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, Martha Haight, Brian White and David Solander. Also present were Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, 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 6:02 PM.
City Assessor Felch was absent. Board of Review training was held February 4th. March BOR schedule has been given for dates 3-10-26 and 3-11-26.
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 Zahorik to approve the minutes of the February 5, 2026 regular meeting. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec. Winter maintenance continues as needed. ERA Proficiency testing is complete. Truck 16 repairs are complete.
Motion made by Council member Haight to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $112,299.62 for checks #27447 through #27503 and EFTs 303 (E) - 305 (E), and 1366 (E) - 1373 (E)). Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
A+ COMMUNICATIONS 200.00
ADVANCE AUTO PARTS 367.17
AETNA 2,399.21
AIRGAS USA, LLC 23.37
ANDY'S ACTION BUSINESS SOLUTIONS 49.99
ANIXTER INC 26.85
CELLCOM UP MI PCS 160.83
CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS 100.00
CLOVERLAND DISTRIBUTING LLC 114.55
DELTA DISPOSAL 226.83
DTE ENERGY 1,660.23
EFFICIENCY UNITED 2,350.58
GRAINGER 141.80
HALRON LUBRICANTS 90.25
HAVELKA CONSTRUCTION 1,312.50
HAWKINS INC 2,347.61
HURON COMMUNITY BANK 1,538.50
JOHN FABICK TRACTOR CO. 1,283.46
JORDAN BELEC 225.04
KARMA TESSMER 150.00
KRIST OIL COMPANY 753.61
LARA MI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION 640.00
MENARDS 295.89
MENOMINEE COUNTY JOURNAL 42.00
MENZA & ZAK HEATING COOLING 1,181.75
MEUW 9,025.00
MICH PUBLIC POWER AGENCY 1,548.94
MISCAUNO TAX ASSESSING LLC 888.75
NICOLET NATIONAL BANK 624.36
NORTHGATE EQUIPMENT & SALES 515.65
NU-WAY CLEANERS 35.55
PAIDL'S DO IT BEST HARDWARE 468.80
POSTMASTER 274.50
PRECISION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES LLC 1,779.25
PRINTING SYSTEMS, INC. 278.73
SHANNA KUNTZE 100.00
STATE OF MICHIGAN 3,373.13
STEPHENSON MARKETING CO-OP 274.30
STEVE SCHMIDT 40.00
UPPER MI ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. 966.97
WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE 51,450.37
PAYROLL AND TAXES 22,973.30
Updates on the Rural Development projects were provided by Bill Marklein of UPEA via email. Contract one for pipe lining will be bid March 6, 2026. If favorable bids are received with UPEA recommendation, a special meeting will be held for acceptance. Contract two has no updates at this time. Contract three has no updates at this time and is pending acceptance.
The 40101D Grant application remains pending.
A public hearing will be held this month regarding the rezoning of the Industrial Park property. If contested and a legal challenge is filed with the Court, the project may be put on hold regarding the possible sale for a recycling plant.
Budget Committee members were reappointed by the Mayor. The committee remains the same as last year. The committee will meet March 12, 2026 at 9:00 AM to begin work on the 2026/2027 budget.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to contribute $200.00 to the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team. Council member Haight seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Haight to contribute $200.00 to the annual Easter Egg Hunt. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to accept Precision Technology Services LLC quote in the amount of $2,353.05 for WWTP security cameras. Council member Solander seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Haight to opt in to PA 95. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried. The monthly LIEAF fee will increase to $1.50 per electric meter when directed.
Motion made by Council member Parrett to apply for an 80/20 grant through the Congressionally Directed Spending program for items not covered under the RD projects. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
There were no items for discussion.
Committee reports were given as follows:
Fire: Chief Rick Bastien, Assistant Chief Brian White, and Secretary Steve Schmidt along with Keith Kakuk (via phone) advised Council on Engine 3 issues. The aerial needs rebuilding as the current parts are obsolete. A quote was reviewed along with comparable replacements. Motion made by Council member Zahorik to repair the aerial in the amount of $38,800.00 as quoted by Rescue Vehicle Services. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried. The cost will be budgeted for next year. Chris Schmidt and Easton Hoppe were also present. They, along with Lucas Havelka, have been presenting at local schools to encourage recruitment. Schmidt reported that the Stephenson Fire Department is the only one in the UP with a waiting list for members. Kakuk ended phone call to meeting at 6:41 PM. Bastien left chambers at 6:42 PM C. Schmidt and Hoppe left chambers at 6:52 PM.
Streets: Council member Parrett would like to review City streets for repairs. Category B funding for local streets is no longer available.
Parks: The ice rink is closed.
Utility: Council member Solander would like to perform preventative maintenance and look at tree trimming before issues occur. A committee meeting will be held in March or April to discuss trimming and budgeting.
Personnel: A committee meeting will be scheduled to discuss a summer help position for DPW. Bay College students were not interested in a WWTP position.
Finance: BS&A will be moving forward with an in-house payment processing system that will replace the current Point and Pay system the City uses. This will be at no cost to the City but customer processing fees will remain.
Insurance: No report given.
Zoning: Two demolition permits were issued.
Technology: No report given.
Industrial Park: No report given.
Budget: The committee will meet regularly to work on fiscal budget.
There was no correspondence.
Comments were received.
Council member Haight moved for adjournment at 7:10 PM.
The next regular City council meeting will be held on April 2, 2026.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karma Tessmer, City Clerk
