Summary
The Northport Village Council held its regular meeting on January 29, 2026, with President McCann presiding and all trustees present (Trustee Ruble via Zoom). Key actions included adoption of Resolution 2026-1 authorizing an MDOT grant agreement for the Rose Street culvert project, adoption of Resolution 2026-2 formally designating the Seventh Street village-owned parcel for future development (1.2 acres) and parkland (4.7 acres), authorization to negotiate an audit services agreement with Morgan & Associates, a decision to table the Village Attorney RFQ until the next meeting, and approval of a settlement payment to Jerry Spears regarding a commercial slip fee dispute. The Council also discussed proposed water ordinance amendments, revisions to the Rules of Procedure, and a potential reduction in the number of trustees.
Public Comments
During the first public comment period, Karl Wizinsky raised concerns about long-standing difficulty recruiting and retaining candidates for elected and appointed positions and suggested exploring a reduction in council seats, as well as considering a referendum on consolidating the Village and Township into a charter township.
Kevin Murphy spoke in support of year-round housing and expressed concern about short-term rentals, urging the Council to prioritize workforce housing on Seventh Street.
Jamie Scripps voiced general support for attainable housing efforts as important to community vitality and local institutions.
Eric Potes urged the Council to proceed with Seventh Street as an attainable housing site, questioned the cost of design renderings, and supported modest, neighborhood-appropriate housing.
Alan Dalzell (via Zoom) raised concerns about audio quality during public comment and suggested using a microphone and posting written public comments on the Village website.
Correspondence from Vicki Slot, Joanne Swanson, and Christy Fischer regarding the Seventh Street parcel was included in the meeting packet, per President McCann.
In the second public comment period, Kevin Murphy asked whether the 1.2-acre development area and 4.7-acre park designation for Seventh Street were now fixed and whether the park area could still include amenities such as trails. Fred Steffens (via Zoom) asked for clarification on the payment to Jerry Spears (referenced as $32,000 in his comment) and urged the Village to learn from past contractual disputes. Eric Potes thanked the Council and asked whether the 1.2-acre portion was firmly intended for housing or remained open to other uses. Joanne Swanson thanked the Council for including a park-style rendering alongside housing concepts, noting she had previously requested a naturalization rendering. Kay Pentzein (via Zoom) questioned the timing of the Seventh Street vote relative to completion of design renderings.
In response, President McCann clarified during Council Comments that the 1.2-acre/4.7-acre split had been previously approved and remains the working configuration, that park improvements could still occur within the designated park area, and that the $6,000 rendering authorization covers concept work for both Seventh Street and 164 South High Street, including multiple housing concepts and one passive-park concept.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Council adopted Resolution 2026-2, formally acknowledging its intent to explore development of the Seventh Street village-owned parcel, without obligating construction of housing. Trustee Ager stated the resolution clarifies direction while preserving flexibility. Trustee Cavendish supported pursuing attainable/workforce housing on the 1.2-acre frontage while permanently protecting the 4.7-acre wooded portion as parkland, and stressed the importance of deed restrictions prohibiting short-term rentals if housing is developed. Trustee Harper stated he has favored this approach for several years and supported moving forward despite concerns about public perception and timing. Trustee Dean asked whether "development" could include restoration, park improvements, or features like a boardwalk, and whether the Council could still review multiple options. Trustee Cook noted a resident had raised sewer capacity concerns, but stated he had been assured capacity would be sufficient. President McCann clarified that designating the frontage for development does not predetermine housing as the exclusive outcome.
Vote: Roll Call Vote: Yeas (6), Nays (0), Absent (1). Motion Carried. Resolution Declared Adopted.
President McCann confirmed the $6,000 rendering authorization covers concept work for both Seventh Street and 164 South High Street, including multiple housing concepts and one passive-park concept for Seventh Street.
Parks and Recreation Matters
As part of the Seventh Street resolution, the 4.7-acre wooded portion of the parcel was designated as parkland, with park improvements permitted within that area. Discussion included possible features such as a boardwalk or trails, though no specific park improvement plan was adopted at this meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
The Council adopted Resolution 2026-1, approving an agreement with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) and authorizing execution of Contract No. 25-5592 for the Rose Street culvert replacement project. Discussion confirmed the agreement secures grant funding on a reimbursement basis but does not obligate the Village to award a construction contract at this time. The culvert was described as a critical infrastructure choke point, with delay noted as a risk for increased future costs.
Vote: Roll Call Vote: Yeas (6), Nays (0), Absent (1). Motion Carried. Resolution Declared Adopted.
The Planning Commission reported continued work on the Capital Improvement Plan (targeted completion in April), including the culvert and water infrastructure projects, and on the Master Plan, with public hearings targeted for summer and a finalized plan expected by September.
The Infrastructure Liaison report noted two additional water-related concerns, one near Nagonaba Street and another on Fifth Street, to be addressed further during upcoming Capital Improvement Plan discussions.
The Marina Liaison report, based on a report from Bill included in the packet, highlighted water levels as the primary current concern, with conditions unable to be addressed until spring depending on winter freeze conditions.
The Council discussed proposed amendments to the water ordinance clarifying responsibility between the Village and property owners for water service connections (from the main to the building). Water fees will be removed from the ordinance and incorporated into the Village's consolidated fee schedule, adjustable by resolution. Consensus was reached to bring the revised ordinance and companion fee schedule resolution back at the next regular meeting for formal adoption.
Other Business
The Planning Commission approved a special use permit for a short-term rental.
The NLTUA Liaison reported the NLTUA will meet in February to approve its budget.
The Council reviewed the Village Attorney RFQ. Trustee Harper requested additional time to research responding firms and evaluate the current attorney's recent performance and responsiveness. The Council noted the current attorney has served approximately five years.
Motion: Trustee Harper moved, supported by Trustee Ager, to table the Village Attorney RFQ until the next regular meeting. Motion Carried.
The Council discussed proposed amendments to the Village Council Rules of Procedure, focusing on definitions of excused versus unexcused absences (illness, injury, bereavement, jury duty, military duty, parental leave, or other compulsory legal processes qualify as excused; vacation or routine employment conflicts do not). Three unexcused absences may warrant censure, and three additional unexcused absences may result in a request for removal, though the Council does not have direct authority to remove an elected official. Loss of meeting compensation would apply to individual unexcused absences. The item will return at a future meeting for formal action.
President McCann introduced discussion of reducing the Village Council from seven members (six trustees and a president) to five (four trustees and a president), citing recruitment difficulties. Under the General Law Village Act, any reduction would occur gradually through future election cycles. Trustee Harper expressed concern about increased tie votes and preferred waiting given potential future changes such as township charter status or consolidation, while valuing diverse viewpoints on a seven-member body. Trustee Cavendish acknowledged recruitment challenges but also emphasized maintaining diverse voices. The Village Manager confirmed state law permits such a reduction and that similarly sized municipalities often operate with five-member councils. No vote was taken.
Trustee Ager expressed appreciation for departing DPW employee Kent Holton.
Trustee Ruble stated he would have voted "yes" on the Rose Street culvert resolution, the Seventh Street resolution, and the Jerry Spears settlement, and offered to help review attorney proposals; he also noted Zoom audio quality concerns.
The Village Manager proposed canceling the upcoming work session, with remaining items to be addressed at the February 19 regular meeting. The Council agreed.