Summary
The Northport Village Council met on June 19, 2025, with President McCann presiding and all trustees present. The Council approved prior meeting minutes, two street closures/events, gave first readings to two housing-related ordinances (Ordinance 140 PILOT and Ordinance 141 Attainable Housing Facilities Exemption), adopted the FY 2025-26 budget following a public hearing with no public comments, approved a resolution enrolling in the MI Class investment program, adopted revised appointment procedures for Council and Planning Commission, approved a Village social media policy, authorized a financial software conversion agreement with BS&A, and named Bob Newell as the 2025 Citizen of the Year. All roll call votes passed unanimously (7-0).
Public Comments
Eric Potes provided correspondence about an upcoming baseball event at Buster Dame.
Sawyer Scott provided details on the Bay to Braman Bolt event scheduled for Sunday, August 31, 2025; the Council approved the event by consensus.
No public comments were made during the Public Hearing on the FY 2025-26 budget, and the comment period was closed.
No public comments were offered during the general Public Comments portion of the meeting.
Several citizens attended the meeting via Zoom.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
The Council conducted the first reading of Ordinance 140, the Workforce Housing PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) Ordinance. Village Manager Jered Ottenwess proposed adding "up to" before the 10% tax rate to give the Council flexibility in approving PILOTs ranging from 0% to 10%. Trustee Ager asked about income thresholds; it was explained the ordinance applies to households earning up to 120% of area median income (approximately $85,000 for two people), and the Village can target lower-income levels if desired. Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Ager, to approve the first reading with the amended language. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (7) Nays (0). Motion Carried.
The Council also conducted the first reading of Ordinance 141, Attainable Housing Facilities Exemption. Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Cook, to approve. Village Manager Ottenwess informed the Council that statute requires certified mail notice to every property owner within the proposed district; if the entire Village is designated, this would involve mailing to approximately 700 owners at an estimated cost of $3,900. Notices must be sent at least 10 days before adoption. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (7) Nays (0). Motion Carried.
Infrastructure Projects
President McCann reported that at its June 10, 2025 meeting, the Northport/Leelanau Township Utilities Authority (NLTUA) approved a proposal from Jacobs Engineering to conduct a comprehensive sewer system evaluation and growth capacity study. The study includes data analysis, capacity assessment, solids handling review, a growth opportunities evaluation, and a capital improvement plan update.
It was also noted that financial assistance is available through the Northwest Michigan Community Action Agency for eligible residents struggling with municipal water and sewer bills. Information is available at the Village office and will be posted on the Village website.
Village Manager Ottenwess referenced a concern involving the placement of stones in the Northport Creek off Park Street.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Eric Potes provided correspondence on an upcoming baseball event at Buster Dame. Trustee Dean moved, supported by Trustee Ager, to approve closure of Warren, Seventh, and Ransom Streets from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM on July 19, 2025, for the Buster Dame baseball event. Motion Carried.
Sawyer Scott presented details on the Bay to Braman Bolt event to be held Sunday, August 31, 2025; the Council approved the event by consensus.
Other Business
The Village Manager reported on a planned pop-up protest on private property along Main Street, ongoing litigation near Yard Lake, and the Village's expanding social media presence.
The Planning Commission approved a bylaw amendment requiring 30-day advance submission for site plans and similar reviews. The Commission is actively reviewing and revising the Master Plan to make sections more Northport-specific. The public property rubric evaluation continues, with the Village Manager assisting in gathering infrastructure data. The Public Participation Plan is being brought to Council after it was discovered it had not yet been formally approved; the plan provides public engagement steps for hearings and development applications.
Resolution 2025-6 (CLASS Investment Enrollment) was approved. Trustee Cook moved, supported by Trustee Dean. Trustee Ager asked whether the program is commonly used by Michigan governments; Village Manager Ottenwess confirmed MI Class has over 700 participating local units of government, including Leelanau Township, and cited a current yield of 4.46%. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (7) Nays (0). Motion Carried.
Resolution 2025-7 (Revised Rules and Procedures for Appointments to Village Council and Planning Commission) was adopted. The Council requested the Village Manager bring back a consistent appointment process for Village Council, Planning Commission, NLTUA, and other committees, including a required letter of interest, background information, and a mandatory 30-day application period. Trustee Ager moved, supported by Trustee Cavendish. Motion Carried.
Resolution 2025-8 (Village Social Media Policy) was adopted. Trustee Ager moved, supported by Trustee Dean. President McCann clarified the policy outlines what will and will not be tolerated on the Village's Facebook page regarding public comments, and any removals will be for valid reasons at the discretion of the Village Manager or designated communications staff. Motion Carried.
The Council authorized the Village Manager to execute a service agreement with BS&A for financial software conversion. Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Harper. Consultants indicated work could begin in five to six months, potentially around December, though start could be delayed to early 2026. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (7) Nays (0). Motion Carried.
President McCann proposed Bob Newell as the 2025 Citizen of the Year, noting three deserving nominees. Council members praised Bob's long-standing, behind-the-scenes volunteer work, including collecting cans year-round to support the Village. President McCann moved, supported by Trustee Ager, to approve Bob Newell as the recipient. Motion Carried.
Council Comments: Trustee Harper announced singer-songwriter Audrey Mason from Interlochen would perform at Fingers Crossed. Trustee Dean thanked Village Manager Ottenwess for setting up the MI Class investments quickly. Trustee Ager expressed a desire to see the social media presence implemented as soon as possible.
Financial Summary
The Council held a Public Hearing and gave final approval to the FY 2025-26 Budget via Resolution 2025-5. Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Dean. President McCann and Trustee Cavendish noted the budget is a standard operating budget, and the Capital Improvements budget remains empty until projects are determined by the Council. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (7) Nays (0). Motion Carried.
The Council approved Resolution 2025-6 to enroll in the MI Class investment program, a public investment pool authorized under Public Act 20 of 1943, citing a current yield of 4.46% and daily liquidity as advantages over options such as traditional certificates of deposit.
Regarding Ordinance 141 (Attainable Housing Facilities Exemption), certified mail notice to approximately 700 property owners (if the entire Village is designated) is estimated to cost $3,900.
The Council approved payment of bills for the month of May in the amount of $49,038.91, when funds become available. Trustee Cavendish moved, supported by Trustee Cook. Roll Call Vote: Yeas (7) Nays (0) Absent (0). Motion Carried. Trustees Cavendish and Harper expressed interest in creating a policy requiring Council review/approval of unusual or non-routine bills before payment, while routine expenses like utilities would continue as usual.
Action Items
- Village Manager to bring back a formal policy/proposal for a consistent appointment process for Village Council, Planning Commission, NLTUA, and other committees (in progress per Resolution 2025-7).
- Village Manager continuing to assist the Planning Commission in gathering infrastructure data to support the public property rubric evaluation.
- Planning Commission's Public Participation Plan to be brought forward for Council consideration after discovery that it had not yet been formally approved.
- Village Manager to execute the service agreement with BS&A for financial software conversion, with work potentially beginning around December 2025 or as late as early 2026.
- Trustees Cavendish and Harper to pursue development of a policy for Council review of unusual/non-routine bills prior to payment.
- Ongoing litigation near Yard Lake noted by the Village Manager, with no further details provided.
- Concern regarding stone placement in Northport Creek off Park Street noted by the Village Manager, with no resolution specified.