Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday December 18, 2006

DRAFT COPY

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: Jessica Marsh, Hugh Campbell, Hellen Allen, Jarris Rubingh, Vanessa Rubingh. Dave Heeres arrived at 8:35 PM.

2. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Supervisor Mann offered prayer.

3. The minutes of the November Regular Board meeting were reviewed. Corrections were made to Item #6, adding “through February 28, 2007” that the treasurer will sell dog licenses and correction to Item #13 changing “not” to “now” regarding the operation of the heating system in the Ellsworth Fire Hall. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as corrected.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $198,665.64 with $160,000 due from the Fire Fund. Fire Fund Balance: $102,607.51; Liquor Fund Balance: $2,008.79; Road Fund Balance: $24,626.90. Grand Total Balance: $327,908.84. 93% of summer taxes have been collected and 12% of winter taxes have been collected for a total of $694,057.38 and $167,593.94 respectively.

5. Public Comment: Hugh Campbell reported that the Village’s grant application for the Community Park has been recommended for approval and they are awaiting legislative approval before the $249,000 is received. The Village is working with the DNR to obtain a 20 years lease for a pathway through their site on Ellsworth Lake. The Main Street repaving project was not completed due to weather complications. Plans are for the project to be completed prior to the Pig Roast. The MDOT Enhancement grant application for street lamps has been submitted. The Wooden Shoe Holiday Festival was held December 13. There were 110 pictures taken of children with Santa. Charlevoix State Bank provided Santa and the photographer. Patty Bushey organized the event and needs to be commended for her efforts. MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to contribute $100 to the Holiday Festival expenses. The Lions/Lioness Clubs hosted Breakfast with Santa on December 16. There were approximately 125 people that attended.

6. Internet: Supervisor reported Chain of Lake Internet (COLI) is interested in providing high speed service to the Village residents. He will continue to investigate the options that are available to the township and village offices.

7. Zoning: Zoning Administrator Jessica Marsh reviewed with the Board the activities of the past 6 months. She suggested the ordinance be compared with the parcel division ordinance and modify one or both to make them equivalent. Clerk suggested adding this topic to the agenda for the planning workshop scheduled for January 9. Jessica will present the Zoning Ordinance criteria and Amy Jenema will be asked to present the analysis of the Parcel Division Ordinance. The Board asked the Zoning Administrator to keep a log and share it periodically with the Township Board and Planning Commission. She reports having the Zoning Permit application and ordinance online is a big help and time saver.

8. Pension Plans: Postmus reported conversation with Lynn Bright of Burnham & Flower Agency regarding the availability of individual IRA’s and group pension plans. No decision was made regarding this topic.

9. Township Hall Projects: Attic Insulation: There is none. Lighting fixtures in upstairs are antiquated. Office space is crowded. Dave Heeres has investigated and developed proposals for the attic insulation and renovation of the furnace room for office space. Postmus agreed to contact lighting specialists to gain information on lighting options before we proceed with the attic insulation. Heeres will contact a couple other local contractors to develop proposals for renovations to the furnace room. Will plan to review all proposals at our January meeting and possibly make decisions. A table rack for round tables and a utility room storage cabinet will be ordered.

10. Fire Department: Bill for services to South Arm Township was prepared by the clerk and approved by the Board. The report submitted by the Fire/Rescue Department last month was in error according to John Hastings. He has recalculated and resubmitted the report. There is $6186.60 in additional expenses. Supervisor Mann thanked the Fire Department for the banquet, their efforts and safe practice.

11. Roads: Trustee DeKorne reported on the meeting with Burt Thompson of the Antrim County Road Commission about the calculations for improvements to the gravel roads. He and Supervisor Mann were satisfied with the explanations provided. Placement of our Township entrance signs was discussed with Mr. Thompson. He stated that sign permits were not on file and that the Road Commission could remove the signs based on that fact. He suggested we contact the installer and ask to have him apply for the proper permits and place the signs properly. Supervisor will contact the installer. Tyrrell Beach Road survey of property owners has been completed. Seventeen of the nineteen property owners responded. Twelve are in favor, three opposed and two did not care. Road improvement plans were prioritized. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED, to approve the following road improvements for 2007: $8,000 to Village of Ellsworth for Main Street project; $18,874 to Central Lake Township for our payment for Crawford Road; estimated $25,000 for paving of Tyrrell Beach Road; $10,407 for gravel to Slough Road; $4,983 for gravel to Rubingh Road; $18,277 for gravel to Mitchell Road; $10,681 for gravel to Lore Road; and $4,482 for gravel to Church Road.

12. Library Vouchers: Charlevoix Library contacted us last month with a notice of increase in user fees to $40. The Board decided to notify the library that we will cover $20 of the cost and the users are responsible for the remainder. The Clerk will send a letter to the Charlevoix Library explaining our decision and also will prepare a memo to go with the vouchers to our residents.

13. MDOT Meeting: Supervisor Mann reported on a meeting that he attended with MDOT. He was the only participant in attendance. He learned of the rural road projects that are planned. He was able to discuss particulars of the M-32 extension proposal and was given suggestions and encouragement on the application. The issue for lower speed limits in the Atwood area was discussed.

14. Planning Commission: No meeting in December. The Planning Together Workshop is scheduled for January 9 at 6 PM. The Planning Commission will convene following the workshop for their regular monthly meeting. We will have soup and sandwiches catered for the group. The group will include the Planning Commission, ZBA, Zoning Administrator, Planning Consultant, Assessor and Township Board.

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

16. The meeting was adjourned at 12:00 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk