THE CITY OF THE VILLAGE OF DOUGLAS
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Monday, March 17, 2008
7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Mayor Pro Tem Waddell

2. Roll Call
Members Present: Bailey, Harvath, Hoexter, Moore, Mayer, Waddell
Absent: Balmer
Also Present: Manager Kowal and Clerk Neve

3. Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor Pro Tem

4. Changes/Additions/Deletions to Agenda
Motion by Mayer with support from Moore to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.

5. Approval of Minutes
A. Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 3, 2008
B. Regular Meeting of City Council of March 3, 2008
C. Closed Session Minutes of March 3, 2008
D. Special Meeting of City Council March 10, 2008
E. Closed Session Minutes of March 10, 2008
Motion by Hoexter with support from Bailey to approve
meeting minutes of March 3 and March 10, 2008. Motion carried.

6. Appointments /Resignations
A. Resignation of John T. Piggins, Chairperson, Douglas Planning
Commission (effective March 19, 2008)
Motion by Mayer with support from Harvath to accept the
resignation of John Piggins from the Planning Commission with
regret. Motion carried unanimously.
B. Reappointment of Christopher C. Nern to the Douglas Planning
Commission (term expires 4/30/2011)
Motion by Bailey with support from Moore to approve
appointment of Christopher Nern to a three-year term on the Planning
Commission. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
C. Appointment of Christopher C. Nern to the City of the Village of
Douglas-City of Saugatuck-Saugatuck Township (Tri-Community)
Joint Planning Committee
Motion by Moore with support from Mayer to approve the
appointment of Christopher Nern to the Tri-Community Planning Committee. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

7. Proclamations/Awards
None

8. Public Communications (Limit of three minutes for comments regarding
agenda items)
Verbal:
A. Joe Milauckas, Lakeshore Dr., spoke regarding the revocable license
agreement that will be discussed later. He asked that the DPW keep
the area clean and free from litter. He related the vacant building that
may be on the Swing Bridge property has become an eyesore. He would
like the City to consider taking it down.
B. Bob Genetski, candidate for 88th District State Representative introduced
himself.
C. Dave Hills, Water Street, commented on numerous topics and extreme
spending.

Written:

A. Michigan Township Services Summary of Permits Issued- February 2008
B. “Thank You” Card Received by Douglas Public Works Department from
Saugatuck Christian Reformed Church in Recognition of Excellent
Snowplowing Services Performed in 2007-2008
C. Letter from Dick Waskin dated March 10, 2008 (attachments available
upon request
D. Notice from Gayle Lipsig dated March 11, 2008 RE: Discontinuation in
2008 of Art’Round Town (ART) Sculpture Exhibition throughout the
Douglas-Saugatuck Area
E. Letter from Steve McNeal, Chairperson, Allegan County Board of
Commissioners dated March 11, 2008 RE: Meeting Notice Pertaining
to New Jail Site
F. Saugatuck Township Fire District Board Minutes (Regular Meeting of
February 11 and Workshop Meeting of February 25, 2008) are available
upon request of the City Clerk

Manager Kowal will speak with Gayle Lipsig regarding the possibility
of bringing the Art’Round Town program to Douglas only.
Written communications noted as received and filed.

9. Unfinished Business
A. Motion to Adopt for Secord and Final Reading Ordinance No. 01-2008
Amending the Code of Ordinances of the City of the Village of Douglas
In Regards to the Planning Commission (Proposed Ordinance No. 01-2008
will replace Ordinance No. 162, adopted March 18. 2002)

Motion by Harvath with support from Moore to approve
adoption of Ordinance No. 01-2008. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.

10. New Business
A. Motion to adopt Resolution No. 22-2008 Approving a Letter of
Understanding with the Saugatuck-Douglas Garden Club with
Regards to Community Pride Day on May 19, 2008.
Motion by Bailey with support from Mayer to approve
adoption of Resolution No. 22-2008. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.

B. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 23-2008 Approving a Letter of
Understanding with the Douglas Dutchers Base Ball Club.
Motion by Bailey with support from Hoexter to approve
adoption of Resolution No. 23-2008. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.

C. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 24-2008 Supporting the Designation of
Route 31/Blur Star Highway as a Heritage Trail.
Motion by Moore with support from Bailey to approve
adoption of Resolution No. 24-2008. Motion carried unanimously by roll
call vote.

D. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 25-2008 Appointing Renee Waddell
as the Member Ex Officio to the Douglas Planning Commission
Motion by Bailey with support from Waddell to
approve adoption of Resolution No. 25-2008. Motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote with Waddell abstaining.

E. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 26-2008 Approving a Revocable License
Agreement between the City of the Village of Douglas and Joseph J.
Milauckas, Jr., for the Union Street Boat Launch.
Motion by Bailey with support from Mayer to approve
adoption of Resolution No. 26-2008. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Kowal related the DPW will be ordering a sign similar to the one at
Schultz Park that instructs boaters to use the same envelope honor system
for use of the boat launch ramp.

