THE CITY OF THE VILLAGE OF DOUGLAS
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Monday, March 3, 2008
7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Balmer

2. Roll Call
Members Present: Balmer, Bailey, Harvath, Hoexter, Moore, Waddell
Absent: Mayer
Also Present: Manager Kowal and Clerk Neve

3. Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor

4. Changes/Additions/Deletions to Agenda
Motion by Hoexter with support from Harvath to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

5. Approval of Minutes
A. Committee of the Whole Meeting of February 18, 2008
B. Regular Meeting of City Council of February 18, 2008
C. Closed Session Minutes of February 18, 2008
Motion by Harvath with support from Bailey to approve
all meeting minutes of February 18, 2008. Motion carried.

6. Appointments /Resignations
A. Diane Bailey to the Ad Hoc Park Plan Implementation Committee
Motion by Moore with support from Waddell to approve appointment
of Diane Bailey to the Ad Hoc Park Plan Implementation Committee
for the unspecified term of until Ad Hoc work is completed. Motion
carried.

7. Proclamations/Awards
None

8. Public Communications (Limit of three minutes for comments regarding
agenda items)
Verbal:
a. Terry Burns, Allegan County Commissioner, announced he is a
candidate for a second term as District 1 County Commissioner.
Comments on proposal for new county jail and the countywide ban
on phosphorus in fertilizer.

b. Fred Royce, 144 Lakeshore, commented he would like to
volunteer to help or be an alternate member on the Harbor
Commission. Encourages a section on windmills be included in
the zoning ordinance. Compliments to Manager Kowal on taking a strong stance on current critical issues.

Written:
A. Letter dated February 20, 2008 from Helen DeGeatano, Founder &
President, Douglas Dutchers Base Ball Club, to Mayor Balmer and
City Councilpersons RE: Request to Purchase an Advertisement in
the 2008 Season Program and Website
Kowal will prepare paperwork and letter of understanding for an
ad in the Dutchers Season Program.
B. Letter dated February 15, 2008 from Frederick Eagle “Fritz” Royce III
to the Cities of Douglas and Saugatuck and Saugatuck Township RE:
Consolidation of Services Between the Three Governmental Jurisdictions
C. Proposed Minutes of the Joint Planning Committee Meeting of February
12, 2008
D. Letter dated February 25, 2008, from R.G. Poetsch RE: Summary of the
Interurban Transit Authority Board Meeting of February 19, 2008
E. Summary of the Michigan Small Harbors Coalition Meeting of
February 6, 2008, as Attended by Douglas Councilpersons Hoexter
and Harvath.
F. Article from February 28, 2008 Edition of The Commercial Record
RE: Douglas Resident Suzanne Dixon’s Efforts Lobbying on Behalf of
the Great Lakes
G. Article from February 28, 2008 Edition of the Holland Sentinel RE:
Burden Shouldered by Local Governments in Regards to the Great Lakes
H. Minutes of the Regular Meeting of January 14, 2008 and Workshop
Meeting of January 28, 2008 of the Saugatuck Township Fire District
Board
Written communication noted as received and filed.

9. Unfinished Business
None

10. New Business
A. Public Input, Discussion, Suggestions and Comments in Regards to the
Proposed Community Parks & Recreation Plan Update-Last Updated in
2002. This Plan Helps Guide Facilities Programming and Funding Decisions and Makes the Community Eligible for Various State Funding
Programs
No comments were heard from the public. Bailey distributed copies of
the community survey.
Kowal related the first improvements to the park plan will begin with
Beery Field.
B. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 18-2008 Approving a Proposal for Legal
Services for the Preparation of an Intergovernmental Agreement and
Related Documents for the Creation of the Kalamazoo Harbor
Commission.
Motion by Hoexter with support from Bailey to approve
adoption of Resolution No. 18-2008. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.
Harvath asked if Saugatuck Township has responded to the request that
they join with Douglas and Saugatuck in the Harbor Commission.

C. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 19-2008 Approving a Letter of
Understanding with the Saugatuck Douglas Art Club.
Motion by Waddell with support from Bailey to
approve adoption of Resolution No. 19-2008. Motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote.

D. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 20-2008 Accepting a Proposal from
Williams & Works for Professional Planning and Zoning Administration
Services.
Motion by Waddell with support from Hoexter to
approve adoption of Resolution No. 20-2008. Motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote.

E. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 21-2008 Amending the Budget of the
2007-2008 General Appropriations Act.
Motion by Waddell with support from Hoexter to
approve adoption of Resolution No. 21-2008. Motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote.

Mayer entered the meeting at 8:45 p.m.

