Chikaming Township Board approves millage ballot question language for library millage, park board dissolution

Come November, residents of Chikaming Township will be faced with two referendums.

At their Thursday, Aug. 11, meeting, members of the Chikaming Township Board of Trustees adopted two separate resolutions, one of which approved the millage ballot question language regarding a library millage and the other one regarding the dissolution of the elected park board.

Both resolutions also directed the clerk to submit the language to be placed on the Nov. 8, 2022, election ballot

The official ballot language that board members approved asks voters to approve the township levying .35 mills for a period of six years “inclusive for library services,” which will raise an estimated $250,000 in the first year the millage is levied, “of which equal portions will be distributed to Bridgman Public Library, New Buffalo Township Library and Three Oaks Township Library.”

Ballot language approved by the board regarding the dissolution of the park board states the board will be dissolved “effective upon certification of election results by the Board of Canvassers” and upon dissolution “for all powers, duties, assets and liabilities” of the park board will be transferred to Chikaming Township Board of Trustees.”

Chikaming Township Supervisor David Bunte said that a group of citizens “solicited a petition to dissolve the park board” and that the signatures were collected and submitted to the township July 29.

He added that the number of signatures surpassed the required signatures.

In the discussion portion at the end of the meeting, Fran Wersells said the “beaches take care of themselves” and that the bulk of the work lies in Harbert Community Park and Chikaming Township Park and Preserve.

“You got two big properties to manage and the current Park Board as it is has done a wonderful job,” she said.

Park board member Sherry Curry said that the beaches “don’t take care of themselves” and that they need to be checked regularly.

She added that she envisions the township board inheriting the park board budget (adding that the only big operating expense she could see would be the ice rink), there could be a “professional type (parks) manager with a real schedule that has more time” and five appointees who wouldn’t have to be residents.

“I think opening it to the appointees by park (board) dissolution would be a greater benefit for the park board as I see for the future,” Curry said.

Arthur Anderson, who was former park board chair, said that in the last election, only four people put their names on the ballot to be elected and there were three vacancies (Curry stepped up as write-in candidate).

He added that current state law requires members to serve a fouryear term.

“If it was an appointed board, it could be staggered like the Planning Commission, where they have shorter terms and people are appointed every year which would make it easier to recruit people to serve on the board,” he said.

Park board chair Jill Underhill who was speaking as a resident that night, said that she “supports a democratic elected park board, one where voters have power and a voice at the ballot box.” Recent accomplishments of the board include volunteer-built stairs at Pier Street Beach, receiving site plan approval for a pathway and performance platform for Harbert Community Park from the Planning Commission and starting a fern garden at the park.

Board members approved the proposal from Antero Group in the amount of $118,750 to serve as consultant for the Sawyer Road (from Red Arrow Highway to Flynn Road) project. Bunte said the township received a USDA Rural Development Fund grant, which will cover $95,000 of the above amount, for this project and the balance of it would be covered by the township (which would be a 20% match from the township).

In a 3-1 vote (Paula Dudiak abstained and Rich Sullivan voted nay), board members approved JJIV Construction remove a dangerous building at 7312 Harbert Road for $9,000.

Board members approved allowing fire chief Allen Weich to purchase six Automated External Defibrillators (three for the fire department, one for township hall, one for the water department and one for the police department) at a cost of $1,695.

The hiring of Samuel Nowak as part-time EMS was approved.

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Public safety, school supplies aplenty at annual Public Safety Day

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Once again, safety and school

supplies took center stage during New Buffalo Township’s annual public safety day, which was held at the public safety building on U.S. Highway 12 Sunday, Aug. 14.

Members of Medic One, the New Buffalo Township Fire Department, the Berrien County Sheriff’s Department and The Pokagon Fund Tribal Police were on hand to give tours of their vehicles to children and to let them check out their equipment. Inside the building, children could gear up for a new school year by choosing from a wide selection of free school supplies.

This year, New Buffalo Township Supervisor Michelle Heit said that the township “doubled” what they had the previous year in terms of ordering school supplies, adding that they bought supplies for at least around 200 kids of various ages.

A grant from The Pokagon Fund allowed them to spend $300 on supplies (due to increasing costs, she said more than $400 was actually spent). Horizon Bank and Teachers Credit Union also chipped in with the cost.

“It seems like people know about it and they can come so we’re just going to keep ordering more stuff,” Heit said.

Sara Mead, a third-grade teacher at New Buffalo Elementary School, said that at least 160 kids had come through the building for supplies.

“Everyone seems very happy and thankful – taking advantage of what The Pokagon Fund and New Buffalo Township’s providing for our kids,” she said.

Leftover supplies are donated to the school, so teachers can “keep our inventory at a working level so we can supply for kids all year,” Mead said

Kids recieve hats before choosing supplies Kids and their parents line up for hot dogs Mckenzie Duffner learns about safety with Jeremy Milzarski from Medic One

Kids enjoy the bouncehouse Meredith Johnson has fun at Public Safety Day Jack Rogers grills hot dogs Vivian Grzywacz poses in the fire truck

New Buffalo City Council tables decision on marijuana zoning recommendations

BY THERESE DONNELLY

After discussion, the New Buffalo City Council tabled making any decision regarding the Planning Commission’s recommendations regarding marijuana businesses in the city.

When the State of Michigan passed the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act in 2018, it allowed municipalities the option to set ordinances to limit or prohibit marijuana sales. At that time the New Buffalo City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting sales until the council amended the chapter.

Following two public hearings on the matter, the Planning Commission has recommended the council approve the retail sale of marijuana in the city, include the sale as a Special Land Use and prohibit retail marijuana businesses in Residential 1, 2 or 3 zones or within 1,000 feet of churches, schools or the Central Business District. Michigan law prohibits marijuana businesses within 400 feet of a school or 200 feet of a religious building.

At the council’s Aug. 15 meeting, councilmember Mark Robertson questioned the advisability of changing the ordinance now, when the city is in the process of updating all its ordinances. City Manager Darwin Watson explained the Planning Commission’s recommendation is intended to allow the Commission to work in tandem with the updates, which are expected to be completed in September. He said approval would allow the Commission to begin working on a formalized ordinance but they would not be done before the council had reviewed updates.

Councilmember Lou O’Donnell said he felt the council should direct the Commission to work on the ordinance, but that the council could wait until the September in order to have a clear idea of what the ordinance should look like.

The council voted to table the matter until September when they can present the Commission with more precise requirements.

During public comment prior to the council’s discussion, a handful of audience members spoke in favor of allowing marijuana retail in the city.

Steve Diller of the Harbor Country Rotary Club also addressed the council, speaking about Rotary’s Village Forest program, which provides trees for the tree lawn in front of residences. The program is currently offered in the Village of Three Oaks and Diller said they are interested in expanding to New Buffalo and other areas.

Township resident Michelle Hannon introduced herself as Democratic candidate for the District 9 county commissioner seat. She said among her goals if elected is a focus on affordable housing and incentives for long-term rentals.

The council approved the development of a roadway and utility asset management plan, and to request funds from the Pokagon Fund to help with the costs. While the total plan is expected to cost $125,000, Watson said $34,000 would come from the city’s 2023 fiscal budget, another $41,000 from the Pokagon Fund and the balance from Drinking Water Asset Management and EPA grants. The council’s approval is contingent on receiving those grants.

McGhee explained the plan would enable the city to plan projects in order to take active, planned steps rather than reacting after infrastructure problems occur. Watson added that the plan would show what future development the city systems can support.

Humphrey noted the plan was a logical step to ensure city funds are used responsibly and systems are properly maintained.

On Watson’s recommendation, the council appointed Randy Hyrns as hearing officer. When asked by Humphrey, Hyrns said he would provide impartial adjudication. While Hyrns was originally scheduled to meet the council during their July meeting, he had to postpone and said the August meeting was his first time meeting the council, though he has previously spoken to Watson.

Under city ordinance, the hearing officer presides over permit revocation hearings and is not involved in ordinance enforcement.

Watson also recommended the council retain a law firm to act as ordinance prosecution for the city. When Nick Curcio served as city attorney, the city subcontracted his firm, Straub, Seaman and Allen, to handle its ordinance prosecution. Dickinson Wright now serves as city attorney but Watson said it was in the city’s best interest to continue to use Straub, Seaman and Allen. The council approved the recommendation.

Two improvement projects at the city beach got the greenlight, while the council tabled a third pending more information.

Parks Supervisor Kristen D’Amico explained the beach concession stand is “in dire need of a facelift” and E.I. Construction had bid $11,300 to paint and repair the building. The adjacent restrooms are also in need of updates, and City Plumbing and Heating’s quote of $11,607 will replace old fixtures. Councilmember Brian Flanagan called the upgrade “long overdue.”

The council tabled a proposed purchase of a sunshade at the building, with Humphrey saying sticker shock at the $54,400 price made them want to explore other sources. D’Amico said the tree providing shade at the location was removed during recent sewer repair. Pencura’s proposal includes delivery and installation and a 10-year warranty on material and 20-year warranty on steel.

D’Amico said the shade can be removed for winter storage and she would use Pencura to remove because if any damage were incurred in the process the company would cover repairs. The shade can be repositioned when the beach concession is replaced in the next few years.

