May 7, 2026 Regular Council Meeting
Mayor John Starzynski called the Public Hearing to order at 5:45 PM. The 2026/2027 Fiscal Budget was presented. No comments were received. Council member Haight moved to close the hearing at 6:00 PM. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
Mayor John Starzynski called the regular meeting of the Stephenson City Council to order at 6:00 PM. Present were Council members Dale Parrett, Howard Fredrickson, Martha Haight, and David Solander. Council members Ron Zahorik and Brian White were excused. Also present were Leon Felch, City Assessor, Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, Karma Tessmer, City Clerk, and Bill Marklein, UPEA.
Comments regarding the area known as the Industrial Park were received from Mike Pollard, Donna Corey, and Carol Johnson. Concerns included property entrance and uses if a recycling facility is installed.
Deputy Kyle Piatt provided the Menominee County Sheriff’s Department report. He left the meeting at 6:21 PM.
The Assessor’s report was provided by Assessor Felch. As of now he is unsure if Board of Review will be required in July or December.
There was no Building Inspector/Code Official report.
Motion made by Council member Haight to adopt the agenda as presented. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to approve the minutes of the April 2, 2026 regular meeting. Council member Haight seconded. Motion carried.
A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec. General maintenance continues as needed. Hydrant flushing is complete, parks are now open, brush pick up continues, and flood damage has been addressed.
Motion made by Council member Haight to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $138,477.01 for checks #27568 through #27636 and EFTs 310 (E) – 312 (E), and 1384 (E) – 1395 (E)). Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
| CELLCOM UP MI PCS | $ 160.83 | MML UNEMPLOYMENT FUND | $ 1,055.33 | |
| MICH PUBLIC POWER AGENCY | $ 228.26 | RYAN & LYNCH LAW | $ 1,400.00 | |
| STATE OF MICHIGAN | $ 3,208.61 | CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS | $ 100.00 | |
| EFFICIENCY UNITED | $ 2,350.58 | UPPER MI ENERGY RESOURCES CORP. | $ 966.97 | |
| JORDAN BELEC | $ 40.00 | ADVANCE AUTO PARTS | $ 203.00 | |
| LARA MI PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION | $ 640.00 | BS & A SOFTWARE | $ 1,529.00 | |
| MISCAUNO TAX ASSESSING LLC | $ 638.75 | GRAYBAR ELECTRIC CO. | $ 19.25 | |
| STEVE SCHMIDT | $ 40.00 | KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS SOLUTIONS | $ 135.00 | |
| APX INC | $ 62.13 | KRIST OIL COMPANY | $ 1,288.36 | |
| DDT CONSTRUCTION | $ 7,120.00 | LAWSON PRODUCTS INC | $ 404.82 | |
| DELTA DISPOSAL | $ 231.37 | LEE’S GREENERY | $ 176.00 | |
| HAVELKA CONSTRUCTION | $ 6,840.00 | LUFT’S ADVERTISER | $ 608.72 | |
| MENOMINEE COUNTY ROAD COMM. | $ 3,755.17 | NU-WAY CLEANERS | $ 35.55 | |
| NICOLET NATIONAL BANK | $ 1,169.84 | STEPHENSON MARKETING CO-OP | $ 758.85 | |
| PAIDL’S DO IT BEST HARDWARE | $ 810.23 | WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE | $ 49,957.91 | |
| POSTMASTER | $ 78.00 | POSTMASTER | $ 274.50 | |
| WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE | $ 32.21 | DTE ENERGY | $ 1,291.19 | |
| CLOVERLAND DISTRIBUTING LLC | $ 117.85 | HOWARD FREDRICKSON | $ 700.00 | |
| CORE & MAIN | $ 418.10 | GRAYBAR ELECTRIC CO. | $ 1,600.56 | |
| DOMBROWSKI TREE SERVICE | $ 1,500.00 | MENOMINEE COUNTY ROAD COMM. | $ 600.54 | |
| GAGE LARSON | $ 35.00 | GINA SAROW | $ 53.94 | |
| MENOMINEE COUNTY JOURNAL | $ 828.30 | PAYROLL AND TAXES | $ 45,012.29 |
Updates on the Rural Development projects were provided by Bill Marklein of UPEA. He reported all contracts are in place. Loan closing is dependent upon receipt and approval of the last City audit.
The 40101D Grant application remains pending.
No update was provided regarding Country Mile Document Destruction Recycling.
The Congressionally Directed Spending Grants remain pending.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to rezone the entire City owned property known as the Industrial Park from Agricultural to Industrial. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote. If contested, this vote may be reversed.
Motion made by Council member Haight to approve the 2026/2027 Fiscal Budget. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to approve the 2026/2027 Millage Tax Rate. Council member Solander seconded. Motion carried. No change in rate.
Motion made by Council member Haight to adopt Resolution 2026/06 City of Stephenson 2026/2027 General Appropriations Act. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote.
Motion made by Council member Solander to donate $350.00 to the Veterans Memorial Day Fund. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
Council consensus agreed that Council member Howard Fredrickson will serve as City liaison to the Rescue Squad Board.
Mayor Starzynski opened discussion with the April flood. Damages have been itemized in the event that emergency funding is available. Damages included park debris and wastewater plant items. He also advised Council that the Recreation Plan expired in 2024. Another plan must be in place if the City chooses to apply for grants for park improvements. Estimated cost of an updated plan could range from $5,000.00 to $8,000.00. The last item discussed was the former Stephenson Bakery building. The City attorney has been contacted regarding the disrepair and multiple attempts to contact the owner.
Committee reports were given as follows:
Fire: No report given.
Streets: Quotes have been received on patching several streets. This will be added to the next meeting for consideration.
Parks: No report given.
Utility: Some projects remain pending due to the weather.
Personnel: Three applications have been received to date for the DPW position.
Finance: No report given.
Insurance: No report given.
Zoning: No report given.
Technology: No report given.
Industrial Park: No report given.
Budget: Committee minutes from last two meetings were distributed.
There was no correspondence.
Comments were received.
Council member Fredrickson moved for adjournment at 7:23 PM.
The next regular City council meeting will be held on June 4, 2026.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karma Tessmer, City Clerk