[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.

Village of Vicksburg Council Meeting August 17th 2026

Transcript