Okay, I'd like to call to order the
regular meeting of the city of Village
of Douglas on Monday, August 17th.
And clerk, can we get a roll call vote,
please?
>> Farmer
» Farmer
>> Here.
» Here.
>> Freeman
» Freeman
>> Here.
» Here.
>> O'Malley
» O'Malley
>> Here.
» Here.
>> All right. Walker
» All right. Walker
>> Here.
» Here.
>> I have Seaver absent excused, West
» I have Seaver absent excused, West
absent excused, and North.
>> Here.
» Here.
>> We have a quorum. Will you please join
» We have a quorum. Will you please join
me in the pledge?
» I pledge allegiance to the flag
of the United States of America
and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all.
» [clears throat]
» Okay, first on our agenda this evening
is the consent calendar, which tonight
includes approving the agenda for this
evening,
the regular meeting minutes from the
council for August 3rd, and the invoices
in the amount of $82,848.30.
I'll need a motion
>> I'll make a motion to approve the
» I'll make a motion to approve the
consent calendar for
August 17th.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Okay, any discussion?
» Okay, any discussion?
>> Uh I have one. Just a question on
» Uh I have one. Just a question on
and I have it somewhere.
Um Prime Group,
Water Street slope stabilization, is
that the whole thing including the
washout? Or are you going to have
another bill coming before what they had
to come down for that?
I thought they were doing it.
It's part of Like is that
>> That's for the project. That's for the
» That's for the project. That's for the
project in the back.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Okay. I'll give you an update.
» Okay. I'll give you an update.
>> And they've been helping us also with
» And they've been helping us also with
the speed matters, too, because they
have the expertise in the background on
the Potter Street with with regards to
how to reduce the speed, the weight
limits, things like that. We had to have
those guidance as well.
>> I just didn't know if that was wash out.
» I just didn't know if that was wash out.
>> It's it's related to all of it.
» It's it's related to all of it.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> All right, just
» All right, just
>> Yeah. Yeah, no, that's a good question.
Anyone else?
Hey.
>> Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
» Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
>> Palmer?
» Palmer?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Freeman?
» Freeman?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> O'Malley?
» O'Malley?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Walker?
» Walker?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> North?
» North?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Motion carries.
» Motion carries.
As this our first opportunity for public
communication,
uh agenda items only, please.
Demetria.
Amanda.
Hello. Hello.
Can you hear me?
Yeah. Good. Is it on?
>> Yes, yeah.
» Yes, yeah.
>> No, I can't see.
» No, I can't see.
>> Well, the Zoom people can't hear you,
» Well, the Zoom people can't hear you,
that's why.
I can hear this one. [clears throat]
>> Uh Demetria, 143 Harbor Court. So, I
» Uh Demetria, 143 Harbor Court. So, I
wanted to uh talk about
uh two items in the new business. Uh
first one is the
letter C, the noise ordinance amendment.
And I'm very happy to see this uh
revised.
Uh because
>> [clears throat]
» [clears throat]
>> you know, I live quite close to the
» you know, I live quite close to the
Happy Living location, and you know, for
a period of time they were
really up there
early and
um sound travels.
Um I'm not sure how I might assess the
decibel issue, but
um
ooh
I think that's all good.
Um letter D,
um I hope that the council would approve
this. Um
the request for the well
approval and
you know I can assure you that we won't
be tapping into
other water sources. It's just a
very large [clears throat]
area to maintain and it's
purely for irrigation. So
those are my current comments so thank
you very much.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Anyone else?
» Hello,
my name is Anne Siering. I am on the
board of the Tower Harbor Condominium
Association and I am here to support
city approval of the well permit.
It has been years and years and years
long problem for our condo association.
As you may know we take and I think the
report
and the emails from our board president
spells this out but we take water
currently from the Kalamazoo River and
it's been an ongoing problem. This would
allow us to take well and we're not
currently on any city water.
We'd just be digging a well. We wouldn't
be you know asking to connect connect to
city water and it would only be used for
irrigation purposes.
I think we've done a lot to increase our
value home values and I think the
verification of our property and helping
us solve the problem would be very
helpful.
If during the agenda item you need any
additional information as it is a small
well it's not that much of a usage water
wise so
hoping that uh
it'll work out tonight. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
Anyone else?
>> [clears throat]
» Brad Lobert City Manager, I have a few
updates for you.
Last week we had an I was present in a
meeting with Representative Andrews,
Daniel Franco, South Township Manager,
representatives from MDOT and the Road
Commission to discuss the specifically
Holland Street, Blue Star Highway, right
by Blue Star Barns, but also the safety
of the entire Blue Star corridor. So, we
had floated a lot of good ideas to
um
what we could do temporarily to
change the
crosswalks, maybe put a light in, or
how it would
would look like. And just it was a good
session to lay out some ideas. You know,
there's a long-term plan for that for
the whole corridor, obviously from the
from the expressway to the expressway,
but we're talking 3 to 5 years in the
future for anything so substantial. You
know, you guys have talked about
roundabout here, but just just letting
you know that we had that discussion and
we're in the works of potentially making
changes.
Um
Senior millage passed 2 to 1. We were
happy to see that on the ballot in
August, so we'll and we have a
commission district millage up in
November. We hope to see that pass as
well.
Uh we're in the process of looking at
our budget. We particularly took a good
look at it the last meeting.
We're looking at a 7.3% increase on
revenues and expenditures based on their
that's an increase for equalization. So,
um
few things that that you might see
different is we're going to have might
have to be exchanged with
transportation.
It's um they have some in parks.
Parks has been a shortfall area and I've
talked about before possibly a parks
millage county wide, but only had
beginning discussions of that. Um but
transportation is a little more of a
immediate need based on lack of money
from the state, so there might be some
changes in there. And then also uh
you might have heard that
our Secretary of State who's running for
governor is has floated potential
changes in election
equipment that might be needed. So, we
might make some budget adjustments based
on that if that gets
comes to fruition if necessary.
Uh the West Side Park. So, south of here
in West Side Park, we voted to
replace the north steps. So, that was
right. We talked about doing the south
side steps that were washed away years
ago. So, but now we've officially voted
against bids to replace the north side
steps there that are in disrepair. So,
we'll hopefully
wider steps, bigger landings and all
that help people get down there.
And the last thing I wanted to touch on
um
just so you guys are aware.
Um
I've met with
Mr. Mandik from Laketown and uh Mr.
Northup here,
uh
Dan and Franco, Tony Skippa,
and Greg Jack regarding
possible changes to uh EMS.
Okay.
All right.
Currently, [clears throat] you guys are
covered so I see the the south side of
Saugatuck Township,
but north of there is AMR territory. So,
what they are proposing with Mark Meyer
of Life EMS is to expand the Life EMS
territory to Laketown,
Fillmore, and Allendale, and the north
side of Manlius Township.
This is just initial discussions at the
moment. We're not anywhere where we're
anywhere solid where we can report
anything anybody's made any decisions,
but just wanted you guys to know that we
are discussing
that
service.
So, I don't know what will come of it.
Um
so, there may be some changes based on
that in the future.
Possible to discuss. So,
look forward to look at it look at it
that. And so, if you guys have any other
questions, that's all I have. So.
>> Thanks for the update.
» Thanks for the update.
>> you.
» Anyone else?
Hey, is there anyone on Zoom that would
like to address the council?
I see none. We will close public
communication.
Uh we have no unfinished We have no
written communication. We have no
unfinished business.
Our first item of new business is the
special event, Michigan Downtown Day.
Let's start with motions, please.
» I'll make that motion to approve the
special event request since I wrote it
from the Downtown Development Authority
for the September 26th, 2026 Michigan
Downtown Day event.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Um
Do you have anything you would like to
add, Alyssa or Randy?
>> I This is our second year doing this. Um
» I This is our second year doing this. Um
this is
uh this is a statewide event sponsored
by Well, not sponsored by, we're
sponsoring it, the DDA, but it's uh
sanctioned by the Michigan Downtown
Association, which is you know, kind of
our I don't know, for lack of a better
term, our trade organization, and
uh
they I don't know how long they've been
doing it, but last year was our first
year, you recall, we had
uh some live music, and we had some food
available, and it was We had it thrown
together. This year we're doing a little
bit more uh legwork for it, and uh one
of the things that the DDA gets asked
about over and over and over again are
the Downtown Socials. This is not a
Downtown Social, but it's kind of a
similar
type event, where we are asking to see
how it goes to shut down uh Center
Street between Main and Spring,
and we will have uh live music again. Uh
Council member O'Malley has agreed to
help with the cornhole competition.
I tried the cornhole competition.
The cornhole competition.
Uh there will be we'll be inviting the
um
businesses to set up a tent outside if
that We want to make it an event. We
want to make it It's an afternoon event,
12:00 to 5:00. Uh and so seeing how this
goes, ultimately down the road it would
be great if we can even expand Center's,
you know, the event on Center Street to
bring in those businesses on other
sides. To the extent that it's feasible
and this is just a kind of an entree
into
uh exploring how this will go and and
what it means. It is at the end of
September, so it's not peak season. It's
not um it shouldn't be too much of a
problem. It will limit some of the
parking, but I met with um
uh
Chief Freeman at that meeting or was
that Lori?
>> She did.
» She did.
>> Oh, you were
» Oh, you were
I'm sorry.
Uh and and with uh DPW and
uh
they feel that it is a doable thing. Am
I forgetting anything?
>> Uh it's from Well, you're going to start
» Uh it's from Well, you're going to start
street closure 11:30 a.m. and it's until
reopen at 5:30.
>> One question.
» One question.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Did Chief Jane
» Did Chief Jane
the meeting? And we've tried doing that
before and he he was really you know, he
wasn't
sure if he was waving in or something. I
just don't want you to run into a
surprise there.
>> No.
» No.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
Okay.
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> That's our job.
» That's our job.
>> Well, it's it's a one block closure, so
» Well, it's it's a one block closure, so
that changes a lot of things for it
where they would have access to
hydrants, anything they would need.
Um we can make sure with the DPW that
the way the street is barricaded is
easily accessible.
>> But that was his thing before I I just I
» But that was his thing before I I just I
don't know if you can only get a truck
down there.
>> Yeah,
» Yeah,
>> think we should reach out to him and let
» think we should reach out to him and let
him know. Thanks.
» Usually he's more concerned when it's
multiple blocks.
>> Got it.
» Got it.
>> Well,
» Well,
I can't obviously I can't speak.
>> Yeah, I didn't think of it. Did we meet
» Yeah, I didn't think of it. Did we meet
with him regarding farmers market and
the closure of that street?
I don't think we We don't have
I'll reach out to him and make sure he
That's what I said. Thank you for
volunteering him.
>> For multiple blocks.
» For multiple blocks.
>> Yeah, I understand.
Um we'll know more Saturday again.
We have another meeting tomorrow in our
our next planning meeting next week, so
we're hoping to have more
fun stuff available that day. No
promises.
» Any other discussion?
Then the vote is on the motion.
» Rayman?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> O'Malley?
» O'Malley?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Walker?
» Walker?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Palmer?
» Palmer?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Nohr?
» Nohr?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Motion carried.
» Motion carried.
>> Thanks.
» Thanks.
>> Next is the Michigan Municipal League
» Next is the Michigan Municipal League
annual convention designation of voter
voting delegate.
>> Lisa.
» Lisa.
Do you want to get a motion there?
Do you want to get a motion first?
>> Well, do we need
» Well, do we need
>> Do we need
» Do we need
to put a name in there?
How much?
Do we need a motion to consider who we
will name first?
>> Um so we can with that one if you wanted
» Um so we can with that one if you wanted
to make a motion. You could make a
motion just to designate
somebody.
» I move
>> No, you go ahead. You go
» No, you go ahead. You go
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
I move to designate
a member of council
to be named shortly as the city of
Village of Douglas official voting
delegate for the Michigan Municipal
League.
» I'll second.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> I'm I'm going to second.
» I'm I'm going to second.
>> I'm more on the back though.
» I'm more on the back though.
>> Yeah, um well, I haven't done this
» Yeah, um well, I haven't done this
before. Yeah, it says and a alternate
voting.
>> And an alternative
» And an alternative
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> I amend my motion to have an alternative
» I amend my motion to have an alternative
if you're
you're interested.
>> I'm looking at it as well. Okay.
» I'm looking at it as well. Okay.
So, I haven't seen this before. I don't
know if this is something new. I hadn't
done this in the past, but we received
that letter which I shared with the
council just to let you know. And then
we just have to let them know once you
have provided a
designated delegate and an alternate, we
just need to let them know cuz the
conference is coming up soon. So.
That's pretty
>> So, we have to go to the conference?
» So, we have to go to the conference?
>> I I yeah, I mean that's it's in case in
» I I yeah, I mean that's it's in case in
the event somebody does want to go to
the conference. So.
>> Well, I'm
» Well, I'm
I'm enrolled or registered for the
conference.
>> There you go. Yeah.
» There you go. Yeah.
>> Since September.
» Since September.
Right.
Pardon? I think it's in September,
right?
>> October.
» October.
>> October, it's in Traverse City.
» October, it's in Traverse City.
>> If this is an ongoing thing,
» If this is an ongoing thing,
should we just make it so it's always
the mayor and the alternate or we don't
do
>> Oh, no, I think they they ask for a name
» Oh, no, I think they they ask for a name
every year.
Because it changes.
>> And it might not I mean, I might not be
» And it might not I mean, I might not be
able to go.
>> I mean, I always go to the conference.
» I mean, I always go to the conference.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> And we just submit the name or the mayor
» And we just submit the name or the mayor
pro tem if it's the alternate and he
submits the name. Or if you want to pick
on someone, the the the youngest person
on the council.
>> Are you talking about
» Are you talking about
>> Not by age, but by
» Not by age, but by
>> Or the newest. Yeah.
» Or the newest. Yeah.
>> I just want to jot down we can always
» I just want to jot down we can always
name someone new every year, I guess,
but if then you're not having this who's
going to do it kind of thing. It's like
you're doing it.
Some people like
>> Well, you have to be a good
» Well, you have to be a good
thing. Yeah, to mix it up so many
people attend the conference. It's
really worthwhile.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> So, you're going to be there. I I
» So, you're going to be there. I I
>> Should we You'd name an alternate?
» Should we You'd name an alternate?
>> Yes. Yes, just in case. I mean, it just
» Yes. Yes, just in case. I mean, it just
in case you you want to send another
delegate up if something were to come up
or, you know, things
you need to change the the registration
or something like that. I think that's
why they like that.
So.
Does anybody want to
make a recommendation and then a second
person?
>> Well, we can
» Well, we can
recommend
Mayor North right off the bat.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> And a good traveling partner would be
» And a good traveling partner would be
the Mayor Pro Tem.
>> I probably
» I probably
>> I think it's
» I think it's
>> Denver was the only one.
» Denver was the only one.
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> It's my birthday month.
» It's my birthday month.
>> Oh, and then
I need a motion to actually name them,
too.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
Okay.
>> Do we really need a I mean
» Do we really need a I mean
>> An alternate?
» An alternate?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> That's what they I mean, that's what
» That's what they I mean, that's what
they ask for.
>> I think Jeff West should be the
» I think Jeff West should be the
alternate. He's not here to defend
himself.
>> What's the word now?
» What's the word now?
>> Okay.
» Okay.
So, you just want to say Do I don't
think you have to read the whole thing
again. Just the Mayor and the Mayor
>> that in my motion to um
» that in my motion to um
>> designate the Mayor
» designate the Mayor
>> designate
» designate
Gary North as our
um delegate person who's going and the
alternate would be council person um
Jeff West.
>> There we go.
» There we go.
>> I now amend my second.
» I now amend my second.
>> Okay, any more discussion?
» Okay, any more discussion?
Hey, roll call vote, please.
>> O'Malley?
» O'Malley?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Walker?
» Walker?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Bomber?
» Bomber?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Freeman?
» Freeman?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> North?
» North?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Motion carried.
Next is our first reading of the noise
ordinance amendment.
>> So, for all this one, um there's no
» So, for all this one, um there's no
action needs to be taken for this, but
um just to provide context, the reason
for this was just due to a dispute
between two your during a construction.
Um our police department has been out
there and there has been issues with
um
the discrepancies between the noise
ordinance and how it's enforced
cuz um
we had reached out to our city attorneys
on feedback about how can we address it,
what can we do, does it have to be by
discretion? She advised us just to amend
the ordinance. She provided her own
suggestions, which was provided to the
council
of what made the most sense just to
address the construction at that time
frame with a new reasonable hours too as
well, which doesn't happen too early and
it doesn't happen too late as well.
So, that's um it for that.
» Anybody have any discussion?
