Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Minutes of Regular Meeting - Thursday, November 9, 2006 - 7:00 PM

Regular Council Meeting called to order by President Baltazar.

Guests: 5

Roll Call: President Baltazar, Trustee Rank, Elliott, Siderman, Pallin, Kilgus, ZA Kinzel, Clerk Hansen, Spencer, Treasurer Olney, Superintendent Moore. Absent: Belanger

Trustee Rank would like to add to old business: A-Z/Beddells.

Call to approve the agenda. All Ayes - none opposed.

No conflict of interest reported by any council member.

October Minutes approval; Roll Call: All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Trustee Elliott questions the cost of the office phone bill and whether it would be beneficial to change carriers. It was stated the bill actually is three phone bills, council had decided to stay with the current phone company on a previous occasion.

Some discussion on October bills - Motion by Rank to approve bills as presented, support by Kilgus. Roll Call Vote: All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Public Comments: Vicki Carpenter - congratulations to those members who were re-elected, those that are leaving, and to the new elects. Thanks to Charlie, Brian, and the guys - compliments to all for service given.

Mark Hurley - Gosling Czubak

Update on Water Project: several contracts and plans have been completed - the water tank, well house, and water main from the well house. Some issues not completed is controlling how the tank works, which is fairly simple process - basically 100% complete with those plans. A zoning variance is needed from the Village of Benzonia for placement, Gosling Czubak will handle the variance. The tank will be on Village property, but does not meet the zoning ordinance. President Baltazar will contact the Village of Benzonia.

An informational meeting for the village will be held to explain the construction process.

The Chamber of Commerce is requesting use of the Welcome Center on December 9 th from 4:00PM to 6:00PM for Christmas Magic for the kids. Center is currently closed, everything is turned off. There were monetary concerns for opening/closing the building - not open this winter. Trustee Elliott stated it was open last year with set hours and questioned what the cost was for last year. There was discussion concerning the closure of the building making the Village less friendly to the people. It was stated that decreased hours there would be a decrease in vandalism and liability. Winterizing and then de-winterizing is not practical, the building should be either open or closed. Elliott disagrees with the decision and believes it should have been brought up before council. Elliott wants this issue to be placed on the next agenda and she will research the bills for the costs incurred last winter.

The Sheriff's Snowmobile Safety Program, which is requesting a $300.00 donation was discussed. Motion by Elliott, support by Siderman not to support the program or donate $300.00, further discussion took place. Elliott rescinds her motion, Siderman rescinds his support. Motion by Rank, support by Kilgus

To support program. Roll Call: All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Opening of the Trailhead was further discussed. Mr. Goff requested that it be open for public events. Even though it is to be included on the December agenda, it would be to late for a determination of usage for the library. Trustee Siderman stated that Baltazar made the determination to close the building and can make the determination to open it. President Baltazar will open for the library and the Sunrise Rotary. Elliott requests that it be open on the weekends in November from 9:00AM to 4:00PM - Baltazar approved.

Trustee Pallin stated that a policy should be formed to determine how the Trail Head building should be handled and stick to it.

Trapp Farm Letter - they have withdrawn their wetland permit application.

Treasurer report: Motion by Rank, support by Siderman to approve treasurer's report. Roll Call: All Ayes motion carried.

ZA Kinzel - The court has ordered Brookside Inn to remove the electronic sign. Kinzel request permission to advertise ordinance changes, council ok's to publish except for the 800 foot change on garage limitation, council requests to follow the current ordinance that refers to the percentage of the lot size. Will be included in the January meeting.

Water/Sewer - Chairman Rank: Village is responsible for the labor and materials for water/sewer hookup. Village is losing $500.00 on installation. Rank is recommending increasing the hookup fee to $2500.00 for water and $2500.00 for sewer. Village residents to absorb the cost of installation is unfair to current residents. Increase in fees will at least cover the cost of installation. Motion by Rank, support by Siderman to increase fees for hookup, effective December 1, 2006. Roll Call: All Ayes - Motion carried.

Trustee Rank has responded to issues brought up by Janice Heuer, Environmental Engineer, Water Bureau.

It was noted by Rank that all issues have been dealt with and the ponds are in the best shape they have been in a long time, Brian and Dave have been paying greater attention to the area. Rank does not feel there is anything serious in the report. Trustee Rank request that he be involved if this situation should reoccur.

Elliott stated that she believed that the appropriate trustee should be contacted so that they could be present

When situations occur.

Law/Finance - Trustee Siderman: Council members have a copy of the 2007 budget, look it over; meeting at 6:30PM, December 7, 2006. Will be presented by Mr. Rank since this is Mr. Siderman's last night.

It is a good budget and thanks to Jerry, Jim, Maxine, and Dawn for their help.

