City of Rogers City Council meetings – May
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ROGERS CITY CITY COUNCIL HELD IN
COUNCIL CHAMBERS ON MAY 19, 2026
Mayor McLennan called the meeting to order at 6 pm and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: PRESENT – Council Members Timeen Adair, Kenneth Bielas, Larry Fuhrman, Brittany VanderWall and Mayor Scott McLennan.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Bielas/VanderWall, to approve the agenda as presented.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Fuhrman/Adair, that the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of May 5, 2026, be approved as written. ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
CITY CLERK’S REPORT:
CHECK AND INVOICE APPROVAL:
Adair/Fuhrman, that the following total fund expenditures be recognized as payments made and payments to be made, in the amount of $483,796.32 and the Mayor is authorized to sign the check register.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE ORDINANCE- 2nd READING AND ADOPTION
Discussion was had regarding the reasons for the proposed ordinance.
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-1
Bielas/VanderWall, that the following Ordinance No. 2026-1, which was introduced for first reading at the April 21, 2026 Council meeting, be adopted and that proper publication be made within 15 days required from the date thereof in the Presque Isle County Advance. Said ordinance to become effective upon publication May 28, 2026.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ROGERS CITY BY AMENDING CHAPTER 9 (MOBILE HOMES AND RECREATIONAL VEHICLES) TO ELIMINATE CONFLICT WITH THE CITY’S ZONING ORDINANCE
Ordinance printed in prior edition. Complete ordinance available at City Hall.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
PROTESTING & PICKETING 2nd READING AND ADOPTION
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-36
Adair/VanderWall to table 2nd reading and adoption of the Protesting and Picketing Ordinance to the next meeting with Chief Meyer, City Mgr. Hefele and City Atty. Ryan review the language.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
TREE ORDINANCE 2nd READING AND ADOPTION
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-2
Fuhrman/Adair, that the following Ordinance No. 2026-2, which was introduced for first reading at the April 21, 2026 Council meeting, be adopted and that proper publication be made within 15 days required from the date thereof in the Presque Isle County Advance. Said ordinance to become effective upon publication on May 28, 2026.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ROGERS CITY BY DELETING THE EXISTING LANGUAGE IN CHAPTER 19 (VEGETATION) AND REPLACING IT WITH NEW LANGUAGE (STILL TITLED VEGETATION) WHICH ESTABLISHES MORE DETAILED GUIDELIENS FOR TREES IN THE CITY.
Ordinance was printed in prior edition. Complete ordinance available at City Hall
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
SHORT TERM RENTAL ORDINANCE
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-3
Bielas/VanderWall, that the following Ordinance No. 2026-3, which was introduced for first reading at the May 5, 2026 Council meeting, be adopted and that proper publication be made within 15 days required from the date thereof in the Presque Isle County Advance. Said ordinance to become effective upon publication on May 28, 2026.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ROGERS CITY BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 23 (HOUSING), TO BE TITLED SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
Entire Ordinance published in May 5, 2026 edition.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
WWTP ROJECT PLAN – RESOLUTION
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-37
VanderWal/Adair, that the City Council of Rogers City, MI hereby resolves to adopt the project plan presented to the public during a hearing on April 22, 2026. The project plan was prepared by Mead & Hunt. The project plan was for the wastewater treatment facilities and city collection system.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
2026-2027 COMPREHENSIVE FEE SCHEDULE
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-38
Bielas/VanderWall, to approve the 2026-2027 Comprehensive Fee Schedule as presented with the Marina seasonal launch remaining at $50.00.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
2026-2027 UTILITY RATE DISCLOSURE
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-39
Fuhrman/Bielas, to table the 2026-2027 Utility Rate Disclosure to the next meeting.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
FY2026-2027 BUDGET HEARING AND ADOPTION
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-40
VanderWall/Bielas, to allow Council Member Fuhrman to abstain from the discussion and vote regarding additional compensation for the Deputy Clerk/Treasurer’s.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-41
Adair/VanderWall, to approve the additional compensation for the Deputy Clerk/Treasurer’s as included in the proposed budget.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
Fuhrman Abstained.
