By Bruce Rolfe
After a Village of Climax resident described what he felt were multiple Village ordinance violations at his neighbor’s residence at the April 7 Council meeting, a representative from the company that provides permit, zoning and ordinance services to the Village, updated the Council about those complaints at the June 15 regular Village Council meeting.
The Village resident read what he feels are 21 different ordinance violations in five categories of the Village’s Code of Ordinances at a residence in the 300 block of East Maple Street at the April 7 meeting.
The Village resident felt four code violations were taking place under the Village’s Public Nuisances Ordinance, six violations under the Noise Control Ordinance, four Code Violations under Blight, three under the Junkyards Ordinance and four code violations under Zoning.
The property owner told the council there is loud music being played in a non-attached garage late into the night.
The Village resident also claimed a commercial automobile repair shop is being operated at the location which is zoned residential.
Vaughn Reed, of Safebuilt, the company the Village has hired to oversee ordinance, zoning and permit services, updated the Council about the complaints that were filed with the Village in the 300 block of East Maple Street.
Another complaint was for loud noise after 10 p.m., which Reed said the Kalamazoo County Sheriff should be called. He said there is nothing Safebuilt can do.
He said providing proof of decibel levels, pictures or video of alleged violations are helpful for the police and his company to offer proof in court.
Reed said he could not prove there is a business being operated at the location. Reed said the homeowner claimed he was working on his own vehicles and vehicles of friends.
While the Village resident who was in attendance felt confident the resident was working on vehicles other than the homeowner, Reed told the resident proof that money was being exchanged for any work performed on vehicles other than the homeowners would be needed to prove in court.
The Village resident said the resident at the location has started to clean up vehicles and debris in the back yard.
Two Stolen Signs Have Been Replaced
Streets/Sidewalks/Census Chairperson Janet Sutherland said a speed limit sign and Welcome to Climax sign north of the Village were removed by someone.
Department of Public Works Manager T.J. Gibson confirmed two new signs that were installed in early April, were stolen about two weeks ago. He said replacement signs were installed June 18.
Ordinance/Permit Contract Discussed
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the Finance Committee is reviewing costs with Safebuilt, the current company the Village uses for ordinance and permit services, to determine if other options that fit the Village’s needs may be available.
“There’s nothing necessarily bad. We’ve still got some things that we’re working on trying to clean up. Things have improved, but we just want to look at it like most organizations. Look and see where we’re at, what the other options are to make sure that we do that,” said Lewis, who said the Village has to give Safebuilt 90 days notice that the Village may be looking at other options.
Lewis said the contract with Safebuilt expires in October and it would be up to the Council to determine if the Village renews the Safebuilt Contract or begins a search for a new ordinance/permit service provider.
Fireworks Law, Sheriff Report Reviewed
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Training Chairman Nick Ludwig said the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department responded to 14 citizen initiated calls for service in the Village in May. There were three civil calls and three suspicious calls for service topping the list.
There were also 10 officer initiated directed patrol calls for service.
With the July 4 holiday approaching, Ludwig reviewed proper procedures for discharging fireworks.
Fireworks may be discharged June 29 through July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Under Michigan’s Fireworks Safety Act, residents can legally ignite consumer-grade fireworks on personal property or private property with permission from the property owner. It is illegal to discharge them on public property (including roads, parks, and sidewalks), school or church grounds, or on private property without the owner’s express permission.
Discharging fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited under Michigan law.
A person must be 18 years old to purchase consumer fireworks.
The person igniting the fireworks is liable for any property damage, injuries or death caused by the usage.
Breaking state laws or fireworks ordinances can result in fines which are typically up to $1,000 per violation.
In other items covered at the June 15 meeting:
• Boy Scout Troop #265 was given permission to use the flag pole in the Village Park for Scout Advancement requirements (raise and lower flags properly). The Troop will inform the Village Council the dates they will be using the flag pole.
• Village Council President Bill Lewis reminded the Council and audience the last day a candidate can file a petition to the County to have names appear on a ballot for 3 seats that will be up for election in November is July 21.
• Ordinance/Zoning/Planning & Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said the committee met and is working on revising letters and is in the process of collecting data to complete the process.
