Spring Arbor Township Board - September 10, 2007

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, September 10, 2007, at 7:00 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi Holthouse, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, Trustees Marston Fortress, Patricia Short and Brent Williams. Trustee Troy Ganton arrived at 7:06 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Supervisor.

Guests were: Earl Poleski, Jim Videto, Ken Wyatt, Russ Ratkiewicz and Tim McEldowney.

Public Comment: Public comment opened at 7:04 p.m.

Earl Poleski, County Commissioner, discussed the progress on the development of the 68 acres of airport land north of I-94 and the status of the runway realignment project at the airport. He also discussed steps the County is involved in for a possible bond issue for the Leoni Township wastewater treatment plant. His final comments were about the animal shelter, noting that the County is in the study phase of the process and are looking at what opportunities might be available.

Jim Videto, County Commissioner, reported that the progress on the Falling Water Trail is progressing nicely. The County is negotiating with the Village of Concord to have the trail extend into the village. He reported that he was appointed to the ad hoc committee for the Road Commission and that the committee has met several times with some great input. They will also meet with contractors that have dealt with the Road Commission as part of their analysis. They plan to have a recommendation within the next two to three weeks to submit to the full County Commission.

Public comment closed at 7:15 p.m.

Expenditures. Motion was made by Short and supported by Holthouse to approve the following expenditures for August 2007: General Fund expenditures #45316-45420 totaling $73,428.59; Fire Department Fund expenditures #45322-45421 totaling $28,029.72; Street Light Fund expenditure #45351 totaling $3,320.06; Public Improvement Fund expenditure #45384 totaling $550.00; Building Inspection Fund expenditures #45319-45418 totaling $5,675.03; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures #45321-45418 totaling $95,145.25; Water O & M Fund expenditures #45359-45418 totaling $4,006.40; Trust & Agency fund expenditures #1889-1890 totaling $1,131.00; Tax Fund expenditures #4188-4195 totaling $330,121.42; and Historical Fund expenditure #45383 totaling $215.00. Roll call: 7 yes.

Minutes. Motion was made by Holthouse and supported by Williams to approve the regular board meeting minutes of August 13, 2007; carried.

Consent Agenda. Motion was made by Holthouse and supported by Williams to approve the following items under the consent agenda consisting of the financial reports for August 2007; general ledger report of revenues and expenditures for August 2007; Public Safety Board minutes of January 16, 2007 and August 28, 2007; Park Committee minutes of August 2, 2007 and August 30, 2007; Sewer & Water Committee minutes of August 6, 2007 and August 20, 2007; Planning Commission minutes of August 7, 2007; and, Zoning Board of Appeals minutes of August 16, 2007. The financial report showed the following balances as of August 31:

General Fund Cash                               $10,152.20

Certificate of Deposit                            271,975.93

Fire Operations Cash                                1,991.94

Fire Operations CD                                402,151.81

Street Light Fund                                     3,789.33

Public Improvement Fund                                0.00

Building Inspection Fund                            1,340.01

Falling Waters Endowment Fund                       0.00

Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD            31,131.92

Sewer Funds                                      1,156,089.57

Water Funds                                        315,457.77

Trust & Agency Funds                                    0.00

Current Taxes                                       381,742.19;

carried.

REPORTS:

A. Police and Fire Reports. There were 43 medical rescue runs, three fire alarms, no mutual aid calls, eight fire runs, and no carbon monoxide incidents, bomb threats or Hazmat responses during August. Police statistics include: 194 complaints, 10 accidents, 30 tickets, nine verbal warnings, three arrests, no semis ticketed and 11 back-up calls to other departments.

The Chief of Police reported that August was a busy month for the department handling calls even though they had no major incidents. The Labor Day weekend was relatively quiet as well. The Chief received a copy of the final judgment order regarding the disputed land between Richard Rimer and the DNR. He also reported that Sergeant Adams impounded two ATV’s that were on the trail. The country western fund raiser for the Village & Township Police Association will be held this weekend. Motion was made by Melchiori and supported by Fortress to accept the police report; carried.

