DeTour Zoning Highlights

The regular meeting of the DeTour Village Council was held on Monday, January 21, 2008 in the DeTour Village Memorial Hall. President Terry Nelson called the meeting to order at 7:00p.m. Members present were Anthony Bosley, Jason Fountain, Dane Kuusinen, Terry Nelson, George Newell, Fred Payment and Jennifer Postula and Alice Vermeulen. Jason Fountain and Bob Konings were absent.

A motion was made by Anthony Bosley and supported by Fred Payment to approve the minutes of the regular meeting held on December 10, 2007 as presented.

A motion was made by Jeff Bosley and supported by Anthony Bosley to approve the Treasurer’s report for the month of January 2008 as presented.

On a motion by Anthony Bosley and supported by Fred Payment, the bills presented for the month of January 2008 were approved to be paid.

Building & Grounds – Two quotes, from Les Cheneaux Systems and A Plus Heating and Cooling, for a new Propane heating system in the Village Hall, was presented to the Council to be considered for the new Budget. Because of the difference in price quotes, the lower bidder will be contacted to see if removal of the old system was included in the bid. This item will be on the February 2008 agenda for approval.

Economic Development – Wade-Trim has presented two preliminary plans to the EDC Board, but conversations with the DEQ to iron out discrepancies, will hopefully result in a definite road plan for the DeTour Business Park, to be brought to the Council at the February meeting.

Finance – All of the Village accounts have been switched over to accounts drawing the Federal Fund Rate. A resolution, offered by Jeff Bosley and supported by Dane Kuusinen, was adopted for the purpose of requiring one signature at the time of withdrawal for the DeTour Botanical Gardens Checking Account, with the three people being the Village Clerk, Village Treasurer or a representative for the Gardens account appointed by the Village Council.

Parks & Recreation – The Recreation Board has set up regular meeting dates on the 4^th Monday of each month at 3:30p.m. in the Village Hall.

A motion was made by Fred Payment and supported by Jeff Bosley to approve two new appointments to the Parks & Recreation Board, which will now consist of seven members. Angie Leonard from the Village and Carol Hiney from the Township will now join the Board.

The Board has received the Acquisition Project Procedure Book, which Claire Schultz explained certain steps that need to be followed, such as written approval to start the procedure, a survey of the Carr property will need to be done, Village Board opinions on the possibility of Hazardous contaminants on the property and several other factors that will be approached in the given order. A copy of the grant will be forwarded to Stuart Spencer so that he can do the Purchase agreement for the Village. All of this is waiting on the OK from the DNR to get the paperwork rolling.

Planning Commission – A complaint was made concerning the accuracy of the minute briefs printed in the DeTour column of the St. Ignace news. It was decided that we submit our own minutes for printing or call the St. Ignace news and proof read the information before it hits the paper.

The Planning Commission, at their regular meeting, comprised a letter to be sent to certain property owners whose property is lacking in maintenance and appearance to the extent that it detracts from the visual appeal for DeTour Village as stated in the Master Plan and the Zoning Ordinance. The PC recommends that this letter be used and it should originate from the Village Board or the Zoning Administrator. After discussion, it was decided that the ZA would approach the property owners that are in violation first with his concerns, then it will be brought to the Village Council.

Zoning – A motion was made by Anthony Bosley and supported by Dane Kuusinen to approve the adoption of House Bill #4398, “The Michigan Zoning and Enabling Act”. A Public Hearing will be set for February 11, 2008 at 6:30p.m. in the DeTour Village Hall, for comments from the Public and a resolution to add this bill to the DeTour Zoning Laws and Regulations will be adopted.

The land swap between Greg Slyford and the Village of DeTour was endorsed by the Zoning Administrator with one change to the survey lines, which Bob has already discussed with Northwoods. The information will be forwarded on to Stuart Spencer, our Village attorney, to have the paperwork drawn up to finalize the transaction.

Having a time clock installed was discussed and all Council members were in agreement to pursue it. Clerk will check on prices and bring information back to the Council for the new budget.

President Nelson would like to organize a “Town Meeting” to give the general Public an overview of what has been transpiring with the Village and all its committees. Each committee head could give a short report on what has been accomplished and what projects are forthcoming here in the Village. It is hoped to be somewhere in the middle of February, with the date, time and place to be announced.

There being no further business to come before the Council, on a motion by President Nelson, the meeting adjourned at 8:15p.m.