Ludington City Council Meeting June 11, 2018: Two by Fours

[XLFD]

The regular Ludington City Council meeting of June 11, was preceded by a special meeting that very afternoon in the city hall basement for the purpose of interviewing candidates who wanted to serve as Fourth Ward councilor for the rest of the year.  It was unclear under what authority the city council was using to say they had that ability without a vacancy for the Fourth Ward existing, but they apparently thought they had that ability.  

The day would wind up with two people serving as Fourth Ward councilor, with neither of the three people who handed in their petitions earlier this year and are scheduled to meet in the August 7 primary election for the spot receiving the nod.  Two by four is what the result is, a two by four is what you need to be hit with to accept such a crazy scenario.  That special meeting will be discussed in detail, but this was nearly a two hour long meeting which involved a few other things, so let's review what happened.  

Mayor Kaye Holman amended the agenda with adding the action of accepting the resignation of Fourth Ward Councilor Mike Krauch before they chose his successor.  The city attorney seems to believe this corrected the existing problems I would bring up at both meetings, however, it was noted that Krauch's resignation was effective June 15, and he was involved with three votes after the acceptance of his resignation and the appointment of the new councilor.  A Two by four.  The comments began.

June 11th, 2018 Ludington City Council meeting from Mason County District Library on Vimeo.

XLFD (2:50 in):  "I would like to commend the City for amending the City Investment Policy in order to make investments of public money more transparent and available. I wish to thank Councilor Winczewski for advocating for less restrictions on initial public comments at the end of the last meeting.
I would also like to reiterate my call at the previous city council meeting this afternoon to table the council appointment of a Fourth Ward Councilor as the vacancy does not yet exist. It's like a landlord trying to move a new tenant into a rental unit before the previous tenant has moved out. It's not legally permissible, and it will be legally challenged.

The city charter instructs what the council's duties are when a vacancy occurs less than 60 days before a general election. A general election is being held for the Fourth Ward seat in August to narrow the field to two candidates, what this council is duty-bound to do is to call for a special election to be held then and in November for the Fourth Ward seat. Since multiple vacancies will exist when the treasurer's position becomes vacant next month, the council is duty-bound to set a special election for that office. The city clerk is duty-bound to provide for those special elections. Let's not waste time with a pointless exercise tonight where the city council including Fourth Ward Councilor Krauch will interfere with the normal democratic process already underway to pick his successor when his office is still occupied.
I realize there's not a lot of sympathy for democracy when 5 of our 7 current city councilors got their job from the city council and not any members of their ward, but it would be nice if you could obey the city charter when its relevant and assigns you clear duties."

Following my observations, four Ludington citizens in a row that lived on Pine Street gave reasoned and emotional observations of their own about the residential planned unit development (RPUD) appearing too dense for the area.  Effectively twelve houses will be fitted on what is effectively four lots, as seen below.

Following these four speakers, Ray Madsen of the Special Land Use Committee of the Ludington Planning Commission who passed this sketch up for council approval, told the council about why this passed through his two groups.  My impression, tempered by the fact I pass those lots every day, is more among the lines of the Pine Street neighbors:  it will be crowded in those lots, look  out of place in a neighborhood featuring one distinctive house in one lot, and greatly change the traffic on Pine Street.  The length of Pine Street currently has 16 houses total.  

The discussion of this RPUD between the developers and the officials would last a while starting at the 32 minute mark in the video and lasting to the (1:12:00) mark.  The confusion among all officials including the city attorney regarding motion and 'sketch approval' protocols during this time should be instructive for those who think this council is competent at what they do.  

But before that, they would approve the change to the City's investment policy, which I had praised in my first comment for the reason that it improved transparency, as the treasurer would give the council and public a monthly update.  Previously tentatively-appointed Treasurer Tom Ezdebski was granted the title of Deputy Treasurer immediately, so as to get him in doing treasury duties immediately.  It was explained that he would become a full treasurer in July, when the previous treasurer is officially out.  

The city council agreed to have more AT&T antennas attached to their towers for a fair monthly fee paid to the City, then okayed the police activity report, and then agreed to another amendment for the WTP constructions that would use up most of the contingency fund.  This should be drained later this year, and the City will have to find some more money somewhere.  

Then came the discussion about the RPUD, which after long discussion with Councilor Bourgette (where the project is scheduled to be) concerned greatly about the density of houses.  After much confusion, the sketch was approved with Bourgette making it known that he would not support a sketch with a dozen houses.

The next topic was the approval of zoning changes to accommodate an adult day care facility for up to 12 people at the old Lakeside Chapel at 301 N Washington.  Attorney Carlos Alvarado represented the couple looking for the change in the zoning ordinance, without telling the public of his additional job working for the City as their FOIA Coordinator.  In my estimation and Councilor Winczewski's, it appears to be a good fit for the facility, and an ordinance to change the zoning law will likely take place next meeting, as this was the first reading. 

