Douglas pay: Still waiting

The Douglas City Council had 100 percent attendance Monday night but took zero action on its own proposal to raise council member’s pay.

The council has delayed action since May 21 because Jane Mayer, the main proponent of the increase, had been absent. The issue did not come up again on June 4 when Mayer was absent again.

On Monday, she was present but no one on the council brought up the issue, so it remained tabled. The increase is in the new budget adopted at Monday’s meeting.

When council members voted the first time on the issue, the proposal passed by one vote. Mayer supported the increase. Without her support on the second vote, the motion would have been tied and would have failed, assuming council members would have followed their earlier balloting.

The proposal is to raise council pay by $15 per meeting.

The possible increase was brought up in September and again in April by  Mayer who wants council members paid the same as members of other city boards. Council members make $35 per meeting and meet twice a month. Planning commissioners make $50 and meet regularly once a month.

At $35 a meeting, with two meetings a month, a council member makes $840 a year. If all seven members attend every meeting, that’s $5,880 total a year for the entire council.

With an increase to $50 a meeting, a council member would make $1,200 a year.  If all seven members attend every meeting, that’s $8,400 a year, an increase overall of $2,520.

Consolidation comments

Some members of the crowd raise hands to oppose consolidation.

More than 200 people filled the Saugatuck High School gymnasium Wednesday afternoon and evening for a public hearing on the proposed consolidation of Saugatuck and Douglas cities and Saugatuck Township. The State Boundary Commission heard presentations from each municipality, from the Consolidated Government Committee, the group that initiated the drive for the merger, and from the opposition group, Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities.
Here are some comments made at the meeting:

Dennis Schornack, chairman of the State Boundary Commission, about why the first public hearing date was voided: “Due to a misfire by the U.S. Post Office.”

Travis Randolph, chairman of the Consolidated Government Committee, about the three governments: “We had no articulated vision for our shared future.”
— noting the fire and library districts: “Consolidation works.”
— to those who say local government doesn’t need fixing in relation to saving a half-million dollars through a merger: “Wasting $500,000 is broke.”
— “Simple fact: We are one community. As long as we have two governments, our one community is slated to go in two directions.”

Frank Lamb, member of the Consolidated Government Committee, about consolidation: It will “save taxpayers money by eliminating duplicate services.”

Bobbie Gaunt, member of the Consolidated Government Committee: “Consolidation will multiply our strength.” That strength will help attract entrepreneurs, families and jobs.
— “Consolidation means we will move forward as one community, not two.”

Bill Wester, supervisor of Saugatuck Township: “Consolidation is not in the best interest of our constituents.”
— when asked by the chairman of the State Boundary Commission if he supported merging the two cities: “I have a tendency to agree with the cities.”

Phil Quade of Saugatuck Township address the boundary commission.

Phil Quade, Saugatuck Township manager: “Saugatuck Township has no debt.”

Jane Verplank, Saugatuck city mayor, about a consolidation study: “I need a detailed plan.”
— “This consolidation cannot be done without a government buy-in.”
— Saugatuck “has no funds to pay for this very costly journey into the unknown.”
— About charter, zoning changes: “Legal fees for these rewrites will be astronomical.”
— “No do-over” once consolidation takes place.
— “Big government only gets bigger.”

Saugatuck city officials address the boundary commission.

Barry Johnson, Saugatuck city councilman: “Saugatuck city government is lean”; “Saugatuck is fiscally strong.”
— “We have a long history of cooperation with our neighbors.”
— “Saugatuck exemplifies efficient and cost-savings of a small government.”

Bill Hess, Saugatuck city councilman, member of Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities, about the removal of Saugatuck Township from the consolidation plan: “It’s the ever-changing, ever-shrinking cost-savings story.”
— If merged with Douglas: “Will the current Saugatuck be in the minority and lose our identity?”
— “Saugatuck government works. Why fix something that’s not broken?”

Jim Wiley, mayor of Douglas, about the removal of Saugatuck Township from the consolidation: “The Consolidated Government Committee has changed the target in the middle of the process.”
— About the consolidation group’s studies: “What should we believe?”
— The Consolidated Government Committee “started with good intentions,” but its studies are flawed.

