[3:10] Good evening everyone.
Let's call this meeting to order. It's
[3:14] tonight is our regular council session.
It is August 17, 2026. If you join me in
[3:21] the pledge of allegiance, please.
>> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
[3:27] United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands. One nation
[3:33] under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
[3:42] » Just take a quick moment of silence.
[3:49] Uh Christian, we do a roll call, please.
>> Trusty Fields here.
[3:53] » Trusty Wagner
>> here.
[3:54] » Trusty Easter
>> here.
[3:56] » Trusty Cox. Trusty Kissinger
>> here.
[3:59] » President Pro Timm Keller
>> here.
[4:01] » President Frisbee
>> here.
[4:03] Trusty Cox is out on on business
tonight.
[4:07] Hopefully she'll be able to at least
phone in during our session later. Um we
[4:13] have an agenda in front of us. I'd like
to make an addition of the V Fixburg
[4:17] Historical Society. Miss Leah is going
to uh present. Um was there any other
[4:24] changes or additions to the agenda as
presented? Hearing hearing none entert
[4:38] hearing no more additions or changes
entertain a motion to approve the agenda
[4:42] as presented.
>> I move as amended support.
[4:47] » All those in favor say I. I.
>> Those opposed. We have an agenda in
[4:51] front of us. So that'll take us to Miss
Leah. if you would please.
[5:01] » Hi, I'm
>> with the Vixsburg Historical Society.
[5:04] I'm the museum administrator and curator
there. Um, as you know, we lease the
[5:08] historic village from the village of
Vixsburg and we're very thankful for
[5:11] that relationship. Um, and it allows us
to continue our mission to share and um
[5:16] preserve the Vixsburg area history.
Uh with that I wanted to share just some
[5:21] of our um programs this year and some of
our upcoming programs which is going to
[5:26] be two of our largest events of the
entire year. Uh this year we've provided
[5:31] historical presentations through our
speaker series program which brings in
[5:35] speakers from all over the state. This
year's programs included uh Michigan
[5:39] railroads and agriculture. Uh we talked
about the polar bears of World War I and
[5:44] we had a pictorial history of the Kazoo
area. We also hosted a new pro program
[5:49] called Roots and Branches uh that
brought in representatives from the
[5:53] Kalazoo Valley Genealological Society as
well as the Library of Michigan.
[5:59] Um and that program uh was meant for
people looking at historical research
[6:04] and genealological research. And so
those organizations came in to talk
[6:08] about their resources that are available
to um the state and our community as
[6:12] well.
Um we've partnered with many
[6:16] organizations and businesses within
within the community and we'll continue
[6:20] to do so um in our upcoming events. Um
so this year we still have our harvest
[6:25] festival to go. Um and with that we have
our pumpkin decorating contest. So yay.
[6:31] Uh uh this is our largest fundraiser and
our largest event. It brings over 3,000
[6:37] people to the community. Uh it is
largely free. So there are food trucks
[6:42] available as well as vendors, but um
places like Apple Knockers provides a
[6:48] lowcost meal for families. Um and there
are plenty of free activities the day of
[6:53] including wagon rides, face painting,
games, antique engine demonstration
[6:58] demonstrations, pumpkin decorating, a
petting zoo, story time, an art project,
[7:03] music, word and artifact scavenger hunt
with prizes, and we also offer antique
[7:08] car rides for a dollar per person. Uh so
it turns out to be a really great event.
[7:14] This is at least our 15th year. It might
be more than that actually if you really
[7:18] count it down, but uh it's been really
successful and it's over the last 5
[7:22] years really started to grow even more
than I think anticipated. So we're
[7:26] really looking forward to that and we'd
invite all of you to come and uh join us
[7:31] for that. Um
so then after that we are doing our uh
[7:38] second Vixsburg cemetery tours. So
that's the following weekend on October
[7:42] 3rd. Um again this is somewhat of a
fundraiser for us. Um we are focusing on
[7:47] veterans that are buried within the
cemetery. So they're not all local
[7:52] people but they have interesting
stories. Um there's a lot of families
[7:55] and a family history that comes up with
this. So um it'll it'll reach a lot of
[8:00] people. We hope. Um, and then in
December, we also do our um, annual
[8:06] model train run every Saturday in
December for the holidays. So, with
[8:12] that, that's all I have to bring. Any
questions or anything?
[8:17] » Did you mention the date of the harvest
fest?
[8:20] » It is Sunday, September 27th, 11:00 a.m.
to 4 p.m. It is always the last Sunday
[8:25] of September every year.
>> Thank you.
[8:28] » Yes.
Did you do like a haunted tour last year
[8:32] right around Halloween time?
>> Um, we did a cemetery tour last year. We
[8:37] That was kind of our last event outside
of December. So, no, we'd love to
[8:43] do some ghost hunting would be fun, but
no, nothing planned right now.
[8:51] » All right.
>> Well, thanks so much, Leah. Thanks.
[8:54] Thanks for everything your organization
is doing. Last year was one of the
[8:58] biggest uh October Fest or the harvest
fest I've ever seen. So, it was it was
[9:04] tremendous. So, keep up the good work.
>> Yep.
[9:07] » It's awesome and we appreciate you doing
it.
[9:09] » Thanks.
>> Thanks for coming tonight.
[9:11] » Y
>> So, we have a quick uh public official.
[9:17] Miss Wendy Maer is with us. She's our
county commissioner.
[9:22] » Good evening everyone. Wendy Maer,
county commissioner. Um, I just have a
[9:26] couple of brief items. Most of our time
right now is being spent on the 2027
[9:31] budget. Um, Dr. Catelyn, our
administrator, his last day was last
[9:36] Friday. And the assistant deputy,
Terrell Cole, has been named the interim
[9:41] administrator, so he's seeing us through
the next six months. So, um, that's
[9:45] about all I have. So,
>> thanks so much.
[9:48] » Thank you.
>> We can't let her get away that quick
[9:51] second.
>> All right. Couple things. Um, and
[9:55] appreciate you coming and always staying
in contact and in the letters of
[9:59] support. I wanted to publicly thank you
again for uh we're going to give a
[10:04] update on the parking lot which we
secured that $535,000
[10:08] grant and received your letter of
support which was instrumental. Also
[10:13] wanted to thank you uh for your donation
to uh Bird Days and the arts that goes
[10:18] on within Bird Days. So, thank you very
much Wendy.
[10:21] » Yeah, thank you. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Wendy.
[10:26] » Well, it takes
takes right me to the president's
[10:30] comments and I'll be brief and I just
want to apologize in advance because
[10:35] there's going to be a long delay as our
first action item. So, um all those
[10:41] watching uh please bear with us and then
thank you for your patience. Uh this
[10:45] opens it up to uh citizens comments or
anything on the agenda if anyone's so
[10:50] inclined to speak.
Seeing none, we have our minutes from
[10:54] our special council meeting August 3rd
warrant reports and uh event request. So
[11:00] everyone had an opportunity to review
our meet minutes from uh August 3rd. Was
[11:06] there any corrections, clarifications?
If not, entertain a motion to approve
[11:10] consent agenda.
>> I move to approve and submit. report.
[11:15] » We do a roll call, please. Christian.
>> Trusty Kissinger.
[11:18] » Yes.
>> Trusty Easter.
[11:19] » Yes.
>> Trusty Wagner.
[11:20] » Yes.
>> Trusty Fields.
[11:22] » Yes.
>> President Prom Keller.
[11:23] » Yes.
>> President Crisby.
[11:25] » Yes.
>> So now is our next first action item for
[11:32] the night.
>> Mr. President, I'd like to move into
[11:36] close session per MCL 15.268 268 subf
for the purpose of to review job
[11:44] applications for the village manager
position.
[11:48] » We have motion to have support.
>> I support.
[11:50] » We have a motion to support. May we do a
roll call, please. Christian.
[11:53] » Trusty Wagner?
>> Yes.
[11:54] » Trusty Kissinger?
>> Yes.
[11:55] » Trusty Fields?
>> Yes.
[11:57] » Trusty Raster?
>> Yes.
[11:58] » President Prom Keller?
>> Yes. President Frisbee.
[12:00] » Yes.
>> So hang with us, please.
[1:13:59] to return uh into open session and close
the closed session.
[1:14:04] » Support.
>> We have a motion to support. Will you do
[1:14:07] a roll call, please? Christian.
>> Trusty Wagner?
