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Please note the regular meeting day has been changed to the second Tuesday of each month at 7.30pm.
The Village of Bear Lake Web Site has been in existence since July 1998. Click here to view the minutes archives.
Please note that the Minutes are not posted to the web site until they have been approved. The December 2003 Minutes were approved at the January 2004 Council Meeting. A copy of the current month's minutes can be requested from the Clerk but please be advised that until approved they are subject to corrections and revisions.
December 9, 2003
Village of Bear Lake: 2004 Wellhead Protection Grant Program Meeting.
The first WHP Year 2004 Team Meeting began at 7.05 p.m.
Present: Village of Bear Lake: President Glen Moore, Trustees; Dendra Best, Vern Best, Joanne Schroeder, Carol Urbanus, Howard Higley (Maintenance Manager), Gary McBride (Village Water Superintendent).
Team Members: Bear Lake Township Planning & Zoning Pauline Jaquish. Bear Lake Fire Chief Mike Ludwig.
Consultant WHP Environmental Engineers: Donald Conway and Suzanne Kelley, Gosling Czubak Inc.
Public: Kelley Hon; Michigan Rural Water Association (MRWA), David Long, Ron Ronning, Robert Howe.
Absent: Frank Beaver (Manistee County Planner), Carver Edwards (Manistee ISD), Raymond Knudsen (Bear Lake County Highlands) , Jay Roupp, Murray Stall, Judy Cunningham, (Manistee Mason Lake Soil Conservation District and Groundwater Stewardship), Brian McCarthy, Connie Guerne, Pam Wade, Jeff Harthun, Don Hyrns.
The Village web site now has the full State of Michigan WHP Delineation and Report posted for public access at www.bearlakemichigan.org/wellhead.html.
Mr. Conway presented a written summary of the activities completed to this stage and presented the Village with a large scale arial photograph showing the WHP area. The FY2004 WHP grant was approved to the amount of $3,250. (The Village must match 50/50) Activities to be conducted this year will include identifying sites for 2 possible new drinking water wells; education and outreach and developing a plan for future funding to build on the WHP.
The role of each Team member was defined. County Planner Frank Beaver will work with Bear Lake Township Planning and Zoning to properly address the WHP within their ordinances and Master Plan. Unfortunately Mr. Beaver was not present. Suzanne Kelley will work with both Village and Township to incorporate WHP measures into our respective ordinances.
Bear Lake Fire Chief Mike Ludwig detailed the 3 contingency plans to be developed to cover a water emergency / disaster preparedness response:
a) in the event the ground water becomes contaminated and pollutes the water source.
b) in the event the water tower or pumps fail.
c) in the event the water system fails.
He will bring costs for purchasing and hauling potable drinking water to the next quarterly meeting.
Bear Lake County Highlands Golf Course agreed to serve on the WHP because their property is wholly contained within the catchment area. They and Blarney Castle Oil have been asked to work on a contamination emergency response.
Kelly Hon of MRWA (http://www.mrwa.net/) detailed the assistance that organization would offer for education and outreach. Village becoming a member of MWRA was discussed plus the availability of education materials available for the Bear Lake Elementary School exhibit, funded through our Water Quality Initiative grant from Manistee County Community Foundation. ( $1145.00 - $246 being earmarked for exhibit materials) The cost of purchasing a ground water flow model for the Elementary School plus coloring books will be explored.
The reasons for the Village’s commitment to continuing the WHP were listed:
1) estimated costs of water system replacement: 2 new wells = $600,000; replacing the water tank = $450,000; new tank control systems = $30,000; new mains construction to a new well or tank site = $90,000
2) new State legislation which exempts municipalities with a WHP in place from liability or law suits under the new water withdrawal/ aquifer protection law.
3) protecting ground water from potential pollution from new developments.
