Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday April 16, 2007

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Treasurer Katy Postmus, Trustee Marvin Rubingh and Trustee Mark DeKorne. Also present: Fire Chief Mark Groenink, John Hastings, David Heeres, and Andy Veenstra.

2. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee Rubingh offered prayer.

3. The minutes of the March Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. Tax collection is completed and the delinquent taxes have been received from the county.

5. Public Comment: Andy Veenstra addressed the Board. He has obtained a copy of the zoning ordinance and has read through it. He is still interested in applying for the zoning administrator position. Supervisor Mann noted that Andy had been in attendance at the April meeting and public hearing held by the Planning Commission.

6. Public Comment: John Hastings addressed the Board and advised that the vault building at the Ellsworth Cemetery is missing some shingles on the porch area. Also, the cement pad between the building and the road is cracked and settled making it difficult to maneuver caskets in and out of the building. He reported that plywood is used each winter to cover the doors to protect them from damage by snowplows. He suggested that the doors may need to be replaced in the future. Also, a glass block on the side of the building has been damaged. Trustee DeKorne will check things out at this building and report back to the Board. John reported that the number of reservations for the summer is increased over the past couple of years.

7. Township Hall Office Project: Dave Heeres addressed the Board and presented invoices for work that was not included in the original bid. Also, he has completed the Veterans Display case and has installed it in the entry hallway. Postmus and Heeres will meet and prepare a proposal for office furnishings. Postmus reported that the window washing has been scheduled. No further bids on the cleaning project. Clerk reported John Hastings is not interested in refinishing the floor but he does recommend it be done.

8. Fire Department: Chief Groenink addressed the Board and reported the Grass Fire Truck Pump Engine is failing. It is 42 years old. He recommends replacing it with a Honda Engine for a cost of $540. Also, he recommends ordering 400 ft of 1.5 inch hose @ $512 and 200 ft of 2.5 inch hose @ $415 to replace some that is worn out. Three sets of turn out gear are also requested as replacements. Cost for the gear is $1480 per set or $4440 total. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the purchases. Chief Groenink reported that the dress uniform shirts have been ordered for members of the department.

9. Cemeteries: Trustee DeKorne reported that he and Supervisor Mann met with Pete VanderArk about cemetery needs. The cemetery/park workers will complete time sheets to better track time spent at the individual sites. Cemetery needs include a gas powered hedge trimmer, a light duty weed whip and 10-12 Acer rubrum trees. MOTION DeKorne, Mann, CARRIED to authorize the above purchases. DeKorne will notify VanderArk to make the purchases.

10. Planning Commission/Zoning Administrator: Supervisor Mann extended thanks to Trustee Rubingh for assuming the Zoning Administrator responsibilities in the absence of the Clerk. Clerk Heeres agreed to resume the role of interim zoning administrator until a replacement is hired. Rubingh reported that the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on a rezoning request from Elizabeth Stephen to rezone a parcel on Brandt Road from Ag to R-1 to allow her to split the parcel into two. The Planning Commission denied the request on a 2-2 vote. The Antrim County Planning Commission will review and make a recommendation. The Township Board will then review the application and recommendations from the Township Planning Commission and the County Planning Commission before taking action on the request. A request for Special Approval from COLI Inc to allow an internet tower to be installed on Pleasant Hill Road was received. Site Plan Review was begun and will be completed along with Public Hearing on May 8. A letter from Mary Campbell, Planning Consultant, was received. She outlined her conversation, regarding non-conforming lots, with attorney Bryan Graham.

11. Zoning Administrator Interviews: Set Tuesday, April 24, 2007, beginning at 7:30 PM for interviews. Four candidates of the seven applications were selected for interviews at this time. Supervisor will contact the candidates to set up the interviews.

12. School Election: Clerk reported that the school election is set for May 8 and election inspector appointments have been made.

13. Correspondence: Thank you card from the Moms & Tots organization for allowing them to use our hall for “Mom Time” once a month. Open House is scheduled for April 22 at Meadowbrook ECF to introduce their new Dental Clinic. Sheriff report of calls for the month of March was shared. Newsletter from Maylone Enterprises was shared. Notice of intent to renew the lease contract from American Tower was received.

14. Library Contracts: Supervisor & Clerk will meet with representatives of the Jordan Valley District Library on April 18 to present our proposal for contract. Supervisor has been in communication with Lance Werner of the Michigan State Library and attorney Bryan Graham to develop the contracts.

15. Roads: Supervisor has contacted the Road Commission and added Bergsma Road to the list of roads we want graveled this year.

16. Clean Up Day: Saturday, May 19. Details were reviewed.

17. East Jordan Chamber of Commerce: Banks Township has been invited to join the Chamber as a Non-Profit member with a fee of $50. Ads are available in the Chamber Guide for $234 for a 1/8 page ad. MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to join the EJ CofC for $50 and ask that the Township Hall be listed in the wedding facilities section of the guide.

18. Next meeting was scheduled for Tuesday, April 24, 2007, 7:30 PM, for interviews with Zoning Administrator candidates. Also, review of office furnishing recommendation and other business that may come before the Board.

19. Bills represented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to pay the bills as presented.

20. The meeting was adjourned at 10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres