1. The meeting was called to order at
2. Supervisor Mann opened the meeting
with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.
3. The minutes of the January Regular
Board meeting were read. MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented. The
minutes of the February 9 Planning Together Workshop were
read. MOTION Mann, Heeres,
CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.
4. The treasurer’s report of incomes
and balances was given. General Fund
Balance: $352,972.41 with $80,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $154,146.91;
Roads Fund Balance: $94,927.95; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,800.97; Grand Total: $603,848.24. Summer Taxes are 94% collected. ($915,081.24) Winter Taxes are 83% collected. ($1,264,628.77)
5.
Public Comment: Sheriff Dan Bean addressed the Board and announced that
his office is now open during lunch hour.
Office hours are
6. Public Comment: Jerry Rasmussen
addressed the Board and announced that the community fireworks are scheduled
for
7.
The meeting was recessed @
8. The Fire District Budget Hearing was
convened at
9.
The regular Banks Township Board meeting was reconvened @
10.
Fire Dept: Supervisor Mann appointed Charles Fox to the Fire Board to
replace Suzanne Dalton who has moved from the area. MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the appointment. Chief Groenink
reported on the Fire Board meeting that was held earlier today. Chief Groenink
reported that a check for $12,847.80 has been received from the Grand Traverse
Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians for funding for radios and pagers. MOTION Mann, DeKorne,
CARRIED to authorize the Chief to order the radios & pagers as described in
the grant application. MOTION Heeres, DeKorne, CARRIED to
approve the Fire Board’s recommendation for purchase of carrying cases for the
new pagers (20 x $18= $360+ S/H); Two sets of turnout gear ($1515 x 2 = $3030 +
S/H); 6 helmets ($263 x 6 = $1578 + S/H).
Discussion was held on the need to replace the aging SCBA Packs that are
non-compliant with current standards.
The packs list for $7000 each.
The Chief has negotiated and if we purchase 10, the cost is $4100 each
and will include 10 extra bottles. The
new models have microphones in the mask and a speaker that attaches to the
shoulder to improve communications on the fire scene. A grant application is being prepared and
will be sent to FEMA for these packs.
MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to purchase 10
SCBA packs and negotiate payment within 60 days. The Clerk announced receipt of the new
12.
Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh reported that the Planning Commission has completed
work on amendment to the language pertaining to accessory structures. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, to adopt Ordinance #3 of 2009.
13.
Salary Resolution: MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, to hold the
salaries for township officials at the 2008-09 level, given the state of the
economy. Discussion was held.
14.
EMS Director Don Frosty addressed the Board on the status of the
internet connection. Clerk reported that
she is checking on alternate providers as the offer from the provider for the
township hall was felt to be overpriced for the very limited use at the fire
station. Frosty stated that the officers
need to be NIMS compliant for the dept to qualify for the FEMA grant. They are able to take the course & exam
online and several have done so at home.
The others do not have internet connection available and are waiting for
the connection at the fire hall.
Discussion regarding need for restrictions on the use of the internet at
the fire hall ensued. Deadline for
initiation of online reporting is April 1.
15.
Zoning: ZA Andy Veenstra reported the notice of violation that was sent
has been returned as undeliverable. He
is investigating another source of information to obtain a current mailing
address for the property owner. The ZBA
Public Hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday February 25 @
16, Treasurer Postmus
asked that the Vehicle Fund be abolished as it has been without funds and
activity in more than 4 years. MOTION Postmus, Heeres, CARRIED to
abolish the vehicle fund.
18.
Recycling: No word from Ken Groesser on
potential for recycling services at his transfer station. Bill was received from
19.
Planning Together Workshop: Supervisor Mann commented that the meeting
was well attended, good speaker and good exchange of ideas among the
participants.
20. Breezeway Update: Clerk Heeres
reported receipt of documents relating to the Breezeway grant. MOTION Postmus, DeKorne, CARRIED to authorize the Supervisor and Clerk to
sign the necessary documents. Supervisor
Mann reported that the Breezeway website is up but still under
construction. The April edition of
Traverse the Magazine will feature an article about the Front Porch
Restaurant. The plans for advertising
venues were discussed.
21.
Info Items:
22.
Phragmites: Supervisor Mann
attended part of the workshop held on January 27 in
23.
Supervisor Mann demonstrated a new laptop computer that is compatible
with the new BS&A assessing software.
This computer will be left in the office and assessing information will
be kept up to date by the assessor.
24.
Clean Up Day contract was received from
American Waste. Cost will be $38 per
compacted yard with a possible fuel surcharge added. MOTION Mann, DeKorne,
CARRIED to authorize the supervisor & clerk to sign the contract.
25.
Next meeting will be Monday, March 23 @
26. Bills represented by the attached list were
presented for approval for payment.
MOTION DeKorne, Postmus,
CARRIED to approve the bills as presented.
27. The meeting was adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres