Resident alleges swim buoys violate ordinance; city staff say buoys measured at required distance

During public comment at the June 15 South Haven City Council meeting, Jake Campbell read a letter from resident Nancy McGillory raising a safety complaint about the placement of swim buoys near the piers.

The letter states that, under South Haven ordinance 1077, swimming within 50 feet of the Lake Michigan piers is prohibited because structural currents make the area hazardous, and it alleges the city’s current buoy placement sits inside that 50‑foot threshold, creating a false sense of safety and increasing drowning risk. The letter requested that the city immediately measure distances, relocate buoys to sit fully outside the 50‑foot exclusion zone, and respond before “another life is lost.”

City staff responded later in the meeting when a council member asked if the resident’s email had been addressed. Kate said beach‑safety staff had measured the buoys and that "we are at 50 ft," and added that lifeguards maintain and reset buoys frequently because of wave action and currents.

The exchange in the meeting records the claim and the staff reply but does not include a third‑party measurement report or an amended action by council. Staff said they would respond to the resident’s email directly and indicated lifeguards are responsible for setting and resetting buoys as needed.

What happens next: staff committed to responding to the resident’s email and will follow up on any measurement discrepancies; council discussion of beach safety and short‑term operational buoy placement may continue at future meetings if requested.