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

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

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

3. Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor

4. Changes/Additions/Deletions to Agenda
Motion by Bailey with support from Hoexter to table Item #10C and 10E to a
future meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Hoexter with support from Harvath to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried.

5. Approval of Minutes
A. Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 17, 2008
B. Regular Meeting of City Council of March 17, 2008
Motion by Bailey with support from Mayer to approve
meeting minutes of March 17, 2008. Motion carried.

6. Appointments /Resignations
A. Mr. Bill Beery to the Ad Hoc Park Plan Implementation Committee
(Full committee would consist of Mayor Balmer, Mayor Pro Tem
Waddell, Councilperson Bailey, Planning Commissioner Burdick,
Resident Jean Crawford, and Resident Bill Beery)
Motion by Mayer with support from Bailey to approve the
Appointment of Bill Beery to the Ad Hoc Park Plan Implementation
Committee. Moton carried unanimously.
B. Receipt of Application from Ms. Tarue Pullen for Reappointment to the
Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). It is recommended that no action be
taken at this time pending final action by the City Council on legislaton
currently being considered (Ordinance No. 02-2008)
Kowal related Ordinance No. 02-2008 will reduce the ZBA from seven
to five members, if approved.

7. Proclamations/Awards
None

8. Public Communications (Limit of three minutes for comments regarding
agenda items)
Verbal:
Heather Barton, 190 Union, invited everyone to come to the Douglas
Elementary building on Sunday, April 13th at 4:00 p.m. to walk and visualize the proposed Varsity Baseball Field.

Dayle Harrison, Kalamazoo River Association, passed out information
on the progress of the Plainwell PCB cleanup and reminded everyone of
the April 10th DEQ public hearing regarding the Swing Bridge project.

Written:
A. Invitation to Attend the Upcoming Michigan Small Harbors Coalition
Meeting to be Held on Tuesday, April 29, 2008, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at
the Lansing Radisson Hotel
Bailey indicated she will attend.
B. Summary of Douglas Curbside Recycling Program for Calendar Year
2007. Nearly 60 Tons of Materials were Recycled by Douglas Residents
In 2007 - CONGRATULATIONS!!!
C. Article Entitled “Using Development Agreements to Structure, Coordinate
and Finance Economic Development”, prepared by Attorney Thomas G. King, Kreis, Enderle, Callander and Hudgins P.C., and Published in the
May 1995 Michigan Municipal Review
D. March 2008 Publication from the US Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) with Regard to the Plainwell PCB Cleanup Progress, Updates and Public Meeting
E. Email Communication from Steve Bishop, Fleis & VandenBrink
Engineering, Inc., Regarding Pharmaceuticals & Personal Care Products
(PPCPs) in the Nation’s Water Supply
F. Letter from Ferris, Busscher & Zwiers, P.C. dated March 12, 2008 RE:
Audit Fees
Kowal related he will talk to Doug Rotman in an attempt to resolve
payment in full.
G. “Thank You” Letter from Ms. Helen DeGeatano dated March 24, 2008
Regarding the Recent Donation by the City to the Douglas Dutchers
Organization
H. Summary of March 18, 2008 Meeting of the Interurban Transit Authority
Board as Prepared by Mr. R.G. Poetsch and dated March 21, 2008
I. Memorandum Prepared and Distributed by Police Chief Giles and Lisa
Lungaro and Angela Holmes, Co-Presidents of SABA, Regarding Meeting
on Thursday, April 17, 2008 for Liquor License Holders, Event Planners, and Local Law Enforcement Officials
J. Article from the International City/County Management Association
(ICMA) Entitled “Building an Ethical Culture is a Key Leadership
Responsibility”

K. Letter from the Department of the Army dated March 21, 2008 RE:
Great Lakes Navigation Stakeholder Meeting, April 23, 2008 in Chicago
Bailey indicated she will attend.
Written communications noted as received and filed.

9. Unfinished Business
None

10. New Business
A. Presentation by Police Chief Giles RE: Request for Assistance by
Assigning an Officer to a Focused Investigation Strategy Team for
Allegan County
Chief Giles explained the Focused Investigation Strategy Team will
be investigating cold case files. This type of task force has been quite
successful in other counties. This officer will receive great training for
their 6-month commitment. The Team’s progress will be evaluated each
month. Two officers have expressed interest in participating. Manager Kowal will give administrative approval to participate if there is no strong objection by council members.

B. Motion to Adopt for First Reading Ordinance No. 02-2008 Amending the
Zoning Ordinance of the City of the Village of Douglas, Michigan
(Amending in its Entirety Article XXIX, Zoning Board of Appeals,
Section 29.02)
Motion by Hoexter with support from Bailey to approve
Ordinance No. 02-2008 for first reading. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.

C. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 27-2008 Approving the City Manager’s
Employment Agreement Effective April 1, 2008.
Tabled on motion and support from Bailey and Hoexter.

D. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 28-2008 Approving an Engineering
Proposal from Fleis & VandenBrink Engineering, Inc., Regarding
Further Investigation Into the Possible Rehabilitation of the Blue Star
Highway Bridge Pier Caps
Motion by Harvath with support from Bailey to approve
adoption of Resolution No. 28-2008. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.

E. Motion to Adopt Resolution No. 29-2008 Approving the Municipal
Employees’ Retirement System (MERS) of Michigan Revised Uniform
Defined Contribution Program Resolution for Participation by the City \
Manager
Tabled on motion and support from Bailey and Hoexter.

