Spring Arbor Township Board Meeting 4.10.06

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, April 10, 2006, at 7:00 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi Holthouse, Trustees Marston Fortress and Troy Ganton.    Absent: Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, and Trustees Patricia Short and Brent Williams.   The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Supervisor DeGraaf.

Guests were:   Judy Reynolds, Pat Rombyer, Tim McEldowney, Jim Videto, Rick Baxter, Mary Frey, Ishwar Laxminarayan and David Miller.

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

Rick Baxter, State Representative, reported that the legislature is working on the budget and they are pushing a new initiative, to fund an additional $20 million for revenue sharing which may be tied to public safety.   He also reported that this is the first year that they have not had mid-year budget cuts.   They are also considering the cable franchise legislation; he does not expect the bill to pass as it is written right now.   He fielded questions from the board members regarding the cable franchise legislation.   Supervisor DeGraaf asked him about the DEQ and Phase II Storm Water; Rick asked him to forward more information and he will look into it.

Judy Reynolds, County Commissioner, informed the board that a public meeting will be held on April 25, 2006, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Cascades Manor House for public input regarding county parks.   She invited all to attend.   She also reported on the district court program to bring courts into the schools and the success of the initial program, noting that they are planning to expand the program into the other area schools.   Friend of the Court has established a visitation area where parents can meet for visits with their children.   A recent review of persons on parole showed 27 out of 37 had returned to jail for additional crimes committed.   The County Prosecutor and Sheriff have both been critical of the current parole system.   She also informed the board that effective December 31, 2006, it will be required to have a passport for all travel out of the United States and encouraged individuals to plan enough time to obtain their passport.

Jim Videto, County Commissioner, reported that they are working on budget issues and that the County Administrator, who is pro economic development is becoming involved in with groups in Jackson like the Enterprise Group to help business development and retraining individuals that have been laid off. The county is still investigating the Land Bank and a group of commissioners are working on Farm Land Preservation.   A question was asked about the tipping fees; Jim reported that we are the highest and that the county is looking at paying off the bonds and the possible sale of the facility.

Public comment closed at 7:30 p.m.

Expenditures.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to approve the following expenditures for March 2006: General Fund expenditures #43186-43358 totaling $59,787.26; Fire Department Fund expenditures #43186-43353 totaling $34,976.88; Street Light Fund expenditures totaling $3,255.13; Building Inspection Fund expenditures totaling $7,954.28; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures totaling $48,746.63; and Water O & M Fund expenditures totaling $6,889.62.   Roll call: 4 yes.

Minutes.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Holthouse to approve the regular board meeting minutes of March 13, 2006; carried.   Motion was made by Holthouse and supported by Ganton to approve the budget hearing meeting minutes of March 21, 2006; carried.

Consent Agenda.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Holthouse to approve the following items under the consent agenda consisting of the financial reports for March 2006 and the fiscal year for 2005-06, general ledger report of revenues and expenditures for 2005-06, Park Committee minutes of August 15, 2005, August 22, 2005, September 7, 2005, March 9, 2006, March 23, 2006 and March 30, 2006, Fire Board minutes of February 16, 2006, Sewer & Water Committee minutes of March 20, 2006 and April 6, 2006, and Planning Commission minutes of April 4, 2006; carried.   Trustee Ganton suggested that we post the thank you letters to volunteers on the township web site.   Clerk Holthouse agreed and suggested that a section be set up on the web site for volunteers.   The financial report showed the following balances as of March 31:

      General Fund Cash                                                           $231,240.49

      Certificate of Deposit                                                           75,004.93

      Fire Operations Cash                                                           33,218.12

      Fire Operations CD                                                            367,709.98

      Street Light Fund                                                               17,167.03

      Public Improvement Fund                                                            0.00

      P.I.F. Certificate of Deposit                                                  29,864.63

      Building Inspection Fund                                                        (3,299.63)

      Falling Waters Endowment Fund                                                   0.00

      Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD                                        29,454.28

      Sewer Funds                                                                  1,275,565.79

      Water Funds                                                                      312,331.47

      Trust & Agency Funds                                                                 0.00

      Current Taxes                                                                           12.91.

