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Edmore council vacates Norway Street block, approves parcel sale and pond treatment; discusses museum sale
Summary
At its Aug. 11 meeting the Village of Edmore Council approved Resolution No. 2025-0811 vacating a block of Norway Street, authorized the intent-to-sell of a one-acre parcel to Great Lakes Taco, LLC for $42,500, approved a $1,650 pond treatment, and authorized a $250,000 offer for the Old Fence Rider Museum property while discussing an ELF loan to aid the buyer.
The Village of Edmore Council on Aug. 11 approved a resolution to vacate a block of Norway Street, authorized the intent to sell a one-acre parcel to Great Lakes Taco, LLC and approved a contractor treatment for a pond by the Curtis Community Building. The council also discussed a prospective sale of the Old Fence Rider Museum to New Haven Assisted Living and authorized a $250,000 offer and consideration of a loan from the village's ELF account to help finance the purchase.
President Chet Guild opened the public hearing on vacating and abandoning the portion of Norway Street west of North Tenth Street; no public comments were offered. Later in the meeting the council approved Resolution No. 2025-0811 to vacate that portion of Norway Street (motion by Councilmember McParland, supported by Colburn). The roll call vote was recorded as yes: Colburn, Griswold, McParland, Moore and Guild; the motion passed 5-0 with two members absent.
Village Manager Mark Borden delivered departmental updates including DPW operations and code-enforcement activity. Borden said water-tower painting began the week of Aug. 11 and crews are installing equipment with Peerless Midwest to run the water system on well pumps during the work. He also reported ongoing property-maintenance follow-ups at several addresses and said the Old Fence Rider Museum contents are being inventoried and removed ahead of an online auction planned for early September.
On land-use matters, Bob Grabowski of Great Lakes Taco, LLC presented a purchase agreement for parcel #041-628-003-00 (about 1 acre) to build a Taco Bell. Grabowski said the purchase is contingent on favorable engineering results, approval for trail relocation, and Drain Commissioner approval to use a retention pond for stormwater. The council approved intent to sell the parcel for $42,500 (motion by McParland, seconded by Colburn); the roll call vote was unanimous 5-0 with two absent.
The council considered a proposal from New Haven Assisted Living to acquire the Old Fence Rider Museum building and part of the parcel to create an assisted-living facility of roughly 20 beds and an estimated 15 jobs. Joshua Schaub, co-owner of New Haven Assisted Living, said the facility would offer lower monthly rates intended for lower- and working-income residents and would not provide nursing care for bedridden residents. Council members expressed interest but said the initial offer was too low; the board authorized Manager Borden to offer $250,000 firm to New Haven and discussed offering a loan of up to half of the ELF account to support the purchase. Treasurer Shirley Drain said she would be comfortable offering a loan up to half of the ELF funds.
On environmental maintenance, the council approved a one-time 2025 treatment of the pond by the Curtis Community Building with Michigan Lakefront Solutions. Steve, owner of Michigan Lakefront Solutions, assessed pond depths on site and presented a two-year option; the 2025 payment approved was $1,650 (the contract lists $1,400 plus a $250 EGLE permit fee). The council voted 5-0 to approve the payment and the option to continue a 2026 program if results warrant.
Other operational items included a report that Pinnacle (a cannabis retailer) may transfer its license to a replacement operator but will require state and Village approvals; DPW notes that the leaf machine needs a manufactured part from Ryan’s Equipment; and multiple vandalism incidents at park bathrooms prompted the village to plan motion-activated trail cameras and reports to local law enforcement.
The meeting also included routine business: Treasurer Shirley Drain reported that ELF loans are current and staff shortages have affected balancing books; the council approved payment of bills by roll call vote (yes: Colburn, Griswold, McParland, Moore, Guild) and accepted minutes from the July 14 regular meeting and Aug. 4 special meeting. President Guild adjourned the meeting at 8:55 p.m.
Next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 8, 2025.
