Beulah Michigan, Northern Michigan's Water Playground

Village of Beulah - 7228 Commercial St. - Beulah, MI 49617 - 231-882-4451

Regular Council Meeting - Thursday, January 8, 2009

Meeting called to order by President Rank at 7:00 PM

Roll Call: Patty Cantrell, Maxine Hansen, Jim Kilgus, Charles Kinzel, Jerry Rank, Gary Siderman, Superintendent Brian Moore, Clerk Laura Spencer

Excused: Gary Pallin, Treasurer Dawn Olney

Pledge of Allegiance voiced by all

Guests: 7

No conflict of interest voiced by any council members

Approval of the agenda - Motion by Kinzel, support by Hansen - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Approval of minutes for December 4, 2008 - Motion by Siderman, support by Cantrell - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Approval of Budget Hearing minutes for December 4, 2008 - Motion by Hansen, support by Kilgus - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Review of bills for December 2008/January 2009 - Motion by Siderman, support by Kilgus to approve bills - Roll Call: AYES: Hansen, Siderman, Kinzel, Kilgus, Rank, Cantrell - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

No public comment on agenda items

Communication to Council:

Shawn Worden Recommends the Village of Beulah adopt the Indemnity Theft Policy which was extended to Municipalities by the FTC. Purpose of the policy is to protect personal information that is in the Village Office. Motion by Kinzel, support by Siderman to adopt the policy - Roll Call: AYES: Kinzel, Cantrell, Rank, Kilgus, Hansen, Siderman - NAYES - NONE - MOTION CARRIED

Treasurers report reviewed - Motion by Siderman, support by Hansen to accept report - All Ayes - MOTION CARRIED

Water/Sewer - Chairman Kilgus: Thanks to Kathy Kilgus calling delinquent water bill customers - reduced outstanding balance significantly - most people were very appreciative of the call. Included in the 2009 budget is maintenance and inspection of the water tank - price for the inspection is to come. Maintenance, which includes scraping and painting tank, is approximately $12,000.00. It has been submitted to an entity for possible consideration of grant money - 1.6 million dollars for a new water tank. If that would occur monies would not need to be spent on tank maintenance - time is a factor. Considering a possible 3% cost of living increase on water bill rates to cover the cost of continual projects that occur, preventing the need for large rate increases. This would probably be done on an annual basis. Cost of testing and wages increase every year - water/sewer budget should balance itself and not need to pull money from other accounts. This would require a vote of Council - Trustees should take under consideration.

Law/Finance - Chairperson Hansen: 2010 census has been completed and returned for the Village of Beulah .

Building/Grounds - Chairman Siderman: Met with Brian on bathroom restoration - need to hire a sketch to be done - going forward with the project.

Parks/Rec - Co-Chair Cantrell: Dock and trailer park rules have been completed will be reviewed and then sent out.

Equipment - Chairperson Cantrell: Air brakes rebuilt on the big truck, water pump replaced, manifold bolts broke and replaced.

Streets/Sidewalks - Chairman Kinzel: Brian is doing a great job. Variety of phone calls have been received - not using enough sand, angle parking worst idea Village has had, removing snow takes away from the beauty of the Village.

Superintendent Moore: Suggest using "thank you fund" for Jim & Kathy Kilgus - they have been a tremendous help to Brian. Ponds are doing well. Snow has been removed to trailer park, Kinney Building , and Jack Rineer's. Checking on cell phones - AT&T and Altell, will continue to investigate further. Sand is more than half gone - will need to order more.

Old Business:

Master Plan - Vicki still request feedback on short term and long term goals. Next in planning - what are the strengths and weaknesses in Beulah.

ZA - Craig Seger is no longer with the county; Dave Neiger is taking over Zoning Administration duties. Contract was made with Seger, Neiger requires a month to consider doing the zoning for Beulah.

New Business:

Benzie Central government class students attended: Jordan Lentz, Maria Blazejewski, and Lucy Salyer.

Public Input:

Vicki Carpenter - CLCBA will be doing Winter Fest on Saturday, February 14 th - paperwork to be turned in for what they need. Includes many activities - fireworks are at 7:00 PM. On February 13 th the Friends of the Darcy Library will hold the Chocolate, Art, and Champagne Party. Holiday Magic cookie and book sale netted approximately $1,200.00. These are winter fund raisers to help purchase books. Newsletter deadline next week - will be sent out with water bills.

Al Brown - Likes the idea of 3% increase in rates - suggest a time frame be put on it. County Commissioners signed approval for Zoning Administration contract - suggest Village pursue.

Maria Blazejewski suggested Altell - pay for minutes as you need them and not a high monthly fee.

Rory Heckman - The new state trooper is Natalie Torez - assigned to cover Beulah.

Thanks for the support on the snowmobile program. Inmates are available for community service; it does depend on prevailing circumstances.

Meeting adjourned at 7:58 PM

Respectfully submitted,

Laura Spencer, Clerk

Subject to approval at the February 5, 2009 Council Meeting