FY2026-2027 BUDGET ADOPTION
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-42
Fuhrman/Bielas, to approve the FY2026-2027
WHEREAS, the City Manager of the City of Rogers City has presented to this City Council a proposed budget for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027; and
WHEREAS, the proposed budget has been reviewed and found to be in accordance with the general fiscal and budgetary policies as established by this City Council; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on this budget submission on May 19, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, with audience and media able to participate both in person and by Zoom; and
WHEREAS, this document is on file in the official records and documents of the City of Rogers City;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council, under the authority granted by the City Charter, does hereby levy the following tax on all real and personal property within the corporate limits of the City; said tax levy to be for the period of July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027:
General Operations
16.3154 mills
City Band Operations 0.2000 mills
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council does hereby approve and adopt the FY2024/2025 budget as submitted and appropriates the following sums for the purposes set forth therein:
General Fund $2,463,030
Major Street Fund 575,100
Local Street Fund 433,150
Band Fund 17,200
Main Street-Downtown Development Authority Fund 800,990
Debt Service Fund 374,620
Community Growth Fund 151,500
Wastewater Treatment Fund 1,000,440
Water Fund 888,850
Marina Fund 562,350
Garbage Collection Fund 220,510
Equipment Pool Fund 643,100
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-43
Fuhrman/Adair, to allow Council Member Fuhrman to abstain from the cell phone stipend discussion. ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-44
McLennan/Bielas, to leave the employee phone stipend at the current $50.00 per month rate.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
Fuhrman abstained.
TRASH COLLECTION CONTRACT
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-45
VanderWall/Adair, to table the Trash Collection contract to the next Council Meeting.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-46
McLennan/Fuhrman, to move that the Rogers City Council enter into closed session pursuant to Section 8(c) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, MCL 15.268(c), for strategy and negotiation sessions connected with the negotiation of a collective bargaining agreement involving the POLC union contract, at the request of the negotiating party.
ROLL CALL: Ayes: All, the motion carried and the meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 7:56 p.m. Upon reconvening in public session at 7:59 pm, the following action was taken.
COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-47
Bielas/Fuhrman, to approve a letter of agreement between POLC and the City of Rogers City increasing the wages by 2.5% on July 1, 2026 and keeping longevity stipend intact.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor McLennan declared the meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
Condensed version, complete minutes are available at City Hall.
***
MINUTES OF THE
REGULAR MEETING OF THE ROGERS CITY
CITY COUNCIL
HELD IN COUNCIL
CHAMBERS ON MAY 5, 2026
Mayor McLennan called the meeting to order at 9 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Adair, Bielas, Fuhrman, VanderWall and McLennan.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Bielas/VanderWall, to approve the agenda as presented.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Adair/Fuhrman, that the minutes of the Regular Council Meeting of April 21, 2026, the April 22, 2026 Public Hearing, the April 29, 2026 Workshop and May 1, 2026 Special meeting be approved as written. ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
CITY CLERK’S REPORT:
CHECK AND INVOICE APPROVAL:
Adair/Fuhrman, that the following total fund expenditures be recognized as payments made and payments to be made, in the amount of $427,841.81 and the Mayor is authorized to sign the check register. ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
2026-2027 BUDGET
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE ORDINANCE SECOND READING
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-32
Fuhrman/Bielas, to table the second reading and adoption to the next meeting.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
PROTESTING & PICKETING ORDINANCE
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-33
Adair/VanderWall, to table the second reading and adoption to the next meeting.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – Adair, Fuhrman, VanderWall and McLennan
Nays – Bielas, the motion carried.
TREE ORDINANCE –
SECOND READING & ADOPTION
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34
Fuhrman/Adair, to table the second reading and adoption to the next meeting.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
SHORT-TERM RENTAL
ORDINANCE – FIRST READING
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-4
Bielas/VanderWall, for first reading.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF ROGERS CITY BY ADDING A NEW ARTICLE 3 TO CHAPTER 23 (HOUSING), TO BE TITLED SHORT-TERM RENTALS.
THE CITY OF ROGERS CITY ORDAINS:
The Code of Ordinances of the City of Rogers City is hereby amended by adding a new Article 3 to Chapter 23 (Housing), to be titled Short-term Rentals, which shall read as follows:
Section 23.82. Intent and Purpose.
The City Council finds the short-term rental of dwelling units in the City of Rogers City provides value to the local economy but also can bring with it negative effects to the year-round quality of neighborhoods, housing supply, and public health and safety. The City Council has enacted this regulatory ordinance to strike a regulatory balance between the interests of community residents, business owners, visitors, and property owners.
Section 23.83. Definitions.
As used in this Article, the following words and phrases shall have the meaning hereafter ascribed to them:
Accessory Dwelling Unit: A second residential dwelling unit that may be contained within an existing single-family home, detached garage, or carriage house, and that meets all of the requirements of the Rogers City Zoning Ordinance.
Basement: The portion of a dwelling which is more that 50% below finished grade. A finished basement with egress shall be counted as a floor; an unfinished basement or a basement without egress shall not be counted as a floor.
Bedroom: A room intended for sleeping or placement of a bed separated from other spaces in the dwelling unit by one or more functional doors. The following spaces do not qualify as bedrooms: kitchens; dining areas; gathering spaces such as living rooms, dens, or family rooms, and attics or basements.
Calendar year: January 1st to December 31st.