I sure don't. I sure don't blame them. I
can't believe I'm losing those two
houses.
The houses I mean it's
>> 7 ft and 8 on the other side of Mr.
» 7 ft and 8 on the other side of Mr.
McDowell.
>> I can add a little context if you want.
» I can add a little context if you want.
We didn't really have a good noise
ordinance years ago and there was a
Saugatuck constituent who lived on the
river who was always calling the police
because the Red Dock was too noisy
>> [clears throat]
» [clears throat]
>> and
» and
nobody did anything because we didn't
really have an ordinance. So, anyway
it got to the point where it's going to
go to court
and eventually and I wrote a letter cuz
I was mayor at the time that said, "We
don't have an ordinance with teeth that
you know, could do anything to." And I
it was Tony from the Red Dock Lake.
You can't help it. Not to mention the
person that's complaining is not even
from Douglas, right? So, this noise
ordinance is written and I think where
the hiccup is is it doesn't
differentiate construction noise and
things like that from like bands. But, I
know at the time, she correct me if I'm
wrong, we were more concerned with like
live live music. So, they went out with
a decibel reader to the place that had
live music outside and they would
measure from the nearest property. I
know, if If complaining and know, if no
one's complaining, then this is
acceptable, basically. So, they kind of
came up with a number of what was
acceptable.
Drafted the ordinance, brought it to
Saugatuck, and said, "You have a
person who's always complaining at the
time we shared a police department.
Wouldn't it make sense if you guys
adopted this, too?" And they said, "No,
we're a party town. It's going to get
noisy here, and we don't want your
ordinance." And we said, "Okay." So, we
implemented it, and then when the person
from Saugatuck was still calling to
complain, we'd say, "You're not in
Douglas, and you don't have a noise
ordinance, so you can't complain."
But it Like I said, it didn't address
like construction noise or things like
that as as clearly as it should have.
» So, since we're
the royal we, you guys are in the
process of rewriting the ordinances, is
it common to just jump the line and
initiate a rewrite of the zoning
>> So, this isn't a zoning ordinance. This
» So, this isn't a zoning ordinance. This
is a general code ordinance.
>> Okay. So, it's not Okay.
» Okay. So, it's not Okay.
>> Two different things.
» Two different things.
>> Got it.
» Got it.
Thank you.
» Oh.
Thanks for the info. So, that will be on
the second review and be at the next
meeting.
>> Yep, the next meeting next month.
» Yep, the next meeting next month.
>> All right. Um
» All right. Um
Next is the Tower Harbor Association
well request.
>> Wait, tell us about this, Jared.
» Wait, tell us about this, Jared.
>> Did I skip something?
» Um for this one here, um did a little
bit of extensive research um but for the
Tower Harbor Association they did a
request to drill a well for the
irrigation. Uh I did speak with Doug at
Kaleva about this, too, as well. It's
been something that they're that's
pretty fairly common. They said that
they don't have any issue with it as
long as it's um for irrigation purposes
and there's no cross connection cuz
they're worried about um somebody
randomly tapping into the well and
cross-contaminating our water. Um I did
speak with uh Ken, too, our city
engineer. He does have an issue with
this, too. Um actually led me to a path
of um, these approvals that council has
done which was over at Golfview, which
you guys approved or council approved on
the well for them to fill in the pond.
So, similar um, almost the same
basically the same thing, but um, they
both both um, properties do have
connection to municipal water for their
actual water services.
Um, but um, that's pretty much it for
that record there.
» Um,
so, let's get a motion.
» I'd like to make uh, make a motion to
approve the well to be constructed near
374 Mariners Cove for Tower Harbor
Condominium Association subject to
approval of the Allegan County Health
Department and based on the finding that
the well will be used only for
irrigation purposes
and will remain independent from the
municipal water system and will not
create a cross connection.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> Hey.
» Hey.
Any discussions further?
Hey, seeing none, Madam Clerk.
>> Walker?
» Walker?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Balmer?
» Balmer?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Freeman?
» Freeman?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> O'Malley?
» O'Malley?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> North?
» North?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Mosher Harris? [clears throat]
» Mosher Harris? [clears throat]
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> Hey, onto reports
» Hey, onto reports
uh, starting with the Planning
Commission.
>> Ah, I was ready for that. Hey.
» Ah, I was ready for that. Hey.
I wasn't going to be
Um,
Okay, two things on last week's docket.
Um,
one was changing and I think a lot of
people are going to be happy to hear
this. Um,
13 South Weeling Street is the little
white house across from the post office
where there's rather large brick
building that's going to go there. Um,
four stores downstairs, three apartments
upstairs. And it got a a flack about I
guess the aesthetic not really fitting
the town, but we don't really control
the aesthetics. We only control
safety and zoning issues, right? But,
they were really good with it. It's AMK
who who owns it. They asked to come back
because they wanted to make some changes
to the exterior, what it looked like,
and they really did do a good job. I
mean, they they
integrated some board and batten style
insertions, and they added to the roof
line, so it almost looks kind of like
bracket buildings roofline where it's
got some more detail on it, and it
really softens the building and warms it
up some, and so it'll be a mixture of
like a wood look with brick.
Um, we can
pull pictures up at some point if you
want or it's on If you go into our
meeting room in the back here, you can
see all the pictures in there, the
renderings. And so, that was one. We
approved it. And then, the next one was
for
three lots that are next to the bowling
alley. The gentleman who owns the police
station now, the former police station,
he also owns that.
And
he wants to put in
ground floor commercial, as our
ordinance would say, on Center Street,
but he wants to do ground floor
residential, which is allowed through
Article 26.13,
but you have to meet like six criteria.
And they they actually meet all the
criteria for the ground floor, so not a
problem.
However, when it came to parking,
um,
from the way they calculated they needed
33 spaces, although there was questions
on how they calculated and it turned
what was on the site plan, it didn't
match. So, Shawn pointed that out. And
then, the other one is they didn't ask
for a waiver or reduction at all. They
just came in thinking that they met the
ordinance of Cuz when you're in the C-1,
the mix plan is different.
Parking requirements are done by use.
So, if you have a restaurant, you you X
amount of parking, units, calculated by
the different things. Retail is
calculated different than office space
and all that.
So, you do your calculations for how
many parking spaces you needed by what
types of uses are on your building, and
those are generally
the only two commercial areas that we
ever see to which is Blue Star and C1
which is the DDA area.
Well, the C2 area
the minimum lot size is 30,000 square
feet or larger.
So, you can fit parking. So, you're
going to have
your full parking requirements. Downtown
is only 4,000 square foot minimum, and
you can build up line to lot line. So,
it's almost impossible to fit your
parking. So, what they did years ago is
they just put in an automatic 50%
reduction
if you're by right, and if you're not by
right, then you have to provide 100%
unless you ask for a reduction or a
waiver, which they did not ask for. So,
we told them that they'll have to go
back and figure out how to fit their
parking in and you know, do whatever.
So, we tabled it
based on that.
And a few other things.
>> When do they think that they might
» When do they think that they might
actually start if it gets approved? Is
it
>> He wants to start soon. Um, the first
» He wants to start soon. Um, the first
thing, and I don't know which one of
them he's got to do the other one, too,
but he's got two properties he wants to
do. He also wants 200 Center Street,
which is between Jake Way and the Cove.
That came to us a year and a half to 2
years ago and he wanted to do a
three-story building and all this, and
we we said no. So, um,
I don't know exactly what time of this
one. He has to come back with his
revised plan or what he's going to do
with the parking for this one. The other
thing he has to do is he has to have an
he has an easement with the bowling
alley, and the bowling alley is in favor
of doing this,
but Shawn and I talked like
you can work on getting this big that
permit they have the documentation, the
legal work drawn up. Shawn hasn't seen
it yet. And um,
or maintenance. So, like let's just take
a look at something like Penn Rail where
there's an easement and there's dual
I'd say because you have an easement
partnership in it, right? And then now
what's their maintenance agreement look
like? I mean, you guys that's why you
have all those cars on Blue Star, right?
Cuz they're fighting over who's going to
maintain it, who's going to pay for how
much of it. We don't want to have that
happen here.
So, they have to have that
>> And
» And
>> in the works. Probably would be
» in the works. Probably would be
conditional to be able based on them
getting that approved by our attorney,
>> Attorney, right?
» Attorney, right?
