VILLAGE OF BEAR LAKE, MICHIGAN
MINUTES

November 14, 2001
The regularly scheduled meeting was brought to order at 7:30 p.m. by president Glen Moore. Council members present were: Jeff Harthun, Jim Reed, Len Steinberg and Carol Urbanus. Cloyse Griffin and Don Hyrns were absent. Also present were Connie Guerne, Joanne Schroeder, Howard Higley, Dendra Best, Carver Edwards, Jim Leckrone, and Fred Alkire.
Pleasanton Township Supervisor Fred Alkire announced paper/glass/plastic/can recycling service is available at Pleasanton Hall.
The MINUTES of the October council meeting were approved as read.
The TREASURER’S report was accepted as read.
A motion was made, seconded and carried to pay the bills as listed at the end of this page.

Current Fund Balances
General Fund $31,538.81 Equipment Fund $22,074.60
Major Street Fund $39,088.40 Minor Street Fund $ 7,227.51
Park Fund $27,038.75 Water Fund  $36,243.53
Building Fund $66,903.09 Library $141,568.50

STREETS: A problem with street signs being turned was reported. The street committee will look into the situation. A problem of water standing on the newly paved street at the Best residence was reported. The street committee was asked to take care of the matter. A problem with the bottom of the cars scraping on the newly installed curb as they enter and exit the Brown residence was reported. The maintenance man reported the snowplow would cut some of the curb off.
A letter was received from the Bear Lake School stating they have stopped parking cars on Lynn Street and the drain field as we had requested. The council decided to take the wait-and-see approach to the many other problems caused by the construction at the school.


INTERNET: It was requested that the yearly bill for the internet be paid automatically. The council requested to review the bill annually.
PARK: The new drain field work has been completed by Forbes. The council requested Shoemaker Electric put in necessary underground electric cable.
Len Steinberg moved to purchase a phone card for the park caretaker to make return calls regarding park reservations. Seconded and carried.
WATER: Carol Urbanus moved to accept the annual service agreement with Corrpro Waterworks. Jeff Harthun seconded. Motion carried.
Because of a lack of a job description for the water superintendent Glen Moore, Jim Reed, and Len Steinberg plan to meet with our current superintendent to make a job description. The Gosling Czubak Wellhead Protection contract was presented for a signature. Council members want to study the contract before it is signed.

BUILDING: The sand building is finished. Building committee was requested to purchase doors for the building. Clerk requested to price dry sand.
CELL TOWER: The company putting up the cell tower on school property right behind our new sand building requested an easement going through our property. The council denied the request as a maintenance building is planned for the area requested.

LIBRARY: Dendra Best reported on a Keddie Norconk Memorial Library Angels program she has put in place to raise funds for shelving and furniture for the new library. Each donor will be honored with a porcelain plaque.
Treasurer Connie Guerne requested that she not be required to pay bills for library construction on demand. Fred Alkire said that she would not be required to pay bills on demand in the future.

EQUIPMENT: A discussion on what type of tractor the village needed was followed with a recommendation to purchase a tractor with a backhoe. Pictures are to be brought to the next council meeting to choose from.

SEWER: Jim Reed moved to pay $2,500 to Pleasanton Township as our part of the contributions to the Sewer Board. It was seconded and carried. President Moore asked the council for permission to contact our lawyer regarding the law that states we must pay for the sewer as a village. It was reported that the Michigan Municipal League does not give legal advice. Fred Alkire stated that from discussions with the Pleasanton Township lawyer it was clear that we as a separate governmental entity were required to pay for the sewer. Even if the Village is in Bear Lake Township, that does not mean that Bear Lake Township pays for the Village sewer. At this point the council felt we would be spending money on something already known, and decided not to contact our lawyer. Jim Reed requested council take a vote at the next meeting on the Village participating in the current sewer plan or not participating in the plan.

Meeting adjourned at 9:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Joanne Schroeder

November 14, 2001: Bills submitted to be paid:
Blarney Castle $79.00, $116.88, $515.58 Ron Brown & Sons $134.08, $37.70
Michigan DEQ $381.88 Elhorn Engineering $316.30
Gosling Czubak $5,928.40 Husky Products $48.59
InnoTech $150.00 Kent County $36.00, $28.00
McBride Septic $325.50 McLeod’s Sales $1,632.70
Pioneer Group $27.80 Shoreline Waste Services $132.00
Thompson’s Tree Removal $165.00