Summary
The Northport Village Council held a work session on June 4, 2026, focusing primarily on the Mill Pond Dam millage question, the FY 2026-27 budget, and several policy matters. The agenda was amended to postpone a Closed Session performance evaluation discussion due to time constraints and incomplete evaluation submissions. Council directed the Village Manager to work with legal counsel on ballot language and a companion resolution regarding the dam, scheduled the FY 2026-27 budget public hearing for June 18, 2026, and discussed amendments to the Attainable Housing Facilities Exemption Ordinance and a formalized Citizen of the Year policy. The Council also entered and returned from Closed Session for the Village Manager's performance evaluation.
Public Comments
Vickie Slot commented on the proposed Mill Pond dam millage, questioning whether placing a millage proposal on the ballot could be perceived as Council endorsement of a particular course of action. She encouraged clarity regarding available options, including implications of both approval and rejection, and discussed Council's role in policy decisions regarding the dam. In a later comment, Slot thanked Council and staff for their efforts and commented on fiscal and environmental considerations related to the dam, expressing appreciation for ongoing planning and master plan work.
Elizabeth Mallek commented on legal considerations associated with ballot language and the importance of providing voters with clear information on implications of approval and rejection. She suggested that Council consider a separate resolution expressing its intentions regarding future actions should a millage proposal fail. In a later comment, Mallek addressed the estimated financial impact of the proposed dam millage and encouraged continued review of ballot language and future regulatory considerations related to dam ownership and maintenance.
Barbara Weber expressed support for providing voters with a clear understanding of potential outcomes and encouraged the Village to conduct public education and outreach regarding the Mill Pond dam issue. She supported placing any future Council intentions regarding the dam on the public record. In a later comment, Weber reiterated her support for dam removal and stream restoration, encouraged legal review of proposed ballot language, and emphasized the importance of clearly communicating future actions should a millage proposal fail.
John Weber discussed the relationship between attainable housing goals and potential future taxes, raised concerns regarding long-term infrastructure obligations, and encouraged additional analysis comparing the long-term costs of dam replacement versus dam removal alternatives.
No indication was given that written or letter comments were submitted.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
Village Manager Ottenwess presented a proposed amendment to the Attainable Housing Facilities Exemption Ordinance, intended to correct and clarify language related to owner-occupancy requirements and align the ordinance with Council's previously stated policy direction. The issue was identified during review of a potential exemption application. Council discussed the proposed amendment and agreed it should return at a future meeting for formal consideration and action.
During public comment, John Weber raised concerns regarding the relationship between attainable housing goals and potential future taxes and long-term infrastructure obligations.
Parks and Recreation Matters
No parks and recreation matters were discussed in this meeting.
Infrastructure Projects
Waterfront & Marina: Trustee Cook reported that the marina has been cleaned and prepared for the boating season. He also reported a damaged glass door at the marina facility; staff indicated the damage does not appear to be vandalism, as the exterior pane remained intact while the interior pane was broken, suggesting an accidental impact from inside the building. A repair estimate was being obtained.
General Infrastructure: Village Manager Ottenwess reported that multiple infrastructure projects are ongoing throughout the Village, with additional details available through Village staff as projects progress. He also updated Council on the electric vehicle charging station initiative, noting staff continues to evaluate options and that the matter will return for future Council discussion.
NLTUA: President McCann reported that the Northport/Leelanau Township Utilities Authority would hold its next bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, and is expected to receive a report from Steven Roberts regarding Phase 1 of the wastewater capacity analysis. No additional updates were provided and Council had no questions.
Mill Pond Dam Millage: Council held extended discussion (two agenda items) regarding a potential ballot measure for Mill Pond Dam replacement. Village Manager Ottenwess reported that draft ballot language has been reviewed by legal counsel, with discussion of revisions to help voters understand implications of approval or rejection. Discussion covered whether the millage should be viewed as a funding question or broader policy decision, timing of the ballot proposal, public education needs, and communicating next steps if the millage fails. Alternatives discussed included dam removal, stream restoration, and grant funding opportunities. Ottenwess explained Michigan law authorizes the Village to seek voter approval for such a millage. Several Council members felt the issue should ultimately be decided by Village voters given the financial and community impact.
By consensus, Council directed Ottenwess to work with legal counsel to review explanatory ballot language and prepare a resolution outlining the Village's intended course of action should the millage fail, for consideration at the June 18, 2026 meeting. Council also generally agreed to move forward with preparation of proposed ballot language for the millage, directing Ottenwess to prepare a draft resolution and ballot language, obtain legal review, and bring the matter forward for formal consideration at the next regular Council meeting.
DPW Superintendent Holton provided technical information on the physical and hydraulic conditions of the Mill Pond and dam area, including sediment movement, bank stabilization, and long-term maintenance considerations under various scenarios. Trustee Cavendish noted that projected dam-related expenditures are included in the Village's Capital Improvement Plan as a longer-term project. Trustee Ager clarified that millage calculations are based on taxable value rather than market value. Trustee Harper commented that stream restoration may offer environmental benefits but should be considered within the broader context of other existing environmental impacts. President McCann stated he was more comfortable with the approach of refining ballot language alongside a companion resolution addressing future actions if the millage fails, and noted further discussion would occur before final consideration.
Other Business
FY 2026-27 Budget: Village Manager Ottenwess provided an overview of the proposed budget and Budget Committee recommendations. Council agreed to schedule the public hearing and consideration of adoption for the June 18, 2026 regular Council meeting.
Citizen of the Year Policy: Trustee Cavendish proposed formalizing the Village's Citizen of the Year nomination and selection process. Discussion covered establishing a clear purpose, a public nomination process, and eligibility criteria. Council generally supported allowing Village employees to be eligible while continuing to exclude current elected officials during their term of office, and supported allowing posthumous recognition if the individual passed away within the preceding year. Ottenwess was directed to prepare a formal policy for future Council consideration.
Closed Session: President McCann moved to enter Closed Session for the periodic performance evaluation of the Village Manager pursuant to Section 8(a) of the Michigan Open Meetings Act, supported by Trustee Cook. A roll call vote was taken (vote details not recorded in the minutes); motion carried. Council entered Closed Session at 5:02 p.m. and returned to Open Session at 6:22 p.m., with no further business conducted.
Financial Summary
The FY 2026-27 budget discussion included projected revenue increases from growth in taxable value, updated fee schedules, short-term rental registration fees, and investment earnings. The budget assumes a 20% water rate increase pending completion of the water rate study, and includes a reduced General Fund transfer to the Water Fund. Capital improvement projects reviewed included the Rose Street culvert project, marina infrastructure improvements, water system projects, and funding for completion of the Master Plan update. Clerk Scott raised the restoration of a General Fund transfer to the Local Street Fund and the addition of a fourth full-time DPW position to maintain service levels. The public hearing and consideration of budget adoption were scheduled for June 18, 2026.
Regarding the Mill Pond Dam, discussion touched on long-term financial implications of maintaining the dam, estimated replacement costs, and financial considerations of dam removal versus replacement, though no specific dollar figures were stated in the minutes. Trustee Cavendish noted that dam-related expenditures are included in the Capital Improvement Plan as a longer-term project.