Council - Regular Meeting

member Abbott here. Council member Kadu here. Council member Johnson is absent. Council member Rogen here. Council member Tapasti here. Council member Vanlu and Vega here. And President Powers here. Do I have a motion to excuse absent members? Motion to excuse absent members. Second. All those in favor say I. I.

Any post say nay at this time? Eyes. have it. There was a request that we take off item F from the consent agenda and address that separately. So, uh you have the agenda in front of you. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda as presented to you? Uh taking off item F from the consent agenda and dropping that to the end of general business. Motion to approve the consent agenda with the exception of consideration F. Second. All right. All those in favor of the motion say I. I.

Any oppose say nay at this time. Eyes have it. Item A, consent agenda, consideration of a motion approving the payment of the bills checks numbered 64438 to64472 and electronic payments 662-68 in the amount of 190,000 and $190,1687. Item B, consideration of a motion to approve the minutes for the February 20 February 9th, 2026 work session and the February 16, 2026 regular council meeting. Item C, consideration of a motion to approve the March 2026 budget adjustments for fiscal year 2025 to 2026. Item E. Oh, wait a minute. Item D, consideration, consideration of a motion to approve the MEDC technical assistant grant agreement for $30,000 and to authorize the village manager to sign such agreement. Item E, consideration of a motion to approve the Barrett Boat Works escrow to reimburse the village for costs incurred in connection with a proposed Barrett Boat Works development project and to authorize a village manager to sign the MOU. Recommendation from staff. Any member of council would like to remove an motion. If any member of council would like to remove an item from the foregoing and discuss that later in the meeting, we can do so. Otherwise, could I have a motion to approve the consent agenda as read into the record?

Motion to approve the consent agenda as read into the record. Second. Roll call vote. Council member Tapasti. Yes. Council member Vanlu Vega, yes. Council member Rogen Bau, yes. Council member Kadu, yes. Council member Abbott, yes. And President Powers, yes. First item in general business, the MDNRLWCFA 2026 grant application.

Yeah. So, the the village is planning to submit another MDNR grant for the 2026 grant cycle. So the village um was successful in 2025 for a trust fund grant. Um we are still waiting the grant agreement in the legislature to formally approve that grant award. But um this grant is through their land and water conservation fund um grant. So that's a a separate um similar type of application but um some minor differences. But as part of the application process, we do need to um open it up for public comment. um for those wishing to speak on the grant application and that gets submitted as part of the application. So, this project um much like last year will be for um the new pavilion, the playground, the bathroom, um the pathways um with lighting throughout the pathways as well as a shade sale for near the pickleball courts is what the the planned um improvements are through this grant application specifically. Um and then following the public comment period, there is a um resolution that the council would have to consider that would um financially commit also a 50% match for the project. So, you need us to open up a public comment moment and then a motion to approve the resolution as presented in the I guess it would be agreement grant with and that's what you needed us to approve the emotion they make reference to this 451763. All right. So council welcomes and encourages the public to speak during a

public comment portion of the agenda. We are now in one. So if you wish to speak to the particular issues involved in the MDNRLWCF 2026 grant application which was just described by Mr. Brady Selner, please feel free to step up to the microphone, give us your name, your address, and up to three minutes of your deepest thoughts on this issue. Would anybody like to come up and speak to the MDNRLWCF 2026 grant application? Well, I guess we are not going to have any uh public comment on that. Do I have a motion to approve the MDNRLWCF 2026 grant application as included in your packets and referenced during this conversation with Brady Ser?

Do we need to close the public hearing first? I don't think there's a closing public comment section, not a public hearing. Okay. So, it's less public hearing. Gotcha. Never mind. It's ranked right above throwing fruit. Got it. So, do I have that motion? Motion to approve the grant application. NDNRLWCS 2026 grant application. Second. I guess we're spending money, so we need to do a roll call vote, don't we? Council member Kadu, yes. Council member Rogenau, yes. Council member Tapasti, yes. Council member Vanlu Vega, yes. Council member Abbott.