>> So,
» So,
I know so you want to hear about the
building, it's as you're looking at it,
it's
a retail shop, it's quite large and then
all of the parking is going to be
between the bowling alley and the other
building and towards the back. All of
the frontage
on the parking lot is retail or office
and then there's a hallway that runs
down the backside of it where there's
four apartments downstairs and then
there's nine upstairs.
But, we'll see where they come in
numbers-wise when they figure [snorts]
out their parking.
>> When they came in for the DDA, we
uh,
strongly
agreed to it with the understanding that
those office spaces would not be on
Center Street but rather facing
>> They are. They're back and facing the
» They are. They're back and facing the
bowling alley and they've got main
retail on the front. It goes across the
whole front. Sizeable space actually.
And that that's also on our If you were
to go over that or just on the agendas
and stuff like that, you can see the
plan.
>> Also, it would be helpful of going
» Also, it would be helpful of going
forward, I don't know if we mentioned
this to you, Matt, but the DDA's also
talking about the potential for a lot of
construction happening in the downtown
corridor at one time which
most of us think is better than having
this road closed or this whatever. It's
kind of like a let's get it done
approach.
>> six months and then you close over here
» six months and then you close over here
for six months. So we're trying to kind
of talk as a DDA get prepared for what
that will look like. So it's anytime
that there is an update on a potential
start for any of the projects, the DDA
is looking into how we can um combat
combat like trap, you know,
the downtown.
>> planning commission meetings, one of the
» planning commission meetings, one of the
things we put in as a condition is that
they're keeping us up to date. That all
goes to Shawn. So when Shawn hears
what's going on, he's issuing things, he
can let kind of you
>> Will you let us know, Shawn?
» Will you let us know, Shawn?
>> Yeah, I mentioned at the DDA meeting
» Yeah, I mentioned at the DDA meeting
that I'll keep you guys posted. We still
go through that process of when um you
have these kind of developments and
capital improvement closures,
specifically because they tie to water
and sewer connection. Being regular ones
that review it, we look at the traffic
control plans, we make sure that uh um
like before they even start that we
notify those within 300 ft. They're, you
know, give them more flexibility to plan
their routes. I'm planning on doing the
same thing, too, with the downtown. The
procedure's not going to change at all,
but we're going to give you guys more
action. You don't know this, though.
>> But the business is open during
» But the business is open during
construction is what Randy was concerned
about. Making sure people know
Yes. Yes. Which is important.
>> When we did Center Street, it was it was
» When we did Center Street, it was it was
a pain, but it was good to get it all
done. And I just put it on everybody's
radar and it's not been before us, but
it's been before Shawn, so I can't speak
to what it is, really, but I believe
that our auto time is planned to be also
coming before us in the near future to
put up a mixed-use for their outdoor
area is.
So there is a lot of construction coming
down by us.
>> So far with the way things are going,
» So far with the way things are going,
right?
>> We wanted it to be vibrant, and it's
» We wanted it to be vibrant, and it's
happening.
>> Yeah, so far, I mean, it would kind of
» Yeah, so far, I mean, it would kind of
with the way things are going down, even
after approval, they still have to go
through the process of bidding out their
construction, you know, for with the
contractors. So it's starting to look
like a lot of these things going to be
happening in the off-season.
>> Right.
» Right.
>> One last one I'll throw out that we we
» One last one I'll throw out that we we
talked about, but not the detail is um
it's the corner of Randolph and Blue
Star where in
any of you old folks around here
remember it's where the woodshed was,
the old woodshed.
Um yeah. And but anyways it's
there's M&M's and then it's kind of
vacant until you get Randolph.
That
someone's working on developing all
that.
>> Excellent, it'd be great.
» Excellent, it'd be great.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Mhm.
» Mhm.
>> Unless it's an AutoZone.
» Unless it's an AutoZone.
I'm just kidding.
>> Yeah, well they got to worry they got to
» Yeah, well they got to worry they got to
worry about
>> What is school old? That's one thing.
» What is school old? That's one thing.
Yeah, I can't
base on what you want to stand here.
And then um
setback.
>> Yeah, it's a large setback area because
» Yeah, it's a large setback area because
it's double what it's 66-ft
right-of-way. It's it's like 100 and
120-ft right-of-way on on Blue Star.
It's a
big big
right-of-way.
Mhm.
Well, that's all I got for you.
>> That's good. That was a lot. Thank you.
» That's good. That was a lot. Thank you.
Good info.
Um Kill Lake sewer and water, Mr.
Freeman, please.
>> Thank you. Kill Lake sewer and water, my
» Thank you. Kill Lake sewer and water, my
report will be
much like our meeting this morning
brief.
Which unlike our meeting last week which
or last time which was over 200 pages
and 2 hours and plus.
Uh meeting was fairly brief this
morning. A couple of things that are of
interest.
Um
one of the things you'll be seeing soon
coming to a mailbox near you is your
water bill is changing.
Not the amount of the bill, the look of
the
What's that?
>> We know.
» We know.
>> There is a $3 credit.
» There is a $3 credit.
>> You can it's what it
» You can it's what it
>> That's a change.
» That's a change.
>> You know, it's like talking to my wife.
» You know, it's like talking to my wife.
It was creepy to her.
Um yes, if you if you go on auto pay,
you will get a $3 credit on your bill.
Um what I really I I'm you're I'm
kidding you but thank you, Ted. That's
part of it.
>> What if you're already on auto pay, do
» What if you're already on auto pay, do
you still get it?
>> What's it?
» What's it?
Say it again.
>> What if you're already on auto pay, do
» What if you're already on auto pay, do
you still get it? I just got it on auto
>> Yeah, yeah, you do.
» Yeah, yeah, you do.
>> Everybody between 10.
» Everybody between 10.
>> The format the everybody Sorry, we have
» The format the everybody Sorry, we have
a special program here.
The format of the bill is changing.
And so, instead of the little postcard,
which was once described by a person who
came to our meeting as the little
postcard that everyone hates, the bill
will now be a a trifold bill in a window
envelope.
All of the billing information will be
on the front of the bill.
So, the amounts you're paying and all of
the codes and everything will be on the
front of the bill. So, you won't have to
keep flipping the thing over to figure
out what's on the back.
And that's a small thing, but it it
makes the bill actually much more
convenient. You will be able also to
sign up for auto pay, and there will be
a $3 credit if you can do that.
The back of the bill is going to be a
newsletter type space.
So, new policies and procedures, meet
our staff, uh things of public interest,
projects that we're doing, will be on
the back of the bill. So, with the
information on the back and the bill
will all be on the front part of the of
the bill. And those those paper bills
went in the mail today. You're going to
get
Well, we're actually, you know, I've
been saying it for a while now. It's a
new day at KLSWA. We're trying to make
it better and more more open.
>> Please tell us more. Public.
» Please tell us more. Public.
>> The other thing, if you don't know
» The other thing, if you don't know
already, we have Cal Lake has a Facebook
page.
Can you imagine that that would have
ever happened in the past? We have a
Facebook page. It's starting it's
limited it's not it's not open for a lot
of public comment just yet. We're just
feeling our way with it. But, we're now
using Facebook as a way to communicate
things that are happening as another
another communication channel. So, we're
slowly with our new administrator and
our new front office staff, we're
bringing that stuff forward. And I think
it's I think it's pretty exciting. Uh
there's lots of things in flight. Uh
we've got a big capital improvement plan
that'll be starting uh with construction
in the fall.
Um so, stay tuned for all of that. But,
these are these are things that we
talked about today, the new bill, uh the
new way to pay the bill, and um
the Facebook page, which I think is is
exciting. So, uh yeah, that's that's it
for for me. Yes, sir.
>> One quick thing. Thank you.
» One quick thing. Thank you.
I love that you have the Facebook page,
and then and it's great that you're
doing a new bill, and you put
information on the back, but and I know
you guys are all just starting, and I'm
sure you probably talked about this, but
is it going to be Is there any talk
about possibly being like what Lisa does
with the admin page for here? Cuz I
think that's wonderful. It It's always
like here's the weekly update, what's
going on, or here's construction, or
just Kelly's off and out doing things,
shutting things down, blocking things
off, no one knows, but if if it could be
put on Facebook, it's just even a
reminder
>> that's that's the intent. And that's the
» that's that's the intent. And that's the
intent as when we as we as we were sure
to use Facebook to use Facebook, and
also the back of the bill, but Facebook
is more real time to communicate exactly
those kinds of things.
>> Yeah, for the community updates for the
» Yeah, for the community updates for the
disclosures.
