Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Regular Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday, November 8, 2007

Regular Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday, November 8, 2007

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

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

Excused: Rank

Guests: 4

Pledge of Allegiance voiced by all.

No additions to the agenda.

No conflict of interest voiced by any council members.

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

Approval of meeting minutes, October 4, 2007 - Motion by Kilgus, support by Cantrell - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Approval of October/November bills - Motion by Kilgus, support by Elliott - Roll Call: AYES: Baltazar, Belanger, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin, Cantrell - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

No public comment on agenda items.

Communication to Council:

Jim Dulzo - Michigan Land Institute - Project called the Grand Vision for the Grand Traverse Region, four other counties included - Antrim, Benzie, Leelanau, and Kalkaska. Basis is to determine by advanced technology and citizen input and participation - how land use and transportation will develop in the region in the coming years. Information was passed out to council. Request council to get involved and attend the next workshop in January. Video shown on the Grand Vision Project. Objective is to create a plan - composite it together and show the options, two year process. It is a chance to change outcome that affects the quality of surroundings and life.

Vicki Carpenter - Feedback for the newsletter has been 99.9% positive. Thank you note was included for Brian and the guys for helping an older couple. Please keep informed as to what to include in the newsletter. Kilgus stated he has received positive feedback from summer residents.

Phil Downs - Permission requested to install a sign for the Darcy Library on Village property - park in front of the library. Discussion on clarifying that the parcel of land belongs to the Village - ownership will be checked into. Motion by Baltazar to approve placement of sign on Village property, support by Kilgus - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED - Village maintains discretion to change sign placement if necessary, keeping it visible from the street. Miss Dig to be called prior to sign placement.

Carol Belanger - Discussion of Christmas lighting for tree in the park. CLBA has some ideas for additional trees - may be an electrical problem relative to lighting more trees. Carol's idea is to purchase new lights for the Village tree. There is money in the budget. New LED lights use 90% less electricity - last much longer - initially more expensive, but will save on utility costs overall. Talk with CLBA, they have some money set aside, could be a joint project. Motion by Belanger, support by Pallin to increase funds for the Christmas lights from $592.00 to $1000.00, the increase to come from the equipment fund - Roll Call: AYES: Elliott, Cantrell, Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar, Belanger - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Moore stated the Village needs to schedule with Smitty's soon for the tree trimming - he does this as a courtesy for the Village. New hooks are needed to hold lights on the trail building.

Treasurer Olney - Two new accounts have been set up - for sewer construction. The sewer portion has to be split from the water bill. Water bills due 11/15 - all is going well. Motion by Cantrell, support by Pallin to accept treasurers report - Roll Call: AYES: Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar, Belanger, Elliott, Cantrell - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

ZA Kinzel - Couple of building permits are ongoing. Miller permit has expired. Hearing on December 11th for the A-Z Development and on December 14th for the Brookside sign. Elliott requested Kinzel to check into the status of the Newbold building and also apartment to be placed above the old drugstore - if parking is not available it would not be allowed by Village Ordinance. Question on gas station building next to the Brookside - tanks and land are certified - non hazardous, Kinzel can send a letter concerning the outside appearance.

Water/Sewer - Co-Chair Kilgus: In reference to the water tank an easement is required. There is concern on the owners part about the water main and possible future development of the property. The idea is to extend the existing easement which Benzonia already has. The Village is placing a $2500.00 offer for the letter of agreement. There are some issues with outside influences - Village President to contact Benzonia. When sewer project is completed it will decrease stress on our ponds. Looking into the possibility to have honey dippers dump into our ponds, which would bring revenue into the Village. A metering device would be required, looking into estimates and costs.

Law/Finance - Chairman Elliott: Thanks to the council for getting their expense budgets in. Looking at approving budget at the December 6th meeting. Notification must be placed in the paper November 21 and November 28, the proposed budget must be in the office for review by Village residents. Elliott will be reviewing budgets and compare with last year. Elliott will review with Belanger and a sub-committee, then discuss with council members to determine if any adjustments are necessary. Sub-committee to meet November 19th. Thanks to Dawn and Maxine for helping newbies, Pat and Laurie.

