Elberta Village Council adopts Consumers Energy franchise ordinance, approves multiple project draws and payments

The Elberta Village Council on Sept. 19 adopted Ordinance No. 46, a Consumers Energy Electric Franchise Ordinance, and approved several project draws and payments tied to water, parks and engineering work.

The 30‑year nonbinding franchise ordinance was adopted after a motion by Trustee Ken Holmes and a second from Pro Tempore Emily Votruba; the roll call vote was unanimous. Council members said the ordinance continues long‑standing electric franchise arrangements with Consumers Energy.

Why it matters: the approvals move multiple infrastructure projects and financial corrections forward and authorize spending and reimbursements that affect the village's near‑term cash flow and audit posture.

Council also approved a USDA Water System Improvements Change Order #3, which decreased the contract price by $24,409.13, and approved the USDA August draw request for $161,388.37 (which included engineering fees and contractor payments). Engineer Ken Mlcek reported the water project is essentially complete aside from concrete and sidewalk work; the council approved both the change order and the final draw by roll call vote.

The council approved a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) August draw for the Elberta Beach Improvements, authorizing payment to AJ’s Excavating of $184,497.33. The council voted unanimously to pay Fleis & VandenBrink $22,000 for engineering design services on the Bye Street crush‑and‑shape project, which is expected to begin Oct. 7 and last about a week.

Financial and audit actions included adoption of Resolution No. 2024‑006, the Fiscal Year 2023–2024 Five Year Deficit Elimination Plan, which shows a remaining FY23‑24 deficit of $30,568 and projects stepped reductions into FY25/26; the council also voted to contract with UHY Services to complete overdue bank reconciliations (six months behind) with a fee cap of $15,000.

Council approved an ARPA‑AMP/DSMI reimbursement showing the village will be reimbursed $12,767.50 for a project to GIS‑map water service infrastructure.

The meeting included routine approvals of accounts payable ($142,854.62) and payroll ($21,271.63). President Jennifer Wilkins recused herself from the payroll vote; the remaining council members approved both motions by roll call.

Votes at a glance: • Ordinance No. 46 (Consumers Energy Electric Franchise Ordinance) — adopted; motion: Ken Holmes; second: Emily Votruba; vote: all ayes. • USDA Water System Improvements Change Order #3 — approved (contract price decreased by $24,409.13); motion: Brett McGregor; second: Ken Holmes; vote: all ayes. • USDA August draw — approved for $161,388.37 (includes F&V engineering $6,903.95; Elmer’s $130,075.29); motion: Jennifer Wilkins; second: Emily Votruba; vote: all ayes. • MNRTF draw — payment to AJ’s Excavating $184,497.33 approved; motion: Emily Votruba; second: Jennifer Wilkins; vote: all ayes. • Fleis & VandenBrink — pay $22,000 for Bye Street design services; motion: Jennifer Wilkins; second: Brett McGregor; vote: all ayes. • Resolution 2024‑006 (Deficit Elimination Plan) — adopted; motion: Emily Votruba; second: Brett McGregor; vote: all ayes. • Contract with UHY for bank reconciliations (fee cap $15,000) — approved; motion: Emily Votruba; second: Brett McGregor; vote: all ayes. • ARPA/DSMI reimbursement — $12,767.50 accepted; motion: Jennifer Wilkins; second: Ken Holmes; vote: all ayes. • Accounts payable $142,854.62 and payroll $21,271.63 — both approved; note: President Jennifer Wilkins recused from the payroll vote.

What’s next: the water project requires final concrete work and the village expects one more draw from the DWSRF in October; the budget amendment item was tabled pending further investigation into anomalous revenue postings and bank reconciliations will be completed off site by UHY under the new contract.