MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
TRUSTEES OF BARTON HILLS VILLAGE
June 13, 2022
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by President Benson at 6:45 PM at Walter Esch Hall plus online video/phone conference.
ROLL CALL Present: Trustees Al-Awar, Benson, Conlin, Haitam, Hensinger, Popp, and Smith.
Absent: Trustees Darden and Holmes.
Others attending: ZA Capozza, Asst. Treasurer Carey, Supt. Hnatow, staff Joe Hnatow, ZH MDarden, BHMC President David, and five residents.
FENCE PERMIT 192 Barton Shore Drive garden fence (Gordon/Duvall). The owners were present to describe their proposal for a fish line fence around their garden to deter deer and other wildlife. The public hearing was convened at 6:46 PM. There being no comment, the hearing was closed at 6:47 PM. Motion The application to construct a garden fence at 192 Barton Shore Drive was approved as presented. (Al-Awar/Popp/P)
MINUTES Minutes of the May 9, 2022 Trustees meeting were approved as printed. (Smith/Conlin/P with Haitam abstain)
PUBLIC COMMENT
–Two non-resident speakers questioned the sudden locking of the gate between the Ann Arbor City property and the access road to Barton Shore Dr. They explained their decision to bike to work for environmental, financial and safety reasons, and asked if the gate closure would be permanent. Board response: the circumstances are unclear and Security Chair/Trustee Holmes was not present, so the Board will look into the matter.
–BHMC President David expressed appreciation for those who attended the North 40 comment time, and support for the BHV Search Committee recommendations as stated in the agenda packet.
FINANCE/FINANCE COMMITTEE (Haitam/Carey) The May 2022 Budget to Actual and May 2022 Cash Balances reports were acknowledged. The Cash Disbursements for May 2022 were approved as printed (Aux. Book I G(3)). (Smith/Al-Awar/P)
Roads–The Board was informed about the increase in road paving costs, and the difficulty in obtaining bids (six requests made). Since only two bids were received and the project is over $20,000, the Board authorized the Superintendent to sign a contract for the paving. (Smith/Conlin/P)
STANDING REPORTS
Zoning Administrator (Capozza) No report.
Planning Commission (Hensinger) The final draft of the Master Plan was approved for distribution by the Planning Commission to applicable entities and other required steps in the process, as presented and including the additional language proposed by Trustee Popp. (Hensinger/Conlin/P)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Community Activities (Benson) About 40 residents attended the End of School Ice Cream Social on June 5. Details of upcoming events will be printed in the Barton Bulletin as they come up.
Environment (Hensinger)
–Barton Pond. The EGLE application is still open, with possible silt remediation activities being explored. The dead tree mired in the mud by the Boat Club will stay since it is better to be seen than to attempt removal and have it break off below the water surface where it would be a greater hazard to boaters.
–The committee continues to work on recycling improvement ideas and the possibility of installing bike racks.
Climate Resilience Subcommittee (Popp)
–Several residents participated in “No Mow May” to benefit bees and other pollinators.
–Washtenaw County environmental/climate group has a goal of having 30% of county land in natural areas by 2030; BHV already has 40%.
Human Resources (Smith) The updated Employee Manual was approved as presented. (Conlin/Popp/P) The HR Committee will go through the document with the staff. Appreciation was expressed for the extensive work done by committee member Lori Shirilla on the update.
Long Range Planning (Darden) No report.
Roads (Al-Awar) Trustee Smith gave an update on the M-14/Barton Drive project, including the public comment opportunity at the Farmer’s Market. It is important that BHV residents be informed, and have opportunity to express their views in return. Ms. Smith will distribute the MDOT safety audit to the Trustees, and will invite MDOT to attend a meeting to provide information on this matter to the Board and residents.
Security (Benson for Holmes) Atty. Munzel was engaged to research/provide a draft letter to MDOT regarding use of Act 51 funds for increased security/safety in BHV during the Foster Bridge closure this summer (attorney cost to date $1400). Trustee Hensinger will complete the editing, and the letter will be sent to the identified MDOT contact person.
Water (Popp) No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS There is no new information regarding the proposed Charter amendment.
NEW BUSINESS The Search Committee report/recommendation were discussed. Trustee Haitam was strongly opposed to the second part of the recommendation, stating that asking the HR Committee to “actively engage in helping the new Superintendent succeed” amounted to micromanaging and was in direct conflict with BHV Charter Section 5.4. Employees (The Board of Trustees shall have the power to prescribe the duties of all officers and employees of the Village in any manner not inconsistent with the provisions of this Charter or law.) which indicates the entire board should help rather than just the HR Committee. Mr. Haitam also stated that he had no objection to the first part of the recommendation.
Motion The Trustees authorized the President to make the following employment offer of the Superintendent position to Joe Hnatow, effective July 1, 2022:
- Annual salary of $55,000;
- Existing suite of benefits offered to full-time Village employees; and,
- Residence in the Village-owned home Mr. Hnatow currently occupies.
Further, the Trustees asked the Human Resources Committee to actively engage in helping the new Superintendent succeed in his position as evidenced by effective personnel management, satisfactory resident interactions, and productive execution of the duties described in the position description. (Smith/Al-Awar/P with Benson and Haitam voting no)
Joe Hnatow was present and was congratulated/welcomed as the next Superintendent.
The following resolution was proposed by Smith, seconded by Al-Awar and passed unanimously.
Whereas, since Barton Hills was established in 1922 to be a unique and beautiful residential community under the direct oversight of the person holding the position of Superintendent; and
Whereas, on May 4, 2016 Jeffrey D. Hnatow was employed as the Assistant Superintendent of Barton Hills Village to serve under the first Superintendent Walter L. Esch; and
Whereas, on July 10, 2017 Jeff became the Superintendent following the passing of Walter Esch; and
Whereas, Jeff learned a great deal as Assistant Superintendent under Walter’s leadership, and moved ahead to continue the level of service established, while making the position his own; and
Whereas, Jeff has faithfully and wholeheartedly served the Barton Hills Village residents with energy, integrity, determination, resourcefulness and skill, often above and beyond the normal expectations of his position, for the well-being and benefit of the community;
BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees on behalf of the residents of Barton Hills Village extend to Jeff their most sincere congratulations and deepest appreciation as he retires from the position of Superintendent.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution be recorded in the minutes of the Barton Hills Village Board of Trustees.
There being no further business or objections, the meeting was adjourned at 8:52 PM.
Janice K. Esch, Deputy Clerk Approved 7.11.22