[1:14:09] » Yes.
>> Trusty Fields?
[1:14:11] » Yes.
>> Trusty Kissinger?
[1:14:12] » Yes.
>> Trusty Rester?
[1:14:13] » Yes.
>> President Prom Keller?
[1:14:15] » Yes.
>> President Frisbee? Yes.
[1:14:18] So, we're back in open session. We're
going to take a fiveinut restroom break
[1:14:22] if you would all entertain that. Five
minutes.
[1:14:25] » I move that we take a fivem minute
recess.
[1:14:27] » Second.
>> All those in favor say I.
[1:14:29] » I. As Gail's walking out the
[1:20:17] return to regular session. Support
[1:20:23] those in favor say I.
>> I
[1:20:29] take a minute right now
[1:20:34] a minute to introduce Frank Walsh with
Walsh Municipal Recruiters. uh he's been
[1:20:40] doing a stellar job for us and brought
some really talented people to the uh
[1:20:45] table for us. So Frank, if you would
please. Thanks.
[1:20:48] » Well, thank you. It's been a great few
weeks here uh recruiting for Vixsburg. I
[1:20:53] can tell you that there's a lot of
community struggle throughout the state.
[1:20:56] Vixsburg did not. Uh your town shows
very very well. Um there was a lot of
[1:21:01] attraction towards uh being the village
manager here. We received uh 20ome
[1:21:05] applications for the position and
obviously we brought six forward tonight
[1:21:09] out of that group. A lot of experience,
a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of passion
[1:21:15] for local government. I think you have a
great group of candidates uh before you,
[1:21:19] but it really goes back to your
leadership that you've had here for the
[1:21:22] last 10 years with uh manager Mallerie
and this council. This council is known
[1:21:27] throughout the region as being united
and one that gets along well and you
[1:21:31] have a great community. That's not easy
to find. All you have to do is read the
[1:21:35] newspapers in Michigan and you can see
all the turmoil that's out there in
[1:21:39] Michigan. But um we have a really good
stellar group before you and look
[1:21:43] forward to the interviews and continuing
the process with you. But Vixsburg shows
[1:21:48] extremely well and you have a great
group of candidates. So I'd be happy to
[1:21:51] answer any questions that you might
have.
[1:21:54] » Thanks Frank. Any other questions for
him? I think we went through all of that
[1:22:00] earlier. So, we really appreciate
appreciate the talent you brought to the
[1:22:03] table for us.
>> Good luck.
[1:22:05] » Thank you.
[1:22:08] » Mr. President, I would like to make a
motion that we put forth candidates
[1:22:15] number 11, 14, 18, and 19 for a public
interview to be held on September 1st of
[1:22:25] 2026 starting at 400 p.m. here at the
Village Hall. um meeting center.
[1:22:34] I support.
We have motion to support. You do a roll
[1:22:38] call, please. Christian.
>> Trusty Kissinger.
[1:22:40] » Yes.
>> Trusty Fields.
[1:22:41] » Yes.
>> Trust Easter.
[1:22:42] » Yes.
>> Trusty Wagner.
[1:22:44] » Yes.
>> President Prom Keller.
[1:22:45] » Yes.
>> President Brisby.
[1:22:47] » Yes.
Thank you so much.
[1:22:52] Thanks, Rank.
[1:22:57] » Yeah. And as always, uh, we have to
thank, uh, Katherine Kaufman, our
[1:23:02] attorney, and, uh, thank you so much for
all the support and, uh, wise advice
[1:23:06] you've given us, and appreciate you
being here with us tonight.
[1:23:12] » Thank you.
[1:23:17] » So, we have uh, 11B in front of us, Mr.
Mallerie, the Taplain Group.
[1:23:22] » Yes, this is the fourth year. It's
remember we put in forward a 10-year uh
[1:23:27] maintenance plan on cammering the su
sewer system, seeing the conditions and
[1:23:31] putting an appropriate evaluation and a
historic documentation. So, this is the
[1:23:36] fourth year of that plan. It is at the
same cost last year. Taplan kept it and
[1:23:42] this is a countywide if municipalities
with infrastructure systems choose to
[1:23:46] participate. So, uh, it was a
competitive bid process and we're
[1:23:51] recommending a motion support and
approval for the manager to enter that
[1:23:55] contract. This section will continue off
the neighborhoods on 22nd Street or um,
[1:24:03] uh, the maps included. Um, but it's the
next 10% uh, which is when we started
[1:24:11] this process, the fourth oldest section
to to be evaluated.