11. Staff Reports
A. Building/Planning/Zoning/Enforcement
1. Letter dated March 25, 2008 from Ryan Kilpatrick, Planning &
Zoning Specialist, to David Wilkins, GMB Architects, Requesting
Additional Information Pertaining to the Planned Improvements
and Additions to the Douglas Elementary School Property.

2. Notice of Public Hearing, City of the Village of Douglas Planning
Commission, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 7:00 p.m., City Hall
RE: Proposed Expansion of Existing Softball Field to Accommodate a Larger Varsity Baseball Field at the Site of
Douglas Elementary School

3. Email dated March 30, 2008 from Mr. Victor DiMercurio, 454
Amity, Douglas, MI. Objecting to the Proposed Expansion of
Existing Softball Field to Accommodate a Larger Varsity Field
at the Site of Douglas Elementary School

4. Letter dated April 2, 2008 from Mr. Mike O’Connor, 433 Amity,
to Mr. Tim Wood, Saugatuck Public Schools, Objecting to the
Proposed Expansion of Existing Softball Field to Accommodate a
Larger Varsity Baseball Field at the Site of Douglas Elementary
School

5. Notice of Public Hearing; Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality (MDEQ) on Application Received by Douglas Lakefront
Properties (R.J. Peterson; Proposed Swing Bridge Project) to
Install a Sheet Piling Seawall and Backfill Behind the New
Seawall and in Wetland, 100-Year Floodplain, and Beneath the
Ordinary High Water Mark of the River

Items 11A3 & 4 to be included in the Planning Commissioners next
meeting packet.
Reminder: MDEQ hearing will take place Thursday, April 10th
at 7:00 p.m., Douglas City Hall.

12. Committee Reports
A. Zoning Ordinance Ad Hoc Committee
No meeting. The final draft of the zoning ordinance rewrite is going to
the Planning Commission.

B. Planning Commission
Next meeting is Wednesday, April 16th.

C. Community Recreation Advisory Board
No report.

D. Kalamazoo Lake Sewer and Water Authority
No report.

E. Park Improvements Implementation Ad Hoc Committee
Balmer reported he has received an email from Richard
Sinclair regarding playground equipment.

13. Council Comments
A. Hoexter reported a call from Suzanne Dixon indicated the silt in
the Harbor will move into Lake Michigan after dredging.
Hoexter passed out a letter being distributed by the Amity neighbors
regarding the Demerest Baseball Field.
B. Mayer asked if the DPW is now fully staffed. Kowal responded no, the
Union is proceeding with arbitration in the Hutta discharge.
Mayer thanked Kowal for standing ground to the school over ordinance
enforcement and asked about the fire hydrants on Randolph St.
Kowal explained the main on Randolph is an older line. The City is
responsible for the water system but there is a need to know if a plan to
upgrade is for a dead end line or if it will loop. It is hoped the schools
agree that the safety of the children is extremely important.
C. Harvath asked about spring leaf pick up and if the City will have
a Spring cleanup. Kowal responded leaf pick up has begun. Allegan
County Resource Recovery has offered some options for citizens to
dispose of bulk trash.
Harvath asked that the sidewalk at 10 Center be barricaded as a safety
precaution.
D. Bailey asked about the schedule for repaving of Center St. Kowal
responded he has a construction meeting tomorrow with the contractor.
Bailey commented she would like to see the noise ordinance completed
as soon as possible.
The April 19th council planning session will set some goals for our
manager and ourselves. We have a lot to deal with currently and are not
in any position to take on more. We shouldn’t be afraid to say “no” when
asked to work on additional projects.
Bailey expressed her disappointment in the school presentation and the
actions of school administrators.

14. Mayor’s Report/Comments
Balmer offered his thanks and praise to Kowal and the council for standing up
for what is right and working in the best interest of the City.

15. Approval of Invoices
A. Consideration of Approval of Invoices dated 4/3/08
Motion by Hoexter with support from Bailey to approve invoices
totaling $84,194.81. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

B. Consideration of Approval of Payroll for the Month Ended March
31, 2008.
Motion by Mayer with support from Bailey to approve
March 2008 Payroll. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

16. Manager’s Report
A. The noise ordinance will be presented for first reading at the April
21st meeting.
B. Manager and City Clerk have been exploring possibilities for banners
on Center Street and the Blue Star bridge.
C. Council Work Session Retreat is scheduled for Saturday, April 19th.
D. Treasurer interviews are continuing. Advertisements were placed at
local colleges.

17. Hear from the Audience (Limit three minutes for general comments)
A. Tara Frey, 483 Amity, asked council to consider converting the ball
field at Schultz Park into a Varsity Baseball Field for Saugatuck
Public Schools.
B. Heather Barton, 190 Union, commented the schools intend to move
forward with their project regardless of the decision by the City and
Planning Commission.
C. Jane Mayer, 443 Amity, commented as a resident on Amity Street the
parking during a ballgame is very likely to become a safety hazard and
disruption to the neighborhood. Mayer related she has been a 30-year
volunteer to the school and her husband taught in the Saugatuck system
for 35-years. No one is more “for the children” than the Mayers.

18. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jean E. Neve, CMC
Clerk

Approved by: ____________________________________________________________
Matt Balmer, Mayor

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 April 7, 2008. I further certify that the meeting was duly called and that a quorum was present.

________________________________________ __________________
Jean E. Neve, City Clerk Date