Spring
Arbor Township Board Minutes: March 10, 2003
The
regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday,
March 10, 2003, at 7:30
p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Willard
DeGraaf, Clerk Randi DeVries, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, Trustees
Troy Ganton, Patricia Short and Brent Williams. Trustee Marston
Fortress arrived at 7:33 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led
by Supervisor DeGraaf.
Guests
were: Steve Francis, Linda Easton, Virginia Easton, Mary Louise
Uldricks, Bill Schott, Bruce Matthews,
Norman Remschsel,
Ralph Schumacher, Stan Lyon, Jon Wierenga, Russ Ratkiewicz, Gale
Easton, Ken Rule, Dick Greenslade, Jim Videto, Rick Baxter and
Mike Justian.
Public
Comment: Public comment opened at 7:33 p.m. County Commissioner
Rick Baxter spoke regarding state budget cuts, a proposal for the
County Drain Commissioner’s office, possibly selling the incinerator,
county health department presentations, update of the county medical
care facility, coordination of emergency procedures and smallpox
vaccinations. County Commissioner Jim Videto spoke in regards to
the Drain Commissioner’s salary, cutting the county budget,
working towards developing a newsletter for the area he represents,
and the potential impact of county millages due to the budget cuts
from the state. Public comment closed at 7:50 p.m.
Minutes.
Minutes of the regular meeting of February 10 were approved on motion
by Williams and support by Short; carried. Minutes of the closed
session portion of the regular meeting of February 10 were approved
on motion by Ganton and support by Fortress; carried. Minutes of
the special meeting of February 24 were approved on motion by Ganton
and support by Short; carried. Minutes of the closed session portion
of the special meeting on February 24 were approved on motion by
Fortress and support by Williams; carried.
Financial
Report. The financial report for the month was received
on motion by Ganton and support by Fortress, showing the following
balances as of February 28:
General
Fund Cash
$ 191,939.50
Certificate of Deposit
385,532.30
Fire Operations Cash
32,489.84
Fire Operations CD
33,000.00
Street Light Fund
4,108.17
Public Improvement Fund
(4,157.23)
P.I.F. Certificate of Deposit
74,483.83
Building Inspection Fund
27,677.32
Falling Waters Endowment Fund
1,666.80
Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD
6,000.00
Sewer Funds
1,424,060.64
Water Funds
187,568.60
Trust & Agency Funds
0.00
Current Taxes
740,237.38;
motion carried.
Expenditures.
Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Ganton to approve the
following expenditures: General Fund vouchers #38888-38994 totaling
$48,091.25, including the Pension Plan Contribution (by wire transfer)
of $1,965.19; Fire Department Fund vouchers #38890-38998 totaling
$30,700.53, including the Fire Department Pension Plan contribution
(by wire transfer) of $312.00; Street Light Fund expenditures totaling
$2,703.72; Building Inspection Fund expenditures totaling $3,548.89,
including the Pension Plan contribution (by wire transfer) of $94.71;
Sewer Receiving Fund disbursements of $526.61; Sewer O & M Fund
expenditures totaling $27,088.24; and Water O & M Fund expenditures
totaling $6,583.67. Roll call: 7 yes.
BOARDS
AND COMMITTEES:
Sewer & Water Committee. Motion was made by
Williams and supported by DeVries to approve the minutes of the
January 22, 2003 meeting of the Sewer & Water Committee; carried.
Supervisor DeGraaf asked about the counting of the postcards for
the water expansion project; the board members concurred to count
only the votes of the returned postcards.
Policy
& Communications Committee. Motion was made by Fortress
and supported by Williams to approve the minutes of the January
24, 2003 meeting of the Policy & Communications Committee; carried.
Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to approve the
minutes of the February 3, 2003 meeting of the Policy & Communications
Committee meeting; carried.
Planning
Commission. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by
Williams to approve the minutes of the February 4, 2003 meeting
of the Planning Commission; carried.
Senior
Center Advisory Board. Motion was made by Ganton and supported
by DeVries to approve the minutes of the February 18, 2003 meeting
of the Senior Center Advisory Board; carried.
POLICE/FIRE
ACTIVITY:
Police and Fire Report. There were 32 medical rescue
runs, two fire alarms, no mutual aid calls, 11 fire runs, one carbon
monoxide incident and no bomb threats during February. Police statistics
include: 143 complaints, 12 accidents, 31 tickets, 15 verbal warnings,
four arrests and 13 back-up calls to other departments.
Chief
Ratkiewicz reported that the month of February was slower than
previous months, probably due
to the cold weather.
He
also reported
that he is considering
the purchase of a Dodge Intrepid for a new patrol car
this year. A test drive of the new vehicle has already been
completed with
excellent results
driving
in the snowy weather. Motion was made by Ganton and supported
by Melchiori
to accept the police report; carried.
