September 4, 2025 Public Hearing/Regular Council Meeting
Mayor John Starzynski called the public hearing for Ordinance 151 comments to order at 5:45 PM. Present were council members Martha Haight, Dale Parrett, David Solander, Howard Fredrickson, Ron Zahorik, and Brian White (arrived at 5:58 PM). Also present was City Clerk Karma Tessmer. There was no public participation.
Ordinance 151 was reviewed.
Council member Zahorik moved to close the public hearing. Council member White seconded. Motion carried.
The public hearing ended at 6:00 PM.
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, Martha Haight, and Brian White. Also present were Leon Felch, City Assessor, and Karma Tessmer, City Clerk.
There was no public participation.
Deputy Aaron Ihander provided the Menominee County Sheriff’s Report. He left Council chambers at 6:06 PM.
City Assessor Felch provided the Assessor Report.
There was no Building Inspector/Code Official report.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to adopt the agenda as presented. Council member Zahorik seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to approve the minutes of the August 7, 2025 regular meeting. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
A report regarding the Department of Public Works was provided by Supervisor Jordan Belec and presented by Mayor Starzynski. Bucket truck inspections are done. John Deere mower repaired. Routine maintenance continues in parks and on streets. Sludge samples sent to the State. A cracked sludge pipe at the WWTP has been repaired. Fall pick up will begin October 1st and run through November 1st.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $110,629.95 for checks #27104 through #27157 and EFTs 287 (E) – 289 (E), and 1312 (E) – 1319 (E)). Council member Haight seconded. Motion carried.
One bid was received for the water tower project. TMI Coatings proposal was in the amount of $933,000.00. The bid will be rejected on the engineer’s recommendation and the project will be re-bid. No bids were received for the water/waste water improvements. They will be re-bid as well. The Water Softening project is pending with EGLE. No update on the Category B application for Homestead Street.
The 40101D Grant application is pending with the Department of Energy.
The Menominee County Road Commission will be finishing the chip sealing project later this month. Lines are to be painted by the end of September. The City may wait until next year to paint the parking spaces after the plows are off the roads.
Motion made by Council member Solander to accept Lenca Surveying LLC survey of the Industrial Park as drafted and to offer 20.104 acres (Lot 1) for sale to Brad Younk DBA Country Mile Document Destruction. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
The Department of Public Works continues to work with EGLE in order to remedy issues at the WWTP. All requested paperwork has been submitted. The scum trough still needs repair.
Motion made by Council member Haight to adopt Ordinance 151. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried by a roll call vote.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to accept the Zoning Board of Appeals appointments as presented by the Mayor. Council member Solander seconded. Motion carried. A full list of board and committee members can be seen at City Hall.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to accept the Compensation Committee appointments as presented by the Mayor. Council member White seconded. Motion carried. A full list of board and committee members can be seen at City Hall.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to accept Phillippo Insurance proposal for Property and Liability insurance in the amount of $28,190.00 (opting out of terrorism coverage) for the term October 2025 through September 2026. Council member Haight seconded. Motion carried.
Council consensus was to set City Trick or Treat hours on October 31st from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to support the 2026 Library in Bloom event. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to send a letter of support to the Menominee Business Development Corporation and the Rural Readiness Grant request. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member White to purchase a new AED unit for the line truck. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried. The current AED is no longer supported. The cost to replace is $2,700.00.
Committee reports were given as follows:
Fire: Two calls were responded to. The FD will be taking over the City side of the July 4th celebrations.
Streets: No report given.
Parks: Pavilion lighting options and ball field maintenance were discussed for next year.
Utility: Line truck repair estimates total $5,225.00 for units 16 and 31. A replacement still for the WWTP will be ordered at a cost of $6,000.00. The AT&T pole attachment agreement should be complete next month.
Personnel: No report given.
Finance: No report given.
Insurance: No report given.
Zoning: Four building permits were issued for the month. Industrial Park zoning will be reviewed.
Technology: Parking lot security cameras have been installed at City Hall/DPW building. Astrea internet will be changing to Spectrum next month.
Industrial Park: No report given.
There was no correspondence.
Comments were received
Council member White moved for adjournment at 7:10 PM.
The next regular City council meeting will be held on October 2, 2025.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karma Tessmer, City Clerk