After a Village of Climax resident described what he felt were multiple Village ordinance violations at his neighbor’s residence at the April 7 Council meeting, a representative from the company that provides permit, zoning and ordinance services to the Village, updated the Council about those complaints at the June 15 regular Village Council meeting.
The Village resident read what he feels are 21 different ordinance violations in five categories of the Village’s Code of Ordinances at a residence in the 300 block of East Maple Street at the April 7 meeting.
The Village resident felt four code violations were taking place under the Village’s Public Nuisances Ordinance, six violations under the Noise Control Ordinance, four Code Violations under Blight, three under the Junkyards Ordinance and four code violations under Zoning.
The property owner told the council there is loud music being played in a non-attached garage late into the night.
The Village resident also claimed a commercial automobile repair shop is being operated at the location which is zoned residential.
Vaughn Reed, of Safebuilt, the company the Village has hired to oversee ordinance, zoning and permit services, updated the Council about the complaints that were filed with the Village in the 300 block of East Maple Street.
Another complaint was for loud noise after 10 p.m., which Reed said the Kalamazoo County Sheriff should be called. He said there is nothing Safebuilt can do.
He said providing proof of decibel levels, pictures or video of alleged violations are helpful for the police and his company to offer proof in court.
Reed said he could not prove there is a business being operated at the location. Reed said the homeowner claimed he was working on his own vehicles and vehicles of friends.
While the Village resident who was in attendance felt confident the resident was working on vehicles other than the homeowner, Reed told the resident proof that money was being exchanged for any work performed on vehicles other than the homeowners would be needed to prove in court.
The Village resident said the resident at the location has started to clean up vehicles and debris in the back yard.
Two Stolen Signs Have Been Replaced
Streets/Sidewalks/Census Chairperson Janet Sutherland said a speed limit sign and Welcome to Climax sign north of the Village were removed by someone.
Department of Public Works Manager T.J. Gibson confirmed two new signs that were installed in early April, were stolen about two weeks ago. He said replacement signs were installed June 18.
Ordinance/Permit Contract Discussed
Village Council President Bill Lewis said the Finance Committee is reviewing costs with Safebuilt, the current company the Village uses for ordinance and permit services, to determine if other options that fit the Village’s needs may be available.
“There’s nothing necessarily bad. We’ve still got some things that we’re working on trying to clean up. Things have improved, but we just want to look at it like most organizations. Look and see where we’re at, what the other options are to make sure that we do that,” said Lewis, who said the Village has to give Safebuilt 90 days notice that the Village may be looking at other options.
Lewis said the contract with Safebuilt expires in October and it would be up to the Council to determine if the Village renews the Safebuilt Contract or begins a search for a new ordinance/permit service provider.
Fireworks Law, Sheriff Report Reviewed
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Training Chairman Nick Ludwig said the Kalamazoo County Sheriff Department responded to 14 citizen initiated calls for service in the Village in May. There were three civil calls and three suspicious calls for service topping the list.
There were also 10 officer initiated directed patrol calls for service.
With the July 4 holiday approaching, Ludwig reviewed proper procedures for discharging fireworks.
Fireworks may be discharged June 29 through July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m.
Under Michigan’s Fireworks Safety Act, residents can legally ignite consumer-grade fireworks on personal property or private property with permission from the property owner. It is illegal to discharge them on public property (including roads, parks, and sidewalks), school or church grounds, or on private property without the owner’s express permission.
Discharging fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited under Michigan law.
A person must be 18 years old to purchase consumer fireworks.
The person igniting the fireworks is liable for any property damage, injuries or death caused by the usage.
Breaking state laws or fireworks ordinances can result in fines which are typically up to $1,000 per violation.
In other items covered at the June 15 meeting:
• Boy Scout Troop #265 was given permission to use the flag pole in the Village Park for Scout Advancement requirements (raise and lower flags properly). The Troop will inform the Village Council the dates they will be using the flag pole.
• Village Council President Bill Lewis reminded the Council and audience the last day a candidate can file a petition to the County to have names appear on a ballot for 3 seats that will be up for election in November is July 21.
• Ordinance/Zoning/Planning & Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said the committee met and is working on revising letters and is in the process of collecting data to complete the process.
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