Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday February 15, 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, Sheriff & Mrs. Terry Johnson, Lindsay Wier of the Conservation District. John Hastings arrived at 8 PM.

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

3. The minutes of the January Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes amending Item 11 to read “to allow second swellings on a parcel for the care and/or supervision of family members with a termination clause included”.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $233,009.01 with $160,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $140,718.96; Roads Fund Balance: $78,622.43, Liquor Fund Balance: $1,926.81; Grand Total: $454,277.21. Postmus reported on the tax collections so far. Winter tax collections are at 71% or $1,043,141.78, summer at 95% or $701,850.35.

5. Public Comment: Sheriff Terry Johnson addressed the Board. He reported there were 920 complaints filed in Banks Township in 2006. There were 27,237 calls for service throughout the county in 2006. He advised that the new radio system for patrol cars will be in service soon. It is funded with 911 monies. The fire & ambulance services will not be using this 800 MHz system at this time. He credits the silent observer system with the increase in reporting of crimes due to the anonymous reporting that is allowed. Snowmobile and off road incidents are now easier to locate due to the GPS signs and trail markers that have been installed on the trail system. The Marine Patrol has a new jet boat that was 100% funded by a DNR grant. A new ordinance is being developed by the County Commissioners requiring address signs be placed to enhance 911 response. He is coordinating a cell phone bank that allows citizens to donate old cell phones. The phones are then refurbished and distributed to people in need of telephone service. The phones can dial 911 only but are a huge asset for people who are temporarily relocated or others who cannot afford traditional telephone service. The sheriff urged people to try out their 911 service to assure the system has the correct address, etc. Additionally, people may call in and leave information with the dispatcher regarding medical conditions, etc. that may be helpful to emergency personnel. This information is then shared with the EMS personnel if a call comes in for assistance. Sheriff Johnson reported that the jail, built in 1955, was recently awarded 100% compliance upon inspection. The jail houses an average of 48 inmates with a capacity of 56. A jail chaplainry program is being organized by Pastor Jerry Troyer of the Eastport Baptist Church.

6. Roads: Supervisor Mann updated the Sheriff on the MDOT issues the Township is involved with. He asked for the Sheriff’s support on the expansion of the Village speed zone in Atwood and the extension of M-32 from East Jordan to US 31 at Atwood.

7. Public Comment: Lindsay Wier of the Antrim County Conservation Service addressed the Board on projects of the Conservation Service. They provide programs for the schools within the county. A grant has been applied for to evaluate the Elk River Watershed. There are five ordinances drafted to protect the watershed that townships may adopt. There is a workshop scheduled for June 13 from 7PM to 9PM at Shanty Creek Resort that will provide townships materials on the pros and cons of ordinances to protect the watershed.

8. Fire Department: Officer Compensation has not been increased since 1998. Mark has been chief since 1995. MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to increase the compensation for the officers to a) chief to $2500 b) assistant chief to $1000 c) secretary/treasurer to $1500 d) captain(s) to $600 each. MOTION CARRIED 5-0. MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to increase the medical director compensation to $750. Supervisor Mann made the following appointments: Fire Chief: Mark Groenink, Assistant Chief: Tom VanStedum; Secretary/Treasurer: John Hastings; Captains: Brian VanderArk and Jim Veenstra; Medical Director: Alvin Veenstra. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED 5-0 to approve the appointments. UNIFORM SHIRTS: Chief Groenink reported that the new firemen do not have uniform shirts. The Board last purchased shirts for the firemen in 1992. Cost is estimated at approximately $50 per shirt, including patches. There are 21 members. Discussed adding this item to the 2007-08 fire budget.

9. The meeting was recessed at 8:29 PM.

10. The Public Hearing on the Fire Budget for 2007-08 was called to order at 8:30 PM. Supervisor Mann presented his proposed budget. Comments were heard and adjustments made.

11. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 9:24 PM.

12. The Regular meeting was reconvened at 9:25 PM.

13. Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh updated the Board on the status of the second dwelling amendment. It is ready for Public Hearing and that will be scheduled to coincide with the next requested hearing. The Norwood Township Master Plan Update and Antrim County Master Plan Draft are being reviewed and comments prepared for submission.

14. Recycling: Trustee Rubingh reported that he has renewed his contract with Central Lake Township and Antrim County for newspaper recycling. He is working on a cardboard contract with them as well.

15. Township Hall: Advertising: Treasurer Postmus presented the advertisement for the Township Hall that will appear in the wedding guide this spring. Painting Project for Upstairs: Discussed need to advertise for bids. Will hold on this for right now due to time constraints. Renovations: Work has stopped due to need for architectural drawings and new list of 11 requirements from the building department. Supervisor will contact State Rep Kevin Elsenheimer to voice the Board’s concerns over the extensive requirements. Contractor is working with the architect to attempt to satisfy the requirements.

16. Pension Plan/Salary Comparison: Clerk Heeres reported on comparison study for other townships within our county. Eleven of the fifteen townships have pension plans that are funded by the township at 6% to 20% of the base salary. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, FAILED, to establish a pension plan for township officials, effective April 1, 2006, with 10% of base salary being contributed by the township and 3% of base salary contributed for each past year of service. YEAS: Heeres, Mann. NAYS: Postmus, Rubingh, DeKorne. MOTION FAILED.

17. Salary Resolution: MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to set the following salary schedule for 2007-08: Supervisor $10,000; Clerk $17,500; Treasurer $15,000; Trustees $2,000. YEAS 5, NAYS None. MOTION CARRIED.

18. Chamber of Commerce Advertising: Tabled action until March 12 meeting.

19. Cell Tower: Clerk reported contact from Unison Site Management regarding a possible buyout of our contract with American Tower. More to come.

20. Professional Development: Clerk is taking a class on Microsoft Word and Publisher. Cost is $59 for each class, book is additional. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to pay the cost of these classes.

21. Library Contracts: Supervisor Mann reported on 2002 contract issues including non validity of clause related to non-resident user fees. MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to offer a new contract for services to the Charlevoix Library for $2000, Central Lake for $1200, Jordan Valley for $800. Amounts are annual with a five year contract. Annual reports on number of users, etc., will be required from the libraries. Supervisor will attend the library board meetings to present the proposal.

22. Internet: Supervisor reports that Maylone Enterprises will install a hotspot at the Township Hall. They will also be combining the internet service with the Village and Township to use one connection. He is negotiating for high speed internet service to the homes of the board members. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to reimburse each board member $20 per month for internet connection effective April 1, 2007. YEAS: 5, NAYS: None.

23. Board of Review: Supervisor Mann appointed Ron Ritsema, Carol Waldowski and Dwain Abramowski to the Board of Review. Terms to expire December 31, 2008. A resolution was made by Rubingh, supported by DeKorne to set the Board of Review start date for March 14, 2007. (resolution is attached to minutes)

24. MTA Conference: Supervisor & Clerk reported on the conference.

25. Deerfield Township Resolution: Copy of a resolution to freeze taxable values drafted by Deerfield Township was shared.

26. Zoning Board of Appeals: McGuire variance request to allow division of a 39+ acre parcel into two parcels was granted.

27. School Election: Scheduled for May 8. There are 3 candidates for 2 school board positions and 2 proposals for bond/millage.

28. Newsletter: Plan to mail early in April 2007.

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

30. The meeting was adjourned at 11:54 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk