Spring Arbor Township Board Minutes: 05.12.03

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, May 12, 2003, at 7:30 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Willard DeGraaf, Clerk Randi DeVries, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, Trustees Marston Fortress, Troy Ganton, Patricia Short and Brent Williams. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Supervisor DeGraaf.

Guests were: John Silbernagel, Stan Lyon, Stewart & Kristine Bailey, Jean Ellison and Jim Dark.

Public Comment: Public comment opened at 7:31 p.m. Stewart & Kristine Bailey addressed the board regarding problems with barking dogs in their neighborhood. Public comment closed at 7:38 p.m.

Minutes. Minutes of the regular meeting of April 14 were approved on motion by Short and support by Fortress; carried. Minutes of the special meeting of April 14 were approved on motion by Fortress and support by Williams; carried.
Financial Report. The financial report for the month was received on motion by Williams and support by Fortress, showing the following balances as of April 30:
General Fund Cash                   $ (19,515.65)
Certificate of Deposit                  235,532.30
Fire Operations Cash                    49,857.37
Fire Operations CD                     183,000.00
Street Light Fund                        11,450.48
Public Improvement Fund                    78.78
P.I.F. Certificate of Deposit         270,383.83
Building Inspection Fund               33,053.78
Falling Waters Endowment Fund       3006.03
Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD  9,172.07
Sewer Funds                          1,394,650.29
Water Funds                             192,555.45
Trust & Agency Funds                         0.00
Current Taxes                                 (11.67);
motion carried.

Expenditures. Motion was made by Short and supported by DeVries to approve the following expenditures: General Fund vouchers #39200-39275 totaling $48,962.70, including the Pension Plan Contribution (by wire transfer) of $2,101.01; Fire Department Fund vouchers #39208-39282 totaling $8,275.27, including the Fire Department Pension Plan contribution (by wire transfer) of $318.24; Street Light Fund expenditures totaling $2,680.03; Building Inspection Fund expenditures totaling $2,946.67, including the Pension Plan contribution (by wire transfer) of $45.85; Sewer Receiving Fund disbursements of $1,116.49; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures totaling $10,895.59; and Water O & M Fund expenditures totaling $7,165.74. Roll call: 7 yes.

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES:

Sewer & Water Committee. Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Ganton to approve the minutes of the February 25, 2003 meeting of the Sewer & Water Committee; carried. Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Fortress to approve the minutes of the March 20, 2003 public hearing; carried.

Planning Commission. Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Melchiori to approve the minutes of the April 1, 2003 meeting of the Planning Commission; carried.

Senior Center Advisory Board. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Melchiori to approve the minutes of the April 15, 2003 meeting of the Senior Center Advisory Board; carried.

Policy & Communications. Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve the minutes of the April 29, 2003 meeting of the Policy & Communications Committee; carried.

POLICE/FIRE ACTIVITY:

Police and Fire Report. There were 44 medical rescue runs, two fire alarms, one mutual aid call, 26 fire runs, one carbon monoxide incident and no bomb threats during April. Police statistics include: 187 complaints, nine accidents, 28 tickets, 10 verbal warnings, four arrests and 15 back-up calls to other departments. Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton to receive the police and fire reports; carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Resolution for a Partial Termination of Land from PA116. Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton to approve a resolution for a partial termination of land from the Farmland Preservation Agreement (PA116) for Dwight & Mary Ellison, agreement number 38-33853-123122, for a parcel of land approximately 1.85 acres. Roll Call: 7 yes.

B. Resolution to Establish Salaries of Elected Officials. Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton approving the salaries of the elected officials for the 2003-04 fiscal year. Roll Call: 7 yes.

C. Resolution to Adopt a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan. Motion was made by Williams and supported by Fortress to approve a resolution to Adopt a Section 125 Cafeteria Plan for the township employees. Roll Call: 7 yes.

D. Resolution to Authorize the use of an Online Payment System. A resolution was presented authorizing the use of an online payment system on the township web site. Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton to table the issue until the June meeting; carried.

