Council - Regular Meeting

To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Roll call. Council member Abbott here. Council member Kadoo here. Council member Johnson is absent. Council member Rogan is absent. Council member Tapasti here. Council member Vanlu Vega here. And President Powers here. Do I have a motion to approve the agenda with any necessary modifications?

I'd like to ask that we could add um discussing and approving uh the proposed petal pub route to the agenda for today if we could. So item 6 C, pedal pub route. Okay. How does that sound, everybody? I support that. Wonderful. Should we motion to excuse the absent? Oh, yes. Thank you. Uh, you already have a motion on All right, we'll finish that one up and then we'll do that one next. So, uh, do I have a motion to approve the agenda with item C added, pedal pub route consideration?

Motion to approve the agenda with the pedal pub route included. All those in favor say I. I. I. Second. I don't know. Second. I think you made the motion. Yeah. Can I second it? I second. Right. Eyes have it. Moving on. Do I have a motion to excuse the absent members? Motion to excuse the absent members. Second. All those excuse me. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose say nay at this time.

Eyes have it. Consent agenda. We'll see if I can keep my act together through this. Item A, consideration of a motion approving the payment of the bills checks numbered 64534 to 64570 and electronic payments 689 to 704 in the total amount of $4,519,990. 35 cents. My god, it makes my eyes water. Yeah. Okay, I'm collect myself after that one.

Stewers aren't cheap, man. Item B, consideration of a motion to approve the minutes for the April 13, 2026 work session and the April 20th, 2026 regular council meeting. Item C, consideration of a motion to approve the May 2026 budget adjustments for fiscal year 2025 to 26. Item D, consideration of a motion to approve the 2026 whistle stop or in place surface replacement proposal from Sinclair Recreation in an amount not to exceed $142,900. Item E, consideration of a motion to approve resolution number 2026-07, Eagle WDSRF project plan resolution adopting the final project planning document and designating an authorized project representative. Item F, consideration of a motion to award Site Works Solutions, Inc. the bid for River Street and Disser Street project in an amount not to exceed $2 million. 2,145.75 and to authorize the village manager to execute the contract. Item G, consideration of a motion to approve the proclamation recognizing and supporting the heartsafe community designation for the village of Spring Lake. Item H, consideration of a motion to approve the extension of agreement for finance director local government administrative services with Ottawa County. Item I, consideration of a motion to appoint Emily Bod to the Historic Conservation Committee with a term ending November 2027. Any member can take an item off of that consent agenda if you wish to discuss it further in general business or we can vote on it upon the motion of a member.

Did we add that item? Uh, is that an item? Is that added separately for the pedal pub? That's separate. All right. Then I will make a motion to approve the consent agenda as uh spoken. Second. Roll call vote. Council member Kadu. Yes. Council member Tapasti. Yes. Council member Vanlu Vega. Yes. Council member Abbott. Yes. And President P. Yes. All right. Marv, over to you for the draft budget review butcher bill.

Okay. Um there really hasn't been much of a change since uh last we met on Monday. Um I did highlight or list the exact changes that we made. The and this will sound I don't know a little trite to say the major changes are um in general fund increasing the estimate for property taxes by about $58,000. some minor increases on revenue sharing, uh, increasing the budget for paving and local streets, fund 203 by $100,000. I got that information from our DPW director of some streets they wish to do a micro surfacing on and it will be offset by transfers from the um, county road millage fund and from the major street fund. Otherwise, they're relatively minor. And I know that sounds trit, but when you're dealing with the $17 million budget, most of those changes are relatively minor. So, if you have any questions on them, and I do apologize, I listed I duplicated uh budget change 14 on on line 15. So, uh you can take one of those out.

Any questions on the budget? um as is. If not, um the recommendation from staff um would be to set the public hearing for uh the draft budget uh Monday, June 8th, 2026. There's a um at 7 p.m. So that's the meeting that we meet at the um village hall at 6 o'clock for our work session and then come over here for the regular meeting and then we don't meet the following um Monday. more out of curiosity than anything involved us, but is the state still sweating us down on their revenue share?

Yes, they are. Um, the big change was taking money that would have gone to interstate revenue sharing. Those sales taxes on gasoline are instead going to roads. And so that's where we're seeing a reduction on our revenue sharing. So overall, yeah, overall our revenue sharing is down for the general fund. So we'll see less revenue there. But if the estimates from the state are true, um which is to be seen yet because um a lot of that is from an additional tax um for the marijuana industry and that's currently being challenged. um even if it holds up, the tax is substantial and so it would be logical to come to the conclusion that some businesses may go out because of that tax. Um all that to say, um we'll be monitoring the revenue sharing and road funding carefully over the next year because on paper we're supposed to get less in the general fund but more in roads and so we'd be net ahead if the state's estimates are accurate. But to date, we have not seen any bump in our road um money from the state.