The council accepted Krauch's resignation officially, then chose Carol Pomorski, 4 term councilor of the Fourth Ward and former mayor for four years, over two others as the second councilor of the Fourth Ward.  One of the other candidates received two yes votes and four no votes, Pomorski received four yes votes and two no votes.  Two by fours all around.  

Treasurer Linda Rogers and Krauch then received resolutions of appreciation from Mayor Holman for their service.  Before he made his resignation official, John Shay had to comment on a recent court decision with his own spin on it by reading his memo (1:42:00):

You should notice that each of the three officials who moved on never gave a nod out to anybody in the public, rather they commended and were toasted and roasted by their fellow officials(exception: Chuck Sobanski's endorsement during public comment).  

But I would not let his misrepresentation of Judge Wadel's findings go, as he said a bit more than what Shay said:

 

XLFD (1:50:45) :  "I object to the characterization of the legal action on behalf of myself and Ms. Seelhoff that was presented tonight. While we are grateful that we have been declared as not disabled, at least physically, by the city manager, we would caution this council that Mr. Shay was not at the hearing, unlike the plaintiffs. A review of the court transcript would paint a rather different picture of what transpired as regards the ADA portion of our complaint rather than the outgoing city manager's memo.
Be advised that the court dismissal was without prejudice and that the city's attorney was cautioned by the judge that the complaint could come back into play if the city and the splash pad committee continue with their plan to establish a sizable splash pad in Copeyon Park without making the whole area ADA compliant and otherwise safely and reasonably accessible to all. It's unfortunate that the City envisioned and rammed this project through without any serious planning of what needs to be done minimally at Copeyon Park in order to have it compliant with all federal and state regulations for such facilities. You have a general process to follow for such projects and a Planning Commission established, use them. Don't avoid them by having the work done outside the public's purview." 

C Dale Bannon finished the comments by talking of the 'postage stamp' development on Pine Street and how he hoped it had proper setbacks, and made a faux complaint about street improvements in Ludington.  The last comment before former Councilor Castonia thanked those resigning for their service and ribbed Shay about his fire incident involving his grill about 12 years ago.

[AQUAMAN]

Another BS mtg. to pat themselves on the back. 1:46 into the mtg. Moonbeam Kath crazy on Shyster Shay's outgoing from CM position with Shitty attitude on his big accomplishments, lieing too as to great ethics and professionalism. Then add Krooked liar attorney Krauch's stmt. on "big shoes to fill", more big BS. Castonia finishes near end with lies about Shyster Shay, Krooked Krauch, and shakes with serious Parkinson's Disease as he nearly passes out at the podium. What a sham and liar fest this was, and to think, the two of them left us in so much debt and illegal acts, it's just not funny, it's a travesty. And the rest of the council, mostly appointed Crony's, sit on their thrown, and agree with this corruption that's infected our town for the next 40 years or more, very sad, and very ridiculous!

[XLFD]

Six out of our current eight councilors have been appointed to their positions, like Castonia was to his current county commission position.  Let's be sympathetic for Commissioner Castonia, he may not be anywhere near the best at his official positions, but let's hope for merciful remissions of any of his afflictions he may suffer, and just criticize his misdeeds and character.  

Knowing what we do about these officials and their acts, their self-congratulatory remarks about each other are sickening and nauseating.  The next time I go to a meeting where a couple corrupt officials are scheduled to be feted, I'm going to bring a barf bag along, just in case.

[Brad]

Think you could get away with at least a cough...

 

[XLFD]

And suffer another admonition and note from former teacher Winczewski for making a personal hacking attack?  I need to get at least a 'C' in this class.

[Wonder Woman]

Prayers, indeed, to Gary Castonia. He certainly looks like he's battling some health issues that were not present, or at least not as advanced, as when he was on city council. While we may not agree with his politics, we can all agree that we don't want to see anyone suffer.

As far as the six out of eight councilors that have been appointed, I must admit that I'm actually proud of Dave Bourgette. He seems to speak up when needed and doesn't mind going against the status quo.  I think he's a good fit for the City Council and the residents of his ward.  He's one of the better candidates to be appointed.

[XLFD]

It pleasantly surprised me when they chose Bourgette over Carrie Rangel, and Bourgette has pleasantly surprised me by being a councilor with some common sense and conscience.  I'm disappointed that his position on the "Stables" was not given more weight by the rest of the council, since this is smack dab in the middle of his ward.  Councilor Krauch's legacy will be his advocacy for crazy projects like this, chatting this project up, as is, when he will be living in the Show-me State before anything more happens with it.  

I am so impressed with all the talent running for Krauch's old seat, I only wish they would have challenged him two years ago.