October 2, 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, and Martha Haight. Council members David Solander and Brian White were excused. Also present were Leon Felch, City Assessor, Jordan Belec, DPW Supervisor, and Karma Tessmer, City Clerk.
Deputy Aaron Ihander provided the Menominee County Sheriff’s Report. He left Council chambers at 6:05 PM.
City Assessor Felch provided the Assessor Report.
There was no Building Inspector/Code Official report.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to adopt the agenda as presented with moving New Business to directly after agenda adoption. The move was made to maintain a quorum in the event Council member Fredrickson was called away for the Rescue Squad. Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
Motion made by Council member Fredrickson to accept the proposed AT&T Pole Attachment Agreement as presented. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried. The agreement set forth a rental rate of $14.00 per attachment per year.
Motion made by Council member Haight to approve the minutes of the September 4, 2025 regular meeting. Council member Parrett seconded. Motion carried.
A report regarding the Department of Public Works was presented by Supervisor Belec. Routine maintenance continues in parks and on streets. Belec and DPW employee Steve Schmidt attended a two-day CEC conference for water. The underground line on Everard Road is nearing completion. Repairs at the WWTP continue and are also nearing completion.
Motion made by Council member Zahorik to approve the bills for payment (General Fund Disbursements totaling $136,522.39 for checks #27158 through #27211 and EFTs 290 (E) – 292 (E), and 1320 (E) – 1327 (E)). Council member Fredrickson seconded. Motion carried.
Bonnie Smith arrived at 6:20 PM for public participation. She has concerns with the drainage on Gerue Street as her driveway floods when it rains. Street Administrator Parrett will look into the situation. She left Council chambers at 6:25 PM.
Updates on the Rural Development projects were provided by Bill Marklein of UPEA via email. 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. No update on the Category B application for Homestead Street.
The 40101D Grant application is pending. A revised NEPA form was submitted per request.
The Menominee County Road Commission has completed the chip sealing project in the City. Parking spaces, to be painted by the City DPW, will be done next year after the plows are off the roads.
The City is waiting for Lenca Surveying to finalize the survey of the Industrial Park. Once finalized, and in agreement with Country Mile Document Destruction, a land split can be done along with zoning reclassification. UPEA has drafted preliminary plans for water and sewer extensions and will provide an engineering proposal soon. The City hopes to meet with all parties involved in order to facilitate to project.
Items for discussion included the Christmas Tree Lighting which will be held at City Hall on December 6th at 6:00 PM. Council member Parrett will be providing the tree. Also discussed were the repairs to the 2016 pickup. Rye Collision has completed the work. Big O’s replaced the tires and two ball joints. The truck is back in service.
Committee reports were given as follows:
Fire: No report given.
Streets: New brooms were purchased for the street sweeper.
Parks: The baseball field will host a softball tournament this weekend. The school teams continue to use the field as well.
Utility: No report given.
Personnel: No report given.
Finance: No report given.
Insurance: Pricing for health insurance for 2026 should be received later this month.
Zoning: No report given.
Technology: Mike Malone of KRM Technologies will be assisting with the Spectrum change over when equipment is received.
Industrial Park: No report given.
There was no correspondence.
Comments were received.
Council member Haight moved for adjournment at 6:52 PM.
The next regular City council meeting will be held on November 6, 2025.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karma Tessmer, City Clerk