November 7, 2016

City of Fennville

The regularly scheduled meeting of the City of Fennville was called to order in City Hall at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Pantelleria.

Commissioners Present:Pantelleria, Suerth, Cummins, Slawson, Hayden, Brien,Machan.

Public present: Colleen Rae, Mel Brummel, Gary Krier

The pledge of allegiance was recited.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Approved as printed.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Mel Brummel introduced himself to the Commissioners and gave a brief background of his experience and vision for the Fennville Police Department when he takes over as Chief for Dan Hoffman, who is retiring at the end of 2016. He has two people in mind to transition into the department on a part-time basis: Marty Mandell and Tony Brown. He also has a dog that he is interested in training as a drug dog for use in the schools and community. Mel will provide resumes and references for the two officers and also information regarding the costs associated with outfitting the dog. Discussion regarding amending the budget for the personnel change, updating Mel’s contract and preparing contracts for the new officers.

Gary Krier from the Chamber of Commerce reported on the upcoming Holiday Celebration to be held on Saturday, December 3rd. The event will run from 10:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. with a tent being placed in the green space off Main Street to house crafters, food vendors and Santa. He requested a portion of S. Maple Street be blocked off for children’s safety and also for the road to be closed for the parade.

Moved Slawson, second Brien, to close S. Maple Street on Saturday December 3, 2016, from 2:00 – 8:00p.m., from the alley to W. Fennville, leaving W. Fennville open to traffic, for the Holiday Celebration. Ayes: All. MOTION CARRIED.

Moved Pantelleria, second Cummins, to close Main Street (M89) on Saturday December 3, 2016, from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m., from Mary Street to Park Street, for the Holiday Celebration parade. Ayes: All. MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:Moved Suerth, second Slawson,to approve the minutes of theOctober 17, 2016meeting as presented. Ayes: All. MOTION CARRIED.

COMMUNICATIONS:

A.Letter from Attorney: Pantelleria reviewed information received from Scholten Fant regarding the “Effects of New Medical Marihuana Laws” that will go into effect on December 20, 2016. The City currently has an Ordinance in place; need to review the current Ordinance and revise to be compliant with the new laws.

B. MTS Building Report: Pantelleria reviewed the MTS Building report for October 2016.

OLD BUSINESS:

Tennis Courts: Pantelleria reported that the DDA would like to see the tennis courts resurfaced to remain a tennis court.

Cider Mill: Brien will contact Hoffman for a status update.

123 W. Fennville: Clerk to check with MTS for status update on expired construction permits.

610 E. Main Street: Porch construction-if construction remains stalled after 6 months, the Clerk will send a letter at that time.

NEW BUSINESS:

FINANCIAL/PERSONNEL REPORT: Pantelleria reported trees are being planted this week for the Grant. The City received two bids for the City’s Water Asset Management Plan; one from Prein Newhof and one from Fleis Vandenbrink. Cummins and Pantelleria will review the bids with Tuhacek.

CITY SERVICES: Brien reported the FAFB met on October 25, 2016; all members have passed the First Responder Medical Program and are eligible to be state licensed; pancake breakfasts will begin this month, every 2nd Sunday of the month from 8:00-Noon; 11 fire calls and 11 medical calls for the last period; FAFD is looking into joining an inter-local training center with Saugatuck Township Fire Department and other local departments.

CITY PROPERTIES: Cummins reported the situation with curbs/aprons/sidewalks at the BP Station needs to be addressed; Clerk to get the name of a contact person at BP for a discussion to take place regarding responsibility and expense. Christmas lights on the trees in the park by the Post Office need to be removed and three filing cabinets located in the MI Works office need to be moved to City Hall.

ORDINANCES/COMMUNITY RELATIONS:Hayden reported the bicycle pavement markings estimates are cost prohibitive; he will look into other options. Slawson reported there is a recreation passport grant available for the tennis court area/parks; the City’s five year park and recreation plan would need to be updated to contain the plans and then the City can apply for the grant(s). She has been in contact with Prein & Newhof and they can offer guidance in preparing plans; she will contact them and go forward gathering information.

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: No report.

ADMINISTRATION/DDA: Pantelleria reported the DDA is updating their five year plan for the District. The DDA has hired a professional tree lighting service for the downtown and signed a three year contract. The rain garden for the DDA parking lot has been put on hold until next spring.

Miscellaneous: Machan reported several street lights are out; he will get street addresses near the lights that are out and give them to the Clerk for reporting to Consumers Energy. The Fennville Chamber of Commerce is looking into merging with the Saugatuck Douglas Area Business Association; an informational meeting will be held at 5:00 p.m. on November 22, 2016 at the Salt of the Earth restaurant.

APPROVAL OF BILLS: MovedMachan, second Slawson, to approve payment of bills as printed in the amount of $47,810.54. Ayes: All. MOTION CARRIED.

Meeting adjourned at 8:37 p.m. The next meeting of the City Commission will be held on Monday, November 21, 2016 @ 7:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Deborah Perez

Fennville City Deputy Clerk