Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday June 16, 2008

 

 

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: Sheri Rhoads of NLEA, Mike Rottman of Grand Traverse Pallet Co., Andrew Veenstra, Zoning Administrator, Mary Peterson of Good Samaritan Family Services, Dave Heeres,  Isabel Peterson, Marilyn Ferweda, Bill Zimmerman, Nancy Zimmerman, Jan Olach, Donna Holt, Joni Wieland, Hugh Campbell, John Hastings, Linda Gallagher, Jerry Rasmussen, Mike Peterson, Nathan Peterson, Melissa Peterson & Alison.

 

2.  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee Rubingh offered prayer.

 

3.  Supervisor Mann presented the Citizen of the Year Award for 2008 to Mary Peterson.  A brief recess was held for the reception for Mary.

 

4.  The Board reconvened at 8 PM.

 

5. The minutes of the May Regular Board meeting were reviewed.  MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes amending item #10 “guide” wires to be “guy” wires.

 

6. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given.  Fund Balances: General Fund: $332,583.74 with $120,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: $132,343.48; Liquor Fund: $1,120.71; Roads Fund: $70,688.65; Grand Total: $536,736.58.

 

7.  The Public Hearing on the Grand Traverse Pallet Company petition for establishment of an Industrial Development District on property at 7161 Essex Road was called to order at 8:10 PM.  Sheri Rhoads of NLEA and Mike Rottman of Grand Traverse Pallet Company presented the petition.  The property was purchased 4 years ago and now an update of the plant is being planned.  It includes a $400,000 investment and will create at least 7 new jobs.  Currently, there are 20 fulltime and 2 part time jobs with the company.  Mr. Rottman stated that he will apply for tax abatement in the near future for this investment.  The Public Hearing was adjourned at 8:35 PM.

 

8.  The regular meeting was reconvened at 8:36 PM.

 

9.  Discussion was held regarding the possibility of enlarging the district to include the entire township.  A RESOLUTION was offered by Mann, Supported by Postmus, to establish an Industrial Development District as presented at 7161 Essex Road.  MOTION made by Rubingh to amend the resolution to include all of Banks Township. That motion was withdrawn after further discussion pointed out the necessary steps were not taken to include more than this parcel in the district.  Roll Call Vote: Heeres: Yes, Postmus: Yes, DeKorne: Yes, Mann: Yes, Rubingh: Yes.  Resolution was declared adopted.  See attachment for complete resolution. 

 

10.  Fireworks: Jerry Rasmussen addressed the Board asking for approval on a permit application by David Muha for a public display of fireworks over Lake St. Clair on Saturday, July 5, 2008, at approximately 10 PM.   He reported that parking and viewing areas have been established.  The boat parade will take place at dusk.  MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to approve the permit for fireworks.

 

11.  Community Park: Hugh Campbell addressed the Board with an update on the progress at the Community Park. Ground breaking ceremony will take place at 1 PM on Thursday, June 19.

 

12.  Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra addressed the Board and reported on a workshop he attended.  He recommended members of the Planning Commission be encouraged to attend to learn of the many changes that have been made to the State’s Planning & Zoning Acts.  He also attended a meeting with FEMA last week on flood areas within the township.  The Township needs to re-apply to FEMA by October 1 for property owners to be able to obtain flood insurance.  The DEQ/Cadillac office presented the information.  Andy announced that he will out of town June 22 to August 1.  Marv Rubingh agreed to handle permits during that time with the exception of July 10-19 when he will be out of town.  Donna Heeres will handle permits during Marv’s absence.  There have been only 8 permits issued so far this year.

 

13.  Fire Truck Loan: MOTION Postmus, DeKorne, CARRIED to gift $42,400 from the General Fund to the Fire Fund.  MOTION Postmus, Mann, CARRIED to transfer $40,000 as Principal Payment on the Fire Truck Loan and $2400 as Interest Payment on the Fire Truck Loan from the Fire Fund to the General Fund.

 

14.  Clean Up Day: Clerk presented a spreadsheet of the costs of the clean up days since begun in 1993.

 

15. Planning Commission: Rubingh reported the Planning Commission will meet on June 17 for a Public Hearing on the proposed amendments.  He invited the Board to attend the Centennial Farms Celebration at his farm on Friday June 27 from 1 PM to 4:30 PM.

 

16.  ZBA: Clerk reported that application for variance to allow parcel divisions by the Estate of Lois Stott, Barbara Pitkin, administrator, was filed and the public hearing is scheduled for July 7 @ 7:30 PM.

 

17.  Park & Cemetery: Clerk displayed catalog with benches & picnic tables that would be suitable for the park & cemetery.  She was directed to search at alternate sources for them.  

