Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday February 22, 2010

 

 

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.  Absent: Trustee Mark DeKorne.  Also present: Fire Chief Mark Groenink, Adam Gandolfi of Municipal Underwriters of Michigan, Tom VanStedum, Fire Board member. 

 

2. Supervisor Mann lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Trustee Rubingh opened the meeting with prayer.

 

3. The minutes of the January Regular Board meeting were presented.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.  The minutes of the February 4 Special Meeting were presented.  MOTION Rubingh, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.  The minutes of the February 15 Planning Together Workshop were presented.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.  Comments were made about the success of the Planning Workshop and appreciation for participants.

 

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given.  General Fund Balance: $397,099.92 with $40,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $61,558.25; Roads Fund Balance: $149,450.81; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,793.51; Grand Total: $609,902.49.  Summer Taxes are 93% collected.  ($1,307,260.40)  Winter Taxes are 89% collected.  ($942,203.82)

 

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

 

6.  Public Comment: None.

 

7.  Township Insurance: Adam Gandolfi of Municipal Underwriters of Michigan outlined the coverage contained in our property and liability insurance.  One change is that the liability limit has no aggregate limit.  The premium for 2010-11 is $11,358.  This is reduced from $13,400 in 2009 and nearly equal to 2002 premium of $11,261.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to accept the proposal from MUM and approve payment of the premium with this month’s bills.

 

8.  Fire Dept: Chief Groenink reported that the Fire Board meeting was not held today due to lack of a quorum.  He requested approval for purchase of some items for the FD.  1) a circular saw to cut steel $470.  2) Hurst jaws power unit with HD cutter $15,840.  3) Two 1 inch fire nozzles as the old ones are 50 years old and leak $1350.  4) Carbon composite SCBA Air tanks-need 5 at $3700.  5) Ten STOP/SLOW reflective signs $350.  6) Four backpacks for land fire pumps approximately $650.  7) Two 4 inch hose adapters $230 8) Multi gas tester/sensor will need replacing soon at cost of $695 to $2100.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve purchase of steel circular saw, fire nozzles, stop/slow signs, backpacks, hose adapters, power unit for Jaws and HD cutter for Jaws with the latter being paid for in April.  The SCBA tanks will be considered for next budget year.  Chief Groenink reported he has been contacted by a film company about filming the fire department doing a practice burn of a barn and a house.  He agreed to have fire personnel burn Phragmites after they are cut.  He reported that the Ellsworth pumper truck hit a deer.  There was no damage to the truck.  The Rescue Department will receive grant funds for two portable suction machines.  Next fiscal year, fit testing of SCBA’s for 16-18 firefighters will be required @ $30 each.  Letters of proposal for fire protection have been sent to Norwood and Marion Townships. 

 

9.  The meeting was recessed @ 8:49 PM for the Fire Budget Public Hearing.

 

10.  The Fire Budget Public Hearing was convened at 8:50 PM.  The Supervisor presented his proposed budget for 2010-11, including the reinstatement of .88 mils for fire protection.

 

11.  The Fire Budget Public Hearing was adjourned at 9:15 PM and the Regular meeting was reconvened.

 

12.  PTAF:  Discussion on levy for 2010-11.  Treasurer Postmus reported that PTAF may be levied at 0% to 1% for all or some categories.  PTAF is established by resolution and is in effect until revoked by the Township Board. 

 

13.  Summer Tax Collection: Ellsworth Community School has asked that we again not assess a fee to collect the summer taxes.  We have not yet been contacted re:  their intent to collect ½ of their tax levy on all categories, with summer tax collection.  Treasurer Postmus will contact the superintendent regarding the school board’s resolution to collect and our fee agreement for the collection.

 

14.  Personal Property Tax:  Trustee Rubingh has been in communication with State Rep Kevin Elsenheimer about the details of the issue.

 

15.   Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh reported that the Planning Commission met on February 17 with a public hearing on a wind anemometer tower application.  The tower was approved.  The PC asked that the Beemon Escrow account be closed and refund of any unused funds be returned to Mr. Beemon.  On March 8, a public hearing will be held on a language amendment to allow Bed & Breakfast businesses in a Village zone and a change of Ag & Conservation/Recreation zones to Farm/Forest.    

 

16.  The next regular Township Board meeting will be held March 22 rather than March 15 @ 7:30 PM.  Public Hearings will be held on the General Fund, Roads Fund and Liquor Fund budgets during the March 22 meeting.

 

17.  Salary Resolution:  MOTION Mann, Heeres, to freeze salaries at the current level.  Discussion was held and the Motion was withdrawn.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to set salaries for 2010-11 as follows: Supervisor: $11,500; Clerk: $19,000 with deduction for Health Insurance premiums; Treasurer: $15,000 (reduction of $1000 over 2009-10); Trustees: $2,000.  Roll Call Vote: Postmus Yes, Rubingh Yes, Mann Yes, Heeres Yes.  Absent: DeKorne.  Motion carried.

 

18.  BS&A Online: MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to purchase BS&A Online tax inquiry software for $2000 for 12 months.

 

19.  Treasurer’s Computer:  Currently is a 2002 version desktop that is running at slow speeds.  MOTION Postmus, Heeres, CARRIED to purchase a new laptop with extra monitor and printer/fax/scanner, MS Office, 3 years Norton’s antivirus and Windows 7 operating system for up to $1500. 

 

20.  Phragmites: Clerk reported she will meet with Heidi Shaffer of the Conservation District on Monday to develop plans for removing seed heads and treatment for 2010.

 

21.  Sheriff Report of 911 calls was reviewed.

 

22.  Board of Review:  Supervisor reports that Nelson Spoelman has resigned for health reasons.  Supervisor appoints Miner (Jim) Veenstra to fill the vacancy until January 1, 2011.  MOTION Postmus, Heeres, CARRIED to approve the appointment.

 

23.  Roads:  The Antrim County Road Commission will be asked to modify the hill on Byers Road prior to paving.   A contract is expected soon for this work.

 

24.  Northern Lakes Economic Alliance:  Supervisor expressed gratitude to the NLEA for support of several programs for the Township including the Breezeway, IDD and tax abatements, etc.  The membership fee will be split with the Village of Ellsworth and payment will be made in April.

 

25.  Clean Up Day:  Scheduled for Saturday, May 8.  Details will be same as last year.  The community garage sales will be advertised for May 1.

 

26.  Cemetery/Park needs:  A list of equipment needs provided by Judy VanderArk was reviewed by the Board.  The needs will be incorporated into the budget for next year.

 

27.  Energy Audit: Discussed need for further review.

 

28. The meeting was adjourned at 10:35 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk