1 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:42,960 I'd like to call the meeting to order tonight, Monday, February 23rd, 2 00:03:39,920 --> 00:03:47,520 2026 at 6:00 p.m. in the commission chambers. Uh please rise for 3 00:03:44,640 --> 00:03:47,520 the Pledge of Allegiance. 4 00:03:47,680 --> 00:03:55,160 I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the 5 00:03:52,160 --> 00:04:00,920 republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and 6 00:03:58,000 --> 00:04:00,920 justice for all. 7 00:04:03,240 --> 00:04:10,480 Thank you. Uh roll call, city clerk. Commissioner Davis. Here. 8 00:04:08,480 --> 00:04:15,440 Commissioner Gottlieb. Commissioner Hanley. Here. Commissioner 9 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:19,760 Larson. Here. Commissioner Mayor. Here. Mayor pro tem Ottaway. Here. And Mayor 10 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:23,280 Schlegel. Here. All right, commissioners, do we have a 11 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:27,120 motion to excuse Commissioner Gottlieb for the evening? 12 00:04:25,760 --> 00:04:31,240 Uh Sorry. Commissioner Davis. 13 00:04:29,600 --> 00:04:34,800 Commissioner Davis. I move that we excuse Commissioner 14 00:04:33,160 --> 00:04:38,240 Gottlieb for personal reasons. >> Is there a second? 15 00:04:36,200 --> 00:04:42,720 Pro tem. Second. Uh any discussion? 16 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:47,080 Okay, all in favor, please say yes. Yes. Opposed, no. 17 00:04:44,200 --> 00:04:51,120 Motion passes six to nothing. Thank you for that. Um we've got our 18 00:04:49,240 --> 00:04:55,600 agenda in front of us. Is there a motion to accept or change 19 00:04:53,000 --> 00:04:55,600 the agenda? 20 00:04:55,960 --> 00:05:00,200 Commissioner Davis, you have this one again. 21 00:04:58,400 --> 00:05:04,880 I move we accept the agenda as presented. Thank you. Second, please. 22 00:05:02,840 --> 00:05:09,920 Commissioner Hanley. I second. Thank you. Any discussion? 23 00:05:07,560 --> 00:05:14,360 Okay, all in favor, please say yes. Yes. Opposed, no. 24 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:19,800 Motion passes again six to nothing. For the announcements tonight, 25 00:05:17,920 --> 00:05:24,080 I just we don't really have anything that's coming officially from 26 00:05:22,040 --> 00:05:27,040 uh any other work that's being done in the 27 00:05:25,680 --> 00:05:30,160 city right now, but I would like to thank all the volunteers that are coming 28 00:05:28,400 --> 00:05:34,640 out to help with the uh trying to locate our missing person, 29 00:05:32,240 --> 00:05:40,240 uh young student from Northern Michigan University. Um we've had hundreds of 30 00:05:37,400 --> 00:05:44,200 people come out and assist with that. Um we want to thank them for their efforts. 31 00:05:42,360 --> 00:05:47,960 I know that everybody's doing the very best that they can with the resources 32 00:05:46,280 --> 00:05:52,720 that they have. They don't necessarily need more volunteers, but the point is 33 00:05:50,360 --> 00:05:56,520 is that the overwhelming response is very much appreciated, and we're hoping 34 00:05:54,960 --> 00:05:59,560 for the best possible outcome that we can 35 00:05:57,520 --> 00:06:01,320 come across with such a very 36 00:06:00,600 --> 00:06:06,800 uh difficult topic. So, thank you for that. 37 00:06:05,040 --> 00:06:09,880 Um brings us to boards and committees. 38 00:06:08,560 --> 00:06:13,760 We've got a couple of appointments tonight. Is there a 39 00:06:10,960 --> 00:06:13,760 motion, please? 40 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:19,440 Commissioner Hanley. I move that we appoint Michael Tuman 41 00:06:18,040 --> 00:06:23,840 into the Board of Zoning Appeals for a term ending 215 of 29, 42 00:06:22,320 --> 00:06:28,720 Ashley Sarri to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee for a term for an 43 00:06:26,080 --> 00:06:32,440 unexpired term ending 61 of 28, and Susan Hester to the Arts and Culture 44 00:06:30,240 --> 00:06:37,560 Advisory Committee for an unexpired term ending 61 of 26 and the subsequent term 45 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:41,720 ending 61 of 29. Thank you. Is there a second? 46 00:06:39,840 --> 00:06:45,320 Mayor pro tem. Second. Any discussion? No, I would just like to 47 00:06:43,640 --> 00:06:48,160 really thank everyone for being involved and staying involved. It's always good 48 00:06:46,800 --> 00:06:51,840 to see a lot of appointments on our boards and committees. Hopefully one day 49 00:06:49,720 --> 00:06:54,560 we can fill them all. Anything, brother? 50 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:57,920 It's good. Great. Uh I'd like to just echo that. 51 00:06:56,120 --> 00:07:01,760 It's great to see uh three of these come across our desk this this uh meeting. 52 00:07:00,760 --> 00:07:04,480 Hopefully there's a couple more in the next one. 53 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:09,800 Uh with that being said, all in favor, please say yes. Yes. Opposed, no. 54 00:07:07,520 --> 00:07:13,760 Motion passes six to zero. Thank you. We have one reappointment. Is 55 00:07:11,120 --> 00:07:13,760 there a motion? 56 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:18,640 Commissioner Larson. Uh I move that we reappoint Jim Compton 57 00:07:17,520 --> 00:07:23,400 to the Marquette Area Wastewater Treatment Advisory Board for a term 58 00:07:20,040 --> 00:07:23,400 ending 2129. 59 00:07:23,640 --> 00:07:31,000 Thank you. Is there a second? Commissioner Mayor. Second. 60 00:07:29,400 --> 00:07:34,440 Discussion, please. Nope. Anything? 61 00:07:33,280 --> 00:07:38,680 Hearing none, uh seeing none, I will move that to a 62 00:07:36,240 --> 00:07:43,000 vote. All in favor, please say yes. Yes. Opposed, no. Motion passes six to zero. 63 00:07:45,680 --> 00:07:53,000 All right, that gets us to public comment. Um 64 00:07:50,240 --> 00:07:56,080 public comment cannot exceed 3 minutes per person. Please state your name and 65 00:07:54,560 --> 00:08:00,720 physical address when you come up to the podium. Anyone for public comment this 66 00:07:58,400 --> 00:08:00,720 evening? 67 00:08:02,280 --> 00:08:05,440 This is hard to believe. 68 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:13,840 Anyone for public comment? Third time, public comment is closed. 69 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:17,200 Uh we have a presentation tonight. Exciting to see that we're going to hear 70 00:08:15,680 --> 00:08:21,880 from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and Chair Amanda Gobert. Amanda. 71 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:30,920 Good evening, everyone. Um I apologize in advance. I'm in the process of 72 00:08:28,840 --> 00:08:36,479 getting over bronchitis, so if I start coughing in the middle and step away for 73 00:08:32,240 --> 00:08:36,479 a moment, I apologize for that. 74 00:08:36,760 --> 00:08:43,960 As stated, my name is Amanda Gobert. I am the chair of the Parks and Rec 75 00:08:40,800 --> 00:08:48,640 Advisory Board. Uh we meet the second or third Monday of each month in the 76 00:08:46,960 --> 00:08:51,520 Citizens Forum at Lakeview Arena at 5:45. 77 00:08:51,880 --> 00:09:00,520 Uh presented before you is our list of board members. We currently have 13 78 00:08:59,000 --> 00:09:05,080 board members. We in the last couple of years combined 79 00:09:03,280 --> 00:09:09,280 the Parks and Rec Advisory Board, the Harbor Advisory Committee, and the 80 00:09:06,680 --> 00:09:17,400 Presque Isle Park Advisory Committee. And by doing so, our board size did 81 00:09:13,320 --> 00:09:22,760 greatly increase. We do have direction that our board needs to be down to 11 82 00:09:19,720 --> 00:09:25,880 members by 2027. At this point, we're not thinking that's 83 00:09:24,600 --> 00:09:29,480 going to be an issue. We do have a couple who've expressed the fact that 84 00:09:28,320 --> 00:09:33,080 they are ready to be done, and also some are 85 00:09:31,360 --> 00:09:37,360 going to term limit out. So, we should not see any issue with that moving 86 00:09:34,840 --> 00:09:37,360 forward. 87 00:09:39,840 --> 00:09:49,680 Our general purpose is to oversee implementation and guidance on the Parks 88 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:53,720 and Recreation Master Plan within the City of Marquette, 89 00:09:51,200 --> 00:09:59,200 as well as to offer our support or suggestion to 90 00:09:56,480 --> 00:10:04,960 commission-approved and recommended things within the park system and 91 00:10:01,040 --> 00:10:04,960 recreation system within the city. 92 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:13,200 We currently have seven rentable facilities and 21 parks 93 00:10:11,520 --> 00:10:19,800 within the city. Um that's approximately 2,810 acres. 94 00:10:16,880 --> 00:10:19,800 That's a lot of park. 95 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:26,640 We also have a community garden. We actually have two with 75 garden sites 96 00:10:25,160 --> 00:10:30,560 available. We provide outdoor athletic fields in 97 00:10:28,840 --> 00:10:34,800 the form of baseball and softball, soccer, and basketball, 98 00:10:32,600 --> 00:10:40,600 as well as quite an extensive trail network in partnership with the 99 00:10:36,480 --> 00:10:40,600 Noquemanon Trail System to groom. 100 00:10:44,080 --> 00:10:53,600 The Parks and Rec Advisory Board offers um feedback on project development, 101 00:10:50,280 --> 00:10:57,280 grant information, and all of the recommendations that come directly from 102 00:10:55,360 --> 00:11:02,440 the commission in regards to projects throughout the city park system. I know 103 00:10:59,560 --> 00:11:08,400 that this is very small to read, but the items that are listed in yellow 104 00:11:05,680 --> 00:11:12,520 we're working on grant and funding, and items in green are either projects that 105 00:11:10,400 --> 00:11:16,720 are currently in progress toward completion or have been completed. 106 00:11:17,400 --> 00:11:26,680 Some of the highlights of that over the course of time are projects at 107 00:11:23,880 --> 00:11:33,280 um Kids Cove was something big for this up past year. 108 00:11:29,400 --> 00:11:37,720 Um in progress are some replacement and things at Lakeview Arena. 109 00:11:35,360 --> 00:11:42,240 Um you'll hear some about this later, but we're working they're working 110 00:11:39,560 --> 00:11:48,480 diligently to fund a new Zamboni. Um desperately needed. We are also 111 00:11:45,920 --> 00:11:53,839 um in supporting the projects at the Cultural Arts and Trail Center as well 112 00:11:51,920 --> 00:11:56,640 as the bandshell out at Presque Isle. 113 00:12:00,720 --> 00:12:11,800 So over the course of 2025 we completed the 5-year Parks and Rec Master Plan. Uh 114 00:12:08,160 --> 00:12:17,120 we solicited community input. We worked diligently as a group to review and 115 00:12:14,960 --> 00:12:23,320 offer input into that. We helped with supporting the amendment 116 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:27,080 of our special events policy. We did some naming things with the skate 117 00:12:26,040 --> 00:12:32,360 park, as well as the naming rights to the 118 00:12:29,920 --> 00:12:38,480 bandshell, and the support for the fundraising effort for that. 119 00:12:34,800 --> 00:12:43,520 We have supported, although we love dogs in the city and all of us are dog lovers 120 00:12:40,520 --> 00:12:47,839 on our group, um we did recognize that with the pour-in-place safety services 121 00:12:46,080 --> 00:12:53,560 at the playgrounds dogs are not a good environment for 122 00:12:49,839 --> 00:12:57,600 that, and so we did support an ordinance to not allow dogs directly on those 123 00:12:55,800 --> 00:13:02,800 surfaces. We're currently working on grant 124 00:12:59,120 --> 00:13:06,839 funding, um support of grant funding to replace the piers at the Cinder Mon Pond 125 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:11,839 Marina. And we also had three members of our 126 00:13:09,320 --> 00:13:15,839 group who volunteered to participate in the recently completed e-bike task 127 00:13:14,640 --> 00:13:20,200 force, and they provided monthly input directly 128 00:13:18,200 --> 00:13:25,000 back to our committee and took our committee suggestions to that task force 129 00:13:23,160 --> 00:13:28,280 to attempt to bring 130 00:13:26,160 --> 00:13:32,280 some regulations and such to the commission for consideration. 131 00:13:32,880 --> 00:13:39,120 For this upcoming year we want to continue to work with the city on those 132 00:13:36,520 --> 00:13:42,400 changes for the e-bikes and other forms of transportation on the city trails and 133 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:47,880 paths. We are in the process of working on a 134 00:13:44,800 --> 00:13:52,520 recommendation for a fiscal policy for the city marinas as well as the capital 135 00:13:50,160 --> 00:13:55,800 improvements that are going to be needed in the short and long term at those 136 00:13:54,440 --> 00:13:59,680 locations. We support grant initiatives as they 137 00:13:57,839 --> 00:14:07,360 become available and put our input behind issues and 138 00:14:03,240 --> 00:14:07,360 concerns as they do arise. 139 00:14:08,680 --> 00:14:18,040 Lastly, we do have a few things that come up on the issue and discussion list 140 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:22,760 for us within our group. Um we realize that grant funding 141 00:14:19,920 --> 00:14:25,640 and such is not always going to be available, 142 00:14:23,920 --> 00:14:30,200 and so we're looking at the possibilities of other ways to 143 00:14:28,440 --> 00:14:34,880 outside fund some of the projects that we want to fund, 144 00:14:31,760 --> 00:14:38,040 um whether it be private fundraising or other 145 00:14:35,920 --> 00:14:41,959 alternatives such as charging the user groups that are using 146 00:14:39,839 --> 00:14:46,920 those facilities. Um to continue with the implementation 147 00:14:43,800 --> 00:14:46,920 of the 5-year plan, 148 00:14:47,600 --> 00:14:54,360 we are looking to definitely make sure that we are protecting the balance of 149 00:14:52,400 --> 00:14:59,520 natural resource out there, as well as still allowing development to 150 00:14:56,720 --> 00:15:03,800 happen. Um a very good example of that is the building of the bandshell at 151 00:15:01,560 --> 00:15:08,160 Presque Isle Park. Presque Isle is a natural beauty, 152 00:15:05,560 --> 00:15:14,079 and with the building of the bandshell we did not want to see that interfere 153 00:15:11,120 --> 00:15:17,760 any more than the bandshell originally had been implemented into there. So we 154 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:24,000 did offer a lot of suggestions to help them with that. Uh parking lot paving is 155 00:15:21,200 --> 00:15:27,520 always on the top of the list. Um the potholes even on the city streets 156 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:32,280 sometimes get to be big enough to swallow your car. Um 157 00:15:30,440 --> 00:15:35,880 definitely something that needs to be looked at. 158 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:42,040 Continued concerns for the multi-use path and how to best regulate to allow 159 00:15:38,959 --> 00:15:46,320 all members and all users to be able to use those safely. 160 00:15:44,720 --> 00:15:51,200 Um there are some issues with unpermitted 161 00:15:48,280 --> 00:15:54,839 uses in our public parks. Um weddings happen at Presque Isle on a 162 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:58,560 regular basis during the summer, and technically that's not allowed 163 00:15:57,040 --> 00:16:04,680 unless you've gotten that approved prior to doing so. 164 00:16:02,360 --> 00:16:08,120 Not to mention the fact that the parking at Black Rocks is only so 165 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:11,480 big, and when you have an entire wedding 166 00:16:10,040 --> 00:16:14,520 group that wants to go down there to take pictures and you're interfering 167 00:16:13,160 --> 00:16:18,760 with other people who are visiting the area 168 00:16:16,600 --> 00:16:23,200 and locals who want us to participate there as well. 169 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:27,000 Um staffing is always an issue. Staffing is an issue everywhere. 170 00:16:25,200 --> 00:16:31,800 The city is no exception, and it makes operation and maintenance 171 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:35,839 difficult, and so we have definitely had several conversations about is there a 172 00:16:33,959 --> 00:16:39,920 better way? Is there something we could suggest? 173 00:16:38,120 --> 00:16:44,440 And lastly, that did not make it onto this slide, but one of the things that 174 00:16:41,600 --> 00:16:47,120 we also had brought up was the fact that um 175 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:51,240 communication, although it is getting better between the commission and the 176 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:55,160 boards, still needs to be improved. We're 177 00:16:53,120 --> 00:16:58,040 finding we get a lot of recommendation questions 178 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:04,320 very few days before our meetings, and we don't have the information to make an 179 00:17:01,760 --> 00:17:08,360 educated decision. And we want to be able to represent 180 00:17:06,480 --> 00:17:11,839 the residents of the city of Marquette in those decisions, and it's very hard 181 00:17:10,439 --> 00:17:14,480 when we don't have a chance to ask questions. 