Spring
Arbor Township Board Minutes: February 09, 2004
The
regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday,
February 9, 2004, at 7:32 p.m., with the following members present:
Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi DeVries, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori,
Trustees Marston Fortress, Troy Ganton, and Brent Williams. Trustee
Short arrived at 8:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by
Supervisor DeGraaf.
Guests
were: Russ Ratkiewicz, Sue Adams, Jim Videto, Geoffrey Cope, Ruth
Scott, Richard Renner, Pat Rombyer , Dean Boss and Jack Boss.
Public
Comment: Public comment opened at 7:33 p.m.
Jim
Videto , County Commissioner, reported that the county
has been discussing possible revenue sharing cuts and they expect
large cuts coming from the state for all municipalities. He also
discussed the consolidation of health services to be located in
the former medical care facility on Lansing Ave., with the Department
of Aging to be located in the former Health Department building.
Jack
Boss , township resident, addressed the board regarding
his plans to build a new home. He stated that he is planning to
build next to Mr. Cope on Moscow Rd., and wanted to know what the
township ordinances were in regards to building, right-of-ways,
and what the restrictions and codes are for bringing things up in
the area.
Geoffrey
Cope , township resident, addressed the board regarding
his property located at 5305 Moscow Rd. He stated that the township
needed a code that applied to everyone; that the current system
does not work and will end up costing the township a lot of money
as it has in the past. He also felt that the current system would
continue to cost the township money and suggested that we figure
out something that would not continue to cause a rift. He stated
that township representatives were allowed on his property three
years ago to inspect it and that the resulting report did not pertain
to the situation. He also confirmed that there had been complaints
and that he asked his neighbors what could be done; he then stated
that there was nothing to be done since everything was up to code
and had been checked by building inspectors. He then expressed
his dissatisfaction that there were no written complaints, and that
if lawyers were involved it would be paid for by his taxes. He
also stated that people in Spring Arbor do not get along with each
other and that he couldn’t deal with his neighbors over the last
couple of years due to personal issues and he wanted this to stop.
Supervisor
DeGraaf asked Mr. Cope about the junk cars located on
his property and where they were stored at.
Mr.
Cope responded that the town is a mess and he didn’t know
why he was being harassed, and that the cars that are on his property
are wrapped up and put away; that what he has is nothing to be visual
to anybody, they are just walls. He states that the cars are first
edition cars (vintage).
Jack
Boss asked what it would take to get Mr. Cope’s property
back to code referencing the removal of the junk cars and taking
care of the porch.
Mr.
Cope stated that he did not have porches or decks, that
they were taken out ten years ago and that his home has passed inspection
over and over again. He stated that he has some walls around things
and that it was engineered and set up years ago.
Supervisor
DeGraaf stated that we have to address the dilapidated
buildings.
Mr.
Cope states that there are no dilapidated buildings, that
there are just walls.
Supervisor
DeGraaf stated that our Building Inspector considers them
structures according to the State Building Code.
Mr.
Cope requests to see the pictures of his property and after
reviewing them, indicates that the problems have been taken care of,
that the complaints are resolved. He also states that the township
is not allowed on his property and that the pictures were taken without
his permission. Richard
Renner stated that he was in the office when the pictures
of Mr. Cope’s property were brought in by Carl Keith, one of Mr.
Cope’s neighbors. He informed Mr. Cope that the situation was
brought to the township, that the township did not look him up.
He defended the actions of Supervisor DeGraaf and Ruth Scott stating
that their actions and intentions are honorable. He also commented
that the township has been very patient in trying to work with him.
Brent
Williams asked if this was the same situation that the
board had approved an extension of time for during the summer of
2003. He was informed that it was. He then asked Mr. Cope if
he would be willing to now work with the board on this situation.
Mr.
Cope replied that he would be willing to work with the
township board if they would give him a year to comply with the
township codes and ordinances.
Public
comment closed at 8:20 p.m.
Minutes.
Minutes of the regular meeting of January 12 were
approved on motion by Short and support by Williams; carried.
Motion was made by Melchiori to dispute the record of the minutes.
The motion died for lack of support.
Financial
Report. The financial cash report for the month was
received on motion by Fortress and support by Williams, showing
the following balances as of January 31:
General
Fund Cash
$ 166,020.87
Certificate
of Deposit 121,423.47
Fire
Operations Cash
82,019.72
Fire
Operations CD 175.77
Street
Light Fund 7,145.78
Public
Improvement Fund
(18,469.98)
P.I.F.
Certificate of Deposit
164.42
Building
Inspection Fund
46,399.33
Falling
Waters Endowment Fund
0.00
Falling
Waters Endowment Fund CD
10,754.81
Sewer
Funds
1,302,530.08
Water
Funds
181,604.05
Trust
& Agency Funds
0.00
Current
Taxes 93,788.71;
motion
carried.
Expenditures.
Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton
to approve the following expenditures during January 2004: General
Fund vouchers #40251-40321 totaling $48,801.26; Fire Department
Fund vouchers #40255-40321 totaling $8,817.49; Street Light Fund
expenditures totaling $2,708.13; Building Inspection Fund expenditures
totaling $6,916.85; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures totaling $43,211.65;
and Water O & M Fund expenditures totaling $13,102.59. Roll
call: 7 yes. Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton
to approve the following expenditures during February 2004: vouchers
#40322-40340, General Fund totaled $2,044.33 and Fire Department
Fund totaled $1,342.89. Roll Call: 7 yes. Motion was made by
Short and supported by Williams to approve the bills received in
February 2004 that were not paid yet. Roll Call: 7 yes.
BOARDS
AND COMMITTEES:
Sewer
& Water Committee. Motion was made by Ganton
and supported by Short to approve the minutes of the October 28,
2003, December 15, 2003 and January 19, 2004 meetings of the Sewer
& Water Committee; carried. A question was raised regarding
the status of the motion from the October 2003 minutes regarding
the expansion of sewer and water lines. The Supervisor responded
that it is being worked on by the township attorney.
Planning
Commission. Motion was made by Fortress and supported
by Ganton to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2004 meeting
of the Planning Commission; carried.
Budget
Committee. Motion was made by Short and supported
by DeVries to approve the minutes of the January 8, 2004 and January
20, 2004 meetings of the Budget Committee; carried.
Senior
Center Advisory Board. Motion was made by Ganton
and supported by Fortress to approve the minutes of the January
20, 2004 meeting of the Senior Center Advisory Board; carried.
A question was raised regarding the status of the copy machine at
the Senior Center. The Supervisor reported that the vendor that
supplied the maintenance contract for the machine had been contacted
to repair the copy machine.
REPORTS:
A.
Police and Fire Report. There were 38 medical rescue
runs, three fire alarms, one mutual aid call, seven fire runs, one
carbon monoxide incident, and no bomb threats or Hazmat responses
during January. Police statistics include: 178 complaints, 20
accidents, 39 tickets, 25 verbal warnings, three arrests, two semis
ticketed and 14 back-up calls to other departments.
Chief
Ratkiewicz reported that during the month of January a serious bus/car
accident occurred and he had been informed that the driver of the
car is going to survive. During 2003, no accidents with fatalities
happened in the township. Motion was made by Williams and supported
by Fortress to accept the police report; carried.
Chief
Greenslade was not available for a report. Motion was made by
DeVries and supported by Fortress to accept the fire report; carried.
B.
MTA E-News for February 2004. The MTA E-News for
February included information regarding the annual conference and
the election of officers, a new service for local governments involving
information technology, Excellence In Township Government Awards,
federal grants web site, MTA web site facts, legal counsel opinion,
Board of Review training classes, upcoming workshops and how to
email the MTA.
C.
Report of Strategic Planning Goal #2. Goal #2,
assigned to Police Chief Ratkiewicz, is to reduce crime. Chief
Ratkiewicz reported that he is planning to do an analysis of the
last three years to see where we are at.
D.
Report of Strategic Planning Goal #5. Goal #5,
assigned to Supervisor DeGraaf, is to develop a traffic flow plan
with MDOT for M-60. The Supervisor reported that MDOT has no money
to pursue this at this time. He asked to have the completion date
extended to January 1, 2005.
E.
Report of Strategic Planning Goal #7. Goal #7,
assigned to Fire Chief Greenslade, is to create a fire safety plan
for the township. Chief Greenslade was not available for a report.
F.
Report of Strategic Planning Goal #9. Goal #9,
assigned to Clerk DeVries, is to implement the park plan. Clerk
DeVries reported that she has requested a quote from Leland Prebble
to remove the asphalt in the park (old tennis courts). The Park
Committee will continue to work on the projects that were slated
for year one development, weather permitting. Supervisor DeGraaf
reported that a play will be held at Snyder School the end of February
and he may be contacted for free tickets.
G.
January 2004 Washington Report. The board members
received the January 2004 Washington Report.
H.
Senior Center Newsletter. The board members received
the January 15, 2004 issue of the Senior Center Newsletter.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS:
A.
Senior Center Credit Card. Motion was made by Short
and supported by Ganton to authorize a credit card for use by the
Senior Center with June Dodd, Phyllis Allen and Dave Saenz listed
as the authorized users with a $500.00 limit on the credit card,
and that Dave Saenz be charged with the responsibility of collecting
the receipts charged to the card and reconciling the account before
turning it in for payment by the township office; carried.
B.
Investments. Motion was made by Short and supported
by Fortress to have the Treasurer figure the interest due to the
General and Public Improvements Funds from the unpaid loan to the
Fire Department based on an annual percentage rate of 1%; carried.
Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Williams that the
Investment Officer for the Township (Township Treasurer) review
at least on a quarterly basis all of the excess and/or available
funds that could be invested to obtain a higher interest rate; carried.
The Treasurer responded that it should be handled more frequently.
NEW
BUSINESS:
A.
Conditional Use Permit for Spring Arbor University.
Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to accept the
recommendation from the Planning Commission and approve the Conditional
Use Permit requested by Spring Arbor University for parcel #000-12-16-353-003-01;
carried.
B.
Sidewalks. The board reviewed letters received
from Western High School students showing an evaluation and assessment
of the sidewalks located in the township, and their recommendations.
It was agreed that a letter would be written to the students from
the township thanking them for their observations and effort, and
that the board would look into setting up an ordinance for sidewalks
in the township.
C.
Legal Fees. The Supervisor discussed the recent
legal fees charged to the township for sewer and water easements
related to a commercial development. Motion was made by DeVries
and supported by Williams that the developer be responsible for
reimbursing the township for any legal fees incurred by the township
on behalf of the developer for a site plan review; carried.
D.
Salary Resolution. Motion was made by Fortress
and supported by DeVries to approve the Salary Resolution for fiscal
year 2004-05 for a 2% salary increase for the Supervisor, Clerk
and Treasurer and an $81.00 per diem for the Trustees. Roll Call:
7 yes.
E.
Payment of Bills Policy. Trustee Short requested
that the Policy & Communications Committee provide further review
of the established policy and provide a final recommendation for
new language to be included in the policy for the March board meeting.
F.
Additional Hours For Deputy Treasurer. Treasurer
Melchiori requested additional hours for the Deputy Treasurer to
work tax collection and Board of Review. Days requested for tax
collection are February 17, and possibly on February 27 and March
1. Days requested for Board of Review are March 8 and March 9.
Motion was made by Melchiori and supported by Short to approve
the additional hours for February 17, February 27, March 1, March
8, and March 9, but only if the additional hours are necessary;
carried.
G.
Property Owned by Geoffrey Cope, 5305 Moscow Rd.
The board members discussed the situation of the property owned
by Mr. Geoffrey Cope at 5305 Moscow Rd. Motion was made by Fortress
and supported by Short that we arrange for Joe Smith (Building Inspector)
and Chief of Police Russell Ratkiewicz to meet at the property,
for the purpose of taking pictures of the property as previously
agreed upon by Mr. Cope and to have Joe Smith make a list of what
needs to be done to bring the property up to codes and ordinances
of the township, referencing it to the pictures, and that an agreed
upon time schedule not to exceed a one-year period be developed
to accomplish the things that need to be taken care of with milestones
established for each item, again referencing to the pictures, and
that at any point that Mr. Cope falls behind this schedule, that
the agreement would then be sent for legal action, and that we have
his permission to enter the property during daylight hours to inspect
the progress; carried. The board members concurred that the letter
of agreement should be sent to Mr. Cope by first class mail with
a response required within 10 (ten) days. (Trustee Ganton did
not vote on this issue as he left the meeting at 10:05 p.m.)
MISCELLANEOUS:
Building
Permit Report. The report of building permits issued
during the month of January showed new homes and miscellaneous permits
for a total value of $327,000.00.
Assessing/Building
Report. During the month of January, permits for
three new homes were issued. The report showed the final increases
as follows: Agricultural - 5.5%; Commercial - 7%; Industrial - 1%;
Residential - 4.5%; Developmental - 9%. Taxable Value increase
will be 2.3%. Mr. Renner also spoke to the board informing them
that Village Green will be starting their construction fairly soon
with three or four buildings. They are also working on getting
their road bond.
Supervisor’s
Report. Advised the board: of the status of ongoing
projects; of his recommendation regarding investments for the township,
specifically related to the General Fund and the Public Improvement
Fund, and of his recommendation that the Treasurer, as the Investment
Officer for the Township, be responsible for figuring the interest
due to the General and Public Improvement Funds from the Fire Department
Fund; of additional coverage pledged by the Jackson Citizen Patriot;
of letters received from Western High School students regarding
sidewalks in the township; and, of legal fees billed to the township
for sewer and water easements, and his recommendation to charge
the developer. The Supervisor also discussed the benefits available
to the covered township employees from the long-term disability
plan that the township offers. He also recommended that a pre-budget
meeting be scheduled for Wednesday, March 3, 2004, at 6:00 p.m.
including the entire board.
Z.B.A.
Meeting of January 15. The Zoning Board of Appeals
meeting for January 15 was canceled as there were no requests.
Planning
Commission. Unapproved minutes of the February 3,
2004 meeting of the Planning Commission included a recommendation
to approve a Conditional Use Permit requested by Spring Arbor University.
The Planning Commission members also received information for
their review regarding the Sign Regulations section in the Zoning
Ordinance.
CORRESPONDENCE:
A
letter dated 1/20/04 from the Weatherwax Foundation re. a donation
for the fire truck.
Thank-you
letters dated 1/23/04 to the individuals that participated in the
township decorating.
A
letter dated 2/4/04 from Marston Fortress to Hal Munn re. cable
pricing.
A
letter dated 2/5/04 from Comcast re. introduction of new employee.
PUBLIC/
BOARD COMMENT --GENERAL: None
Adjournment.
Adjournment at 10:20 p.m. on motion by Short and
support by Melchiori; carried.
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