12/4/2025 - Northport Village | Work Session Meeting Draft Minutes

Summary

The Village Council Work Session meeting held on December 4, 2025, addressed various topics including infrastructure projects, marina rate adjustments, and legal matters. Key outcomes included the decision to increase seasonal marina slip rates for 2026 and an agreement on the need for public input regarding marina expansion feasibility. The council also discussed legal counsel qualifications and the process for selecting a new auditing firm.

Public Comment

No public comments were offered during the meeting.

Parks and Recreation Matters

No specific discussions regarding parks and recreation were reported in the meeting.

Infrastructure Projects

Trustee Cavendish reported ongoing efforts related to water main repairs, with plans to have the projects ready by spring. The Rose Street culvert project is also making progress as staff prepares for an upcoming grant application.

Marina Discussion

The council discussed the following regarding the marina: - **2026 Rates**: A consensus was reached to increase the seasonal slip rate to $112 per foot, anticipated to generate an additional $48,000 in revenue. Transient rates will remain mostly unchanged. - **Policy Updates**: Safety issues concerning e-bikes and bicycles were discussed, leading to a consensus to pursue an educational approach with signage to promote safe behavior. - **Engineering Services Proposal**: The council debated a proposed feasibility study for marina expansion costing approximately $86,000. It aims to evaluate site conditions and propose conceptual options, emphasizing the importance of public input and community visioning. - **Jerry Spears Slip Agreement**: The council agreed to formalize slip agreements, ensuring all commercial arrangements include standard licensing and documentation, and directed the Village Manager to prepare a formal settlement agreement for the next meeting.

Other Business

The Council reviewed and expressed general approval on: - The draft Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for village legal counsel, with a recommendation to include protections against significant fee increases. - Issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for a new auditing firm due to ongoing issues with the previous auditor, aiming to prevent large fee increases in future contracts. - Potential updates to the Village Council Rules of Procedure concerning participation guidelines and absences. - The draft schedule for 2026 Village Council meetings, to be adopted at the next regular meeting.

Action Items

- Village Manager Jered Ottenwess will consult with the village attorney to prepare revisions to the Rules of Procedure. - The Village Manager is tasked with preparing a formal settlement agreement regarding the marina slip arrangement for the next council meeting. - The council will move forward with issuing an RFP for a new auditing firm.