MINUTES MARCH 2025 (1)

VILLAGE OF ELLSWORTH COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BANKS TOWNSHIP HALL March 10, 2025 Present: J. Rasmussen, G. McCallum, S. Sowers, M. Bennett, S. Dhillon, M. Drenth, Marcie Potter, Al Drenth, and L. Spearing. Others: Tina Sundelius, Beth Cooper, Jarris Rubingh, Larry Essenberg, and Sandra Davies-Webster. 1. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by G. McCallum to accept the minutes of the February 10, 2025, regular meeting as presented. CARRIED 7-0 PUBLIC INPUT:  Larry Essenberg would like to see High Street between Center Street & Church Street abandoned. If the village will do it no lawyer will be needed unless someone contests it. He has already talked to all the property owners on the road and has gotten verbal approval from all. DEPARMENTAL REPORTS: a. Police: Rasmussen has spoken with the undersheriff. Our police car must be parked in one place and not moved around. The Sheriff proposed that he would station one officer here for the 40 hours a month but we will have to pay that officer’s overtime. Rasmussen will contact him again to see if we can put the electronic speed limit signs up. The Sheriff is pursuing putting a substation in town. b. Streets: If we want to raise the speed limit or make the stop light into a 4 way stop there is a lengthy process and we will need to include attorneys. c. DPW: Tex has decided not to retire this year. We still need the job descriptions. Dhillon would like to have a human resources committee established. The council agrees, Dhillon was asked to sit on that committee. d. President’s Report: We need two permits from EGLE before we can move forward with the new sewer system. The permits are to verify the placement of the drain field and will not cost us anything. e. Clerk’s Report: The bill for the repairs to the back hoe was not included in the monthly bills because of the due date. She, Rasmussen & Spearing met with the new attorneys they only work for municipalities and lean to small communities. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance Committee: The end of the fiscal year budget amendments were presented. b. DDA: L. Spearing reported a new member, Heather Beem has been approved for membership on the DDA. Concerts on the Square has their schedule set. Consumer’s Energy has a $25,000 grant opportunity that is due March 28. They are looking for something “innovative & cool.” c. Planning Commission: L. Spearing reported that the Village is very close to receiving the Redevelopment Ready Community designation. The PC is working on the Village Master Plan. Ken Lane with Becket & Reader is looking into a less expensive way for us receive guidance for the updating of the Recreation Plan. a. Parks and Recreation: B. Cooper would like to have an online registration form set up that allows participants to pay online. She knows how to do it and can work with M. Drenth to set it up. She would like to see something done about the seaweed at River Park Beach and the buoys installed. d. Ordinance/Law Enforcement Committee: G. McCallum reported that there are a number of blighted properties in town that may need a letter. The Nugget was issued a demolition permit on June 17 of last year. It is close to expiring and no progress has been made at the property. e. Streets/Lights/Water/ Solid Waste Committee: Look above. DISCUSSION: b. VanDellen List: There has been no response to our inquiries. c. Resort Drive is being paved by the township, if we want our portion paved, it is less expensive to do it at the same time. d. Safe Routes to School: L. Spearing will proceed with this grant application. We must coordinate with the school. ACTION ITEMS: 2. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by L.Spearing to approve the End of the Year 2024-2025 budget amendments. CARRIED 7-0. 3. MOTION by S. Sowers/seconded by S. Dhillon to pay the bills as presented. CARRIED 7-0. 4. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by S. Sowers to pursue the abandonment of High Street between Church and Center Streets mailing notices to residents within 300 feet and holding a public hearing prior to our next meeting. CARRIED 7-0. 5. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by M. Bennett to approve the Capital Improvement Plan. CARRIED 7-0. 6. MOTION by G. McCallum/seconded by L. Spearing to approve Heather Beem’s appointment to the DDA. CARRIED 7-0. PUBLIC INPUT:  No public Comment. 7. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by J. Rasmussen to adjourn at 8:05p.m. CARRIED 7-0 Marlene Drenth, Village Clerk