Q. 2009-06-9 June 9th 2009 Twp RegularA. TOWNSHIP BOARD
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
JUNE 9, 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 as amended, second by Jim Manning. Motion passed.
PRESENTATION AND APPROVAL OF BILLS:
MOTION: Motion by Diane Triquet to approve bills in the amount of $40,242.75, second by Marv Flick. Motion approved.
REPORTS:
Sheriff’s Dept. - Representative presented his report indicating 114 calls for Service for May.
Van Buren County Commissioner - Denise Massey in attendance. Reported that the county has begun their budget process. Also reporting that Doug Stiles was appointed, this evening, to the Land Preservation Board, as an elected official. As of July 1st there will be 100 less state police officers, due to cutbacks. The Stimulus Package will possibly be help for broadband and wireless. GoodWill will now accept computer equipment.
LIMITED PUBLIC COMMENT:
Greg Kaps, Assistant Fire Chief for Antwerp Township Fire Department, presented the spec sheet on the Mattawan Ladder 2541, which has been in service for almost a year. Explained they now have 32 members; Antwerp (which included Fire and EMS) received 146 calls in 2008 for Almena.
The board then took a 10 minute break to look at the fire truck and its features.
REPORTS:
Treasurer: Diane Triquet reported that we are in the process of transferring the entire GL from National city to Keystone Bank. Three outstanding checks remain, waiting for clearance of those.
The Annual CPA Audit will be conducted at the Township June 18th and 19th. For the Summer Taxes, millage rates. The State Educational Tax will be 6 mills, County Taxes will be 4.719 mills.
Attorney: Gary Stewart reported that the Court of Appeals for the Hughes case ruled in the favor of Almena Township. The entire summary will be available.
Planning Commission: Marv Flick reported that the Almena Settlement District was worked on at the last meeting, Commercial is still being looked at, as well. There is a Tentative Public Hearing scheduled for the Zoning Ordinance rewrite draft.
ZBA: Kristen Garceau (Chair) wrote a summary letter for the Supervisor to present, explaining the Health Department requirements for septic system setbacks, since the previous variance request was for new construction of a burned structure with conflicts with the location of the septic system.
Supervisor: Kalamazoo County Road Commission is offering a seminar for setting realistic speed limits on June 25 from 9:00-10:30 to be held at KCRC 3801 E. Kilgore.
A letter received from Seventh Day Adventist students for missionary work to be done June/July/August within Almena Township; they are asking that we sign a paper indicating that we received the information, not that we approve their door to door work. Doug will sign and fax.
A Xerox representative gave a presentation/proposal to office personnel regarding a new copy machine; more copies per minute, cheaper and better. We are under contract presently which cannot be broken. We do have three (3) laser printers in need of attention, which would cost $20/monthly to provide service and toner if needed beginning now, for all three printers. It was the consensus of the board to purchase this service.
Doug reported that Senior Services will now be holding meetings at the current townhall once a month, and Doug and Diane feel that a pull down screen is needed, which would also benefit the township for any type of presentation, versus showing slide shows and powerpoint on the wall. Alltronics presented a quote for a 72x96 screen (installed) for $1089.00. Long-gooseneck microphones were also quoted at $277 /each. It was the consensus to table this discussion to obtain more bids.
New versions of Fund Accounting Software/BS&A is being installed this week and training will be Thursday and Friday of this week for the Clerk/Treasurer/Deputy.
Jim Manning and Doug Stiles recently attended a presentation of the zipper/pulverized asphalt machine. The machine will save labor; 100 ft of asphalt can be pulverized in 15 minutes.
SW MI Planning Commission will perform a traffic count study-census, if we feel it is necessary.
The Burned House situation in Almena Center was summarized. Two certified letters have been sent, the first returned as undeliverable, the second returned as unclaimed. Calls have been made to the Insurance Co, which is trying to get this resolved. The Ins. Co. may send people to board up the building for safety reasons.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Assessor’s Contract - The Assessor’s Contract was presented (as received) for a 1-yr contract, instead of 3-yrs. The contract is exactly the same as the previously submitted, with the change of 1-yr, instead of 3-yrs, thereby extending his previous contract of 3-yrs, by 1 more year.
MOTION: Motion by Doug Stiles to approve a 1-yr contact for Assessor, Ted Gruizenga, at $1750/month expiring in 2010, second by Marv Flick.
Roll call vote:
Diane Triquet - yes Jim Rickli - yes
Jerry Lentz - yes Marv Flick - yes
Doug Stiles - yes Sandra Rickli - yes
Jim Manning -yes Motion approved
2. Andy Webb: Fireworks Permit - Andy Webb, President of Captain Boom Fireworks here to obtain a permit to display fireworks at his stepdaughters wedding at Heritage Glen Golf Course, as required by state law.
MOTION: Motion by Jerry Lentz to grant the request for the fireworks permit for Captain Boom Fireworks for Andy Webb for August 22, 2009 at Heritage Glen Fireworks, second by Jim Rickli. Motion approved.
A copy will be signed by the Supervisor and sent to Captain Boom Fireworks.
3. Bloomingdale Communications - Van Buren Fiber Ring.
Representatives, Mark Bahnson and Steve Daniel, here to present this new concept of a Fiber Optic Ring connecting Schools, Libraries, Health Care (Hospitals and Clinics), Community Service Centers, Rural Residents, and Public Safety; that would bring many educational benefits to the area by providing distance learning, software sharing between schools, staff resourcing between schools, and connect Van Buren ISD’s Connection to other school networks, such as KRESA, St Joseph ISD and Allegan Area Educational Agency, Education opportunities between libraries, and general public access to high speed internet. As well as medical benefits between area hospitals and clinics. Future planning would place cables under ground.
They are looking for the support of local municipalities, a Township Board as a whole and support of residents of the community. A time limit exists on the grant available for this.
It was the consensus of the Township Board to prepare a resolution to act on at the next board meeting in July.
4. PC Recommendation: Tapper Propane Final Site Plan Review/Special Use Permit
MOTION: Motion by Jim Manning to accept the recommendation for the Final Site Plan/Special Use Permit for Tapper Propane as presented, second by Jim Rickli. Motion approved.
5. Fall Clean-up Day - It was the consensus of the board to set the date for the Fall clean-up day for October 24.
6. Choose New Water delivery company: Various water company prices were presented. Doug Stiles shared he has chosen Canney’s.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
1. Acceptance/Denial Planning Commission By-Laws - Revised:
The PC By-Laws were reviewed/discussed, which are the same except for the alternate language, under Section 1.3 - Membership Composition. It was the consensus of the board to table this decision until the next meeting to research.
OPEN PUBLIC COMMENT
Ron Demereck, 32nd St. asked question regarding 32nd St. and the Road Commission.
There was then discussion regarding the Road Commission, possibly there is a conflict of interest in that the Van Buren County Road Commission shares the same Attorney as the township.
It was shared that if Almena decides to pursue their own contractor for the prep work for the roads, snowplowing, maintenance, etc...the county will not guarantee maintenance of our roads. Marv Flick stated that maybe it is time that the township take a stand; these are our roads, and it is our money. A “Natural Beauty Road” designation is also a consideration, but something the residents of the particular road must request. This “Natural Beauty Road” Designation will be researched.
The MTA Attorney will be contacted to obtain an opinion regarding this.
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ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Motion by Jim Manning to adjourn, second by Doug Stiles. The meeting adjourned at 9:13 p.m.
