Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday January 24, 2011

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 Mark Groenink, Brad VanderArk, Dave Heeres and Tina from the Antrim Review.

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

3. The minutes of the December Regular Board meeting were presented. MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

4. The treasurer’s written report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $350,468.84; Fire Fund Balance: $57,010.76; Roads Fund Balance: $41,764.26; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,866.04; Grand Total: $451,109.90.

5. Public Comment: None.

6. Fire Dept: The Fire Board met today. a) Chief Groenink reported that BTFD assisted with fire suppression at the Virgil Lavanway farm outside of East Jordan last week in sub-zero temperatures. They were grateful to Kathy Drenth for supplying food and beverages at the fire scene. Kathy also took photos at the scene. The department was dispatched at 6:50 AM and was relieved by the Boyne City Fire Department at 1 PM. East Jordan personnel were on scene most of the day and were called back for a rekindle in the evening. b) Chief Groenink reported that the tankers are having issues with rusting out on the inside and outside of the tanks. He shared photos of the problem areas. Both are 1992 chassis with 1964 and older tanks that were mounted on the new chassis. He has located two new 2009 cab & chassis units with new 2007 diesel engines. They are Cummins Diesel Engines with 315 HP. The dealer is CSI in Grayling. These trucks are aluminum sub frames with plastic body & tanks at cost of $336,508. Also, a proposal from Midwest Fire Company in Laverne, MN for two similar trucks with steel body/frames and plastic tanks for $330,000 was presented. Treasurer Postmus will investigate funding options. Brad VanderArk will investigate grant opportunities. MOTION Rubingh, Mann, to purchase two tanker trucks from CSI for $336,508 and to authorize the supervisor to sign a letter of intent to purchase the trucks, contingent upon availability of satisfactory financing. ROLL CALL VOTE: Heeres: Yes; DeKorne: Yes; Mann: Yes; Rubingh: Yes; Postmus: Yes. MOTION CARRIED. c) Three bids were received for replacement of a water heater at the Ellsworth Fire Hall. JTE bid for $762.13; McGregor for $1018.00; Drenth Plumbing & Heating for $625. Fire Board recommends awarding bid to Drenth’s. MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to award the bid for replacement of the water heater at the Ellsworth Fire Hall to Drenth Plumbing & Heating for $625. d) The electric work approved in December has been satisfactorily completed at both fire halls. e) The snowmobile trail around the east side of the Ellsworth Fire Hall needs better signage as some people are going on the west side of the building in the parking area. Safety is the primary concern. Clerk will notify the trails people of this request.

7. Township Hall Kitchen: Clerk reported that the ceiling tiles & fixtures were discovered on the floor last week. It was determined that, due to the increase weight of the new ceiling tiles placed last year, the staples that were holding the hangers to the ceiling had pulled out. The old cellotex ceiling material was removed to allow more secure hangers to be installed. Additionally, no insulation was in that ceiling space and heat was escaping from the heat ducts into the upstairs through this route. Repairs are in progress and will include insulation, new suspended ceiling hangers & tiles, new light fixtures (t-8 variety). Additionally, the thermostat in the meeting room was replaced and the baseboard heaters are still not functioning. Approval was granted to have the electrician installing the ceiling lights in the kitchen to evaluate the heaters and make recommendation/repairs as needed.

8. Park & Recreation: Postmus reported the Recreation Committee has met and has begun drafting the Recreation Plan for the Village of Ellsworth and Banks Township. Proposals from Gourdie Fraser and Fleis & Vandenbrink were distributed. MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to have MC Planning begin the grant application as per her proposal in December (cost not to exceed $1000) to coincide with the recreation plan. A Public Hearing on the proposed recreation plan will be held Monday, March 14 @ 6:30 PM with adoption scheduled for Monday, March 21. An online survey will be developed to gain input from the citizens on what recreational services they would like.

9. Ellsworth School: Postmus reported she has had communication with Ellsworth Community School and learned of their intent to levy 100% of taxes with the summer tax bill in 2011. Payment can be deferred until February by select property owners. The Township may charge the school for the collection of these taxes. MOTION Postmus, Mann, CARRIED to not charge the Ellsworth Community School for the collection of property taxes in 2011. Postmus will draft an agreement to present to the School Board to address this motion. Interest, late fees and penalties will stay with the township.

10. Wedding Guide Advertising: Postmus presented a proposal for a $128 ad in the Wedding Guide with a free listing in the Phone Guide. MOTION Postmus, Mann, CARRIED to approve this expenditure.

11. Planning Commission: Rubingh reported Master Plan goals have been revised. Action steps are next for review. The Grand Traverse Land Conservancy presented their goals to the Planning Commission. The Vet Clinic has reportedly purchased a building in Atwood due to challenges posed by the Antrim County Building Department. MOTION Rubingh, Postmus, CARRIED to ask the Planning Commission to revise the zoning ordinance to show support for animal clinics/hospitals in the Village Zone.

12. Energy Efficiency Credit: Supervisor reported that a credit is available from Consumers Energy at $4-5 per fixture. Supervisor will contact Ric Evans about other possibilities for grants/credits.

13. Board of Review: Organizational Meeting is March 8 and public meetings March 14 from 9 to 3 and March 17 from 3 to 9.

14. Clean Up Day: Set for Saturday, May 14 from 8 AM to Noon. Supervisor has confirmed date/time with American Waste, Ellsworth Farmers Exchange, Warren Solgot, Larry Essenberg and Village of Ellsworth.

15. Roads: Awaiting estimate from Antrim County Road Commission for repairs to Farrell Road.

16. Info Items: Sheriff’s reports of 911 calls for December and for 2010 were reviewed. The Northern Michigan Placemaking Summit is scheduled for Tuesday, March 1, 9 AM to 3:30 PM in Traverse City. The Natural Shoreline Landscapes Workshop is scheduled for Friday, April 15, from 1 PM to 4:30 PM at Boyne Mountain Resort. Heidi Shaffer has written a letter about Phragmites program for the newsletter and website. Village of Ellsworth is sponsoring the first Shiverfest on February 18-20. The Par Plan has announced a procedural change regarding notification of non-renewals. Letter was received from NWMCOG on the grant application denial.

17. GT Pallet Tax Abatement Report: Letter was received from Mike Rottman with his report. Due to the increased capacity, they hired four additional full time employees and one part-time employee. Their customer list and overall sales have increased as a direct result of expanding the mill.

18. Internet/Telephone Proposals: MOTION Postmus, DeKorne to pay Cherry Capital Connection $120 monthly for internet service for January & February. MOTION Rubingh, Heeres, CARRIED to change providers for internet and phone/fax service to Charter Communications.

19. Meeting dates: Set Thursday, February 17 @ 7:30 PM for a special meeting/budget workshop and to discuss financing options for the fire trucks. Public Hearing on the proposed Fire Budget will be held Monday, February 21, during the meeting which begins @ 7:30 PM. Salary Resolutions will also be made during that meeting. Public Hearings on the General Fund, Roads Fund and Liquor Fund budgets will be held during the March 21 regular meeting. Also, a Public Hearing on the Recreation Plan will be held that night.

20. Bills presented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION DeKorne, Mann, CARRIED to approve the bills as presented.

21. The meeting was adjourned at 10:55 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres Banks Township Clerk