Always promised never arriving. All right. Delinquent utilities. You have a motion to set public. Oh. Oh, yes. Thank you. Thank you. I thought that was just kind of a recommendation. So, do I have a motion to set a public hearing for adoption of the fiscal year 2026 27 budget for the date of June 8th, 2026 at the time of 7 p.m. at Barber School, 102 West Exchange Street. I'll make that motion uh to set a public hearing for the adoption of the 2627 budget for June 8. I'll second. All those in favor say I.

I. Any opposed say nay at this time. Eyes have it. Eight. Item B, approve the list of delinquent water sewer account balances to be placed on the summer 2026 taxes. Uh, in addition, there is one in your packet, a mowing assessment that I would like to be placed on the summer taxes as well. Um, the village charter calls for delinquent utility balances and delinquent mowing charges to become leans on the property and get placed on the next summer tax bill. Motion. Need a motion.

Motion to uh approve a list of delinquent water sewer account balances to be placed on the summer 2026 taxes and the unpaid mowing as well. Please. Unpaid mowing. Thank you. Second. All those in favor say I.

I. Any oppose say nay at this time. Eyes have it. Item C, the pedal pup petal pub route issue. Yeah. So, um, as council's aware, this ordinance was adopted earlier this year. As part of that process, the ordinance requires that the DDA recommend and village council approve the routes. Uh last Thursday, May 14th, the DDA met in and approved all I think three or four of the routes that I can page through here. The the idea being um we wanted to approve multiple routes so that they had options if if things changed or if those that were doing the pedal pub also could

get tired. Yeah. Get tired and have to take a shorter route. So, uh, here are the the routes, um, that the DDA is recommending. Here's the the first one, and then these are really just modifications of the original route. And here is a picture of what will be rolling around. What? So fun. Extremes of the dumbest thing ever. It's so great. Never seen one like that before. I was envisioning something

something with a cover like a trolley kind of thing. Yeah, that's that one. And so if the the village council doesn't have any questions or comments on these three routes, that looks like some sort of messed up AI uh photo. Wow. Then we would just need a motion to approve the routes as I done. Do I have a motion to approve the routes as submitted to you in your packets? Motion to approve the routes. Second. All those in favor say I. I. Any oppose say nay at this time. Pedal Pub has it. Going to be in the parade if you want to see it in person. I'm going to be buzzing around that thing on my skateboard.

All right. Department reports, village manager. Uh, my written report was in the packet. Um, nothing further to report unless there's questions. Assistant manager, also no further comments. Treasurer, nothing to add other than what was in the packet. And since I don't see anybody from the uh fire department, I'm assuming that them, the DPW, and the Ottawa County have nothing to say to us. Anything exciting at the DDA? That's we we're I think so.

Marv has told us we're not allowed to spend any more money, but you know, it's okay. Um, and just just a reminder as a DDA person and co-chair of the parade. It is Monday and would love you all there in your red, white, and blue 10 o'clock, but be there not at 10 o'clock. Right in front of St. Mary's. It's St. Mary's down to the all shores again. sort of that same route down river. Yeah. If if you don't want to walk, you can ride on some vehicle or something like 9:30ish I think is fine. Old business or new business by any member of village council. All right. Just sort of village attorney.

Nothing to add. Statement of citizens. Council meetings are open to the public and as such the public is invited to speak on any topic that they feel need be raised to the village council of Spring Lake. Please limit your time to three minutes or less and give us your name and address for the record. That's okay. No, that's okay. Yes.

Yeah. Let's make sure it's on because of the live feed, but that on. Okay, I'll try to lean in now. It's awkward. Um, I am the president of the parks and wreck um board of this village of Spring Lake. And I just want to just give you a little heads up on what we've heard on the streets, and I just want you make sure you're aware of it. Um, there's been a tremendous investment of time, talent, and treasure over the past two years dedicated to the planning of a universally accessible North Bank Park and creating something special, truly special, and unique for our village. Since February 2024, the Spring Lake Village Parks and Recreation Board has partnered with Tower Pingster and collaborated with local focus groups made of business leaders, residents, and individuals who use North Bank Park daily. In addition, our community and engagement event welcomed anyone and everyone who uses the and values North Bank Park. Through this feedback and collaboration, a new vision for the park was created. That vision ultimately led to the current design plan which includes a new sledding hill and expanded open green space in place of the former baseball fields. The p purpose of this project was is to revitalize an aging amenities within the North Bank Park and better align the space with the evolving needs of the community. When planning for North Bank Park began, no teams were actively using the existing baseball fields and the field had remained largely dormant for nearly a decade. More recently, due to the loss of a base a local baseball field in a neighboring community, a local team has begun using the North Bank field. It has been brought to my attention that many of the players and the parents are disappointed that the field will no longer be available for the beginning of 2007. I understand that the change can be difficult. There are several schools and other parks throughout Northwest Ottawa County that can help with their loss and these fields can accommodate the teams that are current currently playing at

