MINUTES-MAY-2026-1-1

VILLAGE OF ELLSWORTH COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BANKS TOWNSHIP HALL May 11, 2026 Present: S. Sowers, M. Drenth, Al Drenth, L. Spearing, S. Dhillon, Don Ruis, M. Potter, J. Rasmussen, and M. Bennett. Absent: Others: Tina Sundelius Pledge of Allegiance 1. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by A. Drenth to accept the minutes of the April 13 regular meeting & April 30 special meeting, as presented. CARRIED 7-0 2. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by S. Dhillon to amend the agenda, adding three items. PUBLIC INPUT:  None DEPARMENTAL REPORTS: a. Recreation: S. Dhillon reported that the new Rec. Director is moving forward with launching the program. The Woodenshoe Park attendants are here. Showers at the park have been pressure washed and look great. River Park Docks go in tomorrow. Dave Muha wants to donate signage for dock usage/rules. The park needs an enclosed bulletin board. The docks at Community Park need to be removed. Kayak launch will arrive May 18. b. DPW: The backhoe needs major work done. It will be out of commission for a month. The dump truck also needs work that will put it out for a good long while, Tex says he can make the truck last through the summer to keep it available until the backhoe is back. c. Streets: None. d. Zoning: Several applications have been received for the Zoning Administrator position. e. President’s Report: A meeting needs to be set to answer the public’s questions regarding Bridge Street and the culvert. The Village Board, the Chain Link Bridge Project & the County Drain Commissioner plan to attend the meeting to answer questions. No date has been set yet. A meeting with a prospective new DPW employee & the HR committee was set for May 14. 6:30pm to discuss details of the job. The Nugget property will be cleaned up by mid June. f. Clerk’s Report: M. Drenth stated that letters to delinquent water bill residents have been mailed. The auditors are coming next week. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance Committee: None b. DDA: Two new way-finding signs have been installed near River Park. The concerts are set to begin next month. c. Planning Commission: Next meeting June 11. d. Ordinance/Law Enforcement Committee: None e. Streets/Lights/Water/ Solid Waste Committee: None DISCUSSION: a. Health insurance for the new DPW employee will cost $12,312.36 annually. We can make cuts in the current budget that equals $5,100.00. The new employee will have $100.00 weekly deducted from his paycheck for a total of $5,200 annually. That will leave a balance of $2,012.36 that the Village will cover. The new employee will be offered $25.00 an hour. ACTION ITEMS: 3. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by M. Bennett to put the delinquent water bills on the tax bill. CARRIED 7-0. 4. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by L. Spearing to approve the METRO Act Right-of-Way Telecommunications permit for Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC. CARRIED 7-0. 5. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by S. Sowers to purchase five picnic tables for Woodenshoe Park at a cost of $5,400.92. CARRIED 7-0. 6. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by S. Dhillon to charge a $3.00 credit card usage fee at Woodenshoe Park. CARRIED 7-0. 7. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by J. Rasmussen to sponsor the Ell-Clair Fireworks for $1,200.00 & the Ellsworth Pig Roast for $1,000.00 & to hire Andy Montgomery to spray the ball fields for stinging bees. CARRIED 7-0. 8. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by S. Sowers to purchase a 2026 Chevy Silverado from Jim Warning Chevrolet for $42,000.00 with a loan from Charlevoix State Bank in the amount of $20,000.00 for 4 years at 5.4% ($467.32 per mo.) and the Village will pay the additional $22,000.00 CARRIED 7-0. 9. MOTION by J. Rasmussen/seconded by L. Spearing to give Voice Environmental Group & Professional Engineers permission to meet with EGLE on our behalf concerning River Park. CARRIED 7-0. 10. MOTION by S. Sowers/seconded by M. Bennett to approve the bills. CARRIED 7-0. ADJOURN: MOTION by L.Spearing/seconded by S. Dhillon to adjourn at 7:55p.m. CARRIED 7-0. Marlene Drenth, Village Clerk