Cap: Maximum number of Short-term Rental Units, excluding Short-term Rental Personal Units, that may be licensed within the City of Rogers City, as determined by the City Council.
Compensation: Money or other consideration given in return for occupancy, possession, or use of a property.
Dwelling Unit: A self-contained unit within a building that is designed for human occupancy and provides complete living facilities, including permanent provisions for sleeping, eating, cooking, and sanitation. “Dwelling Unit” does not include Bed and Breakfasts, hotels and motels, and boarding houses.
Enforcement Officer: The person(s) appointed by the City who shall carry out various functions of this Article or cause other officials, inspectors, or relevant professionals to carry out various functions in order to implement and enforce the terms of this Article.
Good Visitor Guide: Information prepared by the City for distribution at all Short-term Rental Units.
License: An annual Short-term Rental license duly issued by the City of Rogers City in accordance with the provisions of this Article.
License Holder: The owner who applies for and receives a short-term rental license from the City of Rogers City.
Local Agent: An individual designated to oversee the operations of the short-term rental unit in accordance with this Article, and to respond to calls and complaints from renters, citizens, and City officials within 45 minutes either in person or by telephone. If necessary, a representative must be able to be on-site within 45 minutes.
Maximum Occupancy: The maximum number of allowable occupants and the guests of those occupants for a short-term rental, as established by this Article.
Occupant: Individual 10 years of age or older.
Personal Unit: An owner-occupied property with an accessory dwelling unit that is used as a short-term rental.
Short-term Rental: A property that offers the rental of a dwelling unit for compensation for more than twenty-eight (28) days total per calendar year for terms no greater than twenty-nine (29) consecutive nights.
Transfer: A transfer of property of any type from a person to another person as defined under MCL 211.27a(6)(a)(j), being part of Public Act 206 of 1893, as amended.
Section 23.84. Licensing.
An owner of any property located within the City of Rogers City shall not rent, or allow to be rented a Short-term Rental unless the owner has obtained a license for that dwelling unit in accordance with the requirements of this Article.
All Short-term Rentals shall be licensed.
The initial license term shall be for the remainder of the calendar year the license is issued plus two (2) additional calendar years.
An initial license, if available, may be issued at any time.
An existing license term, for units in good standing, may be extended each year for one (1) additional year during the renewal period.
The renewal period for existing licenses shall be annually from November 1 through December 31.
Licenses that are not renewed on or prior to the last day of the license term shall expire.
Application form. A person seeking a Short-term Rental license under this Article shall submit a complete Short-term Rental application, certified as being true, to the City. The application shall include all of the information specified on the Short-term Rental application form and any other information deemed reasonably necessary to determine whether the Short-term Rental standards and regulations under this Article have been met. The License application form shall collect not less than the following information and other items as the City may deem necessary for implementation of this Article:
Name, permanent address, email, and telephone number of the property owner and local agent for the Short-term Rental unit;
The street address of the Short-term Rental unit, along with other identification if more than one dwelling unit shares the same street address;
The number of bedrooms in each dwelling unit, and total number of allowable occupants per this Article;
The identification of the number of available parking spaces and a diagram of parking available for guests;
A signed statement certifying the following:
Each bedroom has a working smoke alarm, each floor has a working carbon monoxide detector, and the local agent will check those devices not less than every six (6) months;
That the property is insured and the firm insuring the unit;
The property owner or local agent will provide at least one copy of the City’s Good Visitor Guide to the renters each time the dwelling unit is rented;
A schematic will be supplied to renters as to where they can legally park and how many spaces.
A cap of the total number of Short-term Rental Unit Licenses issued per year may be set annually by resolution of the City Council. Short-term Rental Personal Units are not included in the calculation of the cap.
Application fee. An application shall be accompanied by an application fee as established and set forth in the City fee schedule.
Complete application. Receipt of an application by the City does not mean an application is considered complete. If an applicant submits an incomplete application, they are not guaranteed a license.
Initial license applications for Short-term Rental units shall be processed on a first come, first served basis.
A short-term rental application shall not be considered accepted or complete until the City designee deems it to be complete. Applicants will be notified within 3 business days of submittal if an application is incomplete. If the applicant fails to provide all the information required by this Article and/or fails to pay the required fee, then the application shall be deemed incomplete and may be denied by the City on that basis.
Once deemed to be complete, if an application complies with all the standards and regulations of this Article and a license is available, the City shall approve the license.
When a licensed property is transferred, the license will expire upon the transfer of the property.
Licenses become void upon expiration, property transfer or revocation by the City under this Article.
The City Council reserves the right to raise, lower or amend the number of Short-term Rental licenses at any time, but not to the detriment of existing licensed Short-term Rentals.
Section 23.85. Regulations.
Local Agent. All licensed Short-term Rentals shall have a designated local agent, as defined by this Article.
