Q. 2008-09-09 September 9th 2008 Twp RegularA. TOWNSHIP BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 9, 2008
The Almena Township Board met at the Township Hall. The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Supervisor Stiles.
Roll call: Marv Flick, Jim Rickli, Jim Manning, Jo Burns, Wayne Nelson, Jerry Lentz, and Doug Stiles.
AGENDA APPROVAL:
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the agenda as presented, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
MEETING MINUTE APPROVAL:
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the meeting minutes of August 12, 2008 as presented, second by Jim Rickli. Motion approved.
PRESENTATION/APPROVAL OF BILLS:
MOTION: Motion by Wayne Nelson to approve bills from 8/13/08 to 9/9/08 in the amount of $72,111.70, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
CORRESPONDENCE AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Clerk Jo Burns reported receiving a letter of thanks from Road Commission for our support. There will be a MTA Fall District Meeting Wednesday, September 17 from 8:00-3:30 at the Fetzer Center/WMU in Kalamazoo. There is also an upcoming seminar on application-MZEA.
LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT
Rex Grant, 34640 32nd St., spoke in regards to the Rose Lane maintenance agreement. He feels that attention to Rose Lane has been neglected. The gravel application, grading and dust control are behind this year. Supervisor Stiles explained he will call the road commission regarding this.
Scott Perkio, 37920 22nd St., again questioned the SW MI Gun Club, of which he lives across the street. Doug Stiles reported of calling regarding the hours/days of operation. Scott requested enforcing the hours of operation/shooting. How can he get this ruling changed, as it was established long ago, before so many people lived around there. He explained that 95 decibels is harmful to hearing; complained they are running the decibels much higher than even that. Doug Stiles will call the Gun Club again tomorrow.
REPORTS:
Treasurer: Wayne Nelson expressed that the written treasurers report is before the board. He explained that the township continues to remain very solid. He also expressed that the interest
rate on the financing of this building is inappropriate. Wayne Nelson has contacted the bank; has an appointment scheduled later this month to discuss the issue. He explained the interest rate is
3.1%, which should be less because it is a government unit. Every second and third 5- year periods there is an opportunity to change the type of financing established. Wayne Nelson may pursue other rates of interest. There are two potential alternatives: 1- Possibly look at paying off the remaining amount of the loan; or 2 -Seek proposals from an alternative lender. Wayne will research this and report back at the next regular board meeting.
Planning Commission: Marv Flick shared that the PC open house was held last night with a very good, encouraging turnout. There will be much more discussion as a result of suggested changes, resulting in an additional work session scheduled for Monday, September 22 at 7:00 p.m.
Parks&Recreation: It was reported that the previously purchased slide will be installed ASAP, just as soon as the volunteers can be scheduled.
Supervisor: Supervisor Doug Stiles reported that a Reverend from an Episcopal Church is interested in possibly leasing the previous township hall building, with intension of eventually purchasing. Tom with Kalamazoo County Hazardous Waste to indicate that Almena Township is out of hazardous waste monies. In order to continue more funds must be allocated. Wayne explained that we show a balance of $2200, their fiscal year is different than our fiscal year. We allocate funds at the beginning of the year, but we pay them once a year. The contract must be reviewed to see what is stated, or agreed upon. Clerk Jo Burns shared that Van Buren County has sent a letter of interest regarding their hazardous waste program, if interested. Doug stated that there will be a meeting of the Road Commission September 24 at Van Buren County ISD. Stiles reported that he spoke to the previous cleaning service, Classic Cleaners, based in Florida to inform him we are changing to a different cleaning service, and has informed the cleaner herself, Carol Hahn. Jim Rickli questioned this decision, it was his understanding that the Supervisor was to speak with the Carol Hahn about improvement of the cleaning, and if, after no improvement is seen, then to change; not that it would be done immediately as no forewarning was given or discussion made prior to relieving her of her duties.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Walt Kerstetter - Roads. 22057 CR 375, made a presentation regarding a solution to the high rate of speed/danger along Almena Road. He is not able to play outdoors with his grandchildren for fear of their safety. He made two formal requests of the township board: 1)- Implementation of a 45 mph speed limit along CR653/CR 375 (from 48th Ave east to Van Kal); and 2) To change configuration of Van Kal/Almena intersection to a four way stop. Mr. Kerstetter asked for the support of the township board in a formal request to send to the Road Commission and the State Police, to him, as a matter of life and death. He stated that a precedent for 45 mph in the township has already been set through the downtown Almena area and Van Kal from 44th Ave South to Red Arrow. The area named is a dual intersection that abuts both Van Buren County and Kalamazoo County, as well as both Almena Township and Oshtemo Township.
