Summary
The Northport Village Council met on February 19, 2026, with President Pro Tempore Cook presiding in the absence of President McCann. The Council approved the agenda as amended, adopted an amendment to the Village Water Ordinance, approved amended Rules of Procedure, authorized negotiation of a legal services agreement with Cummings, McClorey, Davis & Acho, P.L.C. (CMDA), and approved three infrastructure-related engineering and repair contracts with Machin Engineering and Kal Excavating. The Council also discussed a proposed property boundary adjustment at 110 Waukazoo Street and directed staff to proceed cautiously through the normal review process.
Public Comments
John Weber spoke twice during the meeting. In his first comment, he noted that the March 11, 2026 Planning Commission public hearing was not clearly shown on the village calendar and asked that it be updated. He also requested updates on the Dam project and raised concerns about summer recycling overflow, suggesting additional containers during peak months.
In his second comment, Weber clarified that the recycling facility is located on township property and asked that his earlier comment on that issue be disregarded. He expressed disappointment that no update was provided on the dam project, urged the Council to consider leasing rather than conveying the 110 Waukazoo strip, and asked the Council not to rush decisions without community input.
Correspondence was received from David Brigham (Northport Creek, EGLE) and Mary Tonnenberger (Northport Creek Dam), though the minutes do not detail the content of these letters.
Infrastructure Projects
The Council adopted Amendment to Ordinance 94, the Village Water Ordinance, as presented (motion by Trustee Cavendish, supported by Trustee Dean; motion carried).
The Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Machin Engineering for the Rose Street Culvert project at a cost not to exceed $17,900, funded through the Major Street and Water Funds (motion by Trustee Cavendish, supported by Trustee Harper; Roll Call Vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0, Absent 2; motion carried).
The Council approved a second Professional Services Agreement with Machin Engineering for the Warren to Six Street watermain replacement project at a cost not to exceed $19,800, also funded through the Major Street and Water Funds (motion by Trustee Cavendish, supported by Trustee Ager; Roll Call Vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0, Absent 2; motion carried).
The Council approved a Kal Excavating estimate of $7,500 for a waterline repair at 109 Waukazoo Street (Nagonaba water leak) (motion by Trustee Cavendish, supported by Trustee Harper; Roll Call Vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0, Absent 2; motion carried).
Regarding the marina, Trustee Cook noted that the Harbor Master report was included in the meeting packet, with no further discussion recorded.
The Infrastructure Liaison Report noted a need to review the fee schedule, including the $150 emergency water turn-off fee; Village Manager Ottenwess indicated he would like to review other fee schedule items as well, including short-term rental (STR) fees.
Trustee Cavendish requested a status update on the High Street and Seventh Street concept plans and noted that infrastructure matters, including the dam permit, are now handled at work sessions and regular meetings rather than a separate committee. Village Manager Ottenwess reported that preliminary concept plans for these properties are in progress and will be reviewed at the March 5 study session.
Other Business
The Council approved the consent agenda as presented (motion by Trustee Ager, supported by Trustee Cavendish; motion carried).
The Planning Commission report noted that member Kathy Wessel's term ends in April, creating a vacancy that must be filled by a village resident; trustees were asked to help spread the word. The Commission continues work on the Master Plan and may hire a consultant to review the draft. A revised Capital Improvement Plan is nearing completion and will be forwarded to Council as part of upcoming budget discussions. The Commission is revising its public participation survey and reviewing potential zoning updates, particularly along the shoreline. The March 11 public hearing on proposed rezoning will occur during the regular Planning Commission meeting and will result in a recommendation to Council for final action.
The NLTUA Liaison Report noted that NLTUA will meet February 24, 2026 to approve its budget and other items.
The Council approved amended Rules of Procedure as presented (motion by Trustee Ager, supported by Trustee Cavendish; motion carried).
Village Manager Ottenwess recommended authorizing negotiation of a service agreement with CMDA following the Village's RFQ process. Discussion covered dissatisfaction with current legal services, the importance of timely responses, CMDA's proposed fee structure (a general municipal retainer with hourly provisions and a separate retainer for prosecution services), and communication protocols for contacting legal counsel per the Rules of Procedure. Motion by Trustee Ager, supported by Trustee Dean; Roll Call Vote: Yeas 5, Nays 0, Absent 2; motion carried.
Regarding the 110 Waukazoo property transfer, Village Manager Ottenwess explained that the Bohemian Café owners requested control of a long-standing 3-foot easement along their south property line, currently used for outdoor seating. He recommended treating it as a boundary adjustment and conveying the strip for a nominal amount through the Land Division Committee, noting the village has little practical use for the parcel. Trustees found the request generally reasonable but raised concerns about precedent and public perception of transferring village land to a private owner. Council reached consensus to proceed cautiously and directed staff to follow the normal process, including a title search, Land Division Committee review, and preparation of a formal resolution.
Trustee Ruble, attending via Zoom, asked that the record reflect he would have voted "yes" on all motions considered during the meeting.
Financial Summary
- Machin Engineering – Rose Street Culvert: not to exceed $17,900, funded through Major Street and Water Funds.
- Machin Engineering – Warren to Six Street watermain replacement: not to exceed $19,800, funded through Major Street and Water Funds.
- Kal Excavating – Nagonaba waterline repair at 109 Waukazoo Street: $7,500 approved.
- Emergency water turn-off fee currently set at $150; flagged for review along with other fee schedule items, including STR fees.
- 110 Waukazoo property strip proposed to be conveyed for a "nominal amount," pending further process.
Action Items
- Village calendar to be updated to clearly show the March 11, 2026 Planning Commission public hearing (raised by John Weber).
- Trustees asked to help publicize the upcoming Planning Commission vacancy created by Kathy Wessel's term ending in April; vacancy must be filled by a village resident.
- Planning Commission to continue work on the Master Plan, potentially hiring a consultant to review the draft.
- Revised Capital Improvement Plan to be forwarded to Council as part of upcoming budget discussions.
- Fee schedule review needed, including the $150 emergency water turn-off fee and STR fees.
- Village Manager to negotiate a service agreement with CMDA for legal services.
- Staff directed to conduct a title search, Land Division Committee review, and prepare a formal resolution regarding the 110 Waukazoo property boundary adjustment; Council to proceed cautiously given concerns about precedent and public perception.
- Preliminary concept plans for High Street and Seventh Street properties to be reviewed at the March 5 study session.
- NLTUA to meet February 24, 2026 to approve its budget and other items.