City Council - Regular Meeting

I call the order of this meeting of the Escanaba City Council, June 4th, 2026. Mr. DeMay, please call roll. Councilor Moore.

Here.

Councilor Boshoff.

Here. Councilor Dubois.

Here. Councilor Flath.

Here.

Mayor Emel. Here. Please stand for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic

At this time seeking approval and or corrections to the minutes of the regular meeting of May 21st, 2026. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Thank you. This time seeking approval and or corrections to the minutes of the special meeting of May 28th, 2026.

So moved.

Second. All in favor? Aye. Thank you. At this time seeking approval and or adjustments to the current agenda as written.

So moved.

Second. All in favor? Aye. Thank you. At this time, is there any conflict of interest needing to be declared by members of council pertaining to items on the agenda? Hearing none. At this time, we'll hear brief public comment pertaining to items on the agenda. If you wish to make public comment, please approach the podium, state your name, place of residence, keep your comments to three minutes or less. We have no public hearings on the docket. We have no unfinished business. Moving on to new business, item number one, approval repairs to Dock Two at the Escanaba Marina Recreation.

Administration is recommending city council approval of an estimate from flotation docking systems of Cedarville, Michigan in the amount of $18,500 to make necessary repairs to dock two at the Escanaba Marina. Kim is here and can answer any questions about this, but basically I think what happened is the ice shifted the dock and it broke some of the welds that hold it in place and so that needs to be repaired, but Kim can answer any other questions.

So are we concerned with the future wells being broken again from winters? Are we looking at maybe this coming up every couple years?

In talking with the company, they originally installed it back in 2019, 2020. Like Melissa said, it was, you know, this year it was weird. I mean, with the winds, the snow, the ice, the water levels. They suggested, and we're going to, we already have in this year's budget, we're going to put another bubbler at the end of the LDOC. We have one in the middle where the joint was, but they seemed to think it was at the end, but pushed it in about a foot and a half to two feet.

And all the pumps have been fixed or plumbing or whatever?

Yep, the plumbing is repaired. Okay.

Motion to approve the amount of $18,500 for the repair of Dock 2.

Support.

Discussion?

Mr. Dominguez, please call the roll. That's for Dubourg. Yes. That's for Moore. Yes. That's for Beauchamp. Yes. That's for Fluff. Yes.

Marianne. Yes. New business, item number two, approval, special event application, Labor Day celebration, recreation.

Administration is recommending City Council approval of a special event application to hold a Labor Day celebration parade and beer tent. The parade will go from the Karis Bandshell to the Municipal Dock. The event date and time is September 7th, 2026 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. This will be the sixth annual event for the Labor Day celebration.

No approval.

Support.

Discussion? All in favor? Aye. Thank you. New business item number three, approval of pavilion and cement work for the Webster Splash Park. Recreation.

Administration is recommending city council approval of a quote from Wolechka Incorporated out of Kearney, Michigan, and the amount of $15,000 to construct an eight foot by 16 foot covered pavilion and two five foot by three foot cement pads for the Webster Splash Park. This work is being funded through donations.

Motion to approve. Support.

Support.

Quick question, Kim, the cement pads, those are just ADA pads?

They're gonna be the ADA compliant pads. We're gonna put the benches there. So there's gonna be three benches, but we're gonna create two cement pads for the two benches, and the cement pad that was already there, we're gonna utilize that for the third.

Thank you. And Kim, do you wanna just give an update to the public on the splash park?

Sure, we're just waiting for one connection that the water department's gonna make, and then we're ready.

Thank you. Excellent.

Further discussion on this item?

Mr. May, please call roll. Councilmember Dewart. Yes. Councilmember Flath. Yes. Councilmember Moore.

Yes. Councilmember Bolshoi. Yes. Mayor Young. Yes. New business item number four, approval, settlement, agreement, and consent to entry, inspection, and abatement, Saunders lot. Manager.

Administration is requesting approval of a settlement agreement with the owners of property located at 208 South 4th Street to resolve ordinance violations related to unfilled below-grade conditions and remaining site debris. This property had a fire back in, I want to say it was very early 2023. The house was completely destroyed and torn down. What was left is basically a hole in the ground and a partial deck that has never been cleaned up. So Darren at Public Safety worked with our attorney, and I think Jim had started the ball rolling on this as well, to come up with this agreement that basically the property owner will agree to either remove and restore the property by a certain date. And if they don't do that, we can go in and get it taken care of and bill them. And it just eliminates having to go through the lengthy court process to be able to do that the other way. So Darren is here and can answer any questions. And then also Keith, the attorney, was involved in drawing up this agreement. So he can also answer questions.

Darren, what was the communication with the property owner prior to getting this far?

Like Melissa said, this happened back in I think February 2023. We went through all the processes trying to get it resolved. Civil citations were issued for $50 the first time, $250 the second. He paid all the citations, pretty much made it clear. Struggled this far, we're trying to be proactive with cleaning up properties. So this is our next step of actually getting in there. The owner made it pretty clear that that's why he wants to come forward and make an agreement. Pretty much saying, I understand what you want me to do, but we're not gonna do it. So let's get the ball going. The city can do it, put it on his taxes. So they wrote up the contract that reached out to companies just after the 15 days if they don't take care of the problem, which there is valuable, you know, a deck, a garage on the lot. So they'll have 15 days once they get the letter. Whatever is not completed, if we accept one of these bids that came in, we can just keep the ball rolling, we don't have to wait. Like Melissa said, the civil circuit court process slows a lot of things down and I think it's been long enough with this property to do it ourselves and fix it up.

So has the property owner signed a settlement agreement with us?

So this meeting, we're looking for approval on this contract. And if it is approved, we'll send out the letter through the attorney. Once he gets it, he'll have 15 days. And then the second part of this approval would be which contractor we'd like to go with. So he's aware of it. We're pretty confident he's gonna sign it. I'm pretty confident that 15 days, nothing's gonna happen. It's been three years that we've been working on this.

So it's basically the foundation that's left that has to be removed?

I don't think the foundation is in, it's just a hole. They left a void. There's a hole. There's a treated lumber deck. There's a fence on the south side of the alley, which appears to be in good shape and worth some money. And also there's a garage that's intact on the plot. I didn't see any foundation, so I believe the foundation was removed when the house was removed. There was plans to rebuild, and it just wasn't followed through. I'm not sure in the situation with that, but nothing's been acted on, but the foundation shouldn't be in there.

So there's three piles of sand in front of there, and so it's just basically filling up the hole with the sand that's there.

There's a couple loads of sand, but there's not gonna be enough. They're gonna need quite a bit, and through the incident report, I got a thick report, so I followed up, and with my new position, I'm still learning the property maintenance code and stuff. It is newer to me. I've learned a lot with it, but reading through this, it looks like there's many attempts at getting the loads. There's quotes of how many loads you need, tons and tons of sand that it would take it was ordered through Bickler, then we'd have to follow up because right before the day it was supposed to happen, he'd cancel it. So that's when the citation started up. So with the, if they don't fill it in, if they don't do the work within two days, they don't have exactly how much, but I'm assuming if there's two loads of sand on the lot, it's probably gonna take another six or eight would be my guess. Also, the quotes would include removing the deck and the fence from the property. So we just don't want a deck on an open lot or a fence. It's only partial on one side of it. So the quotes would be to totally clean up the whole lot, fill it with sand, three inches of topsoil, and a grass seed. So it would be a grass plot when it's completed.

Do you know if he has plans to sell it? It's a great piece of property.

Melissa, you can correct me if I'm wrong. I believe the process is We pay the company to come and clean it up. It would be a special assessment tax on property tax. If the taxes aren't paid, I believe the county takes over the property. It's sold and then we can, once it's sold, we'll get the taxes again. So I don't know what the future plans are. I think if there was plans that he was gonna build, it would have been done. So I would assume that's the route it's gonna take. It's probably gonna switch hands to the county and sold.

I'll move approval.

I'll second. Further discussion on this item. Mr. DuBois, please call the roll. Mr. Beauchamp.

Yes.

Mr. DuBois. Yes. Mr. Moore.

Yes.

Mr. Flath.

Yes.

Mayor Emel.

Yes. New business item number five, approval property cleanup and restoration. Manager.

ADMINISTRATION IS REQUESTING APPROVAL TO HIRE CLEE LOGGING AND TREE SERVICE IN THE AMOUNT OF $2,600 TO ADDRESS VIOLATION ORDINANCE VIOLATIONS RELATED TO UNFILLED BELOW GRADE CONDITIONS AND REMAINING SITE DEBRIS AT 208 SOUTH FOURTH STREET. MOVE APPROVAL.

SUPPORT.

DISCUSSION. MR. DEMEI, PLEASE CALL ROLL.

COUNSELOR MOORE.

YES.

COUNSELOR BOSHA. YES. COUNSELOR DUBOURT. YES.

COUNSELOR FALL.

YES.

MAYOR HAMMER. YES. New business item number six, approval property and liability insurance renewal manager.

