MINUTES

 

Spring Lake Village

November 1, 2004

7:30 P.M.

Barber School Meeting Room

102 West Exchange

Spring Lake, Michigan

 

I.  Call to Order

 

President Keller called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

 

II.               Pledge of Allegiance

 

III.          Roll Call

 

A.              Present:     Filber, Fischer, Holland, Keller, & VanStrate

B.              Excused:   Hall, Palma 

 

IV.                                 Reports and Statements of Citizens: 

 

No reports or statements of citizens were presented.

 

V.  Consent Agenda

 

A.              Approved the payment of the bills in the amount of $79,737.91.

 

B.              Approved the minutes of the October 18, 2004 regular meeting.

 

C.              Approved a vote for six directors to the Michigan Municipal League Liability and Property Pool (Anthony Furton, Menominee; Brad Hefner, Ithaca; Michael Herman, Albion; Richard Lewis, Traverse Village; Samuel Rye, Adrian; and Richard Root, Kentwood).

 

D.              Approved a community development plan required by the Community Development Block Grant Application process for the Village Place Economic Development Infrastructure Project at 701 East Savidge and authorized the Village Clerk-Treasurer to execute its adoption.  This plan was needed to satisfy the federal legislative requirement to have a two to three page summary community development plan adopted by the Village Council to address the noted grant criteria.

 

E.              Approved a resolution to oppose House Bill 4358, Michigan Vehicle Code Amendments, which would increase the possible length of trucks and allow trucks to travel over any road.

 

F.              Approved a traffic control order to permit parallel parking on Exchange between Cutler and School Streets.  This parallel parking was requested by the new businesses on the north side. This additional parking was needed and would help slow traffic down on this new emerging downtown business street. 

 

 

      On a motion by Fischer, support from Filber, the Village Council approved the consent agenda as presented.

 

                                          Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

 

 

VI.                                   Report By the Village Clerk

 

A.        Held a combined public hearing regarding the finding of no significant impact on the environment and a notice to request release of funds as per Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383) for the Village Place Project (former Harbor Steel Redevelopment) at 701 East Savidge for a total estimated investment of $4,689,640.

 

Subject: This combined hearing to find no significant impact on the environment and to request a release of funds was required according to the Community Development Block Grant requirements. The Planning Commission and Village Council supported this project in previous official actions.  The Chamber of Commerce and Village staff drew up all the documents for this meeting and received State Historic chamber approval several weeks prior. 

 

This hearing was the final step Council needed prior to an official request to release the funds.  With this approved request, came the ability to secure an engineering firm for design and construction of the planned streetscape and for the necessary property to be acquired by Redstone from G.A. Richards for the comprehensive redevelopment. 

 

A total of at least 41 jobs for low to moderate-income individuals would result from Redstone’s plans and this grant.

 

President Keller declared the hearing open for public comment at 7:33 p.m.

 

Manager Cotton expressed his appreciation to Redstone for their work on the project and to the Chamber of Commerce for pulling together documentation for the meeting.

 

Ned Silverman, owner of Chapter 11 Sports, asked for clarification as to whether or not the grant money would be used for the property acquisition.

Mr. Silverman was told that it would not.  The grant money would be used for streetscape improvements on Savidge Street and Rotary Drive.

 

On a motion by Fischer, support from Filber, the Village Council closed the combined public hearing at 7:39 p.m.       

 

                                 Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

 

On a motion by Fischer, support from Holland, the Village Council adopted the findings of no significant impact on the environment; requested the release of funds; and authorized the Village President, Village Clerk-Treasurer and/or the certifying officer, Manager Cotton, to certify the same to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for the Village Place project (Harbor Steel Redevelopment area) totaling $4,689,640, as per Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-383).