Bill LeFevere, Douglas city manager, about the five-page study on the more than $500,000 in savings the Consolidated Government Committee says a merger will save the communities: “This doesn’t qualify as a consolidation study. It’s a sound byte.”

Matt Balmer, former Douglas mayor, member of Citizens for Independent and Cooperative Communities, about the history of Saugatuck and Douglas leaving the township to form independent cities: “People have decided they wanted to have their independence.”
— “What we’re talking about is a re-consolidation.”
— On cooperation: “We’re already together.”
— To the State Boundary Commission: “Please don’t make us the poster child for consolidation.”

R.J. Peterson, member of the Consolidated Government Committee, said he has 50 reasons why the two cities should be merged. One reason, he said, is that having two cities “imposes repressive and hidden taxes on businesses.”

John Thomas, Saugatuck Township resident, said he signed the petition to consolidate the three communities but a new petition should be circulated: “I did not sign a petition on a referendum of combining two of our communities.”

Janet Rund, Saugatuck Township resident, said the Consolidated Government Committee is funded by big companies, including a donation from developer Aubrey McClendon who has sued Saugatuck Township in federal court over zoning issues: “Why are they spending so much more ... money that could be put to worthwhile parts of the community, like the harbor?”
— Consolidation would allow government “to be run by people with the deepest pockets.”

Phil Miller, Saugatuck city resident, said the area’s zoning would be at risk in a consolidation. He said consolidation is best used for “troubled communities,” not well-run ones.
— Consolidation is “a solution looking for a problem.”

Keith Charak, Douglas resident, said he has “a huge concern” about how the State Boundary Commission in April suggested to the Consolidated Government Committee that it should drop the township from the merger plans. To the boundary commission:  “In essence, it was your idea to get rid of the township.”
— The boundary commission’s “ultimate goal is to consolidate something.”

Doug Hesse, Saugatuck Township resident, was concerned that if the township became a city, residents would no longer be able to hunt and fish: “Less government is best for us.”

Lesa Werme, Saugatuck city resident, said the Consolidated Government Committee is made up of non-elected people. “Don’t destroy what you can’t remake.”

Catherine Simon, Saugatuck city resident, former mayor of Saugatuck, said the two cities do not cooperate as well as they should: “We pale at the simple task of cooperation.”
— About lack of cooperation between the cities: “Petty competition does exist — and it’s expensive.”

Joan Lamb, resident of Douglas, member of the Saugatuck school board, said a consolidated government would benefit seniors and others by bringing health care to the area: “Now we don’t have any medical care in Saugatuck-Douglas.” A consolidated government would have more strength to negotiate with a hospital.

Peg Sanford, Saugatuck city resident, said she would like a woman on the State Boundary Commission: “Women play a healthy role in our government.”  Dennis Schornack, chairman of the State Boundary Commission, said he would tell the people in Lansing to consider a female for the commission if she would tell the Allegan County probate judge to appoint a woman as the local boundary commission representative.
Sanford said consolidation could mean the loss of Saugatuck’s historic district (Douglas does not have one) and a drop in parks funding (Douglas’ parks budget is half of Saugatuck’s funding): “These are just two of the very distinct differences in our community.”
— “I love my Douglas neighbors, but I still believe in local control.”

The State Boundary Commission. Chairman Dennis Schornack is second from right.

Some mustard with that guitar?

Josh West sweats out the afternoon sun in downtown Saugatuck on Saturday, June 16, playing guitar for the business Epic Wieners, 439 Butler St. in Saugauck.

For more on the business, visit epicwieners.com

Douglas pay increase still on hold

Douglas City Hall.

Douglas residents are going to have to wait a little longer to find out if city council members are going to vote themselves a pay increase.

The issue was not brought up at the Monday meeting even though it was tabled on May 21. The board first approved the pay hike on May 7. Because the issue is an ordinance change, it must be voted on and pass twice.

At the May 21 meeting, Councilwoman Jane Mayer was absent so fellow  council members postponed the issue. Mayer was absent again on Monday and the issue was not on the council agenda.

City Manager Bill LeFevere doesn’t know when it will come up for its second vote. The council will determine that, he said.

