Summary
The Northport Village Council held its regular meeting on March 13, 2025, approving several sets of prior minutes and moving forward with entering negotiations for a new Village Manager. The Council, sitting as the Zoning Board of Appeals, approved a 20-foot setback variance for a West Street property. Other major actions included approval of the Vincer Woods Site Condominium, adoption of revised meeting rules and schedule, and approval of a revised SCADA water system budget. The Council also reviewed a six-month budget status report, discussed ongoing issues with electric vehicle charging stations, and closed the meeting with a closed session regarding pending litigation (Wizinsky v. Northport).
Public Comments
James Thatcher, a resident at 208 S. West Street (also referred to as Southwest Street), thanked the Council for its letter and meeting invitation. He expressed general support for the 20-foot setback requirement but stated he believed the situation before the Council warranted a variance. He clarified he was speaking only for himself and had not consulted other West Street residents. He later also commented that he enjoyed watching the meeting and appreciated the discussion of a potential housing development near the dog park.
Anne Harper submitted written correspondence regarding street lights and also commented during the meeting, disagreeing with earlier claims that lighting costs were difficult to track. She criticized the brightness and environmental impact of LED lights, suggested some lights could be turned off without issue, and expressed disappointment that Village Manager Jim Dyer would be leaving before the matter was resolved. No formal Council response or action was recorded in the minutes.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Trustee Cavendish reported that the Planning Commission heard a preliminary presentation from citizens interested in purchasing approximately 18 acres on Fleece Road for potential housing development. The property owner intends to divide off 4 acres for a personal home and explore sustainable housing on the remaining acreage. The property is currently zoned conservation, so any development would require conditional zoning approval. The discussion was described as preliminary and positive, with no formal action taken at this meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Trustee Cavendish reported that the Infrastructure Committee had not met recently due to plowing needs and scheduling conflicts. Current priorities include identifying and prioritizing water main projects, specifically the section between Fifth and Sixth Streets, and sidewalk improvements, with the top goal being a sidewalk extension south toward the school, ideally reaching the M-22 turn as a first phase. The committee is exploring grant opportunities to support these projects.
Village Manager Jim Dyer reported a $27,000 discrepancy found between township and village sewer assessment records during the audit process, along with other audit-related issues (a long-standing incorrectly booked receivable and system limitations requiring manual report consolidation). He also reported a $2,000 push camera purchase for sewer inspections.
Jim Dyer explained that the SCADA water system, which relies on outdated 900 MHz radio technology no longer supported by the manufacturer, needed replacement. A contractor study determined the existing 900 MHz technology would actually perform better than a proposed 4000 MHz upgrade given Northport's terrain. A revised $17,000 proposal was submitted, with tax removed, consulting/testing fees waived, and costs split across two budget years. Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by President McCann, to approve the modified budget allocation and authorize necessary budget adjustments. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0), Absent (2). Motion carried.
The Council also discussed ongoing issues with one of the village's electric vehicle charging stations, which is currently non-functional and inaccurately listed on Google Maps, generating visitor complaints. The Tesla station remains operational. Options discussed included repairing, replacing, or removing the station, as well as seeking business sponsors, grants, or relocating to sites such as the golf course. Staff was directed to explore these options, and Village Manager Jim Dyer will provide a detailed cost report and recommendations at the next meeting.
Other Business
The Council continued its Village Manager selection process following March 7, 2025 interviews. Advisor Chet Janik presented two options: a formal motion to negotiate with a candidate or an informal straw poll. Trustee Cook moved, supported by Trustee Cavendish, to enter into negotiations with Jered Ottenwess. Trustees discussed the qualifications of both finalists; several supported Ottenwess based on staff feedback, his managerial experience, planner certification, zoning administration background, and infrastructure project experience. Trustee Ager noted concerns about a five-year gap in Ottenwess's management experience but supported him. Trustee Dean expressed initial support for the other candidate, Douglas Dorando, citing his background as an attorney and calling him "the better candidate of the two." Chet Janik noted that references for Ottenwess, including contacts in Traverse City, spoke positively of his abilities. Village Manager Jim Dyer emphasized the importance of avoiding a split vote and giving weight to staff opinions. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (4), Nays (1) (Trustee Dean), Absent (2). Motion carried.
The Council held a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing on a petition by Northport Rainbow Properties, LLC (agent Samuel Scott) for a variance to modify the required 20-foot front yard setback on Lot 79 of the Hutchinson's Addition. President McCann moved, supported by Trustee Dean, to appoint Trustee Cavendish as Temporary ZBA Chair; motion carried. Applicant Samuel Scott explained that Southwest Street was built farther west than the property line, effectively shifting the right-of-way into the property and requiring construction farther back than intended; he argued the variance would still meet the 20-foot setback from the actual right-of-way, place the structure farther from wetlands, and align it closer to the road, and that EGLE had advised maximizing development on upland areas. Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Cook, to approve variance request 25-01. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0), Absent (2). Motion carried; variance approved.
Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Ager, to approve the Vincer Woods Site Condominium per Section 3, 2B of the Northport Zoning Ordinance and Planning Commission conditions. The Council reviewed lot layout, road placement, tree preservation, and setbacks, noting that short-term rentals would be restricted in the HOA bylaws. Motion carried.
Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Cook, to adopt revised Rules of Procedure, with final grammatical review to be handled between the Village Manager and Trustee Cavendish, and a new meeting schedule: a 2 PM working meeting on the first Thursday of the month and a 7 PM regular meeting on the third Thursday. The changes aim to consolidate committees, have the Village Manager handle employee relations, and reduce redundant discussions. Motion carried.
Trustee Cavendish reported the Planning Commission continues revising the Master Plan, to be broken into sections with content posted online for public review. She also confirmed that Waukazoo Street's width was verified at 50 feet, narrower than other village roads.
The Council entered a closed session (Roll Call Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0), Absent (2); motion carried) pursuant to MCL 15.268(1)(e) to discuss Wizinsky v. Northport (86th District Court Cases 25-6363-GC-2 and 25-6365-GC-2), and pursuant to MCL 15.243(1)(g) and MCL 15.268(1)(h) regarding exempt records. The closed session ran from 8:50 PM to 9:22 PM, after which the meeting was adjourned.
During Council Comments, members expressed appreciation for outgoing Village Manager Jim Dyer's service, crediting him with improving village operations and attracting a strong pool of manager candidates. Jim Dyer reflected on his tenure and noted he may remain through April depending on the new manager's start date.
Financial Summary
Clerk Scott presented a six-month budget status update (July 1–December 31), noting 15 of 26 pay periods completed (58%) with payroll expenditures consistent with the budget timeline. Marijuana sales revenues were reported at $58,688, 7% higher than the previous year. Completed capital projects included: playground ($81,073.61), Fourth Street drainage ditch ($14,006.64), PK line painting ($15,013.60), parking lot seal coating ($2,398), street light replacement ($10,063.90), and a survey/appraisal of the Seventh Street property ($1,850).
An audit-related discrepancy of $27,000 was found between township and village sewer assessment records. The audit firm's original $18,000 bid increased by $25,000, then was reduced to $16,589 and split across two budget years. A $2,000 push camera was purchased for sewer inspections.
The SCADA system budget was revised from an original $12,000 proposal (2024) to $17,000, with tax removed and consulting/testing fees waived, split across two budget years. This modified allocation was approved by Roll Call Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0), Absent (2).
The Council approved payment of January bills in the amount of -$77,070.87 (Roll Call Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0), Absent (2)) and February bills in the amount of -$712,023.18 (Roll Call Vote: Yeas (5), Nays (0), Absent (2)), both contingent on funds becoming available.