[1:24:19] Thanks, Jim. Were there any any other
questions for Jim?
[1:24:25] » Yeah, we'll need a motion to uh enter
into this agreement.
[1:24:29] » I make a motion to approve um the Taplan
group.
[1:24:34] » Support.
>> We have a motion to support. Were there
[1:24:37] any other questions, discussion?
Hearing none, we do a roll call, please.
[1:24:41] Christian.
>> Trusty Kissinger.
[1:24:42] » Yes.
>> Trusty Fields.
[1:24:44] » Yes.
>> President Prom Keller. Yes.
[1:24:46] » Trusty Easter.
>> Yes.
[1:24:47] » Trusty Wagner.
>> Yes.
[1:24:48] » President Frisbee.
>> Yes.
[1:24:51] And uh we had a couple of uh applicants
for the planning commission board
[1:24:56] opening that we had. Uh I hadn't had an
opportunity to talk to the one
[1:25:00] gentleman, but I I left him a voicemail
and an email thanking him and I'm sure
[1:25:05] we'll be reaching out to him very soon.
But uh Bobby Derky, I would like to
[1:25:10] recommend to this uh council that we
appoint uh Bobby to the planning
[1:25:15] commission. You know, he's got extensive
background in zoning and we all know
[1:25:19] Bobb's worked with us in the past from
the planning commission. So, he was a a
[1:25:24] a really really good fit for this. So,
I'd like to entertain. I nominate Bobby
[1:25:28] Derky. Would like your approval and
support.
[1:25:32] » I'd love to. I'll make that motion.
>> Support.
[1:25:36] I've got some comments on that.
>> Yes, please.
[1:25:39] » Uh, didn't didn't I say that at the last
meeting saying that uh Bobby Derki
[1:25:45] should be sought out because I I thought
I was joking. I didn't think we had a
[1:25:49] chance to get Bobby. So, I'm actually I
love to hear that Bobby was interested
[1:25:52] and wants to participate because he is
an exceptional wealth of knowledge and
[1:25:56] expertise. So, I couldn't be more proud
to confirm this nomination.
[1:26:02] » I think it was a group effort and tag
team. I know I talked to him. I know Jim
[1:26:06] talked to him. I know Chad talked to
him. So that was
[1:26:10] » a moonshot for me. [laughter]
>> He just said yes. So you would shut up.
[1:26:14] » I think so.
>> We'll take it as a a commitment. So
[1:26:20] » did we did we uh vote? Yes. No.
>> We have a nomination. Uh and uh we have
[1:26:26] a motion in support. You do all those in
favor of nominating Bobby Derky to the
[1:26:32] planning commission. All those in favor?
>> I.
[1:26:36] » Those opposed?
>> Welcome, Mr. Derky back. We appreciate
[1:26:40] it. Look forward to it.
>> This takes us to uh agenda item 12, our
[1:26:46] village manager report.
>> Yeah. Uh couple things. Wanted to update
[1:26:51] the council. As uh all of you are aware,
um been working. We received a a
[1:26:57] preliminary event plan here in the last
few weeks from the mill group at an
[1:27:02] activation
uh proposal in in summer of uh late late
[1:27:07] summer of 2000 or 2027
uh specifically August. So we have uh uh
[1:27:14] staff and a lot of meetings going on to
finalize that and work towards a final
[1:27:19] plan. Um so exciting times. looking
forward to to continuing those
[1:27:25] discussions and and finalizing the the
plan so staff can evaluate it and and be
[1:27:30] in front of the council and if we need a
a certain aspect in front of the
[1:27:34] planning commission um to get uh seek
those approvals um as we move forward um
[1:27:40] and it's just uh one more step uh in
into the future of positivity here in
[1:27:45] Vixsburg. Um, and if someone has a
specific question, go ahead or I'll move
[1:27:51] to Sprinkle Road, which might not nearly
be as positive. Um,
[1:27:58] [laughter]
uh, yes. So, the Sprinkle Road project,
[1:28:01] you know, is uh, it's been a a long
endeavor, and we don't have to highlight
[1:28:08] how it started in 2018 with all the
planning, but but has has about $3.8 8
[1:28:13] million worth of uh federal uh grant
assistance on that project. Uh we we are
[1:28:21] south of the S-curves on Sprinkle Road.
