THE CITY OF THE VILLAGE OF DOUGLAS
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Monday, December 17, 2007
7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Balmer
Members Present: Balmer, Harvath, Hoexter, Mayer, Moore, Waddell
Absent: Bailey
Also Present: City Manager Kowal, and Clerk Neve.

2. Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor

3. Changes/Additions/Deletions to Agenda
None
Motion by Moore with support from Waddell to approve the agenda
as presented. Motion carried.

4. Approval of Minutes
A. Committee of the Whole of December 3, 2007
B. Regular Meeting of City Council of December 3, 2007
C. Closed Session Minutes of December 3, 2007
Motion by Moore with support from Hoexter to approve
all meeting minutes of December 3, 2007. Motion carried.

5. Appointments /Resignations
A. Reappointment of Helen F. DeGeatano to the Board of the Douglas
Downtown Development Authority (DDA); Term Expires January 2012
Motion by Mayer with support from Waddell to approve
the reappointment of Helen F. DeGeatano to the DDA Board with
a term to expire January 2012. Motion carried.

6. Proclamations/Awards
None

7. Public Communications (Limit of three minutes for comments regarding
agenda items)
Verbal: None
Written:
A. Letter from Robert F. Sapita to Planning Commission Chairperson
John Piggins, dated Nov. 30, 2007 RE: Opposition to Proposed West
Shore Cottages Development
B. Letter from Dick Waskin dated December 6, 2007 RE: MSU Land Use
Series

C. Letter from Fleis & VandenBrink dated December 7, 2007 RE: Verizon
Temporary Telephone Service Line Along Water Street (south of Center)
and Requesting Schedule for Proper Reinstallation Underground
D. Letter from George Smeenge dated December 1, 2007 RE: Allegan County
Commission on Aging
E. Letter from Michigan Department of Treasury dated November 30, 2007
RE: “Local Government Fiscal Distress Indicators” as Evaluated by the
Institute for Public Policy and Social Research at MSU
F. Summary of Permits Issued by Michigan Township Services (MTS) for November 2007
Moore asked about open space in the West Shore PUD and about the Verizon
wires hanging along Water Street.
Kowal commented on the validity of the “Local Government Fiscal Distress
Indicators” study.
Written communications noted as received and filed.

8. Unfinished Business
None

9. CLOSED SESSION: To review legal opinion with City Attorney regarding
public utility matters
Motion by Mayer with support from Hoexter to move into closed
session at 7:16 p.m. to review legal opinion with City Attorney
regarding public utility matters. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Motion by Mayer with support from Hoexter to end closed session at 7:35 p.m. and move back into the regular meeting. Motion carried.

10. New Business
A. Possible Legislative Action by City Council Regarding Public Utility Matters
Resolution No. 68-2007 was presented for consideration. If approved, the
resolution would authorize and direct the City Attorney to take actions on
behalf of the City of the Village of Douglas to protect the interests of Douglas
relating to the sale of capacity by City of Saugatuck to Laketown Township
and future sales of capacity without Douglas’ consent.
Motion by Mayer with support from Hoexter to approve Resolution No.
68-2007 and direct Attorney Mulder to take appropriate actions. Motion
carried unanimously by roll call vote.

B. Discussion and Update on Proposed Center Street Repair and Resurfacing
Matter
Attorney Mulder related that Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering, General
Contractor Ron Meyer and Aggregate Associates have all been put on notice
as a result of Center Street cracking issues. An repair/replacement agreement document is expected by December 21, 2007. Repairs are expected to be done
within a two week time frame in the Spring.
C. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 69-2007 Extending the Appointment of
David R. Kowal as Planning & Zoning Administrator
Motion by Waddell with support from Hoexter to approve Resolution
No. 69-2007 extending the appointment of David R. Kowal as Planning
and Zoning Administrator for a period not to extend beyond April 30, 2008,
unless terminated earlier by action of the City Council. Motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote.

D. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 70-2007 Accepting for Study and Possible
Implementation of the Kalamazoo Harbor Master Plan Technical Report
Motion by Hoexter with support from Waddell to approve Resolution No.
70-2007 accepting for study and possible implementation the Kalamazoo
Harbor Master Plan Technical Report. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.

