Attached is a budget summary (preliminary)  for the Village Budget of March 1, 2010 through February 28, 2011.  This budget was put together with the help of village staff and commissions and council.  After a preliminary budget for sent to the me, I then made adjustments as I felt were necessary and based on previous direction by the Council.  The Village Council in January will review and discuss the budget, and, most likely make several changes.  In February the Council will  hold two public hearings on the budget and at the second meeting in February they will approve a budget.  During the budget process the Village Council will consider what millage rate levy.  Should you wish, a copy of the entire budget is available at the governmental center.  The governmental center is open Monday through Friday from 8 am to 5 pm.  Your comments are encouraged.

Budget Summary

At the next Village Council meeting, Monday, December 21st, a resolution will appear before the council for a second reading to increase sanitary sewer rates.  The proposal is to raise the base  bill charge by $4 per month staring with the January billing.  This $4 increase will be used initially to fund removal of heavy sludge deposits from two sewage lagoons next spring.  The estimated cost for the sludge removal is $135,000.  The year after next, one of the dikes will be repaired and another lagoon will have its slidge removed at an estimated cost of $70,000.  Future cost to be incurred is the reduction of inflow and infiltration into the sewer system.  During high ground water events we experience a lot of clean water flowing into the sanitary sewer system through bad pipe joints and broken pipes.  This leakage limits the amount of sewage we can treat and is costly.  There is also a cost increase of .05 per 1,000 gallons.  This increase will cover annual increases in cost of operation.

HARBOR COMMISSION: With the economic outlook for the state not looking to improve in the near future, the Harbor Commission will not be bringing the conceptual expansion plan to the Village Council at this time.  The Harbor Commission will continue to evaluate and discuss the various options of the plans during the upcoming months and determine what is going to be best for the Harbor and the Village; the Harbor Commisson will keep the Village Council informed.

BEAUTIFICATION COMMISSION: If there is a tree on your property that you want to trim or remove and there might be a question that it could be i the Village right-of-way or on Village property, please call teh village Department of Public Works Superintendent before you do anything.

A two month report from Antrim County revealed that the Elk Rapids recycling site was the leading site for the county in number of pulls for the months of October and November.  Elk Rapids had 26 pulls out of a total of 73 in the county that included seven other site combined.  It was estimated the Village site recycled over 11,000 pound during this period.

The River Street project near completion.  While there are several changes to the design of River Street the most dramatic will be “reverse angle parking”.  This parking scheme will be a change for most all of us, and it will take some getting use to.  Next spring the Department of Public Works will install signs provide for directions on “how to” park.  The police department will monitor the parking, and issue warnings  for a period of time before issuing any tickets.  It will be important for all of us to give this new parking scheme a chance.  One of the primary reasons for considering this type of parking is to provide for the safety of park users, as loading and unloading from the rear of a vehicle is much safer from the sidewalk side then from street side.  As the spring and summer progresses, and you have some time to use the parking,  I am certain the village council would like to hear thoughts.

Elk Rapids Reverse Angle Parking (2)

The Downtown Development Authority  will provide 20 LED type street lights on the Lake Street and Loomis Street Project.  The purpose for installing this technology is to reduce the electric consumption and provide specific lighting requirements.  In addition the DDA has been approached to provide dark sky light fixtures in the  Business District.  While researching dark sky lighting fixtures the DDA began to consider a totally different light fixture that would employ LED lights.  At a recent DDA meeting a sample of the light fixture was presented and the DDA was impressed.  As a result the vendor will supply the village with 2-4 LED light fixtures that will be placed on light poles in the business district.  It is hoped that people will observe these lights and provide their comment whether it be positive or negative.  Keep you eyes on River Street.

You may have noticed increased harbor dredging activity this season.  The first dredging, which is completed, was the hydraulic portion.  Through this method about 3,000 cubic yards of sand was removed from the harbor entrance.  This dredging is an annual event.  Prior to sand removal, permits from the DEQ, Army Corps and Antrim County Soil Erosion had to be obtained.  In addition the sand was tested.  The sand was pumped into a temporary holding area where the water was allowed to drain.  After draining the sand it was trucked off to an approved location.

