VILLAGE OF HONOR Regular Council Meeting Minutes
February 13, 2023
Meeting Called to Order by President Sandman at 6:00pm.
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited.
Roll Call: Council- Smith, Ward, Sandman, Denoyer, Sternburgh; present
Staff- Goodman, Reed, Sessions, Leone; present.
Comments on Agenda: None.
Approval of Agenda: Addition of ‘New Business f. ZBA training.’ Addition of ‘New Business g. Street signs.’ Delete ‘Approval of Budget Meeting Minutes’. Motion by Ward/Denoyer to approve amended agenda; all ayes, motion passed.
Approval of Minutes: Motion by Sternburgh/Smith to approve January 9, 2023 Regular Council Meeting minutes as presented; all ayes; motion passed.
Guests/Presentations:
Rebecca Hubers, Benzie County EMS Coordinator presented the Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan is updated every five years. She requests the Council check through the draft and let her know if we need to make changes.
Jessica Carland, Executive Director, Benzie Bus presented their annual report and updated the Council on ridership and vehicle upgrades. She will get the Village updated fliers for interested residents.
Zoning Administrator: Rosemary Naulty, verbal report. No new LUP’s issued.
Planning Commission: Rosemary Naulty, verbal report given. Presented the Planning Commission annual report. The True North project is working through some permitting issues with the State, but still plan to begin construction in the next couple of months. Planning Commission is looking into the short-term rental ordinance, and is continuing revision of the Master Plan. ZBA held their annual meeting on 2/13/23, officers elected were: Chairperson; Jeff Sandman, Vice-Chair; Bill Ward, Secretary; Andrew Smith.
County Commissioner/Fire Chief: Tim Markey reported the County jail will be housing 20 inmates from Grand Traverse County. Commissioners are working through committee appointments. Their meetings are now live-streamed on you-tube.
Township Fire Department training has moved to Saturdays. They will be serving pancake breakfasts March 12 through April 2. There is no charge, but donations will be accepted. Fire Chief Markey reported he was pleased with the firewall construction on the Homestretch Housing apartments.
Treasurer’s Report: Motion by Ward/Sternburgh accept financial reports as presented. Roll Call: Ayes; Sandman, Sternburgh, Ward, Denoyer, Smith. Nays; none. Motion passed.
Submission of Bills/Checks: Presented by Deb Reed. Motion by Ward/Sternburgh to approve bills as presented. Roll Call: Ayes; Denoyer, Ward, Sandman, Smith, Sternburgh. Nays; none. Motion passed.
Correspondence:
Incoming: None
Outgoing: None.
Old Business:
- None.
New Business:
- Motion to authorize President to sign WWTP draw #8 in the amount of $22,424.73 made by Denoyer/Ward. Roll Call: Ayes; Ward, Smith, Denoyer, Sandman, Sternburgh. Nays; none. Motion passed.
- Village parking ordinance. Discussion regarding previous parking ordinance and any changes or updates needed for new ordinance, such as limiting parking hours in some areas and reiterating no overnight parking throughout the Village. Ward will research and bring parking information and possible ordinance to council at the March meeting.
- Village noise ordinance. Brief discussion and decision to leave ordinance #10 as is at this time.
- Emergency purchases discussed. Leone had to use his personal account for down payment on furnace parts/repairs. Council discussed the issue and it was agreed at this time to have Leone contact President Sandman for direction on any future emergency purchases. Leone also requested funds to purchase shelving for shop area. Motion by Ward/Sandman to approve up to $650 for shelving. Roll Call: Ayes; Smith, Ward, Sandman, Denoyer, Sternburgh. Nays; none. Motion passed.
- Village website. Council discussed the village website. President Sandman would like to see possible upgrades, and he will look into possible changes/upgrades and will bring information for further discussion to the March meeting.
- ZBA training. Naulty strongly encourages the ZBA members to take the Citizen Planner course offered by MSU extension. Council approved reimbursement of $250 each for five people upon successful completion of course (four ZBA members and one P/C member). Motion by Sandman/Sternburgh. Roll Call: Ayes; Smith, Ward, Sandman, Denoyer, Sternburgh. Nays; none. Motion passed.
- Street signs. Discussed during NB b. Parking Ordinance, not needed.
Reports:
- Maintenance Report – Durkee, written report submitted. Sewer construction is going well, and nearing completion. MRWA conference is in March and he is requesting funds of $360 each plus expenses for both Jake and himself to attend. Equipment is running well. Jake has begun painting the walls and cleaning out the shop area. Motion by Ward/Sternburgh to authorize up to $800 for attendance at MRWA conference. Roll Call: Ayes; Denoyer, Sandman, Smith, Sternburgh, Ward. Nays; none. Motion passed.
- Street Administrator – Durkee, written report submitted. Nothing new to report. Parking signs were discussed earlier.
- Ordinance Officer – None.
- Park Committee – Reed, no report.
- Sewer Committee – Ward, Andrew Smith has created a power point on the sewer system.
- Budget Committee – Sandman, no report.
General Discussion: Council will look into video screening options to possible show power point on sewer system at an upcoming meeting.
Public Input: Treasurer gave update on construction project funds. Resident brought concerns regarding snow removal from sidewalks. He has seen people walking on US-31 because the sidewalks are snow-covered. He suggests the Village come up with a snow removal plan for the walks along US-31. There was some general discussion on this matter. Another resident suggested the council consider alternative billing cycle on sewer rates for any future rate changes. Noted the recent increase has been hard on sewer customers.
Announcements: None.
Adjournment: Motion by Ward/Denoyer to adjourn meeting at 7:21pm. All ayes; motion carried.