 

18.  Electric Use at Township Hall: Clerk shared the annual use history for the prior two years.  A large increase was identified with probable sources being the Christmas lights, the air conditioning, and the electric heat in the offices.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to purchase and install programmable timers in the two offices to reduce the wasted energy.  Also, measures will be taken to avoid heating the large meeting room with the electric heater in the office room.  A timer will be installed on the Christmas lights when they are illuminated during the Christmas season.  Rental Rates were discussed and need to be revised.

 

19. Correspondence: Letter from Unison regarding a proposal for the Cell Tower in Atwood that will be forthcoming.  Sheriff’s report of incidents in Banks Township in May 2008 was shared.  Resolution from the Antrim County Road Commission regarding abandonment of a portion of Antrim Drive, east of Old Dixie Highway was received.  Notice of a fundraiser being held June 14 in Bellaire to support the Star Township defense fund to deny the Alba Injection Well permit for CMD was shared. 

 

20. MTA County Chapter meeting will be held June 24 @ 7:30 PM at the Milton Township Hall.  Speaker is Joe VanderMeulan from LIAA.  Torch Lake Township will hold the dedication for their new township building at 1 PM on Saturday, June 28.

 

21. Audit Report was distributed.  Clerk will contact the auditor to present the information at the July 21 Board Meeting.

 

22. Roads: Supervisor reported that the ACRC will not allow us to hire another firm to maintain our gravel roads.  MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to hire the ACRC to place gravel on Bennett, Brown, Church and Doctor Roads as per the estimates contingent upon completion by October 15, 2008.  YEAS: 5, NAYS: None.  Supervisor will contact the ACRC to spot fill problem areas on Scott Road and check the condition of Lakeshore Drive.

 

23. Farmers Market: The first weekly farmers market will be held in downtown Ellsworth on Saturday, August 2 from 8 AM to Noon.

 

24. Breezeway/Task Force Meeting: Supervisor Mann updated the Board on the meeting held by the group.  Next meeting is scheduled for June 17 @ 5:30 PM.

 

25. Cemetery: DeKorne reports that another water tank is needed at the Ellsworth Cemetery to be placed behind the vault building.  We will look for a suitable tank.

 

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

 

27.  Next meeting Monday July 21 @ 7:30 PM.

 

28. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

 

 

Resolution Establishing Industrial Development District

At the regular meeting of the Banks Township Board held on June 16, 2008, 7:30 PM, at the Banks Township Hall, the following resolution was offered.

Present: Supervisor Mann, Clerk Heeres, Treasurer Postmus, Trustee Rubingh, Trustee DeKorne.

Absent: None.

The following preamble and resolution were offered by Supervisor Thomas Mann and supported by Treasurer Katherine Postmus:

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to Act No.198 of 1974, as amended, the Banks Township Board of Trustees has the authority to establish “Industrial Development Districts” within the Township; and

 

WHEREAS, Grand Traverse Pallet petitioned Banks Township to establish an Industrial Development District on property located in Banks Township hereinafter described; and

 

WHEREAS, construction, acquisitions, alternations or installation of a proposed facility has not commenced at the time of filing the request to establish this district; and

 

WHEREAS, written notice has been given by mail to all owners of real property located within the district, and to the public by newspaper advertisement in the Antrim Review and/or public posting of the hearing on the establishment of the proposed district; and

 

WHEREAS, a public hearing was held on June 16, 2008, at which all of the owners of real property within the proposed Industrial Development District and all residents and tax payers of  Banks Township were afforded an opportunity to be heard thereon; and

 

WHEREAS, the Banks Township Board of Trustees deems it to be in the public interest of Banks Township to establish the Industrial Development District as proposed;

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Banks Township Board of Trustees that the following described parcel of land situated in Banks Township, Antrim County, and the State of Michigan, to wit:

Parcel Number 05-01-023-005-00

Legal Description:

BEG AT THE E-W 1/4 LINE OF SEC 23, 883.05 FT E OF THE CENTER 1/4 COR OF SD SEC, TH N 1 DEG W PARA WITH THE N-S 1/4 LINE OF SD SEC 1221.43 FT, TH N 50 DEG E 157.36 FT TO AN IRON STAKE, TH N 78 DEG E 319 FT TO AN IRON STAKE, TH E TO W BDY OF HWY, TH S TO E-W 1/4 LINE, TH W 586 FT TO POB SEC 23 T32N R8W

 

be and here is established as an Industrial Development District pursuant to the provision of Act No. 198 of the Public Acts of 1974 to be known as the 7161 Essex Road Industrial Development District.

 

Ayes: Heeres, Postmus, DeKorne, Mann, Rubingh

Nays: None

Resolution declared adopted. 

 

I certify that the foregoing constitutes a true and complete copy of a resolution adopted by the Banks Township Board of Trustees, Antrim County, Michigan, at a regular meeting held on June 16, 2008.

 

 

 

__________________________________

Donna Heeres, Banks Township Clerk