>> Exactly. That's exactly what we're
» Exactly. That's exactly what we're
doing.
>> That's cool.
» That's cool.
>> We try to cross with the constant
» We try to cross with the constant
contact, too, and keep all the messaging
very, very much the same. So, Jenny or
Laura or somebody will be doing the
>> people will find that so helpful if you
» people will find that so helpful if you
Thanks so much, too.
>> And our Yeah, that's
» And our Yeah, that's
as Lisa says, our office staff has
developed such a good working
relationship with the office staff here.
So, I mean, the first thing I did when I
found out we had a new Facebook page was
I said, "Bob, please talk to Lisa, and
ask Lisa to promote it with all the park
communication channels."
>> She did.
» She did.
>> And he said, "I've I've already done
» And he said, "I've I've already done
that, you know." So, that's that's the
kind of thing that we're working on.
Yeah.
>> I absolutely agree.
» I absolutely agree.
>> It took a turkey hitting the chief's
» It took a turkey hitting the chief's
window to get you 1,000 uh views, so
we're in good shape. We're popping up
higher on the list.
>> Yeah. Well, at least it popped in her
» Yeah. Well, at least it popped in her
car, so that's good, too.
>> Thanks, God.
» Thanks, God.
>> Yeah. Bob's been a tremendous addition.
» Yeah. Bob's been a tremendous addition.
>> He's He's terrific. We
» He's He's terrific. We
We have a lot of work to do. We're
discovering all kinds of things that we
didn't know we needed to discover.
Um
but we're getting there. Getting there.
He's only been there a few months, so
hang hang in there with us. We're
getting there.
Still. Okay. Thank you, again.
Um we had a
brief but
loaded uh
fire board meeting this afternoon.
Um I'll just hit some of the highlights,
but if you're interested here
if there this is my stat that I just got
today, which I have not fully looked at,
but if you want to know anything
about response times, or what kind of
response it was, or how
uh
what kind of a call it was compared with
last 10 years, just month to month
I'll leave it there close. You feel free
to
peruse that and ask any questions, but
here just a couple of highlights. Um
just in July we had 149 incidents, which
was a record.
Um probably most of them not probably
most of the incidents are medical.
Um falling remains the number one, which
is likely to happen in a
in a in a town that has
a lot of old people.
Uh
yeah, right. Um
and that's that was a record.
The average emergency response time
through July went up at 7 uh minutes and
20 seconds, which is slower, but
probably the reason is because the
traffic volume on Blue Star Highway.
So, uh that's really been a factor.
Um
The the biggest problem that we have is
over 34% of our calls
30% of our calls over the year are
overlapping calls. And we had a long
discussion one of the biggest problems
that we're having right now are these
iPhone crash alerts.
We've had 15 of them this year. We all
got our phones and we're lucky like I
didn't know that
I drop my phone all the time. I can't
believe that it doesn't automatically
call 911 or but
So, you might want to look in the
settings on your phone. You have the
emergency SOS
and you have to turn it off if you don't
want it to be on. And then it will list
your emergency contacts and my phone
will call you if they determine that
there was a severe accident. But what's
happening is
you know, people are putting their phone
on the top of their car
who would ever do that and driving off
with it. And so
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> So,
» So,
it falls and then, you know, the fire
department is out there looking
It gives you like a 750-ft radius.
They're out there looking for
iPhones when there wasn't a crash.
And in the meantime what
And in the meantime, you know, there
could be a priority one call that
they're needed for. With a small staff
like we have, that's that's a problem.
So, we're looking at
how we can address that. We're going to
I see Wendy's on the line here. We're
Wendy, we're we're going to commission
you to
write a great article in the commercial
record and try and educate people a
little bit better on it.
Um
Then we moved on and talked about 415
Wiley.
All good news there.
Um
Uh all of our bonds were successfully
sold. They opened them up um I can't
remember but the August 7th.
So, they opened up bidding at 11:00 and
by 12 minutes later they were all
bid.
And there were like seven bidders.
And they got a really great um
interest rates and good terms on on the
loan.
So, that was
a real um
We're moving in the right direction
here.
Um
The the bonds will be distributed to the
township on August 27th.
They finally received the master deed
and condominium documents and they're
transferring it over to
the fire district attorney for a legal
review. So that'll be set to go. So we
look to be
pretty much on track to
have it on the next agenda for sale.
>> The next one or the
» The next one or the
>> No, it'll be on the next one. Okay.
» No, it'll be on the next one. Okay.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> We're going to move that to the next
» We're going to move that to the next
meeting in September.
>> I'm ready.
» I'm ready.
It's been a lot of teamwork between the
city and the
>> Absolutely.
» Absolutely.
>> township and
» township and
>> Got great compliments and again for like
» Got great compliments and again for like
one of the things that we approved this
evening was buying these storage sheds
for two different reasons. We have to
keep a lot of
flammable materials
flames and all the things. Flames um
batteries, things that people are
collecting because we haven't had a
hazardous waste stay in a while.
Um but then they're going to take all
the furniture that we donated.
Uh that's currently
in the building in suite one and two and
they'll be stored in those storage
containers during their construction
projects. So we did that this evening
too. Let's see and um
I think that's it.
Good.
Laura, maybe we could Would you mind
moving up this report to the next
meeting in each month? So
I mean I just had it like an hour ago.
So
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> I don't have time to really digest it
» I don't have time to really digest it
and do a
thorough report.
Probably same as you, right?
Wouldn't it be better to have our
reports
the first meeting of the month?
» It doesn't matter to me. We we can move
it to the first one. Usually the
my meeting is usually over by noon. So I
have a little bit of time to adjust and
think about it.
>> Yours is over 20 minutes before you have
» Yours is over 20 minutes before you have
to get in the car and drive here, so I
understand that.
You're trying to think it through while
you're probably about to hit people in
the booster.
>> Okay, that's it for um
board reports
and to administrative report, Lisa.
>> Yes, thank you. I'm going to give each
» Yes, thank you. I'm going to give each
of you one of these. I have two things
tonight. If you could please pass one to
each house member.
Um as you know, we've been talking about
uh deer management. Uh and it's been a
very hot topic for some time. We did
participate I'll try to speak louder. We
did participate in a wildlife committee
with uh Saugatuck Township and the city
of Saugatuck. Uh those meetings ceased
uh in the um winter. I think we are all
kind of at an impasse on where what we
were going to try to do, so everybody
kind went their separate ways and we're
going to try to stay in touch and figure
out some options. Um
our neighboring community did send us um
some information. Right now, uh Douglas,
our management program allows bow
hunting on and she please weigh in if I
if I miss you got something on
qualifying private properties through
the city's established deer management
program.
Applications for the hunting season for
2026 and I'm going to say 27 because it
goes into January.
Um hunting season are already being
picked up and the program is moving
forward.
Um the program relies primarily on
private property owners voluntarily
participating allowing hunting on
qualifying parcels.
We do have a uh individual that was on
the wildlife committee, Tony Chippewa,
assisting with identifying additional
private properties and others who may
and and uh those who may want to
participate, which could expand the
program this year.
Douglas has limited property, um public
property suitable for conducting a
professional call.
And the city currently has no funding
budgeted for a professional deer call.
And we can continue the existing program
through the upcoming season and evaluate
the results before determining whether
additional measures are necessary.
Um it is not an easy decision to do
this.
Uh there's a lot of concerns.
Um
even though some will say, "Well, just
use the 720 acres or something like
that." You do There were concerns about
the fact that you want to draw the deer
in for safety, but baiting is still
illegal in Michigan down here especially
right now. So, that's not something
anybody can just do. Um
So,
>> Is it legal or illegal?
» Is it legal or illegal?
>> It's illegal.
» It's illegal.
>> Yeah, I thought so.
» Yeah, I thought so.
>> Yeah, it's still illegal. It's not
» Yeah, it's still illegal. It's not
illegal in the U.P., but it is illegal
here.
Um our neighboring community proposed
some information to us which I shared
with you. They're exploring contracting
with a another uh contractor to conduct
a professional deer cull.
Uh they asked if we would be interested
in participating.
Uh the contractor quoted $495 per deer
which includes permitting activities,
the cull, field dressing, and donation
to me.
Uh there's also thermal imaging that
could be done. Their experience
conducting this municipal and
institutional deer culls including work
through Grand Haven, Jackson, Livonia,
Dearborn, and others.
Their professional shooting team
conducts annual training and
qualification. They carry insurance with
them the participating municipalities
and additional insured.
