New Buffalo City Council discusses business license, rental fees

BY THERESE DONNELLY

The City of New Buffalo’s finances are in good shape, according to the 2021 year-end financial report. In a review during the city agreement with 30 days’ notice. The council approved the renewed agreement, but noted it is a short-term solution to the issue. Watson informed the council that council’s Dec. 20 meeting, Joe Verlin of Gabridge and Co., explained the general, water and sewer and pension funds are all well covered and overall revenues exceeded expenses.

Verlin did caution that some balances will likely go down in the upcoming year as capital improvement projects that were delayed due to Covid 19 restrictions are expected to resume. He thanked city staff for “a very smooth audit process,” noting all requested information was provided remotely.

He also told the council that the city received a “clean opinion” on its financial statements as of June 30, 2021.

Following the auditor’s report, treasurer Kate Vyskocil told the council that several large projects are coming up for the city, which would require amendments to the city’s budget. Following Vyskocil’s update, the council approved budget amendments for the 2022 fiscal year.

Later in the meeting, the council addressed issues in the short-term rental limits. City Manager Darwin Watson told the council that some property owners are circumventing the short-term rental restrictions by entering one-month rental agreements, which the tenants cancel after a brief stay. Watson said the new fee schedule is needed because the city needs to better monitor houses registered as longterm rentals. He also said the fee schedule will ensure that long-term tenants are being treated fairly.

Among the fees included are a $1,000 city administration fee and an annual inspection fee of $150. Properties in violation could face compliance inspection fees.

Due to limited manpower at the New Buffalo Fire Department, the city has a Fire Service Agreement with New Buffalo Township to provide supplemental fire services for emergency calls in the city. Under terms of the renewed agreement, the township will provide coverage in 2022 for $60,000. Either party can terminate the the dump truck had several issues and Duneland Custom Repair Center had performed necessary repairs for $6,704.49. The council approved the charges. The council tabled an easement request for a residence at 307 N. Whittaker Street. Watson said Abonmarche Engineering had recently been contracted by the property owner to provide design services for repair and renovation work on a seawall. During their survey, Abonmarche determined a portion of the house’s deck and entry stairs had been built on the public right-of-way. Watson told the council the deck and stairs predated the current owners and are the main access to the house. Under the proposed agreement, the owner would pay the city $2,500 consideration for a 480 square foot easement, plus any associated legal fees, and agree not to build beyond the current footprint inside the easement. The council discussed the request and tabled the matter until further information could be made available. The council did approve Watson’s recommendation to purchase a payment kiosk for the city boat launch. Watson said the purchase would make the launch consistent with other fee collection locations in the city, including the public beach parking lot. The city will purchase a kiosk for $7945 from Total Parking Solutions, which provides the city’s other kiosks. Due to extenuating circumstances, the council approved a one-time vacation payout for New Buffalo Police Department Officer Nate Voytovick. While city policy is that unused vacation time cannot be carried over from one calendar year to the next, police chief Rich Killips requested the council approve the payout for $1573.76, explaining that Voytovick had been unable to use his vacation time due in part to a need for coverage. Prior to adjourning, the council approved reappointed Vanessa Thun, Jack Kennedy and Juli Westergren to the Board of Review, and approved the 2022 meeting calendar.

Bison basketball team remains undefeated after Countryside Academy game

BY STAN MADDUX

The New Buffalo High School boys’ basketball squad topped the century mark in points to Bison a 31-14 lead extended to 47 to 24 at halftime. Parmley started the third quarter scoring with a lay-up off a steal. remain undefeated going into Christmas break.

The Bison (3-0) defeated Countryside Academy at home 101-71 Friday, Dec. 17.

Jeremiah Mitchell led the Bison with 28 points.

Kaden Parmley scored 25 points while Zack Forker added 21 points, 17 rebounds and four blocked shots.

Head Coach Nate Tripp said he was not happy about the play of his team on defense and his players giving up too many second shots.

“I think we had solid game but they weren’t supposed to score that many points and they killed us on the offensive glass. That’s not how we rebound the basketball so we got a lot we got to work on,” he said. Looking unstoppable, the 6-foot-9 Forker shot the ball and scored the first seven points for the Bison before Mitchell and Parmley began scoring buckets in droves.

Parmley sank a three point shot just before the first quarter buzzer.

He and Mitchell started the second quarter by quickly hitting a pair of buckets to give the The crowd roared when Forker, after having his shot blocked, hustled to the other side of the court in time to record a blocked shot of his own.

The lead grew to 29 points when Mitchell, after driving the length of the court, laid the ball in with his hand above the rim.

After a steal, he quickly went full court again with the ball for a lay-up before the end of the third quarter.

Anthony Lijewski contributed 12 points while Ryan Vinson added eight points for the Bison.

The emergence of Forker as a major force should work to the advantage of the Bison with all five starters back from last year’s District 4 championship squad.

Tripp said Forker and the bulky 6-foot-1 Vinson in the game at the same time will give teams trouble on offense and defense.

“Both guys know where the gaps are. They know how to rebound. That’s going to create a match up problem sometimes when we go to our twin towers,” he said.

SPORTS

From the Bleachers

COLUMN BY KURT MARGGRAF IN CHICAGO

When I sit down to write

this column next week, it will be the day after Christmas.

As one gets older, the time seems to be going so fast that it’s almost hard to believe. The holiday season contributes to the illusion that time is flying, and this year there’s another contributing factor.

For many different reasons, I decided to move. I’ve spent the last 30 years or so in the great city of Chicago, but for me, at this time of my life, the suburbs have more appeal. But moving during the Christmas season might not have been the best choice.

But the choice was made, and all one can do is roll with the punches. So tomorrow, when the movers arrive, my suburban journey will begin.

Leaving the hustle and bustle of the city for the peace and tranquillity of the suburbs already feels like a good thing. Plus, I’m moving to an area that I’m pretty familiar with, so the transition should go pretty well.

I’ve known I was moving for seven weeks, and about eight hours before the movers are due to arrive I finally finished packing.

That made me think of the poor athletes who get traded and have to leave their friends, teammates, and surroundings at a moment’s notice. Often when a baseball player gets traded, he packs a suitcase and goes to his new team the same day, leaving his partner to do the bulk of the work.

Chicago sports have been at a standstill lately. Cubs and Sox players have been locked out until a collective bargaining agreement is reached and nobody is allowed to communicate.

The Bulls had so many players on Covid protocol that the league postponed a couple of games. They resumed play tonight (Sunday) with a thrilling victory over the Lakers.

The Blackhawks had a game postponed because their opponent had Covid problems.

Finally, the Bears. If there was ever a season that the Bears wished that sports fans attention was elsewhere, this would be it. They play the Vikings Monday night and they might get their wish.

I took an informal survey this week and found out that fans are really fed up with the situation the Bears are in. Most likely, Coach Nagy will be seeking employment elsewhere next season. Many think that General Manager Ryan Pace should join him. If either or both of these guys are relieved of their duties, we can hope that the new regime will be able to mold Justin Fields into a star quarterback.

That’s the area the Bears continue to have a difficult time with and if Fields is the answer, a lot of other things will finally fall into place.

Marc Jacobs said, “Change is a great and horrible thing, and people love it or hate it at the same time. Without change, however, you just don’t move.”

Happy holidays. Refuse hate. Talk to you next week. Peace, love, and happiness.