11. Staff Reports
A. Building/Planning/Zoning/Enforcement
1. Letter from Attorney Barbara Ruga, Clark Hill, to City Manager
Kowal dated March 4, 2008 RE: Response to Notice of Zoning
Violations at Douglas Elementary School dated February 8, 2008.
2. Notice of Sign Ordinance Violation dated February 26, 2008 from
Planning/Zoning Specialist, Ryan Kilpatrick, to Jo Jo’s Americana
Supper Club.
3. Letter from Ryan Kilpatrick, Planning/Zoning Specialist, to GMB
Architects dated March 12, 2008 RE: Additional Explanation of
City Processes and Repeated Request for Information Relating
to Special Use Permit Application of Saugatuck Public Schools
4. Letter from Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
(MDEQ) to City Manager Kowal dated March 11, 2008 and Copy
of Notice of Public Hearing with Regards to the Application for
Permit Submitted by Douglas Lakefront Properties, LLC (Swing
Bridge)
Please Note: Public Hearing is Thursday, April 10, 2008, 7:00 p.m., Douglas City Hall
All communications were briefly discussed by Manager Kowal and noted as received and filed.

B. Finance/Budget
1. Revenue/Expenditure Report for the Period 7/1/07 to 2/29/08
2. Cash Balances Report for the Month Ended February 29, 2008
3. Summary of Wire Transfer/ACH Payments for the Months Ended
January 31 and February 29, 2008
4. Investment Schedule as of 2/29/2008

12. Committee Reports
A. Zoning Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee
No meeting is scheduled until the final draft is finished.

B. Planning Commission
Next regularly scheduled meeting is March 19, 2008.

C. Community Recreation Advisory Board
Bailey related the March 18th meeting has been cancelled.

D. Police Commission
The next scheduled meeting is April 9th at 4:00 p.m.

E. Kalamazoo Lake Sewer and Water Authority
Moore reported KLSWA Board has authorized a rate study and repairs
are to be done at the lift stations. Board members will be encouraging
residents to conserve water.

F. Park Improvements Implementation Ad Hoc Committee
Waddell reported on a slide presentation on playground equipment
and ball field bleachers.

13. Council Comments
A. Hoexter thanked Kowal for the report on investments. Added that Amity
Neighborhood Association has always encouraged residents to be
conservative with their sprinkling.
B. Mayer related she has noticed some uncovered outlets on Center Street.
Asked if the DPW was fully staffed yet, when construction will start on
the second building at Harbor Village, regulation of sandwich board signs
and the fees for ACH transfers.
C. Moore remarked that letters of comment will be accepted for the April
10th DEQ hearing. R.J. Peterson is asking for sewer service at his Tower
Marina property. Petitions requesting public utilities are available in the
Clerk’s office.
D. Harvath commented on the following:
1. Rates for payroll transfers
2. May 19th is community trash pick-up day
3. When utilities were put into the house at Washington and
Center Street the road was cut and never restored to previous
condition.
4. The City never requested an on-site review of the Elementary
School expansion.
E. Bailey remarked she appreciated the financial reports. She will ask
Summer Grove Association to adjust underground sprinkling usage.
One point she would like to make perfectly clear to the newspapers is
the City Council members are the ones who asked the City Manager to
crack down on zoning violations and enforce our Ordinances. The City
Manager has followed direction.
F. Waddell commented she appreciates seeing the investment report. She
has a few questions on the revenue and expense report. And asked when
can we expect to see the first payment from the Township. She wants to
make sure the CIP includes renovations to Dutcher Lodge.

14. Mayor’s Report/Comments
None

15. Approval of Invoices
A. Consideration of Approval of Invoices dated 3/13/08
Motion by Hoexter with support from Bailey to approve invoices
totaling $72,586.48. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

B. Consideration of Approval of Payroll for the Month Ended February
29, 2008.
Motion by Harvath with support from Bailey to approve
February 2008 Payroll. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

16. Manager’s Report
A. Comment on large attorney fees. Ordinance enforcement comes at a cost
B. The Planning Commission meeting on Wednesday will determine the
special use permit for Saugatuck Public Schools off-site issues. Council
Members are encouraged to attend.
C. City Hall is making an effort to go “green”. We have purchased mugs,
will use paper cups instead of plastic and have begun sending packets out
in reusable folders.
D. The DPW has made good use of prisoners to clean-up around town.

17. Hear from the Audience (Limit three minutes for general comments)
Kate Casey, 190 Union, thanked Council for all their help.
Heather Barton, 190 Union, commented it seems there are many ball fields in
the area. Is there a reason the schools couldn’t use Schultz Park field for ball
games. Kowal responded this would be something to ask at the Planning
Commission meeting Wednesday. Kowal related parking issues will be
discussed and it is his hope that we will have some specific questions for the
Commissioners to ask.
Mayer related she has heard rumors that the Waypoint will be staying open in
the evening to serve dinner. They will need their parking lot for their customers.

18. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:09 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jean E. Neve, CMC
Clerk

Approved by: ____________________________________________________________
Renee Waddell, Mayor Pro Tem

Certification of Minutes

I hereby certify that the attached is a true and correct copy of the minutes of a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of the Village of Douglas held on March 17, 2008. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.

________________________________________ __________________
Jean E. Neve, City Clerk Date