Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday July 17, 2006

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 Mark DeKorne, and Trustee Marvin Rubingh. Also present: Mark Groenink, Christine Bachman, Valerie Meyersen, Dawn Pringle, Dick Saul.

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

3. The minutes of the June 19 Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given.

5. Public Comment: Valerie Meyersen, Christine Bachman, and Dawn Pringle, representing the Charlevoix Public Library, the Central Lake District Library, and the Jordan Valley District Library, respectively, addressed the Board. They reviewed the history of the library voucher system and reported that the vouchers are not covering the costs equitably. Ms. Meyersen & Ms. Bachman want to eliminate the voucher system and charge Banks Township a set fee for each user once a year. They feel that there is too much paperwork with this system. A Charlevoix Library cost per user is $40.88 and is expected to more than double when they move into their new facility. Central Lake Library has costs of $34 per user. Jordan Valley has costs of $40 per user. Many comments were made but no real proposal was presented. Supervisor Mann suggested the group develop a proposal and submit it to the Board for review. It was noted that the penal fines are split among the three libraries. Additionally, there are many Banks Township property owners who are taxpayers in the Charlevoix School district and are entitled to use the Charlevoix Library without any further charge.

6. Public Comment: Richard Saul, democratic candidate for District 1 County Commissioner, introduced himself to the Board & the audience.

7. Fire Department: Chief Groenink announced that the Fire Board met this evening. The Fire Board approved the purchase of a stair chair at a cost of $2172. The Firemen’s Association is willing to pay for ½ of this cost from donations they have received. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the purchase with the Rescue Dept. paying ½ the cost and amend the budget with a transfer of $600 from the Township miscellaneous to the Rescue miscellaneous to cover the cost of ½ of the stair chair. Chief Groenink reported that the Department was on stand by during the July 2 fireworks over St. Clair Lake. He was informed that a 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation is being formed to sponsor the fireworks next year. Fire Department personnel who have completed & passed the Fire Fighter I & II classes are Chris & Candy Randall, Adam VanStedum and Don Frosty. Bob Oviedo has joined the department this month as a new firefighter.

8. Pension Plan: Postmus reported on the proposal from Burnham & Flower and explained the retirement account choices including 457 and 401(a) plans. She will research which townships in the area have pension plans and develop a resolution for the Board.

9. Planning Commission: Rubingh reported that the Planning Commission has closed the Public Hearing on the Landmark Business Group application for Antrim Dells. They will have to re-apply to have the Planning Commission act upon this again. The clerk was directed to compile the charges against the Escrow fund and reconcile with the applicant. Mary Campbell is drafting amendments to the ordinance to comply with the new zoning laws. Supervisor & Zoning Administrator attended the workshop on the new Zoning Act. Part II is scheduled for August 16. The Planning Commission had their organizational meeting in July. Nancy Ritsema was re-elected Chairman, Steve Weis was re-elected Vice Chairman. Supervisor appointed Steve Weis to a three year term, expiring July 1, 2009. MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the appointment. Supervisor appointed Jack Danbert, Dave Muladore, Mike McDuffie, Nancy Ritsema and Dennis Penfold to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one year term, expiring July 1, 2007. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the appointments.

10. Township Hall & FD LP Gas Pre-Buy program: Will purchase 2500 gallons for the Fire Dept, and 2200 gallons for the Township Hall.

11. Township Hall Air Conditioner Bids: Central Heating & Cooling submitted a bid for $4865 for 13 SEER units, without upgrading the existing coils. Staley Service Center submitted a bid for $5000 for 10 SEER units. Haggard submitted a bid for $7297 for 10 SEER units. All bids do not include the electrical work needed to complete the project, the repairs to the window in the furnace room or the construction of the platform to place the units on outside the furnace room. Both Staley & Haggard recommend upgrading the coils if 13 SEER units are used. Central did not feel that was an issue. MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to award the bid to Staley Service Center to install the 10 SEER units, if still available. If not, the bid to be awarded to Central Heating & Cooling to install the 13 SEER units with the existing coils. YEAS: 4, NAYS: 0, ABSTAIN: Heeres.

12. Township Hall Painting: Still has not started, promised to begin July 18. MOTION Postmus, Heeres, CARRIED to find another painter if the project is not started by July 21.

13. Elections: Election Inspectors were appointed by the Elections Commission for the August 8 Primary Election.

14. Audit: Clerk reported that the auditor has informed us of a procedural change that is necessary to comply with his recommendations for review of accounts payable. He recommends that one other board member review each invoice and initial it prior to preparation of the checks by the clerk and approval by the Township Board. The Supervisor agreed to do this.

15. Internet Provider: Supervisor reports that the contract with Malone Enterprises expires December 31, 2006. Supervisor will investigate other possible providers.

16. Lakeshore Drive: Supervisor has set meeting with the property owners/ residents for Saturday, August 12 at 9AM. So far, ten to 12 people have indicated they will attend.

17. Board of Review: July 18 at 6:30 PM is set for the meeting.

18. Roads: Sinclair Road extension: Supervisor reported he has not heard from the Road Commission on the request for bid for the extension. The Road Commission has recently changed their cost sharing policy. The Township Board reviewed the new policy and tried to determine the impact on our road budget.

19. Pig Roast: Thank you letter was received for the contribution to the festival.

20. Great Lakes Energy Franchise Agreement: Will ask the township attorney to review. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED to authorize the Supervisor to assign the agreement when approved by the township attorney.

21. Cemeteries: DeKorne reported that he contacted Stevens Concrete to repair the veterans’ memorial at the Ellsworth Cemetery but has not heard back from them.

22. Speed limits: DeKorne reported that he was contacted by Jake Veenstra regarding speed limits within the Village Zone on US 31. He was referred to PA 85 of 2006 for procedures.

23. Snowplowing at Atwood Fire Hall: Clerk reported that Robert Person, provider of this service for many years, has died. We will need to find someone to take his place before the snow flies.

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

25. The meeting was adjourned at 11:13 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk