MINUTES JUNE 2025 (1)

VILLAGE OF ELLSWORTH COUNCIL MINUTES REGULAR MEETING BANKS TOWNSHIP HALL June 9, 2025 Present: J. Rasmussen, G. McCallum, S. Sowers, M. Bennett, S. Dhillon, M. Drenth, Marcie Potter, Al Drenth, and L. Spearing. Others: Tina Sundelius, Erika Smith, Jeff Smith, Cheryl Essenberg, Dan Nagy, Ken Groesser, Betsy Randall, Margret Cuss, Rudy Cuss, Janice Drost, Darlene Herriman, Sandy Stein, and Don Stein. Pledge of Allegiance 1. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by M. Bennett to accept the minutes of the May 12, 2025, regular meeting as presented. CARRIED 7-0 PUBLIC INPUT:  Janice Drost stated that she was the spokesperson for 7 people in the audience that are concerned about the speed that vehicles are entering the village from the north. They requested a police presence or a digital sign like the one on Lake Street. J. Rasmussen said that we have a third digital sign and he will work to get it set up.  Erica Smith asked if the village still intended to take no action concerning the paving of High Street. DEPARMENTAL REPORTS: a. Police: J. Rasmussen stated that he has talked to two certified police officers Travis Chellis & Tim Wieley to work during the July 3rd fireworks and the Pig Roast Festival at a rate of $25 per hour. b. Streets: The bids we approved last month did not include grinding the asphalt, an amendment to the motion needs to be made to reflect the correct dollar amount. c. Zoning: G. McCallum asked to raise the fee for zoning permits from $35 to $75 to more accurately reflect expenses. d. DPW: The completion of some sidewalk work was promised to be completed by Pig Roast. This will not be possible but it will be completed by the first week of July. Our DPW department with the assistance of St. Clair Maintenance will be pouring the slab for the new playground equipment at River Park. e. President’s Report: He asked the street committee to get prices on a retaining wall on Park & Elm and a culvert at Park near Center Street. He met with Melissa Zelinak, who is in charge of the recycle bins on Lake Street by Dollar General, to discuss trash blowing into neighboring properties. The Conservation district will pay for a fence if we install the posts. He will be getting a price on 6 20foot posts and installation. f. Clerk’s Report: She presented a proposal for a new electronic payment system. She presented research that verified that a village has the authority to change speed limits within the village without MDOT or attorney assistance. We passed the audit with flying colors. COMMITTEE REPORTS: a. Finance Committee: None b. DDA: L. Spearing reported Concerts on the Square starts later this month. 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: Meets this Thursday, they are working on updating the Village Master Plan. d. Parks and Recreation: S. Dhillon reported that the recreation department has purchased a lot of equipment including a hot dog roller and popcorn machine. They have been working on getting the fields updated, this is an ongoing project. If anyone wants to volunteer, painters are needed. She will man a concession stand during the community fireworks with the proceeds going to the recreation fund. e. Ordinance/Law Enforcement Committee: No Report f. Streets/Lights/Water/ Solid Waste Committee: No Report DISCUSSION: a. VanDellen List: S. Dhillon reported that the bid for a dock at Community Park came in at $100,000. She will present two projects to Mr. VanDellen: Update the bathrooms at Woodenshoe Park and new fencing at the batting cages at Sports Park. b. Sewer Project: No Report c. S. Sowers would like the Village Council to write a letter to Michigan Attorney General, Dana Nessel concerning the recently requested Consumers Energy price increase. He would like our experiences with Consumers clearly presented before she makes a decision on the increase. d. Discussion on activity at the Gold Nugget, taking down the dangerous building on the property was held. It was agreed by general consent to give the owners another 30 days to complete the cleanup. Also, to extend another 30 days to a resident on Park Street who has been notified of blight. e. L. Spearing presented an opportunity to qualify for matching funds (50%) available to small villages from the Michigan Department of Transportation for local road improvement. ACTION ITEMS: 2. MOTION by J. Rasmussen/seconded by M. Bennett to amend last month’s motion to accept bids from Reith Riley to pave the intersection at Lake & Bridge, Harris Street, Elm & Park intersection, and Elm & Main intersection to $91,666, to include asphalt grinding in the sum of $5400. CARRIED 7-0. 3. MOTION by S. Spearing/seconded by M. Bennett to purchase signs for High Street. CARRIED 7-0. 4. MOTION by G. McCallum/seconded by L. Spearing to raise the fee for a zoning permit from $35 to $75, effective immediately. CARRIED 7-0. 5. MOTION by S. Sowers/seconded by A. Drenth to approve the bills. CARRIED 7-0. 6. MOTION by S. Dhillon/seconded by M. Bennett to give the Village Council’s support for Daniel Isaac Brown to be given community service in the village in lieu of damages he caused. CARRIED 7-0. 7. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by S. Dhillon to submit an application to the Michigan Department of Transportation for a 50% match grant to fund local streets. CARRIED 7-0. 8. MOTION by S. Sowers/seconded by M. Bennett to direct S. Dhillon to write a letter explaining the village’s experiences with Consumers Energy. CARRIED 7-0. 9. MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by S. Dhillon to hire two certified police officers at $25 per hour to be present during the July 3rd fireworks and Pig Roast Festival for specified hours only. . CARRIED 7-0 PUBLIC INPUT:  Janice Drost asked how soon the digital sign can be installed. ADJOURN: MOTION by L. Spearing/seconded by G. McCallum to adjourn at7:29PM. CARRIED 7-0. Marlene Drenth, Village Clerk