REPORTS:

A.   Police and Fire Report.   There were 37 medical rescue runs, one fire alarm, one mutual aid call, three fire runs, and no carbon monoxide incidents, bomb threats or Hazmat responses during March.   Police statistics include: 165 complaints, 20 accidents, 110 tickets, 44 verbal warnings, six arrests, two semis ticketed and seven back-up calls to other departments.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to receive the police and fire report; carried.

Chief McEldowney reported that March was a slower month for the department although they are just starting grass fire season.   They are down about 30 runs across the board.   The department will be participating in some great training coming up at the University.   The budget for the fire department ended on track and the department is in great shape.   They expect to provide the same service level for the next year.

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

C.   Building Permit Reports.   The report of building permits issued during the month of March showed new homes and miscellaneous permits for a total value of $852,000.00.   Mr. Renner reported that three new home permits were issued in March, for a total of eight this year.   He is working on learning the new Zoning Ordinance that went into effect on April 1, 2006.

D.   Supervisor’s Report .   Advised the board: of the status of ongoing projects and zoning violations; of the number of appeals and appointments handled by Board of Review; of repairs needed for the new pumper/tanker fire truck; of the new sewer agreements for MACI Industrial Park; of a recommended permit charge for radon inspections; and, of a recommendation to establish a committee to work with the library. 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

A.   New Pumper/Tanker Fire Truck Expenses.   The Supervisor and the Fire Chief discussed needed repairs to the pumper/tanker vehicle in the fire department that will help with timing issues and safety issues.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to approve the expenditure of $17,500.00 to upgrade the pumper/tanker.   Roll Call:   4 yes.

B.   Sewer Agreements for MACI Industrial Park.   Clerk Holthouse asked if all of the township costs would be covered through the proposed agreements; the Supervisor stated that they would be.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to approve the two agreements to provide additional sewer capacity at MACI Industrial Park for new business development.   Roll Call:   4 yes.

C.   Radon Retrofit Installation.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Holthouse to approve the $65.00 permit inspection fee for the inspection of radon in residential homes; carried.   Trustee Fortress inquired as to how this would be communicated to our township residents so that they would understand that the inspection needed to be performed by a certified individual.

D.   Jackson County Library.   Representatives from the library were present to answer questions from the board members regarding the design of the proposed library building.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to establish a committee to work with the library on their construction plans to be comprised of Will DeGraaf, Randi Holthouse and Patricia Short; carried.   Clerk Holthouse suggested that four people from the community be placed on the committee also.

E.   Resolution to Retain Local Control of Cable Franchise Agreements.   Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Ganton to approve the resolution to retain local control of cable franchise agreements.   Roll Call:   4 yes.

CORRESPONDENCE:

              Newspaper articles re. fire department, sewer agreement and revenue sharing.

              Thank you letter to Dorthy Bortel for her volunteer services.

              Grant notification letter from Jackson County Community Foundation for recycling.

              Thank you letter to Jackson Co. Comm. Foundation for the grant.

              Letter from MTA regarding lawsuit against DEQ (Phase II Storm Water).

              Letter from Comcast dated 4/3/06 re. new customer service center.

              Project Review Notice (Rives Twp.) for a nature center.

PUBLIC AND/OR BOARD COMMENT:   Public comment opened at 8:12 p.m.

              Mary Frey.   Mary Frey reported that the library is more active all the time.

              David Miller.   David Miller stated that Sandstone Township had approved their sewer agreements with one minor change, to add in “Charter” in their municipal name in the documents.

              Trustee Ganton.   Trustee Ganton asked if the new police car had been ordered yet (yes).   He also mentioned that the Recycling Committee would be meeting at 5:00 p.m. the following day and appreciated the work of the Supervisor and the Clerk in getting this project off the ground and going.

              Supervisor DeGraaf.   Supervisor DeGraaf reported that he has the first draft of the agreement between the Township and Hutch’s Food Center for the recycling project.

              Clerk Holthouse.   Clerk Holthouse informed the board that Ruth Scott donated her time for the work she did on the index for the new Zoning Ordinance.   A thank-you letter will be sent out.

Public comment closed at 8:17 p.m.

Adjournment.   Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Fortress to adjourn the meeting at 8:17 p.m.; carried.

Randi Holthouse, Township Clerk