Summary
The Northport Village Council met on May 21, 2026, with President McCann and Trustees Cavendish, Cook, and Ager present (Trustees Harper, Dean, and Ruble absent). The agenda was amended to remove the closed session on the Village Manager's performance evaluation and to postpone action on the Mill Pond Dam millage resolution until full Council attendance is available at the June meeting. The Council adopted four resolutions: a new fee schedule including a $200 annual short-term rental (STR) registration fee, termination of the Leelanau Community Energy Site Lease Agreement (allowing tower removal and site cleanup), naming of Sarah Agler as Citizen of the Year, and a change to the Council's regular work session start time to 4:00 p.m. Significant public comment and Council discussion centered on the future of the Mill Pond dam and a potential millage proposal, with Council directing staff to schedule further discussion at a future work session.
Public Comments
Public comment occurred twice during the meeting, with most speakers addressing the Mill Pond dam and a potential millage proposal.
- Howard ("Mike") Cann (Northport) urged that ballot language fairly present both dam replacement and dam removal options, including cost and funding implications.
- David Brigham emphasized fair, well-informed elections and asked the Village to explain what would happen if a millage failed, including possible grant-funded removal and creek restoration.
- Rob Franzzo (7755 North Matheson Road, Leelanau Township) supported prior speakers' calls for transparency and asked that long-term restoration and free-flowing creek alternatives be clearly presented before any election.
- Barbara Weber (South Shore Drive) supported dam removal and restoration of Northport Creek, suggesting state/federal funding rather than a local millage, and cited potential environmental and fisheries benefits. She encouraged including a dam removal alternative in any future ballot proposal.
- Joanne Swanson supported restoring the creek to a more natural state and said that if a millage for dam reconstruction is presented, alternative options should also be clearly explained to voters.
No formal Council response or vote was taken on these comments; Council later discussed the topic further under Council Comments and directed staff to place it on a future work session agenda.
Several written comments were also received and made available to the public via the meeting Dropbox, including letters from Joanne Swanson and Vickie Slot regarding Seventh Street; Joan Moore regarding the condition of Kitchen Road and rezoning of her property; Rick Gans, Vickie Slot, and Dave Brigham regarding the Mill Pond/millage; and Christy Fisher/Brian Hafner and Ted/Virginia Foley regarding short-term rental permits and renewal fees.
Infrastructure Projects
Mill Pond Dam: A proposed millage resolution (Resolution 2026-8) was removed from the agenda due to absent Council members, with Village Manager Ottenwess confirming the ballot language deadline still allows consideration at the June meeting for the November ballot. Extensive public and Council discussion addressed whether ballot language should present both dam replacement and dam removal options, potential state/federal funding for removal, and the need for public education before any vote. Trustee Cook, President McCann, Trustee Cavendish, and Trustee Ager all discussed aspects of the issue; Council reached consensus to place the Mill Pond dam and millage discussion on a future work session agenda for further consideration of ballot language, public outreach, and next steps. No vote was taken on the dam itself at this meeting.
Cell Tower/Energy Site Lease: The Council adopted Resolution 2026-10, terminating the Leelanau Community Energy Site Lease Agreement, which will allow the Village to proceed with removal of the tower and cleanup of the site. Roll call vote: Yeas (4), Nays (0), Absent (3). Motion carried; resolution adopted.
Other Business
- Planning Commission Report: Trustee Cavendish reported two STR special use permit public hearings were held and approved; special use permits are now required for STRs. Applications for special use permits have increased significantly, largely STR-related, with more expected in summer.
- Master Plan: The Planning Commission solicited consultant proposals to complete the Village Master Plan; Ottenwess and Planning Commission Chair Jane Gale met with a consultant to revise the scope of work. Completion is now anticipated in early 2027.
- Zoning: Ongoing amendment work continues on the R-2/Shoreline Residential District, including permitted uses and definitions.
- Public Participation Plan: The Planning Commission is revising this document to make it shorter and more user-friendly.
- STR Caps/Task Force: Council discussed whether future STR caps or percentage limits should originate from the Planning Commission or Council. Cavendish noted the Planning Commission views broader STR restrictions as Council-level policy decisions; any future restrictions would ultimately require Council approval, per Ottenwess.
- Citizen of the Year: Resolution 2026-11 naming Sarah Agler as Citizen of the Year was adopted (Yeas 4, Nays 0, Absent 3). Discussion raised the possibility of establishing a formal nomination process for future years; no formal action was taken on this suggestion.
- Rules of Procedure: Resolution 2026-12 was adopted, changing the regular work session meeting time to 4:00 p.m. Roll call: Ager, Cavendish, Cook, and McCann all voted Yes. Motion carried.
Financial Summary
- Resolution 2026-9 (Fee Schedule) was adopted, including a $200 annual STR registration fee, following discussion of a proposed two-tier fee structure (higher fee for new registrations, reduced fee for renewals). The two-tier concept was discussed but the $200 flat fee as presented was ultimately supported and adopted.
- Council discussed that STR program costs include compliance monitoring, tracking unregistered STRs, complaint response, and housing impact research, and expressed intent that these costs be borne primarily by STR operators rather than the general tax base.
- Roll Call Vote on Resolution 2026-9: Yeas (4), Nays (0), Absent (3). Motion carried; resolution adopted.
- No specific dollar figures were provided for the Mill Pond dam replacement or removal costs, though speakers referenced potential state/federal grant funding as an alternative to a local millage.
Action Items
- Staff to place the Mill Pond dam and millage discussion on a future work session agenda to address ballot language, public outreach, and next steps (Council consensus directive).
- Resolution 2026-8 (Mill Pond Dam Millage) to be reconsidered at the June regular meeting, with ballot language deadlines still allowing placement on the November ballot.
- Closed session for Village Manager performance evaluation to be rescheduled once complete evaluation submissions are received from Council members.
- Planning Commission/consultant to finalize revised scope of work for the Village Master Plan, targeting completion in early 2027.
- Possible future development of a formal nomination process and written criteria for the Citizen of the Year award, as suggested by Trustee Cavendish; no timeline was set.
- Continued Planning Commission work on R-2/Shoreline Residential District zoning amendments and revisions to the Public Participation Plan.