Spring Arbor Township Board Meeting - August 13, 2007

The regular meeting of the Spring Arbor Township Board was held Monday, August 13, 2007, at 7:01 p.m., with the following members present: Supervisor Will DeGraaf, Clerk Randi Holthouse, Treasurer Gloria Melchiori, Trustees Marston Fortress, Troy Ganton, Patricia Short and Brent Williams. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by the Supervisor.

Guests were: Russ Ratkiewicz and Tim McEldowney.

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

No public comment.

Expenditures. Motion was made by Williams and supported by Ganton to approve the following expenditures for July 2007: General Fund expenditures #45201-45315 totaling $60,268.34; Fire Department Fund expenditures #45201-45312 totaling $12,705.58; Street Light Fund expenditures #45239 totaling $3,298.35; Public Improvement Fund expenditures #45241-45259 totaling $675.00; Building Inspection Fund expenditures #45208-45312 totaling $5,836.25; Sewer O & M Fund expenditures #45200-45313 totaling $66,030.25; Water O & M Fund expenditures #45200-45313 totaling $66,754.93; Trust & Agency fund expenditures #1887-1888 totaling $39.00; and Tax Fund expenditures #4183-4187 totaling $133,448.34. Roll call: 7 yes.

Minutes. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to approve the regular board meeting minutes of July 9, 2007; carried.

Consent Agenda. Board members requested to pull the minutes for the Sewer & Water Committee of July 5, 2007 and the Planning Commission minutes of August 7, 2007. A correction was suggested for the Sewer & Water Committee minutes; the heading that reads “Financial, Teft & College Rd’s Lift Station” should read “Financial, Storm Water”. Discussion was held regarding the Planning Commission minutes (resolution regarding the extension of Richard St.). Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to close the debate on the consent agenda; carried. Motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve the following items under the consent agenda consisting of the financial reports for July 2007; general ledger report of revenues and expenditures for July 2007; Sewer & Water Committee minutes of July 5, 2007; and, Planning Commission minutes of July 10, 2007 and August 7, 2007. The financial report showed the following balances as of July 31:

General Fund Cash                      $45,561.71

Certificate of Deposit                   271,677.81

Fire Operations Cash                       5,013.93

Fire Operations CD                       426,210.96

Street Light Fund                           7,109.39

Public Improvement Fund                       0.00

Building Inspection Fund                     454.87

Falling Waters Endowment Fund              0.00

Falling Waters Endowment Fund CD   31,217.08

Sewer Funds                             1,163,807.60

Water Funds                                302,794.63

Trust & Agency Funds                            0.00

Current Taxes                              160,159.25;

carried.

REPORTS:

A. Police and Fire Reports. There were 50 medical rescue runs, two fire alarms, one mutual aid call, 12 fire runs, and no carbon monoxide incidents, bomb threats or Hazmat responses during July. Police statistics include: 174 complaints, three accidents, 25 tickets, 13 verbal warnings, two arrests, one semi ticketed and six back-up calls to other departments.

The Chief of Police reported that the department participated at the Learning Fair and the County Anniversary celebration. They also assisted with a 10k run in the Township. One fatal accident occurred in the Township (motorcyclist). The department was also called to assist an undercover officer from Blackman Township for a meth lab operating in the trailer park.

The Fire Chief reported that they had a busy month with 50 medical rescue runs and mutual aid requests. The department also participated at the Learning Fair and the County Anniversary celebration. Upcoming training in the department includes firefighter and medical first responder; the prior month included training on cutting up a vehicle. A power outage also occurred and the generator worked as planned.

  Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to accept the police and fire reports; carried.

B. Building Permit Reports. The report of building permits issued during the month of July showed two new homes and miscellaneous permits for a total value of $636,000.00. Commercial building permits included a renovation project at the church. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to accept the building permit report; carried.

C. Supervisor's Report . Advised the board: of the University’s request to display fireworks; of a complaint from a resident regarding fees and taxes; of the successful operation of the new generators; of the Township’s participation in the County Anniversary celebration; of recommendations for appointments to the Zoning Board of Appeals; and, of a request to transfer a liquor license.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

NEW BUSINESS:

A. Fireworks Application. Motion was made by Short and supported by Ganton to approve the request from Spring Arbor University for a fireworks display; carried.

C. Committee Appointments. Motion was made by Fortress and supported by Williams to accept the resignation of Robert Roedema from the Zoning Board of Appeals and to appoint Todd Zeller to fill the remainder of his term, and to also appoint Larry Atkins as an alternate on the Zoning Board of Appeals with a term ending December 31, 2008; carried.

D. Text Amendment to Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.10. On a recommendation from the Planning Commission and Region 2 Planning Commission, motion was made by Short and supported by Williams to approve the text amendment to the zoning ordinance, Section 7.10. Roll Call: 7 yes.

E. Text Amendment to Zoning Ordinance, Section 7.13. On a recommendation from the Planning Commission and Region 2 Planning Commission, motion was made by Holthouse and supported by Fortress to approve the text amendment to the zoning ordinance, Section 7.13. Roll Call: 7 yes.

F. Place Delinquencies on Tax Roll. Motion was made by Ganton and supported by Williams to authorize the delinquent sewer and water usage and water installations on the Winter 2007 tax roll; carried.

CORRESPONDENCE:

  Newspaper articles.

  Washington Report.

  Project Review Notice.

  Letters from Comcast and Millennium.

PUBLIC/BOARD COMMENT: Public comment opened at 8:00 p.m.

Trustee Short . Trustee Short stated that she appreciated the discussion held with the Supervisor prior to the meeting regarding the water tap size policy (Summit Township). She commented that the board would be consistent with Summit Township and we are following our guidelines.

Adjournment. Motion was made by Williams and supported by Fortress to adjourn the meeting at 8:03 p.m.; carried.