Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Regular Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday March 8, 2007

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

Roll Call: Baltazar, Belanger, Cantrell, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin, ZA Kinzel, Superintendent Moore, Treasurer Olney, Clerk Spencer.

Excused: Trustee Rank

Guests: 5

Pledge of Allegiance voiced by all.

No additions to the agenda.

Trustee Elliott excused self if discussion occurs over 244 Condominium notice - otherwise no conflict of interest voiced.

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

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

February/March bills reviewed - discussion of bill from LakeShore Title Co. - Mark Hurley stated that the titles and easements needed to be checked for the Village pertaining to the sewer project. Discussion will be tabled till the April meeting - Trustee Kilgus to contact Trustee Rank and President Belanger to contact Robert Parker, attorney concerning this matter. Some difficulty arose on invoice from USA Bluebook - question by Mr. Moore about the use of a P.O. Book - Trustee Elliott to look into a P.O. System. Discussion of better control of knowing limits on gasoline purchases - limits have already been increased to $2000.00. President Belanger suggests limit be increased to $2500.00 - Trustee Pallin agrees. Company will be contacted next week for limit increase.

Approval of bills for February/March - motion by Elliott - support by Baltazar. Roll call vote - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

No public comment on agenda items.

Mark Hurley from Gosling Czubak - update on sewer project: Sewer rates will need to be increased to show Rural Development that the Village will be able to care for new system update. The Village will also have to make a resolution to accept bids on an equal opportunity basis - for sewer improvements. When all necessary paperwork is in; bids could take place within the next month - bids have to be placed for one month and must be published in the paper - Record Patriot. Affidavit is required to prove it has been published. Gosling Czubak will give the Village of Beulah an advertisement for publishing - the village is responsible for publishing for one month. Water project is on hold - denial of variance from the Village of Benzonia for placement of water tank. President Belanger discussed situation with Robert Parker of Smith, Haughey. Mr. Parker recommended that we should exercise our right to appeal. Village of Beulah has 21 days after the Benzonia Minutes are approved to file an appeal. Trustee Elliott believes it is worth going for an appeal but that more communication be given to the Village residents for the reasons behind the location of the tower. President Belanger stated that the Village has only 21 days to appeal or lose the right to appeal. Appeal can be dropped if a better location for the tower is found. Trustee Cantrell agrees with Ms. Elliott for a public informational meeting - for public discussion and input. Trustee Elliott’s idea is for a handout to the residents - re: containing the reasons and info for tower location and why this is the best scenario, Belanger stated that an appeal would open the opportunity for this type of handout.

Question was asked about discussion of water authority between Beulah and Benzonia, a co-operative dealing was not under discussion, the meeting was strictly on a variance for the water tower. Appeal must be applied for - does not necessitate it would occur at that time.

Motion by Kilgus to appeal Benzonia variance denial - support by Pallin.

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Elliott, Cantrell, Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar, Belanger Nays: None - Motion Carried

Sue Miller - Benzie Bus - doing well. Discussion of location of possible bus stop in Beulah. There will be public forums held at different locations - they are posted at the Village office. Village will have time to determine various locations and give input .

Trailer park discussion of layout - no information obtained, tabled at this time. Trailer Park off season rates discussed - currently at $25.00/night. Motion by Kilgus to increase rates to $30.00/night - support by Cantrell.

Roll Call Vote: All Ayes - Motion Carried

President Belanger voiced a thank you from Charlie Kehr to Brian and David for their great work on the streets.

President Belanger will be on vacation from 3/13/07 thru 3/29/07, Jim Kilgus will be acting President in his absence.

Letter received from Mike & Kathy Ross noting concerns on the water/sewer project.

Treasurer Olney: Treasurer’s Report review and approval - Motion by Elliott - support by Kilgus.

Roll Call Vote: All Ayes - Motion Carried

Delinquent water bills, certified letters have been sent, shut off date will be 3/20/07.

ZA Kinzel: Two land use permits have been issued, not yet returned. ZA Guidelines for zoning meetings, 244 Condominium letter is for information to council.

Law/Finance - Chairperson Elliott: Protocols have been established for processing the bills. Ms. Elliott will work on development of a P.O. System.

Building/Grounds - Chairman Kilgus: Village of Beulah garage building - concrete approach needs repair.

Village signs - place another sign on the back of the current signs. Remodeling for the Village of Beulah office will take place when the library has relocated - issues of heat and other items will be addressed at that time.

Parks/Rec - Chairperson Cantrell: Crystal Lake Community Association request that vendors in the Park be limited to non-profit organizations on July 4 th, Music in the Park, and Winterfest. Mr. Kinzel will check on ordinance and possible control. Kilgus and Cantrell will discuss budget between Parks/Rec and Building/Grounds. Discussion of Clerk’s salary - Ms. Elliott will review. Maxine Hansen is official Deputy Clerk.

Streets/Sidewalks - Chairman Baltazar: Working on Act 51 Grant request, waiting for response back. Brian and Baltazar will be looking at areas that need repair.

Superintendent Moore: The chemical used for ice melt has to be special because of the lake, assistance from Kilgus or Baltazar to review other possible sources for ice melt.

Old Business:

Discussion of re-imbursement to Mr. Kinzel for attending the Daugherty determination ensued. It was determined that guidelines should be written for attendance of meetings. Do not wish to set a precedence -

No re-imbursement to Mr. Kinzel at this time.

New Business:

Change of the April Meeting from 4/5/07 to 4/12/07 - many council members will be out of town. Change meeting to April 12, 2007 - Motion by Elliott - support by Pallin - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

Meeting change will be posted in the office and published in the Record Patriot for two weeks.

Village of Beulah to appoint James Baltazar to represent the Village on the Betsie Valley Trail Management Council - Motion by Elliott - Support by Pallin - All Ayes - Motion Carried.

General comments from the public.

Mr. Renn of Beulah has three questions for council.

1. How many tax dollars have been paid to date for design, engineering, and contract service for proposed water/sewer upgrades?

2. Has council called for a public hearing/ informational meeting regarding the water/sewer upgrades. Public funds have been used and most public input has been against the water tower location.

3. What is the criteria to qualify for snow removal by village maintenance employees?

Al Brown , concerned citizen of Benzonia, handed out forms re: water tower and a copy of the grant Benzonia is working on. He stated that the Village of Beulah and Benzonia need to get together.

Council stated that a public hearing would be set up if we received the variance for the water tower, which at this time we do not have. All discussion of the water tower has been at public council meetings - which the public is welcome to attend. The money spent to do research on the project was voted on by Council. The Council was voted for by the public.

Snow removal is the responsibility of the property owner - if the Village maintenance department has time - they will do it.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Spencer, Clerk
Subject to approval at the May 10, 2007 meeting. APPROVED MAY 10, 2007