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Three Oaks council directs private sale of parcel at 114 N. Elm and approves multiple project payments and equipment purchases
Summary
At its Sept. 10 meeting, the Three Oaks Village Council directed staff to draft an ordinance to sell the village parcel adjacent to 114 N. Elm to adjoining owners and approved several payments and equipment purchases, including a $206,126.83 lagoon draw, a $185,729.23 contractor pay request, and authorizations for police equipment and cameras.
Village President Graziano presided over the Three Oaks Village Council meeting on Sept. 10, 2025, where the council directed staff to prepare an ordinance to allow a private sale of the village-owned parcel adjacent to 114 N. Elm and approved a series of payments and equipment purchases.
The council voted to direct Manager Faulkner and Attorney Hilmer to prepare an ordinance enabling a private sale to the adjoining owners, the Verduns, and to obtain an independent appraisal before negotiations begin. The instruction followed public comment from resident Bridget Verdun, who thanked the council for work on parking-lot issues at 114 N. Elm and asked the Village to “proceed with a private sale of the Village’s adjacent parcel.” The motion was moved by Council member Niemzyk and supported by Council member Springer.
In a slate of routine financial actions, the council approved Lagoon Project Draw #7 for $206,126.83 (moved by Council member Jones, supported by Council member Hinman) and Oselka pay request #7 for $185,729.23 (moved by Jones, supported by Hinman). Both motions carried unanimously among members present.
Public safety and equipment authorizations included approval of up to $11,000 to outfit a 2026 Dodge Durango to replace a Silver Ford Explorer that had been totaled in the line of duty (moved by Jones, supported by Niemzyk) and approval to purchase Axon in-car and body cameras up to $56,000, to be drawn from the General Fund Reserve (moved by Hinman, supported by Jones). Both motions carried unanimously among members present.
The council adopted Ordinance #247 regulating storage containers and moving pods. As explained by Council member Jones, storage/shipping containers are permitted only while construction is underway; residential moving pods are allowed for up to 90 days with one 90-day extension.
Other business and reports: the council accepted the resignation of Richard Smith from the Public Service Committee (motion by Jones, supported by Springer; Hinman voted nay); the Planning Commission adopted new parking definitions and is circulating a Master Plan Review survey; Parks and Recreation reported volunteer clean-up and maintenance activity at Timbertown and Hoadley Trail; and the Public Service Committee reported a water-main break caused by a contractor installing fiber-optic cable, for which the Village is submitting an insurance claim. Andrew Rudd noted additional permitting requirements for work on US-12 and that the Hickory Street Bridge project is pending a demolition plan from Amtrak.
Manager Faulkner reported that the Village “have received approval for a marijuana retail business from the Village” and shared updates on public-works and holiday lighting projects. Treasurer Jones reported year-to-date tax receipts of $543,105.52 and interest earnings of $27,878.63 from Michigan CLASS; she said the short-term rental waitlist is close to going live via Reach Alert and the Village website.
The meeting adjourned at 7:56 p.m. The council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 8, 2025.
Votes at a glance: • 114 N. Elm private-sale ordinance: direction to prepare ordinance and obtain independent appraisal — motion passed (mover: Niemzyk; support: Springer). • Lagoon Project Draw #7 — approved $206,126.83 (mover: Jones; support: Hinman). Yes: Niemzyk, Kramer, Hinman, Jones, Springer, Graziano. • Oselka Pay Request #7 — approved $185,729.23 (mover: Jones; support: Hinman). Yes: Niemzyk, Kramer, Hinman, Jones, Springer, Graziano. • Police vehicle equipment — authorized up to $11,000 (mover: Jones; support: Niemzyk). Yes: Niemzyk, Kramer, Hinman, Jones, Springer, Graziano. • Axon in-car and body cameras — authorized up to $56,000 from Reserve Fund (mover: Hinman; support: Jones). Yes: Niemzyk, Kramer, Hinman, Jones, Springer, Graziano. • Ordinance #247 (storage containers) — adopted (mover: Niemzyk; support: Jones). Yes: Niemzyk, Kramer, Hinman, Jones, Springer, Graziano. • Richard Smith resignation — accepted (mover: Jones; support: Springer). Yes: Niemzyk, Kramer, Jones, Springer, Graziano; Nay: Hinman.