182 00:17:14,760 --> 00:17:17,720 Any questions for me? 183 00:17:20,199 --> 00:17:25,679 All right. Thank you, Amanda. Um 184 00:17:24,160 --> 00:17:30,000 want to go run down the line? Anybody have anything down this side? 185 00:17:27,839 --> 00:17:30,000 Yep. 186 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,600 Mr. Larson. I don't have any questions. However, you just uh you know, you 187 00:17:33,320 --> 00:17:38,040 certainly have a large group of folks there, and I certainly understand 188 00:17:36,080 --> 00:17:41,560 certainly shrink it down, but you know, it just goes to show that, you know, 189 00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:45,240 parks parks are really uh you know, the commons, you know, of the city, and they 190 00:17:43,400 --> 00:17:49,280 they belong to everyone. And so I know everybody's trying, you know, having a 191 00:17:46,640 --> 00:17:53,160 large group being able to help make some of these decisions is really looking out 192 00:17:51,120 --> 00:17:56,360 for the best interest of the community. And so thank you for doing that, and I 193 00:17:54,800 --> 00:17:58,800 appreciate the presentation tonight. Thank you. 194 00:17:59,000 --> 00:18:04,679 Thanks, Commissioner Deaver. Thank you, Amanda. Yes, excuse me. Your committee 195 00:18:02,760 --> 00:18:09,160 has a lot going on, especially after combining all three of those groups. 196 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:13,440 Um I noticed that on your list of members that some of them are assigned 197 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:18,160 to specific things, like the waterfront or hockey. And as you decrease the 198 00:18:15,400 --> 00:18:22,960 number in your of your committee, do you maintain that those representatives will 199 00:18:20,440 --> 00:18:28,440 stay there, or do you just take whoever has to leave? We will be aiming to keep 200 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:33,720 representatives within those specific areas, um whether someone who's on the 201 00:18:31,560 --> 00:18:37,919 committee wants to step up as a specific representative, because obviously 202 00:18:35,880 --> 00:18:41,440 waterfront is a is a big one. We had many members from the other two 203 00:18:39,280 --> 00:18:45,679 committees that and one being the Harbor Advisory Committee who joined us. If 204 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:50,040 they're not technically currently listed as a waterfront member, and someone 205 00:18:47,520 --> 00:18:53,120 steps down, they want to step up, or those would be spots we would attempt to 206 00:18:51,560 --> 00:18:57,960 fill, because we really do want that repre- representation, and that is still 207 00:18:55,280 --> 00:19:01,320 the intent of having individual spots for those. Yes. 208 00:18:58,760 --> 00:19:05,760 » that you do that. So I on your the list of the capital projects, how often do 209 00:19:03,760 --> 00:19:09,679 you renew this list? Because as I look at, you know, the green ones, some of 210 00:19:07,600 --> 00:19:12,240 them were done several years ago. So I'm wondering why they just haven't been 211 00:19:10,919 --> 00:19:16,120 taken off the list. >> That was a question that we had asked, 212 00:19:14,159 --> 00:19:21,040 and apparently it has something to do, as I was explained, that there is a very 213 00:19:18,360 --> 00:19:25,919 lengthy spreadsheet, and by removing line items from the spreadsheet before 214 00:19:23,240 --> 00:19:32,440 it's imported into the presentation, it tends to degrade the spreadsheet itself. 215 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:37,360 So um our city liaison is actually looking at a better way for future 216 00:19:34,800 --> 00:19:41,200 presentations to be able to pull more pertinent information and not 217 00:19:39,520 --> 00:19:44,400 projects that have been done for 5 or 6 years. It'd be nice to see the you know, 218 00:19:42,800 --> 00:19:49,760 the the things that have been done in the last two or three years. 219 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:53,560 » And we we did mention that as well. Okay, so you're thinking like I am. 220 00:19:51,440 --> 00:19:58,920 Okay, good. It's just It's as I looked at that it's like it's a long sheet and 221 00:19:55,360 --> 00:20:00,440 there's a lot to do. Um but those that are done 222 00:20:00,200 --> 00:20:04,520 you know >> We We like I said, we did discuss that 223 00:20:02,320 --> 00:20:08,240 and and unfortunately spreadsheet integrity was important at the immediate 224 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:12,360 moment, but we are looking at better options for future presentations. So, 225 00:20:10,480 --> 00:20:14,600 next year's presentation might have a better update. 226 00:20:13,240 --> 00:20:18,000 » Good. I'll look forward to it. Thank you so much for the work that you do on this 227 00:20:16,360 --> 00:20:22,120 committee and I know it's a very active committee and there's lots to do. Thank 228 00:20:20,200 --> 00:20:24,560 you. Yeah, I've got a couple things. 229 00:20:23,840 --> 00:20:28,080 Um first of all, you kind of touched on the 230 00:20:26,320 --> 00:20:32,080 main topic of joining all these groups together, all these other advisory 231 00:20:29,320 --> 00:20:36,760 roles. So, my question is is how is that um working out for you as far as the new 232 00:20:34,080 --> 00:20:41,320 group? Is it been pretty smooth or are you finding that maybe you uh it was a 233 00:20:39,200 --> 00:20:44,640 good idea versus a not so good idea? What do you think? 234 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:50,000 We are actually finding that it is a very good thing. Um it gives a better 235 00:20:47,880 --> 00:20:55,520 opportunity for, first of all, those voices from those other groups to be 236 00:20:52,000 --> 00:21:00,440 heard within the whole group because as we viewed it, Parks and Rec kind of 237 00:20:57,280 --> 00:21:04,720 oversaw them to begin with. And so, this way they feel like they've got a greater 238 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:09,200 voice in what's going on with decision-making that's being directed to 239 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:14,760 the Parks and Rec Advisory Board. And it actually has spawned some pretty 240 00:21:11,960 --> 00:21:18,040 decent discussions within our group because they offer different 241 00:21:15,880 --> 00:21:23,520 perspectives that some of the rest of us who are not avid boaters or not, you 242 00:21:21,840 --> 00:21:29,680 know, actively involved in certain other things might not think about. So, it's 243 00:21:25,640 --> 00:21:33,720 actually helped stimulate some pretty intense discussions, actually. 244 00:21:32,080 --> 00:21:37,240 That's good to hear and I would I would hope that that was the reason for doing 245 00:21:35,360 --> 00:21:41,240 it and I'm glad to hear that's the the resolve. 246 00:21:38,360 --> 00:21:44,240 Um one of the items that I'm passionate about is the dog park or the dog 247 00:21:42,720 --> 00:21:47,760 recreation space. And I know that there's 248 00:21:46,000 --> 00:21:52,720 uh property that's been allocated for this for the future 249 00:21:49,360 --> 00:21:55,320 and that there is a design that's um been put together and I'm wondering if 250 00:21:53,880 --> 00:21:59,480 there's going to be a time for public comment on that or some input from those 251 00:21:57,920 --> 00:22:04,360 people that are you know, part of that that uh 252 00:22:02,320 --> 00:22:08,320 group that goes and and takes advantage of the the winter dog park at uh 253 00:22:06,800 --> 00:22:13,360 uh Tourist Park. There absolutely is the plan to have a a 254 00:22:11,440 --> 00:22:18,800 public announcement go out when we further discuss this. At our last 255 00:22:15,800 --> 00:22:25,080 meeting, we approved the recommendation to of the commission um continue to 256 00:22:22,920 --> 00:22:29,960 explore and to further put their plan together based on what was presented to 257 00:22:26,920 --> 00:22:37,600 us. And we decided as a group that once we had um a little bit more information 258 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:42,080 on um cost and um true layout and things like that cuz we didn't get a lot of 259 00:22:39,400 --> 00:22:45,720 information until a few days before the meeting. We do want to put it back on 260 00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:51,880 our agenda to be able to invite the public to offer their input. We do have 261 00:22:49,000 --> 00:22:57,000 several dog park users on our board who actually have already expressed their 262 00:22:53,880 --> 00:23:00,280 opinions to us and have decided we we know we need to hear from the general 263 00:22:58,679 --> 00:23:03,679 public as far as what their interest and how they feel 264 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:07,440 and thoughts on the whole subject. So, yes. 265 00:23:05,440 --> 00:23:10,840 That's good to hear. Um biggest issue that I'm running across 266 00:23:09,560 --> 00:23:14,400 with conversation that I have with people when I'm there with my dog is you 267 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:19,960 know, who's going to pay for it? Obviously, um it's the obligation of the 268 00:23:17,200 --> 00:23:23,760 the users to to pay for it um to fundraise and that's going to take a 269 00:23:22,080 --> 00:23:28,200 little bit of time. So, uh the sooner that that can be 270 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:32,360 there can be a package put together that that 271 00:23:30,000 --> 00:23:35,640 finally put a group of people to to kind of champion that the the the better 272 00:23:34,480 --> 00:23:41,440 because it's going to take a lot of money and a lot of effort on on those 273 00:23:38,480 --> 00:23:44,520 people's part to do that and uh uh I just think that the sooner the 274 00:23:43,080 --> 00:23:48,240 better because, you know, I was hoping that that that group might 275 00:23:46,679 --> 00:23:51,320 be able to to start working on things yet this season 276 00:23:49,560 --> 00:23:53,679 knowing that we're going into a very short summer. 277 00:23:52,800 --> 00:23:56,200 Uh it would be great to to see some 278 00:23:54,920 --> 00:23:59,880 traction there. So, if you can >> And And we are definitely looking at 279 00:23:57,960 --> 00:24:04,280 that. I do believe the topic was discussed potentially for our next 280 00:24:01,720 --> 00:24:09,400 meeting um to have a further discussion on it and hopefully by at the latest our 281 00:24:06,720 --> 00:24:13,200 April meeting to have an open forum with the public to let them know that we're 282 00:24:11,280 --> 00:24:16,080 going to talk about it. Good. And I think I'm glad to hear you talking about 283 00:24:14,720 --> 00:24:20,480 communication. I know when I was on Prescott Advisory Board years ago, um 284 00:24:18,640 --> 00:24:22,360 not to say that it wasn't effective, but there's always 285 00:24:21,720 --> 00:24:26,000 um room for improvement when it comes to 286 00:24:23,960 --> 00:24:30,160 that communication and I hope that you kind of put the cattle prod to whatever 287 00:24:27,600 --> 00:24:35,200 it takes to get that energized a little bit. So, We very much appreciate the 288 00:24:32,160 --> 00:24:41,040 fact that the form was designed for us to use when we had something to come to 289 00:24:38,160 --> 00:24:45,280 you guys. Um that I found has helped our group a lot because we can put something 290 00:24:43,040 --> 00:24:48,640 in concrete writing and we know it gets there. 291 00:24:46,080 --> 00:24:51,520 Whereas previously it was, "Okay, well, so-and-so's going to go ahead and take 292 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:54,960 care of making sure that the commission hears that we talked about this." And 293 00:24:52,880 --> 00:25:00,160 then it's, "Did so-and-so forget? And who did they talk to?" And there was no 294 00:24:57,360 --> 00:25:03,960 paper trail. And I know in the age of electronics, I'm still about the paper 295 00:25:02,040 --> 00:25:08,280 trail, whether it be an electronic paper trail or a physical paper trail. I like 296 00:25:05,880 --> 00:25:13,679 to know that the communication is happening to be able to say 297 00:25:11,480 --> 00:25:18,840 "What happened to this? Did somebody Did this get lost?" So on and so forth and 298 00:25:16,800 --> 00:25:22,679 so, we know it's a work in progress, but things have improved and we're hoping 299 00:25:20,320 --> 00:25:26,440 for further improvement. Good. Well, thanks for the presentation and 300 00:25:24,320 --> 00:25:28,679 please go back to the the board and let them know how much we appreciate the 301 00:25:27,560 --> 00:25:33,000 work they're doing. Will do. >> Keep up the good work. Thank you. 302 00:25:30,440 --> 00:25:33,000 Perfect. 303 00:25:33,240 --> 00:25:38,880 Excellent. Uh moves us on to the consent agenda. 304 00:25:37,080 --> 00:25:41,679 Looking for a motion for the consent agenda, please. 305 00:25:43,400 --> 00:25:48,320 All right, Mr. Larson. Commissioner Larson, please. 306 00:25:45,920 --> 00:25:53,800 I move that we accept the consent agenda as presented. Is there a second? 307 00:25:51,640 --> 00:25:56,360 Mr. Mayor. Second. Thank you. Any discussion? 308 00:25:56,880 --> 00:26:02,200 Okay. Seeing none, all in favor, please say 309 00:25:59,600 --> 00:26:05,520 yes. Yes. Opposed, no. Motion passes 6-0. 310 00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:14,800 Uh that brings us to new business. We have one item of new business and are we 311 00:26:12,679 --> 00:26:18,200 going to get some background on this or do we want to 312 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:22,520 I can I can read a paragraph to you. That'd be great. Thank you. It's a short 313 00:26:20,120 --> 00:26:25,560 paragraph. Thank you, Mayor. Uh due to an anticipated scheduling conflict 314 00:26:24,120 --> 00:26:29,400 involving multiple commissioners, the first regular City Commission meeting in 315 00:26:27,600 --> 00:26:34,920 March needs to be rescheduled. The proposed reschedule date is Monday, 316 00:26:31,360 --> 00:26:38,920 March 16th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Fiscal effect, none by this action. 317 00:26:36,920 --> 00:26:43,880 Recommendation, approve rescheduling the first regular City Commission meeting in 318 00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:48,640 March to Monday, March 16th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Alternatives, as determined by 319 00:26:46,640 --> 00:26:52,679 the commission. Thank you, City Clerk. Uh is there a 320 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:52,679 motion? 321 00:26:54,960 --> 00:27:00,200 Commissioner Davis, didn't see the hand, sorry. I move that we approve 322 00:26:58,560 --> 00:27:05,720 rescheduling the first regular City Commission meeting in March to Monday, 323 00:27:02,000 --> 00:27:09,280 March 16th, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. Thank you. Is there a second? 324 00:27:07,120 --> 00:27:13,560 Pro tem. Second. Any discussion? 325 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:16,720 I don't think I have any. Thank you. I don't have any, either. 326 00:27:15,240 --> 00:27:19,280 I would just like to say thank you for everybody to work around the schedule. 327 00:27:18,679 --> 00:27:21,320 Um There were a number of us that were 328 00:27:20,000 --> 00:27:25,400 going to be out of town. Uh it would have been a pretty pretty 329 00:27:23,920 --> 00:27:28,280 close to not having a quorum. So, I think that uh 330 00:27:26,720 --> 00:27:32,720 it's the best thing for us as far as getting effective business done and look 331 00:27:30,679 --> 00:27:36,120 forward to moving that that meeting forward. 332 00:27:34,160 --> 00:27:42,360 Uh with that being said, all in favor, please say yes. Yes. Yes. Opposed, no. 333 00:27:39,320 --> 00:27:42,360 Motion passes 6-0. 334 00:27:43,080 --> 00:27:46,840 That brings us to public comment number two. 335 00:27:45,400 --> 00:27:51,000 This is it. We can do it. Again, comments cannot 336 00:27:49,280 --> 00:27:53,520 exceed more than three minutes per person. Please state your name and 337 00:27:52,120 --> 00:27:57,560 physical address when you come up to the podium. Anybody for public comment? 338 00:27:58,600 --> 00:28:05,440 It's a quiet night. Too many too many hours 339 00:28:03,040 --> 00:28:08,800 shoveling snow. Any other public comment? 340 00:28:07,360 --> 00:28:12,480 Okay, seeing none, public comment is closed. That brings us to comments from 341 00:28:11,480 --> 00:28:15,960 the commission. We're going to start with Commissioner Larson tonight. 342 00:28:18,679 --> 00:28:24,480 So, I think you've already you've already said, you know, the the the 343 00:28:22,360 --> 00:28:28,640 mayor, how the community has really come together tonight or these last few days 344 00:28:27,000 --> 00:28:32,440 in search of our our missing the missing student here. So, I just want you know, 345 00:28:30,120 --> 00:28:37,640 want to express my gratitude uh to all the volunteers, to the police, to 346 00:28:35,040 --> 00:28:41,120 everybody that is that is putting forth the effort to do it. It really shows 347 00:28:39,159 --> 00:28:46,600 that our community cares about those that live here and are able 348 00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:50,480 to kind of put out the effort uh to um put aside, you know, differences and 349 00:28:48,400 --> 00:28:55,240 times and schedules out of their day uh to really step up and and help this 350 00:28:53,360 --> 00:28:58,960 family that's in need. So, I certainly appreciate that. 351 00:28:56,919 --> 00:29:01,440 Thank you. Thank you. Mr. Mayor. 352 00:29:05,000 --> 00:29:10,720 Yeah, I mean uh I don't think I really have too much more to add to that. Just 353 00:29:08,880 --> 00:29:14,800 um it it really has been incredible seeing the community rally to help find 354 00:29:12,960 --> 00:29:18,640 Trenton and uh um the amount of different agencies that 355 00:29:16,600 --> 00:29:22,200 are all collaborating together and big shout-out to uh our chief police and our 356 00:29:20,880 --> 00:29:26,520 city staff here that have been coordinating with a lot of different 357 00:29:23,919 --> 00:29:31,360 agencies, both local and state and technically federal. Um 358 00:29:29,480 --> 00:29:35,280 and uh you know, it's there's so many people out there looking and it's 359 00:29:32,520 --> 00:29:38,040 fantastic. Uh if folks are watching at home, if you know people that are out 360 00:29:36,600 --> 00:29:41,080 looking, uh it just, you know, maybe check in on 361 00:29:39,720 --> 00:29:45,480 them later today and make sure they actually got back home from searching, 362 00:29:43,280 --> 00:29:48,680 especially as it's getting darker out. Um 363 00:29:46,919 --> 00:29:52,680 yeah, other than that, thanks. Thank you, Commissioner Davis. 