MINUTES
DOUGLAS VILLAGE COUNCIL
MARCH 1, 2004
7:00 P.M.

President Glinski called the meeting to order at 7:11 P.M. Roll call: Frederick, Glinski, Laughner, Nor, Thomley, Van Stedum. Absent: Mauger. Also present: Interim Village Manager White, Clerk/Treasurer McVea. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Agenda Changes: None.
Approval of Minutes:Motion by Thomley, 2nd by Nor to approve the minutes of the February 16, 2004 meeting and workshop session as submitted. Discussion: correct typo/spelling of Glinski - roll call regular meeting/fifth paragraph workshop minutes; addition to Committee Reports, item F/Police - "two committee members (Thomley/Mauger) were not available to attend"; identify Council Comments: numbering (1) Mr. Thomley…, and (2) Ms. Van Stedum…, to separate issues addressed. Motion unanimously carried to approve the minutes as amended
Consent Agenda:: : Motion by Frederick, 2nd by Laughner to accept the five Consent Agenda items as information. Discussion: item B. correspondence identifies Mr. Peterson as President, Saugatuck-Douglas Chamber of Commerce; local CVB has not clarified the long-standing "identity" issue of who owns the Chamber of Commerce. Motion to accept the Consent Agenda unanimously carried.
Public Communications: Verbal - Ron Robbins, 88 Union St., commented that the CVB collects 2% for area room rentals. Mr. Glinski confirmed that currently, the CVB disputes Mr. Peterson's connection with the local Chamber of Commerce.
Written - None.
President's Report/Comments/Workshop Update: Workshop topics included discussions of (1) CURV Ordinance Enforcement - inconsistencies noted between the adopted version vs. the attorney version (2) Police arbitration status - process has been completed (3) Douglas Beach Sign Placement - discrepancies noted from Village Attorney response and Interim Village Manager's reference information (4) Masons Update - letter received from Masons' attorney requesting restoration of the second floor; Mr. White will respond (5) Finance Committee "letter to editor" - letter has been forwarded to local papers addressing the upcoming millage ballot proposal.
Public Hearing: Amendment to Ordinance 125-B "Village Manager Ordinance". Mr. Glinski opened the public hearing and summarized the proposed text revisions, noting that the ordinance now refers to the employment agreement and directs continuing (MML) education/training.
There were no written communications received in response to the Notice of Public Hearing. No audience comments were received. Council discussion: none.
Motion by Thomley, 2nd by Frederick to adopt Ordinance No. 172, amending the "Village Manager Ordinance" 125-B. Roll call vote: carried 6/0, Mauger absent.
Approval of Bills:Motion by Frederick, 2nd by Van Stedum to approve payment of the bills - total $36,032.20. Discussion: Payment to Dave's Tree Service for removal of Holiday lighting is paid from donation/funded account - not taxpayer dollars. Motion unanimously carried.
Manager's Report:
The bricks on Village Hall steps are loose again; DPW and the contractor will consider options to repair. Old Business update provided for review.
A. King Property/Blue Star - no report.
B. King Property/Hamilton - letter received advising that the space has been returned to storage use only.
C. Garbage collection restrictions - no report.
D. Peterson Property (crushed concrete storage) - meeting/discussion has not been scheduled at this time.
E. Village meeting cancellation policy - no report.
F. Copper Grille Parking - issue on hold until reopened (March).
Unfinished Business: None.
Copper Grille Parking Issue - business is closed until March; contact will be made when owners return.
King Property/Blue Star Bridge - issue is unclear. DEQ issued violation; council is waiting for progress/response to penalty/remedy concerns.
Dog Ordinance - Animal waste signage and bag dispensers are under review for Spring 2004 implementation.
Garbage Collection Restrictions - recommendation to discontinue ordinance adoption for enforcement - not cost effective to address only a few complaints.
Peterson Property/ Crushed Concrete Storage - review of village records did not indicate formal approval for temporary storage of the material; follow-up meeting will be scheduled with Mr. Peterson.
Union Street Special Assessment District/Sewer Improvements - no additional information at this time - engineers are working on proposal.
CURV Ordinance - enforcement is not a priority at this time due to limited budget; ordinance changes will be recommended following current budgeting process priorities.
New Business:
A. Union Street Sewer Project - Update requested at previous council meeting. Village engineers, Fleis & Vandenbrink, provided a sewer study report to former manager Kelly in September 2003 - updated October 2003; the workshop for council review was not scheduled Mr. White recommended requesting another (cost estimate) update prior to scheduling the project. Mr. Laughner disclosed that he is a Union Street property owner and would be affected by the project.
B. Dutcher Lodge Status - no new information/action at this time.
C. Lakeside Drive Extension - Mr. Finney has agreed to extend/pave Lakeside to address the access issue to lot "E"; Ms. Van Stedum advised council that Planning Commission recommends the extension. Mr. White provided background regarding an existing easement to Lakeshore Drive and its restricted use by Felker's property owners. Chris Gorgas, Mr. Finney's representative, advised that the Allegan County Drain Commission approved the improvements that were made last fall to Lakeside Drive. Discussion: submission of a new "engineered" drawing, including the proposed extension, would allow council to better understand what they are being asked to approve. Motion by Thomley, 2nd by Laughner to postpone consideration to the next meeting. Motion carried.
D. Hansen Property - Purchasers, Dave Hulst and Joe Michaels, were present to provide prospective development plans and discussed their anticipated request for re-zoning for the front portion of the property to allow commercial use. Formal documents will be submitted at the next regular Planning Commission meeting.
E.. Tri-Community Planning Invoice - Request for payment received from the City of Saugatuck for reimbursement of the Village's share of the planning project currently underway; total $10,000 - ½ due now/remaining ½ in August. Motion by Frederick, 2nd by Thomley to approve payment of $5,000 for this budget year and $5,000 in the next budget year for the Tri-Community Plan. Discussion: clarification requested for the "in-kind" services; Laurie Kelly was providing administrative assistance/services for the project. Motion carried.
F. Michigan Historical Commission - Request to identify employees who have contributed to preserving Michigan's heritage for award recognition. Suggestions are to be forwarded to the interim village manager.
Committee Reports:
A. A. Police/Fire - Arbitration update previously provided.
B. Streets/Sidewalks/DPW - no report.
C. Parks/Bldgs. & Grounds/Waterfront - no report.
D. DHPC - historic markers are being considered for Wades Bayou Memorial Park and/or Beery Field; "Douglas Dutchers" VBBA funds were reviewed
E. Health & Environment - no meeting held; former MI-RO property DEQ remediation report has not been received.
F. Personnel Committee - no meeting held; meeting is scheduled for March 4th @ 6:30 PM; the Village Manager contract is back from the attorney - interim and permanent positions have been separated.
G. Planning Commission - Lakeside Drive extension proposal was reviewed/discussed for recommendation; workshop session will be scheduled with Bob Muusse for PUD pre-conference review. The Planning Commission sub-committees continue to work on ordinance review projects.
Appointments/Resignations:None.
Audience Communications:: None.
Council Comments: Ms. Van Stedum expressed condolences on behalf of council to the Pluta family for the recent passing of Frank Pluta; he will be sadly missed throughout the community.

The meeting adjourned at 8:12 P.M.

Barbara McVea, Clerk/Treasurer
Village of Douglas