Northbank Park. To date, we have raised more than $1.5 million for our overall funding raising goal of 3.2 million based on the shared vision of a universally accessible park featuring the sledding hill and expanded open spaces. Today, I respectfully ask council to continue moving forward with the current plan. A plan shaped through two years, two years volunteer and community engagement, thoughtful planning, and a significant investment of from residents, donors, and stakeholders. Thank you for your time. Hi, my name is Jerry Dropony uh 601 Park View Avenue and um I am also a member of the parks and recck board and I want to reiterate and add a few things to what you just heard Megan speak about. I'm going to start by telling you that I am not anti- baseball like most guys my age. Baseball was my first sport and so I played baseball all up until 10th grade when other kids learned to throw the curveball and I was no longer any good. But uh I love baseball. I'm not anti- baseball by any stretch. Um I want to tell you that the plan that was put together and I was part of this from the beginning. It was developed thoughtfully and professionally. It was not a rushed or a casual decision by any stretch. We worked with Tower Pinkster, who is a respected architectural and engineering firm, and put together a a comprehensive plan for this park, and it was based on current use, future needs, and a long-term benefit for this community. The baseball diamond was removed from the plan because it was outdated and it was underused. Now, I will acknowledge, I'm a baseball guy. Uh, baseball's making a nice comeback certainly on the professional level and I I assume that is is trickling down into the

communities as well and I think that's a good thing. But the diamond here hasn't been significantly updated in years and the usage did not justify making it a central feature of a restored park. And so replacing it with the the green space in the sledding hill, I think really creates a a seasonal, family-friendly amenity, and it's going to better reflect how the park can serve our residents. As you heard Megan just say, the community had an opportunity to provide input early in the process and um the board held a public engagement session, a comment period if you will, to hear from residents. And at that time I have no recollection of any concerns being put forward that removing the baseball field was going to be a problem. Uh and so we moved that plan forward based on the feedback that we received at the time. And the village now in my opinion has a responsibility to deliver the plan that was approved and was funded. Um, as you heard her say, significant funding grants, um, donations have been made based on the plan that we put forward. So, our donors, our funding partners have supported this vision and changing the course now could damage the trust. It could delay the project. It could really jeopardize the integrity of the process. In conclusion, I would just say that um the parks and recck board, we understand not everyone's going to agree with every element of the project. We knew that going in that you can't make everyone happy. But I want to reiterate this was developed through a public process. It was approved through the proper channels. It was funded based on a specific vision. And I think it's our responsibility now to honor that process, respect the donors, respect the partners who have supported it, and move forward with this plan that is best going to serve the long-term interests

of the village. Thank you for your time. Oh, may I add, before I got here, I just did a very quick AI search. I acknowledge just because it's AI doesn't make it right. Um, but I ask for all the baseball fields within Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Fairiesburg, and Fruitport. I have it right here. Not including the one we have here and counting only as one if it didn't list more than one field. I count 17 ball fields within our area. I don't think the removal of one field is going to significantly impact our baseball players in the area. again. Thank you.

We have any updates on the Crackery Creek complex that was discussed. Still making forward progress, but it's such a large scale project that it's going to be likely two years until they have something usable. And we're for sure that diamond will be gone 20 thou 20 next year 27. That's what we're projected for right now. this start construction on the whole park essentially or

Yes. And even if not the whole park, we are planning on trying to utilize the spoils from River Street, use that as fill so that we're not buying all that dirt when we have some there. And if we are able to do that, then we'll likely need to stage the dirt there. So So we're going to vandalize it in any event? Most likely. Thank god we've got the communications director coming online.

But I think that Crockery Creek complex is a big point of this too. I mean, if it's, you know, if that's something that's moving forward, you know, getting that out there so it's known is, you know, we're removing one and adding what four, you know, it's a that's a big deal. So,

it's my understanding, too, that there's fields in the area that aren't used as part of this lead for one reason or another as well. So there are opportunities um to look at those fields as opportunities for the league to play at. What's interesting about this is I actually used to play uh baseball on the one at Central Park which was in effect my backyard. And uh even when I was probably in junior high in high school, it was becoming underutilized and almost forgotten. 20 years since I moved back to this town. Um I don't think I've ever seen a kid's game on there. Now I'm told by friends, "Oh no, they're they're getting started again." And I guess my reaction to that is so it's been about 27 years of maybe 37 years at this point of nothing. And uh suddenly it's experiencing a reawakening. um I believe it when they tell it to me, but uh it kind of goes against my experience of living here for most of my life.

So, what's bringing this to a head, if you would like some background, is the the Lakeshore Little League is a league that stood up last year or a year and a half ago after the Beach League based out of Fruitport collapsed. And they've seen exponential growth. I think they're up to 450 players this year. So really what they're looking at now is it would be a temporary solution until this complex in Crockery Township is built. So it's it's it's a need driven entirely by one league and once they have a different venue they the field will likely return to its normal state of disuse.

And we're open to public comment from them as well. why we have it. So, want to come talk about it, too.

So, data always trumps anecdote. Um, and of course, my anecdote is having lived next to it as a kid and then living here and I see it as a highly underutilized space for the past three or four decades. Um, how many games are occurring there on a regular basis now relative to what was going on before? I'm told that Monday and Wednesday are the busiest nights. So, if you'd like to swing by there after this, I believe there will be games going on. And I think they're using it in one way or another every night of the week. However, that's the period between April, March, and the beginning of June.

Ah, good point. About eight weeks, nine weeks of use. Well, the other thing, if this complex is going to happen, they'll use that this one until then and then what? it just gets abandoned again, right? When will the Crockery Township Park be available? Looking at the 2028 season. Okay. So, if we proceed with this, they'd be without a field or they'd be looking for a field, I would say, for about two years before that's available. Yeah. But to your point, you'd be making a modification for a short-term need for a park that once it's redone will be redone for decades.

Yeah. Yeah. I'm a big baseball fan, too, and played it and my grandson played he actually played on that field. But I I'm I'm being a real realist here. Yeah. A sledding hill would get far more use. In all honesty, I'm a I'm a fan of the baseball field over the sledding hill, but at the end of the day, the reality is, you know what I mean? Like, right, the maintaining of it, everything like that, just the longevity of it, everything the property thing coming, it it just it doesn't make sense, right? It's a major feature of the park, but so will the sledding hill be a major feature probably and all the effort that's been put in that that's been approved and it's been, you know, the funding like they're talking about like I completely agree with that.

A ball field is sort of a onetrick pony that way. I mean, you use it as a ball field and that's what it is. So it does sort of hold that land hostage when it's not being used for that. Marv, what does it cost to maintain? Since we have not maintained a baseball field, I don't have any information on that. Right. Um I always look, you know, the glass is going to be half empty. My concern is liability insurance. We're not named as an additional insured for anybody using that for their league. We did require an insurance policy from the Lakeshore Little League this year. Okay.

So, we mow it. We probably throw down some weed fertilizer. And then I thought somebody said that there were other problems though, like it needed to be rolled. It needed to have all these other like it was actually getting a little Oh, now I can speak from my childhood. Crazier. used to have to get a little tractor out and drag this uh this thing behind it to smooth out the uh clay so you didn't have ruts in the

We had a meeting with Ottawa County Parks and they had we don't have any numbers I'm sure we could get them of if you are actively maintaining a baseball field what they said in their experiences experience is that it is probably the most expensive park amenity to keep up on a annual basis. Um, we could also reach out to Grand Haven Charter Township. They just put in, I think, four new ball fields at Schmidt Heritage Park and they are probably actively maintaining that as well. So, those would be pretty easy numbers to request of a neighboring community of what what they're pouring into those fields to keep them looking new.

Well, at the end of the day, I mean, they've gone through the proper channels. It was sort of a fully vetted idea. Time timing of this wasn't great. And there's always going to be someone who, you know, for lack of it's going to be clutching their pearls about some aspect that, you know, you're not going to be able to make everybody happy. But if we're talking greater good, sounds like this might fall into that category. is one of the features of uh a town that it does change its use over time of nearly all property at some point. Sure. All right. Uh anything else or do I have a motion for adjournment? Motion to adjurnn. Second. All those in favor say I.

I. Any oppose say nay. Eyes have it. Thank you for coming. And I notice I can't