We have another uh similar to earlier in
[1:28:27] the project, the specs that were
provided by utility companies have the
[1:28:32] gas lines about 8 feet from where the
documentation on the prints showed
[1:28:37] they'd be. And so once they call it
potholeing, kind of opening up the
[1:28:41] ground in front where we're projected to
put this uh force main. So there's
[1:28:47] there's some um mid-pro engineering to
asssure that we don't uh have those two
[1:28:54] uh collected or connected in any manner.
Um they assure me that um though it at
[1:29:02] this time or last week was a a couple
days delay that they will uh they have
[1:29:07] two crews working and the project is
still on time to be completed by
[1:29:13] December 1st. Uh one of the things that
uh we are certainly aware of is how long
[1:29:21] ashalt is being produced in Michigan as
we move into November and December. Um
[1:29:26] so we probably could foresee some
updates in that area but we are
[1:29:31] confident the pipe will be in the ground
and the lift station work will will be
[1:29:37] concluded. Uh and why that uh is such a
timing is that federal grant assistance
[1:29:44] needs to be expended by then. So uh
we're monitoring that fairly closely. Um
[1:29:51] but moving forward [clears throat]
parking lot project. We did receive word
[1:29:55] today that the uh light poles are in
transit which they're on time and uh
[1:30:01] we're pretty confident by the end of the
month we'll have those light poles up
[1:30:05] and the stream lights on Liberty Lane uh
west. Uh that's a about a $1.2 million
[1:30:11] project had 50% with MEDC. So once it's
completed, we did a soft opening of the
[1:30:17] parking lot, but we will come in with
the uh street cleaner, clean it back all
[1:30:22] up, and we'll have a formal ribbon
cutting where all of you, the public,
[1:30:26] MEEDC
uh leadership from uh Frederick's and
[1:30:30] and the worker bees are invited to
actually have an official uh ribbon open
[1:30:34] cutting uh to to the new parking lot. So
um in in that,
[1:30:41] don't want to jinx us, but Mr. Frederick
has us on time and under budget as we
[1:30:46] sit here today. Um we'll report back uh
at the September meeting.
[1:30:52] We do still have it's announced and uh
uh this week we will be making another
[1:30:56] round of announcements on our clerk
position opening. We are all aware uh uh
[1:31:02] Christian uh Wines who's done a
fantastic job has opportunities down
[1:31:06] south in the state of Florida and will
be with us uh uh to the near end of
[1:31:11] October. So, our goal is, and I'll work
with the council HR committee to be
[1:31:16] scheduling interviews, but anticipating
those to be the week of uh September 8th
[1:31:22] after Labor Day. Um hopefully to have
someone on board end of September, 1st
[1:31:29] of October to get some exposure with
Christian and Michelle Morgan as a
[1:31:33] director of finance will lead that
group.
[1:31:36] in and that we did I did notify the
council
[1:31:40] um but uh Diane has she's two days a
week in the office. Dian's worked for
[1:31:45] the village uh as of three years ago she
worked for a couple years so knows our
[1:31:50] system knows the work and I'm confident
that we will have a smooth transitional
[1:31:56] uh time uh and now it's focused on
getting a clerk. So that is uh my
[1:32:03] report. be happy to answer any other
questions you might have.
[1:32:12] » All right, it's time for the committee
updates.
[1:32:15] » I do. I'm sorry.
>> My question was I wanted to just say
[1:32:18] that um we do have one more Berg day,
right?
[1:32:22] » Yes. Uh we have uh it's a good point. We
have uh Berg Days this Wednesday. It'll
[1:32:27] be the final Berg Days on the 19th. We
also will be into week three of busking
[1:32:32] in the Berg where we're putting three uh
solo musicians out on the bumpouts
[1:32:38] downtown on every Thursday from 5:30 to
700 p.m. as an attraction to try to get
[1:32:46] people in the downtown uh on Thursday.
So, um those activities are are going
[1:33:01] I'm trying to come off like I'm a
>> above a novice in that area, but
[1:33:10] » that's how they sold it to me. It's kind
of catchy busting in the Berg and I'm
[1:33:13] like, I'm going with it.
>> That's right.
[1:33:16] » We we had to define it at our planning
planning meeting as well.
[1:33:21] » Yep.
>> I actually called Teresa and said, "What
[1:33:24] is it?" She didn't know.
>> All right. So, it takes us to committee
[1:33:29] reports. Any updates on the trees?
>> Um, we we will be meeting next week.
[1:33:35] » Uh, parks and wreck.
>> We finished up the last two movies in
[1:33:39] the park. So, three movies well
attended. Uh, special thanks to Alyssa
[1:33:44] Phillips with the library, Kelazoo
County State Bank, and of course all of
[1:33:51] the um parks and wreck members. Also, at
our last meeting, we met with Vixsburg
[1:33:58] Arts to kind of discuss possible
collaborations with the funding that's
[1:34:04] been put to them to do things in the
park. So, tenatively, we're looking at
[1:34:10] six creative park popups with the first
starting August 29th. August 29th,
[1:34:18] they'll be uh come
after the Berg Day social media, then it
[1:34:24] all switches to this popup event in the
park on August 29th with arts
[1:34:30] interaction on the youth. [snorts]
>> Correct.
[1:34:33] » Which park?
>> And uh the first one will be Park and
[1:34:36] they are they are looking at you know
spreading the love around to all of the
[1:34:41] parks. Um so in addition to those six
creative popups, there will also be two
[1:34:49] larger um community arts projects. And
just to give you an idea of some of the
[1:34:56] things, and mind you, these are just,
you know, some ideas that were tossed
[1:35:00] around um a cardboard box um boat
building at Sunset Lake and then boat
[1:35:08] race. Um, some things would be hands-on
participation,
[1:35:15] some things would be more entertainment.
So, we had a a really nice little back
[1:35:22] and forth brainstorming session. I'm
really looking forward to this. Um, some
[1:35:27] illuminated puppets at Halloween kind of
thing. So, very very um big ideas being
[1:35:34] tossed around. So, looking forward to
and this was all Just a reminder, part a
[1:35:40] big part of the park's master plan was
the input that was received from the
[1:35:46] community and the stakeholders was we
want to see arts in the park. So, we're
[1:35:53] gonna we're going to do that.
>> Well done.
[1:35:58] Uh the uh cat's meeting was cancelled
for July.
[1:36:02] Uh planning commission
>> planning commission was brief. We did
[1:36:06] not have quorum, but we still discussed
um some of the things Jim talked about
[1:36:10] already this evening. Busking in the
Berg um the events that are incoming
[1:36:14] from the mill um and the like. Um yeah,
that's about it.
[1:36:20] » There's no real sewer update as it
relates to the village. Takes us to
[1:36:25] South County Fire. Uh just reminding
everybody that Wednesday night at 5:00
[1:36:30] at Schoolcraft Township Hall, we will
have a meeting to discuss
[1:36:36] um how the four entities are going to
move forward financing the authority. So
[1:36:42] we'll have uh information available. So,
I encourage members of the board if you
[1:36:47] can make it for a little bit, um, we
would greatly appreciate it because, as
[1:36:52] I said, one of the entities, Prairie
Round already has uh an assessment for
[1:36:57] the township,
Schoolcraft Township, Schoolcraft
[1:37:00] Village, and Vixsburg Village. We write
a check every every year. Um, so we need
[1:37:06] to decide whether we still want to do
that as a village or we want to move
[1:37:10] forward. So, um, that'll be the big
thing on Wednesday. And then next a week
[1:37:16] from Wednesday, we'll have our regular
monthly meeting. And our new
[1:37:20] administrator did start uh last week. So
she is on station. So
[1:37:28] thanks so much. Uh seeing the citizens
didn't want to wait for our long delay,
[1:37:34] uh we'll pass by that trustees time.
We'll start with uh Trusty Fields.
[1:37:41] Um, I appreciate again Frank and
Katherine coming in tonight, going
[1:37:46] through all of the process with us,
explaining everything in such great
[1:37:52] detail, and counseling us in this
process. I again
[1:38:00] highly commend
Manager Mallerie for and his staff,
[1:38:08] which will be greatly missed as well,
for setting this entire community on
[1:38:14] such a stable
[1:38:19] platform that we were able to attract
some serious talent.
