Spring Arbor Township Board Meeting 11.13.06

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, November 13, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi Holthouse, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, Trustees Marston Fortress, Troy Ganton, Brent Williams and Patricia Short.   Absent:   None.   The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Supervisor.

Guests were:   Judy Reynolds, Earl Poleski

Public Comment:   Public comment opened at 7:01 p.m.

Judy Reynolds, County Commissioner, reported that the Township may have a possible nine foreclosures at this time and that Cascades Golf Course was given a four-star rating by Golf Digest Magazine.   She also reported that septic tank hauling regulations require septage to be screened through ½” mesh and prohibits land application on frozen ground.   This is a new law.   It has to be stored during the winter and then spread in spring when the ground thaws.   This information is from the Department of Equalization.   Regarding our IT director, we have received well over 100 applications.   A team will meet on November 16 to decide on how to interview and what we want from a new director.   A lot of the applications are from out of state.   She also spoke about the antiquated animal shelter in Jackson. They are looking at the possibility of building another building or joining forces with the Cascades Humane Society.   The resource recovery facility is making money for the first time in ages.   Part of the reason may be the new trash cop making sure people bring their trash here instead of going to another county.   She advised that a commissioner would like to increase the number of road commissioners, perhaps to four, with no additional funding.   The pay would be divided among them.

Earl Poleski mentioned that the commissioners had a budget workshop last week.   The incoming commissioners were invited.   They are looking at a $46 million budget next year, half for safety and judiciary and more than half to wages and fringe benefits.   One thing that will happen, if approved, is that $500,000 will be added to the fund balance; we are at 13% right now.   Another $500,000 would go to a stabilization fund, like a rainy day fund.

Public comment closed at 7:13 p.m.

Expenditures.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by Fortress to approve the following expenditures for October 2006:   General Fund expenditures #44055-44155 totaling $46,759.93; Fire Department Fund expenditures #44056-44148 totaling $13,786.23; Street Light Fund expenditures #44066-44140 totaling $3,408.09; Public Improvement Fund Expenditures   #44055-44155 totaling $287.19; Building Inspection Fund expenditures totaling $4,440.82; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures totaling $0.00; Sewer Receiving Fund disbursements of $82,528.40; and Water O & M Fund expenditures totaling $37,908.85.   Roll call: 7 yes.

Minutes.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Williams to approve the regular board meeting minutes of October 9, 2006; carried.

Consent Agenda.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Williams to approve the following items under the consent agenda consisting of the financial reports for October 2006; general ledger report of revenues and expenditures for October 2006; Senior Center Advisory Board minutes of October 11, 2006; and Sewer & Water committee minutes of October 16, 2006; carried.   The financial report showed the following balances as of October 31:

General Fund Cash                                                        $136,290.69

Certificate of Deposit                                                       177,900.72

Fire Operations Cash                                                          (1,031.59)

Fire Operations CD                                                         273,971.52

Street Light Fund                                                                (3,264.04)

Public Improvement Fund                                                   2,154.81

Building Inspection Fund                                                   (4,380.76)

Falling Waters Endowment Fund                                             0.00

Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD                                    30,256.90

Sewer Funds                                                                   1,280,789.67

Water Funds                                                                      280,057.89

Trust & Agency Funds                                                            0.00

Current Taxes                                                                  33,950.65

REPORTS:

A.   Police and Fire Report.   There were 42 medical rescue runs, two fire alarms, two mutual aid calls, 11 fire runs, and no carbon monoxide incidents, bomb threats, or Hazmat responses during October.   Police statistics include: 160 complaints, 11 accidents, 47 tickets, 32 verbal warnings, seven arrests, one semi ticketed and 12 back-up calls to other departments.

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

B.   MTA E-News for November 2006.   Received the November issue of the MTA E-News.

C.   Building Permit Reports.   The report of building permits issued during the month of October showed new homes and miscellaneous permits for a total value of $270,000.00.

D.   Supervisor’s Report .   Advised the board: of the status of ongoing projects; of a design for a new front lawn sign for the township office; of increased fares at the Jackson Transportation Authority; of laws relating to speed limits changing; of a water rate resolution; of a pole barn on Moscow Rd. operating as a business with no house on the property; of a policy to not issue building or occupancy permits until the constructed storm water drainage system of new subdivisions or projects have been verified by the Township’s Engineer; of the award of the job for the new roof on the Fire Dept to Prater Construction (John Ball); and of the State of Michigan revenue sharing amounts.   The Supervisor discussed the automatic mutual aid agreement between neighboring fire departments and recommended that we participate for six months and then have Tim McEldowney, Fire Chief, report back and let us know how it is working. The Supervisor would like to change the Fire Board to a Public Safety Board to include the Police department.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to open a public hearing at 7:21 p.m. for the purpose of discussing the street light special assessment district on Village Green Lane. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Short to close the public hearing at 7:24 p.m.

A.   Resolution #3, Street Lights, Village Green Lane.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to approve resolution #3 to review and file the street light special assessment roll for Village Green Lane.   Roll Call:   7 yes.

C.   Township Sign.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Williams to approve the expenditure to replace the township sign, selecting the first design on the proof sheet from Fritz Advertising for $795.00 with reflective letters and to have the money come from fund balance.   Roll Call: 7 yes.

D.   Water Rate Resolution.   Motion was made by Holthouse and supported by Fortress to approve the water rate resolution.   Roll Call:   7 yes.

E.   Fire Department Roof Expenditure.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to grant the bid for the replacement of the roof on the Fire Station building to John Ball as he was the lowest bidder and his reputation is excellent.   Roll Call: 7 yes.

F. Resolution to Rescind IFT for Lab Tool.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to rescind the IFT for Lab Tool. The board asked to have Julie Pulling, Township Assessor, investigate the process to recapture the taxes from the rescinded IFT.   Roll Call: 7 yes.

G. Storm Water Drainage.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Williams to adopt the recommendation of the Sewer and Water committee from their October 16, 2006 meeting regarding storm water control and that it be incorporated in the zoning ordinance with the exact wording and location to be approved at a later date; carried.

H. Resolution of Appreciation for Harriet Videto. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to approve the resolution expressing appreciation for the 30 years of service provided by Harriet Videto at the Spring Arbor Post Office. Roll Call: 7 yes.

CORRESPONDENCE:

              Thank you notes.

              Thank you letters to June Dodd and Leland Prebble.

              Letters from Comcast and Millennium.

PUBLIC/BOARD COMMENT:   Public comment opened at 8:03 p.m.

Earl Poleski .   Stated that Spring Arbor Township is a great place to live.

Supervisor DeGraaf.     The Supervisor asked for input in setting the date for the Township Employee Christmas Party.   It was set for December 13 th ; or the 12 th or 14 th .

Adjournment.   Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton to adjourn the meeting at 8:06 p.m.; carried.