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.

ord-_378-short-term-rentals.pdford-_380-water-rate-amendment.pdf 

The next village council meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 5th at 7 p.m.  Topics on the consent agenda are; Amend a liquor license for a new downtown business, approve the destruction of closed session minutes that are older then 5 years, approve a spring boat show a the harbor, approve a sign permit request from Art Rapids and approve a quote to provide auditing services.  Under new business there will be the first reading of an ordinance to increase the water rate by $2 per-month and a first reading to approve an ordinance allowing short term rentals in the village.

I would like to take a few moments to explain a vital revenue the village receives in it general fund, that being State Revenue Sharing. Did you know;

Elk Rapids uses state funding, called revenue sharing, to pay for many quality of life services that make our community the type of place where people want to live and business want to locate.

Revenue Sharing was promised to local communities in the Michigan Constitution to help pay for core government services such as police protection, fire services, roads, water, sewer and garbage collection services.

It started when the State of Michigan promised communities it would streamline tax collection by eliminating local taxes and replacing them with state taxes.  The State collects and records these taxes and is suppose to reimburse local jurisdictions to off set the general budgets of local communities.

In every budget since 2000, the State has not fully returned revenue sharing as required by state statute.  Six consecutive years of cuts has left local communities short $2 billion short on revenue sharing.

The legislature needs to recognize the connection between the essential services provided by local communities and the economic vitality of our state.

Local communities are the foundation of successful economic development in Michigan.  Safe streets and functioning infrastructure  are critical to attracting and maintaining businesses.

Communities have reduced their services, eliminated public safety positions and consolidated services to deal with lost revenue.

 According to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, there are nearly 16-hundred fewer police  officers on the streets of Michigan since 2001.

The state’s Fire Marshall Office reports 400 fewer fire fighters since 2003.

Senior, recreation and public library programs have been drastically cut or eliminated.

Local governments cannot continue to provide essential services if funding is continually redistributed or other budget priorities.

Had revenue sharing kept up with inflation I estimate Elk Rapids would receive an additional $94,000 in the general fund budget next year.  The amount equates to almost 1 mill.  Please let your representative and senator know how important it is for them to preserve and increase State revenue sharing. 

So, whats in a village budget?  The Elk Rapids Village budget process usually starts in September of each year.  I will send out a notice to village department heads and commissions to start thinking about next years budget, which starts on February 1st.  By December I have the staff and commission recommendations inserted in the budget.  At this time the budget goes to the Village Council.  Along with the line item budget is a narrative section that helps to give further explanation of each budget item.  The Council then holds a work session on the budget in late January at which time budget items are added, deleted or adjusted.  The major difficulty of setting a final budget is due to the unknown taxable value of the community.  At this time we are making our best estimate on millage rates until the taxable value is known sometime in April.  The Council will hold two public hearings in February and at the last meeting in will approve the budget.  It is important to know that the budget is a planning tool and can be adjusted by the council during the fiscal year.  The 2007-2008 budget has over 600 active line items in over 32 different funds.  This year the budget for all funds is $6,425,045.  The only funds that receive direct local taxes are the General Fund, Street Fund, Refuse Fund and Debt Millage Fund.  We are at this time anticipating the overall millage rate will be reduced by .1785 mills.  Some of the common misconceptions are that local tax millage money goes into the operation of the harbor, water and sewer funds.  This is not true as all of these funds operate on the revenue they raise.  Our last public hearing is scheduled for February 20th at 7 p.m., hope to see you there.

A process begins. As noted earlier the Village has received a new permit application to develop The Cottages of Elk Rapids (formerly known as the Preserve).  The applicant request that the development be approved under the code section known as a Planned Unit Development (PUD).  The intent of a PUD is to; encourage innovation and variety in land use, design, layout, natural resources, energy and provision of public services and utilities; encourage useful open space, and provide better housing, employment, and shopping opportunities particularly suited to the needs of the residents of the village, county and state and not unreasonably create and adverse economic, social or environmental impact on surrounding land uses.

Upon the receipt of the PUD application the developer has the option of discussing the development with village staff members.  Should the developer select this review process, the staff will then review the application as it relates to the Zoning Code, Infrastructure Standards and any other criteria that the staff feels is in the best interest of the village. The village staff will also depend on professional consultants that have been retained by the village.  We will then make recommendations for changes and advise the developer to implement the changes before it goes the Planning Commission.  The Planning Commission will review the developers plans along with staff comments and hold a public hearing on the proposed development.  Based on their review the Planning Commission will then prepare a recommendation to the Village Council.  The Village Council will then hold a public hearing and approve the plan as submitted, approve the plan with changes, deny the application or send the application back to the Planning Commission for further review.  At this point in the process the proposal has been reviewed by staff, reviewed by the Planning Commission, reviewed by the public at two public hearings and reviewed  by the Village Council.  A process ends. 

Reminder to everyone that the Village Council meets Tuesday, February 20th at 7 p.m.  Among the agenda items are; a public hearing on the 2008-2008 budget with a resolution to approve the budget, a public hearing on the Parks and Recreation Master Plan and resolution to approve the Plan, approve bids for the reconstruction of the alley south of River Street between Pine and Cedar Streets, approve an engineering agreement for the same project, approve next seasons gazebo rental rates and approve the 2007 fee schedule.  For new business the council will discuss in increase in water rates, the auditors proposal for the next three years and have a first reading on an ordinance to provide for fines for the misuse of dock spaces.