[1:38:27] The shoes are going to be big to fill,
but the community that's been built here
[1:38:33] by you and your team
has helped to make that a little bit
[1:38:40] easier.
>> Thank you.
[1:38:41] » Thank you,
[1:38:45] » Trusty Wagner.
>> Uh I was going to echo the same and just
[1:38:49] to say um to have I think uh Mr. Walsh
had said over 20 applicants of solid uh
[1:38:58] experience, expertise, and all the
requirements we were looking for through
[1:39:01] all the stakeholders that um it's going
to be a fun process to go through and
[1:39:07] get those interviews done and hopefully
um as Wendy's said, the foundation's
[1:39:12] been set.
um previous boards, staff, manager
[1:39:16] Mallerie and others uh have made
Vixsburg a desirable place to come and
[1:39:22] to lead. So that's the exciting part
about this process. Despite Jim's
[1:39:26] departure, um it's a new opportunity for
us to set a good tone, make a great
[1:39:32] selection, and looking forward to that
process.
[1:39:38] » Trustee.
[1:39:43] Well, I just say ditto to what they have
said. Um, it doesn't need to be said
[1:39:47] again. Um, and also I think we're we're
really really fortunate to be living in
[1:39:53] this community. Um, I I find that every
day when I have to go out and find
[1:39:59] volunteers and so forth, people are so
willing to work in this community. And
[1:40:04] so I think Jim's Jim has set a real high
bar, a very high bar. And so we're
[1:40:10] hoping I'm looking very much forward to
the interviews.
[1:40:14] » Thanks, Trusty Ginger.
>> Um I'm going to stay in the same vein.
[1:40:18] Um it it may seem I feel like that
Vixsburg is hitting above its weight
[1:40:23] when we pulled 20 plus candidates um and
the like. But I don't think that's true.
[1:40:28] I think we have we're sitting in a
building that's paid for. Um we have an
[1:40:33] annual event that now is attended by
thousands. Um, and that all comes from
[1:40:38] Jim's leadership and the team that he
had around him. So, um, I think I think
[1:40:42] it just showed what what Jim and his
team have done for the last 10 years,
[1:40:46] and it's awesome to see, um, to to see
that.
[1:40:51] » Thanks, President Prom Keller.
>> I'll pile on a little bit, but first, I
[1:40:56] want to thank the DPW for last week. The
Lions Club was the nonprofit that was
[1:41:01] featured during Berg Days and we brought
our uh kids sight trailer in and uh so
[1:41:07] the DPW really helped us get the trailer
set up. So we we gave eye exams to not
[1:41:13] exams but we checked uh the eyes of all
any kids that wanted it done. It was
[1:41:19] free. Um we do that at the schools too.
So it was I really appreciate their help
[1:41:23] on that. I do want to remind everybody
on the council, probably most of you
[1:41:28] don't remember this, but I do. Um, I was
around
[1:41:33] when a previous manager was stepping
down and we had interviews
[1:41:40] for for prospective managers. It was
held over at the depot.
[1:41:46] It was very quiet on how it was done.
And curiously, the the individual that
[1:41:56] ended up getting the position was the
last one that was interviewed and it was
[1:42:01] on a separate night from all the rest of
them. Where I'm going with this is this
[1:42:05] community should be very comfortable in
the fact that this process has been very
[1:42:10] out in the open, very transparent.
Um, there's not going to be any
[1:42:14] surprises and I am very proud of what
this staff has done over the last 10
[1:42:21] years to get us to this point and this
council that the backroom deals that
[1:42:26] were done 25 years ago are a thing of
the past. They're not done anymore. And
[1:42:32] I'm looking forward to this next chapter
um when Jim finally decides he wants to
[1:42:37] be done. So,
[1:42:41] » thanks for that.
