Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Regular Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday, February 8, 2007

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM by President Belanger.

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

Guests: 9

Pledge of Allegiance voiced by all.

No additions to the agenda.

No conflict of interest reported by any council members.

Call to approve the agenda - motion by Baltazar - support by Elliott - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

January minutes approval - motion by Baltazar -support by Kilgus - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

January/February bills reviewed. Motion by Baltazar - support by Elliott - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Trustee Elliott stated need for approval of January Zoning Ordinance Minutes. Motion by Baltazar - support by Elliott - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Request for more information to be included on the Agenda - supported and agreed upon.

Shawn Worden from Smith, Haughey discussed the outcome of the property dispute between the Village of Beulah and Daugherty discussion of plowing of the easement ensued, the Village will do what is necessary to maintain access to fire hydrant. Motion by Baltazar - support by Pallin to accept agreement as stated - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Suggested by Trustee Elliott that a letter of explanation be sent to the owners so they understand the Village of Beulah’s position. Trustee Baltazar does not believe this is necessary because the parties have received the legal agreement.

Carolyn Thayer from Plant It Wild submitted a letter and ideas for the care of three of Beulah’s gardens. Expenses for the project have already been included in the budget so there is no vote necessary.

Dawn Olney presented the treasurer’s report. Reviewed by council - motion by Elliott - support by Baltazar to approve report as presented. All Ayes - Motion Carried.

It is necessary for the Village to obtain new auditors, Treasurer Olney will be following through on this matter.

Water/Sewer - Co-Chair Kilgus: North Street water main is to be replaced, the cost of replacement is to be shared with the Village of Benzonia. The Village has had three water main breaks recently. Trustee Kilgus is concerned about the safety of Mr. Moore, considering the depth and confined space of the last break. Discussion of safety measures and OSHA requirements ensued. A possible part time position was discussed , Trustee Pallin thought it would be a good idea. President Belanger mentioned that we could place an ad in the paper for part time help.

President Belanger commended Brian and David for the great job they have been doing on the streets and sidewalks.

Trustee Kilgus stated thanks to Trustee Rank for all the work he has put into the water and sewer project. He also stated the height of the water tower would be below the tree tops. The zoning variance necessary for the tower with the Village of Benzonia has been missed at two meetings , it is on the March agenda. It was suggested to combine the sewer debt and the ready to serve charge into one, this would not change the amount of the charge. Motion by Kilgus - support by Baltazar to combine the two fees was made. All Ayes - Motion Carried

The meter reading cards need to be brought up to date, will ask Maxine Hansen to do this. Trustee Elliott complemented the article in the Record Patriot concerning the water/sewer project.

Law/Finance - Chairperson Elliott: Trustee Elliott, Treasurer Olney, and Clerk Spencer will meet next week to set up a procedure for processing the bills.

Building/Grounds - Chairman Kilgus: Discussion of some of the buildings in the village and their use. The trailer park buildings and pavilion have been figured into the Parks/Rec budget but are now under the Building/Grounds Chair. Trustee Elliott believes that they should stay under the Parks/Rec. President Belanger cited the duties of the village president is to supervise over the property of the village and believes it would be best to have one person over the buildings and grounds, all inclusive. Trustee Elliott believes it would cause more difficulty and confusion to have the buildings separated from parks/rec. Trustee Kilgus and Trustee Cantrell will work together concerning this issue.

Parks/Rec - Co-Chair Pallin: 2007 rules and rates for the Beulah trailer park and boat docks, no changes made to the rules or rates from 2006. Motion by Kilgus - support by Pallin to approve trailer park rates - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Motion by Baltazar - support by Pallin to approve trailer park rules form - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Motion by Baltazar - support by Pallin to approve boat dock permit, rules and rates - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Motion by Baltazar - support by Kilgus to approve Ray & Kathy Chmielewski as park managers for 2007 - All Ayes - Motion carried.

Equipment - Chairman Pallin: Commend Brian and David on their excellent work, equipment is in good shape and they are maintaining the equipment.

Streets/Sidewalks - Chairman Baltazar: Street administrator needs to be appointed for the Michigan Department of Transportation. Motion by Elliott - support by Pallin to appoint Trustee Baltazar to the position - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Superintendent Moore: It has been necessary to purchase new batteries and u-joints for some of the vehicles. Asked about establishing bus stops, currently they are stopping anywhere and everywhere. The street administrator to contact the bus director to discuss this matter. Some pipes have been breaking in town do to the cold temperatures - suggests to inform residents to run a trickle of water to prevent freezing.

Old Business: A-Z status - Trustee Baltazar has sent a letter to Mr. Bedells, there has been no response at this time.

New Business: Charles Kinzel is requesting re-imbursement for attending the Daugherty case. Ms. Olney stated that county commissioners receive $70.00 for a full day. It was decided to table this issue until next meeting when Mr. Kinzel will be present.

The cost of garbage bags have increased, discussion of increasing village fees for the bags. Motion by Baltazar - support by Kilgus to increase fee to $20.00 for ten (10) bags - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Notification to the increase will be placed in the office window, web site, and the paper. Increase will become effective April 1, 2007.

Request by Linda Robotham for an increase in wages for cleaning of buildings. Motion by Pallin - support by Baltazar to increase wages to $10.00/hr for all buildings - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Public Input: Thanks was given for the call on the water main break and the snow clearance on the sidewalks.

Mr. Elliott suggested that council members attend the Benzonia Zoning meeting March 5, 2007 concerning the issue of the water tower variance.

Diane Elliott questioned the number of council members that attend and would it constitute a quorum. Discussion ensued, it was stated if the members did not sit together and individual questions addressed it should not be a problem but caution must be taken so that it could not be construed otherwise.

Motion to adjourn was voiced - meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Spencer, Clerk

Approvaled at the March 8, 2007 Council Meeting