The diverse agenda items at the lengthy Pentwater Village Council meeting on March 9 included a public hearing for the 2026-2027 budget, the second annual report from the police department, a visual presentation of the sewer system problems, a channel dredging update and approvals for DPW purchases. Those approvals included moving the recreation program responsibility to the school and creating a new part-time position to handle rentals and Park Place events.
Present were council members Don Palmer, Karl Schrumpf, Dave Bluhm, Dan Nugent, Jared Griffis, Kathy O’Connor and council president Mary Marshall. Also present were 15 audience members and one online attendee.
During the clerk/treasurer's report, Michelle Bieri noted acceptance of late tax payments was now closed.
The DPW report was given by Supervisor Tony Kies, who shared a slideshow presentation to help council members understand how the sewer system lift stations function and the problems that exist. Each of the system’s lift stations has two pumps, and all eight needed to be rebuilt because they are at or past the normal 20-year life span of functioning. Kies explained that all the pumps have been plagued with problems and required multiple replacement parts. The problems have been caused by foreign objects and excessive grease entering the sewer system and clogging the pumps, combined with a lack of regular maintenance.
Foreign objects included rags, towels, T-shirts, a fork, a piece of a 2x4, and many baby wipes and cleaning wipes. Items come from residences, the state park, businesses and street sewers. The wells under the manholes have 12 inches or more packed grease in the bottom. Restaurants and businesses that produce large amounts of grease are required to have permits for grease traps and to have them regularly examined for maintenance. Following up on compliance with this ordinance led to the discovery that some establishments were unaware of the ordinance and the location of their grease traps. The county health department is helping to locate traps and to enforce the ordinance.
DPW staff have worked hard to rebuild the pumps to stretch their life, and function has noticeably improved. But the new Capital Improvement Plan includes replacement of all pumps over the next decade. Council members agreed public education is needed across the community to help combat the issues. Manager Toby Van Ess said information would be included with the next utility bills, and an educational campaign utilizing social media is being planned.
Chief Laude Hartrum gave his second annual police department report: updating council on the Flock camera demo project, the newest canine member now at the end of level one training, fewer citation stats, 231 non-violent service calls (significantly higher than two years ago), a pilot project of short videos to use prior to annual events reiterating parking instructions, and citing one incident requiring force in which an officer was injured. Hartrum expects an increase in civil demonstrations this year.
Bluhm gave a brief Services Committee report and confirmed the channel will be dredged this year. O’Connor reported the Finance Committee met on Feb. 18 to complete the proposed budget. Council voted to open a public hearing on the budget at 6:50 p.m. As the budget pages were projected on a screen, O’Connor explained the information on each page. She clarified the three types of village funds and listed the revenue and expense of each of the 11 funds in the budget. In response to council questions, she said $180,000 of service fees were for trash removal, and pensions for past employees were included under village hall expenses. The budget assumed changes to the operating plan for 2026-2027 included an additional DPW staff member and a part-time staff member added to the Park Place budget. The first position would be offset by a reduction in fees paid for outsourced services. The second position would restore the oversight function for planning, scheduling, client relations, building management and cleaning not currently in place.
Opportunity was given for public questions. Ted Cuchna asked what the increase in taxable value amounted to in dollars (the response was $4,000,000) and remarked on the large size of the police department budget in relation to the size of the village. Hartrum responded that the bulk of the budget related to the extra staffing needed in the summer months. Marshall reminded those present that taxes from 900 homes were essentially paying for the 1,000s of seasonal residents and visitors Pentwater supports. With no further discussion, council voted to close the public hearing at 7:19 p.m. A motion to approve resolution 2026-03-03, the Village of Pentwater 2026-2027 Budget and Truth in Taxation, was unanimously passed.
New business followed with seven items. First, a proposal for the school to take over the recreation program for children in grades 1-6 was unanimously approved. The proposal included a $7,500 contribution from the village and the inclusion of homeschooled and other-schooled children as in the past. This solution replaces a part-time village staff member.
Second, a police union contract was also unanimously approved. Third, a proposal for Marshall and Bieri to sign a Great Lakes Partnership Agreement was unanimously approved. Fourth and fifth, a proposal to purchase a new lawn mower and trailer was unanimously approved. This would facilitate taking lawn maintenance in-house and was included in the new budget.
Sixth was a repeat resolution of a Mutual Aid Agreement among Oceana County police departments that was unanimously approved. And finally, a discussion followed regarding American Tower (Verizon phone) and their offer of $341,000 for a permanent easement on DPW property, for which they currently have a temporary easement with annual renewals. Questions were raised about liabilities, what permission this allowed for additional towers, and the wisdom of making a permanent financial agreement into an unknown future. Action was delayed until next month. Lastly, the reappointment of Ron Stoneman to the Planning Commission for four years was approved.
Public comment had two participants. Joe Primozich reported he and others dismantled the ice rink on the green that afternoon, and he shared many anecdotes of its use and comments of the skaters and observers over the weeks. It was widely appreciated. Primozich mentioned the possibility of a request for a floodlight next year. Rich Houtteman introduced himself as the new Consumer Energy representative in our area and encouraged council to contact him with any problems or questions about electrical power issues.
Further council comments included surprise at the condition of the sewer system and dismay at their ignorance of the lack of maintenance, as well as appreciation for the attention it is now receiving. The manager’s comments included a thank you to the “rink rats” (residents) who helped install, maintain and take down the ice rink. Van Ess also announced bids for dredging the channel open on March 20 and a check was received to pay for the Lake Sturgeon boat.
The meeting was officially adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
