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"We were not fortunate enough to get the grant funding in this process," Orschel said.

Orschel took the opportunity to thank residents Terri Kimble and Jan Bassett for their efforts while working to obtain the grant as both were in attendance at the meeting.

Village president Dan Reszka asked Bassett and Kimble if they had any comments on the grant process. Bassett said she would like to see a firm commitment on a way to pay for the 25 percent match of funds and updated numbers on the appraisal of the property so the village could talk with owner Johan Bech about options. Bassett said the deadline to try for the grant again is April 1, 2008.

After the meeting, Bassett said Mary Margaret Munski of Ferris State University plans to have her Senior Facilities Management students provide architectural programming recommendations for the Bech Mustard Property in January of 2007. The students will be able to offer some "out-of-the-box" suggestions for recreational uses of the property and will do this for their senior project, Bassett said.

At the meeting, Kimble said she felt the village should create a committee to pursue more grants in general. She referred to her trip to Lansing for the DNR Trust Fund Grant, where she learned that other communities had things like bathroom projects funded by way of grants.

"Whether it's by an ad hoc committee, we as a community need to be taking advantage of these situations," Kimble said.

Reszka said at the first of the year he will contact people to aid in the pursuit of another grant for the Bech Mustard property acquisition. "We came close but maybe next time we can get it," Orschel said.

Parking request granted

The village council voted to officially allow parking on the east side of an ally behind Pearl's New Orleans Kitchen in Elk Rapids. The ally is bound by Ames, Lake and Bass Streets.

Discussion about Pearl's ally parking became necessary because patrons were parking on both sides of the ally, making emergency vehicle clearance next to impossible.

Elk Rapids Police Chief Mike Miles said the east side of the ally had fewer driveways that could be blocked. Reszka said he, village manager Bob Peterson and Pearl's owners met to come up with this best possible scenario.

Resident Bob Bassett asked if cars were required to park in the same direction and if so which direction. Miles said they were required to park in the same direction facing toward Lake Street.

Megan Taylor can be reached for question or comment at mtaylor@michigannewspapers.com or by calling 231-264-9711.