Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday August 15, 2011

Draft Minutes

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, Trustee Mark DeKorne. Also present: Mark Groenink, Sheriff Dan Bean, Hugh Campbell, Tina Sundelious and Andy Veenstra.

2. Supervisor Mann led the Pledge of Allegiance and Trustee DeKorne opened the meeting with prayer.

3. The minutes of the July Regular Meeting were presented. MOTION Rubingh, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented, amending item #13 to read: Speed Studies: Supervisor reported the Village of Ellsworth is considering a speed change to 35 mph at the south limits on C-65. This will change to 25 mph at the beginning of the residential area.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $75,832.95 with $300,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $30,163.15; Roads Fund Balance: $44,499.80; Liquor Fund Balance: $642.02; Grand Total: $151,137.92.

5. Public Comment: Sheriff Dan Bean reported that medical calls in Banks Township were up by 3 in July over 2010, traffic stops up to 19 from 9. He reported on his department’s activities on the Torch Lake Sandbar over the July 4^th holiday weekend. There were 702 public contacts in a 36 hour period with 502 calls for services. A very busy and stressful time for sure.

6. Public Comment: Village President Hugh Campbell reported new State mandates for Villages & schools that will affect the revenue sharing. The Village must post financial information on their website in addition to showing consolidation of services with other municipalities to receive their “full share” of revenue sharing. He reported increased use at the campground. Also, new signs have been posted behind the fire hall to prohibit cars & trucks and limit speed to 15 mph on the trail. No parking will be allowed on village streets from 3AM to 7AM in the winter. A zoning change north of Church Street will now allow single family homes. The Archery Tournament is scheduled for September 10. The Village received $4000 grant funds (50/50 grant) for archery equipment. The new pavilion has had more use since the Ellebration Festival. A new business, MI Farm Market, will open September 1 in the former Ellsworth Hardware building. Backdraft Roasting is working on the old barbershop building for their storefront. The Magnum Electric Building is the only vacant storefront in the downtown. The Farmers Market has had a slow summer. The Village will apply for a grant through Grand Vision for funds to hire a market master in order to increase traffic at the market.

7. Fire Department: Chief Groenink reported Erin Eby has joined the rescue department for the summer. She has an EMT license and lives south of the Village limit. The second tanker truck is expected by the end of August. A few adjustments & additions are being completed on the other new tanker. A discussion on sale of the old tanker truck was held. The Chief will try to sell on Craig’s list “as is” with an asking price of $9000. No bids yet for roof repairs to Ellsworth Fire Hall.

8. Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra reported permits have been issued for 3 pole barns, one cabin addition and a three season porch addition. American Tower has also applied for addition of a generator pad @ the tower site in Atwood.

9. Park Improvements: Treasurer Postmus reported she had not obtained updated engineering bids yet.

10. Township Hall Advertising: Treasurer Postmus presented proposal for advertising in the UpNorth Bride publication for $128. MOTION Postmus, Mann, CARRIED to approve this expenditure.

11. Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh reported the Planning Commission is still working on revision to the RV language in the ordinance to clarify it. The medical marihuana ordinance development is still gathering information. Two members of the Planning Commission will attend the MTA County Chapter meeting to hear from Antrim County Prosecutor Charles Koop on his analysis of the situation. (Tuesday August 23 @ 7:30 PM at the new Kearney Township Hall.)

12. Lakeshore Drive: Supervisor Mann reported no update available.

13. Lore Road Complaint: Reports on investigation of blight & dangerous building situation on Lore Road were heard. Treasurer will check on the tax payment status & get up to date mailing address for the owners. Zoning Administrator will send a letter to the owners that a complaint has been filed and ask them to address the concerns.

14. Phragmites: The Clerk reported the inspection of the beach has been completed and the data has been transmitted to Heidi Shaffer of the Antrim Conservation District. A permit for treatment has been applied for. Coordination between the 4 Lake Michigan townships in Antrim County to obtain bids for treatment has begun. MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to approve the lowest bid for treatment up to $3000. A special thank you to volunteers who completed the inspections: Jack Costolo, Dr Marc & Kathy Lame, Carol Drenth, Katy Postmus, Dan & Robin Pearson, and Larry & Sandi Nobach. A very big thank you is extended to Heidi Shaffer of the Conservation District for her assistance in this project.

15. Roads: A letter from the Antrim County Road Commission explaining road project funding was reviewed. Farrell Road resurfacing is complete. A discussion about the deteriorating condition of the corner of Essex Road at South Dennis Road intersection was held. The deterioration is creating safety hazards for traveling motorists. The Township Board will ask the Road Commission to do a traffic count and ask for consideration of safety funds to repair this dangerous intersection.

16. Info Items: The ongoing boundary dispute between Timberlane Terrace & White Pine Shores property owners is now working on a court ordered resolution. Clean Up day statistics for the past 11 years were shared. SDM Liquor License application for MI Farm Market LLC was received. A letter of introduction from US Congressman Dan Benishek was received. Included was contact information for him & his staff members.

17. Township Hall: MOTION Postmus, Mann, CARRIED to obtain bids for improvements to the HVAC system for our September meeting.

18. Next meeting will be held Monday, September 19 @ 7:30 PM.

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

20. The meeting was adjourned at 9:26 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk