Council President Deborah Lindley presented the following year end report summarizing the accomplishments of 2019 at the December 18, 2019 Village Council Meeting.

2019 Year-End Report

Debbie Lindley, Council President

Building and Zoning:

• The Planning Commission completed their zoning revisions.
• There was continuation of working with homeowners to get projects done within zoning guidelines

  Parks and Beaches:

• Received a state grant for 3.2 million and raised the 25% match to purchase the 42 Acres of Grand Beach Preserve. That process is in the works and the land closing should be completed soon.
• Worked diligently to complete a 5-year Parks and Recreation Plan, which was accepted by the council last month and will make it possible to apply for future state grants.
• Parks committee visited all designated parks and available park property.
• Donation to replace the white fencing along Grand Beach Road and the golf course that should be completed by Memorial day.

 Streets and Water:

• Dolly Trainor drainage project completed with paving to be done in the spring.
• Royal Ave. sidewalk completed using state granted monies for walkways and trails. The continuation of white posts will be completed at a later date weather permitting.

Police:

• Completed an almost 2-year investigation and trial of combined services with Michiana. Grand Beach signed an agreement with Michiana to provide combined services between the 2 communities. All state paperwork is on track to be completed in January of 2020.
• We say goodbye to our former chief Dan Schroeder and thank him for his many years of dedication to our village. A get together will be planned in the summer when residents are here to participate.
• We are happy to welcome our new chief Ryan Layman and assistant chief Jamie Flick.

 Golf:

•  The golf course continues to operate in the black with expanded merchandise for purchase.
• Walnut/Pump house permit approvals were given after a year and a half approval process by EGLE. Work will be started this winter from the bluff and completed by barge weather permitting. We will be making those decisions later on the agenda.
• There was an evaluation of tree health on the golf course with the removal of 15 of the most dangerous trees. Others will be considered on a monetary ability to remove.
• The maintenance department removed the bottom branches of the pine trees and will take down other smaller trees, weather permitting.
• Alternative plans were and are being considered for watering the golf course if there is a failure of the pump house.
• We continue to work with ServiScape to provide the best possible golfing experience.