The second type of dredging is mechanical dredging.  Mechanical dredging in our harbor is rare and the only reason we are doing it at this time is due to low water levels and “humps” in the harbor.  We strive to have at least a depth of 7 feet throughout the harbor.  This depth is needed for the deeper draft boats.  In the past we have had to turn boaters away because of their draw.  Again permits have been obtained from the DEQ, Army Corps and Antrim County Soil Erosion Control.  We anticipate at this time that 1,700 cubic yards of clay will be removed from the harbor in selected locations.  The clay material will be placed in a holding area and then trucked away to an approved site.  This dredging is to be completed by May 15th.

We are aware that these activities are inconvenient to some folks.  We hope you will be patient and understand these activities need to be done in order to provide the best harbor in Michigan.

2007 SPRING CLEANUP

SATURDAY, MAY 19, 2007

Curbside pickup for Village residents only. This is a residential service only.  Excluded from pickup are private streets, condominiums, mobile home parks and commercial enterprises.  All materials must be stacked neatly and placed behind the curb line by 7 a.m.  No alley pickup.   Please do not place material out early in the week as it is unsightly and could be subject to fines.  No household garbage shall be placed with spring cleanup refuse.  One cubic yard or less of building materials will be picked up.  White goods will be accepted.  Refrigeration units must have certification attached verifying removal of freon by a licensed vendor.  Refrigerator and freezer doors must be removed.  Tires and refrigeration units with freon, may be delivered to the public works parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. where they can be disposed of for a fee.  Tires $5, tractor tires $10 (tires on rims twice fee) refrigerant $20.  Excluded from curbside pickup; batteries, paint cans, rocks, asphalt, concrete, brush, yard waste, tires and all hazardous waste such as chemicals, herbicides and insecticides.  These materials will not be picked up and it will be the owner’s responsibility to remove them from the street right of way.

2007 SPRING BRUSH PICKUP

APRIL 30, 2007

The village of Elk Rapids is providing a ONE-TIME brush pickup.  The service will begin on the east side of town and move west.  No return pickup will be made.  This is a residential service only.  Excluded from pickup are private streets, condominiums, mobile home parks, and commercial enterprises.  Residents must have their brush piled NEATLY by the shoulder of the street, butt ends facing out.  Roots and dirtballs must be removed.  NO ALLEY PICKUPS.  RESTRICTED ITEM: Do not mix brush & branches with leaves and yard rakings.  This is not leaf pickup.  Leaf pickup will begin May 7, 2007.  No trash, garbage, or construction material.

SPRING LEAF PICKUP

MAY 7, 2007

The village of Elk Rapids is providing a ONE-TIME leaf pickup.  The service will begin on the east side of town and move west. No return pickup will be made.  This is a residential service only.  Excluded from pickup are private streets, condominiums, mobile home parks, and commercial enterprises.  Residents must have their leaves piled  NEATLY by the shoulder of the street.  Do not placein leaves in bags.  NO ALLEY PICKUP.  RESTRICTED ITEMS: Do not mix brush & branches with yard rakings.  This is not a brush pickup.  No trash, garbage, or construction materials.

WATER SYSTEM FLUSH. SPRING 2007

EAST SIDE VILLAGE: TUESDAY, APRIL 24

WEST SIDE VILLAGE: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25.

At times residents might experience water distribution low pressure and should run extra water to clear lines before washing clothes. 

 Recently the means by which the village processes Planned Unit Developments has come into greater focus.  As a result our President and Planning Commission Chairman have issued a “Statement related to Planned Unit Development Process”.  I would encourage you to read this statement. See this link. Planned Unit Development Process 

The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance has issued a statement that grant funds are available to assess potential petroleum-based Brownfield sites in Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet Counties.  If you have an interest in this topic call Sheri Rhoads at NLEA, 231-582-6482.

In the next few month you will begin to hear more discussion about sidewalks.  Most of the discussion will focus on the best locations for sidewalk and how they can be paid for.  A good way to review sidewalk options is to visit a site called www.walkable.org.  This site, operated by Mr. Dan Burden, is a national recognized site for sidewalk discussion.  The site has many pictures and articles.  Take some time to review the site and be prepare to participate in this discussion.