Approval of Workshop Meeting Minutes for April 9, 2025

CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING MINUTESproposed April 9, 2025 The City Council met for a Workshop Meeting at 4:00 p.m. City Hall 102 Butler St., Saugatuck, MI 49453. Call to Order: The meeting was called to order by Mayor Anderson at 4:00 p.m. Attendance: Present: Mayor Anderson and Councilmembers Clark, Dean and Muncey. Absent: Pro-Tem Stanton, Councilmember Gardner and Councilmember Peterson. Motion by Clark, second by Dean to excuse councilmembers Stanton, Gardner, and Peterson from today’s meeting. Via voice vote, motion carried 4-0. Others Present: City Manager Cummins, DPW Superintendent Herbert, Zoning Director Thompson, Treasurer Bredeweg, Deputy Clerk Williams and Attorney Witte. Agenda Changes: None. Public Comment on Agenda Items Only: Kathleen Quick commented on item #6d. Kyle Ritsema commented on item #6h. Approval of Minutes: Regular City Council Meeting Minutes – March 24, 2025: Motion by Muncey, second by Clark to approve the minutes from our city council regular meeting on March 24, 2025. Via voice vote, motion carried 4-0. Discussion Items: Tri-Community Wildlife Committee Recommendations: Councilmember Dean thanked the mayor, city manager, and DNR representatives Don and Mike for their contributions to the Tri-Community Task Force on deer management. Dean recognized fellow City of Saugatuck committee members Keith Walker and David Ignasiak for their service. The main recommendation from the Task Force is to align Saugatuck’s ordinance with state regulations by allowing archery hunting on private property during the regular deer season. This would require an ordinance change, particularly revising the current ban on discharging any weapons—including bows 102 Butler St. ★

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and arrows—within city limits. Dean emphasized that safeguards would remain in place to protect public safety and prevent nuisances. He also mentioned future discussions around allowing organized hunts or professional culling on city property, which would involve more planning. He noted that the current deer population is unusually unafraid of humans and is damaging the ecosystem, necessitating human-led population control due to the loss of natural predators. A sample resolution was presented for consideration. The council discussed. Additional Historic Marker at Coghlin Park: Dr. Eric Gollannek provided an update on the placement of historical markers in Saugatuck. After receiving prior approval from the council in fall 2024, two markers are scheduled to be installed in spring/summer 2025—one at Village Square and one at the West Side Ferry Landing. He proposed a third marker in partnership with the Saugatuck Center for the Arts and the History Center. This marker would highlight the history of the Pie Factory building, the Saugatuck Center for the Arts, the Mason Street Theater, and the Blue Tempo jazz bar (a 1960s–70s venue near today's SCA). The recommended location is the northeast corner of Coughlin Park, near the main sidewalk. This spot would also allow for the removal and replacement of a worn, outdated interpretive sign currently there. He included photos in the council packet and offered to send more, requesting council approval for the new marker's installation at that site. The council discussed. Recommendation for Renaming Old Airport Property: DPW Superintendent Scott Herbert provided an update on the effort to rename the airport property, a project initiated during the January strategic planning session. The Parks and Public Works Committee was tasked with generating name ideas. A public survey was conducted from March 11–25 via SurveyMonkey, the city’s Facebook page, and through the local school, resulting in 98 responses. The committee reviewed the results at their March meeting and compiled a shortlist of name options, which was included in the council packet. The top choice was "Saugatuck Wilds Nature Preserve." Other suggestions included: • Saugatuck Wilds • Saugatuck Nature Preserve • Saugatuck Flyway Preserve (honoring the original park concept) • Saugatuck Whispering Woods • Saugatuck Sanctuary • Saugatuck Woods Herbert welcomed the council feedback on the list and the council discussed it. Short-Term Rental Licensing Ordinance Amendment: City Manager Cummins reviewed the status of implementing the Short-Term Rental (STR) Task Force recommendations and the enforcement plan, which were presented at the March 5 workshop. Legal also reported on ownership transfers, late applications, and appeals. In response to council feedback, draft ordinance changes were prepared. Key proposed changes include late applications, grandfathering transfers, ownership documentation, limited ownership documentation, limited ownership transfers and restrictions. The council discussed.

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Revenue/Expenses through 3rd Quarter: Treasurer Nicole Bredeweg provided a financial update, noting that the city is tracking well threequarters of the way through the fiscal year. She highlighted key items from recent budget activity and amendments. End of 3rd Quarter Investment Status Report: Treasurer Nicole Bredeweg reported that the city's investment portfolio currently totals $1.811 million, distributed across several funds: the General Fund, Major and Local Streets, Water & Sewer Fund, and Motor Pool. Purchase of Water Filled Barricades: City Manager Cummins briefed the council on recent discussions and planning efforts regarding parade safety for the upcoming season. Following a meeting with the fire department, sheriff department, and city staff, a key recommendation emerged: to purchase water-filled barricades to enhance pedestrian safety during parades. The council discussed. No Wake and Watercraft Controls Survey for Kalamazoo Lake: Cummins updated council on the proposal to make all of Kalamazoo Lake a "slow no wake" zone. After gathering feedback from public safety, DNR, marinas, and the Harbor Authority, the next step is a TriCommunity survey. The survey will gauge support for a full no wake zone and alternative ideas like size-based restrictions, expanding no wake areas, or limiting tubing. Douglas is drafting the survey, and Cummins invited council feedback before it goes out. The council discussed. Public Comments: Kathleen Quick commented on short-term rentals. Correspondence: None. Council Comments: • Councilmember Clark did not have a comment. •

Councilmember Muncey welcomed Sunday Drive, a new business in town. He mentioned that on Sunday, the show will feature Daniel DeFranco, the township manager, and Lisa, the city manager from Douglas. Muncey also mentioned wanting to have the city manager on the show soon.

Councilmember Dean thanked the DNR for coming in to brief the council.

City Manager Cummins updated the council on the Maple Street project, mentioning that they are ready to move forward with design engineering and finalizing cost-sharing details with the township. They’ve been working on agreements for the water main, one lane of road, and sewer repairs, as well as sharing sewer capacity to meet the township's needs. After some delays, they are now ready to present the agreements, including a memo from legal counsel, for council review on Monday. Engineers are urging timely action to ensure the project can be completed next year, with enough time to bid and secure contractors.

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Adjournment: Motion by Dean, second by Muncey to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, motion carried 40. Mayor Anderson adjourned the meeting at 5:57 p.m. Respectfully Submitted ____________________ Jamie Wolters, City Clerk

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