Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Regular Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday, January 4, 2007

Regular council meeting called to order by President Belanger.

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

Guests: 11

No additions to thee agenda.

No conflict of interest reported by any council members.

Call to approve agenda - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

December minutes approval - Trustee Elliott requests more description included in the meeting minutes.

Motion by Trustee Cantrell to approve, Kilgus second - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

December/January bills reviewed. Trustee Elliott questioned two bills - re: daDesign and Ms. Cantrell, explanation given. Approval of the bills - Motion by Rank, support by Elliott - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

No public comment on agenda items.

Gosling Czubak not present - not necessary at this time.

Treasurer Olney not present - treasurer's report received by all council members. Motion by Rank, support by Kilgus to approve report - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

One delinquent water bill - renter constant delinquency. Owner knows he is responsible for the bill. Unable to shut off water due to a faulty valve. The valve will be replaced for safety and the water will be shut off 1/5/07.

No current information on delinquent property taxes.

Committee Reports:

ZA Kinzel - Will be gone for the month of February in Florida. He will have his phone on call forwarding and will handle any zoning questions from there. He will be back for the March meeting.

Water/Sewer - Chairman Rank: There was a broken main on North St. Brian and Dave did a great job on the repairs. Letter received from Mr. Renn and Mr. DeSana concerning water quality. The main belongs to the Village but the water is received from Benzonia. Beulah has no control over Benzonia water. The main is a shared main and Benzonia will be billed for half of the repair costs.

Ann Damm proposes not to build the water tower and purchase water from Benzonia. Discussion had taken place with Benzonia 1 ½ years ago; Benzonia was not interested at that time. Ms. Damm states that Benzonia is now interested. Trustee Rank's opinion is that Beulah not purchase water from Benzonia. A water authority would need to be set up so that Beulah would have input on quality and pricing. January 8 th meeting for Benzonia will be attended by Mr. Rank and Mr. Kilgus. Trustee Rank states we will work with Benzonia concerning replacement of the main on North St. The estimated cost to replace is $110,000.00.

Trustee Cantrell comments on having a public information meeting concerning the water/sewer project.

Trustee Rank states that we will move ahead with plans for the water/sewer improvements. The current water tank is undersized and rusting. The water pressure does not meet fire codes. Time is of the essence and we can't afford to delay the process. Elliott supports Rank in proceeding forward with the water/sewer project. Further discussion ensued. Trustee Kilgus agrees we should go forward with the project. Trustee Kilgus will take over for Mr. Rank while he is gone.

Law/Finance - Chairman Elliott: Installation of an ice rink would have to be brought before council. Belanger believes it would be good for the Village. This issue will be left open at this time.

Building/Grounds - Chairman Kilgus: Stated that there is a lack of description for the duties and responsibilities of each chairman in their respective areas. Passed out rough draft to each council member for comments. Council also has job description for maintenance to review.

Parks/Rec - Chairman Cantrell: No report.

Equipment - Chairman Pallin: No report. Trustee Pallin stated that he was surprised at the job assignment changes. Ms. Elliott had done a good job in the Parks/Rec arena.

Superintendent Moore: Questioned whether we could check on contract with Waste Management in regards to our dumpster.

Dave Egeler passed another licensure. Council discussed raise for Mr. Egeler. Motion by Rank for a .25 raise and a letter of commendation, support by Kilgus - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Moore suggests Teletype equipment for marking underground lines. Discussion by council - Moore to look into pricing of unit.

Difficulties have occurred at the lift station because of the accumulation of grease. This has been a recurring problem from lack of maintaining a grease trap by a certain restaurant. There is an ordinance that the sewer could be shut down. Mr. Kinzel suggests to verify with our attorney to verify and then send a certified letter prior to shutting off the sewer. Council agreed.

Library Update: Thor Goff reported that progress is going well. The roof trusses are to be placed on Monday. Completion is scheduled for April.

Old Business:

A-Z: Trustee Rank states that nothing has been done. Trustee Elliott will discuss with Mr. Baltazar and follow through.

Public input:

Mr. Renn: Discussed the water main on North St. - it is problematic for the residents of the Trailer Park.

Discussion ensued. It was determined that this should be addressed under a different forum and could be placed on the agenda in the future.

Ann Damm: Speaking as a Village resident suggests a co-operative be formed between Beulah and Benzonia for the water project. Points voiced and details passed out to the council members.

Al Brown: Further discussion on the water main on North St. and the water/sewer project.

Pat Elliott: Suggests timer for the lights on the trailhead building - more cost effective. The Village council has a responsibility to the residents of Beulah for safety - Mr. Elliott supports Mr. Rank to move forward with the water/sewer project.

Ms. Elliott was thanked for the Christmas decorations.

Trustee Rank requests direction from the Council on how to proceed with the water/sewer project. More discussion ensued. Motion by Pallin, second by Elliott to proceed with water/sewer project.

Roll Call vote: All Ayes - Motion Carried

Trustee Rank thanks council for support.

President Belanger: Brief statement and clear some air. Back to November 2 - Village of Beulah had no one running for the office of president and I decided to run as a write in candidate because no one else was running for the office; I immediately got heat from it and it went personal real quick and I re-acted personally and for what I have done personally to Ms. Elliott, I would like her to accept my apology for it. If we can undo that mistake, if the council feels that it was a mistake, I would be more than happy to rescind or change Diane's position back to Parks/Rec. I only did it, like I said, I want co-operation, I wanted to work with the person in parks, I live across the street from the park and it is important that without my front window is pleasant to look at. So with that said, if there is a mistake that I made and I need to undo it - I'm more than happy to undo it. Is there any comment from the council, Mr. Pallin, addressing your statement earlier on. Mr. Pallin: Mr. President, I appreciate your honesty and I think a co-operative council will work very well. Belanger - I think that is true, that's what we all want - so with that being said, Patty if it is all right with you and if the council would like to discuss - we'll vote on the appointment. I understood my power as President (as I read the book), I was totally responsible for what goes on in the Park, what goes on in the Village property - so that being said, if it is a matter of undoing what I did, I'm all for it. I don't need to be and I apologize for it. It went personal - it's the end of that as far as I'm concerned. Does anyone have anything to say? Mr. Rank: I would like Diane's opinion. I know she was hurt by the appointment after all the work she had done in that area, if Patty and Diane are willing to make the move with Diane going back to Parks/Rec and Patty going to Finance/Legal, it might make sense to all of us.

Ms. Elliott: My comment is in the reading of the new Building/Grds. Description - this is something you worked out with Dick when you met with him, right? Everything in the Park and campgrounds is under Building/Grds. Mr. Kilgus: Just the grounds, not the administration of it. You know you're right, it was vindictive, it was personal and I have taken it that way and unfortunately, I'm not at the forgiveness point. I am still very angry and at this time I am not willing to take back Parks/Rec. I will look forward to Law/Finance.

Motion to adjourn.
Meeting Adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Spencer
Clerk
Minutes subject to approval at the next council meeting - Feb. 8, 2007