E. Motion to Approve Election Inspectors to Work at the January 15, 2008
Presidential Primary Election as Set Forth in City Clerk’s Memorandum
dated December 17, 2007
Motion by Waddell with support from Moore to approve the following
election inspectors to work at the January 15, 2008 Presidential Primary
Election.
Dorothy Demerest Louise Pattison
Kathleen Piggins Walter Pattison
Linda Anderson Alexa Urquhart
Suzanne Dixon Donna St.Andre
Dave Mauger Martha Hoexter
Judy Mauger Tarue Pullen

Motion carried unanimously.

11. Staff Reports
A. Building/Planning/Zoning/Enforcement:
Kowal reported on receiving a large number of complaints on the
lighting at the condo project at 11 Chestnut Street. Staff is working with
the property owner. The light poles were not part of the original site plan
so are in violation. The property owner has agreed to take the light bulbs
out.
Moore suggested asking the property owner to come back before
Planning Commission to address the violation.
Kowal related there are currently many issues like this that need addressing that take a lot of staff time to take care of.
.

B. Finance/Budget
1. Narrative Report from City Treasurer
2. Revenue/Expenditure Report for the Month Ended November 30,
2007
3. Cash Balances Report for the Month Ended November 30, 2007
Treasurer Rett reviewed the Revenue/Expenditure and Cash
Balances Reports. Expenditures are below what was expected.
Waddell and Moore had several questions and comments. Moore
asked about the ability to produce a brief report that highlights the
funds that are over budget.
Rett reported there will be some budget adjustments needed and
some line items may be above or below budget but as long as the
activity is within budget no adjustments will be necessary.

12. Committee Reports
A. Zoning Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee
Balmer reported the Ad Hoc Committee had met earlier in the day. They
reviewed the ordinance section on lighting. It is estimated that the review
is about 3/4 complete. The Committee expects to have the draft rewrite
ready by or before the end of February.

B. Planning Commission
The December 19th meeting has been cancelled. The next regularly
scheduled meeting is January 16, 2008.

C Joint Planning Committee
No report. The committee meets once per quarter.

D. Community Recreation Advisory Board
No report

E. Police Commission
Hoexter reported on the December 12th meeting. Kowal and Attorney
Callendar are working with the City of Saugatuck on a new Police
Agreement. Kowal will be looking at the possibility of creating a
Police Authority to serve the Tri-Community area. The Union Contract
has been signed and ratified. One officer has been placed on a 30-day
suspension as a result of a disciplinary hearing. An emergency phone is
in place in front of the Police Department to dial 911.

F. Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority (KLSWA)
No report. Next meeting is in January.

13. Council Comments
Mayer asked that the city work with the school as much as possible on the
lighting of Demerest Field.
Waddell thanked Kowal for hiring the musician to play on Center Street. Also
adds compliments to the DPW on road plowing and maintenance.
Hoexter also complimented the DPW on roads.
Harvath asked about the school site plan review. Kowal responded Attorney
VanderVeen is working on it but was injured in a skiing accident.

14. Mayor’s Report/Comments
Balmer thanked everyone for their hard work and wished all a Merry Christmas.

15. Approval of Invoices
A. Consideration of Approval of Invoices dated 12/14/07
Motion by Moore with support from Waddell to approve invoices dated 12/13/07 in the amount of $59,629.30. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

15. Manager’s Report
Kowal reported the December 19th Planning Commission has been cancelled. The
ZBA will meet on December 20th at 6:00 p.m. to discuss by-laws, rules and
minutes. City Hall will be closed on Tuesday, December 18th from 12:00 - 2:00
p.m. for a staff/employee holiday lunch. Council members are invited to join
staff for lunch.

16. Hear from the Audience (Limit three minutes for general comments)
Gerry Bekken, Saugatuck Township Fire District, reported new trucks are on
order.
Fred Royce, 144 Lakeshore, expressed his concerns about the Township meeting
on Wednesday regarding the Denison properties. He urged council members to
attend.

17. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 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 December 17, 2007. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.

________________________________________ __________________
Jean E. Neve, City Clerk Date