364 00:29:50,800 --> 00:29:56,360 Yeah, well, I will do both of those comments, but I also want to recognize 365 00:29:54,840 --> 00:30:01,600 all of those that are keeping our streets cleared. It's a huge snow year. 366 00:29:59,600 --> 00:30:04,440 I like to see this. Even I'm getting a little tired of it, 367 00:30:03,240 --> 00:30:09,680 but the work that's being done to keep our 368 00:30:06,280 --> 00:30:14,880 roads cleared and the machines going is is just really phenomenal and 369 00:30:12,160 --> 00:30:18,880 I know that people get frustrated and garbage cans get tipped over by snow 370 00:30:17,000 --> 00:30:23,600 plows, but but we can all just be a little more patient and appreciate that 371 00:30:21,080 --> 00:30:26,920 we have that service. Truly. 372 00:30:25,200 --> 00:30:30,000 Thank you, Commissioner Hamari. I don't have much to add that everyone already 373 00:30:28,360 --> 00:30:33,480 hasn't said. Again, thank you to the community for coming together and all of 374 00:30:31,360 --> 00:30:35,880 the staff. And also I know that no one else in this room 375 00:30:34,680 --> 00:30:39,240 that's not in this room looking this way can see it for the massive snow year 376 00:30:37,400 --> 00:30:42,960 that we're having, but I just glanced at our window in the corner and realized 377 00:30:41,000 --> 00:30:47,960 the snow is all the way up to but maybe 3 in of the top of it, 4 in. And it's 378 00:30:46,600 --> 00:30:51,040 overwhelming. And we're seeing that everywhere. We 379 00:30:49,120 --> 00:30:53,760 don't have places to put snow. We don't have things we can do and plows are 380 00:30:52,160 --> 00:30:56,960 having the same issues on the roads trying to clear snow when there's no 381 00:30:55,000 --> 00:31:01,320 place for that snow to go. So, just be a little bit more forgiving of our city 382 00:30:58,840 --> 00:31:05,360 staff who's working tirelessly to try and clear those roads and do what they 383 00:31:02,560 --> 00:31:09,200 can. I know it's taking longer, but it didn't stop snowing all weekend at 384 00:31:07,360 --> 00:31:13,160 any point that I saw. It just kept snowing. 385 00:31:10,520 --> 00:31:18,520 And as much as I like winter sports, I want to be warm again, so I'm ready for 386 00:31:15,720 --> 00:31:23,880 summer now if anyone's taking requests. Um other than that, that's all I have. 387 00:31:20,800 --> 00:31:27,560 Thank you, Pro Tem Modlin. Yeah, I'll echo the the other comments 388 00:31:25,880 --> 00:31:31,160 from everyone. It's it's very prideful to see our 389 00:31:29,360 --> 00:31:33,840 community come together in a time of need. 390 00:31:32,240 --> 00:31:39,480 In South Marquette today, I witnessed numerous probably NMU H 391 00:31:36,920 --> 00:31:44,200 students walking up and down streets really looking for the missing person 392 00:31:41,160 --> 00:31:48,000 and it it just once again echoes to the type of community we live in. 393 00:31:46,240 --> 00:31:52,400 So, huge thank you to Chief Grimm who's who's leading that 394 00:31:50,120 --> 00:31:57,080 effort and I hope we we get some good news later on. 395 00:31:54,440 --> 00:32:01,160 Um one quick announcement Marquette Area Public Schools has two 396 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:08,360 upcoming open houses to provide information for their bond proposal that 397 00:32:04,120 --> 00:32:12,200 will be on the ballot on May 5th. Uh it is very important that you educate 398 00:32:10,520 --> 00:32:15,520 yourself because that will be on the ballot and you're going to have the 399 00:32:13,480 --> 00:32:18,800 opportunity to do that whether you want to support that or not support it. 400 00:32:17,880 --> 00:32:23,240 They're going to try to provide information that's factual to to really 401 00:32:20,960 --> 00:32:28,400 get out there what that those bond proposal or that bond proposal is for. 402 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:32,960 March 2nd and March 3rd at Bothwell and Marquette Senior High School. There will 403 00:32:30,360 --> 00:32:37,880 be a tour at 3:30 p.m. followed by a presentation at 5:00. 404 00:32:35,640 --> 00:32:42,120 I urge all members of the public, all voters to get out and and listen to what 405 00:32:40,000 --> 00:32:46,120 the public schools has to say. If you can't do that, go ahead and look online, 406 00:32:44,120 --> 00:32:49,920 try to research the information yourself and 407 00:32:47,400 --> 00:32:56,120 most importantly, make sure you vote on May 5th because that is a very 408 00:32:53,480 --> 00:32:59,960 different time for people to vote. So, there's something important on the 409 00:32:56,960 --> 00:33:02,520 ballot be present. Thank you. Thank you. 410 00:33:01,240 --> 00:33:04,720 Great great point, thanks for bringing that 411 00:33:03,520 --> 00:33:08,520 up. I've got a couple things. Number one on 412 00:33:07,560 --> 00:33:14,880 the brighter side, we had an amazing event 413 00:33:11,440 --> 00:33:18,480 with the sled dogs last week and I just want to thank 414 00:33:16,480 --> 00:33:23,880 Ross and and his crew for putting on such an amazing event. The hundreds of 415 00:33:21,480 --> 00:33:27,120 volunteers, the the vet techs, the trail bosses, the 416 00:33:25,320 --> 00:33:30,440 you name it. I mean, it's just a bottomless pit of effort. I I just I 417 00:33:29,360 --> 00:33:34,880 don't know how they can make that thing go off without uh 418 00:33:32,760 --> 00:33:39,040 uh seeming like it's you know, it's really second hat for them. So, that was 419 