Township Board Meeting October 9, 2006

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, October 9, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi Holthouse, Trustees Marston Fortress, Troy Ganton and Patricia Short.   Absent:   Treasurer Gloria Melchiori and Trustee Brent Williams.   The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Supervisor.

Guests were:   Tim McEldowney, Russ Ratkiewicz, Judy Reynolds, Earl Poleski, Greg Kaufinger, Diane Rappleye, Jennifer Bair, Kellee Winslow and Stan Lyon.

Public Comment:   Public comment opened at 7:02 p.m.

Diane Rappleye, judicial candidate, introduced herself as a candidate running for Judge Vandercook’s position.   She discussed the areas of responsibility the position requires and her qualifications.   She asked for support for the position.

Judy Reynolds, County Commissioner, reported that the Township may have a possible 10 foreclosures at this time.   The County will do a formal search for a new administrator; in the interim Randy Treacher is acting administrator.   The State Friend of the Court has approximately $1 million dollars in unclaimed funds; an interested party would have to check online to see if it belongs to them.   The local Friend of the Court is looking into a way to allow parties to pay their child support with a credit card at a local bank.   The DNR is looking into reimbursing property owners for livestock killed by a cougar.   The County will be considering a resolution to oppose the K-16 proposal at their commission meeting.   The County will also receive some funds for warrant arrest work related to Friend of the Court issues.   Judy also discussed the county’s GIS system; it is currently up and running, but problems have persisted and they are looking for a technician to maintain it.

Trustee Marston Fortress commented on the former administrator that he did not have an issue with his $100,000 severance pay and that he felt some of the issues had to do with unpopular issues such as cutting budgets and eliminating positions.   He stated that whoever took over would have to feel comfortable with those types of actions.

Earl Poleski mentioned that the existing commission invited the incoming commissioners to be involved in the process for the administrator search.   He prefers to get the search going, the sooner the better, and to work with the interim personnel.   He would like to look at the local candidates too, and feels that they need someone with fresh views.

Trustee Pat Short commented that the commissioners should make personal calls at the last two jobs that the administrator candidates have held to help them in their decision.

Public comment closed at 7:24 p.m.

Expenditures.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Short to approve the following expenditures for September 2006: General Fund expenditures #43911-44054 totaling $48,004.74; Fire Department Fund expenditures #43916-44053 totaling $26,723.54; Street Light Fund expenditures totaling $3,294.86; Public Improvement Fund Expenditures totaling $7,193.73; Building Inspection Fund expenditures totaling $6,607.50; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures totaling $25,288.16; Sewer Receiving Fund disbursements of $19,643.08; and Water O & M Fund expenditures totaling $319.32.   Roll call: 5 yes.

Minutes.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Holthouse to approve the regular board meeting minutes of September 11, 2006; carried.

Consent Agenda.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to approve the following items under the consent agenda consisting of the financial reports for September 2006; general ledger report of revenues and expenditures for September 2006; Senior Center Advisory Board minutes of September 13, 2006; and Planning Commission minutes of October 3, 2006; carried.   The financial report showed the following balances as of September 30:

General Fund Cash                                                        $163,641.70

Certificate of Deposit                                                       177,587.57

Fire Operations Cash                                                        (17,246.44)

Fire Operations CD                                                           303,151.59

Street Light Fund                                                                  144.05

Public Improvement Fund                                                   (1,691.72)

Building Inspection Fund                                                     (3,064.94)

Falling Waters Endowment Fund                                                 0.00

Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD                                      30,135.27

Sewer Funds                                                                 1,278,803.72

Water Funds                                                                    303,928.23

Trust & Agency Funds                                                               0.00

Current Taxes                                                                  810,509.55.

