Q. 2009-3-10 March 10th 2009 Twp RegularA. TOWNSHIP BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MARCH 10, 2009
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, Doug Stiles, Jerry Lentz, Diane Triquet, Sandra Rickli, and Jim Manning-telephonically.
AGENDA APPROVAL:
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the agenda as presented, second by Jim Rickli. Motion passed.
MEETING MINUTE APPROVAL:
MOTION: Motion by Jim Rickli to approve the meeting minutes of February 10, 2009 as presented, second by Doug Stiles. Motion passed
BUDGET MEETING MINUTE APPROVAL:
Jim Rickli made a correction on the top of page 2, the first motion on that page, indicates Jim Rickli voted yes, which incorrect because he was not in attendance at this meeting.
MOTION: Motion by Jerry Lentz to approve the budget meeting minutes of February 25, 2009 as amended, second by Marv Flick. Motion passed.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF BILLS:
MOTION: Motion by Diane Triquet to approve bills as presented in the amount of $36,730.69, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
Correspondence and Announcements: Clerk Sandra Rickli shared two upcoming seminars being offered by MTA. The first to be held April 30 at Fetzer Center in Kalamazoo entitled: “Come to Order: Making Parliamentary Procedure Work,” afternoon-only seminar; and the second to be held April 23, 2009 in Lansing at Waterford Estates Lodge; morning seminar: entitled: “How Boards Make Decisions,” and afternoon: “Making Meetings Work More Effectively.” If the board is interested please let her know.
REPORTS
Sheriff’s Dept. representative Deputy Jason Hall presented his report indicating 54 calls for service for Almena for the month of February.
LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT:
Dennis Reynolds, Operations Manager for VBEMS, to give the township an update. They are currently building a satellite location on Red Arrow Highway by Markee Auto Parts, which will be a Mattawan based sub-station, due to the increase in 911 calls, up 210 calls from 2007, which will increase the response time for residents at the East end of Van Buren County. They are looking at possibly an end of June completion date.
Dan Curry, CR 653, publicly thanked members of the board for their support regarding the repair of the CR 653 bridge. The money is now being reallocated for this bridge as per the Van Buren County Road Commission.
REPORTS:
Treasurer: Diane Triquet is happy to share that winter tax collection has been completed successfully. Since December 1st for Summer taxes, $41,625.19 has been collected. Winter taxes (December 1 through end of tax season, March 2) 3,140,000.22 has been collected.
Planning Commission: Marv Flick reported that the joint boards meeting date of Monday, April 13th at 7:00 is agreeable to the PC as proposed by the Township Board. The ZBA should also be invited to participate. The last PC meeting was primarily a preliminary a presentation by Tapper Propane for a substation on M-43. There was much discussion including questioning if a special use permit would be required. Board members now have a copy of the new draft zoning ordinance for their review prior to the April 13th meeting. Jerry Lentz also shared that the zoning ordinance proposed draft copy is available on-line at the township website.
Attorney: Kelly Page had nothing new to report; shared the Hughes case has been 27 mths. thus far.
Supervisor: Doug Stiles presented the following: Almena Happy Helpers 4-H group has again requested use of the pavilion and parking lot the entire day on April 11 for an auction fund-raiser. Insurance certificate has already been supplied, and there is no charge. The board conceded.
The Board of Review is underway and progressing well; Wednesday, March 11th appointments are scheduled from 1- 4 p.m. and 5 - 8 p.m., which will complete the appointment times.
John Redmond of the Paw Paw Quick Response Team has submitted their annual Contract for Emergency Services. We are asked to contribute $6,000 for our portion of their services, which will need to be signed and returned.
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to support the efforts of the Paw Paw Quick Response Team by contributing $6,000 and approving the agreement between Almena Township and Paw Paw Quick Response, by signing and returning the contract and attaching a check, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
Township Clean-up day will be Saturday, April 11th from 8am to 2pm.
NEW BUSINESS
1. 2009-2010 Fiscal Year Meeting Date Schedule
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year Meeting Date Schedule, second by Jerry Lentz. Motion approved.
2. ZBA Reappointments (3 years, expiring 3/2012): Ron Marvin, Garrett Kruizenga (alternate), Mike Spring (alternate):
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the ZBA Reappointments: Ron Marvin, Garrett Kruizenga, and Mike Spring, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
3. Construction Board of Appeals Reappointments (2 years, expiring 3/2011): Joe Alexander (building), David Cole (electrical).
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the Construction Board of Appeals Reappointments, second by Jim Rickli. Motion approved.
4. Cemetery Board Reappointment (2 years, expiring 3/2011): Shirley Huffman.
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the Cemetery Board Reappointment-Shirley Huffman, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
5. Application for Property Tax Relief, Poverty Exemption Guidelines, & 2009 Poverty Guidelines:
Property Tax Relief was adopted 2 years ago, but no application was provided, nor guidelines. These are now established to go along with the application so applicants will know the protocol.
MOTION: Motion by Jerry Lentz to accept the application for property tax relief, poverty exemption guidelines, and 2009 Poverty Guidelines, second by Diane Triquet. Motion passed.
6. AT&T Metro Act Permit Renewal - A right-of-way telecommunications permit, this is simply a franchise which gives them permission to come into the township. It was previously a 4 year agreement, it is now a 2 year agreement. We are now applying for 2008, as this renewal was not applied for. We are catching up for 2008, for which a check will be sent. There will be another check for 2009 in June. We are to execute and return within 30 days as we are behind for 2008. The money is earmarked for roads.
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to accept the agreements for the AT&T Metro Act to accept the right-of-way telecommunications permit, second by Marv Flick.
Roll call vote: Diane Triquet-yes, Jerry Lentz-yes, Doug Stiles-yes, Jim Manning-yes, Jim Rickli-yes, Marv Flick-yes, and Sandra Rickli-yes.
7. North Lake Weed Control Special Assessment - This is a 5 year plan for weed control of North Lake. $57,450 to be divided by our townships portion of the lake residents. This will be a public hearing to be published and notice in the paper, scheduled for April 14th. A Professional Lake Management representative will be present for questions.
8. Termite Control Proposals - Doug Stiles has acquired proposals from four companies: North Shore Pest Control, Griffin, Orkin, and Terminex. There was discussion, including questioning of the method of treatment; is it chemically safe? This will be reviewed more and decided at the budget meeting, scheduled for March 17, 2009 at 6:00 p.m.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Internet Service: The Township Board Committee consisting of Doug Stiles, Marv Flick and Jerry Lentz ( and resident Bob Gaudio) continues to meet on Monday mornings at 8:00 a.m.
They are attempting to put together a preliminary agreement, as a starting point, to present to the board. This will be a process that will involve the public, including a public hearing and a recommendation from the PC.
2. Road and Water Problems - Marv Flick brought to the attention of the board severe water drainage problems on 33rd St. Boothby pond potentially needs a retention pond, or some type of remedy. 38th Ave has drain and roadway problems, which Marv observed with Joe Parman-County Drain Commissioner. 32nd St. prep bids received from the VB County Road Commission are extremely high, the board is considering putting this work out for additional bids. Tubes on 32nd St. also keep washing out.
Jim Rickli inquired if anything has been done about desired fire proof safes? Possible consideration is now being made to a larger fire proof safe instead of one small treasurers safe and another medium size for storage.
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT
Jim Alden, CR 653, resident of Almena, but also works for the County Road Commission. He reported of upcoming patching/repair work. Encouraged residents to notify the VB County Road Commission of needed road repairs/fills right away, and they will repair as quick as they can.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Motion by Jerry Lentz to adjourn, second by Doug Stiles. Motion approved. The meeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
