Spring Arbor Township Board Minutes: May 10, 2004

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, May 10, 2004, at 7:36 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi DeVries, Trustees Patricia Short and Brent Williams.   Absent: Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, Trustees Marston Fortress and Troy Ganton.   The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Supervisor DeGraaf. A special tribute for Richard Greenslade was read by the Supervisor and presented to Barbara Greenslade, Scott Greenslade and Chad Greenslade.   The tribute was a resolution prepared by the legislature and signed by the State Representatives for the area, our State Senator and the Governor.

Guests were: Barb Pohanka, Russ Ratkiewicz, Stan Lyon, Chad Greenslade, Barb Greenslade, Tim McEldowney, Scott Greenslade, Ken Rule, Charles Ragain, Jim Videto and Jeff Kurfess.

Public Comment:   Public comment opened at 7:40 p.m.

There was no public comment.

Minutes.   Minutes of the regular meeting of April 12 were approved on motion by Short and support by Williams; carried.

Financial Report.   The financial cash report for the month was received on motion by Williams and support by DeVries, showing the following balances as of April 30:

General Fund Cash                                                         $ 32,599.05

Certificate of Deposit                                                       196,680.56

Fire Operations Cash                                                         64,214.85

Fire Operations CD                                                                176.09

Street Light Fund                                                              13,169.09

Public Improvement Fund                                                     1,018.60

P.I.F. Certificate of Deposit                                               131,722.22

Building Inspection Fund                                                     49,160.91

Falling Waters Endowment Fund                                               508.12

Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD                                      12,277.67

Sewer Funds                                                                1,334,633.50

Water Funds                                                                   173,740.04

Trust & Agency Funds                                                               0.00

Current Taxes                                                                          0.00;

motion carried.

Expenditures.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve the following expenditures during April 2004: General Fund vouchers #40587-40642 totaling $34,059.85; Fire Department Fund vouchers #40607-40641 totaling $3,505.15; Street Light Fund expenditures totaling $2,699.94; Building Inspection Fund expenditures totaling $4,979.19; Falling Waters Endowment Fund expenditures totaling $116.88; Sewer Receiving Fund expenditures totaling $0.00; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures totaling $16,374.16; and Water O & M Fund expenditures totaling $41,818.66.   Roll call: 4 yes.

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:

Park Committee.   Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Williams to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2004 meeting of the Park Committee; carried.   Motion was made by Short and supported by DeVries to approve the minutes of the March 23, 2004 meeting of the Park Committee; carried.   Motion was made by Short and supported by DeVries to approve the minutes of the April 19, 2004 meeting of the Park Committee; carried.   Motion was made by Short and supported by DeVries to approve the minutes of the April 29, 2004 meeting of the Park Committee; carried.

Sewer & Water Committee.   Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Williams to approve the minutes of the March 22, 2004 meeting of the Sewer & Water Committee; carried.

Planning Commission.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by Short to approve the minutes of the April 6, 2004 meeting of the Planning Commission; carried.

Senior Center Advisory Board.   Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Williams to approve the minutes of the April 27, 2004 meeting of the Senior Center Advisory Board; carried.

REPORTS:

A.   Police and Fire Report.   There were 25 medical rescue runs, two fire alarms, one mutual aid call, four fire runs, and no carbon monoxide incidents, bomb threats, or Hazmat responses during April.   Police statistics include: 187 complaints, 13 accidents, 32 tickets, 35 verbal warnings, six arrests, no semis ticketed and 14 back-up calls to other departments.   Chief Ratkiewicz reported that Officer Adams had attended a neighborhood watch class at Michigan State University and that three neighborhood watch groups will be started this summer.   One is planned for the village area, one for Arbor Village, and the third one in the Catalina subdivision area.   They are gearing up for Memorial Day weekend and will be targeting seatbelt and drinking violations.   The Chief also reported that the department was given a certificate for “Respect For The Law”.   He also mentioned new items listed on the police report indicating miles driven on each police vehicle and the number of warrants issued through the department.   Tim McEldowney, Safety Officer for the fire department, reported that they had five runs the previous Friday.   He also received a phone call from E-One stating that the completion date for the new tanker is May 28, 2004; they could possibly receive the truck the week of June 11.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by DeVries to accept the police report; carried.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by DeVries to accept the fire report; carried.

