1. The meeting was called to order at
2.
The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisor Mann
offered prayer.
3. The minutes of the March Regular
Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, 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 personal property taxes have been
received from the county. Fund Balances:
General Fund: $342,114.03 with $120,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund:
$143,422.72; Liquor Fund: $1,263.12; Roads Fund: $79,151.00; Grand Total:
$565,950.87.
5. Public Comment: Sheriff Johnson
addressed the Board on a variety of issues.
There were 910 calls from
6. EMS update: Don Frosty addressed the
Board on the proposal to upgrade our
7. Road Committee Report: John Hastings
reported that the committee has recommended gravel be placed on the north end
of Doctor Road, north Church Road from Valley Road to Brown Road, Brown Road
from Church Road to the pavement, Bennett Road, grade & gravel as necessary
on Lakeshore Drive, grade Scott Road and gravel the corner at the bottom of the
hill. Also, remind the Road Commission
that Burt Thompson agreed to repair the intersection of
8.
Road Millage: Discussion of need for Road Millage as it has
expired. MOTION Mann, supported by Heeres, to place a proposal on the
9.
Roads Committee: MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED
to compensate the Roads Committee members $25 per meeting (2 this year) to
include compensation for mileage/time spent when observing the roads’
condition. Payment will be made in
May.
10. Cemeteries: John Hastings reported
that the door on the Vault building needs painting. The Clerk will ask the cemetery crew to paint
the doors and rest of the building as needed.
Also, to continue to repair markers at the
11. Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra reported
on a blight ordinance violation that he is investigating.
12.
ZBA: Public Hearing is set for Wednesday, April 30 @
13.
Planning Commission: The ordinance amendments for wind turbine tower
setbacks were rejected. Temporary towers
for measuring wind speed will be allowed with guy wires. The language to reduce setbacks for cell
towers and antennae was completed. The
new zoning map that was developed to eliminate C/R and Ag zones in favor of
Farm/Forest/Open Space description was shared.
The small parcels in the existing C/R zone would be changed to R-1
district. Discussion was held on the
noticing requirements for the amendments.
Proposal for reconfiguration of lot lines for two existing parcels,
greater than 40 acres, to create a small parcel, more than one acre but less
than 5 acres, was discussed. The
Planning Commission is considering this amendment language.
14.
Antrim Drive abandonment: DeKorne attended the Public Hearing held by the Road
Commission on April 15. No decision was
reached on the abandonment application.
Question if the Hoffman property is adjacent to the road was
raised. The Road Commission will do an
informal survey to determine the proximity of the road to the Hoffman property
and make a decision on the abandonment application on May 20 @
15.
Cemetery Equipment needs: DeKorne met with
Pete VanderArk and learned the needs for the
cemeteries. Black dirt will be delivered
to the various cemeteries as requested. The flagpole is still not installed at
17.
Clerk announced she plans to attend the
18.
Pig Roast: MOTION by Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the $500 contract with the Pig
Roast Committee (Jan Olach, Joni Wieland, Alana
Haley, Susie Collins, and Donna Heeres) to provide
entertainment for the Pig Roast to celebrate our community heritage.
19.
Assessors’ Contract: Expires on May 1. A new contract was offered with reimbursement
of $19,000 per year for 3 years. MOTION Heeres, Mann, CARRIED to approve the contract with AD
Assessing for three years.
20.
21.
Breezeway meeting: Held in conjunction with the Ellsworth Task Force on
April 25. 30 people, including Secretary
of Agriculture Don Koivisto attended. Good things are happening. Next meeting is scheduled for May 13 @
22.
New business: Rubingh presented a letter he
had received from the Conservation Service outlining services available,
including planting of trees. Clerk will
contact them to see if the township can hire them to plant trees at our
cemeteries and park.
23.
The State of the Community meeting will be held May 15 @
24.
Next meeting Monday May 19 @
25. Bills represented by the attached
list were presented for approval for payment.
MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to pay the bills
as presented.
26. The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres