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www.newbuffalotimes.com
THURSDAY, JUNE 23, 2022
New Buffalo City Council adopts Headlee Millage Reduction Fraction RESIDENTS, PROPERTY OWNERS TO SEE CHANGES TO WATER BILLS AND TAX
C
ity residents and property owners will see changes to their water bills and their tax, following motions the New Buffalo City Council passed at their Monday, June 20, meeting. The council voted to adopt a Headlee Millage Reduction Fraction, which applies the .033% inflation index. City manager Darwin Watson told the council this would increase the operational revenue the city collected. The council also approved the 2022-2023 fiscal year budget. While the council had approved the budget at a previous meeting, Watson explained notice was not published in a newspaper of record as required, so the second vote occurred after proper notification. Councilmember Mark Robertson noted there had been public hearings and council discussion on the matter. Water sewer rates will also increase, based on recommendations made by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC, following a study. Prior to the council voting on the new rates, New Buffalo Mayor John Humphrey said that in recent years it had become clear the city’s existing fee structure was not adequately funding its system, and the shortfall was falling on taxpayers. He said that while all water customers will see a “significant increase” in their bills, the new rates will be comparable to neighboring municipalities’. One change noted was increasing rates for commercial users, who previously paid the same rate as residential users. The new rates will go into effect Aug. 1, 2022. The council voted 4-0 to recommend the Planning Commission reduce the
BY THERESE DONNELLY
number of seats on the Zoning Board of Appeals from seven to five. Watson stated the reduced number will still comply with state requirements, which state no fewer than three ZBA members for a municipality with under 5,000 residents. The US Census Bureau recorded just over 1,600 city residents in 2020. Humphrey noted it is difficult to find enough members to fill the board and consistently make a quorum and the reduced number will help. In their recommendation, the council requested that if the commission does not approve the recommendation, it will provide the council with an alternative recommendation on the ZBA composition. Work on the Dune Walk is progressing and the council approved a payment request from TJM Services in the amount of $249,210 for work completed so far. Watson told the council a number of factors have caused the dune walk project costs to exceed initial estimates. The city initially planned to reuse much of the existing structure, but Watson said it was later discovered the structure’s design was improper for the area and its overall condition was not what was originally expected. Additionally, Covid restrictions impacted the timeline and available workforce, and material costs have greatly increased. To cover the increased costs, Watson recommended the council authorize a request to extend its 2020 Pokagon Fund grant and increase the grant from $110,000 to $286,092 to cover the additional costs. A second project is set to begin at the beach, as the council approved a $17,8470 bid from Stark Solid Concrete
to replace damaged sidewalks and patio decking at the city beach concession stand. Watson said work is expected to finish before the July Fourth weekend. Kona Dunes, the current concession contractor, requested permission to provide a vending machine at the beach concession to supplement its selection. Robertson questioned if the company should be allowed to using the city’s electricity and cast the dissenting vote on the matter. Humphrey and councilmembers Brian Flanagan and Roger Lijewski approved the request, with Lijewski stating he would want to evaluate any change to electricity usage at the concession before approving a similar request for future seasons.
T
he council tabled two items from the June agenda in order to get more information before making decisions. The hiring of a hearing officer was postponed until the council can meet with the candidate, and a purchase request for an AllTerrain Vehicle for the city police department was postponed so the council could get additional details. The council did approve a request to purchase a new trailer from Trailers Midwest for $9,490 to be used by the public works and water departments. Watson said the current trailer the departments use is over 20 years old and no longer meets state and federal standards. Viking Marine Construction was awarded a $105,000 bid for minor dredging in the channel. Work is expected to be complete by the end of July and is not expected to interfere with boat traffic. The council had its first reading of a
proposed amendment to Chapter 23 of the City Ordinances, which addresses long-term rental requirements. Watson said the ordinance only applies in cases where a lease agreement exists and the property owner collects rent, that it does not apply to guests and that it serves to protect property owners. At previous meetings the council had declined to enter a consulting agreement with 360 Risk Management, but at the June meeting Watson presented them with a three-month trial agreement with the company, explaining that staff shortages and other issues had created a need for outside help. Robertson cast the dissenting vote and said he did not feel three months was enough time to be effective. Marcy Hamilton addressed the council to provide a brief update on the Marquette Greenway project. She said that funding for the planned 58-mile non-motorized path from Chicago to southwest Michigan is almost completely secured and a fundraising campaign will begin this summer to cover the remainder. “We’re starting to actually see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Hamilton said. The council took no action at the meeting but said at a later date they will discuss potential funding from the city. Watson told the council two law firms- Dickenson and Wright and Foster Swift- had responded to the city’s request for proposal to serve as city attorney. The council will meet with representatives from both firms prior to the July council meeting, and plans to make a final decision at the regular meeting.
