Q. 2009-05-12 May 12th 2009 Twp RegularA. TOWNSHIP BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
MAY 12, 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, Jim Manning, Doug Stiles, Jerry Lentz, Diane Triquet, and Sandra Rickli.
AGENDA APPROVAL:
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve the agenda, second by Jim Rickli. Motion passed.
MEETING MINUTE APPROVAL:
MOTION: Motion by Jim Manning to approve the meeting minutes of April 14, 2009 as presented, second by Jerry Lentz. Motion approved.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF BILLS:
MOTION: Motion by Diane Triquet to approve bills in the amount of $76,693.94, second by Jerry Lentz. Motion approved.
REPORTS (Limited):
Sheriff’s Dept. Representative presented his report indicating receiving 105 calls for service for Almena for the month of April.
LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT: None
REPORTS:
Treasurer: Diane Triquet shared that revenue sharing will be reduced by 4.8% for Summer and possibly further reduced for Winter. We will have to wait to see how this affects the township. A Resolution has been prepared further in the meeting. The Township was only being insured by FDIC for a certain amount due to the township being a municipality.
RESOLUTION: Motion by Jerry Lentz to approve the financing agreement with Keystone Bank to transfer the installment agreement to Keystone Bank from National City Bank. The Township and Bank agree that the Township shall refinance with Keystone Bank the existing Installment Purchase Agreement dated July 29, 2003 with National City Bank, second by Jim Manning.
Roll call vote: Diane Triquet - yes Jim Rickli – yes Jim Manning - yes
Doug Stiles - yes Sandra Rickli - yes
Jerry Lentz - yes Marv Flick – yes Motion approved.
Planning Commission: Marv Flick reported that the PC continues work on the recommendations to the zoning ordinance rewrite draft as a result of the joint boards meeting last month. They are through about ½ of the recommended changes and will continue their work next month.
He also shared that the PC discovered, as per new adopted by-laws, that appointing 2 alternates to the PC may be a good idea, the board will give thought to this with discussion to follow at the next board meeting.
Supervisor: Doug Stiles gave a road work report. He also reported receiving a letter two weeks ago from the church interested in purchasing the former township hall building on CR 653, indicating they are no longer interested and are withdrawing their bid.
Additionally, Doug shared that the large cracks in the asphalt parking lot have been looked at by Jim Foster and he has submitted a bid of $1200 to seal all the large deep cracks. He will be requesting bids from other companies as well. It was reported that the phone/internet service switch to Comcast for both services has been completed, for a reduced monthly rate. All the parking lot bulbs have been replaced at this time. The Assessor was notified by the Supervisor that his 2 year proposed contact was denied, he will compose and provide the board with a 1 year contract for board approval.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Planning Commission Recommendation from March 2, 2009 (Tapper Propane) -
Marv Flick explained that the Planning Commission is recommending acceptance of the Tapper Propane, LLC preliminary site-plan with findings based upon review by the zoning administrator - reference to Preliminary Site-Plan Review dated 2/24/2009, but there are 11 items that must first be met prior to approval.
MOTION: Motion by Jim Manning to approve the Preliminary Site Plan recommendation from the Planning Commission for Tapper Propane with findings based upon review by the zoning administrator, second by Jerry Lentz. Motion passed.
2. Bloomingdale Communications/Leduc Site Plan Refund -
Bloomingdale Communications is requesting a refund of the full amount to of the Site Plan fee of $485.00 as prior testing showed the service would not work in the area indicated via testing. No work has been done whatsoever, administratively or by the building department.
MOTION: Motion by Jim Manning to give Bloomingdale Communications a refund for the full $485.00 for the Site Plan as no monies have been spent in preparation, second by Marv Flick. Motion passed.
3. Resolution to Support Road Commission’s Application to State Bridge Rehabilitation Program -
MOTION: Motion by Jim Manning to adopt the resolution to support Road Commission’s Application to State Bridge Rehabilitation as per the language in the resolution, second by Jim Rickli.
Roll call vote: Jim Manning - yes Diane Triquet – yes
Jim Rickli - yes Jerry Lentz – yes
Marv Flick - yes Doug Stiles - yes
Sandra Rickli - yes
Motion approved.
4. Resolution to Add Depositories (Keystone Bank) -
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles, second by Marv Flick to adopt the resolution to add depository Keystone Community Bank, which is a subsidiary of Firstbank Corporation, as well as its other subsidiaries as per the language set forth in the resolution.
Roll call vote: Jim Rickli -yes Diane Triquet - yes
Jim Manning - yes Doug Stiles - yes
Marv Flick - yes Sandra Rickli - yes
Jerry Lentz - yes
Motion approved.
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT
Ron Demereck, 32nd St. questioned if the township has secured any solid bids for 32nd St.
The fire damaged house in the Almena center, across from Almena Downtown Takeout, was referenced. The Insurance Co. has not yet made payment to the home owner as the State Police has indicated possible arson. Additionally, there is an individual interested in purchasing this piece of property. The current property owner has been sent a registered letter indicating they are in violation of our zoning ordinance by refusing clean up of the parcel. We will await response.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Motion to adjourn by Jerry Lentz, second by Jim Manning. The meeting adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
