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

Roll Call: Belanger, Cantrell, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin, Rank, Superintendent Moore, Treasurer Olney, Clerk Spencer

Excused: Baltazar, ZA Kinzel

Guests: 7

Pledge of Allegiance voiced by all.

Additions to agenda: Shawn Worden - Smith, Haughey, Rice, & Roegge

No conflict of interest voiced by any council members.

Call to approve agenda: Motion by Rank, support by Cantrell - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Approval of March Meeting Minutes: Request by Elliott that guests names are listed, public comment recorded. Guests are not required to sign in. If public comment is made, the speaker must state their name and address.

Rank motion to hold approval of minutes till next meeting so this can be researched, support Kilgus - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

March/April bills reviewed - discussion of insurance bill & Kerby bill (Library water main break). Question whether budget transfers should be separated from general bills - will research.

Call to approve March/April bills - motion by Rank, support by Elliott - Roll Call: AYES: Belanger, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin, Rank, Cantrell NAYES: none MOTION CARRIED

Public comment on agenda items only:

David Vincent, Beulah - question on decision to build water tower - not on the agenda - Mr. Vincent mis-informed. Public input at the end of the meeting.

Communication to Council:

Letter from Mrs. Barnett concerning retention pond. Rank recommendation - Baltazar representative on Rails to Trails - Baltazar to review.

Elliott questioned closed session - open session adjourned at 7:25 PM

Council returned from closed session - re-open regular session at 8:14 PM

Motion for closed session had not been voted on: motion by Elliott, support by Rank for closed session - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Discussion of denial of variance for water tower by Village of Benzonia. Village of Beulah has until 5/2/07 to file an appeal - preserves right to pursue Village plans. The appeal will give Village one year to work with Benzonia, study other options, and give us time for public hearing.

Motion by Elliott, support by Pallin to have Shawn Worden file an appeal. Roll Call:

AYES: Elliott, Cantrell, Pallin, Rank, Kilgus, Belanger NAYES: NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Belanger and Rank will communicate with Benzonia in reference to this decision.

Communication to Council resumed:

Marlene Wood-Siesta - Benzie county waste recycling program reviewed. Past difficulties have been overcome; council commended on job well done. Possibility of moving bins for library parking discussed. Letter of memorandum - change notification time to 30 days. There will be a test program for recycling colored glass, this will require another bin - 3 yard container , more information will follow. A newsletter will be available for Village residents.

Elliott motion, support by Rank to sign agreement with waste recycling including 30 day notification.

Roll Call: AYES: Pallin, Rank, Kilgus, Belanger, Elliott, Cantrell NAYES: NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Barb Myers - reference to dock placement, section removed last year for ease of maneuvering boat.

Pallin motion, support Rank to make dock placement changes permanent - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Dawn Olney presented treasurers report. Reviewed by council - Rank motion, support Elliott to approve report.

Roll Call: AYES: Belanger, Elliott, Cantrell, Pallin, Rank, Kilgus NAYES: NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Olney stated water bills will be mailed on Saturday. Elliott and Olney to move ahead on audit decision.

Water/Sewer - Chairman Rank: Village to proceed with sewer project which is partially funded by a grant. Resolution to increase sewer rates from $3.00 per thousand gallons to $3.50 per thousand gallons - will fulfill requirement to satisfy grant request and loan. This will become effective in April and be reflected in July billing.

Motion by Rank, support by Pallin to increase sewer rates to $3.50 per thousand gallons.

Roll Call: AYES: Cantrell, Pallin, Rank, Kilgus, Belanger, Elliott NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Will need a letter of engagement form new auditors, signed by Belanger - grant requirement.

Law/Finance - Chairperson Elliott: Reviewing a few things - no current report

Building/Grounds - Chairman Kilgus: Thank you card to council for donation to the Thoracic Society - from the Roache family. New flags in town. Question on bill payments - no checks sent out (except utilities & insurances) without approval of council.

Parks/Rec - Chairperson Cantrell: Discussion of approval and policy development for use of pavilion/trailhead/park. A calendar will be placed on Village web site indicating usage. Possible fees were discussed - public park for village residents. Cantrell will check with other townships to see how they handle this and will continue further exploration on a policy for the park. Request for refund of trail park deposit - Rouse.

There is a processing fee 10% - $100.00. Motion by Cantrell, support by Rank to approve refund minus the $100.00 processing fee. Roll Call: AYES: Rank, Cantrell, Elliott, Belanger, Kilgus, Pallin NAYES: NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Trailer park shoulder season: determine time when they must exit park for incoming campers. Motion by Cantrell, support by Kilgus - amendment to trailer park rules - check out will be 12 Noon on day of departure.

Roll Call: AYES: Belanger, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin, Rank, Cantrell NAYES: NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Cantrell will look into the cleaning/mowing during the shoulder season in trailer park.

Established rules for dock holders: registration and permits must be in the property owners name - maintain established rules.

Equipment - Chairman Pallin: No equipment issues - men are doing a good job.

Street/Sidewalks - report by Moore for Baltazar: Request of part timer - place add in paper. Requests new flags for Main St., old ones are in poor shape. Consumers wants the Village to remove signs from wooden poles - injury issue. Discussion of removing or raising height of skateboard signs - determine to keep, raise height. Mention of line painting - Baltazar to check on budget.

Superintendent Moore: Mains will be flushed when the weather improves. Notice will be placed in office and on the radio. New sprinkler heads for the sewer ponds are on order. Question full time opening of the trail building, this will take place May 1 st. We will need new plates for the trucks in May.

Old Business:

Olney and Elliott continue discussion on implementing purchase order system or other options.

New Business:

Spring cleanup is scheduled for June 2, 2007 from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM - determined by council to change time to 2:00 PM, Shoreline will be informed of the change. Announcement will be posted in the office and the newspaper.

Elliott call for boat dock approval by council - Rank motion, support by Kilgus - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Sheriff patrol for the summer: Belanger will set up meeting with Sheriff Blank to determine summer service and what services the Village of Beulah requires. Last year they were contracted for 200 hours there will be a 3% increase in cost this year - $8,458.00, this is within budgeted funds.

Public Input:

Al Brown, Benzonia suggested contacting Karen Brown re: park policies. Meeting between the 2 villages will be set up and posted.

David Vincent, Beulah - impression that it will be some time before a public meeting will be held re: water tower, we are hoping for some time in May. It will be posted in office window , paper, and online when calendar is up. Meeting is not a vote - for public information and input.

Pat Elliott, Beulah - Redoing sidewalk on corner building 244. Moving sidewalk from 4 foot to 7 foot. Would like to place wiring under sidewalk - prepare for street lights installation when approved. Elliott will contact Baltazar.

Motion to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 9:37 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Laura Spencer
Clerk
Reviewed by President Belanger
Subject to approval at the May 10, 2007 Council Meeting