MOTION: Motion by Marv Flick to make CR 653, from 48th Ave East to the intersection of Van Kal and CR 375 a 45 mph speed limit, second by Jim Manning. Motion passed by a 4-3 vote.
MOTION: Motion by Marv Flick to request that the intersection of CR 375/Van Kal-22nd St. be made into a four(4)- way stop, second by Jim Manning. Motion passed unanimously.
REPORTS: Road Commission- Larry Hummel of the Road Commission arrived at this time for his report. He again reminded the board of the upcoming fall meeting of the Road Commission on
September 24th. He explained it is no longer a bus tour due to the rising gas prices. He explained that he will forward the previous motions regarding the intersection of Almena and Van Kal, and the proposed speed limit change to the people in Lansing. He shared that crash data is a big indicator of
any needed change, as well. He reported that he spoke with Debbie Stuut today in regards to
her request for a guardrail in front of her house located on a very sharp curve. There will be signs indicating the sharp curve coming ahead, as well as curve reflectors, and a possible delineation of the curve path, but no guardrail planned at this time. He also reported that there are two sections set to be repaved in Trestle Creek subdivision, which is scheduled to be completed this month.
NEW BUSINESS (continued)
2. Scott and Terrie Boven - Variance Fee Refund - A brief explanation was given that these residents withdrew their variance request due to property line dispute issues,etc... no work has been done on this request whatsoever.
MOTION: Motion by Wayne Nelson to refund the variance fee of $350 to Scott and Terrie Boven because work has not yet begun on this request, second by Jim Manning. Motion unanimously approved.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Fire Board Meeting - Jim Manning - Jim reported on his findings at the fire board meeting regarding the responding fire department for certain areas within the township. He explained that Almena Township has a mutual aid agreement with Oshtemo, which means that certain areas of the township will have Oshtemo as an automatic responder, along with the specific responding fire department for their district, which is the same for Gobles and Pine Grove.
Mutual aid fire department is generally assumed; whoever arrives first fights fire until appropriate fire department arrives and remains on site if needed. This in answer to a previous fire response inquiry by a resident.
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT
Seth Churchill, 44561 30th St. thanked Supervisor Stiles for coming to look at and help with his tree trimming incident. He reported that he did not receive his wood that he was supposed to get back. He explained he will take this up further with the golf course.
Marvin Strong, CR 653 explained he had purchased property recently on Whiskey Run but owns a house on CR 653. He received the components for a pole barn but cannot erect it due to the zoning ordinance rule stating that an outbuilding cannot be placed on a parcel without first having a house; he cannot get a building permit for the barn. He has health issues and needs to get this done. He will come in Monday morning at 11:00 to meet with AGS and Supervisor Stiles will sit in on the meeting as well.
Sheriff’s Department Report: Having just arrived to the meeting, Deputy Stickels reported there were 87 calls for service with 110 units responding for service.
CEMETERY - Clerk Jo Burns reported that a cemetery board meeting was recently held. The water pump is in need of repair, any developments regarding the repair? Supervisor Stiles reported that
Dione Foune of Foune Well Drilling has looked at it, there is a problem with the leathers, it would be better to pull it up to look and repair at the same time.
MOTION: Motion by Marv Flick to entertain an estimate and figure of $1000 to have the well
repaired and if over that amount, bring it back to the board, second by Jim Manning. Motion passed.
Jo also understood it was the consensus of the board to refurbish the outhouse, which was confirmed. Jo will meet with Jim Sumner/Cemetery Sexton later this week to go over some things. Doug will remind him of the pvc pipe driveway marking to be done, hopefully by years end.
There was brief discussion regarding the $100,000 in question, thought to be originally earmarked for the cemetery, that does not seem to exist as to the whereabouts within any written minutes. Jo mentioned this should be briefly noted in the minutes, but it does not seem to be indicated. These issues discussed will be addressed at the next board meeting following the cemetery meeting minutes being typed up and distributed.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Motion to adjourn by Jim Manning, second by Doug Stiles. Motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 9:00 p.m.
ALMENA TOWNSHIP
