Spring Arbor Township Board Minutes 04-09-07

 

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, April 9, 2007, at 7:01 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi Holthouse, Trustees Marston Fortress, Troy Ganton, Patricia Short and Brent Williams.   Absent:   Treasurer Gloria Melchiori.   The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Supervisor.

 

Guests were:   Kay Dunckel, Earl Poleski, Stan Lyon, Russ Ratkiewicz and Tim McEldowney.

 

Public Comment:   Public comment opened at 7:03 p.m.

Kay Dunckel, Township resident, expressed her concerns regarding the lack of representation for the Falling Waters Trail project.   She stated that she was initially appointed to an advisory committee by the County Parks & Recreation Department, but had never been contacted to attend a meeting.   She asked that the board members reaffirm their support for this advisory committee and the established representatives.

Earl Poleski, County Commissioner, informed the board that a meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, 2007 in the evening at the Cascades Manor House for public input and participation regarding the county strategic planning process.   He reported that the county has hired a facilitator for the process and that they have already met with township supervisors, business owners, and department heads with the county.

Brent Williams, Trustee, expressed his concerns regarding the trail issue also.

Public comment closed at 7:24 p.m.

 

At this time, Trustee Williams requested that the request from Kay Dunckel be placed under New Business for the board’s consideration.

 

Expenditures.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton to approve the following expenditures for March 2007:   General Fund expenditures #44665-44832 totaling $69,150.01; Fire Department Fund expenditures #44667-44821 totaling $44,674.26; Street Light Fund expenditure   #44687 totaling $3,531.18; Building Inspection Fund expenditures #44668-44828 totaling $5,687.16; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures #44693-44750 totaling $52,753.93; and Water O & M Fund expenditures #44692-44748 totaling $1,199.81.   Roll call: 6 yes.

 

Minutes.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to approve the regular board meeting minutes of March 12, 2007; carried.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Holthouse to approve the special board meeting minutes of March 29, 2007; carried.

 

Consent Agenda.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to approve the following items under the consent agenda consisting of the financial reports for March 2007; general ledger report of revenues and expenditures for March 2007; Senior Center Advisory Board minutes of March 14, 2007; and Planning Commission minutes of April 3, 2007; carried.   The financial report showed the following balances as of March 31:

General Fund Cash                                                             $67,006.51

Certificate of Deposit                                                          244,756.73

Fire Operations Cash                                                            31,729.28

Fire Operations CD                                                            502,169.40

Street Light Fund                                                                  17,849.48

Public Improvement Fund                                                           0.00

P.I.F. Certificate of Deposit                                                   29,020.88

Building Inspection Fund                                                        (1,124.17)

Falling Waters Endowment Fund                                               0.00

Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD                                          31,871.92

Sewer Funds                                                                      1,206,444.87

Water Funds                                                                        315,882.41

Trust & Agency Funds                                                               0.00

Current Taxes                                                                         28.31

 

REPORTS:

 

A.   Police and Fire Reports.   There were 44 medical rescue runs, no fire alarms, two mutual aid calls, 13 fire runs, and no carbon monoxide incidents, bomb threats or Hazmat responses during March.   Police statistics include: 140 complaints, 10 accidents, 41 tickets, 19 verbal warnings, six arrests, one semi ticketed and 12 back-up calls to other departments.

The Chief of Police reported that the shooting subject from the prior month had been bound over on all three charges, with bond set at $50,000.00.   The subject involved in the robbery at the Firebell Party Store is also serving his sentence now.   The Chief will be participating in a film the following day for emergency response and evacuation at the church along with the Fire Chief.

Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton to accept the police report; carried.

The Fire Chief reported that several firefighters are taking their state written exam tonight at the fire station.   He attended an automatic aid meeting the last month, and reported that all parties are happy with the results so far.   The department also responded to a structure fire on Kevin Drive for a two-car garage.   The department will be participating in medical training during the months of May through July.

Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to accept the fire report; carried.

 

B.   Building Permit Reports.   The report of building permits issued during the month of March showed new homes and miscellaneous permits for a total value of $89,000.00.   No new residential home permits were issued in March.   The report also included a comparison of new home permits showing how many were modular homes versus new construction.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to accept the building reports; carried.

 

C.   Supervisor's Report .   Advised the board: of the cost to repair the roof of the lagoon control building; of a recommendation to increase the sewer rates; of storm water drainage problems in front of the fire station and a recommendation to hire an architect; of the township attorneys opinion regarding the use of surplus sewer funds; and, of the disposition of the petitions received by the Board of Review.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

A.   New Roof for Lagoon Control Building.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve the replacement of the roof at the lagoon control building by Ball Construction at a cost not to exceed $5,000.00.   Roll Call:   6 yes.