REMINDER: MASTER PLAN & DDA DEVELOPMENT PLAN OPEN HOUSE

A reminder that the Master Plan and DDA Development Plan Open House is taking place on Tuesday September 19, 2023 from 5:30 to 7:30 in the Government Center, 315 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids, MI 49629. Feel free to stop by and give your insight on these important plans for our community. We hope to see you then!

NOTICE OF ADOPTION: ORDINANCE 2023-08 – PURCHASING LIMITS

The Village of Elk Rapids ordains that a new ordinance, as text amendment to the Village of Elk Rapids Code of Ordinances, was duly adopted at the regular council meeting held on September 5, 2023, as follows:

1. Ordinance 2023-08 – Purchasing Limits – Amendment to §2-440 – Purchases or contracts under $5,000 (now $10,000) and §2-441 Purchases or contracts over $5,000 (now $25,000).

Effective Date: September 14, 2023

Copies are available at https://elkrapids.org and the Village Office at 315 Bridge Street, Elk Rapids, 49629. Office hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M.

-Kaitlyn Szczypka, Village Clerk

To view the ordinance, please CLICK HERE.

PUBLIC INPUT OPPORTUNITY: PEDESTRIAN ASSETS

Networks Northwest will be hosting a public input session at the Elk Rapids Government Center on Tuesday September 26, 2023 from 3:00 – 5:00 p.m. Please stop by and share your ideas on the North Region Active Transportation Plan and pedestrian assets. All members of the public are invited and encourage to attend.

NOTICE: SPECIAL BEAUTIFICATION MEETING SEPTEMBER 13, 2023 AT 2:00 P.M.

The Beautification Commission will hold a Special Meeting on Wednesday September 13, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at the Government Center, 345 Bridge Street. For more information, please view the agenda by CLICKING HERE.

HARBOR ANNOUNCEMENT – NO HOT WATER AT HARBOR ON SEPTEMBER 15, 2023

The Elk Rapids Grace C. Memorial Harbor will not have HOT water on Friday September 15th due to the installation of a new water heater holding tank.

FISCAL YEAR 2022-2023 AUDIT COMPLETE

The Village of Elk Rapids fiscal year (FY) 2022-2023 audit is now complete. To view the FY 2022-2023 audit, CLICK HERE.

OFFICE CLOSED LABOR DAY

The Elk Rapids Government Center will be closed Monday September 4, 2023 in observance of Labor Day. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday. Have a good weekend, everyone!

NOTICE: SPECIAL JOINT VILLAGE COUNCIL & PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 AT 6:00 P.M.

The Elk Rapids Village Council and Planning Commission will be holding a special joint meeting on Tuesday September 5, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. at the Government Center, 315 Bridge Street. For more information, please follow CLICK HERE.

WATER LINE VERIFICATION TESTING IN ELK RAPIDS

The Village of Elk Rapids DPW will be conducting a water line verification program initiated by the Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE). This state mandated project will consist of physically verifying several service lines from the watermain to the meter to properties throughout the Village.

Throughout this testing time, you may see DPW crew members at various properties in the Village.  Property owners will be notified with a letter mailed to their home as well as the letter posted on their front door.

If you have any questions, please contact Village office at 231-264-9274, or feel free to go to the State of Michigan’s website to learn more about this state-wide mandated testing: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/drinking-water-and-environmental-health/community-water-supply/lead-and-copper-rule

NOTICE: SPECIAL DDA MEETING AUGUST 28, 2023

The Elk Rapids Downtown Development Authority will hold a special meeting on Monday August 28, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. at the Government Center, 315 Bridge Street to discuss the facade grant. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

To view the packet for this meeting, please CLICK HERE.

BOATER SAFETY CLASS OFFERED IN ELK RAPIDS – OCTOBER 7, 2023

There will be a boater safety class offered this fall in Elk Rapids! Boat America, an 8 hour class, is a boater safety class for novice recreational boaters ages 12 and older. The class is being offered by the Traverse City Coast Guard Auxiliary.  Topics covered include boating safety and safety equipment, emergency procedures, navigation rules and aids, and boating regulations.  The class will meet on Saturday, October 7, 2023, at the Harbor Pavilion in Elk Rapids.  The class will meet from 8 am to 5 pm with a lunch break at noon.  You must attend all 8 hours to get your boater safety certificate.  Cost is $15 to cover cost of book and certificate.

