Village Of Fruitport Meeting – June 27, 2017

VILLAGE OF FRUITPORT REGULAR COUNCIL MEETING
JUNE 27, 2017

1. Call to Order
President Roger Vanderstelt called the meeting to order at 7:00pm.

2. Pledge

3. Prayer

4. Roll call of the Board
Present: Roger Vanderstelt, Amy Haack, Donna Pope, Carl Rothenberger, Carl Russell and Bill Stone. Also present: Jeremy Statler-DPW Supervisor

5. Approval of previous meeting minutes:
May 23 meeting minutes, Motion made by Amy Haack, supported by Donna Pope. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.
June 6 public hearing minutes, Motion made by Amy Haack, supported by Donna Pope. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

6. Approve the agenda for June 27 Council Meeting: Motion made Donna Pope, supported by Amy Haack. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

7. Appointment of New Council Member to vacant seat. Motion made by Roger Vanderstelt, supported by Amy Haack to appoint William Overkamp as a member of the Council with his term expiring in 2018. With a unanimous vote the motion carried. William Overkamp was sworn in.

8. Council reappointment of Planning Commission Personnel. Roger Vanderstelt made a motion to appoint Jeff Jacobs, Mike Michelli and Dever Bendixsen to the Planning Commission for a term of 3 years as stated in the bylaws of the Planning Commission to expire on June 2020. He also clarified that we have appointed Carl Russell as the liaison to the Planning Commission with his term expiring in November 2020, supported by Haack. Discussion took place. Carl Russell questioned if there should be five members on the committee. He questioned if Jeremy could be on the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals or would that be a conflict of interest. Carl Russell suggested contacting our attorney. Will Overkamp stated a concern of everyone’s term expiring at the same time. With a unanimous vote the motion carried. Additional discussion will be tabled until the July council meeting.

9. Public Comments: None

10. Candace Croswell Craft Show and Dog Nail Filing in the Park. Candace Croswell, Anne Marie Barn Boutique requested a temporary suspension of no dogs allowed in the park on August 12, 2017 for her event. She has a pet groomer willing to do free nail trimming for dogs. A pet station will be donated for the day. Motion made by Haack to allow the request and let the groomer come in on August 12, 2017, supported by Pope. With a unanimous vote the motion carried. A brief discussion took place about allowing dogs in the park. Amy stated that this was an item for the Friends of the Park Group.

11. Reports from Officers:
Donna gave an update that the library is doing great.
Amy distributed the Parks and Recreation meeting notes. The next meeting is July 10, 2017. Carl Rothenberger – Nothing to report.
Carl Russell – Nothing to report.
Bill Stone – Commented on the great job Bethany is doing at the library. Will Overkamp – Nothing to report.

12. Correspondence Ann advised that we recently completed the off year audit with our accountant. The garbage bills have been sent out and the delinquent garbage bills have been submitted to Rose Dillon to add to tax bills.

13. Update on Boat Launch Docks, Traffic study on 3rd and Pontaluna.
Jeremy Statler, DPW Supervisor stated we are still on schedule for August completion. Feel free to call him if you have any questions. Jeremy also discussed the Traffic study on 3rd and Pontaluna. The results very mimicking of the other study results, the speed limits are too low. Carl Rothenberger asked about signs for the other street. Jeremy said they are on hold so all could be done at the same time. Donna asked about the welcome to the village signs on Brooks Ave. Jeremy said they will all be done together possibly in the fall.

14. Circle Drive Line Painting
Roger asked if all council members went to review the lines. There are 3 options:
Grind them out and it may scar the road. Black paint over the top of the lines. Leave alone and let them fade away and don’t repaint next time.
Mr. Surridge spoke about his concerns over the lines. Motion made by Amy Haack, supported by Donna Pope to let the lines fade away and to reevaluate at a later date. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

15. Golf Cart Purchase
A quote from US Golf Cart was in the board packet. Carl Russell questioned the ordinance and made a motion to send to the Planning Commission, supported by Bill Stone. Discussion took place, Bill Stone suggested looking into a UTV (Utility Terrain vehicle) as an alternative. Carl Russell asked if Jeremy could email how they would be using it. Jeremy stated going back and forth to the park. Carl Rothenberger thinks we can take time to research while figuring it out. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

16. Fishing Pier on the end of 8th Ave
Jeremy reviewed a letter from the Village’s engineer regarding costs for a fishing pier at the end of 8th Ave. Discussion took place about parking and that it is technically the end of a road, Carl Russell suggested a possible guard rail or signs to stay off the rocks.

17. Medical Marihuana Facilities Discussion
Roger Vanderstelt stated we had a work shop and a public hearing regarding the request for a Medical Marihuana Facility within the Village of Fruitport. He reviewed the findings of an on- line and hand signed petition. Roger explained that our attorney said that if the village does not wish to allow medical marihuana facilities that decision can be done by resolution. If the Village wishes to allow medical marihuana facilities that decision must be done by amending the current ordinance. Amy Haack made a motion to decline adopting an ordinance to allow
Medical Marihuana Facilities within the Village of Fruitport and to request our attorney to draft a formal resolution to that effect, support by Bill Stone. Discussion took place. Carl Russell feels that responses were based on feelings not data, he doesn’t see the harm in it and see the benefits, and he also welcomes the business. Carl Rothenberger stated it was about the location within the Village. Bill Stone supports the people. Roll call Carl Rothenberger – AYE, Bill Stone – AYE, Donna Pope – AYE, Will Overkamp – AYE, Amy Haack – AYE, Carl Russell – NAY and Roger Vanderstelt – AYE. With a majority vote the motion carried.

18. Lighting in the Park
Jeremy reviewed the proposed Park Lighting diagram and quote. Bill Stone asked if this was the only quote we got. Jeremy discussed why he went with only one quote. A discussion took place about funding. Item to be tabled until the July meeting.

19. Boat Launch attendant Roger stated that Margo Hawkins has been the boat launch attendant for the last 3-4 years. She monitors the launch over the 4th of July weekend, Coast Guard and Labor Day. Roger made a motion to increase Margo’s wage from $10 per hour to $12 per hour, supported by Carl Rothenberger. With a unanimous vote the motion carried. Discussion took place about having a credit card reader at the boat launch. The item is tabled until the July meeting.

20. Public Comments:
Bethany Nettleton commented on the golf cart and gator. Questioned if you technically need an ordinance. Bethany also commented on the MMMLA and that the Planning Commission representative said there was not enough room in the Village.
Jason Kolkema was going to ask if we could table the request for Medical Marihuana Facilities until all of the information comes out. He understand nobody wants that stuff, they are concerned about property rights and zoning as well. People can change. Talked about opinion vs. data. Jason discussed crime in relations to the current caregiver law that is in place.
Roger stated the Council has made their decision.
Bill Surridge – Thinks the fishing pier is a great idea. Carl Rothenberger said we have looked into the safety down there and the goal is to make it safe.

21. Closed Session to consider possible purchase of real propertyRoll call to proceed with closed session at 8:27pm. AYES: Vanderstelt, Haack, Pope, Rothenberger, Russell, Stone and Overkamp. NAYES:None

22. Roll call to end closed session-Roll call to end closed session at 8:50pm AYES: Vanderstelt, Haack, Pope, Rothenberger, Russell, Stone and Overkamp. NAYES:None

23. WARRANTS- Carl Russell questioned the Asphalt Paving bill and if it was voted on. Russell questioned the policy for approving the bill. Several council members stated it was discussed in the budget meeting and was approved in the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget. Motion made by Carl Rothenberger to approve Warrants, supported by Amy Haack. With a majority vote the motion carried.

24. ADJOURN Motion by Donna Pope to adjourn, supported by Carl Rothenberger. With a majority vote the motion carried. 9:02 pm.

Respectfully submitted by, Ann LaCroix
Clerk