4) Laying the groundwork for future application to the State of Michigan Drinking Water Revolving Fund ( http://www.michigan.gov/deq/0,1607,7-135-3307_3515_3517---,00.html)
The Wellhead Protection Meeting closed at 7.45 p.m.
Remember
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The Regular Meeting of the Bear Lake Village Council was called to order by President Glen Moore at 7:45 p.m. at the Bear Lake Village Hall.
Present: Trustees; Dendra Best, Vern Best, Joanne Schroeder, Carol Urbanus.
Howard Higley.
Absent; Treasurer; Connie Guerne, Clerk; Pam Wade; Trustees; Don Hyrns, Jeff Harthun.
Public: David Long, Ron Ronning, Robert Howe,Tim Richard.
In the absence of the Clerk, through ill health, President Moore authorized Trustee Best to act as Clerk. It was also noted that ill health due to surgery was the reason for the absence of Treasurer Connie Guerne and Jeff Harthun. Trustee Vern Best left the meeting at 8 p.m. due to ill health, also due to surgery.
Minutes: The November minutes were approved as presented.
A Fund Balance Treasurers Report was available but not read into the Minutes due to the absence of both Clerk and Treasurer.
Bills: Motion made by D. Best to pay the bills presented . Motion carried.
Correspondence: Letters Sent:
1) To Bear Lake Pleasanton Area Utilities Authority Chair Fred Alkire informing them of Council’s Motion to Withdraw as of November 11, 2003.
2) To: USDA Rural Development informing them of our reasons for withdrawal
3) To USDA RD filing a request under the Freedom of Information for information presented to them in conjunction with the BLPAUA Environmental Report.
Letters Received:
1) USDA RD - Response to FOIA Request.
2) Correspondence with Attorney Hyrns regarding Resolution to Withdraw from BLPAUA.
2) Michigan Democratic Party - instructions on Voting in the 2004 Caucus.
3) CorrPro Waterworks - regarding cathodic corrosion control equipment annual
maintenance.
Council Members:
1) D. Best reminded Council of the December 11 meeting of the Northwest Michigan Onsite Wastewater Task Force.
2) A complimentary survey of the property at the corner of US31 and Virginia Street has been received for our files. It shows an encroachment of the sidewalk on to the back corner of the property and draws to our attention the plot issues with all property on the east side of US31.
3) Council reviewed the Winter Newsletter which will be distributed with the next Water Bill. President Moore requested the addition of language concerning encroaching on the road right of way.
4) Clerk was instructed to write to Bear Lake Ace Hardware listing who had authority to charge goods and services on behalf of the Council - limited to Howard Higley, Water Superintendent, and those Council members not on the election ballot for 2004.
New Business:
1) Christmas Bonus for Village Maintenance Manager. D. Best made a Motion to award a $750 Bonus this year. Motion Failed. Schroeder made a Motion to award a $500 Bonus, Second by Urbanus, Motion Carried.
2) Clerk was instructed to attend the required Secretary of State Election preparedness class.
3) Clerk was instructed to write letters to 3 residents who are in violation of the Village Dismantled Vehicle Ordinance.
Library: The Keddie Norconk Memorial Library Board has rescinded its acceptance of the Village’s Resolution to Withdraw. It is also refusing to fulfill the terms of the Revenue Sharing Grant and accept being billed for its share of the FY 2002/3 Audit pending receipt of a copy, also refusing to bear the cost of administrative expenses incurred by the Village Clerk and Treasurer to handle its transactions. Schroeder attended the KNMLB Meeting to inform them that the Village will retain its third ownership of the property but feels that for us to contribute tax dollars toward an annual support would be duplicating taxes we already pay by virtue of being Bear Lake Township tax payers. If the Village remains Fiscal Agent, administrative costs will be incurred. Schroeder reports the KNMLB is in the process of amending its Charter and Bylaws. Best read from the letter received from KNMLB Attorney Koning in which he states the Village has the option to ask for the dissolution of the KNMLB.