Which I'd have to check with our
insurance if that would be okay. The
proposed operation would generally occur
at night using thermal imaging, with
sound suppression, and specialized
ammunition.
Um on the back, programmable feeders
would be established. I'm not so sure
about how that would work. We still
would have to explore that because of
the baiting aspect of this.
Um they are our neighboring community is
also investigating um the beach as an
area possible area for a location for
winter cull.
And Grand Haven reported we uh we cull
uh culled with this group 50 deer over
two nights using this contractor. So, 50
deer is $495. That's about $24,750.
» Read the deer.
>> Yeah. Um
» Yeah. Um
>> It's archery if you get it.
» It's archery if you get it.
>> So,
» So,
some of the issues we would need to
resolve if we were to think about
participating, identifying a suitable
property where this could take place,
determine whether Douglas' limited
public property makes participation
practical,
confirm with the DNR what feeding and
baiting activities would be legally
permissible,
determine the desired number of deer we
want we would want removed and resulting
to to the resulting total cost and of
course approve a budget amendment. We
would need to do that. And determine
whether Douglas would participate
independently or jointly with our
neighboring community.
So, you have the two options at the
bottom. I don't think I can read three,
you know, I just kind of went through
them. So, you have options one and two.
We don't have to solve this today, but
we are getting into the next hunting
season. Chief, did you want to add
anything to this cuz I know you've been
really We've been talking about this a
lot.
>> Um it's important to note that in our
» Um it's important to note that in our
program, it's archery only.
>> Mhm.
» Mhm.
>> Um if you have callers come in, they're
» Um if you have callers come in, they're
going to be using fire.
So, the community needs to be aware of
that, of course.
And the thing that we're focusing on
this year with Tony Ship's assistance is
we have some property owners that are
interested. We need hunters.
And if we can get a list of hunters,
list of property owners,
and join those two together, we can
hopefully be a little more successful
this year.
>> Would it Is there potential that any of
» Would it Is there potential that any of
those hunters would be taking the deer
for themselves for
venison?
And saving $500 a deer?
>> Sure.
» Sure.
Yeah, we wouldn't be paying for the
processing. That would all be on them.
>> Right now, what whatever they take in
» Right now, what whatever they take in
our program is not the city doesn't pay
for any of that. That's all on the
hunter.
>> Mhm.
» Mhm.
>> In this program, it would be
» In this program, it would be
>> Yeah, is it okay?
» Yeah, is it okay?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Did Have Have you seen an increase in
» Did Have Have you seen an increase in
the number of licenses that have been
pulled?
>> Or applied for an application?
» Or applied for an application?
>> had a lot of applications picked up.
» had a lot of applications picked up.
And none returned to us.
Last year, we only had four hunters.
We had a lot of talk, but we only had
four hunters, and out of that, only one
hunter reported back getting two does.
>> You get more than that without Friday
» You get more than that without Friday
reporting.
>> Carson City.
» Carson City.
>> Absolutely.
» Absolutely.
And that's
>> Well, Chief, wasn't there a concern too
» Well, Chief, wasn't there a concern too
by some that they could cross the
property line?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> And what would happen with that?
» And what would happen with that?
>> And what we instructed them would be to
» And what we instructed them would be to
call us and have us talk to the
neighboring property and see, okay, will
you let us go deer hunting to them?
Those kind of things. But
a color could have the same issue.
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> We don't have
» We don't have
This big of area in the city is what on
the west side of Saugatuck to be
available to hunt.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> This So, this information's great.
» This So, this information's great.
I appreciate it. You know, we're going
to have We're going to talk about it at
some point.
Wouldn't it be
more beneficial for our deer committee
to talk about this and come back with a
recommendation to us?
>> They're not meeting anymore.
» They're not meeting anymore.
>> The deer committee though is
» The deer committee though is
>> But they're But I mean, our job is I
» But they're But I mean, our job is I
guess Neil's are only going to do this
for us, right? So.
>> Well, right now, yeah. We had Tammy
» Well, right now, yeah. We had Tammy
Kinyon in and and another, but at this
point, I think they all just were not
sure where to go at this point. Um
everybody had different ideas, and at
this point, I do think it's a council
decision.
>> I know that Tony's on that committee,
» I know that Tony's on that committee,
and you've got someone from the DNR on
that committee.
>> He's in the council.
» He's in the council.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> But and the township has different rules
» But and the township has different rules
than we do.
>> Sure.
» Sure.
>> You brought up a really good point in
» You brought up a really good point in
that
Douglas is a lot different than
Saugatuck in that we don't have
you know.
>> The land mass.
» The land mass.
>> over beach area in that area to go
» over beach area in that area to go
hunt. We don't have that many places
that we can use.
>> The townships are the most, right?
» The townships are the most, right?
They're They're 30 miles squared or 2
miles squared.
>> Less than two.
» Less than two.
>> We're literally across from down Wiley
» We're literally across from down Wiley
and across from
>> And
» And
>> And we
» And we
can actually do it down the road.
>> On all sides of us, right?
» On all sides of us, right?
>> But that's in the township.
» But that's in the township.
>> It's in the township.
» It's in the township.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Um
» Um
I have My question is, how are
programmable feeders different than
baiting?
» That's a good question.
>> to get some
» to get some
>> It's a very good question.
» It's a very good question.
>> The callers would have to get some kind
» The callers would have to get some kind
of special permit from the DNR without
>> Isn't that really what baiting is?
» Isn't that really what baiting is?
>> Yes.
» Yes.
>> I see.
» I see.
>> Yes, it is.
» Yes, it is.
>> Just without the corn and the carrots?
» Just without the corn and the carrots?
>> Or
» Or
>> I'm not sure how they make their way
» I'm not sure how they make their way
around town.
>> What's
» What's
>> There's corn, carrots, and apples in my
» There's corn, carrots, and apples in my
neighbor's yard.
>> Oh.
» Oh.
>> You're kidding.
» You're kidding.
I do that.
>> It wouldn't be possible to like do a
» It wouldn't be possible to like do a
hybrid of both of these options? Like
My feeling is that we should stick with
the program that we had last year with
the emphasis on expanding it. Try to get
more people
involved, but
you know, I think
fall isn't that far away. We're We're
not
nearly ready to
have people with guns out there. I don't
think we can.
But I don't think it's a bad idea to
engage with Sagatuck in the township and
Yeah, I don't think that will work this
year, but I mean, it'd be interesting to
>> I think it's wise to see how it works
» I think it's wise to see how it works
for them and continue to see if our
program does better than it did because
we've had another year to get going,
right? And then if we find that next
year no, that our program didn't do as
well or whatever and they did really
well, we can talk about it, right?
You might You never know. We'll see.
>> We just need the public to know that we
» We just need the public to know that we
have, you know, this has been top of
mind for us as
first
years.
>> You know, and
» You know, and
we're still working on it. It's not like
we've
It's a survey of the situation.
>> It's a survey of the song.
» It's a survey of the song.
>> The survey, I mean, it gives you a
» The survey, I mean, it gives you a
little bit. No, nobody wants to to
destroy it as we have, but the survey
did
have a pretty significant gap in the
fact that people did want to see the
elimination, and a lot of it had to do
Yes, a lot of it had to do with plants,
but a lot of it had to do more with
people becoming aware of the fact of the
disease and all the other things that
are spreading within the deer that are
are causing a lot of these these issues.
Nobody wants to see them die. I mean, we
had one that passed away don't believe.
I mean, we don't know what it's from. We
still don't. They happen. And so
>> Wasn't the waste people
» Wasn't the waste people
>> We don't know. Yeah, we're not sure what
» We don't know. Yeah, we're not sure what
happened, but it it we probably Um so, I
mean, it's just starting to happen and
there's just too many of them, and it's
nobody wants to see that in the yard.
Nobody wants to see that. I mean, it's
just
And we don't have enough arrows.
>> not behaving normally. They're
» not behaving normally. They're
>> No, they're not.
» No, they're not.
>> Like
» Like
I have a friend that has a big yard, and
when I park my car and I go out to the
car, there's like 15 deer I have to go
You don't They don't I like I'm afraid
to walk through there because they don't
They just stand there and look at me
like
>> We have an entitled
» We have an entitled
We have an entitled deer.
I will tell you they do anything.
>> The time that I did in the UP, there's
» The time that I did in the UP, there's
nothing like that. They are terrified of
humans.
