Minutes Special Meeting July 17, 2017
SPECIAL MEETING – VILLAGE OF NORTHVILLE
Monday, July 17, 2017
The Village Board met Monday, July 17, 2017 at 6:00 PM at the village offices.
Present: John Spaeth, Mayor
Steve Collins, Trustee
Matthew Ginter, Trustee
John Markiewicz, Trustee
Sue Sedon, Trustee
Wendy Reu, Village Clerk, Recording Secretary
Excused:
Mayor Spaeth called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m.
Mayor Spaeth reported to the Board that bidding for the 1990 Mack Pumper Truck on Auctions International had ended. He indicated that the high bid was $ 16,600.00. Mayor Spaeth reported that per the company that maintains the fire equipment for the Village indicated that the vehicle had a value of $ 25,000.00. After continued discussion, Trustee Markiewicz made a motion to reject the top bid of $ 16,600.00 and counter offer with $ 25,000.00. The motion was seconded by Trustee Sedon and carried by voice vote as follows:
Aye: Trustee Collins, Trustee Ginter, Trustee Markiewicz, Trustee Sedon
Nay: 0
Abstain: 0
Mayor Spaeth reported that the purpose of the meeting was to conduct a workshop session on the Comprehensive Plan. Mayor Spaeth stated that he felt the Water Street section was not as the Board had wanted it and proposed the following changes:
“Based upon its overall location directly behind the core downtown commercial area, its contiguous relationship to Waterfront Park and the desired development within the Village, it
is the vision of this Comprehensive Plan to create a year-round linear recreational park adjacent to the causeway that would provide the public with safe pedestrian access to the Northville Lake for fishing, canoe and kayaking, biking, wildlife viewing and swimming during the summer months and access to ice skating, ice fishing, cross country skiing and limited snowmobiling during the winter months. The recreational park could also be the home of Northville’s Winter Carnival (See Map ED-6 Water Street Park). Decorative lamp posts similar to those utilized throughout Waterfront Park would line the designated pedestrian area. An interior open bike lane will provide for safe cycling. Two (2) bank stabilization areas would provide improvements for swimming or otherwise waterfront access. The incorporation of a designated fishing float would provide a unique angling experience. A new business would also be in demand to provide various forms of boat rentals to include canoes, kayaks, stand up paddleboards (SUP) and small rowboats while selling fishing and bathing supplies right on the water’s edge. A portion of the park could be designated in the winter months for snowmobile access into the Village core commercial area. This new linear recreational feature would be an extension of Waterfront Park.”
The Board agreed with that change.
Trustee Ginter discussed cross walks and the intent of them to be raised. He stated raising them would cause difficulty when plowing. The Board agreed and decided to remove the phrase “slightly raised” in reference to crosswalks in the entire document. The Board agreed that they would like to see something done to the crosswalks to make them stand out better such as stamping or coloring. It was suggested that NCS will be getting a laser printer cutter and possibly the technology class could make patterned stencils for the highway crew to use when painting the crosswalks.
Trustee Ginter also suggested that the “bulbouts” in the plan should be removed. He stated that they would not only create an issue when plowing but they significantly reduced the availability of on street parking in the commercial area. The Board agreed to remove the word “bulbouts” in the entire document.
Mayor Spaeth reported there was nothing in the Comprehensive Plan that addressed solar or other alternative energy sources and he felt it should be included. After discussion, the Board agreed to add a statement to the effect that “the Village recommends exploring managed alternative energy systems such as solar and wind.”
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business before the Board, motion was made to adjourn by Trustee Ginter, seconded by Trustee Markiewicz, and passed by voice vote with no one dissenting. The meeting was adjourned at 6:50 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Wendy Reu
Village Clerk
