AUGUST 13, 2008

JACKSON CITY COUNCIL SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

The Jackson City Council met in special session for a goal setting session for the City Manager in the 10th floor conference room in City Hall. Mayor Ludwig convened the meeting at 6:34 p.m.
 
Present: Mayor Jerry F. Ludwig and Councilmembers Robert B. Howe, Daniel P. Greer, Kenneth E. Gaiser, Andrew R. Frounfelker and John R. Polaczyk--6. Absent: Councilmember Carl L. Breeding--1.
 
Also Present: City Manager William R. Ross and City Clerk Lynn Fessel.
 
CITY MANAGER EVALUATION.
 
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer to reevaluate the City Manager at October 31, 2008. The motion died for lack of support.
 
Motion was made by Councilmember Howe and seconded by Councilmember Polaczyk to reevaluate the Manager six months from July 1, 2008. The motion was adopted by the following voice vote. Yeas: Mayor Ludwig and Councilmembers Howe, Gaiser, Frounfelker and Polaczyk-5. Nays: Councilmember Greer-1. Absent: Councilmember Breeding-1.
 
CITY MANAGER OBJECTIVES.
 
Motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adopt the following objectives for the City Manager and for City Council goals. The motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote.
 
City Manager Short Term Objectives

1. Complete City Council goal setting process - next session within 30 days, process to be completed no later than October 1, 2008.
2. Complete development agreement for Hayes Hotel and present to City Council.
   a. City Manager to provide weekly updates in Current Affairs.
3. Complete Metro Fire Study, present to City Council, develop implementation schedule and coordination with Blackman, Summit and Leoni.
4. Complete review of LDFA, present to LDFA Board and City Council with recommendations to expand or not expand LDFA boundaries and implement Smart Zone in coordination with Blackman and Enterprise Group.
5. Relocate the recycling center by November 1, 2008.
6. Coordinate the development of reuse plans for the Riverwalk Hotel with the Land Bank and Allegiance Health Systems. Present progress reports on a regular basis and final recommendations to the City Council.
7. Complete easement acquisition and proceed to bid for the Arts Walk Pathway project.
8. Make recommendations for the future of the current incubator facility on Jackson Street in coordination with the EG.
9. Develop and implement a coordinated complaint tracking and response system for citizen concerns by January 1, 2009.
10. Continue negotiations with appropriate townships for the provision of wastewater treatment capacity to additional township areas. This will be an ongoing goal.
11. Complete development agreement for the Gillespie project and present to City Council.
12. Hire a deputy fire chief.
13. Secure City Hall especially the 14th floor and stairwell.

City Manager Long Term Objectives

1. Provide a local street improvement program including alternative financing mechanisms. Develop a plan to increase current road funding by at least $1M this upcoming fiscal year and at least $1.5M a year from the general fund for improvements and maintenance of our streets and infrastructure. Quarterly updates to Council.
2. Develop, review with the City Council and implement a plan to replace the current police facility either as a city project or in coordination with Jackson County, including possibly a facility for the proposed metro fire department. Provide updates; this will be ongoing.
3. Develop and present a plan for storm water utility to finance the cost of State and Federal storm water management and construction mandates. Provide updates; this will be ongoing.
4. Develop and implement, in coordination with the Enterprise Group and other units of government, a comprehensive economic development strategy and plan for the Jackson community. Provide updates.
5. Develop and present a five-year financial plan for the city. Update within 6 months.
6. Develop alternatives for the former Consumers Headquarters (212 W. Michigan Ave.), including financing alternatives for the removal of the building and reuse of the property.
7. Develop plans for the expansion of public parking facilities for the west end of the CBD, including financing alternatives.
8. Prepare proposals for neighborhood renewal including, housing rehab and removal, neighborhood cleanup, coordination with the Land Bank, Community Action Agency, Allegiance Health and other entities.
9. Coordinate with the Enterprise Group on the removal of the former Acme Building and the reuse of the property, including the Armory Arts area.
10. Prepare a study on the possible regional law enforcement agency that could be combined with the proposed metro fire authority to act as a combined public safety authority with either separate or combined police or fire.
11. Promote diversity and increase the number of non-white employees and department heads. This will be an ongoing goal.

NOTE: Updates for Long Term Objectives may be monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, as appropriate.
 
City Manager Personnel Objectives.
 
1. Give as much notice to the Council as possible prior to taking vacation time.
 
The following objectives will be reviewed with City Council Goals

1. Have the city police take over the enforcement for parking within all of the city.
2. Establish a mosquito control program by Spring 2009.
3. Ensure enforcement of the city curfew in all sections of the city and to amend the curfew to align with the neighboring townships.
4. Develop and implement a plan to create a corridor authority for Cooper Street north and implement the plan as directed by the City Council.
5. Prepare plans and implement additional corridor authorities on N. West Ave. and E. Michigan Ave. as appropriate.
6. Beautify the neighborhoods.
7. Establish a fee based annual inspection program for all rental units in addition an inspection will be required upon change of occupants.
8. Consider providing an annual incentive payment increase for those city employees who reside with their families inside the city limit.

 
ADJOURNMENT.
 
No further business being presented, a motion was made by Councilmember Greer and seconded by Councilmember Howe to adjourn the meeting. The motion was adopted by unanimous voice vote and the meeting adjourned at 8:17 p.m.
 
Lynn Fessel
 
City Clerk