Summary
The Northport Village Council met on January 9, 2025, under President Christopher McCann, following a ceremonial swearing-in of newly elected officials. Key actions included directing the village attorney to review Trustee Dean's eligibility to continue serving, approval of several appointments (Planning Commission, NLTUA Board, ZBA Chair), ratification of the village manager search process and timeline, denial of an attorney fee reimbursement request from Karl Wizinsky/Three Rivers Properties, and approval of November and December bill payments. The council also discussed restructuring committee meetings into two full council sessions per month.
Public Comments
Karl Wizinsky requested and was granted five minutes to speak during discussion of his attorney fee reimbursement request. He described a past plat modification lawsuit in which he and his company, Three Rivers Properties, LLC, were named as defendants in an "in rem" lawsuit targeting the property. He noted the lawsuit was not unanimously approved by the prior council, with one member opposing it as inappropriate. Wizinsky presented a detailed PowerPoint from a consulted attorney to explain the property and plat issues, expressed frustration over the village's decades-long delay addressing problems with Park Drive and Second Street, and noted the village had agreed to deed him 4 feet of property but had not yet provided final deed documents.
Jane Gale spoke to express gratitude for her appointment to the Planning Commission and said she looked forward to working with the council.
Correspondence included letters/requests from McMillan (interest in serving on the NLTUA Board as At-Large representative), Wittman (regarding the Trustee election), and Patty Noftz (Visitor Center request for 2025). These were noted as correspondence but not detailed further in the minutes.
Parks and Recreation Matters
No parks and recreation matters were discussed in this meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
The Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Trustee Cavendish, recommended reallocating budgeted fire hydrant replacement funds toward water main replacements. The committee also reviewed a village sidewalk map, discussed potential new sidewalk locations, and explored grant opportunities to fund sidewalk projects. These discussions are set to continue at the next meeting, and council members were encouraged to review the sidewalk map in the committee's Dropbox. No votes were taken on infrastructure items at this meeting.
Other Business
- Village Manager Jim Dyer reported plans to purchase a downward-facing, solar-powered light for the village flagpole.
- An update was given on the Buster Dame deed restriction property on 7th Street, with input expected from the Leelanau Township Supervisor.
- Dyer proposed eliminating subject matter committees in favor of two full council meetings per month (one committee-of-the-whole for discussion, one for final decisions). Trustee Harper supported this approach. The council agreed to have Dyer draft revised rules and procedures for consideration at the February meeting.
- The Planning Commission reported ongoing review of a property survey at Vincer Way, discussions about a potential hotel remodel and ramp project, preparation to review Master Plan introduction revisions at their January 15th meeting, and receipt of site plan documents for an event space project to be addressed at their next meeting.
- President McCann moved, supported by Trustee Cavendish, to approve the nomination of Jane Gale to fill a three-year vacancy on the Planning Commission. Motion carried.
- Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Harper, to appoint Mike McMillan as the at-large member of the NLTUA Board, subject to mutual consent of Leelanau Township. Motion carried.
- President McCann moved, supported by Trustee Cook, to approve the nomination of William Harper as chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Motion carried.
- Joe Ruble, in his first meeting, commented on his enthusiasm about working with the council and mentioned reaching out to Clerk Scott with questions regarding Dropbox links.
Financial Summary
The council ratified the Village Manager's acceptance of a service agreement with Michigan Leadership Institute for the village manager search process, with a proposed salary range of $80,000 to $95,000 (including zoning administrator duties). The job posting was to go live immediately, with a February 13th application deadline, resume review in closed session, first-round interviews the week of March 3rd, and second-round interviews on March 10th. Roll call vote: Yeas (6), Nays (0), Absent (1) Trustee Ruble. Motion carried.
Trustee Ager moved, supported by Trustee Cook, to approve Karl Wizinsky's reimbursement request for attorney fees in the amount of $11,234. Roll call vote: Yeas (0), Nays (6), Absent (1). Motion failed. It was noted the village had incurred over $50,000 in legal fees related to the underlying lawsuit before dismissing it, but Wizinsky and his company received no relief or compensation.
Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Ager, to pay bills for November ($85,520.03) and December ($50,472.02) when funds become available. Roll call vote: Yeas (6), Nays (0), Absent (1). Motion carried.
Action Items
- Village Manager Jim Dyer to contact Village Attorney Ross Hammersley for an opinion on civil remedies available to the council concerning Trustee Dean's eligibility to continue serving as a Village Trustee (approved by roll call vote, Yeas 6, Nays 0, Absent 1).
- Dyer to draft revised council rules and procedures implementing a two-meetings-per-month schedule, for consideration at the February meeting.
- Council members encouraged to review the village sidewalk map in the Infrastructure Committee's Dropbox; sidewalk and water main discussions to continue at the next meeting.
- Planning Commission to review Master Plan introduction revisions at its January 15th meeting; council members encouraged to attend.
- Village manager search: job posting to go live immediately with a February 13th application deadline; resumes to be reviewed in closed session; first-round interviews the week of March 3rd; second-round interviews March 10th.
- Council expressed willingness to work with Karl Wizinsky to resolve outstanding deed and property line concerns, including provision of final deed documents for the previously agreed 4 feet of property, despite denying his attorney fee reimbursement request.