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April 2, 2026 Public Hearing/Regular Council Meeting

Mayor John Starzynski called the Public Hearing to order at 5:00 PM.  Comments were received regarding the zoning of the area known as the Industrial Park.  All Council members were present and several residents attended.  Comments were received from David Granskog, Carol Johnson, Mike Pollard, Mike Nuttall, Brad Younk, Debbie Motto, Donna Corey, Scott Carhoun, and Justin Hoogeweg.  Concerns include general location and visibility of property, wetland protection, revenue and costs, property assessment impacts, entrance and traffic issues, utility and infrastructure strains, and possible uses for the property.  Council member White moved to close the hearing at 6:00 PM.  Council member Zahorik seconded.  Motion carried.

Mayor John Starzynski called the regular meeting of the Stephenson City Council to order at 6:01 PM.  Present were Council members Dale Parrett, Ronald Zahorik, Howard Fredrickson, Martha Haight, Brian White and David Solander.  Also present were Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, Karma Tessmer, City Clerk, and Bill Marklein, UPEA.

There was no public participation.

            There was no Menominee County Sheriff’s Office report.

            There was no City Assessor report.

             There was no Building Inspector/Code Official report.

             Motion made by Council member White to adopt the agenda as presented.  Council member Haight seconded.  Motion carried.

             Motion made by Council member White to approve the minutes of the March 5, 2026 regular meeting and March 12, 2026 special meeting.  Council member Zahorik seconded.  Motion carried. 

            A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec.  General maintenance continues as needed.  Water main break on Bluff Street repaired.  Unit 16 repaired.  Blizzard clean up continued with snow removal.  Havelka Construction and DDT Construction were contracted to remove snow from downtown area.

            Motion made by Council member Haight to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $112,871.67 for checks #27504 through #27567 and EFTs 306 (E) – 309 (E), and 1374 (E) – 1383 (E)).  Council member Fredrickson seconded.  Motion carried.

CELLCOM UP MI PCS160.83PAIDL’S DO IT BEST HARDWARE415.47
STATE OF MICHIGAN3232.38PERRY BEAUDOIN232.50
MICH PUBLIC POWER AGENCY215.46HARLAN ANDERSON232.50
STATE OF MICHIGAN2917.71MENOMINEE INDUSTRIAL170.17
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS28.60MENZA & ZAK HEATING COOLING120.00
ANIXTER INC135.25PRECISION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC2353.05
CLOVERLAND DISTRIBUTING LLC87.11CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS100.00
DELTA DISPOSAL226.83STEPHENSON MARKETING CO-OP654.14
EFFICIENCY UNITED2350.58TIM CHANEY232.50
JORDAN BELEC40.00ADVANCE AUTO PARTS89.18
LARA MI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION640.00AL MACCO420.58
MENARDS90.98DTE ENERGY1357.35
MENOMINEE INDUSTRIAL365.50HALRON LUBRICANTS443.50
MISCAUNO TAX ASSESSING LLC638.75JOHN FABICK TRACTOR CO.3747.88
NORTH CENTRAL LABORATORIES237.94KRIST OIL COMPANY370.96
STEVE SCHMIDT40.00NU-WAY CLEANERS35.55
ANIXTER INC652.09PLUTCHAK FAB, L.L.C.211.70
PEGGY JENKINS200.00RIESTERER & SCHNELL, INC.870.39
MENARDS41.22UTILITY SALES & SERVICE1803.08
MENOMINEE COUNTY JOURNAL164.50POSTMASTER274.50
MONETTE, JODY68.89ANIXTER INC141.09
NICOLET NATIONAL BANK561.86HAVELKA CONSTRUCTION1050.00
NORTHGATE EQUIPMENT & SALES239.69INTERSTATE POWER SYSTEMS1752.02
RYAN & LYNCH LAW4139.00POSTMASTER390.00
UPPER MI ENERGY RESOURCES CORP.966.97KLEIKAMP, HENRY82.67
U.P.S.E.T200.00WAUSAU CHEMICALS780.33
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE48665.40PAYROLL AND TAXES27233.02

Updates on the Rural Development projects were provided by Bill Marklein of UPEA.  Updates were given on all three contracts with a loan closing date of approximately mid-May pending the annual audit.

            Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to adopt Resolution #26-04 Sewer Revenue Bonding.  Council member White seconded.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

            Motion made by Council member Haight to adopt Resolution #26-05 Water Revenue Bonding.  Council member Zahorik seconded.  Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.

            Mr. Marklein left Council chambers at 6:13 PM.

The 40101D Grant application remains pending. 

An update was given on the possible addition of a recycling center in the Industrial Park area.  Per attorney opinion, the City cannot rezone the property without a Planning Commission.

Two grant applications have been submitted for Congressionally Directed Spending.  Projects would include work not covered under the USDA RD loans.

Motion made by Council member Zahorik to approve the Treasurer’s Report for 2025 Property Tax Settlement.  Council member Haight seconded.  Motion carried.

Motion made by Council member Zahorik to table rezoning of the area known as the Industrial Park.  Council member Fredrickson seconded.  Motion carried.

Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to accept 2026/2027 Utility Rates as presented.  Council member Haight seconded.  Motion carried.

Motion made by Council member Zahorik accept 2026/2027 Wage Rates as presented.  Council member White seconded.  Motion carried. 

Mayor Starzynski discussed the water main break on Bluff Street.  The City may not be responsible for private damage caused by water and/or sewer line breaks if no negligence occurs per attorney review.

            Committee reports were given as follows:

             Fire:  Assistant Chief Brian White informed Council the department had four calls in March.  They are assisting Daggett FD due to low numbers on the Daggett squad.  Six members remained at the Fire Hall during the March blizzard in order to keep building entrances open and to be on-site in case of calls.

             Streets:  Council member Parrett would like to review City streets for repairs and stock patching material on-site.

            Parks:  No report given.

             Utility:  The Utility Committee met on March 19, 2026.  Utility rates, EWR, and tree trimming were discussed.  Funds for converting City street light to LED as part of our EWR program will be added to the 2026/2027 budget. 

             Personnel:  The Personnel Committee met on March 19, 2026.  Wage rates and seasonal help were discussed.

Finance:  No report given.

             Insurance:  No report given.

             Zoning:  No report given.

             Technology:  Non-supported computers (2) will be replaced.

             Industrial Park:  No report given.

            Budget:  The Budget Committee met on March 12, 2026.  Preliminary figures were discussed.  Another meeting will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at 8:00 AM.

            There was no correspondence.

             Comments were received.

             Council member White moved for adjournment at 7:08 PM. 

             The next regular City council meeting will be held on May 7, 2026.  A Budget Hearing will be held at 5:45 PM.

Respectfully Submitted,  

Karma Tessmer, City Clerk