from an $8 million a year company to a $34 million a year company. They enveloped themselves with people from Port Huron and kept their business in Port Huron. She said she was there to ask for help and to offer help. She stated that they were behind on their property taxes because of the bad economy. She wanted to help collaborate with the city to bring more businesses to the Industrial Park. She wants to bring Governor Granholm here. She has given tax breaks to the film industry but won't help small business. She wants to make Port Huron the first city for officials and citizens to join together to make the city great.

Bernard Ellery spoke about the Citizens for a Vibrant Communities Meet the Candidate forum and heard all the candidates talk about the legacy they wanted to give to their families and to keep people here in the city. He feels this should be a tax free zone. He also felt the auto industry would recover and that we should be ready to go when that happens.

Ken Harris stated that city officials need to think outside the box and work with people like Faye Caballero when they get the chance. He also spoke on Resolution #10. The property has sat vacant for years. A sewer plant sits right there. He was concerned with the cities idea to buy that land and wondered what it would cost to eliminate the odor from the sewer plant.

Alice O'Neal does not want the city to get into property purchase. He also felt the leaf pick up program needs review. As far as blight is concerned, she felt our city was not proactive. Neighbors have to turn in neighbors. She brought several photos of places she felt were blight place.

After Public Audience, the council adopted the consent agenda. These are items on the agenda that considered routine. Examples include communications, setting public hearings, board appointments, etc. The Mayor read the consent agenda for the audience.

Resolution #1 - Authorizing payments of some items.

Resolution #4 - Confirming and declaring single lot special assessments in the total amount of $514.48 for special trash pickup in the right of way.

Resolution #5 - Confirming and declaring single lot special assessments in the total amount of $1,286.00 for removal of noxious weeds or unlawful growths or blighted factors.

The Mayor continued on reading Upcoming Events:

Sept. 29 - Farmers Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vantage Point
Sept. 30 - John F. Wismer plaque dedication at 1 p.m. at Heritage Park on Quay
October 3 - Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vantage Point
October 3 - American Cancer Society's Cancer Walk
October 3 & 4 - Menopause the Musical at McMorran
October 6 - Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vantage Point
October 6 - Charter Commission Meeting at 7 p.m. in Room 408 at the Municipal Office Center
October 10 - Blue Water Film Festival at McMorran
October 10 - Happy Apple Days Downtown
October 10 - Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Vantage Point
October 10 - The Beautification Commission needs volunteers to assist with their fall cleanup of flower beds. Meet in front of the County Building at 9 a.m.
October 13 - Charter Commission Public Hearing at 6:30 p.m. in the Public Meeting Room.

FROM THE CITY MANAGER
#1 - A recommendation that the proposal of Watson Brothers Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning in the amount of $22,685.00 for replacing the existing boiler at Fire Station #4 on 24th Street be accepted. Councilmember Byrne was glad that a Port Huron company did better on their bid and got the job. Councilmember Stevens was glad they got the job as well. She said this company was a community asset as they always donated and gave of their time for different issues. It passed unanimously.

#2 - Recommendation that the bid of Wolverine Truck Sales in the amount of $109,606.00 for a 39,000 lb. gross vehicle weight truck cab, chassis, dump box and spreader to be used as a salter and snow plow for the Streets Division be accepted. Councilmember Byrne asked if this was an additional truck or was it replacing an old one. City Engineer Robert Clegg stated it was replacing a 1991 truck. The other truck's frame was rotted, the dump part can't be raised. He also stated it was a budgeted item. Councilmember Lewandowski wanted to know what brand of truck it was. Mr. Clegg said that they had gone to several vendors but in the end it is an American made truck. The council voted and it passed unanimously.

RESOLUTIONS
#2 - Instructing the City Manager to open discussions with surrounding communities on the potential establishment of a metropolitan water authority. Councilmember Byrne felt this was an important step and cooperation is needed. He felt this could help to combine services and not duplicate a lot of things. He also pointed out that a new water line was coming in to the north and it'd be nice to lock in our partners for a long time. Mayor Pro-tem Fisher said he felt it was a good step to form partnerships with the surrounding communities. Mayor Moeller said he knew City Manager Brown had met with other communities and they are interested in this. This resolution passed unanimously.

#3 - Adopting the bylaws and accepting membership in the Huron to Erie Alliance for Real-Time Monitoring and Information (HEART-MI). There was no discussion and it passed unanimously.

#6 - Approving the agreement with BSB Communications for the replacement of the MOC audio and visual equipment in the public meeting room. Councilmember Stevens stated that our equipment is poor and needs to be updated. Councilmember McCulloch wanted to know how old the equipment is. Mr. Clegg said he was sure the audio equipment is over 15 years old. Councilmember McCulloch asked if this was a budgeted item. Mr. Clegg said it really wasn't but they had budgeted for new carpet and they were taking money from that to do this. Councilmember Byrne was curious if this would allow for web-casts because he doesn't have cable and knows others don't either, so they can't watch the council meetings from home. Mr. Clegg said that it was not equipment that would allow for web-casts. It's just to get the audio/video in the room better. Councilmember Byrne wanted to know if this equipment would or could be used for web-casts in the future. Mr. Brennen from the IT Department came to the podium and explained that this equipment could not be converted to allow for web-casts. The city had looked into equipment that would allow for this a year ago and it's very expensive so they dropped the idea because they knew the current economic climate would not allow for this. Mayor Pro-tem Fisher wanted to understand the new system better. He thought that new amplifiers and new monitor speakers would reduce feedback. Mr. Clegg said that this vendor they chose was the only vendor that addressed speaker placement which will reduce feedback. He also said it will help council hear each other better and hear people at the podium better. The projector will help everyone see slides on the screen better. He mentioned that the slides are shown on TV by a direct feed so people at home actually had a better visual than people sitting in the audience. Councilmember Lewandowski asked what the time line for the project was. Mr. Clegg was not sure at the moment because the parts would not be ordered pending council approval. A vote was taken and it passed unanimously.