E. Quote from Ripstra & Scheppelman. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by DeVries to approve the quote from Ripstra & Scheppelman for drafting, engineering and surveying to prepare a grading plan for the proposed improvements to Harmony Park, at a total cost not to exceed $8,800.00. Roll Call: 7 yes.

F. Committee Appointments. Motion was made by DeVries and supported by Fortress to approve the recommendation of the Senior Center Advisory Board and approve the appointments and reappointments as follows:
Phyllis Allen, Elwin Johnson, Enoch Beeman and Phyllis Miller, terms expiring May 31, 2006; carried.

G. Sewer - Manhole Covers. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to approve the expenditure of approximately $30,000.00 to raise the manholes, an approximate cost of $300.00 per manhole cover. Trustee Williams stated that it should go out for bid. The board members discussed the timing and it was recommended to proceed with the project. Roll Call: 6 yes. Trustee Williams voted no.

H. Lift Station Radio System. Treasurer Melchiori informed the board that she received a bill for wiring of the radio systems at the lift stations, putting the project $150.68 over budget. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to approve the $150.68 expenditure over budget. Roll Call: 7 yes.

REPORTS:

A. MTA E-News for May 2003. The MTA E-News for May included information regarding a scholarship deadline, Michigan Week, Healthy Livable Communities, Online Mapping Programs, PILT hearings, forestry grant applications, new township web sites, legal counsel opinions, quick tips, Township Governance Academy, upcoming workshops and how to email the MTA.

B. Report of Strategic Planning Goal #2. Goal #2, to reduce crime, was assigned to the Police Chief. The Police Chief was not available for a report.

C. Report of Strategic Planning Goal #5. Goal #5, to develop a plan for traffic flow on M-60, was assigned to the Supervisor. The Supervisor reported that he is still waiting for approval on a traffic light at Dearing Rd., and until that has been finalized, a full traffic plan will not be available. He thought a light could be installed around October 2003. Details of a grant should be available in the fall also.

D. Report of Strategic Planning Goal #7. Goal #7, to create a fire safety plan, was assigned to the Fire Chief. The Fire Chief was not available for a report.

E. Report of Strategic Planning Goal #9. Goal #9, to implement the park plan, was assigned to the Clerk. The Clerk reported that the process for the closure of the section of Harmony Rd. in the park has been initiated with the Jackson County Road Commission. This is the first step in implementing the park plan.

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 $1,408,100.00.

Assessing/Building Report. During the month of April, permits for four new homes were issued, for a total of 15 this year. A permit for the Village Crossing’s first building has also been issued. Mr. Renner reported that the Jackson County Board of Commissioner’s approved the Equalization Report for this year.

Supervisor’s Report. Advised the board: of the status of ongoing projects; of the

status of the water expansion project, and; of necessary expenditures for raising of sewer manhole covers.

Z.B.A. Meeting of April. The Zoning Board of Appeals meeting in April had one variance request to consider. V03-2, Robert Collins, variance from the front yard setback.
Planning Commission. Unapproved minutes of the Planning Commission of May 6 included several text amendments to the Zoning Ordinance regarding Open Space Preservation and Adult Entertainment businesses.

CORRESPONDENCE:
A thank-you note from Pastor Dottie Miller to the police department.
A thank-you note from the Concord Firefighters to the fire department.
A letter dated 04/14/03 from Cricket re. Chapter 11 reorganization.
A note dated 05/06/03 from Comcast re. new channel offerings.PUBLIC/BOARD

COMMENT--GENERAL: 8:43 p.m.

Jim Videto. County Commissioner Jim Videto addressed the township board regarding budget cuts, the new jail, west nile virus, medical care facility (renovation of old building), and evaluating properties owned by the County.

Jim Dark. Mr. Dark spoke in regards to the Harmony Park project, offering assistance if needed.

Trustee Short. Trustee Short asked for a list to be started for projects to be included in next years budget. (Cemetery: reestablishing old stones and repair of stones). She also asked the purpose of the advisory board for the new historical fund that was created at the April board meeting.

Adjournment. Adjournment at 9:03 p.m. on motion by Short and support by Williams; carried.