And they are terrified of humans,
they're terrified of dogs. They don't
come near you. They run. It's a very
different mentality. I mean, they do
have a larger wolf population, coyotes,
and other things, but um I I they walk
out there, they go. They're not
domesticated at all.
It's just bizarre. And the DNR will tell
you. Don Popp said, "These are weird
deer. These deer are not right." I mean,
they're
They are and you can see a lot of them
aren't even growing to full size.
They're They're very small. I mean,
they're not growing to full size
at all. There is There is a big problem
here and and we just maybe have to look
at it from two different standpoints.
Right. So, let's look at it from the
standpoint of the health and well-being
of animals, too. I mean,
you know, this is a very very caring
community when it comes to
the and the wildlife green I mean,
everything, so.
It's a hard topic. It's a hard
conversation to have, but you're not
trying to be bullies. You're not trying
to hurt you You're trying to do the
right thing.
>> So, we're we're not This is just
» So, we're we're not This is just
information.
>> This is
» This is
Right. Right. But, I do think if council
wants to go in a certain direction, if
we're going to leave it for one more
winter and just let Chief keep working
the way that we are, that's fine. And
maybe, like Matt said, see how it goes
in the other community, but just give
Sault Tribe some feedback on Thank you.
You let us know how it goes and keep
moving. I don't know. But, that's up to
the council to give direction. But, we
do go in that direction, we'd have to
amend the budget and and spend some
funds and sign up to a on a contractor
and go through insurance and things like
that, so.
>> So, throw corn and apples and Sonny Bono
» So, throw corn and apples and Sonny Bono
at your car.
>> I said nothing like that.
» I said nothing like that.
I will not say that.
Um council, one more other thing. I
don't want to go through this at length,
but I did send you information um about
this proposal, the second proposal that
came up from the KLHA that's being
discussed tomorrow night. They are not
making a financial decision, but just
really quick, I just wanted to give you
some just some footnotes. I know it's a
little long, but it is a little bit
cumbersome.
Um but the question you know, give you
some ideas, but these two cost now, they
want to start moving into a direction at
about 3,000 per little or 3,000 per
community to start uh data collection
and market assessment, economic and
fiscal impact assessment, and a final
report, travel data, and economic
multipliers. So, it'd be the three
communities putting up $10,750.
So, what I wanted to find out from you
is if you could read through this a
little bit, it would be a good idea. I'm
going to be at the meeting. I think Sue
is, Jeff is not, but I will be there
tomorrow night.
>> Is it tomorrow night or tomorrow
» Is it tomorrow night or tomorrow
morning?
>> It's tomorrow night at 6:00, KLAJ.
» It's tomorrow night at 6:00, KLAJ.
>> The Douglas Harbor's tomorrow morning,
» The Douglas Harbor's tomorrow morning,
KLAJ Harbor.
>> Yeah, KLAJ is tomorrow.
» Yeah, KLAJ is tomorrow.
This is where they're going to discuss
that. So, I just wanted to give you as
much as I can to break it down. There is
no way to break down that much
information
in one page, but I think it would be
great if if everybody could just give me
a little bit of of advisement so I can
share with Sue and Jeff where we think
we want to go cuz I I know that the
group wants to start moving in another
direction at the next meeting. Tomorrow
night, Christian from Vetter is just
going to talk about the findings, but
there are some very interesting things
in here that I want you to be very,
very, very much aware of. That I think
it's important, but there are some
suggestions about an X7 at Reiman that
would allow them to
there will be financial obligations
calculated from each community moving
forward. So, that's on the back. I did
send you everything, but I just want to
make sure that you know that they're
talking about TIF mechanisms, special
assessments, and other things.
So,
take a close, close look at that and the
information that I have sent to you. And
if you could get back to me between now
[clears throat] and maybe and maybe
within the next couple of weeks with
some feedback, that would be really
helpful.
Or I could create another little survey
from this, too. Whatever makes it easy
for all of you. This is not a full-time
job, so I want to make sure that I'm
giving you what you need to make it easy
to go through this, digest it like they
did the first phase to come up with what
you feel would be the best direction.
The last thing I wanted to propose to
you
is 9/11 event. We know it we've had that
the last few years. I was wondering if
Council would consider having the 9/11
event at Waits Park this year.
Having it across from the street and
moving it down to Waits, and then having
the fire truck down there, the flag up,
and kind of do it where we don't have to
block the roads.
>> The only thing is, is there enough
» The only thing is, is there enough
parking?
>> We only get like 10 or 15 people showing
» We only get like 10 or 15 people showing
up. Maybe people get some more, but
would everybody be okay with that? And
then if it grows, maybe we can move it
again. We thought about the pavilion,
but we're not quite there yet. We're
still doing some tweaks down at the new
pavilion. Um
>> Oh, you're talking Waits now.
» Oh, you're talking Waits now.
>> Yeah, Waits. Oh, yeah. Yeah.
» Yeah, Waits. Oh, yeah. Yeah.
>> Sorry. There's There's plenty of parking
» Sorry. There's There's plenty of parking
>> Would that be okay with everyone?
» Would that be okay with everyone?
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> And we move it down there?
» And we move it down there?
Okay. All right. So, we'll plan on that
Friday morning, Friday the 11th, and
it's on a Friday. So, it's going to be a
busy day downtown and things like that.
So, we'll start getting it out there and
we'll start pushing for the 11th, uh
Friday the 11th at 9:00 a.m.
>> 25 years.
» 25 years.
>> Yeah.
» Yeah.
>> Do you need a speaker?
» Do you need a speaker?
>> Probably. Could you help us with that?
» Probably. Could you help us with that?
>> one. We have been using this speaker, so
» one. We have been using this speaker, so
that would be one of
>> Okay. Thank you. That'll Is anybody else
» Okay. Thank you. That'll Is anybody else
have anything to add on this side?
Okay. Thank you, everybody. I appreciate
all the the help and guidance.
» I'm sorry.
Okay. Um
Uh this is the second opportunity now
for public communication.
See Mr. Janetski jumping up here. This
can be on
items that were not on the prior agenda.
>> Excuse me.
» Excuse me.
Thank you very much, Mayor Norris,
members of Council. Bob Janetski with a
brief update from the County Clerk and
Register of Deeds offices. I appreciate
the opportunity. Uh no doubt you're
aware the primary election came and
went. Uh Clerk Casper and her team did
an amazing job. Uh
Douglas had 47.57%
turnout, uh compared with the rest of
the county, which was an average of
31.59. So, very high turnout. A lot of
work for her and her team to to manage,
but they did a great job. We are now
gearing up for November and we'll be
conducting more trainings for election
inspectors and more recruiting.
Uh I want to make sure that you're aware
that that you know, it used to be that
Commissioner Lovers was up late
stressing and and fretting about uh
somebody stealing his property through
property fraud and title theft. But then
he signed up for property fraud alert
and now he knows that if someone should
report a fake deed in his name, he'll
get a text message, an email, or a phone
call. And and I want to encourage you
and all of your constituents to do the
same and and sleep well like Mr. Lovers.
Uh
little update from the state. We are
told that the Secretary of State does in
fact want to push forward with uh new
voting machines for every jurisdictions.
Uh what would happen there would be
about a $15,000 hit per jurisdiction,
per precinct. Um and
I personally don't see the need for it.
I think our machines work really well
right now, but if the state mandates it,
we will have to move in that direction
with uh no guarantee of funding from the
state at this point. I want to draw your
attention to the most recent annual
report from my office. Uh you all have a
copy of that. Uh
It's some interesting stats from 2025.
I'm not going to read the entire thing
to you cuz I know that Chief Gatz likes
to make sure he goes through and
highlight every aspect for you that
pertains to the city's village dollars.
Um finally, I want to make sure that uh
that you know, I really appreciate the
opportunity to come and present here
because
up until the election inspector
trainings this spring, I had not been to
this building for 40 years when I came
to visit my cousin Patrick when he broke
his ribs swinging on the rope swing over
at the
Mount Baldhead. So, what I guess I'm
trying to say what a nice job you've
done to the place. Good to see
everybody. Thanks very much.
>> Thank you, Bob.
» Thank you, Bob.
>> Thanks, Bob.
Anyone else?
» I thought it was going to be Jonathan
Scott.
>> I did, too.
» Everybody.
>> I meant to ask for my phone number.
» I meant to ask for my phone number.
>> Good evening. My name is Heidi Wolff.
» Good evening. My name is Heidi Wolff.