Parks/Recreation - Elliott: Nothing for parks and recreation, but the Christmas decorations are in. Hopefully they will be installed around Thanksgiving. Discuss on installation method so no injuries will occur. Brian will check on using a bucket truck with Frankfort or Smitty's. Decorations are larger and

Weigh about 32 pounds, using a ladder will not work.

Streets - Kilgus: Branches overhang on the streets and encumber the truck should be cut. Will talk to residents in summer when they return.

Slated in 2011 to construct a dedicated right turn on St. Rte. 31 into the Government Center.

Equipment - Pallin: No report.

Superintendent Moore: Thanks from Brian to Jim Baltazar and Gary Siderman, it has been a pleasure working with them, don't be strangers.

Took care of the irrigation - blown out with air - ready in case of temperature changes.

Four broken sprinkler heads a couple that were cracked, gallon meter didn't fluctuate that much, used last four that we had. Will order more around April.

Kids came to clean out the creek, need to contact Marlene - debris put in the recycle bin and the wind blows it out. Question if Beulah ever considered a cafeteria plan? Village has never done that. Kinzel mentioned looking into a medical savings plan.

Old Business - Baltazar: A-Z Adams case - talked with David Beddell - no progress has been made and no consent records. This matter has been going on for four months, Baltazar will speak with him again.

Motion by Rank, support by Siderman to give Beddells two weeks to complete, if not resolved fire him and change lawyers. Roll Call: All Ayes - Motion carried.

Rank stated that this situation should be finalized before Baltazar leaves office since he knows all the particulars and doesn't want it become someone else's problem who has not been participating.

Request by maintenance to be paid weekly and change to hours of 7:30AM to 4:00PM. Brian stated that this has changed , request had been from Lupe Garcia. There has been another confrontation and Lupe Garcia is no longer with the Village.

Public request for placement of dumpster for removal of façade oat post office and antique building. Use an available parking spot, parallel or angled.

Siderman thanks all for the past 2 ½ years, it would be nice if people had to sit on council for a few months

Just to see what it was like, you guys do a great job, Brian and his help; our Village can compare to anybody's for the way it works and the way it is run. It's been great.

President Baltazar thanks to council for their support and work, we all work for the benefit of the Village.

Meeting Adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

Minutes of Zoning Appeals Meeting for the Library - Thursday, November 9, 2006

Meeting called to order by President Baltazar.

Roll Call: President Baltazar, Trustee Rank, Elliott, Siderman, Kilgus, Pallin, ZA Kinzel,

Clerk Hansen, Spencer, Treasurer Olney, Superintendent Moore. Absent: Belanger.

Guests: 6

Pledge of Allegiance was voiced by all in attendance.

Motion by Rank, support by Elliott to approve agenda of Public Hearing Meeting. So called.

No conflict of interest by any council member or guest.

No public comments on agenda.

ZA Kinzel: No correspondence received pro or con for library issue. Kinzel believes it would be for the best interest of the Village to grant variance to the Library to locate within 33 feet of the Cold Creek, no environmental impact is noted. ZA Kinzel recommends approval to Council to grant the variance to the Library.

Discussion ensued over footage with overhang. It was stated 25 feet would satisfy needs. It was noted by ZA Kinzel that changing the footage variance would require republishing notice in the paper.

Motion by Rank, support by Siderman to approve variance. RC vote: All Ayes - Motion carried.

Lease Agreement - Darby Memorial Library

Lease to extend from November 9, 2006 to November 9, 2105.

One dollar each year of lease agreement for a total of ninety-nine dollars, paid by the lessee. Proof of insurance to be provided. Basic agreement allows library to proceed with the project.

Discussion: wording of re-negotiating renewal should be included in the lease agreement.

Motion by Siderman to approve, Elliott would like terminology for extension written into the lease. Mr. Goff would like approval as is with the provision written into agreement, "renewal by mutual consent". Siderman withdraws motion. Motion by Elliott to approve with the addition of "renewal by common consent", support by Siderman. President Baltazar will have renewal added to lease and check with the attorney.

Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Mr. Goff thanks the council for all the help given to the library. States expenses incurred are great for the library in this project and is requesting the Village waive the hook-up fees for water and sewer. Trustee Rank stated current charge is $1500.00 for water and $1500 for sewer, which does not even cover the Village cost. Discussion ensued - Rank stated it would be up to the Council, but he would not approve. In General Meeting following the Zoning Meeting, Trustee Rank is going to recommend increasing the fees for hook-up to $2500.00 each.

Question by Mr. Downs about waiving variance fee request had been considered by the Council. Request had been discussed but must be voted on by the Council.

This item was not included in the agenda of the variance meeting, agenda cannot be changed, this issue cannot be addressed at this meeting.

Meeting Adjourned

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Spencer
Clerk Elect