By Bruce Rolfe
After receiving the proposed 10-year Master Plan to review at the October 6 meeting without much feedback, the Climax Village Council considered a resolution to send the Master Plan to other municipalities in the area to review at the October 20 regular meeting, but concern by some council members if the timing is right will delay the process.
Council member Nick Ludwig said since the Master Plan is a 10-year plan (2027-2037) that won’t be considered for adoption until the future, he felt more comfortable waiting until after the November 3 election when new council members will be on the board to be part of the vote.
Ludwig offered a motion that was seconded by council member Janet Sutherland, to wait until the new board members are sworn into office before considering a resolution to distribute the proposed 10-year Master Plan, however the motion resulted in a 3-3 tie (council member Ben Moore was absent), with Denise Pyle, Bill Lewis and Carolyn Kelly voting no.
The new council will consider the resolution to distribute the proposed Master Plan to various municipalities and other entities for a reserved 63-day comment opportunity for comments to the Planning Commission.
After receiving the proposed 10-year Master Plan to review at the October 6 meeting without much feedback, the Climax Village Council considered a resolution to send the Master Plan to other municipalities in the area to review at the October 20 regular meeting, but concern by some council members if the timing is right will delay the process.
Council member Nick Ludwig said since the Master Plan is a 10-year plan (2027-2037) that won’t be considered for adoption until the future, he felt more comfortable waiting until after the November 3 election when new council members will be on the board to be part of the vote.
Ludwig offered a motion that was seconded by council member Janet Sutherland, to wait until the new board members are sworn into office before considering a resolution to distribute the proposed 10-year Master Plan, however the motion resulted in a 3-3 tie (council member Ben Moore was absent), with Denise Pyle, Bill Lewis and Carolyn Kelly voting no.
The new council will consider the resolution to distribute the proposed Master Plan to various municipalities and other entities for a reserved 63-day comment opportunity for comments to the Planning Commission.
Communication from Village attorney Craig Rolfe indicated if the council identified any concerns or changes in the proposed plan, those changes should be forwarded to the planning commission for discussion to avoid having to go through multiple steps of the statutory process.
The Village attorney points out in a letter to the Council if the Council identifies any concerns with the substance of the proposed master plan, the Council should not approve the proposed resolution and refer the specific substantive concerns to the Planning Commission for further discussion.
Following the 63-day comment opportunity, the Village Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Master Plan at a regular meeting in early 2027.
Village citizens will also have an opportunity to give input within the 63-day comment period.
The proposed Master Plan includes the location of the Village, history of the Village, community profile, and demographic analysis.
Demographic and housing trends from 1990-2023 in the proposed master plan show population spiked from 680 in 1990 to just under 800 in 2000. The population of the Village dropped to just over 720 in 2021 and has increased to 740 in 2023.
The proposed Master Plan also includes Village Infrastructure, existing Land Use Map, Farmland Map, Future Land Use Map, Future Land Use Goals, Zoning Plan, Implementation, and an Appendix.
Accounting Firm No Longer Performing Audits
The Council learned Flegal Melnik, the accounting firm the Village Council uses for audits, is no longer performing audits effective June 30, 2026.
Clerk Linda Coburn communicated with Flegal Melnik for a list of auditors the Council could consider.
The Council recently received the audit for the year ending March, 2026 to review.
Vehicle Stolen in Village
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning Chairman Nick Ludwig said there was a report of a vehicle stolen in the Village during the hours of 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. October 18 or 19.
Village Council Trustee Denise Pyle confirmed her daughter had her car stolen from her residence in the Village. She said the keys were not left in the vehicle, however the thief was able to start the vehicle through the steering column. The Village Council trustee said the vehicle was discovered abandoned a short time later near MN and 35th Street by an off duty officer.
If you see suspicious behavior contact the Kalamazoo County Sheriff or take photos of suspicious behavior.
Ludwig also notified the Council there have been reports of other break-ins recently in the area.
In another item covered at the October 20 meeting:
Ordinance/Zoning/Planning & Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said she has not received any ordinance complaints since the last meeting.
The Village attorney points out in a letter to the Council if the Council identifies any concerns with the substance of the proposed master plan, the Council should not approve the proposed resolution and refer the specific substantive concerns to the Planning Commission for further discussion.
Following the 63-day comment opportunity, the Village Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed Master Plan at a regular meeting in early 2027.
Village citizens will also have an opportunity to give input within the 63-day comment period.
The proposed Master Plan includes the location of the Village, history of the Village, community profile, and demographic analysis.
Demographic and housing trends from 1990-2023 in the proposed master plan show population spiked from 680 in 1990 to just under 800 in 2000. The population of the Village dropped to just over 720 in 2021 and has increased to 740 in 2023.
The proposed Master Plan also includes Village Infrastructure, existing Land Use Map, Farmland Map, Future Land Use Map, Future Land Use Goals, Zoning Plan, Implementation, and an Appendix.
Accounting Firm No Longer Performing Audits
The Council learned Flegal Melnik, the accounting firm the Village Council uses for audits, is no longer performing audits effective June 30, 2026.
Clerk Linda Coburn communicated with Flegal Melnik for a list of auditors the Council could consider.
The Council recently received the audit for the year ending March, 2026 to review.
Vehicle Stolen in Village
Public Safety/Fire/Law Enforcement/Disaster Planning Chairman Nick Ludwig said there was a report of a vehicle stolen in the Village during the hours of 11 p.m. - 2 a.m. October 18 or 19.
Village Council Trustee Denise Pyle confirmed her daughter had her car stolen from her residence in the Village. She said the keys were not left in the vehicle, however the thief was able to start the vehicle through the steering column. The Village Council trustee said the vehicle was discovered abandoned a short time later near MN and 35th Street by an off duty officer.
If you see suspicious behavior contact the Kalamazoo County Sheriff or take photos of suspicious behavior.
Ludwig also notified the Council there have been reports of other break-ins recently in the area.
In another item covered at the October 20 meeting:
Ordinance/Zoning/Planning & Development Chairperson Carolyn Kelly said she has not received any ordinance complaints since the last meeting.
––––––––––––––––––––
Subscribe to the Legal News!
https://www.legalnews.com/Home/Subscription
Full access to public notices, articles, columns, archives, statistics, calendar and more
Day Pass Only $4.95!
One-County $80/year
Three-County & Full Pass also available
