Regular Council Meeting Minutes - Thursday - April 10, 2008

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

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

Excused: Rank

Guests: 8

No conflict of interest voiced by any council members.

No additions to the agenda.

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

Approval of meeting minutes for March 6, 2008 - Motion by Baltazar, support by Elliott - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Review of bills for March/April 2008 - Motion by Cantrell, support by Elliott - Roll Call: AYES: Baltazar, Siderman, Elliott, Kilgus, Pallin, Cantrell - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Review of bills from Gosling Czubak for sewer construction in the amount of $555.00 to be paid from next

Draw - Motion by Siderman, support by Baltazar - Roll Call: AYES: Elliott, Cantrell, Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar, Siderman - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Expenditure request for update of control panel - for new pumps - greater than we presently have- this would be included in the project. This was not included in the original specs for the job but is considered to be necessary - cost is $58,801.00. There is approximately $134,000.00 in the contingency fund which would cover the expense - no additional money is required. Discussion ensued. Motion by Baltazar to approve additional cost of $58,801.00 for addition to sewer project, support by Cantrell - Roll Call: AYES: Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar, Siderman, Cantrell - NAYES: Elliott - MOTION CARRIED

No public comment on agenda items.

Communication to Council:

Vicki Carpenter - Passed out newsletter and map of sewer project to business owners and government offices.

Dave Egeler - Thanks to Council and the Village for all the help and support given to him and his family. He has an appointment with the neurologist on May 6 to determine his ability to return to work.

Marlene Zylstra re-evaluate the location of the recycle bins - Motion to leave bins on current site by Baltazar, support by Pallin - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Treasurer Olney - Low funds in street account do to quarterly transfer - we receive Act 51 money every month which will help increase funds. Motion by Baltazar, support by Siderman to approve treasurers report - Roll Call: AYES: Siderman, Elliott, Cantrell, Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar - NAYES - NONE -MOTION CARRIED

Water/Sewer - Chairman Kilgus: Monday 4/14/08 the sewer project is to begin - the intersection at 5 Corners will be closed for approximately 3 weeks. The next phase will be up Spring Valley which will be closed about 2 weeks. This part of the project is to be completed before Memorial Day. Resident unknowingly had water main break - water ran for 3 weeks - water went through meter. This is an 83 year old woman on a fixed income and would like to offer some relief on the water bill. The State does a yearly audit - water that goes through the meter must be accounted for. The water did not go through the sewer so there will be no charge. Motion by Baltazar to apply $200.00 per quarter above regular bill - waive the sewer, support by Elliott - Roll Call: AYES: Cantrell, Pallin, Kilgus, Baltazar, Siderman, Elliott - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED Dawn will re-calculate bill and suggested sending a letter with water bill from the president explaining the proposal - agreed.

Law/Finance - Chairman Elliott: Spoke with Blake Smith from Rural Development which where we received our loan. Accounting for the water and sewer have to be separate, one account for water revenues and expenses and another account for sewer revenues and expenses. They originally asked to have our audit redone for 2007. Elliott stated that the Village would rather not do this and incur another $5000.00 expense. Smith said we could go forward with 2008 - Elliott to re-confirm with Smith.

Building/Grounds - Chairman Siderman: Settling Basin - Benzonia Township wants to wait until fall - spring is a poor time due to the weather and soil conditions. Must be advertised in the paper for 3 weeks - then get bids. The purpose of the settling basin is to remove silt coming down the Cold Creek before it enters Crystal Lake. Will send out for bids now - work to be done in the fall. Dumpster behind the East Shore Market is overflowing - this is shared by 3 businesses. Locks have been ordered but not yet received. Siderman proposed to write a letter from Council that problem must be corrected and give option ideas for correction with a time frame for the correction.

Kilgus asked Siderman to check with Mike LaFleur about replacing double doors on the bathhouse in the Trailer Park.

Parks/Rec - Chairperson Cantrell: Ramp repair in line as soon as possible - should come in under $2500.00. Elliott checking on cost of beach sand - approximately $2000.00. Fair Park - erosion control - will probably need to be sent out for bids - will be done some time this summer. Village Park will open in May. Pallin/Cantrell are looking for an overseer to monitor and clean the bathrooms in the park for May. Ads have been placed for the 2 Trailer Park lots that are open. Beulah Boosters are to have an event in the park June 28th, welcoming people back to town. Discussion of returning equipment that has been borrowed from the Village. Cantrell to set up a form specifying items requested - time out and time in. Top soil and seed to be placed over trench in the park when able.

Equipment - Chairman Pallin: Hydraulic cylinder was replaced on the blue tractor at a cost of $1106.47. Tire blown on one of the trucks - bill has not been received.

Streets/Sidewalks - Chairman Baltazar: The sidewalk repair will start when the sewer project starts. Cold patch will be needed to fill potholes. A-Z Development - a court date has been set for May 6 at 3:00 PM - hoping closure will take place at this time.

Superintendent Moore: Sand cleanup currently taking place. New signs are on order - Parking Ordinance for streets - same wording. Hydrant flushing in the next 2 weeks. Irrigation set to start May 1st. DEQ won't allow burning within 1400 feet of Village boundary - current pile within 900 feet - need resolution of what to do with current pile. Another pile has been started - may need gravel and road access to the new pile. Brian to check with Bob Kerby on possible cost for pile removal. Check on removal and storage of Christmas lights for tree in the Village Park.

ZA Kinzel: Sign ordinance change needs to be accepted by Council, then published in the paper. A public hearing needs to be held because it would be a change in the Ordinance. Motion to schedule a public hearing for sign change - AYES 6, NAYES 1 - MOTION CARRIED Kinzel to schedule public hearing - it will be 6:300 PM before the next council meeting. Sidewalk Ordinance change - downtown business location only - discussion ensued. Baltazar and Elliott to get together and determine options for sidewalk snow removal and present to Council.

Old Business:

Brainstorm - Formed a sign subcommittee including some members of the local business association - Phil Downs is head of the committee. 6 sites have been chosen. Guidelines have been set - ideas will be presented. Looking into a directory at Trailhead Building to show park locations. Elliott looking into more benches and picnic tables - determine placement - this also includes garbage cans and bike racks. A crew has been put together to clean blue trash barrels and paint has been obtained. Pricing being obtained for more planters.

Mr. Lutz looked at leasing property for rentals - he has determined it is not feasible.

Chamber of Commerce - Frankfort will downsize - Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center will stay in Benzonia.

Request for Council members to turn in job descriptions.

New Business:

Contract with Sheriff for summer patrol - same basics as last year - cost $8712.00. Motion by Siderman to accept Sheriff Contract, support by Elliott - Roll Call: AYES: Cantrell, Baltazar, Elliott, Siderman, Kilgus, Pallin, - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Public Input:

Al Brown - Suggests checking with other township - Benzonia - about sign ordinance to try to keep them uniform, especially on Route 31. Check with Bob Kerby about brush pile - Al may have a place to put it. Might be an idea to check with the CLBA about snow removal they may have some input.

Charlie Kinzel - Talked with Siderman to look into purchasing property between the Trailhead and the Granary for parking. Suggest pursuing a 2 hour parking ordinance on Benzie Blvd. - free up parking in the downtown area.

Suggested the Village needs a laser printer.

Meeting adjourned at 9:00 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Spencer, Clerk

Subject to approval at May 8, 2008 Council Meeting

HOME | BEULAH INFO | VILLAGE GOVERNMENT | NEWSLETTERS | PLANNING & ZONING | CONTACT US