B.   MTA E-News for May 2004.   The MTA E-News for May included information regarding the Summer Legislative Forum; American Community Survey for the Census; online courses for watershed management; HAVA bill signed by governor; Michigan Week; federal fireworks regulations; legal counsel opinion; upcoming workshops, and how to E-mail the MTA.

C.   Senior Center Newsletter.   The board members received the April 15, 2004 issue of the Senior Center Newsletter.

D.   Washington Report.   The board members received the May 2004 issue of the Washington Report.

E.   Strategic Planning Goal #5.   Goal #5, to develop a plan for traffic flow on M-60, was assigned to Supervisor DeGraaf.   He reported that MDOT has a right turn lane planned for Emerson Rd. and M-60.   He requested that the completion date be changed to June 30, 2005.

F.   Strategic Planning Goal #9.   Goal #9, to implement the park plan, was assigned to Clerk DeVries.   The Clerk reported that the Park Committee had recommended a company to install the basketball court and softball field.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

A.   Chapel Heights Subdivision.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by Short to table the issue until the June board meeting; carried.

NEW BUSINESS:

A.   Township Committee Appointments.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by Short to approve the recommendation of the Park Committee and reappoint the following to the Park Committee:

Mark Dowley, term to expire on 5/31/2006;

Craig Withrow, term to expire on 5/31/2007; and

Todd Zeller, term to expire on 5/31/2006; carried.

Motion was made by Short and supported by DeVries to approve the recommendation of the Senior Center Advisory Board and reappoint June Dodd, George Kline and Troy Ganton with terms expiring on 5/31/2007, and to appoint Bill Bippes for a term to expire on 5/31/2005, and to appoint Charles Kuntzleman for a term to expire on 5/31/2007; carried.

B.   Quotes for Basketball & Softball at new park.   Based on a recommendation from the Park Committee to use Midwest Recreation Products for the installation of the basketball court and the softball field, the board members reviewed the quotes and discussion was held.   It was recommended to use break-away rims for the basketball court.   Motion was made by Short and supported by DeVries to award the bid for the softball field to Midwest Recreation, based on their estimate #21798 for $20,379.00.   Roll Call: 4 yes.   Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Short to award the bid for the basketball court to Midwest Recreation, based on their estimate #21797 and to include break-away rims for a total cost of $23,529.00.   Roll Call: 4 yes.

C.   Sewer & Water Extensions.   Based on discussion and a recommendation from the Sewer and Water Committee, motion was made by Williams and supported by Short to approve language that would amend the Sewer Ordinance to require extensions of mains to the furthest point of the property, and to have the township attorney prepare the ordinance amendment; carried.

D.   Land Use Committee request.   Based on a request from the Land Use Committee, motion was made by Williams and supported by DeVries to approve a $2,000 expenditure to purchase a land use map showing aerial views and plotting the actual use of land in Spring Arbor Township.   Roll Call: 4 yes.

E.   Sewer Permit Requirements.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve the Sewer & Water Committee recommendation that only one sewer permit be required for Hollywood Video and Sun T-Zers; carried.

F.   Fireworks Display Permit.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by DeVries to approve the request from Roger Bonney for a fireworks display at Spring Arbor University during the Hanging of the Greens scheduled for December 3, 2004; carried.

G.   Resolution for Charitable Gaming License.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve a resolution recognizing the Jackson County 4-H Foundation as a non-profit organization.   Roll Call: 4 yes.

H.   Request to establish street light special assessment district.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by Short to approve the request to establish a street light special assessment district in Fairfields of Spring Arbor Subdivision and to direct the Township Clerk to proceed with the hearings; carried.

I.   Land Division Fee Increase.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by DeVries to approve the request from the Assessor and increase the land division fees from $50 to $75 for the initial division (including 2 new parcels) and additional parcel splits from $10 to $25; carried.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by Short to approve the request from the Assessor to initiate a fee of $10.00 per lot for new subdivisions; carried.

J.   Jackson Co. Road Commission Agreement.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to authorize the Supervisor to sign the agreement with the Jackson County Road Commission, as approved earlier by the township board, for the paving of Hammond Road at a total cost of $40,000.00 for the 2004 year; carried.