E.I. Construction also submitted the low bid for painting and repair work at city hall at a cost of $23,200. Watson said the interior was last painted in 2013.

The council resolved to request $150,000 from the Pokagon Fund’s city municipal fund to help fund the Marquette Greenway project. The planned pathway through Illinois, Indiana and Michigan is estimated to cost $5.5 million and local communities including the city and New Buffalo Township are contributing.

TJM Services has request a third payment for Dune Walk work. The council approved the $251,869.50 payment, with Humphrey noting work is nearly complete.

In a separate action the Council approved payment to Payjay Construction for $101,538 for work on the Mayhew Street sediment basin.

The city water department has requested the council approve the purchase of a new autoclave, which uses high temperatures to decontaminate biological waste and sterilize equipment. The current autoclave is over 20 years old and Watson told the council it has needed repair several times. The council approved the purchase of new equipment for $5,787.

At the request of the New Buffalo Business Association, the council approved an extension on the special event application for Mondays at the Marina to run through Sept. 26. NBBA President Audrey Tuszynski told the council the live music at sunset was popular and visitors were respectful of the property, leaving minimal cleanup needed.

The council also had a second reading of an amendment to Zoning Ordinance Chapter 21, which seeks to reduce the size of the Zoning Board of Appeals from seven members to five.

Humphrey informed the council he had been in communication with Stray Dog Bar and Grill regarding the parking lot at 116 S Whittaker Street. Humphrey said the owners are considering opening a restaurant on the property across the street from the lot, and if they do would want to have the lot for customers. Humphrey suggested the council consider if they were still interested in the city acquiring the lot if they would be required to make it a free lot rather than a pay lot.

Dredging in the harbor has been delayed again. Humphrey told the council that when the city engaged Viking Marine Construction, dredging was scheduled for early July but the city had not been informed the company’s boats were in Pentwater, Michigan. The Coast Guard removed buoys in preparation for the work. Humphrey said as of Aug. 15, work had not begun and Viking’s boats were currently in St. Joseph, Michigan, in need of repairs. O’Donnell expressed safety concerns over the absent buoys while the city waited for work to begin.

Humphrey asked Tony McGhee, vice president of Development Services at Abonmarche Consultants, if the city had any financial recourse over the delay. McGhee said the contract did require Viking to justify delays and some level of compensation would be due.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

Just when I was preparing to shift

my focus to football, a couple of baseball stories, one of local interest, crossed my desk.

Rex Gotcher opened a family run business in New Buffalo dealing with sports cards. Appropriately named The Sports Card Shop at MOCO, Rex, his wife and two sons (Owen and Max) opened the business after one of the boys took an interest in collecting and trading cards. Rex saw this as an opportunity to have his sons learn about business while dealing with a subject that interested them.

I haven’t had the opportunity to talk to Rex yet, but I heard that Andre Dawson, a hall of famer and former Cub, was going to be signing autographs Friday night. You can visit The Sports Card Shop at 18853 US 12, and check out coverage of the event in this week’s issue on page 10.

When I was a youngster, much of my free time and most of my spare change went to purchasing baseball cards. Because I was a south side Cub fan, I had no trouble finding friends that wanted to get rid of their Cubs cards for my White Sox cards. My goal was to get at least two of every card that I wanted, so I could trade or put them in my bicycle spokes without worrying about damaging them. My mom, like so many others back then, threw away all of my cards when I went off to college. She just figured that I had outgrown them. Just goes to show you, even almost perfect moms can make an occasional mistake.

The Cubs and Reds played in the Field of Dreams game, and once again it was a delight. The players coming out of the cornfield could be “corny,” but instead it’s charming. I’m not sure why there won’t be a game next year, but I hope it returns the following season and becomes an annual event.

Roy Gleason got to the major leagues with the Dodgers in 1963 and in his first at bat he hit a double. He didn’t get another at bat that year, but the Dodgers did win the World Series and Roy was awarded a ring. Before he was recalled to the major leagues, he was drafted into the army. His platoon was on a mission in Vietnam when they were hit by enemy fire and Roy suffered some shrapnel wounds for which he was awarded a Purple Heart. Roy also lost his ring and by the time he returned, his baseball skills had diminished and he never made it back to the majors. Forty years later, in 2003, the Dodgers invited Roy to throw out the first pitch in a game then surprised him by giving him another ring. Roy is the only person who hit 1.000 in the major leagues, won a World Series ring and earned a Purple Heart.

Confucius said, “Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.”

Be careful out there. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.

When I started counting my blessings, my whole life turned around. — Willie Nelson