Our administration is requesting council approval of the property and liability insurance policy with the Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority for July 1st, 2026 through June 30th, 2027. This is the annual request that I come with. The numbers this year, basically, it's an 8.9% increase. Most of that increase is related to public safety activities, which we've seen kind of a somewhat steady increase But we did add the drone, which added to the policy. The other portion of the increase is in the fleet coverage. Part of that is just getting newer pieces of equipment, and we've added to the fleet as well. So in terms of the net asset distribution, that rebate that we get every year, I don't have that number yet that hasn't been provided. They do expect it to be more than what it was last year. So once I have that number, I can certainly share it with everybody.

Motion to approve the property and liability insurance renewal. Support. Discussion? Mr. Domeni, please call the roll. Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. Yes. New business item number seven, approval special event application Helx Picnic Manager.

Escanaba Elks Lodge 354, located at 510 Ludington Street, is requesting council to approve the closure of Ludington Street from 5th Street to 6th Street for the Elks Picnic event on Saturday, August 1st, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

So moved, support.

Support.

Discussion. The only thing I saw in their application is to clarify, they didn't say that they were selling alcohol. They didn't check that box. I'm assuming that's the question is out in the closed road they would do that or I didn't see that box checked. So I was just double checking.

I can follow up. I mean, I assume they can sell it inside, but not outside.

Yeah, that's what I was clarifying, because I know they're a social district as well. So that's why I was just clarifying that.

Yeah, being that it's not checked, I'm assuming it's not being sold outside.

Perfect. That was the only question I had. Further discussion?

All in favor? Aye. Thank you. New business item number eight, approval of municipal dock bathroom, public works.

Administration is requesting Council approval to hire Cross General Contracting to proceed with construction and completion of the municipal dock restroom facility in the amount of $371,555. Cross Construction or Contracting has already completed the design engineering portion, so we're at this point just looking to approve the actual construction of the facility itself.

Concern or thought, this is a large amount of funds. Right now, this year alone, the only event tied to the municipal doc this year is the Labor Day event. My thought or opinion would be to postpone this project to delay the cost and look at the investment of Stenberg's for events that take place at the municipal. This is a large investment. FROM WHAT I'VE SEEN IN OUR BUDGET AND RAISING, YOU KNOW, JUST OTHER COSTS THAT WE SEE, MY RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE MOTION TO POSTPONE THIS PROJECT.

THIS IS GRANT-FUNDED. CORRECT. IT'S GRANT-FUNDED.

YEAH, THIS IS PART OF THE WRAP 2.0 GRANT FOR ALL OF THE STREETSCAPE AND THAT RESTROOM. SO THERE IS $165,000 IN GRANT FUNDING TO COVER A PORTION OF THIS. AND WE DO HAVE THIS IN THE BUDGET CURRENTLY.

And if we wait, it's going to cost us more.

This was budgeted?

Yes.

That helps. That does help.

My thought is this was, you know, discussed when Mr. Lampe informed us that the pump station needed to be reworked. And at that time, they had plans to demo the bathroom and build a new one. So it's been in the works for quite a few years.

I will say in terms of the budget, I don't think that I have enough in there to cover the full amount now that we have the actual quote, but there is a budgeted amount in there. This likely will be over that.

I'll resend my motion. I did.

I'll make a motion to approve in that case.

Okay, further discussion on this side. Mr. Dume, please call roll. Councilor Boshoff. Yes. Councilor Falk. Yes. Councilor Moore. Yes. Councilor Dubord.

Yes. Mayor Em. Yes. New business item number nine, approval pavement marking services, public works.

Administration is requesting to hire PK Contracting to complete street striping services in an amount not to exceed $17,500. Kent is here to answer any questions if you have any. They have done this work for the city for many years, and we've never had any issues with them. So if you have any other questions, they can be directed to Kent.

Motion to approve in the amount of $17,500.

Support.

Discussion?

Mr. May. I just have one question. Just for Kent, just to know. So what separates what that company does from what Shane does?

