Village-Meeting-November-11

VILLAGE OF ELLSWORTH COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BANKS TOWNSHIP HALL November 11, 2024 Present: H. Campbell, L. Spearing, G. McCallum, S. Sowers, A. Drenth, M. Bennett, S. Dhillon, and M. Potter Absent: M. Drenth Others: Jacob Byrd, Jerry Rasmussen, Carla Kammerer, Bethany Cooper, and Jennifer Graham Meeting called to order by Campbell at 7pm. 1. MOTION by A. Drenth/seconded by Bennett to accept the minutes of the October 14, 2024 regular meeting as presented. CARRIED 7-0 PUBLIC INPUT:  Jennifer Graham from Gordie Frazier spoke about the challenges of the water project. We have a 5.5-million-dollar grant and a 2 million dollar loan from the USDA. We rejected a 4.5-million- dollar loan with $500,000 forgiveness from EGLE and will reapply next year. We need more funding to lower the monthly consumer responsibility. DEPARMENTAL REPORTS: a. Police: Ponies at Worgess’ house have not been seen since McCallum & Byrd visited to discuss the issue. The Village issued a letter to be delivered by G. McCallum, zoning administrator. b. Streets: N/A c. DPW: AARP funding has been spent. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. DDA: There will be a festival attached to the tree lighting this year on December 1, 5pm. The village has agreed to provide hot chocolate for the event. b. Planning Commission: Ken Lane from Beckett and Raeder is working on updating our Master Plan. c. Parks and Recreation: Rec Director Bethany Cooper reported that she needs uniforms, helmets and masks for the little league program. Spearing suggested that we re-up our rec plan with the township. They held their first “Witchy Walk” Fundraiser, raised $149.00. It went well. DISCUSSION: a. Sewer System: We have a 5.5-million-dollar grant and a 2 million dollar loan from the USDA. We rejected a 4.5-million-dollar loan with a $500,000 forgiveness from EGLE and will reapply next year. We need more funding to lower the monthly consumer responsibility. b. Wooden Shoe Holiday Festival/Community Christmas Tree: The DDA’s tree lighting festival. c. Playground Equipment: The equipment is here. Waiting on concrete to be poured. d. Front Porch Grant: The Front Porch is applying for a grant to purchase a whole cow, $6,200, and is asking for village support. e. Vandellen List: Dhillon will contact him about the memorial. f. ARPA Funds: The Village needs to obligate the funds. ACTION ITEMS: 1. MOTION by Bennett/seconded by Spearing to provide a letter of support for the Front Porch Grant Application. CARRIED 7-0 2. MOTION by Spearing/seconded by McCallum to pay the $26,200 Peerless bill from the ARPA funds. CARRIED 7-0 3. MOTION by McCallum/seconded by Bennett to accept a bid for $27,400 from Lake Area Construction for the police substation. CARRIED 7-0 4. MOTION by Spearing/seconded by Dhillon to pay the bills as presented. CARRIED 7-0 PUBLIC INPUT:  Carla Kammerer is concerned about the deterioration of Harris St. and would like the village to do something about it.  Lynn Spearing reported that the Michigan Municipal League has training available for newly elected officials. MOTION by Campbell/seconded by McCallum to adjourn at 7:45pm. CARRIED 7-0 Marlene Drenth, Village Clerk