July 2, 2025 Regular Council Meeting

Mayor John Starzynski called the regular meeting of the Stephenson City Council to order at 6:00 PM. Present were Council members Dale Parrett, David Solander, Ronald Zahorik, Howard Fredrickson, and Brian White (excused 6:19 PM to 6:30 PM to attend Fire Department meeting). Council member Martha Haight was excused. Also present were Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, Leon Felch, City Assessor, and Karma Tessmer, City Clerk.
There was no public participation.
Deputy Aaron Ihander provided the Menominee County Sheriff’s Report. Jen Bastien was also present on behalf of the Sheriff’s Department. Both left Council chambers at 6:04 PM.
City Assessor Felch provided the Assessor Report. Summer tax bills have been sent. He reviewed the State Tax Commission Audit which the City is in compliance with. Corrected L-4029 forms will be submitted per County Equalization.
There was no Building Inspector/Code Official report.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to adopt the agenda as presented. Council member White seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to approve the minutes of the June 5, 2025 regular meeting. Council member White seconded. Motion carried.
A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec. Routine maintenance continues in the parks. Two underground electrical services were installed. EGLE was at the WWTP for a follow up which will be discussed separately under new business.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $105,737.40 for checks #26967 through #27026 and EFTs 280 (E) – 283 (E), and 1295 (E) – 1302 (E)). Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
ADAM FILIBECK
50.00
MENOMINEE COUNTY JOURNAL
248.00
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS
162.74
MENOMINEE INDUSTRIAL
121.92
ASTREA
99.95
MICH PUBLIC POWER AGENCY
211.08
BRYAN STRAHL
50.00
MISCAUNO TAX ASSESSING LLC
638.75
CARLSON ASPHALT
8,985.00
MML WORKERS COMP FUND
641.00
CELLCOM UP MI PCS
160.71
NICOLET NATIONAL BANK
96.33
CHARLIE SCOGGINS
300.00
NORTH CENTRAL LABORATORIES
687.81
CLOVERLAND DISTRIBUTING LLC
106.87
NU-WAY CLEANERS
35.55
DAVE EBSCH
150.00
PAIDL’S DO IT BEST HARDWARE
456.67
DELTA DISPOSAL
180.00
POLLY’S PLANTS & FLORAL
70.00
DON MACHALK JR LANDSCAPE SUP
2,500.00
POSTMASTER
252.00
DTE ENERGY
286.66
SAULT STE. MARIE BRIDGE CO.
450.00
ELLY RIVARD
50.00
STATE OF MICHIGAN
5,789.71
HANNULA AGENCY
1,033.38
STEPHENSON MARKETING CO-OP
718.02
JEFFREY STRONG
2,500.00
STEVE SCHMIDT
40.00
JEN BASTIEN
36.05
THE PRINT SHOP
53.00
JOHN WILLS
150.00
UPPER MI ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.
966.97
JORDAN BELEC
340.00
USA BLUE BOOK
137.43
KARMA TESSMER
30.10
WAUSAU CHEMICALS
1,810.22
KRIST OIL COMPANY
358.71
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE
46,243.75
MACQUEEN EQUIPMENT
3,283.96
WM CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
236.70
MELISSA REVALL
50.00
PAYROLL AND TAXES
24,968.36
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS
504.00
MENZA & ZAK HEATING COOLING
900.00
AIRGAS USA, LLC
38.40
MICH PUBLIC POWER AGENCY
106.29
ANDY’S ACE HARDWARE
251.98
MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE
835.00
ANDY’S ACTION BUSINESS SOLUTIONS
49.99
MISCAUNO TAX ASSESSING LLC
680.17
ANIXTER INC
9,571.66
NORTH CENTRAL LABORATORIES
229.92
ASTREA
99.95
NU-WAY CLEANERS
35.55
ATT: MIRECS
65.51
PAIDL’S DO IT BEST HARDWARE
1,901.18
CELLCOM UP MI PCS
160.71
PAYROLL/TAXES
32,893.80
CLOVERLAND DISTRIBUTING LLC
150.65
PETTY CASH/JODY MONETTE
127.42
DELTA DISPOSAL
90.00
PLUTCHAK FAB, L.L.C.
823.14
DTE ENERGY
656.93
POSTMASTER
471.00
GINA SAROW
138.25
POWER SYSTEM ENGINEERING
2,356.00
GRAINGER
28.92
PRECISION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC
3,948.77
GRAND TRUNK WESTERN
1,391.00
ROXANNE LEIPHART
65.29
GRAYBAR ELECTRIC CO.
460.81
SARA JOHNSON
50.00
HALRON LUBRICANTS
227.82
STEPHENSON MARKETING CO-OP
304.91
JEN BASTIEN
36.05
STEVE SCHMIDT
40.00
JOHNSON & RENNIE, LLC
42.00
SUPERIOR CHEMICAL LLC
155.48
JORDAN BELEC
259.81
TONY’S GREEN THUMB
365.35
KLEIMAN PUMP & WELL DRILLING