So they got more equipment and more people that do this for a living. And this is basically covering the high traffic areas like 30th Street, Stevenson Avenue. THIRD AVENUE NORTH AND ANYTHING THAT'S A LONG STRIPE, LIKE SHORT DRIVE, THEY COME THROUGH AND DO THAT IN ONE PASS, WHERE SHANE'S DOING PARKING STALLS AND SYMBOLS AND SCHOOL SYMBOLS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. AND THERE WAS CONTRACTS WITH OTHER COMPANIES IN THE PAST THAT THE COUNTY HAD AND THAT GLADSTONE HAD AND THAT WE HAD THAT WERE THREE-YEAR CONTRACTS AT A TIME. And all of us have kind of decided to part ways to go year by year basis. And then we can kind of see what kind of work's being done. And then, you know, how the scheduling is going. Because the issue we had the last couple of years is the quality of paint they're using and the schedule of them working with us when timeline would work. And the other biggest thing with this is I debated on even going forward with this amount because of the overlay that's coming on 30th and Danforth. But I think the closer it gets, it sounds like MDOT's more than likely gonna do that overlay next spring. So to me, it's justifiable to get this done this year and through the winter. Once they do the overlay, then we'll have to get it re-striped next year.

Thank you.

Thank you.

Further discussion on this item? Mr. Dominguez, please call the roll. Yes.

Business item number 10, approval of purchase of vacant lots on Ludington Street. Assessor.

Administration requests City Council approval to purchase 1007 and 1009 Ludington Street in the amount of $10,000 per parcel for future development site. We already own 1011 Ludington Street, so these are the three lots that had the big structure fire. I don't know that we have any firm plans on what to do with these lots. I know that Craig will be working with our zoning administrator, and I think with Crystal, and they'll be brainstorming to come up with some ideas to bring forward at a later date.

I just want to say that this would be a great opportunity for the city to have three lots in a row in a downtown district. It would be really great to do something with that. The $10,000 per parcel is fair. We paid $8,148 for the right of first refusal for the $1,000 for 1011 Ludington. assemblage you know the value for assemblage wise once we combine it um i figured out would be almost 95 000 so it'd be worth a lot so move approval all right which one he's going to support don't matter i got karen for a second all right thank you so much further discussion on this item i just think this is a wonderful opportunity

Downtown lots are notoriously hard to fill. You know empty lots and there are quite a few downtown that have not. Even have no activity, so having three lots in a row lease gives an opportunity for some building site or apartments or more retail. So I think it's it's a great idea.

Further discussion this side. Mr. Dume, please call roll. Council Member Flah? Yes. Council Member Moore? Yes. Council Member Beauchamp? Yes. Council Member Dubourg? Yes. Mayor Hamill? Yes.

Moving on to appointments. We had an application sent, no? There's no vacancy there, yet. Okay, thank you, just double checking. We have no one to appoint yet, but we do have opportunities to serve your community with one vacancy on the Housing Commission and two alternate vacancies on the Zoning Board of Appeals. Board of Commission Committee reports. I have none right now.

Top of the month.

Excellent reports. This time we'll hear general public comment. If you wish to make comment, please approach the podium, state your name and place of residence.

Greg Warple, Escanaba DDA. I just want to assure everybody that our downtown is open for business. I realize that can be difficult at times, but I assure you that it is worth the walk. Our small businesses need our continued support. And our activities are also continuing throughout the downtown. Farmer's Market got underway for a new season. We've been holding Farmer's Markets in Escanaba for well over 100 years. from three to six on Wednesday, nine to 12 on Saturday. It was a great turnout yesterday. I highly recommend the bee sting cake. It had a German name and even though I'm German, I'm not gonna try to pronounce it. And then next Wednesday, we also have lunch on Ludington, our first one. Bill Lark is kicking things off for a nine week music series, 1130 to 130. Youth and Art will also continue later this month, which we work with the Boniface Arts Center on that. It's gotten as many as 70 kids for this free program. Pop-up Market is returning again this year on a Thursday night. It'll be from four till eight p.m. We're hoping that businesses within the downtown will also participate along with vendors in helping to sell their wares from four to eight. Our second Friday night jams are also continuing this year. Pit Stop is our first one next Friday from seven till nine. Make Music Escanaba is coming up at the end of the month. I have 30 harmonicas that were sent to me. We are having a harmonica band. Hopefully you can all make that. And then the Escanaba Log Jam Music Festival in our different location because of construction, that will be on June 27th. So we are kicking things off and ready to go.

For the public comment at this time. Announcements.

Enhanced Escanaba is still in our MEDC fundraising period. We have about four weeks left. The grant money comes from the MEDC. It's kind of facilitated by Patronicity, which is a GoFundMe type organization. We're over halfway there. We have to raise $75,000. That'll be matched by $75,000, and so we're doing pretty good. So I just wanted to encourage everybody. It's patronicity.com slash ice rink, or go to our website, enhanceescanaba.org, or our Facebook page.

Other announcements? Happy summer finally warmed up. Seeking motion to adjourn. So moved. Second.