MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
TRUSTEES OF BARTON HILLS VILLAGE
August 14, 2023
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by President Holmes at 6:00 PM at Walter Esch Hall.
ROLL CALL Present: Trustees Al-Awar, Conlin, Haitam, Hensinger, Holmes, Perry, Popp, and Smith. Absent: Trustee Darden.
Others attending: ZA Capozza, Supt. Hnatow, BHMC President David, five residents, and one guest.
MINUTES Minutes of the July 10, 2023 Trustees meeting were approved as printed. (Holmes/Popp/P)
PUBLIC COMMENT None.
WALL PERMIT Application to construct a retaining wall at 140 Underdown Rd.
Project consists of moving the garage entry from the front side of the home to the west side. To accommodate the new entry, proposed a three-tier retaining wall to bring up the level to the backyard. No concerns with drainage since there’s currently a drain line in which water will continue to drain to. No engineering study is required. The wall is not in the setback. No public comment or written comments were received.
Motion: The application to construct a retaining wall at 140 Underdown Road was approved as presented. (Holmes/Hensinger/P)
FINANCE (Smith/Carey) The Cash Disbursements for July 2023 were approved as printed (Aux. Book IV G(6)). (Holmes/Conlin/P)
–A well inspection required an unbudgeted emergency expense of $30,393.60 to replace corroded pipes.
Motion: Authorized to replace the water lines at 215, 221, and 227 Barton Shore Drive at a cost not to exceed $29,068. (Holmes/Smith/P)
–The cash balances report displays the Flagstar Bank sweep accounts, which is progressing as expected and normally.
–Presented a spreadsheet of capital assets and an assessment of their condition. Information will be useful from a budgetary perspective.
STANDING REPORTS
Zoning Administrator (Capozza) An update on current projects was provided.
Planning Commission (Hensinger) Proposed Tree Protection and Removal Ordinance was sent back to the Commission for consideration. The Commission will meet in October to also discuss steep slopes.
Superintendent (Hnatow) The at-home recycling program has been successful. Information on the projected cost difference of continuing the program will be provided at the next meeting.
–The pillar at the northern entrance was damaged by a contractor working at a Village residence. The contractor’s employer will cover the cost of repairs.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Roads/Vehicles (Al-Awar) Received a request from the Barton Hills Country Club to design and place a path at their expense. Will not encroach in the setback. The roads committee would be responsible for painting a walkway and installing reflective road signs.
Motion: Approve the Country Club’s request to clear and construct a pathway between the swimming pool area and the pickleball courts on their property, outside the set back of the road, at their own expense, and the Village will provide and install the professional road striping and two alert signs, one in each direction, to be paid for from the road maintenance fund. (Hensinger/Conlin/P)
Security (Holmes) No report.
Water (Perry) No report.
Community Activities (Smith) No report.
Environment (Hensinger) Received support to contact the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and ask permission for January 2024 deer cull. Recommending between 50-60 deer.
Climate Resilience (Popp) The subcommittee discussed starting a Barton lecture series “Do you have a plan?” which will include several guest speakers to discuss various topics on emergency preparedness.
Human Resources (Conlin) No report.
Long Range Planning (Darden) No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS MDOT M-14 (Smith). The petition obtained 321 signatures, which includes 61% of the households in the Village. No household has refused to sign.
–In addition to State Sen Sue Shink and State Rep Jennifer Conlin, will engage with State Sen Jeff Irwin for his support in the M14/Barton Drive advocacy efforts with the Village.
–Following the MDOT session on August 10, contacted MDOT presenters Mike Davis and Mark Sweeney to either validate or give an updated number on the baseline for injuries and fatalities of the interchange, questioned the High Friction Surface Treatment life expectancy and the cost of installation, and questioned the process/approval of having an electronic sign that displays messages. Received a response that the surface treatment would cost approximately $371,000 and would need to be redone nearing 2025.
–Noted that the Village has Act 51 funds of $290,000 that came from the State for Public Road Infrastructure.
Motion: The Barton Hills Village Board of Trustees will commit their share of the Public Highway Fund, if approved by the State, for the safety of the M14 interchange at Barton Drive. (Al-Awar/Perry/P unanimously)
NEW BUSINESS None.
There being no further business or objections, the meeting was adjourned at 7:45 PM.
Lacey R. Krecko, Deputy Clerk
Approved 9.11.2023