Preregister by September 30 by emailing Dianne Walker at diannewalk48@gmail.com  ( minimum of 10 students needed to hold the class).

OPEN HOUSE: SHARE YOUR IDEAS FOR THE MASTER PLAN & DDA TIF PLAN – SEPTEMBER 19, 2023

The Village of Elk Rapids Planning Commission and Downtown Development Authority are hosting an open house on Tuesday September 19, 2023 from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the Elk Rapids Government Center, 315 Bridge Street. We hope you are able to stop by to share your ideas and input on these two important plans that will shape the future of our community!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: SERVE ON THE DOWNTOWN AREA CITIZEN COUNCIL

Do you reside in the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) District? You might be if you live on Ames, River, or Bridge Streets or other areas as designated by the map below. The DDA is looking for volunteers to serve on the Development Area Citizens Council (DACC) for two meetings – one in October and one in November – to gather citizen input on the upcoming TIF Plan update.

If you are interested, please email Village Clerk Kaitlyn Szczypka at kszczypka@elkrapids.org no later than September 6, 2023. She will put your name on a list for DDA board consideration. If you have any questions feel free to reach out to Kaitlyn.

Thank you for your interest in making our community a better place!

NOTICE OF POTENTIAL QUORUM

The Elk Rapids Village Council has been invited to tour the Hydroelectric Power Dam on Thursday August 10, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. In the event of a Council quorum, no decision nor discussion toward decisions will be made as this is not an official meeting of the public body.

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: DPW LABORERS, FULL-TIME

The Village of Elk Rapids is seeking two laborers to join the Department of Public Works (DPW) crew. Full-time year-round, generous benefits, $20/hour. This role provides support to DPW operations and adjusts to seasonal peak needs. Essential duties include operating general hand tools and equipment that does not require a CDL, mowing and trimming Village properties, snow removal at Village properties,  maintaining gardens in partnership with the Beautification Commission as directed by the DPW Superintendent, collecting refuse around the Village, and tasks such as cleaning, painting, and making minor repairs to Village property and equipment.

If you are interested in the position or have questions, please reach out to Village Clerk Kaitlyn Szczypka at kszczypka@elkrapids.org. Positions open until filled.

CANCELLED – OPEN WATER SAFETY LESSONS FOR AUGUST 2, 2023

Due to inclement weather, the open water safety lessons scheduled for August 2, 2023 have been cancelled.

JULY 2023 ANTRIM COUNTY BULLETIN

Check out the July edition of the Antrim County Bulletin! Lots is going on for the County Building construction project, read on for all updates:

• Building entry closure near County Clerk’s Office

• Office moves for the Register of Deeds and County Clerk

• NEW aerial imagery on County website!

• Updates on the public safety center

• Drop-off box locations

• County Building renovations update

SPECIAL BRUSH PICK-UP STARTING JULY 31

The Elk Rapids Department of Public Works will be conducting a SPECIAL BRUSH PICK-UP starting July 31, 2023 in anticipation of Harbor Days. Regular brush pick-up will resume the first Monday of August as scheduled.

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE – PROPOSED ORDINANCE 2023-08

The Village of Elk Rapids Village Council will hold a public hearing at their regular meeting on Tuesday August 15, 2023, at the Governmental Center, 315 Bridge Street, at 7:00 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to consider and receive community input on:

1. Proposed Ordinance 2023-08: Purchasing & Contracts – Amendment to §2-440 – 441 of the Code of Ordinances.

The proposed ordinance can be found on the Village’s website, elkrapids.org or a copy can be viewed during normal business hours at the Government Center.

Community members are invited to attend this hearing to speak either pro or con on this matter. Written comments can be directed to the Village of Elk Rapids, 315 Bridge Street, P.O. Box 398, Elk Rapids, MI 49629.

–Kaitlyn Szczypka, Village Clerk

VILLAGE OFFICE CLOSED FROM 12-1 PM ON JUNE 28, 2023

The Village office will be closed for one hour starting at noon and until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday June 28, 2023 for a staff lunch hosted by former interim manager Richard I. Lewis. Regular service will resume at 1:00 p.m.