November 6, 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, Ronald Zahorik, Howard Fredrickson, Brian White, David Solander, and Martha Haight.  Council member Fredrickson was called out at 6:28 PM on a Rescue Squad call.  Also present were Leon Felch, City Assessor, Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, and Karma Tessmer, City Clerk.

Public participation commenced promptly with 18 people present.  Brad Younk was given time to provide an overview of his recycling program and possible purchase of City property.  He covered the program scope and benefits as well as State mandates.  Section Street residents Amburgey, Cugini, and Hoogeweg expressed concerns regarding the location, project notification and planning, property and resale values, traffic flows, environmental surveys and impacts, possible debris, perimeter appearance, and aesthetics.  Mr. Younk was given time to address their concerns.  Mr. Cugini requested the City acknowledge a wetland area that exists.  The City does acknowledge the low, wet area but defers to the State to determine actual wetland status.  Public participation ended at approximately 7:00 PM and all in attendance left Chambers.        

            Deputy Kyle Piatt provided the Menominee County Sheriff’s Report.  He left Council chambers at 7:18 PM.

            City Assessor Felch provided the Assessor Report. 

             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 October 2, 2025 regular meeting.  Council member Parrett seconded.  Motion carried. 

            A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec.  He reported water line flushing was done, Bucket Truck Rescue Training was completed, park restrooms have been closed, leaf and brush pickup continues, and all violations at the WWTP have been cleared by EGLE.

            Motion made by Council member Haight to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $190,139.49 for checks #27212 through #27275 and EFTs 293 (E) – 295 (E), and 1328 (E) – 1338 (E)).  Council member White seconded.  Motion carried.

Updates on the Rural Development projects were minimal.  UPEA continues to work to refine the scope of the projects in order to appeal to contractors when both projects are re-bid.  The Water Softening project is pending with EGLE.  Category B funding for Homestead Street was denied.

The 40101D Grant application remains pending. 

Lenca Surveying has finalized and filed the survey of the Industrial Park.  The City is waiting for attorney review regarding the re-zoning of the property.

Council consensus agreed to limit Industrial Park access.  Residents can call DPW and have someone open the gate if they want to dispose of brush or leaves.  It will no longer be left open.

Motion made by Council member Zahorik to accept the Agreement for Election Services with Menominee County as it pertains to early voting.  Council member Haight seconded.  Motion carried.

Motion made by Council member Zahorik to adopt Resolution Number 25-05 for associate MPPA membership.  Council member Haight seconded.  Motion carried.

Motion made by Council member Haight to accept the Menominee County Opt-Out Agreement of Designated Assessor.  Council member Parrett seconded.  Motion carried.

The 2025 Truck or Treat was discussed.  Scott Sundberg was present and thanked the City and Fire Department for hosting the event.  He reported 20 trucks were present along with 2 food truck vendors.  The turnout was exceptional.  He would like to possibly expand the hours next year and close part of Samuel Street for safety.

Committee reports were given as follows:

             Fire:  Assistant Chief White reported 2 calls for October.  The Daggett Fire Department may be interested in buying Tanker 4.  Department radios have been updated and they participated in the Ride to School in a Fire Truck contest.  Their roster stands at 30 members.

             Streets:  DPW will begin patching soon.  Funding remains an issue with repairs.

            Parks:  The ice rink will be installed at Erickson Park when cold enough.

             Utility:  Motion made by Council member White to accept Dombrowski Tree Service quote in the amount of $2,500.00 for tree removal by the water tower.  Council member Solander seconded.  Motion carried.

             Personnel:  No report given.

             Finance:  No report given.

             Insurance:  Motion made by Council member Zahorik to accept Aetna Health Insurance for 2026.  Council member Haight seconded.  Motion carried.  Annual cost for 2026 is $49,087.56.

             Zoning:  No report given.

             Technology:  No report given.

             Industrial Park:  Brush and leaf pile placement will be looked at as well as the possibility of a fence.

            There was no correspondence.

             Comments were received.

             Council member Haight moved for adjournment at 8:13 PM. 

             The next regular City council meeting will be held on December 4, 2025.

                                                                                      Respectfully Submitted,  

                                                                                      Karma Tessmer, City Clerk