Mark Amundson

The Ad Hoc Legal Services Review Committee meeting focused on reviewing and recommending changes to the contract negotiations with Giarmarco, Mullins & Horton (GMH). Recommendations included modifying language regarding the scope of legal functions, adding an interest accrual clause for unpaid legal fees, adjusting payment timelines from 30 to 90 days, and updating expense and insurance reporting language. The Committee approved these recommended changes and moved to recommend the contract, with the noted revisions, to the Village Council for final approval.

The special meeting was dedicated to a work session focused on goal setting and objectives for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Key discussions under Goal 1 (Promote Sound and Prudent Financial Management) included narrowing the focus for downtown paid parking, establishing a revised budget development process, updating the Cityhood/Township Consolidation Study (removing the completed Cityhood investigation), and analyzing the imbalance in water usage and sewer discharge. Goal 2 (Management of CIP) addressed retaining objectives for the Children's Park Pedestrian Bridge and Village-Owned Properties, and establishing new objectives to review water rates, billing practices, and analyze the 75/25 Infrastructure Funding allocation. Under Goal 3 (Promote Quality Recreation Services and Environmental Stewardship), the Council focused on the Lake Drawdown and Infrastructure objective by emphasizing structural repair planning. Under Goal 4 (Promote Positive Community Image), the objective regarding Administrative Office Hours was marked complete, and discussions centered on improving working relationships with the DDA and Township, and separating ordinance enforcement/codification into distinct objectives. Finally, the Council voted to excuse one member from attendance.

The primary focus of the meeting was the agenda for February 2, 2026, which included public comments, a public hearing, and old business. Key new business items were the review of the Monthly Planning and Zoning Report for December 2025 and January 2026, and a discussion regarding a Zoning Ordinance Amendment. The Zoning Ordinance Amendment centered on clarifying regulations concerning accessory buildings, structures, and uses, specifically addressing the parking and storage of recreational vehicles, boats, and trailers on properties without a principal residential building. Commissioners' comments covered general planning and zoning matters.

The meeting began with the approval of the agenda, including the addition of a one-hour discussion on Goals and Objectives. The Consent Agenda was approved, which included adopting a Joint Resolution approving the 2026 budget for the Orion Community Cable Communication Commission and approving several sets of previous meeting minutes. Other items approved included the Ice Fest Special Event resolution and the extension of the term for the Ad Hoc Legal Services Review Committee. In the public items section, the resignation of a Governmental Member to the North Oakland Transportation Authority (NOTA) Board was accepted, and Council Member Michael Lamb was appointed as the new primary Governmental Member. The continuation of goal setting for FY 2026-27 involved modifying Goal 4 to focus on Efficient and Effective Municipal Operations and finalizing several objectives, including those related to collaboration with the DDA and Township, transparency, and property use determination. Operational updates included a discussion on prioritizing primary roads due to a statewide road salt shortage and addressing a recent water main break.

The meeting addressed the adoption of the 2026 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting schedule for the Village of Lake Orion. A significant portion of the deliberation centered on a dimensional variance request (A-25-005) for an accessory structure (a pergola) constructed at 256 S. Broadway St. that violated the waterfront setback requirements. The Board reviewed findings of fact noting the structure was considered an accessory use, did not impair views, and its construction resulted from a perceived hardship due to miscommunication between village and township officials regarding prior verbal approvals. The Board ultimately granted an 11-foot 5-inch variance based on the finding that the hardship was not self-created. Public comment included support for the variance, concerns about the permit process, and subsequent discussion regarding the need for improved communication and recordkeeping between municipal departments.