Village Council Work Session

Monday, January 3, 2005

Meet at Barber School

102 W. Exchange Street

Spring Lake, Michigan

7:00 PM

 

 

 

Work Session Discussion Items

 

·        Agenda Review:

 

This is the opportunity to discuss any changes to the
Regular Agenda, which follows tonight, or to remove items from the Consent Agenda for discussion.

 

·        Review of Exchange Street Typical Streetscape from Buchanan West to Division

 

Moore and Bruggink, Inc. was engaged last summer to:  1)review the width of Exchange;   2)see what could be done to provide on-street parking while minimizing any widening,  3) not harm the existing trees  and  4)include miscellaneous design elements recommended in the Downtown Master Plan.

 

Joe Camp from Moore and Bruggink will be present tonight to share their findings and thoughts. 

 

Variables for discussion include:   preservation of trees; short-term parking in front of the Post Office; closure of curb cuts that interfere with on-street parking; and whether this streetscape concept should eventually be extended west to Cutler Street as Exchange Street redevelopment occurs. 

 

 

·        Review of the Harbor Steel Redevelopment Streetscape Process/ Changes to Rotary Drive and Access to Central Park

 

Fleis and VandenBrink was engaged in November to plan this streetscape project with a CDBG grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. 

 

The Village Staff, the Parks and Recreation Committee and the property owner reviewed their preliminary design.  Several revisions to save trees were made. 

 

This review by Village Council tonight will enable additional insights to be included. 

 

The Village’s key objectives are to:  1)share an entryway that compliments both the development and the park;  2)accentuate the entrance into Central Park; and  3)enable overflow ball field parking to use the development’s parking lots in the evening hours. 

 

Further, a maintenance easement understanding needs to be fashioned between the parties.  Attached is a discussion draft. 

 

·        Review of Temporary Village of Spring Lake Demolition Permit Policy for Properties Over Fifty Years Old

 

The Historic Conservation District Commission requested this policy two years ago.  It permits historic review of any building targeted for demolition if over 50 years old before Council grants a permit.  This policy began in January of 2003 and was extended for another year in January 2004. 

 

The Historic Conservation District Commission discussed this matter at their meeting on December 20th and will present their conclusions.  They are thinking about a less inclusive list of potential properties and a longer review period. 

 

The second trial year ends on January 5, 2005.  If the Village Council wants to extend the process, you may want to add an agenda item tonight, or, simply ask staff to hold off on any demolition activity until your next meeting on January 17, 2005.

 

·        Invitation from Grand Haven Area Arts Council

 

Attached is an invitation to serve on the Board of Directors.  For your information and discussion. 

 

·        Review of the Timetable and Process for Design and Funding of the Municipal Services Garage Expansion

 

Closing of the Old Public Works Garage is scheduled on, or about, January 15, 2005.  The discussion tonight is intended to see if the Village Council would like to deposit these funds ($85,000) into the Public Improvement Fund and combine them with the leftover Village Hall contingency funds (about $100,000) and then encumber them for the Municipal Services Garage?  If so, a discussion on an appropriate design process is needed. 

 

If we proceed, the options are:

 

1.    Have the Village staff act as the designer and general contractor;

2.    Hire a design/build construction firm;

3.    Hire an architect.

 

The advantage of a design/build construction firm is the addition’s complexity does not warrant an architect.  Most design/build firms do not take payment until actual construction either. 

 

 

 

 

·        Miscellaneous Announcements or Status Reports

 

o       Closing with Oosting Construction (John)

o       TIF District Status Report (Ryan and Bob)

o       NOWS water premium rates

o       NOWS intake fix and potential $85,000 cost

o       NOWS Contract amendments and direction

o       Applications to Planning Commission (None to date)

o       Applications to Historic Conservation District (Need one more)

o       Joint Meeting with Planning Commission (January 10:  Downtown review,  Kick-off of SL Master Plan process, and Zoning Code Re-Write)

 

Upcoming Agenda Items (Tentative)

 

January 10, 2005

Joint Meeting with Planning Commission

 

January 17, 2005

 

Public hearing on Downtown Zoning changes

Review of Chip and Seal Street Repairs and Detailed Program for Street Repairs and Financing

Formal Water Line Replacement policy

Authorization to Design Lakeside Trail Gap Completion

Easement agreements for shared parking and maintenance for East Savidge and Rotary Drive Streetscape improvements

Review of Band shell plans for Mill Point Park

 

February 7, 2005

Public Dumpsters Behind Village Hall serving the former Rich’s redevelopment and businesses on Savidge (permission to use Village property and build them)

 

February 21, 2005

TBD