When council members voted the first time on the issue, the proposal passed by one vote. Mayer supported the increase. Without her support on the second vote, the motion would have been tied and would have failed, assuming council members would have followed their earlier balloting.

The proposal is to raise council pay by $15 per meeting.

The possible increase was brought up in September and again in April by  Mayer who wants council members paid the same as members of other city boards. Council members make $35 per meeting and meet twice a month. Planning commissioners make $50 and meet regularly once a month.

At $35 a meeting, with two meetings a month, a council member makes $840 a year. If all seven members attend every meeting, that’s $5,880 total a year for the entire council.

With an increase to $50 a meeting, a council member would make $1,200 a year.  If all seven members attend every meeting, that’s $8,400 a year, an increase overall of $2,520.

Vending machine in place

The new vending machine at Mount Baldhead Park on Thursday morning.

For the first time, there is a vending machine at Mount Baldhead Park in Saugatuck.

The city council recently approved a request from the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, 900 Brooks Ave. in Holland, to install and maintain the machines. The city will get a payment based in the percentage of items sold.

The machine at Oval Beach is located near the concession stand. The vending machine will be turned on only when the stand is not in operation.

The machine at Mount Baldhead is near the restroom building and will be screened so the light doesn’t effect the view of the area.

Saugatuck City OKs fire budget

The Saugatuck City Council approved the $598,226 Saugatuck Township Fire District budget for 2012-13 on Monday, May 29. The fire board will have the final votes after a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. June 11, at Saugatuck Township Hall, 3461 Blue Star Highway.

The fire district serves Saugatuck and Douglas cities and Saugatuck Township. Saugatuck City was the last of the three to approve the budget.

The tax rate will remain 1.16 mills, though the fire board said the millage might need to be increased for 2013-14.

The main goals accomplished this year include hiring Chief Brian Florey and full-time firefighters/medical first responders Tim Hurtman and Brent VanOss and buying new turnout gear and carbon fiber self-contained breathing apparatus bottles.

Payroll and fringe benefits make up 64 percent — $384,026 — of the entire budget. Florey will make $57,354 in 2012-13. Hurtman and VanOss each will make $41,500.

OTHER ACTION
• The council instructed City Manager Kirk Harrier to continue looking into bids for painting city hall. Harrier received four bids ranging from $12,575 to $64,982. The historic building was last painted about 7 to 8 years ago, Harrier said. The boards will have to be hand scraped before they are painted again.

NEXT MEETING
• The Saugatuck City Council meets at 7 p.m. June 25 at 102 Butler St.

The road of changes

Thursday morning, May 31, dawns in Douglas. The Keewatin is still in view.

Driving through Saugatuck and Douglas is now a changed — and changing — experience.

First, the 350-foot steamship Keewatin is gone. Crews from King Co. of Holland towed the historic ship, once the pride of the Canadian Pacific Railway, from its longtime home on land owned by R.J. Peterson, owner of Tower Marina.

The ship’s absence will take some time getting used to for drivers along Blue Star Highway who saw the ship through summer and winter, sun and storms.

The spot where the Keewatin rested just three hours before on Thursday.

To remove the ship, a channel had to be dredged through the shallow Kalamazoo Lake. The spoils pond remains on the property, visible from Blue Star Highway. Eventually, much of that is planned to be graded for a hill reaching from the edge of Blue Star Highway toward the lake. Peterson plans to keep a smaller spoils area, but is awaiting approval from the state because his plan impacts nearby wetlands.



Second, the Blue Star Highway bridge over the Kalamazoo River is now open for two-way traffic. After more than seven months of it being a single lane regulated by a traffic light, drivers can again travel freely over the span.

Work isn’t done yet. Lighting will change and, most important for drivers, the lane configuration will be different in about a month. The once-four-lane road will be re-striped to be three lanes — one northbound, one southbound and one center turn lane. There will be expanded bicycle and pedestrian areas as well.

Third, the people who prefer the fast lane will have to slow down on I-196 from the Douglas ramps to the U.S. 31 split.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has already begun work on a total repair of the northbound lanes of I-196. Traffic will be slowed in one lane and detoured into the southbound lane.

Work is already under way and will continue through the summer.