F. Motion to Adopt for First Reading Ordinance No. 01-2008 Amending
The Code of Ordinances of the City of the Village of Douglas in Regards
To the Planning Commission (Proposed Ordinance No. 01-2008 will
Replace Ordinance No. 162, adopted March 18, 2002)
Motion by Waddell with support from Bailey to approve for first reading
Ordinance No. 01-2008.
Kowal explained this is a housekeeping matter setting membership of
the Planning Commission at seven members.
Motion carried by roll call vote.

11. Staff Reports
A. Building/Planning/Zoning/Enforcement
1. Letter from City Attorney Mulder to Western Surety Company
dated February 27, 2008 RE: Notice of Performance Bond
Default and Non-Compliance with Planning Commission Site
Plan Approval in Regards to Blue Coast Properties, LLC (Blue
Moon Bar and Grille; Failure to Eliminate Driveway)

2. Complaint Misdemeanor and Warrant Misdemeanor papers
filed with the Allegan County District Court with Regards to
Illegal Sign Placed in the Public Right-of-Way at Blue Star
Highway at Union Street in Douglas. Defendant: Laura J. Durham
Mill Pond Realty

3. Complaint for Injunctive and Other Relief filed with the Circuit
Court for the County of Allegan with Regard to Abatement of
Public Nuisances. Defendant: Crown Distinctive Homes, Inc., and
Eldean Development, Ltd. (Summer Grove Development)

4. Letter dated February 21, 2008 from City Manager Kowal
to the Michigan Dept. of Environmental Quality (“MDEQ”)
RE: Request by City that the MDEQ Schedule and Conduct a
Public Hearing in Regards to the Application by Douglas
Lakefront Properties, LLC; Thomas A. Scott (Swing Bridge
Property) to Install a Sheet Piling Seawall and Backfill in the
Kalamazoo River; No Mitigation Actions Proposed.
All communications were briefly discussed by Manager Kowal and noted as received and filed.

12. Committee Reports
A. Zoning Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee
Balmer reported the next meeting would not occur until the final draft
is ready.

B. Planning Commission
Next regularly scheduled meeting is March 19, 2008.

C. Community Recreation Advisory Board
Next regularly scheduled meeting is March 18, 2008.

D. Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority
Moore reported he attended a special meeting today. KLSWA proceeded
with hiring an attorney to represent them in the lawsuit with the City of
Douglas.

E. Park Improvements Implementation Ad Hoc Committee
The next scheduled meeting is Tuesday,

13. Council Comments
Moore commented improvements at Beery Field are much needed.
Harvath asked about the property at 127 Water Street. Kowal responded the
request for a driveway road cut was denied.
Hoexter asked council to set a date to discuss setting goals and priorities and also
review the City Manager contract.
Kowal related his performance evaluation should include goals and priorities. He
will establish a list of zoning violations and outstanding projects.
Mayer related she had three phone calls complimenting the DPW on snow
removal.
Bailey commented she has wanted to do a goal setting session since we hired
Manager Kowal. A good session will take all-day. Peter Letzmann could assist
with this session. A good facilitator will be most productive.
Harvath asked if there was a need for council to meet separately prior to a goal
setting session.
Mayer said she would like to get together with someone who can guide us to a
resolution.

14. Mayor’s Report/Comments
Balmer suggested having a meeting with the labor attorney to discuss goal
setting, performance evaluation and manager contract review.
Manager Kowal is instructed to set up a meeting with Attorney Callander to
attend a closed session to review the manager contract.
Council also needs to set a goal setting session with MML to work on priorities.
Balmer commented the Saugatuck Township residents probably do not realize
that they are getting Police service free of charge. The State Police do not
respond to local calls. They are only doing road patrol.

15. Approval of Invoices
A. Consideration of Approval of Invoices dated 2/28/08
Motion by Moore with support from Harvath to approve invoices
totaling $75,037.63. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

16. Manager’s Report
An explanation of the error on the assessment notice was given. Allegan County
is resending notices due to their error in calculating the increase in the 2008
tax bill.
Manager Kowal will be attending court on Wednesday, March 5th for the
Saugatuck Public Schools lawsuit hearing.

17. Hear from the Audience (Limit three minutes for general comments)
A. Fred Royce, 144 Lakeshore, commented he feels that council and
manager are overwhelmed by all the daily issues. To attract and keep
good people for the positions of Zoning Administrator and Treasurer
the city will have to pay more.
B. John St.Andre, 337 Ferry Street, commented he worked for City
of Jackson for many years. He is willing to offer his services to Douglas
on contract review, union negotiations, etc.

18. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 10:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jean E. Neve, CMC
Clerk

Approved by: ____________________________________________________________
Matt Balmer, Mayor

Certification of Minutes

I hereby certify that the attached is a true and correct copy of the minutes of a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of the Village of Douglas held on March 3, 2008. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.

________________________________________ __________________
Jean E. Neve, City Clerk Date