Summary
The Suttons Bay Village Council met on August 18, 2025, with President Lutke presiding and all seven members present. The Council approved the consent agenda, an off-premise tasting room for Grand Traverse Distillery, LLC, amendments to the Village Manager's contract including a COLA increase and $3,000 bonus, and the appointment of Rebecah Tenbrink to the Downtown Development Authority (DDA).
Public Comments
An email communication was received from Kathryn Danielson. She spoke about St. Marys Street speed and stop sign concerns, questioned sand cleaning at Marina Beach, handicap parking, and Ordinance enforcement. She also stated she used to enjoy Waterwheel Park but no longer visits it and would like to see the sculpture reinstalled. Bill Crackel spoke about speed on St. Marys Street and Ordinance enforcement; later in the meeting he stated the park is uninviting, his road remains unfixed, his sewer line had to be jetted again due to bubbling toilets, and he noted short-term rentals (STRs) are required to provide two onsite parking spaces per Ordinance. Chava Bahle thanked the Village for its work and said she enjoys living across from Waterwheel Park, describing it as "glorious" and always busy. No formal Council responses to these comments were recorded beyond related discussion under Good of the Order.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Member Perkins raised opening Waterwheel Park in its entirety and reinstalling the sculpture, along with mention of the Farmers Market and EV charging stations. President Lutke explained the closed area of Waterwheel Park is necessary to stabilize the creek banks. No formal motions or votes were taken on these park matters.
Infrastructure Projects
Discussion included traffic concerns on St. Marys Street (raised by Suppes and Christensen regarding stop sign placement and traffic calming measures) and speeding on South Shore Drive (raised by Smith). William Crackel reported his sewer line had to be jetted again due to bubbling toilets and that his road remains unfixed. No votes were taken on these infrastructure issues.
Other Business
Council approved Resolution 2 of 2025 for an off-premise tasting room application from Grand Traverse Distillery, LLC, at 321 St. Joseph Street (Roll Call: Ayes 7, Nays 0). The Manager's contract was amended to include an annual COLA increase based on Social Security Administration data (Roll Call: Ayes 7, Nays 0) and a $3,000 bonus based on evaluation (Ayes 7, Nays 0). Rebecah Tenbrink was appointed to the DDA to fill Amy Peterson's unexpired term through December 31, 2027 (Ayes 7, Nays 0). Staff reports were presented. The Committee of the Whole September meeting was rescheduled to September 9, 2025.
Financial Summary
The Manager's contract amendment includes an annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) tied to Social Security Administration figures, plus a $3,000 bonus approved based on performance evaluation, citing leadership, grants received, legal settlements, and staff relations.
Action Items
The Manager's amended contract must specify the COLA source (Social Security Administration) as clarified by Bahle. Ongoing resident concerns about St. Marys Street traffic/stop signs and unresolved road and sewer issues raised by William Crackel remain unaddressed with no specific follow-up assigned. Waterwheel Park sculpture reinstallation and full reopening remain unresolved topics raised by residents and Member Perkins.