I just want to u take a take a quick
[1:42:47] minute to u read a letter uh that we
received from the state of Michigan
[1:42:52] department of treasury lancing July 28
2026 addressed to Donald Els township
[1:42:59] supervisor schoolcraftraft township
kazoo county state tax commission staff
[1:43:04] have reviewed completed the review of a
complaint submitted by our legal counsel
[1:43:09] for the village of Vixsburg and legal
counsel for the village of Schoolcraft
[1:43:13] as well as correspondence submitted by
Schoolcraft Township in a response in
[1:43:16] the complaint filed by Ben Brousoe,
President Appraisals Plus Group LLC.
[1:43:22] Based on our review, this matter
involves allegations of emitted property
[1:43:26] affecting multiple properties parcels
and consequentially the proper
[1:43:30] assessment collection of property taxes
for the village of Vixsburg, the village
[1:43:34] of Schoolcraft, the schools, the state
of Michigan and Schoolcraft Township.
[1:43:39] Upon identifying the error reporting
errors, a township should have initiated
[1:43:43] process to correct the affected
assessment rules pursuant to MCL
[1:43:47] 211.154.
In response to the investigative letter,
[1:43:52] Ben Brusso stated that he and his
colleague Linda Pel were able to create
[1:43:58] a listing of all missing permits and get
the true scope of the project. The
[1:44:03] correspondence further indicates that
the necessary data has already been
[1:44:07] compiled to prepare form 627 assessor or
equalization director's notice of
[1:44:13] property incorrectly reported or
admitted from assessment role for any
[1:44:17] party wishing to pursue that avenue.
Accordingly, the information suggests
[1:44:22] provided suggests that the township
processes information necessary to
[1:44:26] proceed with a correction process under
MCL 21154.
[1:44:31] Therefore, within 21 days of the date of
this letter, the township shall submit a
[1:44:36] corrective action plan to the state tax
commission. At a minimum, the corrective
[1:44:41] action plan shall identify all parcels
in which petitions will be filed
[1:44:45] pursuant to MCL 21154,
including the partial identification
[1:44:50] number for each affected parcel and
shall include a proposed timeline for
[1:44:55] the preparation and submission of those
petitions. To preserve the ability to
[1:45:00] correct 2024 2025 assessment years, all
MLM211.154
[1:45:08] petitions must be received by the state
tax commission no later than December
[1:45:13] 31st, 2026.
So, they cited on our our uh our
[1:45:20] complaint
with the assessors and the township. So,
[1:45:23] we're moving to that resolution as we
speak.
[1:45:28] Uh just real quick on the dam projects,
you were all seeing that Prairie Street
[1:45:31] is uh blocked off. That is the first
phase of the dam. So they'll complete
[1:45:37] that and then they'll open the Prairie
Street back up and move to the dam
[1:45:41] proper. So this I don't know the length
of time, but it's not going to be as
[1:45:46] long the dam completion. Uh we're being
told they're going to complete it mid to
[1:45:50] end November, but Prairie Street should
be done relatively
[1:45:53] » by early next week.
>> By early next week. Thank you, Jim, for
[1:45:56] that update. Yeah,
>> they have to they have to divert the
[1:46:01] flow while they're putting the dam in.
So, that's why this is being done on
[1:46:04] Prairie Street. Uh, you already talked
about the last Berg Days, but I want to
[1:46:08] thank all the businesses, all our
sponsors, uh, and most of all, you know,
[1:46:12] the people who attend and have a good
time at that event. Uh, congratulations
[1:46:17] to the 8 to 10 year old Little League
District 15 champions of Vixsburg.
[1:46:22] Congratulations.
Um, it's going to be really interesting.
[1:46:25] September 4th through the 7th, the
tandem bike rally is going to be held
[1:46:29] Kazoo Portage in Vixsburg. So, let's
they're into their 50th year of putting
[1:46:35] this together around the country. So,
they're they're holding it here this
[1:46:38] year. And of course, the uh bike
celebration weekend, the weekend of
[1:46:42] September 18 is uh and let's really
through September, we're going to have a
[1:46:48] lot of bikes on the road and schools
coming back into session. So, put your
[1:46:52] phone down, slow down, be careful. It's
uh it's dangerous out there. So, be safe
[1:46:58] everyone. So, that wraps up my comments.
So, uh barring any further discussion,
[1:47:04] entertain a motion to adjurnn.
>> Make a motion to adjurnn.
[1:47:08] » Support.
>> All those in favor say I.
[1:47:10] » I. Meeting adjourned. Thank you all.