Summary
The Northport Village Council met on September 12, 2024, with President Christopher McCann presiding and all trustees present. The Council approved the August 8, 2024 minutes and the agenda as presented. Key actions included approval of a dimensional variance for 320 Shabwasung Street, adoption of the Northport Village Nuisance Ordinance (with an amendment to C1 District quiet hours), approval of Social District Permit applications, authorization of funds for master plan technical assistance, approval of a Civic Plus proposal to codify Village ordinances, and adoption of the revised Northport Village Zoning Ordinance. The Council also heard a presentation on the Water Cost of Service Study and decided to delay a vote on rate recommendations for one month to allow public input.
Public Comments
Douglas McGinnis provided an update on the removal of the damaged wind turbine tower at the wastewater treatment plant. He explained that after the tower's top was damaged in winter 2022, repair was determined uneconomical, and the focus shifted to full removal and site cleanup. He noted coordination with Elmer's Crane Service and Michigan Tower for disassembly and salvage, though specific dates had not yet been set. McGinnis offered to provide a detailed summary to the Village Council.
No other public comments were recorded during the designated Public Comment period at the end of the meeting.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Village Manager Jim Dyer reported that installation of playground equipment was anticipated to be completed sometime in September.
Trustee Cavendish inquired about the housing project on the Buster Dame ballpark site, asking whether legal descriptions and appraisals for the various parcels had been provided to the Council. Village Manager Dyer responded that John Korr had completed the legal descriptions, and the plan is to secure approvals for both the appraisals and legal descriptions from the DNR Trust Fund before presenting the matter to the Council.
Infrastructure Projects
Dawn Lund of Utility Financial Solutions presented the Village of Northport Water Cost of Service Study. She reported that the water system is operating at a loss, with declining cash balances and capital investment inadequate compared to depreciation expenses. Without rate adjustments, the system would face continued negative cash flows and difficulty meeting debt coverage ratios. Lund proposed 20% rate increases from 2025 to 2028, followed by a 10% increase in 2029, which would raise the average residential customer's quarterly bill by approximately $11.25 (about $3.75 per month).
The Council discussed the Water Rate Study and decided to delay a vote on the recommendations for one month to allow public review and feedback. Concerns were raised about the impact of rate increases on residents, particularly following recent sewer rate hikes. The Council discussed creating a community assistance program to help residents facing difficulty with higher water rates, potentially involving the Community Action Agency and seeking seed funding from the Community Foundation. No formal action was taken; the issue will be revisited at the next meeting.
Village Manager Dyer reported that the Fourth Street project was expected to begin around September 23, weather and crew availability permitting.
Trustee Ager raised concerns about large stones placed in Northport Creek that may be altering the riparian shoreline and undermining existing trees. Manager Dyer said he had only recently learned of the issue and plans to investigate with the EGLE Water Division, with removal possible if problems are confirmed, pending proper permission.
Trustee Harper noted the issue is occurring on the Second Street roadway easement, which is village property, and raised additional concerns about an illegal irrigation pump and a locked gate installed on village property without authorization, emphasizing the need for consistent enforcement.
Other Business
Manager Dyer addressed the wind turbine cleanup, noting the report from Doug McGinnis includes a plan and acknowledgment of responsibility, and requested confirmation of the cleanup timeline within 30 days. He clarified that some recent cleanup by DPW Superintendent Chris Holton and crew was unrelated to the turbine collapse and addressed other debris and site issues.
Trustee Gale reported that the Planning Commission, during its master plan update, agreed to handle text revisions themselves but requested Council support in hiring someone to update the demographic and statistical portions of the plan.
A Public Hearing was held on a variance request for 320 Shabwasung Street (referred to at points as 320 East Third Street). Tim Erwin, representing the property owners, presented a request to build a small addition and a 5-foot porch toward the road. Zoning Administrator Dyer recommended approval, citing the unique circumstances of the existing home placement. No public comment was received. The Council approved a resolution granting a 14-foot front yard setback dimensional variance by unanimous roll call vote (Yeas 7, Nays 0, Absent 0).