Yes. And President Powers. Yes. Now we are in a public hearing component. I see. So today we're holding a public hearing to review an ordinance to amend chapter 90 section 90-12 concerning consumption of alcohol in public spaces. So Brady, before I do that, did you want to give any sort of background or

Yeah. So, this is just in line with um making sure the ordinance doesn't contradict based on the newly adopted Pedal Pub ordinance. So, we've modified the language to make sure that um this section is not in conflict with the Pedal Pub ordinance. So, we will now open a public hearing. Council welcomes and encourages the public to speak during the public hearing portion of this agenda. Any member of the public that wishes to speak to this ordinance amendment, please feel free to step up to the microphone, give us your name and address and three minutes of whatever you wish to discuss on this specific topic. Would anybody like to come up and speak this particular topic in this public hearing? Seeing none, do I have a motion to close the public hearing?

Motion to close the public hearing. Second. Thank you. All those in favor say I. I. I. Any post? Say n at this time. Eyes have it. Closed. So now we have to consider a motion from someone to approve ordinance 402. That the right number. Yes. To approve ordinance 402 dated November 25th, 2025 section 90-12 concerning consumption of alcohol in public places and providing for the effective date and ordinances as included in your packet. Motion to approve ordinance 402. Second. Roll call vote. Council member Tapasti. Yes. Council member Kadoo.

Yes. Council member Abbott. Yes. Council member Johnson is not here. Council member Rogeno. Yes. Council member Vanlu Vega. Yes. And President Powers. Yes. Item C, resolution to authorize issuance of general obligation limited tax bonds. Recommendation from my staff on this issue is that uh we consider a motion to approve resolution number 2026-04, a resolution to authorize issuance of general obligation limited tax bonds for the purpose of paying for capital improvement projects within the village. I have a motion to approve resolution number 2026-04

and move to approve. Second. Given that it is involving money, we must make a roll call vote. Council member Vanlu Vega, yes. Council member Rogen Bow, yes. Council member Kadoo, yes. Council member Abbott, yes. Council member Tapasti, yes. And President Powers, yes. Powers, it does look like you were right about it being it's 403, not 402 for the ordinance.

First time in my life I've ever been right about anything. I swear. All right. So, um, now before we I see close session is the last item of business, but we did have to return to the consideration of a motion to the 205 West 7th Street buy and sell agreement. Now, Brady, I guess my question would be, is that one we have to do um sort of oce in a closed session as well, or do you think the issue is such that we can address it openly? I'm kind of looking at both of you guys. at at this point

it's open. Okay, good enough. So, uh now we're moving item F from above down to general business item D. Uh and the item F, if you remember, is a consideration of a motion to approve the 205 West Savage Street byell agreement dated February 24th, 2026 for $335,000 and to authorize the village manager to execute that agreement on behalf of the village. There's some late breaking news from Brady Selner on this and I'll turn it over to him so he can explain it and then we will consider the matter.

Yeah. So, um, of course this has run its way through the DDA um and they are um looking forward to move forward with this um property acquisition um and it's contingent on village council approval um and that's why it's on the agenda tonight. So, on Friday, I um reached out to the county because they have their um EPA grant that allows for assistance with environmental review. And so, I've submitted an application, but because that is going to take a little bit more time running through the county's brownfield um for some of our environmental due diligence. Um what I realized in the buy sell agreement is that the effective date is when both parties signed and not when village council is formally taking action on the agreement tonight. So, what that means really is that um if it's approved as is, we would really be under a tight timeline uh because we've got 45 days from I believe February 26 to do the environmental due diligence um the phase one and because we're running it through the county's uh Brownfield Redevelopment Authority looking for some grant dollars, it the consultant um let me know on Friday that it's unlikely that we'd be able to meet those deadlines. So, if it it's up to council to either approve as is and then we would continue to go through the phase one and phase two, but the phase one might not be completed before closing. Alternatively, um it could be approved contingent on making the effective date today, which council took action on it and the consultant at that point said that would give a big enough window to have the phase one and likely the phase two done before closing.

