Volume 3, Issue 25 November 14, 2025
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Pentwater Village approves zoning contract, discusses short-term rental policy and old village hall By AnnaMae Bush
BIG RAPIDS, MI 49307 PERMIT NO 62
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week. Van Ess had been asked to seek additional The Oceana Echo Community Correspondent bids for the purpose of comparison and adverThe Pentwater Vil- tise the position more lage Council met Nov. 10 broadly in an attempt with all members pres- to find a qualified local person full-time. Van ent. President Mary Mar- Ess complied with the shall said, during cor- requests, contacting the respondence, that due two firms suggested to to an unexpected move him and listing the job for a job, Dan Girvan on LinkedIn. One firm submitted a letter of never responded, and resignation from the the other sent back a planning commission proposal that gave less to which he was recently information and more contingencies than the appointed. Since there were Fresh Coast proposno committee reports, al. Three individual apcouncil moved on to un- plications were received, finished and new busi- but two were from out of state, and the third had ness. Village Manager no experience. Given the circumToby Van Ess’ proposal to contract with Fresh stances, council unanCoast for the village’s imously approved a open zoning position proposal to contract was tabled at the last with Fresh Coast for one meeting. Fresh Coast year and then evaluate proposed staffing the whether or not to renew village office two days a the contract. The posiweek but being available tion will still be marketby phone or computer ed in hopes of finding a as needed the rest of the full-time, experienced zoning administrator who could perhaps work with Fresh Coast on a rewrite of the most important and outdated zoning ordinances. New business included renewing a short-term rental policy adopted last year, which put a cap on short-term rental licenses at 80 and raised the license fee to $750. Currently there are 86 licenses in effect; the cap of 80 will be reached through attrition. Any current license holders can renew their license, but no new licenses will be issued until the total is less than 80. There are approximately 15 persons waiting for a license. The previous license fee had been $300, which was insufficient to cover the cost of administering the program and enforcing rental unit codes.
During discussion, council agreed there should be a separate account to document fees received and specific costs involved with administration and enforcement so the licensing fees can reflect the true cost. On the vote to renew last year’s policy, Don Palmer, Karl Schrumpf, Marshall, Dan Nugent, Jared Griffis and Kathy O’Connor voted yes. Dave Bluhm, a rental unit owner, abstained from voting. A formality neglected at the last meeting was council’s acceptance and approval of the audit report, which was presented at that time. Council gave unanimous approval at the current meeting. Regarding the Strategic Plan, Marshall reported the steering committee will meet prior to council’s Nov. 24 meeting to incorporate recent input. Their final proposal will come before council at the Dec. 8 meeting for approval. A lengthy discussion followed on selling the former village hall at 327 S. Hancock St. Van Ess reported on his interaction with the Sandi Gentry team. Before signing a 6-month listing contract with them, council wanted to be sure they have all the information collected over the past 10 years about the property’s Brownfield development qualification, the engineering reports about the condition of the building and what remediation would be required, the wished for uses of the building that the community expressed, the suggested height restrictions and façade appearance formulated by the DDA and whatever else can be found to give them. A proposal will be acted
James & Nancy McClain Photographer: Erik & Kristy Lindquist
Veterans Day across Oceana
on at the next council meeting. Under manager’s comments, Van Ess listed all the stats on lead lines that have been replaced by Gustafson and how many remain to be checked. The biggest challenge has been getting access to 140 homes for inspection. He is meeting with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nov. 26-27 to discuss their work plans for the channel. He reported he had interviewed one applicant for Michelle Bieri’s Deputy Clerk/ Veteran Larena Kramer spoke at the Hart VFW Nov. 11. Treasurer position. He praised the quick response of Hallack Contracting, Ken Adams & Sons Excavating and the DPW to fix a water main leak at Hancock and Hanover that occurred when Frontier Communications apparently drilled into the line. Chief Laude Hartrum responded to a resident’s question regarding the Flock cam- • Connie VanDerZanden/Echo OCDVA Veteran Service Officer Samuel Nanasi also era test period. Since the spoke at the Hart VFW during Tuesday's ceremony. intent was to piggyback on the county sheriff’s Flock program and they have yet to install their cameras, Pentwater’s official test period will not officially begin until May 2026 and run for 90 days The Shelby Middle School Choir performed "Peace following. Hartrum said Song" during the school's Veterans Day assembly. "we are using the system when needed, but on a non-official basis." He affirmed a report would be given after the official test run. Hartrum also reported that representatives from the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police would be inspecting and evaluating Air Force veteran Ed the Pentwater Police Veterans salute the flag at Shelby Middle School during Dodds was the featured Department on Dec. 9 the Star-Spangled Banner. speaker at the assembly. and 10 for their accred• Amanda Dodge/Echo itation with the organization. This is an accreditation they have been working to achieve for four years. The Shelby Middle School Cadet Band performed "American Fantasy" to honor local veterans Nov. 11.