January 8, 2026 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, Ronald Zahorik, Howard Fredrickson, Brian White, and David Solander.  Council member Martha Haight was excused.  Also present were Leon Felch, City Assessor, Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, and Karma Tessmer, City Clerk.

Eric Fiegen was present for public participation.  He purchased the former Gambles building and had questions on zoning and community needs.

            Deputy Aaron Ihander provided the Menominee County Sheriff’s Report.  Winter parking ban citations are being issued.  He left Council chambers at 6:10 PM. 

            City Assessor Felch provided the Assessor Report.  Board of Review training will be held February 4^th.  Letters have been sent to members.

             There was no Building Inspector/Code Official report.

             Motion made by Council member Zahorik to adopt the agenda as presented.  Council member Parrett seconded.  Motion carried.

             Motion made by Council member Zahorik to approve the minutes of the December 4, 2025 regular meeting.  Council member Fredrickson seconded.  Motion carried. 

            A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec.  He reported a water main break by the car wash was repaired.  Truck 31 was taken for repairs.  The last power outage was due to a WPS issue.

            Motion made by Council member Parrett to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $136,746.63 for checks #27318 through #27381 and EFTs 298 (E) – 299 (E), and 1348 (E) – 1356 (E)).  Council member White seconded.  Motion carried.

A+ COMMUNICATIONS	150.00		MENOMINEE COUNTY JOURNAL	56.00
AL MACCO	123.70		MENOMINEE COUNTY ROAD COMM.	737.04
ANIXTER INC	847.22		MICH PUBLIC POWER AGENCY	437.04
BIG O’S LUBE & SERVICE	1,070.80		MICHIGAN ASSN. OF MUN. CLERKS	100.00
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD OF MICHIGAN	5,143.79		MICHIGAN MUNICIPAL LEAGUE	300.00
CARLSON ASPHALT	2,595.00		MISCAUNO TAX ASSESSING LLC	638.75
CLOVERLAND DISTRIBUTING LLC	166.88		MML WORKERS COMP FUND	1,282.00
CORE & MAIN	456.44		MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES RETIREMENT SYSTEM	3,311.00
CUPPAD	167.00		NICOLET NATIONAL BANK	478.82
DELTA DISPOSAL	215.00		NU-WAY CLEANERS	71.10
DOMBROWSKI TREE SERVICE	3,350.00		PAIDL’S DO IT BEST HARDWARE	246.52
DTE ENERGY	1,091.31		PLUTCHAK FAB, L.L.C.	1,285.90
EMPLIFY HEALTH	153.00		POSTMASTER	664.50
FSO MANAGEMENT LLC	13,840.00		SOLANDER ELECTRIC	450.00
HALRON LUBRICANTS	539.08		STATE OF MICHIGAN	830.76
HAVELKA CONSTRUCTION	1,050.00		STEPHENSON MARKETING CO-OP	412.82
ITRON, INC.	3,411.54		STEVE SCHMIDT	40.00
JF AHERN CO	1,413.51		THE PRINT SHOP	51.00
JOHN FABICK TRACTOR CO.	456.21		THE STANDARD INSURANCE COMPANY	9.44
JORDAN BELEC	40.00		USA BLUE BOOK	1,017.50
KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS	158.02		VSP	399.44
KRIST OIL COMPANY	381.20		WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE	46,638.38
LARA MI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION	640.00		WM CORPORATE SERVICES, INC.	188.52
LAWSON PRODUCTS INC	95.69		PAYROLL AND TAXES	19,544.71
MENOMINEE COUNTY	20,000.00

Updates on the Rural Development projects were provided by Bill Marklein of UPEA.  Wastewater and water system improvements, elevated water storage tank improvements, and wastewater treatment facility improvements bids will be due January 21^st for opening at City Hall.

            The 40101D Grant application remains pending. 

The City is waiting for attorney review regarding the re-zoning of the Industrial Park property.  Brad Younk met with UPEA on the potential recycling center.  He would like to retain them for planning.  The City attorney advised there is no conflict of interest in doing so and our interests as far as infrastructure remain the priority of the project.

Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to approve the Meetings and Rules Procedures.  Council member Zahorik seconded.  Motion carried.

There were no items for discussion.  

Committee reports were given as follows:

             Fire:  Assistant Chief White reported 5 runs in December and a total of 59 for the year.  They are working on another FEMA grant.  A possible buyer is interested in Engine 3.  The department will be taking over the City July 4^th planning.  Nine new students are taking classes.

             Streets:  Plowing and sanding continue.

            Parks:  The ice rink installation remains pending due to the weather.

             Utility:  Council member Parrett would like to look at replacing a water line on Riverside.  It needed repairs again and has numerous patches.  The WWTP needs a new transfer switch for the generator.  The Utility Committee will meet to discuss.

             Personnel:  No report given.

             Finance:  The Budget Committee will meet to review mid-year financial status.

             Insurance:  No report given.

             Zoning:  No report given.

             Technology:  No report given.

             Industrial Park:  No report given.

            Correspondence from the Department of Treasury was read.  The State Tax Commission recognized the City for receiving a perfect score on the 2025 PA 660 Assessment Audit Review.

             Comments were received.

             Council member Solander moved for adjournment at 6:41 PM. 

             The next regular City council meeting will be held on February 6, 2026.

Respectfully Submitted,  

Karma Tessmer, City Clerk