Action was tabled until the January 2004 Council meeting.
Park : Urbanus gave her Annual Report of the 2003 Season. Final Revenue figures are still being prepared. There was one less Seasonal Renter.
Schroeder made a Motion to increase the size of the Hopkins Park ad in the 2004 Manistee Visitors Guide at a cost of $354. Second: Urbanus. Motion Carried.
A fair method of allocating Park Lots during July Bear Lake Days was discussed. Motion by D. Best that, commencing 2004, the maximum number of Lots that can be reserved by one person during Bear Lake Days weekend shall be 3. Second: Urbanus. Motion Carried.
Sewer: President Moore and Dendra Best met with Bear Lake and BLPAUA Treasurer Don Shreve to receive a written list of the amount the BLPAUA considers the Village share of their outstanding debts.
An opinion was received from Village Attorney Hyrns. Council came to the consensus that although we still disputed the amount, in the interests of avoiding further legal costs and liability we would accept our Attorney’s advice. D. Best made the Motion to present to the BLPAUA our official Resolution to Withdraw at their next Board meeting. Second: Schroeder. Motion Carried. The amount to be reimbursed is $5,372.95 with the proviso that in the event the BLPAUA continues and receives future funding from USDA RD, they shall return the Village’s feasibility contribution of $17,500 from any moneys received.
Questions came from the public present how the costs of the sewer project could be contained. Village residents are Bear Lake Township tax payers and are encouraged to attend both the Township meetings and those of the BLPAUA.
In other wastewater business: Motion by Schroeder to pay the $150 Registration fee for Council Trustees to attend the January 6-8 Michigan Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association Conference in Lansing to begin research and data collection for a more cost effective approach. Second: Urbanus. Motion Carried.
D. Best presented a letter of interest submitted by Wastewater Management LLC. who would like to offer a stand-alone alternative. The Clerk was instructed to send an invitation for the company to make a formal presentation at the January 2004 Council Meeting.
Streets/ Sidewalks: Council has serious concerns about the erection of fences, posts, sprinklers which impede safe passage on the road right of way and also pose a hazard for winter vehicle traffic and Village snow plowing. A letter will be sent to one party and a note of the liability of creating a traffic hazard will be added to the Council’s Winter Newsletter.
The Tree Committee was asked to contact Thompsons Tree Removal to see if a brush chipping could be arranged.
Water: Motion by Urbanus to purchase a pair of walky talkies for use by the Water Department and Village Maintenance Manager. Second: Schroeder. Motion carried.
A revised 2004 Water Rate structure was presented and will be placed on the Agenda for January 2004. Best reported the GASB34 requirement to carry a Contingency for Replacement amount within future budgets.
Old Business:
As no responses were received from Council, Schroeder and Best have redrafted the Junk Vehicle and Blighted Buildings Ordinance which will be sent to Council with a request to return their written notes to the Ordinance committee by January 5 in order that a second discussion can take place at the January Council Meeting.
The Ordinance Committee will also contact Suzanne Kelley to begin reviewing the Water Ordinance and incorporating the Wellhead Protection Delineation.
Schroeder made a Motion to Adjourn at 8.50 pm. Second by Urbanus. Motion Carried.
Respectfully Submitted: Dendra Best, Trustee substituting for Clerk
Bills paid for November : Bear LAke Ace Hardware $236.10; Bittner, Hyrns, Daly & Riemland. P.C. $163.50; Hyde Equipment $48.42 ; Jackpine Business centers $35.98; Kent County Health Department $96; Marathon Ashland $79.82; McBride Septic Systems LLC $580.00; MISS Dig System Inc. $177.24; NAPA Auto Pars $59.80 ; Pioneer Group $ 41.53; Pioneer Press Printing $18.00; Ron Brown and Sons $43.96; Shoreline Waste Services $140.10; Staples $46.61 and $84.40
Page updated January 18, 2004
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