Summary
The Northport Village Council held a work session on November 6, 2025, addressing several ongoing administrative and infrastructure matters. Key discussions included resolving a billing dispute with auditor UHY, addressing a special assessment discrepancy with the Township, reviewing a draft sign ordinance, exploring conceptual renderings for village-owned properties to guide future housing development, examining irregularities in a marina commercial slip agreement, and approving a reduced tree removal proposal. No formal votes were taken on most items, as the session was designated for discussion, though consensus directions were reached on several matters to be formalized at a future regular meeting.
Public Comments
No public comment was offered at the beginning of the meeting (Item 3).
Later in the meeting (Item 6), two members of the public spoke:
- Elizabeth Mallek expressed concern about discrepancies in the special assessment district records and urged the Village to coordinate closely with the Township. She also urged the Council to proceed cautiously with spending on renderings or property plans.
- Campbell McLeod emphasized the need to understand long-term infrastructure and sewer capacity impacts, and encouraged the use of visual renderings to help the public compare future options for the pond and other projects.
No formal responses from the Council to these comments are recorded in the minutes.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Council discussed next steps for the High Street and Seventh Street village-owned properties, focusing on obtaining conceptual renderings to guide future housing development and improve public understanding. Village Manager Jered Ottenwess reported quotes for professional renderings ranging from just over $5,000 for one site to $15,000–$20,000 for both sites, noting that a lower-cost, student-generated option may also be available. Trustees supported obtaining renderings but stressed the need to keep costs low and maintain public trust, citing the importance of visual concepts for communicating realistic development options, countering misinformation, and engaging potential developers. Consensus was reached to bring forward formal proposals for rendering services covering both sites at an upcoming meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Waterfront & Marina: Trustee Cook reported that the north parking lot had been cleaned and that the South Beach restrooms were closed for the season.
Rose Street Culvert: Trustee Cavendish reported on progress related to the Rose Street culvert grant; Manager Ottenwess provided additional detail on the project timeline, engineering needs, and connections to the Village's capital equipment plan.
Commercial Slip Agreement (Jerry Spears): The Council held extensive discussion on the long-standing, never formalized commercial slip arrangement with Jerry Spears, which reportedly included undocumented approvals for services, waived fees, and unauthorized benefits. Trustee Harper raised strong concerns about the lack of financial controls and oversight in Marina operations and requested a special meeting to review the Harbor Master's performance. Clerk Joni Scott described prior unsuccessful attempts to resolve the matter and provided dates of past Council/Committee approvals for services with Spears. Manager Ottenwess emphasized the need to discontinue informal "service-for-slip" arrangements in favor of clear, Council-approved monetary contracts. The Council agreed further review of past documentation and legal guidance is needed before determining next steps.
Sewer/Dam/Pond (raised in Council Comment): Trustee Dean reminded the Council of a November 19 deadline for a dam restoration grant application and encouraged submission to preserve future funding eligibility. Trustee Cavendish noted that pond and dam discussions, included in the master plan, will require extensive public input and formal hearings.
Other Business
- Planning Commission: Trustee Cavendish reported the Commission continues work on the Shoreline Residential District and Master Plan updates.
- NLTUA: No updates reported.
- Sign Ordinance: Manager Ottenwess presented a draft standalone sign ordinance to modernize regulations and ensure legal compliance. Existing signs would be grandfathered; adoption would likely require zoning amendments and a public hearing. Ottenwess will refine the draft pending attorney review.
- Legal Representation: Trustee Cavendish requested a future agenda item on the Village's legal representation, citing delays in receiving legal opinions. Trustee Harper echoed concerns about responsiveness and cost of legal services and suggested issuing a new RFP for village attorney services within the next year.
- Winter Clothing Drive: Trustee Cavendish announced a winter clothing drive for students and thanked the community for participation.
Financial Summary
- UHY Audit Invoice: UHY billed significant overages during the FY24 audit and later issued a discounted invoice, proposing settlement at half the original amount ($12,500). Manager Ottenwess recommended offering half of the discounted invoice (approximately $8,295). Attorney Hammersley advised UHY would likely accept $12,500 but response to a lower counteroffer was uncertain. Consensus was reached to authorize Manager Ottenwess, in consultation with Attorney Hammersley, to negotiate a settlement not to exceed $12,500, aiming for a lower final payment. A formal action item will be brought to the next regular meeting.
- Township Special Assessment Discrepancy: An initial $27,000 mismatch was reduced to approximately $500 following a clerical review. Council members expressed concern about the Township's incomplete documentation. Consensus was to prepare a formal letter stating the Village's continued disagreement while taking no further action, given the small remaining amount and cost of litigation.
- Property Renderings: Quotes ranged from just over $5,000 (one site) to $15,000–$20,000 (both High Street and Seventh Street sites), with a possible lower-cost student-generated option. Formal proposals will be brought forward for consideration.
- Tree Removal Proposal (Parshall Tree Care): A revised proposal totaling $8,725 for prioritized tree removal was reviewed, down from an earlier $22,000 estimate. DPW would handle removal of larger logs to avoid surcharges and keep costs within budget. The Council supported the updated proposal, which will be brought forward for formal approval at the next regular meeting.
Action Items
- Manager Ottenwess, in consultation with Attorney Hammersley, to negotiate a settlement with UHY not to exceed $12,500; formal action item to be brought to the next regular meeting.
- Village to prepare a formal letter documenting its continued disagreement with the Township over the special assessment discrepancy.
- Manager Ottenwess to refine the draft sign ordinance following attorney review and return with a revised version.
- Formal proposals for rendering services covering the High Street and Seventh Street properties to be brought forward at an upcoming meeting.
- Further review of past documentation and legal guidance needed regarding the Jerry Spears commercial slip agreement; Trustee Harper requested a special meeting to review the Harbor Master's performance — a matter with a noted history of unresolved conflict.
- Revised Parshall Tree Care proposal ($8,725) to be brought forward for formal approval at the next regular meeting; tree work expected to be completed by end of month.
- Trustee Cavendish requested that Village legal representation be added to a future agenda.
- Trustee Harper suggested issuing a new RFP for village attorney services within the next year.
- November 19 deadline noted for submitting the dam restoration grant application.