I'm an attorney in Allegan, and I am
running for the 57th District Court, and
I will be on the ballot this fall. I
wanted to come out and introduce myself,
say hello, this is what I look like. I
have grown up in Allegan. I grew up in
Wayland, actually, moved to Allegan with
my husband, Tom.
We've been together for 32 years. He's
so excited to be here. He can't be
standing.
And we raised our kids in Allegan
County. I've been here my obviously,
like I said, my whole life. We have two
children. One daughter that's grown, and
now we're grandparents, best thing I've
ever done.
And our son still lives with us. I
started my practice in my parents'
dining room, worked very hard, been very
successful at that, and I continue to I
don't work in in our dining room
anymore. I have an office now in
Allegan, but I've been doing that, and
I've just decided that it's time to take
the skills that I've learned in my years
of practice and apply it to something
else. So, during this my tenure, just a
couple of highlights, I did help Judge
Scott set up the Mental Health Treatment
Court that's currently running in
District Court A. I am running for his
position. A lot of people are very
confused. There are two positions up for
election.
So, Judge Brunett is up for election,
and then Judge Scott is retiring, and
I'm running for that position. So, I
would like to see that court continue to
be as successful as it has been in
helping people with
mental health issues get redirected and
get the services that they need instead
of convicted of crimes.
I also just recently served in an
expungement clinic this past Friday. I'm
sure you've probably been hearing about
those. Those are where people who have
had long-standing older convictions,
maybe 20 years or so, or maybe more
recent within the past 10 10 years or
more. Um they can have some certain
convictions that are set aside, and they
do these clinics where the state police
have run their fingerprints, their uh
convictions have been approved, and then
attorneys volunteer their time to help
them get the paperwork done so that they
can get back into the workforce and
start hopefully being more productive
members.
Not to assume that they aren't
productive, but you know what I mean.
Uh and then I myself also helped set up
the court-appointed special advocate
program here in Allegan, if any of you
know what that is. It helps uh children
who are impaired with adult mental
illnesses and public offenses. So, those
are some things that I've already done.
Um and just a little bit about who I am
and what I think is important in um
outside of just advocating for people as
an attorney. As a judge, I don't think
that I should uh legislate from the
bench. I know everybody says that. I
think compassion is important, but
knowing the rules and the law are also
important. And that's really the only
job that a judge has is to know the
rules and the law and make sure it's
applied fairly.
So, that's a little bit about me. If you
want to know more, you can look me up on
Facebook, or I have a webpage. Thank
you.
>> Thank you very much.
Anyone else?
Last call, Randy's phone.
» In the flesh.
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> Neil's not here.
» Neil's not here.
>> Hi, Kyle.
» Hi, Kyle.
>> That's me.
» That's me.
>> Who's next in line?
» Who's next in line?
>> Randy's grandma turned more minutes than
» Randy's grandma turned more minutes than
some of them.
» Okay. Um
and we are now on to council comments.
Mr. Balmer, let's start with you.
>> Um
» Um
you know, I have none. Thank you.
>> Okay.
» Okay.
>> Oh, got you.
» Oh, got you.
>> Also good.
» Also good.
>> I'll make up for the rest of you.
» I'll make up for the rest of you.
Uh
>> I have none.
» I have none.
>> [laughter]
» [laughter]
>> And that whole fraud alert thing is very
» And that whole fraud alert thing is very
interesting. I saw in the chief's report
that we've had some like we had a house,
I think over by the lake shore that had
a for sale sign on it that was not
actually for sale. And then my best
friend who bought property here during
COVID
got a call from
David from uh
Des Lomansky.
David Somebody was calling him and
wanting to sell the property that my
best friend owns and he something just
told David that the numbers didn't match
and it was weird. And
he called Brian and and turns out yes,
somebody was trying to sell his property
from underneath him and there's really
nothing you can do about it cuz they
don't know who the other person is. So,
if I signed up for this one um
Bob came last year.
So, I highly recommend it.
As a
additional safety measure.
Uh second, the Thin Blue Line ride was
last Monday.
Thank you to Matt and EPC for a
wonderful
lunch for everybody. I want to find a
way to get more I know it's the middle
it's morning of of a Monday. So,
um in this 55 and older community we can
have more presence out there, I think,
but thanks to
uh Mayor North coming and it was
wonderful and Wendy did a wonderful
write up in the Commercial Record for it
the event. So, thank you and um
the chief uh
gave a very moving tribute to Ashley
Janek and it was um I think it really
resonated with many of the riders who
recalled Ashley being at the event the
previous year and and years before.
Uh so uh
it was just a it was a very very
uh moving it always is but a very moving
event. So, thanks
for
uh
cheap and
Matt and everybody that did come down
for it.
Um and then and a
completely separate note and then I'm
finished.
Um
>> I think
» I think
we're supposed to have flat cameras on
the agenda for tonight.
>> No, we delayed I in the re-parting we
» No, we delayed I in the re-parting we
delayed it until December.
>> Oh. Okay, December.
» Oh. Okay, December.
Okay.
>> Why so late?
» Just think it's probably best with
everything going on that we
take a look at everything going on and
then maybe we consider it in the winter.
>> Okay. So, they have we have Have we
» Okay. So, they have we have Have we
purchased them yet? Okay. Just given all
of the
um
that like you said, I just was hoping
there would be a conversation. I'll come
back and visit the meeting when we
discuss
>> I put it in the last one too that we're
» I put it in the last one too that we're
switching to later on.
>> Did you say we have not purchased them
» Did you say we have not purchased them
yet? No.
>> We have not. I've written a policy.
» We have not. I've written a policy.
>> We're still working on
» We're still working on
>> Still not plagiarizing policy and
» Still not plagiarizing policy and
and it
fit for our department.
But I'll I'll get that out to you at
some point but
>> So, we'll be able to see that before we
» So, we'll be able to see that before we
actually
>> Oh, absolutely.
» Oh, absolutely.
>> Well ahead of
» Well ahead of
>> Absolutely.
» Absolutely.
>> Well ahead of time.
» Well ahead of time.
>> Yeah, I
» And that was it. Thank you.
>> That was it.
» That was it.
>> Um well, I'll just echo some of Randy's
» Um well, I'll just echo some of Randy's
comments about the thin blue ride. I
mean,
every rider was so appreciative to Matt
and and CPC and Lexipol Petaluma team
for the beautiful lunch that they put
together and
it was really a nice showcase for
Douglas. Um
So, thank you very much for doing that.
>> I'd like to see it bigger, too.
» I'd like to see it bigger, too.
Find a way to do something in the park
but
to make an event.
>> Next year's our five year five years of
» Next year's our five year five years of
us doing it, so
>> Maybe we make it an event for this fifth
» Maybe we make it an event for this fifth
year.
I don't know.
>> What's their time line?
» What's their time line?
>> Yeah, we have to do it quickly. Keep
» Yeah, we have to do it quickly. Keep
moving.
>> They do it is a quickly moving thing,
» They do it is a quickly moving thing,
but it doesn't have to be for the
community, you know.
>> That's right.
» That's right.
>> I think we if we try and I know that you
» I think we if we try and I know that you
advertise a little bit, but
maybe
>> something for them to do all of it like
» something for them to do all of it like
cheer, but also I don't know.
We can talk about things, but be nice to
see more people.
>> Yeah. Yeah, absolutely.
» Yeah. Yeah, absolutely.
Um
and then Greg, I want to commend you. I
know the work that you've done with the
Cal Lake, you know, that huge
improvement. Very much more professional
and
um
you know, I think it's what our
community deserves is that's upgrade to
transparency and
>> Thank you.
» Thank you.
>> billing and everything else. And I know
» billing and everything else. And I know
it's been a pretty long road, so
>> Thank you. I appreciate that. There's We
» Thank you. I appreciate that. There's We
have a lot more to do, but we're
certainly moving in the right direction.
So, thank you. I appreciate that very
much.
>> And then my last comment, um
» And then my last comment, um
Commissioner or
Councilman
Seeber isn't here tonight because he's
back in the ER.
>> Oh.
» Oh.
>> And so, if everybody could, you know,
» And so, if everybody could, you know,
hold him in your hearts a little bit
tonight.
» Yeah.
>> So, with that note, I'll take them
» So, with that note, I'll take them
motion to adjourn.
>> Move to adjourn.
» Move to adjourn.
>> Second.
» Second.
>> We have a quorum.
» We have a quorum.
>> Good job.
» Good job.
>> You can bring your chair in.