Manistee County

The meeting included the introduction of the Planning Department's new Clerical Assistant. Unfinished business covered updates from the Planning Director regarding budget status, ongoing interviews for an open planner position, and progress on Land Bank Authority projects, noting over $3 million received through the Blight Elimination Program. The Planner 1 provided updates on coordination with the new building inspector and ongoing zoning compliance issues, including a food truck expansion requiring site plan review. The Commission also reviewed attendance at various external meetings and trainings by members. New business involved the approval of the staff review memo for the City of Manistee's Master Plan and the approval of the staff report for the Kaleva Village and Maple Grove Township Joint Zoning Ordinance Review. The Commission also directed staff to investigate costs and recipient interest for printing hard copies of the County Master Plan.

The Public Safety Committee meeting agenda covered review and presentation of monthly statistics for various public safety entities. Key discussion points included Sheriff's Office monthly statistics (including patrol, complaint, and report writing hours), Jail Administrator statistics, City of Manistee Public Safety reports (Police and Fire Statistics), and 911/Central Dispatch monthly statistics. The agenda also scheduled discussions or reports related to Emergency Management, Mobile Medical Response (MMR), Munson Medical Center, State Police, United States Coast Guard, Tribal Police, DNR, and the US Forest Service.

The special meeting agenda primarily focuses on reviewing information and making a decision regarding the path forward for the BEP Grant associated with the property located at 7780 Lake Street in Bear Lake. Financial details of the grant are provided, including the total budgeted amount of $231,000 plus a potential Village contribution of $15,000, and comparisons between the original and revised engineer's estimates for construction costs. Key considerations discussed include the mandatory completion date of 9/1/26, the Village of Bear Lake's vote to proceed with rehabilitation or withdraw, and the implication that withdrawn funds would revert to ARPA funds held by the Land Bank.

The agenda for the Ways & Means Committee meeting included a Call to Order, Public Comment, review of the Finance Report, consideration of a Proposal to Provide OPEB Actuarial Services, discussion regarding Mobile Medical Response and County Property, and review and consideration of recommending payment for various FY 2025/2026 invoices. Specifically noted was the payment of unused accumulated PTO to a retired employee from the Treasurer's Office. The meeting concluded with Other Items from Committee Members and Adjournment. The document also provided a detailed summary of fund activities and financial transactions occurring between January 1, 2026, and January 31, 2026.

The meeting included the approval of the meeting agenda and the consent agenda items, which covered minutes from previous meetings and monthly appropriations/fund transfers. Recognition was given for the retirement of Candy Dancz from the Treasurer's Office after 23 years of service. Committee minutes were reviewed and approved, specifically from the Policy/Personnel Committee (January 9, 2026) and the Ways & Means Committee (January 7, 2026). The Finance Report, including claims and payroll totaling $2,405,923.73, was approved. Key actions included the approval of a 3-year contract renewal with Cott Systems for the Register of Deeds Hosted Online Index Books and approval of the Karhu Cyber proposal for IT Managed Services ($140,160). Appointments were made to the Manistee County Fair Board (Tobia Purple appointed, last open seat changed to At Large), the Tax Allocation Board (Burt Parks appointed), and the Materials Management Planning Committee (Michael Bush appointed). A resolution was passed to apply for State financial assistance for Fiscal Year 2027 for Manistee County Transportation, Inc. Finally, edits to the Rules of Order and Procedure were approved.