THE CITY OF THE VILLAGE OF DOUGLAS
MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL
MINUTES
Monday, June 18, 2007
7:00 p.m.

1. Call to Order/Roll Call
The meeting was called to order at 7:05 p.m. by Mayor Balmer
Members Present: Balmer, Bailey, Hoexter, Laughner, Mayer, Moore, Waddell
Absent: None
Also Present: City Manager Kowal, and Clerk Neve.

2. Pledge of Allegiance - Mayor

3. Changes/Additions/Deletions to Agenda
None

4. Approval of Minutes
A. Regular meeting of the City Council - June 4, 2007
B. Council work session - June 4, 2007
Motion by Laughner with support from Mayer to approve the meeting minutes from June 4, 2007 as presented. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

5. Appointments/Resignations
None

6. Public Communications
Verbal (Limit of three minutes for comments regarding agenda items only)
For the benefit of the audience the truth-in-taxation hearing notice was
explained. The notice that appears in the newspaper is mandated by
Michigan Law to be published each year before the hearing. The notice must include millage rates that are allowed by charter to be levied. This year, as for
the last three years, there will be no increase in City operating millage rates.

No other comments from the public were heard.

Written:
A. Michigan Township Services Report of Permits - May 2007
B. Letter from Becky Rininger, Allegan County Drain Commissioner, Dated
May 29, 2007 - re: 2006 Annual Report
C. Letter from Comcast Dated June 1, 2007 - re: digital converters
D. SABA Board Meeting Minutes of May 2, 2007
E. Copy of Notice of Public Hearing - re: Proposed 2007-2008 Annual City
Budget
F. Copy of Notice of "Truth in Taxation" Public Hearing
G. Letter from Andrew Howitt received June 14, 2007 - re: Parking Lot
Written communications noted as filed and received.

7. Unfinished Business
None

8. New Business
A. Resolution Authorizing the Execution of an Application for a
Federal Preserve America Grant
Fred Schmidt, Saugatuck-Douglas Historical Society, stated the
matching funds amount will be $25,000 and the grant does accept
any in-kind contributions.
The City will ask to join into a grant agreement with the Historical
Society spelling out what the City responsibilities are and who will
be doing financial reports and records.
Motion by Waddell with support from Laughner to approve
Resolution No. 32-2007 authorizing the execution of an application for
the Saugatuck Douglas Historical Society (Old Schoolhouse) for a Federal Preserve America Grant contingent upon a fully completed application, disclosure of matching funds, and administration agreement with the City. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

B. Public Hearing: Proposed 2007-2008 Annual City Budget
Motion by Laughner with support from Hoexter to open the public
hearing on proposed 2007-2008 Annual City Budget at 7:21 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Kowal discussed a comparison of area cities/villages millage rates.
The City of Douglas remains one of the lowest in Allegan County.
Treasurer Rett summarized the proposed budget and pointed out changes.
Assuming the budget will be approved tonight it will be available on-line
tomorrow.
Dan Shanahan, Crest Dr., commented on future budgets and the ability to
lower millage rates as more developments pay for infrastructure.
Kowal explained that as assessed values increase the City revenue also
increases without raising the millage. To have a capital improvement
plan, however, that option is not feasible.
Moore asked about allocated funds for the Blue Star Bridge project.
Kowal related only engineer/design funds will be needed in 2007/2008.
No other comments were heard.

Motion by Hoexter with support from Mayer to close the public hearing
at 7:58 p.m. Motion carried.

C. Resolution Adopting the General Appropriations Act for the Fiscal Year
July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008.
Motion by Waddell with support from Hoexter to approve the
adoption of Resolution No. 33-2007 for the General Appropriations Act for the fiscal year July 1, 2007 - June 30, 2008 and shall levy the 2007 property tax millage at the same rate as 2006. General Operating at 11.2004 mills and City Roads at 1,8814 mills. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

D. Resolution Approving the Request to Transfer Ownership of 2006 Class
"C" Licensed Business with Dance-Entertainment Permit, Located at
107 Blue Star Highway, Douglas, Michigan; Allegan County, from Ye
Olde Woodshed, L.L.C. to l.L. Double D, L.L.C.
Motion by Laughner with support from Waddell to approve
Resolution No. 34-2007 authorizing transfer of ownership of Class "C"
licensed business with dance-entertainment permit, located at 107 Blue
Star Highway, Douglas, MI. 49406, Allegan County, from Ye Olde Woodshed, L.L.C. to L.L. Double D. L.L.C. (JoJo's Americana Club) Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

E. Resolution Approving the Request to Transfer Ownership of 2006 Class
"C" Licensed Business with Dance-Entertainment Permit, Located in
Escrow at 24 Center Street, Douglas, Michigan; Allegan County, from
Yachtsman I Corporation to Hunt Restaurant Group, Inc.
Motion by Laughner with support from Mayer to approve
Resolution No. 35-2007 authorizing transfer of ownership of Class "C"
licensed business with dance-entertainment permit, located in escrow at
24 Center Street, Douglas, Michigan; Allegan County, from Yachtsman
I Corporation to Hunt Restaurant Group, Inc.(Wild Dog). Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

F. Resolution Establishing Fee for Sound Amplification License
Motion by Hoexter with support from Bailey to approve
Resolution No. 36-2007 establishing a $100. fee for a sound
Amplification system license under Section 30-52 of the Ordinance Code.
Balmer excused himself from the table and abstained from the vote.
Discussion followed on how the new noise ordinance will apply to
the Douglas Socials.
Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote with Balmer abstaining.

