MINUTES MAY 2025 (1)

VILLAGE OF ELLSWORTH COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BANKS TOWNSHIP HALL May 12, 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, Sandra Davies-Webster, Kevin & Amy Russell, Karen Smith, Erika Smith, Jeff Smith, Cheryl Essenberg, Dan Nagy, Bambi Potter, Ken Groesser, Jeff Potter, Carla Kammerer, and Deana Jerdee from Paddle Antrim. SPECIAL MEETING: Zoning Board of Appeals appointments. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by G. McCallum to reappoint standing committee members with the exception of replacing Hugh Campbell with Jerry Rasmussen. Appointments: Jerry Rasmussen, Lynn Spearing, Marlene Drenth. CARRIED 7-0 ADJOURN: 6:35 Pledge of Allegiance 1. MOTION by J. Rasmussen/seconded by G. McCallum to accept the minutes of the April 10, 2025, regular meeting as presented. CARRIED 7-0 PUBLIC INPUT:  Erika Smith requested clarity on rumors she heard concerning her driveway on Forest Hill Dr. that serves as an easement to High Street. Rasmussen explained that after a request to abandon a part of High Street it was discovered that it is in fact not a street. The request for abandonment also brought to light the issue of access to the Potter’s home. The potential impact on the two Forest Hill property owners was discussed. A meeting will be scheduled with the 3 property owners involved and the village attorney to decide what will happen with the road going forward.  Ken Groesser asked if home owners were notified before Park Street was surveyed. Rasmussen explained that personal property was not being surveyed on Park, The road easement was being surveyed for a sidewalk.  Carla Kammerer asked when the repair of Harris Street would be discussed. It was on today’s agenda. She also was wondering what happened to our police officer. He resigned in December and a search for the best fit for the community has been ongoing. SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER: Deana Jerdee, Executive Director of Paddle Antrim gave an update on the organization’s progress. The now 10 year old 100-mile water trail has been made possible through a partnership between 20 local governments organized by Paddle Antrim. Most classes and the Paddle Antrim launch are hosted in Ellsworth. The water trail has been named one of 11 Pure Michigan trails and one of 10 water trails in the state. The only one in Northern Michigan. She brought marketing materials and is working with the village to get a universal kayak launch in Ellsworth. DEPARMENTAL REPORTS: a. Police: Rasmussen would like to purchase a cover for the police car. b. Streets: Rasmussen presented bids from Reith & Riley and Payne & Dolan for Lake & Bridge intersection, Harris Street, Elm & Park intersection, and Elm & Main intersection. Reith & Riley-$86,266, Payne & Dolan-$91,640. He also presented bids for Resort Street. Reith & Riley- $98,500, Payne & Dolan-$191,760. He came prepared with a bid from Reith & Riley for the cost of paving the portion of High Street needed to access the Potter’s home. c. Zoning: Rasmussen requested permission to send blight violation letters to offenders. Permission given by mutual assent. d. DPW: None e. President’s Report: He has been working on making a Memorial Park around the tank. It will consist of flags & plaques honoring our vets. The DDA has been collaborating with the village on this project. He is having sketches drawn. He would like to have a row of trees located behind the tank removed. He hasn’t yet received a bid because the recent ice storm damage has all tree trimmers very busy. He would like to seek our prices for running electricity to the community Square pavilion. He would also like to research the cost and possibility of putting a drinking fountain near/in the Square so cyclists can fill their water bottles. f. Clerk’s Report: A thank you card from the Friends of the Labyrinth was received for use of the park and porta-potties during the Egg Hunt. The breezeway Garage sales are scheduled for Memorial Day weekend. The Women’s Resource Center has moved and is holding an open house on May 15. The auditors are coming May 28-30. Wooden Shoe Park opens May 15. The park has been receiving more calls because of the closure of the State Parks due to the ice storm. Delinquent water bill letters went out the first of the month. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance Committee: None b. DDA: L. Spearing reported Concerts on the Square starts in July. Many sponsorships have been received. They are applying for a seed grant to fund an Information Communication Specialist to market the village’s many amenities. This project would be in collaboration with the BTHS and the school. c. Planning Commission: None a. Parks and Recreation: B. Cooper reported that the Ellsworth Little League combined with Central Lake’s LL. Approximately $4,000 was raised through sponsorships to get new equipment for the kids. T-ball starts next week. The older kids start beginning of June. The program could use some concession equipment, i.e. a popcorn machine, hot dog spinner or a warmer. They are actively making upgrades to the facilities at Sports Park. d. Ordinance/Law Enforcement Committee: Look at zoning. e. Streets/Lights/Water/ Solid Waste Committee: G. McCallum informed that Drain Commissioner Leslie Meyers is holding another lake level meeting on May 22, 1pm. DISCUSSION: b. VanDellen List: S. Dhillon is gathering bids on docking for Community Park c. Sewer Project: None d. Safe Routes to School: Park Street has been surveyed for sidewalks. e. General Consensus to table all action on High Street until a meeting was held with the attorney ACTION ITEMS: 2. MOTION by G. McCallum/seconded by S. Sowers to accept bids from Reith Riley to pave Lake & Bridge intersection, Harris Street, Elm & Park intersection, and Elm & Main intersection. For $86,266, CARRIED 7-0. 3. MOTION by G. McCallum/seconded by M. Bennett to purchase a cover for the police car. CARRIED 7-0. 4. MOTION by M. Bennett/seconded by L. Spearing to hire Martin Concrete to provide concrete for new playground equipment at River Park and the side walk in front of the co-op. Half of the sidewalk will be paid by the co-op. CARRIED 7-0. 5. MOTION by S. Sowers/seconded by G. McCallum to approve the bills. CARRIED 7-0. 6. MOTION by G. McCallum/seconded by L. Spearing to approve a $1,200 sponsorship to the Ell- Clair Fireworks Committee. CARRIED 7-0. 7. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by G. McCallum to approve a $1,000 sponsorship to the Ellsworth Pig Roast Festival. CARRIED 7-0. PUBLIC INPUT:  Tina Sundelius reported that the Pig Roast Committee is moving ahead and things are going well. They are trying to get a VENMO account so people can use their credit/debit cards at the festival and for the raffle tickets.  Jarris Rubingh compared our search for a police officer with one held by Torch Lake Township. Reported that the Sheriff’s Department is considering leasing instead of buying vehicles. The County Road commission spent over $200,000 to clean up trees from the ice storm putting them in worse financial shape than usual.  Sandi Davies-Webster reported that after the ice storm they cleared a tree that fell into the road and two others that were posed to fall. The brush is still there and she doesn’t want to be in trouble for helping the village out by cutting up the debris. It will be removed soon. The Historical Society met with the Chamber of Commerce and has decided not to hold the bicycle fund raiser. They came away with many ideas and are hopeful about some future plans. ADJOURN: MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by M. Bennett to adjourn at 8:22PM. CARRIED 7-0. Marlene Drenth, Village Clerk