Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Regular Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday, December 6, 2007

Meeting called to order by President Pro Tem Rank at 7:00 PM

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

Guests: 8

Pledge of Allegiance voiced by all.

Acceptance of Dick Belanger's letter of resignation - motion by Baltazar, support by Elliott - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Council to send letter of appreciation to Belanger for the work and effort he has put in for the Village.

Appointment of President - nomination, Rank - motion by Kilgus, support by Baltazar - noted that Rank will accept nomination - no other nominations put forward - Roll Call: AYES: Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar, Elliott, Cantrell - NAYES - NONE - ABSTAIN - Rank - MOTION CARRIED

Trustee nomination to replace Rank's position. Baltazar nominates Gary Siderman who has prior experience on the council, support by Pallin - Siderman will accept till next election - no other nominations put forward - Roll Call: AYES: Elliott, Cantrell, Pallin, Rank, Kilgus, Baltazar - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Siderman sworn in to complete full council for the meeting.

No additions to the agenda.

No conflict of interest voiced by any council members.

Approval of the agenda - motion by Baltazar, support by Cantrell - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Approval of meeting minutes, November 8, 2007 - discussion of using Nerg for 40 hours/week or greater if necessary but will remain in a part time status - Nerg agrees with this position - Nerg to sign an agreement accordingly. Motion by Elliott that Nerg may work extended hours without benefits, will return to part time hours when situation changes, support by Kilgus - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Return to minutes approval - motion by Baltazar, support by Elliott - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Approval of November/December bills - question on a bill which entailed landscape plans for Village Park - discussion ensued. Motion by Baltazar to approve November/December bills, support by Elliott - Roll Call: AYES: Cantrell, Pallin, Rank, Kilgus, Baltazar, Elliott - NAYS - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

No public comment on agenda items.

Communication to Council:

Vicki Carpenter - presented an outline for January 15th newsletter - input from the public in what they would like to see in newsletter. Fact sheet on trustees to put in newsletter, facts and remedies for swimmers itch - resources available for information. Elliott suggests to include a summation of 2008 budget and a list of capitol improvements planned. Thank you letter given to Brian for all maintenance personnel.

Treasurer Olney - Two outstanding personal property taxes, will file small claims. Sewer construction fund accrues no interest. Delinquent water accounts, certified letters to be sent. Acceptance of Treasurer's report - motion by Kilgus, support by Baltazar - Roll Call: AYES: Rank, Cantrell, Baltazar, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

ZA Kinzel - Tuesday, 12/11/07 court for A-Z determination. Thursday, 12/13/07 court for signage determination - Brookside Inn. Council had decided no changes in sign ordinance. In reference to Newbold/Miller building department meeting on Tuesday. It is the responsibility of property owners to clear sidewalks - Baltazar and Kinzel to put a flyer together to inform businesses.

Water/Sewer - Chairman Rank: New pumps for the sewer should be placed this winter. Sewer lines/ construction start in spring to be done by July.

Law/Finance - Chairman Elliott: Reminder that phone votes are not allowed.

Building/Grounds - Chairman Kilgus: Settling basin - 2 bidders - contract awarded to Bonney Bros as low bidders. Sediment will be hauled this year - dredging to take place next year. Door between offices has been installed. Kilgus made a door for the fish shanty. Title search done for property in front of library - belongs to the Village -

Request library consider splitting cost since search was done for placement of library sign.

Parks/Rec - Chairperson Cantrell: Donation has been received from Bonnie and Daniel Smith - $100.00 for Christmas lights. Electric has been upgraded in the park, which was needed. Map out electric line so placement is known for events set up in the park. Idea for park - sponsor 3 public meetings - to receive input/ideas for park, waterfront, and streetscapes. Meetings to be structured, for compiling ideas - no action to be taken at that time.

Equipment - Chairman Pallin: A new battery was installed in the truck and a heater in the Kaboda. The crew saves the Village monies based on the work and maintenance they provide on the equipment.

Streets/Sidewalks - Chairman Baltazar: Sidewalk replacement will be done in the spring. Also Baltazar will be applying for additional Act 51 money for 2008.

Superintendent Moore: We have already had a meter freeze and break - it has been fixed. There is 3 foot of room in pond #1. Request pull ordinance for fire hydrants and include in flyer for the businesses.

Public Input:

Dawn Olney cautions authorization of paying a bill that Council had not discussed the project.

Charlie Kinzel requests that we request from DEQ - 22 trailer park spots - clarification will be done by Cantrell and presented at January meeting.

Vicki Carpenter stated that cookie sale will be Saturday and Sunday - thanks to Village for their support.

There has been a change on the Library Board - Phil Downs, President - Dan Hook, Treasurer, Patty Cantrell, Trustee.

Maxine Hansen stated application applied for trailer park spots every three years.

Brian Moore - Dave Egeler and family thanked Council for their support through difficult circumstances.

Al Brown questioned what money Village is using for water main on North St. - Village of Beulah Public Improvement Fund. Recommended communication with Village of Benzonia, there has been different feedback.

Asked how long Village has had 6 sewer hookups per year - discussion ensued - approximately 8 years. Village currently has hookups that have not been utilized, if there is a change the public will be notified.

Diane Elliott cautioned about taking landscape plans to public meeting - it would be construed that Council had approved, which is not the case.

Meeting adjourned at 8:46 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Laura Spencer, Clerk

Subject to approval at January 10, 2008 Council Meeting - approved 1/10/08

Budget Hearing Minutes - Thursday, December 6, 2007

Meeting called to order by President Pro Tem Rank at 6:30 PM

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

Guests: 5

Pledge of Allegiance voiced by all.

Approval of the agenda - Motion by Baltazar, support by Cantrell - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

No conflict of interest voiced by any council members.

No public input on budget - question by Ms. Carpenter on maintenance salaries - the salaries are shared through the various departments - fringe benefits are from the general fund.

Elliott presented the budget - thanks to council for processing and presenting their respective budget figures for 2008. Elliott discussed the process for developing the budget. Budget must balance - output must not exceed input. Included in the budget is a 3% increase for Village crew for 2008.

Summation of budget presented - 1.6 million, in and out. Large part of the budget is for the sewer project - which some funding has already been received. Council had approved $67,000 from the public improvement fund - only $21,700 is required. Cost for replacing water main on North St. to be shared with Benzonia - $33,500 - payment may be 2008 or 2009 depending on their budget.

Capitol plans for 2008: Water/Sewer - $769,00, Settling Pond dredging - $25,000, Parks/Rec - $30,000 projects to be determined, Fair Park seawall deterioration and boat launch repairs needed, Local/Major streets - $50,000, sidewalk repair and replacement, Equipment - $15,000 contingency fund if needed.

$916,000 for improvements too the Village, $700,000 for upkeep. Public Improvement fund - monies laid aside yearly in the event of a major expenditure - so mileage does not have to be increased, movement of monies requires a unanimous vote by Council.

Elliott to do a quarterly report on Capitol layout to monitor accomplishments.

Motion by Baltazar, support by Kilgus to approve 2008 budget - Roll Call: AYES: Baltazar, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin, Rank, Cantrell - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Amendment to Ordinance to increase trustee salaries by $5.00 per meeting and quarterly. Some discussion ensued. Motion by Cantrell, support by Baltazar to approve increase - Roll Call: AYES: Cantrell, Pallin, Rank, Kilgus, Baltazar - NAYES: Elliott - MOTION CARRIED

Meeting adjourned at 6:55 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Spencer, Clerk - approved 1/10/08