G. Resolution Approving the Purchase of One (1) Brush Chipper from
Morbark, Inc. of Winn, Michigan
Motion by Waddell with support from Bailey to approve
Resolution No. 37-2007 authorizing the purchase of one brush chipper from Morbark, Inc. of Winn, Michigan with a purchase not-to-exceed amount of $15,000, exclusive of delivery fee, and inclusive of $5,000 trade-in credit. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

H. Resolution Approving a Lot Split and Authorizing and Directing the
City Zoning Administrator to Record the Action with the Allegan County
Register of Deed.
Motion by Waddell with support from Hoexter to approve
Resolution No. 38-2007 approving a lot split of property owned by
Dean and Myrna Dornan, 271 Water St., and directing the City Zoning
Administrator to record the action, with specific language, with the
Allegan County Register of Deeds. Motion carried unanimously by
roll call vote.

I. Resolution Approving Change Order #5 to Contract B for the Center
Street Reconstruction Project
Motion by Laughner with support from Bailey to approve
Resolution No. 39-2007 approving Change Order #5 to Contract B for the
Center Street Reconstruction Project which would establish a net decrease
in the Contract Price in the amount of $2,500, resulting in a Contract Price
with approved change orders in the amount of $369,467.90. Motion
carried unanimously by roll call vote.

J, Consider Approval of Amendments to the Fiscal Year 2006/2007 Budget
of the City of the Village of Douglas
Motion by Hoexter with support from Waddell to approve the Fiscal
Year 2006/2007 budget amendments as presented by Treasurer Rett. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

9. Staff Reports
A. Treasurer/Finance
Nothing further

B. Planning/Zoning/Enforcement
Zoning Administrator Walter provided a memo regarding two
projects/issues. Walter has been asked to attend one council meeting
per month.
The Naughtin Marina property has been advertised as a foreclosure sale
on July 19th. After that date, the correct party will be noticed of the
compliance situation. Kowal will ask if there is any kind of lien to be
filed on the event of the foreclosure sale.
Construction has begun on the Center Street/Harbor Village commercial
storefronts.
Waddell asked about the Sheridan property problems and the Park Street
paving issue. Kowal commented he is working with the attorney on Park
Street paving.

10. Committee Reports
A. K.L.S.W.A.
Next scheduled meeting is July 16th. Moore commented the meetings
take place quarterly.
B. Planning Commission
Next scheduled meeting is June 20, 2007.
C. Police Commission
Hoexter reported the commission met last Wednesday. The Police budget
has been incorporated into the City budget. Interim Chief Giles has been
asked to provide an inventory of vehicles. The cars are each getting laptop
computers that are linked to Allegan County for more efficient reporting.
Kowal has asked for a breakdown of calls indicating how many are to
Saugatuck and Douglas citizen initiated.

11. Council Comments
Bailey asked if electric has been connected for the emergency siren.
Kowal replied he is still waiting for a response from Consumers Energy. He
anticipates placing notices in the newspapers with testing sometime at the end
of July. All of Allegan County tests the sirens on the same day, same time.
Hoexter asked if signs or notices would be sent to the Bed & Breakfasts.
The City has signs available announcing a "Community Siren Test"
Laughner thanked Kowal and Rett for their work on the budget.
Moore also extended thanks to both and related he still wants to have a
parade for the emergency siren.
Mayer also expressed her appreciation for all the work.
Waddell commented she appreciated the spreadsheets and color graphics.
She went on to report the sand at Beery Field is very dirty. She thinks the logo
is best kept simple. Thanks to Kowal for doing a great job. She asks for police
presence in Douglas this year after the fireworks.
Kowal commented he will leave the re-write of the ordinance on moving in
the right-of-way for a winter project.
Hoexter made comment on neglected grass on Wall Street, Randolph, and
Wiley Road.

12. Mayor Report/Comments
Balmer requested the Police be asked to direct traffic after the fireworks for cars
coming onto Blue Star from Union Street.

13. Approval of Invoices
A. Consider approval of invoices dated 6/14/07
Motion by Waddell with support from Mayer to approve payment of invoices dated 6/14/07 in the amount of $74,854.71. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

14. Manager's Report
Kowal reported each department has received a record retention schedule and is
proceeding with cleaning out files. A shredding company is scheduled to be
on-site Friday, July 6th. Kowal requested permission to close City Hall on
July 6th at 1:00 p.m. to allow staff to complete cleaning files. A notice will be
posted and published in the newspaper.

15. Communications from the Audience (Limit of three minutes for general
comments)
Tom Anthrop, 91 Mixer, commented on the Copper Grille Parking Lot. He
recalled when he was on Planning Commission the lot was required to meet parking space requirements.

16. Council Comments
Mayer offered her assistance, if needed, on shredding day.
Waddell thanked Anthrop for his comments and related she appreciates citizens
recalling and reporting things.

17. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by:

Jean E. Neve, CMC
Clerk

Approved by: ____________________________________________________________
Matt Balmer, Mayor