The Fire Chief reported that the month was slower for runs in August although year-to-date the runs are up. The department participated in automatic aid training this last week as a unit with the other departments participating in the mutual aid agreement; training was centered on the measurement and continuation of water flow. As a result of this training, the department is working towards a reduction in their rating for insurance purposes. He also discussed upcoming training events. Final discussion included mention of the statewide burning ban, now lifted, and the department’s issuance of approximately 10 to 15 burning permits each week. 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 August showed two new homes and miscellaneous permits for a total value of $162,300.00. Commercial building permits included a storage building and a new business at Village Crossing. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to accept the building permit report; carried.

C. Supervisor's Report . Advised the board: of the bids submitted for the senior center roof; of the correction made to the Sewer & Water Committee minutes; of the proposed contract with the Assessor; of the recommendation regarding the fire station concrete renovation project; of the status of the Phase II Storm Water Program; of two policies to be added to the police manual; of the status of revenue sharing; of recommended repairs to the lift stations at College and Teft roads; and, of the recommendation regarding the Cottage Street drainage problem. The Supervisor also announced that he does not intend to run for another term next year. He also reported to the board that the existing deadline on the extension of Richard Street is April 12, 2009. One of the involved parties may not be willing to extend the agreement.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Senior Center Roof Repair Bids. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to award the bid for the new roof at the Senior Center to John Ball for a total cost of $12,939.00. Roll Call: 7 yes. It was noted that the Township will be purchasing the materials direct from Spring Arbor Lumber.

The Supervisor recessed the meeting at 8:22 p.m.; the meeting reconvened at 8:28 p.m.

C. Fire Station Concrete Renovation. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to award the contract to Karasek Corporation for the concrete renovation project at the fire station for $44,425.75 and to approve the total project cost not to exceed the amount of $53.026.00. Roll Call: 7 yes.

D. Phase II Storm Water Program. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to involve the township attorney, if necessary, to assist in removing the Township from the Phase II Storm Water Program; carried.

E. Police Department Policies. Motion was made by Short and supported by Holthouse to approve the two new polices recommended by the Police Chief for inclusion in their departmental policy book (Handling Persons In Need of Mental Health Services and Handling Subjects Incapacitated by Intoxication); carried. Trustee Short expressed her appreciation to the Police Chief for the thoroughness of the departmental policy book.

F. Sewer Lift Station Repair. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to approve the bid for the repair of the College St. and Teft Rd. lift stations to NR Mitchell Co. with a total project cost not to exceed $269,000.00. Roll Call: 7 yes.

G. Storm Water Drainage Solutions. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to adopt the recommendation of the Sewer & Water Committee of alternative 2 to solve the drainage problems at Cottage St. and Second St., with Spring Arbor University, Ganton Retirement Centers and the Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church sharing in the cost estimated at $215,000.00; carried.

H. Fireworks Display. Motion was made by Melchiori and supported by Fortress to approve the request from Western School District to hold a fireworks display on September 28, 2007; carried.

I. Budget Amendments. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Holthouse to approve the budget amendments to the following general ledger accounts:

Revenue, Increase 245-000-675.300, $550.00; and

Expense, Increase 245-756-974.000, $550.00. Roll Call: 7 yes.

J. Parks Improvement Project. Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve the request of the Park Committee authorizing a bid to Paul’s Excavating for an improvement to Gallagher Park (old parking lot area) for $6,810.00 and to authorize Allen Brothers Fence Co. to create a new opening in the fence for a walk-through and move the existing gate from the inner part of the park to the outside at a cost of $478.63. Roll Call: 7 yes.

K. Authorization to Place Delinquencies on the Tax Roll. Motion was made by Williams and supported by Fortress to authorize the Assessor and/or Treasurer to place the delinquent street lights, water assessments and road maintenance amounts on the Winter 2007 tax bill; carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  Letter from Millennium.

PUBLIC/BOARD COMMENT: Public comment opened at 9:14 p.m.

Trustee Short . Trustee Short expressed her appreciation to the Supervisor for keeping the Township properties in good shape which would make it easier for his successor.

Clerk Holthouse. Clerk Holthouse updated the board on recent election law changes; the presidential primary requirement of requesting a Democratic or Republican ballot and the new photo identification law.

Adjournment. Motion was made by Short and supported by Fortress to adjourn the meeting at 9:18 p.m.; carried.