 

                                 Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

 

 

B.  Held a public hearing to solicit public comment on the use of Michigan Community Development Block Grant Funds and the proposed Village Place project (former Harbor Steel Redevelopment area) at 701 East Savidge for streetscape improvements to Savidge and Rotary Drive for $591,120 as well as a developer and TIF Fund local match totaling $100,000 for relocation of power lines and shared parking improvements, as per the proposed Community Development Block Grant Application, for economic development infrastructure from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and approved a resolution of submission of a Michigan Community Development Block Grant application for the same as prepared by the Village Manager acting as certifying officer.

 

Subject:  This grant application was the subject of a notice in the paper and flyers given to the adjoining property owners and to blighted area homes.  The grant application was prepared by the grant’s certifying officer.  Individuals of low or moderate income were specifically encouraged to attend the public hearing. 

 

The purpose of the proposed grant was to stimulate the creation of at least 41 new low to moderate-income jobs in an adjacent planned development (Ace Hardware, retail shops and offices). Total new investment planned was $4,689,640.  

 

President Keller declared the hearing open for public comment at 7:42 p.m.

 

Council member Holland asked if the grant would cover streetscape improvements to both sides of Savidge Street.  Manager Cotton said that the grant covered 1400 feet on the north side of Savidge and part of Rotary Drive.  The lighting would be done at a later date, after completion of the north side for uniformity.   Manager Cotton added that as property on the south side of Savidge Street was redeveloped, the streetscape work would be done.

 

Ms. Chris Aurich, 208 N. Lake, asked why the notice encouraged low to moderate income individuals to attend the meeting.  Manager Cotton said that this was to be included per the CDBG grant instructions.

 

Ned Silverman, Spring Lake business owner, said he was in favor of the whole project.  Mr. Silverman asked if there would be significant traffic disruption and if they could time the project to avoid the busy summer tourism season. 

 

Ross Pope, 105 West Exchange Street, said that the project would get underway soon and that there should be no traffic disruption because there was a forty foot off-street right-of-way.

 

On a motion by Fischer, support by Holland, the Village Council closed the public hearing at 7:51 p.m.

 

                                    Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

 

 

On a motion by Filber, support from Holland, the Village Council approved the use of Michigan Community Development block grant funds for the proposed Village Place project (former Harbor Steel Redevelopment area) at 701 East Savidge for streetscape improvements to Savidge and Rotary Drive for $591,120, as well as a Redstone Development and Spring Lake TIF Fund local match totaling $100,000, and approved a resolution for submission by the Village Manager acting as certifying officer of the grant application, as per the proposed Community Development Block grant program for economic development infrastructure from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

 

 

                                    Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

               

 

VII.                              Report by the Village Manager

 

A.  Approved a proposed Groundwater Use Ordinance, Chapter 30, Article VI of the Village of Spring Lake Code of Ordinances.

 

Subject:  This ordinance was proposed to ensure that the Burnside property would receive MDEQ permission to be sold for redevelopment.  Grand Haven and Muskegon passed similar ordinances.  Passage of this ordinance ensured that the Village would receive the property owner’s permission to build Lakeside Trail across the current gap. 

 

The public hearing was held on October 18, 2004 at the Village Council meeting.  No citizens attended the hearing or submitted any comments.  The action on the ordinance was postponed until this meeting to ensure conformity between the Village and Mr. Burnside’s attorney’s ordinance language. 

 

On a motion by Fischer, support by VanStrate, the Village Council adopted the Groundwater Use Ordinance and authorized the Village/Clerk to advertise such ordinance, upon execution of the bike path easement.

 

                                          Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

 

B.  Approved the site plan for the Planned Unit Development for Phase I of the property commonly known as East Village Center, 701 East Savidge Street, as per the contract between the Village of Spring Lake and Redstone Commercial Development.     

 

Subject: Village Council approved the PUD conceptual plan on October 4, 2004.  Phase I was downscaled to include just the Ace Hardware store on the east end of the project and was unanimously approved by the Planning Commission on October 26 with several new conditions:  the inclusion of windows along the east elevation and the requirement that the developer submit building elevations for the remainder of the project prior to construction. 

 

The low signage, the use of red brick to match the existing remaining Harbor Steel office building and the planned streetscape all made this project conform to the Design Manual as much as possible. 

 

Additional suggestions for Council were to:  approve it with a requirement to move any encroachment on the MDOT right-of-way (move the coffee kiosk); inclusion of a shared parking agreement easement for the east parking lot and Central Park overflow; and a shared cost agreement for the power line relocation and shared parking lot totaling $50,000 each due prior to issuance of an occupancy permit, as per the grant documents approved above.          

 

This project was now being called “East Village Center.” 

 

On a motion by Fischer, support from Filber, the Village Council approved the site plan for the Planned Unit Development for Phase I of the property commonly known as 701 East Savidge Street as per the contract between the Village of Spring Lake and Redstone Commercial Development as approved by the Planning Commission with the additions of a shared parking agreement for the east parking lot; and the shared cost for the power line relocation and shared parking lot totaling $50,000 each due prior to the occupancy permit, as per the grant document, contingent upon the approval of the architectural plans for the buildings other than the Ace Hardware.

 

                                    Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

               

 

C.  Accepted the overall low bid and estimate from Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering, Inc of Grand Rapids for professional engineering services for the Savidge Street/Rotary Drive Streetscape project and authorized the Village President and Village Clerk-Treasurer to execute a contract, subsequent to review of the Village Attorney.

 

Subject:  The Village did a request for qualifications late last month.  A total of three engineers, one landscape architecture firm and one architecture firm responded.  A review committee composed of Council members Palma and VanStrate and the Community Services Director and the Village Manager reviewed the qualifications.  The owner of Redstone Development sat in on the deliberations.  Two firms were selected as being qualified to design, bid and manage the streetscape along the Village Place (East Village Center) project. 

 

The bids were returned as follows:

 

Guaranteed Not-to-exceed Costs for Preliminary Engineering:

 

Moore & Bruggink                                     Fleis & Vandenbrink

 

$29,800                                                         $30,200

 

Estimated Other Phased Costs Through to Completion:

 

Moore & Bruggink                                     Fleis & Vandenbrink

$56,600                                                         $52,300

 

Estimated Totals (Add the above two items):

 

Moore & Bruggink                                     Fleis & Vandenbrink

$86,400                                                         $82,500

 

Since the estimated costs were not substantially different, the focus became landscape design services, communications and overall performance. 

 

The Committee determined one firm was best for landscape design.  It was initially unclear which firm would be best for the construction phase.  When interviewed again, Fleis and Vandenbrink, the overall low bidder and better landscape-engineering firm, addressed the construction management concerns by assigning a different project manager.  Manager Cotton interviewed this person and checked references and found him (Bill Frazier) highly suited for this job.  On that basis, Fleis and Vandenbrink was recommended for the Savidge Street/Rotary Drive Streetscape project.  The working capital would come from the TIF fund.

 

On a motion by VanStrate, support from Fischer, the Village Council accepted the overall low bid from Fleis and VandenBrink Engineering, Inc of Grand Rapids for professional engineering services for the Savidge Street/Rotary Drive Streetscape Project and authorized the Village President and Village Clerk-Treasurer to execute a contract for a guaranteed-not-to-exceed amount of $30,200 for preliminary engineering and an estimated $52,300 for the remaining phases, subsequent to review of the Village Attorney.

 

                        Yes:                 5                      No:                  0

                                         

VIII.       Reports by the Village Council:

 

              No reports by the Village Council were reported.

 

IX.                                    Statements of Citizens:

 

        No statements of citizens were presented.

 

X.    Adjournment              

 

On a motion by VanStrate, support from Holland, the Village Council adjourned at 8:21 p.m.

 

                        Yes:                 5                      No:                  0                                             

 

              

 

                               

_______________________________________________

Daniel Keller, Village President

 

 

 

_______________________________________________

Maribeth Lawrence, Village Clerk/Treasurer