Building/Grounds - Chairman Kilgus: The door between the village offices is a special order - hopefully will be up next month. Shingles blew off in the windstorm - Jeremiah is a certified roofer - he will take care of replacement.

Settling basin, the purpose is to keep soil from going into Crystal Lake. It is supposed to be cleaned every five years, it has been seven and it is full. What is dredged is placed on the side holding area for drainage. According to State guidelines, the dredge has to be removed a year before the basin is re-dredged. It has been advertised in the paper and sealed bids are due on November 20th, opened on November 21st. Expensive undertaking and is set up to be paid by Beulah and Benzonia, approximating $9000.00 each. Next year basin will have to be dredged, approximating $30,000.00 between Beulah and Benzonia. Will try to solicit donations from other townships that have an interest with the lake.

Parks/Rec - Chairperson Cantrell: Working on budget for 2008. Estimated revenue for the trailer park $65,000.00, estimated repairs and costs $17,377 which is more than in the past. Net would be $48,123, possibly closer to $51,000.00. Checked on rates at other trailer parks - Village of Beulah is higher or in the same range for what the amenities are. According to the paperwork from the DNR we are licensed for 19 lots, currently there are 22 lots. Discussion on the number of lots allowed - Cantrell will clarify the numbers. Discussion of number of lots and rates ensued.

Equipment - Chairman Pallin: The brakes need to be fixed on the 1 ton truck - Dave can fix it which will be more cost effective than sending it out. The rest of the equipment is ready for the season. The Kaboda snow blower has no heater, a heater can be purchased for approximately $200.00. Dave can also install, so Pallin will proceed on the heater.

Streets/Sidewalks - Chairman Baltazar: Sidewalk repair will occur when the new sewer project is started. Hearing for the A-Z Development has been mentioned by Kinzel. Positional markers are being set for snow plowing. Van Dyke letter - neighbor received permission for using section as a driveway - it has been re-graded and a change in the profile of the land has occurred. The property owners that made the changes are responsible to shore up the driveway to prevent erosion on other's land. A letter will be drafted and sent. Kinzel requested to know Village of Beulah policy on snow blowing sidewalks - with a third person we will be able to do a better job than last year and hoping to keep clean. It is the property owners responsibility to maintain sidewalks, but as a courtesy the Village will try to accommodate. Roads cleared are the first priority. Snow blowing will start with downtown area then move down the street. Bookeloe contacted Baltazar about placing a handrail on the sidewalk on Commercial St. by building 244. Baltazar gave the OK. Questioned also who would shovel it, owners responsibility, Elliott stated they would take care of it. Brian to check to see if snow blower would fit.

Superintendent Moore: Sand has been delivered for winter. Village has a couple of sets of plow blades - may need to order after Christmas. Blowing out irrigation system at ponds - rent the equipment from Kerby - compressor was down for 3 hours. Large compressor, look at rental cost versus purchase for the Village, cost unknown. Kelly's Alley - blind person in the area signs have been placed. Wind last week broke posts - they have been replaced. Many flags on Main St. have been ripped and will need replaced.

Attendance to the Summit was discussed.

Public Input:

Phil Downs-

Thanks to Brian for taking care of a water problem for a summer resident. The Cold Creek has turned to the North depositing a lot of sand at the launch ramp. The DNR will not allow a change in flow - it is natural.

Question on funding for streetscape - there is nothing current.

Dawn Olney-

Requested copies of the letters concerning the driveway on Prospect.

Brian asked if there was going to be a rotation schedule for the maintenance crew and what it would be. Belanger will meet with staff next week. Elliott stated that having a third crewmember was to maximize coverage and minimize overtime.

Meeting adjourned at 9:06 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Spencer

Clerk

Reviewed by President Belanger

Subject to approval at December 6, 2007 Council Meeting