#7 - Appointing members of the Quality of Life Commission for terms to expire September 28, 2012. Councilmember Byrne was glad this was moving forward so quickly. A vote was taken and it passed unanimously.

#8 - Approving the sale of 2347 Dove Street to Automotive Properties of New York, L.L.C. for $950,000. Mayor Moeller stated this was a positive move. It will be sold for $950,000 and will be on the tax roll. He noted the building needs repair too. Councilmember Byrne noted that the EDA, City and County worked on this to get it done. Tony Schifano, the cities new commercial development person, told the council the deal turned around very quickly. Doug Alexander called him on the 15th and they met with Bruce Brown on the 16th. Doug Alexander came to the podium and said that SMW Automotive is based in Troy. They are a Tier 1 Automotive Supplier. SMW Plant #1 is on Petite Street. SMW Plant #2 will be in the Spec Building. SMW Plant #3 in from the City in 2006. The new facility will be next door to SMW Plant #3. Doug Alexander also stated the deal came together rather quickly. The building is located on the corner of 24th Street and Dove. At the next council meeting they will be asked to vote on the purchase agreement and 6 year tax abatement on the equipment. Julie Sampson from SMW Automotive hopped they can generate 35 jobs and they will invest $3 million in the plant. A vote was taken and they passed it unanimously.

#9 - Approving an agreement with Soil and Material Engineers, Inc., for professional engineering services for the preparation of a Baseline Environmental Assessment of the property located at 2347 Dove Street. There was no discussion and they voted yes unanimously.

#10 - Approving the purchase of the Black River Point property. Mayor Moeller started by saying that if the city did not purchase the property, it would go to the County and would become a county park.

Councilmember Byrne wanted to know if the property was in tax default.

City Manager Brown said no. He then stated the County is interested and put in a bid. He feels that the city should control the destiny of this property so the city put in a higher offer than the county.

Councilmember Byrne wanted to know what fund this was coming out of.

City Manager Brown said it would come out of the Land Purchase Fund which was just sweetened by the $950,000 purchase by Automotive Properties of New York, L.L.C.

City Finance Director John Ogden came to the podium to say that money has been transfered out of this fund over the years to pay for sewer separation. There is $350,000 in there right now.

Councilmember Byrne stated that the purchase of this won't be able to recoup the return on this purchase of the property taxes for a long time.

Councilmember Doorn said he drove down to that property and looked at it before the meeting. He said it is the gateway to our city and has a lot of potential.

Mayor Moeller pointed out that if the county bought it, it would go off the tax roll for ever.

Councilmember Stevens said that 2 people emailed her that day and stated they are interested in it in the future. She said that a park is not going to do anyone any good if there are no property taxes paid on it. She pointed out our property tax base in Port Huron was horrible and losing one more piece of property was not good. She also felt that if anyone should control it, it should be the city tax payers.

Councilmember Lewandowski was very concerned about the smell from the sewer plant next door.

Mr. Clegg came up and said they had expanded the bio-solid storage and this was 50% of the plant floor. They have been very successful in controlling odors from this. They still have problems with the second part of this process. He also noted that filling the bio-solid trucks to remove the material is a problem because it is an outside activity.

Councilmember Lewandowski worried that if the city buys this property and then can't control the odor from the sewage treatment plant, that property will still be vacant 25 years from now.

Councilmember Byrne said that the best way to keep it from becoming a park is to zone it properly. Also, he noted the voters voted to get rid of the water front property on Water Street.

Mayor Pro-tem Fisher stated he was VERY conflicted about this. On the one hand there is the idea of the control of the property. This way the voters would be 100% in control. On the other hand this council's stand has been to liquidate property and so he could not support this.

Councilmember McCullogh said he was back and forth on this too. He said that the threat from the County was out there, but take that out and he still wants to support it.

Councilmember Byrne argued that the city was jumping the gun on this. He said they don't even know if the property is buildable. He wanted to motion to postpone this until the next meeting.

City Manager Brown said there had been two studies done on environmental issues. It's suitable to build on except for around the train bridge.

Mayor Moller said he has always pushed to get rid of city owned property but he feels differently on this because he wants the voters to have the true say on this. He feels it's the only democratic way for it to happen.

At that point the council decided to vote for the motion to postpone that Councilmember Byrne had introduced earlier. They voted and the motion failed.

They then headed back to the original motion. Councilmember Byrne said that he hoped they could talk to the county commissioners and ask that they not put a park there.

Councilmember Stevens wanted a timeline on when the purchase will be complete and when the property will be for sale.

City Manager Brown said they will schedule the closing within the month. Once ownership is obtained he will start to market the property right away.

Councilmember Lewandowski was curious about the value of this property. He was told it was worth $560,000.

At that point they took the vote and it passed 4 - 3. In favor were Mayor Moeller, Councilmember Stevens, Councilmember Doorn and Councilmember McCullogh.

The Mayor asked if there were any other things for the good of the order. Mayor Pro-tem Fisher announced that on October 3rd the Welken baseball team will take on the Icehawks in a charity game. He said it will be a lot of fun and it will be under the lights of Pine Grove Park field.

Councilmember Lewandowski said that he will be appearing at Happy Apple Days on October 10th and will be there to have pies thrown at him. He said all his fellow co-workers were coming to throw pies at him.

The meeting was then adjourned.

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