K.   Liquor License Transfer.   Hutch’s Food Center has requested to transfer the designated distributor license from Kaye Anastasiadis.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to agree with the transfer; carried.

L.   Sale of Fire Truck.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to offer the 1976 fire truck for $20,000 and to advertise it in appropriate publications; carried. It was suggested to promote the sale of the fire truck on the web site also.

M.   Gas Purchases for Crouch Cemetery.   The Supervisor requested that the caretaker of Crouch Cemetery be allowed to purchase gas on the township account for mowing of the cemetery.   Discussion was held.   Trustee Short was in favor of increasing his pay rather than allowing him to purchase on the township account.   The Supervisor was requested to negotiate a raise for the caretaker instead.

MISCELLANEOUS:

Building Permit Report.   The report of building permits issued during the month of April showed new homes and miscellaneous permits for a total value of $4,154,500.00.

Assessing/Building Report.   During the month of April, permits for ten new homes were issued for a total of 27 year to date.   Mr. Renner reported that a permit for Bridal Beginnings at Village Crossing was also issued.   Additionally, the equalization report has been approved by the county.   Attached to the report was a summary of revenues and expenses in the building department for the prior year and his recommendation to increase the land division fees and implement subdivision fees.

Supervisor’s Report.   Advised the board: of the status of ongoing projects; of the recommendation of the Sewer & Water Committee to extend mains to the furthest point of the property line; of plans to construct a right-turn lane at Emerson Rd. and M-60; of a request from the Land Use Committee to expend $2,000 for maps for their study; and, of the recommendation of the Sewer & Water Committee to approve one sewer permit required for the combined businesses of Hollywood Video and Sun T-Zers located at Village Crossing.   Additionally, the Supervisor reported that the township letter to Mr. Cope had been served via a process server, and that a letter had been received back from Mr. Cope which did not agree with the township and has now been forwarded to the township attorney.   He also reported that the Sayles issue is resolved, a court date has been set in the Kidder case for June 18, and the Aviara Oaks case has been resolved with the removal of the road.

Z.B.A. Meeting of April.   The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting for April had no variances to consider.

Sewer & Water Committee.   Unapproved minutes of the April 26, 2004 meeting of the Sewer & Water Committee included recommendations regarding number of sewer permits required for Hollywood Video and Sun T-Zers, sewer use measurement, and connection fees.

Planning Commission.   Unapproved minutes of the May 4, 2004 meeting of the Planning Commission included a Site Plan Review for Village Crossing.

Park Committee.   Unapproved minutes of the May 6, 2004 meeting of the Park Committee included recommendations from the Park Committee regarding committee reappointments and awarding of bids for the basketball court and softball field.

CORRESPONDENCE:

A letter dated 3/29/04 from the DEQ re. The Upper Grand River Watershed Council.

A letter from the Drain Commissioner dated 4/1/04 re. Village Green Subdivision.

A thank-you letter dated 4/20/04 to the Buratovich Family for helping to clean the park.

A thank-you letter dated 4/21/04 to Russ Ratkiewicz from Homer & Allene Jackson.

A letter dated 4/27/04 from Comcast re. Pricing.

A newspaper article (County Press) dated 4/28/04 re. Sue Adams/Career Exploration Day.

A letter dated 4/30/04 from the Michigan Liquor Control Commission re. the transfer of ownership of a designated distributor license within the township.

PUBLIC/BOARD   COMMENT--GENERAL:          Public comment opened at 9:04 p.m.

Trustee Short.   Trustee Short shared a concern from a resident regarding the ingress and egress of the Post Office.   The Supervisor will investigate.

Clerk DeVries.   The Clerk reported that the CD containing all classes taught at the 2004 MTA Conference had been given to her as a thank-you for teaching a workshop at the last minute at the conference.

County Commissioner Videto.   Jim Videto, County Commissioner, discussed the approval of the county to put a millage proposal on the August ballot for the Department of Aging in the amount of .25 mills.   The Supervisor asked about the Soil Erosion program; Commissioner Videto responded that as far as he knew it was working.

Adjournment.   Adjournment at 9:18 p.m. on motion by Williams and support by Short; carried.