June 5, 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, Martha Haight (arrived 6:05 PM), Ronald Zahorik, Howard Fredrickson, and Brian White. Also present were Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, Leon Felch, City Assessor, and Karma Tessmer, City Clerk.
Connie Westrich was present for public participation. As she represents the City under District 6 on the County Board, she would like to see the City support an Economic Development Committee. The City will consider this in an effort to encourage and support business growth within the City.
Deputy Aaron Ihander provided the Menominee County Sheriff’s Report. He left Council chambers at 6:04 PM.
City Assessor Felch provided the Assessor Report. He will have summer tax files ready soon for processing.
There was no Building Inspector/Code Official report.
Motion made by Council member Haight to adopt the agenda as presented. Council member White seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Solander to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2025 regular meeting. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec. Well number 2 repairs, valve turning, and line flushing are complete. The parks are all open. Some street patching has been done. EGLE inspected the WWTP. Letters will be forthcoming with recommendations on any issues.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $140,270.80 for checks #26891 through #26966 and EFTs 278 (E) – 279 (E), and 1283 (E) – 1294 (E)). Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
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. No update on the Rural Development or Water Softening projects at this time. The Category B application to MDOT TEDF has been submitted.
Council member Parrett updated Council on the Fourth of July Celebration. Plans are nearly complete. Flyers are being distributed.
The 40101D grant application remains pending.
The application for the Congressionally Directed Spending Request remains pending.
The Menominee County Road Commission will be performing chip sealing in the City. The project is scheduled to start mid-July. The State funded portion of $50,000.00 has been received by the City.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to opt in to the PA229 EWR program with State administration through CLEAResults. Council member Haight seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to accept the Mid County Rescue Squad agreement for 2025/2026 in the mount of $6,942.00. Council member Haight seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to approve the Fiscal Year 2023/2024 Audit. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried. No budget amendments were needed for the 2024/2025 Fiscal Year budget.
Brad Younk of Country Mile Document Destruction was present for discussion on the prospect of operating a recycling facility in the City Industrial Park. The State will be requiring two drop off sites in the County over the next few years. He presented his plan and requirements such as water, sewer, and electric were discussed. He would like to obtain at least half of the 26 acres in the park. He has purchased the equipment and is working with an engineer on plans and specs. He will supply a letter of intent to the City for review before the City moves forward with any decisions on surveying, etc.
Committee reports were given as follows:
Fire: Chief Rick Bastien reported that six calls were responded to in May. The Department will be offering fire extinguisher training at the Fire Hall on June 14th. Details will be posted on the Department Facebook page. In support of their fundraising, Council consensus agreed to forgo charging the Department for pool filling water. The Department will be running the beer booth on July 4th as a fundraiser. He left Council chambers at 7:06 PM.
Streets: The Stephenson Non-Profit Housing Corporation would like the City to cost share on blacktop repair to the end of their parking lot where it meets the City street. The City will consider the request after reviewing the area.
Parks: Motion made by Council member Zahorik to replace Erickson Park playground mulch with the lowest bidder after attaining pricing. Council member Haight seconded. Motion carried. The estimated cost is approximately $2,500.00. Mosquito spraying will be done this week by Travis Anderson.
Utility: Motion made by Council member Parrett to increase the bulk water price to $5.00 per thousand gallons from $3.50 per thousand gallons effective July 1, 2025. Council member Solander seconded. Motion carried. The increase is due to increased maintenance and administrative costs.
Personnel: No report given.
Finance: No report given.
Insurance: No report given.
Zoning: Three fence permits were issued in May.
Technology: The new City website is online at stephenson-mi.org. A grant from the Hannahville Indian Community was awarded in the amount of $1,500.00 for the security upgrades at City Hall.
Industrial Park: Havelka Construction will be contacted to see if they are still in need of gravel.
Correspondence including a Thank You from the family of James Gardiner and drawings and letters from the second-grade class of Ms. Rebecca Taylor were noted.
Comments were received.
Council member White moved for adjournment at 7:22 PM.
The next regular City council meeting will be held on July 2, 2025. Note this is a Wednesday meeting due to the July 4th holiday.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karma Tessmer, City Clerk