28,648.65
UPPER MI ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.
966.97
KRIST OIL COMPANY
78.84
VETERANS MEMORIAL DAY FUND
350.00
MENOMINEE COUNTY
572.00
VILLAGE OF DAGGETT
312.00
MENOMINEE COUNTY JOURNAL
973.00
WAUSAU CHEMICALS
550.22
MENOMINEE COUNTY ROAD COMM.
2,087.37
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE
44,773.04
MENOMINEE INDUSTRIAL
207.89
WM CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.
237.11
Josh Harju of UPEA provided updates, via email, on the Rural Development and Water Softening projects and the Category B application for Homestead Street. All projects remain pending.
Council member Parrett updated Council on the Fourth of July Celebration. Plans are in place. He stated that he will not be organizing the celebration in 2027.
The 40101D grant application remains pending.
The application for the Congressionally Directed Spending Request was unsuccessful.
The Menominee County Road Commission will be performing chip sealing in the City. The project is scheduled to start mid to late July.
Council was approached by the Stephenson Non-Profit Housing Corporation regarding cost-sharing a repair to a driveway by their building. The repair would extend into the street a few feet. Council consensus was not to share in the costs. Council member White was not present for this discussion and would have removed himself from any decision as he is employed by the Housing.
A Committee of the Whole meeting was held on June 13, 2025 regarding Brad Younk’s interest in purchasing Industrial Park property for a recycling center. He submitted a letter of intent. No purchase agreement has been initiated. The per acre price will be $1,500.00. The acreage amount has not been determined. Utility installation needs to be determined and the property needs to be surveyed. Motion made by Council member Solander to accept Lenca Surveying LLC quote in the amount of $2,500.00 for surveying the Industrial Park. Council member Zahorik seconded. Motion carried.
The City received a violation notice from EGLE regarding the WWTP. Several concerns were expressed. Previous inspections had not indicated issues but now some things are non-compliant. Supervisor Belec has been working with EGLE in order to meet their recommendations. Some new equipment has been installed, repairs have been made, and other items are being addressed. UPEA will be making a trip down mid-month to review and assist in developing a plan and estimated costs moving forward. Some of the issues stem from the age of the plant as well as the age of the equipment. Their recommendations may affect the current project regarding the water softening system and chemical discharge.
There were no items for discussion.
Committee reports were given as follows:
Fire: Assistant Chief Brian White reported that four calls were responded to. Trucks have been inspected and serviced.
Streets: Street Administrator Parrett would like to start filling potholes after the July 4th holiday.
Parks: Portable bathrooms have been placed at Erickson Park for the summer due to increased use of the park.
Utility: A Memorandum of Understanding has been received from the Michigan Community Action Agency Association for administration of PA 295 (Energy Waste Reduction program). Customers are currently not financially responsible for the cost of this program. Determination has been made by the State on the LIEAF (Low Income Energy Assistance Fund) program. Beginning in September, each customer will be charged a surcharge of $1.25 per month if they
have City electric services. Funds will be sent to the State for low-income assistance. Neither of these programs are optional.
Personnel: No report given.
Finance: No report given.
Insurance: No report given.
Zoning: One fence permit was issued in June.
Technology: No report given.
Industrial Park: No report given.
There was no correspondence.
Comments were received.
Council member White moved for adjournment at 6:55 PM.
The next regular City council meeting will be held on August 7, 2025.

Respectfully Submitted,

Karma Tessmer, City Clerk