A regular meeting
of the Marquette City Commission was duly called and held at
ROLL CALL
The
roll call of the Commission was taken.
Present: Mayor
Kivela and Mayor Pro-Tem DePetro, Commissioners Linna, Niemi, Ryan, Saint-Onge, and Stonehouse.
Absent: None.
AGENDA
Mayor Kivela announced
this was the time for any changes to be made to the agenda.
It was moved by Commissioner Ryan and
supported to Commissioner Niemi to add an item of discussion on the Heartwood
Forestland issue. Mayor Kivela said this
would be added as item #8 on the agenda.
It was then moved
by Commissioner Ryan, supported by Commissioner Linna and carried unanimously
to approve the agenda with the addition of a discussion on the Heartwood
Forestland.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mayor Kivela said there is a Special Commission meeting
scheduled for Tuesday, March 30th beginning at
PRESENTATION – UPCM Explainer of the
Quarter:
Jim Edwards, U. P Children’s Museum Education Coordinator, introduced Haley Longuski as the U. P Children’s Museum’s (UPCM) Explainer of the Quarter. Mayor Kivela then joined Mr. Edwards and Ms.
Longuski at the lectern for the presentation of a certificate of appreciation
to Haley Longuski. Mayor Kivela
thanked Haley for her efforts on behalf of the UPCM and congratulated her on
being selected as the UPCM’s Explainer of the Quarter.
PRESENTATION – NMU Master Plan by
President Les Wong
Mayor Kivela introduced NMU President Les Wong and thanked him
for attending our meeting to update the City on NMU’s Master Plan. President Wong provided an overview of the
plan saying the plan is a Principle Driven Plan with the following six
underlying principles: 1) Assess the campus’ infill capacity and ideal
organization; 2) Reinforce the campus’ unique lakefront environment; 3) Provide
a high quality image and identity for the institution; 4) Improve the physical
environment for students; 5) Develop partnership opportunities; 6) Establish a
flexible planning framework. He said the
organizational strategy is to focus on the academic core, housing neighborhoods,
athletics and recreation, mixed use corridor and research and technology. President Wong also said the plan includes a
focus on pedestrian Circulation on campus and future parking arrangements with
parking to be located within a five minute walk of core functions of the
university. He said an emphasis would be
made to reduce pedestrian and vehicle conflicts. President Wong also reviewed the current plan
and plans to construct a stage near the
PROCLAMATION – Honoring the Gaines Family
Whereas, William Washington Gaines was born a slave and freed
by his biological father, Pitt Gaines; and,
Whereas,
William Gaines and his wife Mary arrived in
Whereas, the
Gaines family lived for years on an outcropping of granite now known as Gaines
Rock; and,
Whereas, the couple’s grandchildren remembered their
grandfather as a kind man who always kept candy in one pocket and a handful of
pennies in another to delight any child he met; and,
Whereas, the Gaines’ son Charles became a barber, porter and
drayman in
Whereas, black self-help groups nurtured members of the
Gaines family and helped them maintain their “personal pride” in spite of the
racism of the time; and,
Whereas, Gaines Rock has sheltered many people over the
years, including hoboes and other railroad travelers; and,
Whereas, the City of
Now,
Therefore, Be It Proclaimed, that the
City of
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
Mayor Kivela stepped to the lectern and recognized outgoing member
Muriel Kangas of the Public Works Advisory Board. Mayor Kivela presented
her with parting gifts from the City and thanked her for her service.
Mayor Kivela then reviewed the appointments of Erik Booth (BLP recommended appointee) to the
Sustainable Community Ad-Hoc Committee, and Ruthann Christie to the Elections
Board.
It was moved by Commissioner Stonehouse, supported
by Commissioner Ryan, and carried unanimously to approve the reappointments of Erik Booth
(BLP recommended appointee): Sustainable Community Ad-Hoc Committee, term
ending 09-01-1, and Ruthann Christie: Elections Board, for the term 04-12-10
through 04-12-14.
Mayor Kivela then reviewed the reappointments of Samuel Bennett to the Investment Advisory
Committee; Erick Brooks, Joan Reynolds Miller and Rene Schwemin to the Presque
Isle Park Advisory Committee; and Jon Barch, Gloria Conklin and Kathleen
Lankinen to the Sister City Advisory Committee; and Jack Reynolds to the Parks and
Recreation Advisory Board.
It was moved by
Commissioner Ryan, supported by Commissioner DePetro, and carried unanimously
to approve the reappointments of Samuel Bennett to the
Investment Advisory Committee, term ending 04-01-13; Erick Brooks, Joan
Reynolds Miller and Rene Schwemin to the Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee,
terms ending 04-01-13; Jon Barch, Gloria Conklin and Kathleen Lankinen to the
Sister City Advisory Committee with terms ending 04-01-13; and Jack Reynolds to
the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, term ending 01-29-13.
CITIZEN COMMENT
Doug Kitchel asked to reserve time to speak under agenda item six. Frank Verito asked to speak on items #6 and
#8. Mr. Verito expressed his opinions on
dog waste on the City bike path system and the proposed current gage at Picnic
Rocks. He said this area is a swimming
danger at all times and access should be restricted. Mr. Verito also commented that signage should
be limited to preserve the natural beauty of our local community. Matt Lindberger said he was opposed to a
fourth marina in the City and the current City Marinas are not cost effective
because of long term maintenance issues.