The Council adopted the Northport Village Nuisance Ordinance, adapting the existing Township ordinance with added objective standards for noise violations (lasting at least 15 minutes, audible in an enclosed structure with windows closed, occurring between 11 PM and 7 AM). Trustee Harper proposed amending the C1 District quiet hours to 12 AM–8 AM; this motion failed (Yeas 3: Harper, Conley, Ager; Nays 0; Absent 4: McCann, Cook, Gale, Cavendish). President McCann then moved to amend the C1 District hours to 12 AM–7 AM, which carried unanimously (Yeas 7, Nays 0). The full ordinance was then adopted unanimously.
The Council adopted a resolution approving Social District Permit applications for NPG, Fingers Crossed, Faro, Yard and Lake, and the Mitten, following Michigan Liquor Control Commission approval of the Village's social district map and operation/maintenance plan. Discussion included confusion over the map and prior approvals, concerns raised by Trustee Ager about patrons carrying drinks outside the district, and Trustee Gale's emphasis on clear signage to delineate boundaries. The resolution passed unanimously (Yeas 7, Nays 0, Abstained 0, Absent 0).
The Council approved the Planning Commission's request for technical assistance on the master plan revision, not to exceed $7,500, authorizing the Village Manager to sign necessary contracts (Yeas 7, Nays 0, Abstained 0, Absent 0).
The Council adopted a resolution approving a Civic Plus proposal for $8,950 to codify and maintain Village Ordinances, approving a necessary budget amendment and authorizing the Village Manager to sign related documents (Yeas 7, Nays 0, Abstained 0, Absent 0).
The Council adopted the revised Northport Village Zoning Ordinance as a fully integrated revision. Trustee Conley noted the definition of "Kennel" was unclear and suggested "4 dogs," and flagged unclear language on page 26 (2B) needing revision. Motion carried.
During Council Comments, Trustee Cook requested the Council consider adjusting the 15-mph speed limit on Bay Street and Road Street, citing frustration with one-way turn restrictions on Fifth and Sixth Streets and noting that others do not observe the limit. He suggested the Council consider increasing the speed limit.
Financial Summary
- Water system: currently operating at a loss with declining cash balances; proposed 20% rate increases 2025–2028 and a 10% increase in 2029; average residential quarterly bill would increase by approximately $11.25 ($3.75/month). No vote taken; decision delayed one month.
- Master Plan technical assistance: approved not to exceed $7,500, using fund balance via budget amendment; authorized Village Manager to sign contracts.
- Civic Plus ordinance codification proposal: approved at $8,950, exceeding the $7,500 anticipated budget amount; budget amendment approved.
- Payment of bills: Council approved payment of August bills totaling $127,483.94, contingent on funds becoming available (Yeas 7, Nays 0, Absent 0).
Action Items
- Village Manager Dyer to obtain confirmation of the wind turbine cleanup timeline within 30 days and include it in his next report.
- Village Manager Dyer to investigate the stone placement in Northport Creek with the EGLE Water Division and determine whether removal is warranted and permissible.
- Trustee Harper flagged the illegal irrigation pump and locked gate on village property (Second Street roadway easement) for enforcement follow-up.
- Village Manager Dyer to finalize legal descriptions and appraisals for the Buster Dame ballpark site housing project and secure DNR Trust Fund approvals before presenting to Council.
- Council to revisit the Water Rate Study recommendations at the next meeting after gathering public input and exploring a community assistance program (potentially with the Community Action Agency and Community Foundation seed funding).
- Village Manager Dyer to arrange consultant assistance for updating the demographic/statistical portion of the master plan, per Planning Commission request.
- Village Manager Dyer to sign necessary documents for Social District Permit applications submission to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.
- Council to consider further revisions to the Zoning Ordinance regarding the Kennel definition and unclear language on page 26 (2B), as flagged by Trustee Conley.
- Council to consider Trustee Cook's request to review the 15-mph speed limit on Bay Street and Road Street.