But if the seller did not want to extend, potentially this agreement would expire. And it's we're sort of in a funky place because we already own one property over there. And I know it's the DDA's intention intention to secure this other property. I'm not sure, but I think you can do it in the alternative to say instruct the manager to um go and try to negotiate 60 days from now. But if that face, we're kind of just actually going hat in hand and saying, "Hey, can we have a little extra time?" Right? That's really what's going on, right?

Let's let's put the face on it then. You should wear and and that is you guys tell me kind of like I'm jumping there kind of quickly probably. I'm like, we're going to approve this. We just want a little bit more time if we can get it. And there's not concern that this jeopardizes our chance to secure the property in the first place. What I'm saying is I think the motion could be simply to um attempt to renegotiate that provision and if that is unsuccessful that the council would approve it as is. Gotcha. So essentially the risk of not is that we won't have a chance to see if it's environmental if there's anything in the soil or anything like that. open our present on Christmas gas station in that

good in in background and this is does not give me any sort of insight into the chemistry and physics of that groundwater contamination if there's any there we did do phase uh twos for the site right next to it and so whatever's in that dirt is going to be 15 feet in the other direction we already kind of know what's there but we've got to do it because Ottawa County says we got to do it

we already know what we're going to find, what we will comply with them. And I suspect if we find exactly what we found in the phase two, we will sign that check and be be done with the matter as quickly. That the real issue is located a couple more doors down. Not anything that's been going on in the uh has been for the last 60 years of its existence. So to my eye, we want that piece of property, right? this is the contract and if we can get some extra days that's great and if he says nope go pound in we say that's okay too and we go forward with it as it is.

All right. So I will make a motion to allow our village manager to try to extend the purchasing agreement and if not execute the agreement. Second. That give you the guidance you need Brady? Absolutely. All right. Any further discussion, comment, concerns? Although It's money. So, roll call vote for tonight, right? Council member Vanlu Vega, yes. Council member Tipasti, yes. Council member Rogenba, yes. Council member Kadu, yes. Council member Abbott, yes. And President Powers, yes. The nuclear silo under there is going to be a big surprise, though. Just saying.

You know, when we were kids, we used to go kick over the barrels of dioxin that they'd leave over there. So, I don't know what you're going to find. It's good clean fun. What are you going to do? It's less funny to joke about the old uh plant on M104, which actually did have barrels sitting out there.

All right. So, uh I've got a proposed motion for a closed session and uh if you have a copy of it in front of you, you guys can read that, which uh one of you must put forward, and then we can do a roll call vote to see what the support is for that. Yep. What's up, Uh, well, we do have to come back out if you want to hang out, but you're asking me to essentially amend the agenda, bring the statement of citizens up so you guys don't have to come back, right? Yes. Okay. Do I have a motion to I like that. Do I have a motion to amend the agenda? So, statement of citizens comes next before the close session. Motion to uh amend the agenda. Second.

All those in favor say I. I. All right. I speak up.

Okay. There you go. I thought I understood that it wasn't like 30 some% but it was actually like

yeah I was going to say it was like $30 which depending on it it works out to and until we close on the bonds we don't know the specific increase to the bills. So, it is a 30 at this point estimated to increase 33%. That works out to about $30 to $35 per month. Not at my house. Nine either. Good golly. How little are you guys paying for water? Uh, that little. Not. Yeah. Yeah. Maybe. Maybe. My kids aren't even home right now, so the showers are pretty reasonable, but Yeah. actually right around.

