Spring Arbor Township Special Board Meeting 03.21.06

At the special board meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board on Tuesday, March 21, 2006, at 6:33 p.m. with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi Holthouse, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, and Trustee Brent Williams.   Absent: Trustee Marston Fortress.   Trustee Troy Ganton arrived at 6:34 p.m.   Trustee Patricia Short arrived at 6:35 p.m.

There was no public comment.

                  Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Holthouse to open the budget hearing at 6:37 p.m.; carried.

                  Clerk Holthouse handed out an updated budget report for the board members, noting that the changes from the previous report included additional revenues received and bills paid, and additional funds allocated in the Public Improvement Fund for the recycling project and the improvements needed at the Senior Center to bring it in line with the requirements of the American Disabilities Act. Both of these projects are funded through grants and/or donations.

                  Discussion was held about the improvements that would be done in the park.   Holthouse brought the board members up to date with discussion of the most recent Park Committee meeting; the Park Committee is planning to update the recreation plan and apply for grants for the walking path.   Planned improvements to the park for this fiscal year are the pavilion floor, and purchasing picnic tables and grills for the pavilion.   Holthouse agreed that any expenditure for the park will be brought to the board for approval and that the funds used for those improvements would be taken from the fund raising efforts of the Park Committee first before using money allocated from the Township.

                  Motion was made by Williams and supported by Holthouse to approve the budget as presented.   Roll Call:   6 yes.   Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton to close the budget hearing at 7:04 p.m.

                  Motion was made by Williams and supported by Short to approve using the NR Mitchell Company for the installation of two new pumps at the MACI Lift Station at a cost not to exceed $14,000.00.   Roll Call:   6 yes.

                  Motion was made by Holthouse and supported by Williams to approve the following budget amendments:

              101-247-702.000, Board of Review, Salaries & Fees, Increase $200

              101-247-720.000, Board of Review, Medicare, Increase $50

              101-301-721.000, Police, Health Insurance, Increase $1500

              101-301-726.000, Police, Supplies, Increase $500

              101-301-910.000, Police, Insurance & Bonds, Increase $1500

              101-500-930.000, Private Streets & Roads, Maintenance, Increase $200

              101-756-910.000, Parks, Insurance & Bonds, Increase $600

              101-756-920.000, Parks, Utilities, Increase $400

              101-209-702.002, Assessor, Assistant Assessor, Decrease $4950.      

Roll Call:   6 yes.

              Board Member Comment opened at 7:14 p.m.

              Trustee Ganton.   Trustee Ganton discussed the meeting held at Hutch’s Food Center the previous day with attendance of himself, Northwest Refuse, Doug Jones, Will DeGraaf, Randi Holthouse and Mr. Hutchinson.   Discussion was held regarding the property line, setting the poles for the lights, the time of day that Northwest Refuse would empty the containers, and space requirements needed by Northwest Refuse to maneuver their trucks.

                  Will DeGraaf.   Supervisor DeGraaf reported that he spoke with Jack Ripstra regarding the determination of the property line and the cost would be around $200 to $300.   He also expressed appreciation for the members of the Budget Committee and felt that we had a good team this year.

                  Trustee Short.   Trustee Short commented that she feels that people are willing to use the recycling center.

                  Trustee Williams.   Trustee Williams, who had spoken with Jan Maino from the Jackson County Community Foundation, said that she was pleased with how the grant for the recycling project was written.

                  Clerk Holthouse.   Clerk Holthouse advised the board members that she had suggested to Hannah Garberich, a Spring Arbor University student, that the township could purchase materials for the sign if there were art students from the University interested in designing the sign needed at the recycling center.   Hannah was enthused about the idea and will follow through with art students to see if there is enough interest to pursue that.

Adjournment.     Motion was made by Williams and supported by Melchiori to adjourn at 7:24 p.m.

Randi Holthouse, Township Clerk