Council debated a motion to call a public hearing on the Downtown Development Authority's status and ultimately directed staff to compile finances, contracts, and legal implications under Michigan Act 57 before any public hearing or dissolution decision.

Council approved awarding four bid packages for an electric system upgrade including a new substation and a 46 kV line; staff said the program raises total project estimates toward roughly $10 million and flagged expected rate increases of about 25% in year one and 10% in year two to fund the work.

Commissioners discussed defining 'cruise ship' and proposed restricting disembarkation at city docks for vessels carrying more than 12 passengers. Counsel recommended considering restrictions rather than outright prohibition; the commission asked counsel to review suggested language.

After hours of public comment, council directed staff to provide bullet points and asked the planning commission to draft revisions to short-term rental rules. Commenters discussed enforcement challenges, a possible rebuttable-presumption model, license caps, and fees.

The Harbor Springs Planning Commission voted to schedule a public hearing on Aug. 20 to consider draft changes to parking rules and downtown building‑height limits; staff will prepare ordinance language for public review and comment.

Members agreed to prioritize two community environmental demonstration projects — a rain garden (short-term) and a pocket forest (longer-term with school involvement) — and discussed Tip of the Mitt technical assistance, Community Foundation grant ranges, volunteer maintenance, and who will maintain completed sites.

After hours of debate the commission coalesced around two stories as the preferred limit in the Central Business District (with lower corner heights and rules to control massing), directed Beckett Raider to draft specific ordinance language, and scheduled a special July 30 meeting to review proposed edits before a public hearing.

The Planning Commission voted to deny the site plan for 289 East Main Street after staff cited the city attorney's opinion that first-floor private residential parking is not permitted under the current zoning; members also raised unresolved issues on lighting and drainage.

A resident told the board his son received an electrical shock at the city beach showers and an inspector later disapproved the plumbing and electrical work; staff said electricians located and fixed the electrical issue while the board called for an after-action review and clearer contractor accountability.

Board members discussed a draft exclusion policy that would let police or designated city officials temporarily exclude people who harass beachgoers or create unsafe conditions, and directed staff to seek legal review. The item is discussion-only; no ordinance vote was taken.

Consultant Tim Knudson told the DDA that 160 survey responses favored preserving downtown character and prioritizing pedestrian safety and lighting; public comment was extensive and divided, with residents split between incremental infrastructure fixes and objections to lane narrowing and some curb-extension ideas.

Commissioners reviewed proposed edits to marine commercial license language (fees, ferry-dock language and insurance limits) and asked the city attorney to advise whether the commission can prohibit cruise-ship visits or must rely on permit, head-fee or tender restrictions.