Well, and these these get added to the debt service line items on the utility bills. Um, and so that that is really a a fixed amount. What what I would say is not the whole bill. Yeah. It's not the whole bill. It's not based on the the what you use. Um,

secondary to this, I've engaged I've put out um an RFP and engaged with a consultant to do a water and uh sewer rate study as well. Um and they're also going to be looking at our rate structure and that's going to be probably about a six-month project, but they will come to the village council and present their findings and their recommendations for consideration. That will also provide us a financial model so we can start looking into the future as well and um hopefully not have to continue to do um some of these catchup um rate increases to increase our infrastructure. So, that's um actively underway and we're um actually meeting on that, I believe, on Wednesday to kick that project off and I'll be sure to keep council updated, but also um be reporting out uh to the community as well as that comes along.

The prior history of low water bills in Spring Lake was purchased at expense of what we're experiencing now, right? Uh, so congratulations to a generation that didn't want to pay higher water utility bills. Now we get to and we get to do it at a higher rate because nothing is as cheap as it was 25 years ago. So I sure wish I could uh wave my hand and bring forth the councils of the past to uh hear the invective I would then hurl at them. But unfortunately the universe has not granted me such power. But uh I sit here bereft of it,

but they're all dead now and we get to go to the movies and stuff. So, you know, I mean, actually, a lot of them are still walking around this planet. Well, maybe a few. It's also the price of doing business as a civilization here, though, you know? I mean, this is what clean water and cops. I always say it's kind of the first three ingredients that you kind of need. Yeah. It's what what you pay for. All right, guys. Um, good enough. So, close session item now at E. Uh, do I have that proposed motion put forth? Motion for close session. Second. You really need to read in the whole

got to read the whole thing. So, okay. Then I have to turn the page. Um, proposed motions. I move them village council enter into close session pursuant to open meetings act section 8A MCL 15.26. 268A to consider the dismissal, suspension, or disciplining of, or to hear complaints or charges brought against, or to consider a periodic personnel evaluation of a public officer, employee, staff member, or individual agent if the name person requests a closed hearing. Second. Roll call vote.

Council member Rogenau, yes. Council member Kadu, yes. Council member Abbott, yes. Council member Tapasti, yes. Council member Vanlu Vega, yes. And President Powers, yes. And and I would think you should probably state on the record that you're requesting it to be in close session. I am. Yes. All right, then. Let's do it. First part of that statement. So,

We have a lost and found section

for my walk home. I found it on the floor over there when you guys went in. Oh, it's me. Sorry. There we go. There you go. So, according to this, we could have been in there discussing his dismissal. E. Yeah, I was kind of reading this parade of horriles going like, "Oh boy, bad surprise. Tough day for Brady." Pretty broad section. Okay, it's cold out here. I know. It's bracing. 63 feels colder now than it did coming in from that. 30. We have to open back up out here. Okay. So, we're out of close session. And now I believe we need a motion to address the issue of any pay raise for Mr. Brady Selner.

All right. I'd like to make a motion pursuant to the performance review for Brady Selner, our village manager, uh that uh we would have a an immediate 3% uh pay increase and an additional pay increase equal to the uh cost of living adjustment with the rest of the employees. Added on second. Okay. I didn't know where uh pregnant. I believe it's a dollar a dollar dollar amount at issue. So therefore, we need a roll call vote. Council member Tapasti, yes. Council member Vanluin Vega, yes. Council member Rogenbau,

yes. Council member Abbott, yes. Council member Kadu, yes. And President Powers, yes. Okay. Village manager department reports.

Yes. So, I noted earlier the water and sewer um rate study. Um but then also the corridor improvement plan is underway for the DDA project. We do have a joint meeting with the um township's corridor improvement authority. There is an opportunity to collaborate with um them and with Progressive because they've also engaged with the same consultant. Um, so we don't have the details of that yet, but ultimately, um, what we would likely be able to get is for the same price some additional scope, um, added on to what we're doing. So, other than that, um, that's all I have to report unless there's questions. Clerk, treasurer, finance director.

Nope. Any old business or new business by village council members that they wish to raise at this time? Village attorney. Nothing to report. Statement of citizens already done. No citizens. Do I have a motion for adjournment? Motion to adjurnn. Second. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose say nay at this time. Eyes have it.