Lake Orion Council Discusses Lifeguards at Green's Park, One-Day Liquor Licenses

Would you let your children swim at without lifeguards? Would you be happy if your neighbor hosted a block party when you had to work early in the morning?

Green's Park lifeguards and issuing one-day liquor licenses were the hot topics on Lake Orion Village Council's agenda during Monday's meeting at .

Green's Park without lifeguards?

Green's Park is over budget by more than $6,000, so a tentative decision to eliminate lifeguards was discussed at a previous council meeting.

Lake Orion Village Manager Paul Zelenak was asked to list procedures that would be taken to make up for their absence, including:

• Signage at the entrance and by the dock, such as "swimming is at your own risk."
• Passes could still be issued but at a lower rate, and the absence of lifeguards would be included in any informational packets distributed.
• Buoys would surround the dock in the swimming area so no boats would come too close.
• An emergency phone would be installed.
• Police officers would routinely open and close the park on weekends and holidays, while checking the bathrooms before closure.
• A nominal fee is being considered to support the addition of lifeguards.

Others were concerned about the elimination of lifeguards, such as Village Council President Ken Van Portfliet, who believes the lifeguards did a lot more than monitor swimmers, such as park maintenance.

"I'm looking for recommendations from the Parks and Recreation Committee. We need to see budgetary numbers before we decide what to do about lifeguards and fees," Van Portfliet said.

Voting on lifeguards will be added on the agenda at the budget meeting next Thursday.

"I was hoping some of the public would show up and say "Hey, lets raise $6,000 to get some lifeguards," Mayor Pro Tem John Ranville said.

One-day liquor license changes

Chief Jerry Narsh presented changes to issuing one-day liquor licenses in the village limits as a result of the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) changing who is eligible to apply for a one-day permit.

The law previously restricted the permits exclusively to nonprofit organizations, but now anyone or any group can apply, including a governmental entity.

"It's now an 'open-door policy.' Guidance from (Village) Council would be appreciated by the department," Narsh said.

Narsh said that without an ordinance that clearly establishes guidelines, it is difficult to deny applications that could create issues within the village limits. "This change opens the door to a lot of possible opportunities, but it opens doors to a lot of possible dilemmas as well," Narsh said.

A license can be revoked by the MLCC if a specific ordinance is "on the books," which it is not. Township Attorney Dan Kelly advised the creation of an ordinance for this reason and said he will work with Narsh to draft one to be presented to council.

A maximum of 12 one-day permits can be issued every year.

Other announcements:

• Executive Director Suzanne Perreault is requesting volunteers to be part of a garden tour during the Downtown Flower Fair the weekend of June 2. Tours will showcase gardens around the village and participation is free. For more information, call Perreault at 248-693-9742 or visit www.downtownlakeorion.org.
• Curbside compost pick-up has resumed.
• Hazardous Waste Collection will be at Oxford Middle School on April 28.