Maximum occupancy. A Short-term Rental shall be permitted maximum occupancy of two (2) persons per bedroom plus two (2) persons per finished and legal floor for dwelling as described in this Article and as may be verified by inspections from time-to-time.
Advertising of licensed Short-term Rental must include the license number and the maximum occupancy permitted in the unit.
Compliance with codes. Short-term Rental unit must meet all applicable Residential Building, Health Department, Nuisance, and Safety Codes as necessary to protect the safety of occupants.
All Short-term Rental owners and tenants are subject to the Rogers City Code of Ordinances.
Section 23.86: Violations and Penalties.
A person who violates any provision of this Article may be responsible for a municipal civil infraction. Each day on which any violation of the Article continues may constitute a separate offense and subject to penalties as a separate offense.
Tenants of Short-term Rentals are subject to the Rogers City Code of Ordinances, including but not limited to noise, fireworks, trash, pets, and parking.
Property owners of Short-term Rentals are responsible for violations relating to false or misleading statements in the registration process, including but not limited to, such items as, Short-term Rental local agent not responding to complaint/call within specified time period and advertising and/or hosting greater occupancy than permissible.
Short-term Rental licenses may be revoked under the following circumstances;
A first owner violation within any calendar year, shall result in a written warning. A second owner violation within the same calendar year, shall result in a municipal fine as set by resolution of the City Council from time-to-time.
A third owner violation within the same calendar year shall result in revocation of the license until the end of the calendar year. A minimum 14-day notice will be given to an owner for any revocation. As of one day following the notice of the third violation, no additional bookings may be made of the rental through the year-end. If there is a Short- term Rental license waiting list, revocation of a license will cause the property owner to be placed at the bottom of the waiting list.
(E) For all complaints not requiring immediate police response, complainants are encouraged to document the violation, with photographs and/or recorded video, without encroaching on people or property and to report the violation, including any documentation, during the same or following business day to the police.
If necessary information to verify a violation is not submitted as per Section 23.86(E) the complaint shall be dismissed.
Section 23.87. Appeals.
Appeal procedure. Upon a determination by the Enforcement Officer that the registration of a dwelling unit is subject to revocation pursuant to Section 23.86(D), the Enforcement Officer shall issue a notice to the owner and agent of the licensed Short-term Rental stating that the City intends to revoke the license.
The notice shall inform the owner and local agent of a right to a hearing to show cause as to why the license should not be revoked. If a hearing is requested and the fee is paid within 14 days of the service of the notice, the Enforcement Officer shall schedule the hearing before the City Council and notify the owner and agent in writing of a time and place for that hearing.
At the hearing, the owner and/or agent may present evidence that the requirements for revocation are not satisfied, or that the property owner and agent should not be held responsible for one or more of the three requisite violations due to extenuating circumstances. Extenuating circumstances may include circumstances that the owner or agent could not reasonably anticipate and prevent, and could not reasonably control.
The City Council shall independently determine whether there is competent, material, and substantial evidence establishing a violation, and/or whether there is competent, material, and substantial evidence establishing that extenuating circumstances exist.
Section 23.88. Conflict and Severability Clause.
All ordinances, resolutions and orders or part thereof in conflict with the provisions of this Article are, to the extent of such conflict, hereby repealed, and each Section of this Article and each Subsection of any Section thereof is hereby declared to be independent, and the finding or holding of any Section or Subsection thereof to be invalid or void shall not be deemed or held to affect the validity of any other Section or Subsection of this Article.
This ordinance shall be published within 15 days after its adoption.
This ordinance shall become effective upon publication.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
CLOSED SESSION:
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-35
Fuhrman/Adair, to enter into Closed Session to discuss collective bargaining.
ROLL CALL: Ayes: All, the motion carried and the meeting adjourned to Closed Session at 10:07 am. Upon reconvening in public session at 10:18 am no action was taken.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor McLennan declared the meeting adjourned at 10:22 am.
Condensed version. Complete minutes are available at City Hall.
***
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE ROGERS CITY CITY COUNCIL
HELD IN COUNCIL
CHAMBERS ON MAY 1, 2026
Mayor McLennan called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL: Adair, Fuhrman and McLennan.
ABSENT: Bielas and VanderWall.
NEW BUSINESS:
USDA-RD PLOW TRUCK CLOSING
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-33
Fuhrman/Adair, to adopt the loan resolution form RD 1942-47 as included in the meeting packet.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34
Fuhrman/Adair that Mayor McLennan and City Mgr. Hefele are designated signers on all USDA loan documents.
ROLL CALL: Ayes – All, the motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT:
Mayor McLennan declared the meeting adjourned at 9:05 am.
Condensed version, complete minutes are available at City Hall.
