Regular City Council Meeting Minutes, June 9, 2025

CITY COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - proposed June 9, 2025 The City Council met to have a Regular Council Meeting at City Hall. 102 Butler St., Saugatuck, MI 49453. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Anderson at 6:30 p.m. Pledge of Allegiance. Attendance: Present: Mayor Anderson, Mayor Pro-Tem Stanton, and Councilmembers Clark, Dean, Muncey, and Peterson. Absent: Gardner. Motion by Peterson, second by Stanton to excuse Councilmember Gardner. Via voice vote, motion carried 6-0. Others Present: City Manager Cummins, Treasurer Bredeweg, Clerk Wolters and Attorney Witte. Mayor’s Comments: Mayor Holly Anderson praised the recent Pride event, giving special thanks to Liz Engel and her team for organizing it. She highlighted the hard work of various community organizations like the CVB, Rotary, and other committees who contribute to making the community great. Anderson emphasized the positive energy of summer and the many volunteers who helped make the city a wonderful place to live. City Manager Comments: Ryan Cummins provided several key updates: • Saugatuck Wilds opened recently and has received positive feedback, with one person calling it a "slice of heaven". There has been discussion about the potential signage challenge. • The Maple Street Project had good attendance at the open house. Construction is planned for next year, starting in April. Residents can contact John Moxey with questions. • Fiber Improvements have started west of the river and will extend to Oval Beach. The work is expected to continue through August with mostly underground directional boring. • The temporary signage at Holland and Blue Star Highway is in progress. He thanked the CVB staff for beautifying the town by repainting the rainbow sidewalk by the SCA.

102 Butler St. ★

PO Box 86

★ (269) 857-2603

www.SaugatuckCity.com

Agenda Changes: Motion by Stanton, second by Peterson to approve the special event application for a wedding on Main Street to the consent agenda as item #9e. Via voice vote, motion carried 6-0. Guest Speakers: None. Public Comment on Agenda Item Only: None. Consent Agenda: A. Approval of Special Meeting Minutes for June 4, 2025. B. Special Event – Venetian Festival. C. Special Event – Fourth of July. D. Special Event – Music in the Park. E. Special Event – Wedding on Main Street. Motion by Muncey, second by Clark to approve the consent agenda. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0. Staff Reports, Boards, Commissions & Committees: The City Manager, Treasurer, Clerk, Director of Planning & Zoning, Department of Public Works and Engineer submitted status reports on current activities since the last regular council meeting for their respective departments. Fire District Administration: Dan Fox's report was brief and covered two main points: South Station at Wiley Road and Blue Star Highway: • Non-binding letter of agreement between Douglas city and Fire District • Both parties want to move forward • A subcommittee will meet with Douglas city council building committee • Continuing to evaluate potential financing and operational options Ambulance Service Agreement: • Still under development • Discussions primarily between the Fire Chief and Mark Meyer of Life Ambulance • Delayed due to people's time and availability • Both sides aim to make the agreement happen Interurban Board: Councilmember Muncey's Interurban board report highlighted several key points: Extended hours of operation: • Monday-Thursday: 7am-7pm • Friday-Saturday: 7am-11pm • Sunday: 9am-7pm • Regular shuttle service remains $1 per ride • Now serving Saugatuck, Fennville, and Lake Town Township New Safety Measure: • Staff trained in administering Narcan • Free kits available on each bus Summer Shuttle Service: • Free shuttle service will start in the last week of June and will run through summer 102 Butler St. ★

PO Box 86

★ (269) 857-2603

www.SaugatuckCity.com

Includes high school parking lot overflow Supported by CVB donation

Kalamazoo Lake Sewer & Water Authority: Councilmember Clark noted the next meeting is June 23. Kalamazoo Lake Harbor Authority: Councilmember Peterson informed the next meeting will review the results of the no-wake survey. Zoning Board of Appeals: None. Historic District Commission: None. Planning Commission: Councilmember Clark will report at the next regular City Council meeting. Parks & Public Works Committee: Mayor Pro-Tem Stanton noted the next meeting is June 24. Tri-Community Non-Motorized Trial Study Committee: Councilmember Dean is pleased that they have a firm date for August for the tribes to walk through and evaluate the route. Water Systems Operations Contract Advisory Committee: Councilmember Clark noted a red line reviewal is scheduled for Friday. Wildlife Management Committee: Councilmember Dean Dean's Wildlife Management Committee report covered these key points: Media Engagement: • Holland Sentinel is interested in the committee's work • Exchanging emails with Douglas representatives to share information Deer Management Approach: • Committee agrees hard steps are necessary for population control • No viable alternatives to hunting and potentially culling • Consensus among tri-community areas on management strategy Alternative Population Control Methods: • Consulted DNR urban deer specialist Don Pope • Determined birth control/relocation methods are not effective • Deer need to feel "pressure" or threat to change behavior Next Steps: • Working on finalizing ordinance details • Expecting some variability in implementation across communities • Continuing to develop a comprehensive deer management plan Dean emphasized that the current deer population is behaving abnormally due to lack of natural threats. Approval of Accounts Payable: Motion by Stanton, second by Clark to approve the accounts payable in the amount of $108,554.49. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0.

102 Butler St. ★

PO Box 86

★ (269) 857-2603

www.SaugatuckCity.com

Public Hearing: None. Unfinished Business: None. New Business: Res 250609-A Adopting the General Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. Motion by Dean, second by Muncey to approve Resolution 250609-A, to adopt the General Appropriations Act for fiscal year 2025-2026. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0. Change in the City’s Schedule of Fees - Resolution No. 250609-B & Resolution No. 250609-C.: Motion by Peterson, second by Stanton to approve Resolution No. 250609-B approving a change in the City’s schedule of fees to increase the water capital improvement charge and approve Resolution No. 250609-C approving a change in the City’s schedule of fees to increase the short-term rental license and reinspection fees. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0. Closed Session: Motion by Stanton, second by Muncey to move into a closed session pursuant to MCL 15.268(a) to conduct an annual personnel evaluation of the City Manager. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0. The council entered a closed session at 6:59 p.m. Motion by Muncey, second by Stanton to go into open session. Via roll call vote, motion carried 6-0. The council entered the open session at 7:59 p.m. Public Comment: None. Correspondence: Kate Cotton submitted correspondence supporting allowing chickens in the city. Council Comments: Councilmember Peterson: • Expressed excitement about an upcoming Harbor Authority committee meeting as they will be reviewing the results of a recent no-wake survey • Noted the survey results were "down the middle" and seemed divisive • Agreed with Councilmember Dean's comments about parking challenges • Acknowledged the positive problem of having many people wanting to visit the community • Expressed appreciation for the good discussions and collaborative spirit of the council Mayor Pro-Tem Stanton: • Expressed looking forward to establishing a soon-to-start parking committee • Noted that the Fourth of July weekend is approaching quickly • Requested volunteers for the parade route • Emphasized the need to start recruiting volunteers early

102 Butler St. ★

PO Box 86

★ (269) 857-2603

www.SaugatuckCity.com

Councilmember Dean: Summer Crowds and Parking: • Appreciated the start of summer crowds • Suggested comprehensive parking study • Recommended a detailed review of every parking spot in town • Proposed hiring a consultant to optimize parking through strategic restriping and believes they could potentially find additional parking spots without major infrastructure changes • Acknowledged previous parking restrictions were necessary for emergency vehicle access Councilmember Muncey: Wishbone Fundraising Event: • Held last Friday at the Cut Above Event Center • Raised significantly more money compared to last year • A live auction that raised over $50,000 and also held a silent auction • Worked with Allegan County shelter, which now has a zero-kill rate • Helped reclaim 116 pets and return them to their original owners • Supported hundreds of families • They received a grant two years ago for spaying and neutering • Grant money specifically used for spaying and neutering • Wishbone resale shop and other services rely on additional fundraising Councilmember Clark: He commented on his weekend visit to Mt. Baldy, noting the large crowds and heavy traffic. He felt this reinforced two previous council decisions: • Postponing construction until after summer • Proceeding with plans for new restroom facilities He observed the road was packed with visitors and the existing restroom was not being used, which he saw as validation of the council's planning approach. Overall, he was pleased to see so many people enjoying one of the community's key attractions. Mayor Anderson: Mentioned her cat Kevin was adopted from Wishbone, expressing fond feelings for the organization. She also highlighted the value of council discussions. She acknowledged that while the council doesn't always agree, they listen to each other. She expressed appreciation for her fellow council members and emphasized the importance of good, respectful dialogue. Adjournment: Motion by Peterson, second by Stanton to adjourn the meeting. Upon voice vote, motion carried 6-0. Mayor Anderson adjourned at 8:07 p.m. Respectfully Submitted ____________________ Jamie Wolters, City Clerk

102 Butler St. ★

PO Box 86

★ (269) 857-2603

www.SaugatuckCity.com