Chief
Greenslade reported that they had a busy month. The department
is preparing
a back grass fire vehicle
in time
for the busy
grass fire season,
along with
outfitting the Jeep. A two-day terrorism training session
is planned for April. Motion was made by Williams and
supported by Melchiori
to accept
the fire report;
carried.
UNFINISHED
BUSINESS:
NEW
BUSINESS:
A. Water Main Extension. The supervisor presented
a list of frequently asked questions regarding the water expansion
project and asked for the boards approval to distribute the information
to the public. Treasurer Melchiori advised that question nine on
the list needed to be changed by amending the ordinance. The board
members concurred with the information presented.
B.
Rezoning Request. A rezoning request was presented by William
& Eileen Schott for property located at the northeast and southeast
corners of M-60 and Reynolds Rd. The board members discussed the
plans for development of the property. Motion was made by Williams
and supported by Fortress to accept the recommendation of the Planning
Commission and Region 2 Planning Commission and approve the rezoning
request for parcel #000-12-12-351-001-00, from Rural Non-Farm (RNF-1)
and Suburban Residential (RS-1) to Highway Service Commercial (C-3).
Roll Call: 7 yes.
C.
Conditional Use Permit. A Conditional Use Permit was requested
by R. C. Riley & Associates on behalf of AT&T Wireless for
parcel #000-12-36-401-003-06 for the purpose of constructing a cell
tower. Trustee Fortress explained that the Planning Commission recommended
the approval based on the height of the tower to not exceed 195'
including the tip of the antenna for public service. The cell tower
will be an unlighted structure, will be suitable for four carriers
plus the public service. Motion was made by Fortress and supported
by Short to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission
and approve the Conditional Use Permit request from AT&T Wireless
for conditional use of parcel #000-12-36-401-003-06 for the purpose
of constructing a cell tower; carried.
D.
Long Term Disability Insurance. Clerk DeVries presented
information regarding an updated plan for the long-term disability
insurance that offers better benefits and is a reduction in cost.
Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve changing
to the new long-term disability plan offered by Unum; carried.
E.
Sarah’s Garden Committee. A recommendation was made
to appoint a committee to supervise the Sarah’s Garden area
at the Senior Center. The board members concurred to appoint Troy
Ganton as the Chairman of the committee along with Patricia Short
and Randi DeVries as committee members.
REPORTS:
A. MTA E-News for March 2003. The MTA E-News for
March included information regarding the MTA online chat room, conference
photos available online, 2003 Capitol Conference, Board of Review
samples and templates, summer food service programs, photo links,
new salary surveys, new township web sites, legal opinions, upcoming
workshops and how to email the MTA.
B.
Report of Strategic Planning Goal #11. Goal #11, to review
and revise the zoning ordinance, was assigned to Trustee Fortress.
No report was made.
C.
Report of Strategic Planning Goal #13. Goal #13, to improve
communications with constituents, was assigned to Trustee Short.
Trustee Short reported that the web site is expected to be completed
by summer. The township newsletter will continue, not to exceed
four issues per year. It was suggested to use the county commissioner
article for the newsletter also.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Building Permit Report. The report of building
permits issued during the month of February showed new homes and
miscellaneous permits for a total value of $930,000.00.
Assessing/Building
Report. During the month of February, permits for five
new homes were issued. He reported that he plans to review the building
permit fee schedule for the new fiscal year.
Supervisor’s
Report. Advised the board: of the status of ongoing projects;
of a potential offer from someone to purchase the Weatherwax building,
and; of the public hearing scheduled for the water expansion project.
Z.B.A.
Meeting of February. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting
in February did not meet as there were no variance requests.
Planning
Commission. Unapproved minutes of the Planning Commission
of March 4 included a conditional use permit request from AT&T
Wireless, and a site plan review for Village Green. The commission
members also reviewed a draft for the Open Space Preservation amendment
to the zoning ordinance.
CORRESPONDENCE:
A memo to Barb Pohanka regarding error-free status on police reports.
A letter dated 2/19/03 from Comcast re. a physical audit of the
cable system.
A letter dated 2/21/03 from Comcast re. Internet high-speed service.
A letter dated 2/24/03 from the Laundry Basket re. copying services
at the township office. The board members discussed the letter and
directed the supervisor to respond to the letter.
A thank-you letter dated 2/25/03 to June Dodd.
A letter dated 02/27/03 from Millennium Digital Media re. the addition
of a broadcast station.
PUBLIC/BOARD
COMMENT--GENERAL: 8:39 p.m.
Supervisor DeGraaf. The supervisor reported that
the township office will be closed on Wednesday, March 12, 2003
for the installation and move of the office furniture. The supervisor
also discussed the need for a construction manager for the development
of Harmony Park. He reminded the board members of the upcoming meetings
scheduled for the budgeting process.
Adjournment.
Adjournment at 8:52 p.m. on motion by Short and support by Williams;
carried.
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