He said private marinas should be encouraged versus City owned
operations and he expressed concern over maintaining the historic images of the
CONSENT AGENDA
The
City Clerk presented the consent agenda.
It was moved by
Commissioner Linna, supported by Commissioner Niemi and carried unanimously to
approve the consent agenda as follows: A. Approve the minutes of the March 10, 2010 special
Commission meeting; B. Approve the total bills payable in the amount of $827,949.97;
C. Adopt
a resolution recognizing Lake Superior Hospice as a non-profit organization
operating in the community for the purpose of obtaining a charitable gaming
license, and authorize the Clerk to sign the resolution; D. Approve
Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs grant application request
for existing programming and services, and authorize the Acting City Manager to
sign the subsequent administrative paperwork; E. Approve the letter of support
for the Iron Ore Heritage Recreational Trail’s Department of Natural Resources
and Environment Trust Fund grant application, and authorize the Mayor to sign
the letter.
A report and
recommendation from Acting City Manager Angeli was read regarding the
It was moved by Commissioner Ryan, supported by
Commissioner Stonehouse and carried on a six-to-one roll call vote to approve
the phased project plan for Presque Isle Marina (with
the understanding that each phase will have to be authorized by the Commission)
and adopt the resolution of authorization for phase one of Presque Isle
Marina project; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to sign the resolution.
Ayes: Mayor
Kivela and Commissioners Ryan, Stonehouse, DePetro, Linna and Niemi.
Nays: Commissioner Saint-Onge
Absent: None
It was then moved by Commissioner Ryan, supported by
Commissioner Stonehouse and carried on a six-to-one vote (with
Commissioner Saint-Onge
voting no) to approve
the Master Plan for Founders Landing Marina.
CITY
A report and recommendation from Acting City Manager
Angeli was read regarding BP09-30
City Hall elevator repair.
It was then moved by Commissioner Niemi, supported by
Commissioner Saint-Onge, and carried unanimously to award the
bid for City Hall elevator repairs to Otis Elevator Co. of Negaunee,
Michigan
to install a new elevator pump and control for the amount of $14,990, being low
bid and meeting specifications.
HEARTWOOD FORESTLAND PROPERTIES
Frank
Verito expressed his opinion that this item should have been on the agenda
already rather than as a late addition to the agenda so that the public could
have an opportunity to review the issues.
He also expressed concerns about the amount of property that will be
available for development versus what will be available for public use and
preservation. Commissioner Ryan said he
asked to have this item added to the agenda because he would like to see it
moved forward. He said this is a very
important issue to the community and it has been very costly. Commissioner Ryan said he proposes having an
opportunity for public comment on the Heartwood Forestland Committee report,
invite
It was
moved by Commissioner Ryan, supported by Commissioner Niemi and carried
unanimously to hold a public forum to discuss the Heartwood Forestland Plan
within 60 days, invite Marquette and Sands Townships to a meeting to discuss
this issue with the City, and have City staff research whether there is some
form of public funding to retain lands for public ownership (i.e. DNR Trust Fund,
Nature Conservancy etc.).
CITIZEN
COMMENT
Frank Verito said commented on the U.P. 200 Sled Dog
Race, attendance and great view offered to spectators. He said it is the greatest event this side of
NIEMI
Commissioner Niemi
encouraged everyone to fill out the Census forms and send them in.
DEPETRO
Commi DePetro congratulated Patrol Officer Cindy Acocks of the Marquette
City Police Department ten years of service with the City. He said Brian Naze
of the Marquette Fire Department is celebrating his 20th year of
service with the City as a Level one firefighter. Commissioner DePetro also
congratulated the Police and Fire Departments on a very successful Pigs-N-Heat
Hockey game fund raiser. He said that
over $17,500 was raised for the Fire Relief Fund. He said since 1984 over $336,000 has been
raised. Commissioner DePetro also
thanked area businesses and volunteers for their support of this fund
raiser. He also thanked Jim Finkbeiner
of the City Police Department for serving as the fund treasurer. Commissioner DePetro also thanked his fellow
Commissioners, employees of the City and area residents for their expressions
of sympathy following his family’s loss of their mother Clarice DePetro last
week.
RYAN
Commissioner Ryan said he
believes the City is in good hands with Acting City Manager Angeli and that
many issues have moved forward during this time.
STONEHOUSE
Commissioner Stonehouse said it is good to see some movement on the Heartwood
Forestland Properties, and he reminded residents that City Manager interviews
will be conducted tomorrow beginning at 5:15 p.m. in Commission Chambers. Commissioner Stonehouse also thanked President
Wong for addressing the Commission and providing information on the
University’s future plans. He also
cautioned early season fisherman to be very cautious while fishing and to have
a float plan in place.
KIVELA
Mayor
Kivela offered condolences on behalf to the Commission to Commissioner DePetro
and his family following the loss of his mother. He said he did not know Clarice he could tell
she must have been a wonderful lady by the character and qualities exhibited by
her children.
ANGELI
The
meeting was adjourned at 9:37 p.m.
______________________________ _________________________________
John P. Kivela David J. Bleau
Mayor City
Clerk