00:33:37,040 --> 00:33:43,960 an incredible event. Um I've got 420 00:33:41,320 --> 00:33:47,200 comments from one of our residents and I kind of wanted to just wanted to bring 421 00:33:45,400 --> 00:33:49,960 it up. You know, as we deal with all the snow and all the plowing and all the 422 00:33:48,440 --> 00:33:52,720 wind that comes with these types of weather events 423 00:33:51,080 --> 00:33:57,160 people are talking a lot about the trash bins and things and it's pretty 424 00:33:54,080 --> 00:34:02,280 sensitive topic. I get a lot of contact in regards to these these bins and they 425 00:34:01,040 --> 00:34:06,600 said, you know, why don't we just have them wait to put something out a week? 426 00:34:04,600 --> 00:34:10,080 And I thought you know, I think we're all smart enough to figure that out, but 427 00:34:08,120 --> 00:34:13,159 I thought I'd bring it up anyway to just say, you know, if you got to have a bin 428 00:34:12,080 --> 00:34:16,879 and you don't have to put it out and you know that the weather's not going to be 429 00:34:14,080 --> 00:34:21,080 great save us save yourself the the effort and and maybe wait a week. 430 00:34:19,440 --> 00:34:25,760 Little things like that or positioning your your bins in a fashion that the 431 00:34:23,480 --> 00:34:30,640 heavier trash bin is going to be buffer buffer the the snow plows that comes by 432 00:34:27,840 --> 00:34:34,760 with instead of taking out the lighter recycling. Something, you know, along 433 00:34:32,320 --> 00:34:38,840 those lines, just little tidbits of advice that people might or may not uh 434 00:34:37,520 --> 00:34:41,679 have thought of, but just thought I'd bring it up because I can 435 00:34:40,679 --> 00:34:45,000 and kind of go from there. 436 00:34:43,320 --> 00:34:47,280 That's all I have. City Manager, do you have anything? 437 00:34:46,080 --> 00:34:50,760 I thought we knew you were talking about social media and the snow you were going 438 00:34:48,560 --> 00:34:54,919 to talk about my shoes maybe, but 439 00:34:51,800 --> 00:34:59,400 while we are talking about the snow, I do want to just mention that it's been 440 00:34:56,800 --> 00:35:01,840 a wild winter here and um city crew 441 00:35:00,840 --> 00:35:04,960 actually I've heard it's been a normal winter, but that's we'll we'll call it 442 00:35:03,400 --> 00:35:08,240 wild for now cuz we're still in it. But city crews have been working extended 443 00:35:06,359 --> 00:35:12,320 hours throughout the winter to keep up with significant snowfall 444 00:35:09,840 --> 00:35:15,800 that we've had and we've have a night shift that does work and they started 445 00:35:14,480 --> 00:35:20,200 working at the end of November, early December 446 00:35:17,480 --> 00:35:23,320 and we have a full team working 447 00:35:21,480 --> 00:35:27,359 pretty much around the clock. So, heavy snow comes when it wants to come. 448 00:35:25,320 --> 00:35:32,480 We can't plan it all the time. So, this last snowstorm brought in very heavy 449 00:35:29,680 --> 00:35:35,440 snow and working our our 450 00:35:34,280 --> 00:35:40,080 eight routes takes longer sometimes than the 451 00:35:37,720 --> 00:35:45,560 10 to 12 hours that we have on shift. So, sometimes we can get through an 452 00:35:42,480 --> 00:35:49,720 entire route, sometimes we can't. But we do eventually get to those areas. So, we 453 00:35:48,320 --> 00:35:53,400 are asking for a little bit of patience when it does come to the heavy snow. 454 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:57,359 I also just wanted to mention because we've we've received several emails 455 00:35:55,160 --> 00:36:01,200 about this and and social media posts we do see 456 00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:04,840 um our plow truck drivers are not out to plow you in your driveway. 457 00:36:03,640 --> 00:36:09,160 Um maybe only me, but 458 00:36:07,040 --> 00:36:14,359 they they are not out there trying to to plow all of you in. So, 459 00:36:11,480 --> 00:36:18,480 it is very frustrating and I hear all of you. We we very much understand how 460 00:36:16,800 --> 00:36:22,280 frustrating it is to clear your driveway and then have the plow truck come by 461 00:36:20,720 --> 00:36:25,600 a few times. So, 462 00:36:23,359 --> 00:36:30,120 we are working on on other strategies in the future, but for now those are the 463 00:36:28,080 --> 00:36:33,359 plow routes and we are working through it. So, 464 00:36:31,200 --> 00:36:36,240 help your neighbors out. Help each other out. Um 465 00:36:34,840 --> 00:36:39,720 I'm willing to come and lend a hand if need be as well. So, 466 00:36:38,359 --> 00:36:44,040 just please the snow is making everybody go mad. So, 467 00:36:41,920 --> 00:36:47,680 let's let's take a breath here and and and see the beauty that we have outside 468 00:36:45,680 --> 00:36:49,840 that's covering up the dirty snow now. Um 469 00:36:48,920 --> 00:36:53,880 we I think I've covered all of that. The 470 00:36:51,880 --> 00:36:57,720 sidewalks are still being worked on as well. Our our 471 00:36:55,960 --> 00:37:01,720 school routes are obviously first priority and our bike path multi-use 472 00:37:00,720 --> 00:37:04,600 path sometimes ends up being a little bit 473 00:37:03,120 --> 00:37:08,040 last, but we do recognize that people use it for transportation or travel. So, 474 00:37:06,680 --> 00:37:11,800 we are working on getting that cleared as fast as we can, but roads are going 475 00:37:09,680 --> 00:37:15,120 to be first priority and those snow banks are coming in as a 476 00:37:13,320 --> 00:37:17,480 hot second. So, um 477 00:37:15,680 --> 00:37:22,200 you will we will start getting to those snow banks here um 478 00:37:19,600 --> 00:37:27,520 very shortly, possibly even tonight. So, um keep an eye out for that. 479 00:37:25,000 --> 00:37:31,720 So, great job to our plow truck drivers and our our road crews out there. So, 480 00:37:29,280 --> 00:37:37,400 thank you. Thank you and with that, we are 481 00:37:33,080 --> 00:37:37,400 adjourned at 6:34.