bearlakemichigan.org

Please note the regular meeting day has been changed (as of the April 2004 meeting) to the second Wednesday 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 April 2004 Minutes, as presented here were approved/corrected at the May 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.

WWW Village of Bear Lake

The Regular Meeting of the Bear Lake Village Council was called to order by President Glen Moore at 7:30 p.m. at the Bear Lake Village Hall.

Council Present: Vern Best, Connie Guerne, Howard Higley, Michelle Mortenson, Ron Ronning, Carol Urbanus and Glen Moore. (corrected to include: Don Hyrns as present).

Absent: Ricke Guerne and Jeff Harthun

Winter 2003 Village Newsletter.)

2003 Ordinances

2000 Census

Guests: Gourdie-Fraser representative Harry Luzius, Gary McBride and Bill Howe.

Minutes: The March minutes were approved as read with the addition of Keith Rupert as a guest.

Treasurer’s Report: Motion by Vern seconded by Carol to accept the Treasurer’s Report as read. Overall Total $235,645.74 Motion carried.

Bills: Motion by Vern seconded by Don to pay the bills as presented. Motion carried.

Sewer: Harry Luzius from Gourdie-Fraser thanked the Village for the opportunity to offer an overview of his wastewater system plan at a previous meeting and requested we keep them in mind for future sewer concerns and projects. Vern expressed concern over the Village's name still on the BLPUB Charter at the state level. He requested the Sewer (corrected: Utility) board be pursued regarding their plans to amend the Charter. Vern also brought to the attention of the council the issue of the Bear Lake Township registered voters having 45 days after the Township posts a notice in the paper of their intentions of going forward with the sewer project, for a referendum petition calling for a referendum vote for their opportunity to vote on the proposed sewer project slated for the Township. It is his understanding that any unpaid debts will come out of the Township's General Fund. Vern also questioned the legality of money spent by the Utility (corrected: Sewer) Board and the bills that were presented whereas there previously were no outstanding balances due. Glen will attend the next Sewer (corrected: Utility) Board meeting to get updated information about where the project currently stands.

Library: Vern addressed the fact that the Village of Bear Lake is still listed as Fiscal Agent at the state level for the Keddie-Norconk Library. He requested that the clerk check into the matter and see what progress has been made to change the Charter to read Pleasanton Township as the current Fiscal Agent.

Continuing Business: Motion by Carol seconded by Vern to have the sewer and library boards intentions regarding the Charters, updated at each monthly meeting until official Charters are amended at the state level. Motion carried.

Park: Carol requested to lose one drop-in slot if a seasonal came along. Motion by Vern seconded by Don to allow the loss of one drop-in if needed, to accommodate a seasonal. Motion carried.

W-2's and IRS: The Village received notification from the IRS concerning a late payment dating back to 2001 and 2002 resulting from a mathematical error. Payment was sent in the amount of $1,964.34 to clear up the account.
Computer errors were found on a few W-2's from 2003 and corrected forms will be sent to affected council members.
Due to miscalculations on the 941 forms, the Village is due a refund from the IRS for approximately $5,000. The clerk will fill out necessary paperwork in an attempt to receive a refund for the overpayment in approximately three to six months.

Budget: Motion by Ron seconded by Don to approve the 2004-2005 Proposed Budget. Motion carried.

Checks: Motion by Carol seconded by Vern to have Carol Hyrns and Maureen Moore sign checks in the event the treasurer and/or clerk is unable to do so. Motion carried.

Correspondence: Motion by Vern seconded by Don authorizing the Clerk and Treasurer to make necessary name changes on Village correspondence and billing.
The Clerk received a request for a Mechanical Permit in which she directed them to the gov't website.
Joanne Schroeder filled out the required paperwork for the Health Department to pursue an ongoing problem at a home on Maple St.

Complaints: A letter will be sent to a home on Lynn Street regarding the violation of the Dismantled Vehicle Ordinance.
A complaint about the broken light at the corner of Lynn and Stuart streets was received. Consumer's Energy was contacted and expected to have the light fixed within 7-10 days.

Bear Lake Days: Motion by resolution by Vern seconded by Ron to allow U.S. 31 closed from Potter Road to Russell Street on July 10th, 2004 between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. for the Bear Lake Days Parade. Motion carried.
Motion by Vern seconded by Ron authorizing the closing of the following streets for the Bear Lake Days events on July 10th, 2004. Main Street from Virginia St. to U.S. 31 and from Lynn St. from U.S. 31 to Main Street and Wise St. from U.S. 31 or the normal stretch of streets in the Village used in previous years. Motion carried.

Summer Help: Motion by Vern seconded by Carol to offer James Ledford a return position to help Howard with Village work at the rate of $6.00 per hour. If James is unable to return, a help-wanted ad will be posted in the newspaper with the minimum wage pay rate. Motion carried.

Council Committees: MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT: Glen Moore 864-3962; MAINTENANCE MAN: Howard Higley 864-2305; PRESIDENT PRO-TEM: Don Hyrns 864-3404; PARK: Carol Urbanus, Supervisor and Chairperson 864-3281 and Ron Ronning 864-3656; STREET ADMINISTRATOR: Jeff Harthun 864-3485; STREETS-TREES & WATER RUN-OFF: Don Hyrns, Chairperson 864-3404; and Ricke Guerne 864-2145; STREETS-SIGNS, LIGHTS & SIDEWALKS: Vern Best, Chairperson 864-2686; and Ron Ronning 864-3656; WATER: Gary McBride, Superintendent 864-4400; Howard Higley, Maintenance Man 864-2305; Vern Best, Chairperson 864-2686; and Ricke Guerne 864-2145; EQUIPMENT: Don Hyrns, Chairperson 864-3404 and Jeff Harthun 864-3485. BUILDING & GROUNDS: Ron Ronning, Chairperson 864-3656 and Don Hyrns 864-3404; TREE REPLACEMENT: Vern Best, Chairperson 864-2686, Carol Urbanus 864-3281 and Jeff Harthun 864-3485.

Pro-Tem: Motion by Vern seconded by Carol to allow Don Hyrns to act as Pro-Tem for the next two years. Yes votes: Vern Best, Ron Ronning, Carol Urbanus and Glen Moore. Abstain: Don Hyrns. Motion carried.

Discussions Held On:
- Policies regarding: Retention of Audio Tapes of Council Meetings; Purchasing Policy; Contacting of Bear Lake Village Lawyer; and
Contacting of Bear Lake Village Auditor Policy. Revisions and/or approvals will be discussed at the next meeting.
- Obtaining a general price quote from Hyde Equipment on the repair of the underbody for the Village truck.
- Look into possibly paving and/or widening of Main Street between Wise & US 31 and Main St. to Russell St. Also eroding on a portion of Lynn Street.

Meeting adjourned at 9:50 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michelle Mortenson, Clerk

Bills paid for March:
Bear Lake Ace Hardware, $1.61; Blarney Castle, $1,375.40; Haviland, $262.00; Hyde Equipment, $32.00; Jackpine $1,244.94; Kent County Health Dept, $48.00; The Mathieu Agency, $809.91; McBride Septic Systems, $165.00; The Pioneer Group, $300.69; Sam's Club, $17.84; Dale Stanton, $165.00; Thompson's Tree & Stump Removal, $195.00 and Wayne Manufacturing, $292.50

Page updated May 18, 2004

Provided as a public service by deertracks.com Inc