REPORTS:

A.   Police and Fire Report.   There were 40 medical rescue runs, three fire alarms, no mutual aid calls, four fire runs, two carbon monoxide incidents, one bomb threat, and no Hazmat responses during September.   Police statistics include: 195 complaints, nine accidents, 39 tickets, 34 verbal warnings, four arrests, two semis ticketed and 20 back-up calls to other departments.

Chief Ratkiewicz reported that while the last month was busy, it is starting to slow down a little.   The department will be participating in a Sex Offender Task Force along with other townships and the sheriff’s department.   The department responded to the bomb threat at Western High School; three suspects have been identified and two have been charged through the prosecutor’s office.   The department is also approved for a traffic grant called Drive Michigan Safely for $1,500 with a 25% match by the Township.   Chief Ratkiewicz did Hank the Prank puppet shows back in the spring which are now airing on J-TV.   Sergeant Adams assisted on a response to a home on Horton Rd. with the local health department and animal control; the house was condemned and 26 cats and dogs were found to be living there; 19 deceased animals were found in the freezer and refrigerator.   The department also assisted with traffic control for graduation at SAU.   Chief Ratkiewicz also reported that they have a suspect for several breaking and entering violations on King and Chapel roads.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to approve the police report.

Chief McEldowney reported that they are prepared for the upcoming grass fire season, although with the frost it should be easier on them.   This week is National Fire Prevention week, but due to MEAP testing they will hold it at a later date.   He discussed the response by Western High School to the recent bomb threat; all students were bussed to a different location.   Other Fire Chiefs in the area have complimented them on their response strategy.   He will be overseeing their evacuation plan at the high school and middle school and will help with a lockdown drill the first week of November.   On October 17 the participants at the FEMA training in August will get together for discussion.   He reminded everyone present to request a burn permit for their leaves and twigs.

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

B.   MTA E-News for October 2006, Law Newsletter, Washington Report.   Received the October issue of the MTA E-News, the September issue of the Township Law Newsletter and the October issue of the Washington Report.

C.   Building Permit Reports.   The report of building permits issued during the month of September showed new homes and miscellaneous permits for a total value of $291,000.00.   Jan Gardner, the Building Administrator, reported that new home permits for the year are at 28 compared to 41 from last year.

D.   Supervisor = s Report .   Advised the board: of the status of ongoing projects and zoning violations; of a repair to a culvert on Emerson Rd. that was causing drainage problems; of the Township’s responsibility related to the county’s street naming and addressing ordinance; of an analysis done of the Jackson Wastewater Treatment plant; and, that the Township must decide its’ participation in the Farmland Preservation program (PDR).

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

              Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to open a public hearing at 8:09 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the street light special assessment district on Village Green Lane.   Residents were present and part of the discussion.   They reviewed the map from Consumers Energy showing the layout of the street lights.   Residents in attendance were all in support of the district.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to close the public hearing at 8:23 p.m.

A.   Resolution #1, Street Lights, Village Green Lane.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to approve resolution #1 to establish the street light special assessment district on Village Green Lane.   Roll Call:   5 yes.

C.   Farmland Preservation.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton that the Township supports the program but will not participate at this time; carried.

D.   Budget Amendment.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton to approve the following budget amendments.   Roll Call:   5 yes.

Revenue, 245-000-675.300, Park Contributions, Increase by $4,951.50; and

Expense, 245-756-974.000, Park Improvements, Increase by $4,951.50.

E.   Resignation – Ruth Mayday.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton to accept the resignation of Ruth Mayday as Deputy Clerk; carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

              Various newspaper articles.

              Thank you note.

              Letters from Comcast.

PUBLIC/BOARD COMMENT:   Public comment opened at 8:31 p.m.

              Chief McEldowney.   The University will have fireworks tonight at 10 p.m. to kick off their homecoming weekend.

              Trustee Short.   Trustee Short requested that a thank-you letter be sent to June Dodd for her years of service as the Chairperson of the Senior Center Advisory Board.  

Adjournment.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to adjourn the meeting at 8:34 p.m.; carried.