Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Village of Beulah Council Meeting Minutes for January 5, 2006

Please note that the Minutes are not posted to the web site until they have been approved.

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Regular Council Meeting of the Village of Beulah was called to order by President Baltazar on Thursday, January 5, 2006 at 7:00 P.M.

Visitors - Three

Pledge of Allegiance was voiced by all in attendance.

Addition to the Agenda: Bill Crawford, Benzie County Health Department and Understanding with Benzie County in regards to the Recycling Program

No conflict of interest reported by any council member.

Roll Call: Present: President Baltazar, Trustees Milliron, Pallin, Siderman, Elliott, Belanger, Rank, Clerk Hansen, Treasurer Gerberding, Charles Kinzel, zoning Administration and Superintendent Moore.

Motion by Rank, support by Milliron to approve the Agenda as presented with the additions. All Ayes. Motion Carried.

Motion by Belanger, support Siderman to approve the minutes of the Public Budget Hearing at 6:30 P.M., Thursday, December 8, 2005 and Regular Council Meeting minutes of Thursday, December 8, 2005 at 7:00 P.M. Roll Call vote: Ayes: Belanger, Elliott, Milliron, Pallin, Rank, Siderman, Baltazar. Nays: None Motion Carried.

Motion by Rank, support Milliron to approve the bills as presented for the month of December, 2005 and January, 2006. RC Vote: Ayes: Elliott, Milliron, Pallin, Rank, Siderman, Baltazar, Belanger. Nays: None Motion Carried.

Motion by Rank, support Milliron to approve the transfer of funds for the fourth quarter, October, November, December, 2005 for Equipment Fund and Payroll Fund. Also outgoing transfer of funds from General Fund to Local Street Fund and Major Street Fund for fourth quarter. RC Vote: Ayes: Elliott, Milliron, Pallin, Rank, Siderman, Baltazar, Belanger.

Nays: None Motion Carried.

No public comments on agenda items only.

COMMUNICATION TO COUNCIL: Bill Crawford-Benzie Cty Health Dept.: Crawford reported on the Northwest Michigan Onsite Wastewater Task Force. Work being done the Benzonia Township and the Village of Benzonia. Crawfords is aware the Village of Beulah has its own sewage ponds, but thought they would be interested in this program. Information meetings will be held and the Council will be invited to attend all meetings. Grant application money is being pursued. Crawford will be meeting the Village of Benzonia and the Benzonia Township at their next regular meetings. Info on file in Clerk’s Office.

Welcome Center Building: Discussion pros and cons regarding keeping the Welcome Center Building open year around, especially during the winter months. Belanger would like to see the contract between the Village of Beulah and the DNR as to the maintenance agreement. Baltazar will give him a copy. It states we have a ten year agreement as to the maintenance. It will be at the authority of Supt. Moore as to the plowing of the parking area. Motion by Belanger, Support Siderman to keep the Trailhead Welcome Center hours for Friday, Saturday, Sunday, from 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Also No Overnight Parking sign is to be put back up at the parking lot. This subject is to be reviewed at our next regular meeting in February 2006. RC Vote: Ayes: Pallin, Rank, Siderman, Baltazar, Belanger, Elliott, Milliron. Nays: None Motion Carried.

Snow Removal from Sidewalks in the Village of Beulah: Discussion was held in regards to the removal of snow on all sidewalks. Belanger stated all sidewalks should be cleaned in Village. Siderman stated the roads are first priority. The new snowblower has four wheel drive, turf tires, can also be used at sewer pond and beach cleaner. Motion by Belanger, support Siderman to plow all sidewalks at the discretion of Superintendent Moore.

Ayes: Rank, Siderman, Baltazar, Belanger, Elliott, Milliron, Pallin. Nays: None Motion Carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Treasurer Gerberding: Motion by Milliron, support Rank to approve the treasurer’s Report as presented dated December 31, 2005. All Ayes. Motion Carried. One 2005 Delinquent Personal Property Tax reported in the amount of $133.18, if not paid within deadline date, it will be taken to court.

A resident offered to help fold water bills, but Rank stated the information on the bills is confidential and the Treasurer is the one to mail them out. Thanked the person for offering.

Charles Kinzel - zoning Administration: Kinzel presented a cost of prosecuting Pine Knot

Motel from 7/31/2005 through 12/31/2005 in the amount of $5,789.09. Village of Beulah Attorney is working on getting reimbursed,in a legal way.

Trustee Rank - Water/Sewer Chairman: Thought a water leak in the Cherry Hut/Market Basket parking lot, but found no problem. Superintendent Moore will be attending a seminar at Lansing, MI on February 7 - 8, 2006. Check the Brookside grease trap, and no grease. Lorenz did install a new grease trap to take care of the problem.

Trustee Siderman - Law/Finance Chairman: Presented sign ordinance addition as follows:

Neon or light bulb signs flashing information such as time, temperature or business information are legal as long as they are not of the scroll nature and meet all other sign requirements of the Village of Beulah. Motion to hold a public hearing for the sign ordinance addition by Milliron, support Siderman. Ayes: Belanger, Milliron, Pallin, Siderman, Baltazar. Nay: Elliott Abstain: Rank Motion Carried. This ordinance will be published and a public hearing will be held. Thanked Rank for presenting 2006 Budget.

Trustee Belanger - Halls/Grounds Chairman: Would like to get the Web Site in operation as soon as possible as to the minutes, and any other information.

Belanger stated if the Welcome Center is his responsibility, he would like a key to the building so the building can be checked out at various times.

Trustee Milliron - Street Administration: At a cost of $100.00 a street light to be installed on Crystal Avenue near Renyolds property as the maintenance people cannot see in the area to turn around, when they have the plow truck.

Trustee Elliott - Parks/Recreation Chairman: Motion by Elliott, support Pallin to rescind the following motions made at the regular council meeting of December 8, 2005:

Motion by Rank, support Elliott that the Village of Beulah can refuse to issue a dock permit to any individual. Motion by Belanger, support Rank that Mr. Carmack's application! permit not be renewed for year 2006 due to unlawful behavior. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Elliott, Milliron, Pallin, Rank, Baltazar, Belanger. No vote for Siderman as he was not at the meeting due to surgery and did not cast a vote. Motion Carried.

Motion by Milliron, support Siderman to approve the Rules/Regulation 2006 Boat Dock Rules.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Milliron, Pallin, Rank, Siderman, Baltazar, Belanger, Elliott.

Motion Carried. Copy of Boat Dock Rules in Clerk Office.

Motion by Elliott, support Rank to deny Patrick Carmack’s application for boat/dock in accordance with the 2006 rules. RC Vote: Baltazar, Belanger, Elliott, Milliron, Pallin, Rank, Siderman. Nays: None Motion Passed.

Trustee Pallin - Equipment Chairman: As was discussed early in the meeting, a snowblower was purchased. Thanks to Supt. Moore and Trustee Milliron for checking out the machine.

Superintendent Moore; Water usage is back down to normal. Figures been running high, thought we might have a leak. Sewer ponds are OK. Pond #2 if now flowing into Pond #3, but in good shape. Attention cord from the Cold Creek Building. Council asked Moore to disconnect and take down the cord.

Winterfest 2006: Notion by Elliott, support Siderman to approve the Winterfest Parade for 2006 on February 11th. Parade will begin at 3PM downtown Beulah and line-up will begin at 2:30 PM. All Ayes. Motion Carried.

Correspondence: Memorandum of Understanding between Benzie County and the Village of Beulah for a county recycling program recycling site.

Motion by Rank, support Siderman to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between Benzie County and the Village of Beulah for a Recycling Site. One copy of the agreement to be returned to Dawn Olney, County Clerk and one for the Village of Beulah for our records. RC Vote: Belanger, Elliott, Milliron, Pallin, Rank, Siderman, Baltazar.

Library Update: No report. Moore reported Elmer’s Construction requested water/sewer blueprints. Belanger reported they have reached a goal of $280,000.

Public Input: Mr. Kilgus asked the Council to set a time for Halloween Trick/Treat for 2006. Other Villages publish a time and would appreciate a time limit printed for the Village of Beulah. Will take note of your request and do so.

DATE CHANGE: CLEAN-UP DAY WILL BE JUNE 3, 2006, instead of June 10, 2006 as the date of June 10th had already been reserved.

Belanger will prepare a notice informing residents of the Village of Beulah Web Site and the notice will be on the reverse side of the water bill to be sent out in approximately two weeks.

Milliron will send notice with the water bill regarding the procedure for snow removal from sidewalks in the Village of Beulah.

Motion by Rank, support Siderman to adjourn the regular council meeting at 9:15 PM. All Ayes. Motion Carried.

Respectfully submitted,

Maxine N. Hansen,

Clerk