Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday June 21, 2010

Draft Minutes

 

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: Andy Veenstra Zoning Administrator, Ron Gielda, Jon Kelly, Darrell Richards, and Fire Chief Mark Groenink.

 

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

 

3. The minutes of the May Regular Board meeting were presented.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes with an amendment in article 18, adding “YEAS: 4, NAY: None, Abstain: Rubingh.”

 

4. The treasurer’s written report of incomes and balances was given.  General Fund Balance: $354,596.39 with $40,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $78,409.32; Roads Fund Balance: $57,287.14; Liquor Fund Balance: $1169.71; Grand Total: $497,462.56.  Treasurer reported that the 2010 tax data is down a little.  She expects to mail out the summer tax bills by the end of the month.

 

5.  Public Comment: Ron Gielda of Wolverine Fireworks Display Inc. addressed the Board to update on the plans for fireworks display over St Clair Lake on July 3.  The completed permit application has been filed with the Township Clerk and will be acted on later in the meeting.

 

6. Public comment was closed @ 7:52 PM.

 

7.  Fireworks Permit: MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to approve the permit application by David Rasmussen for fireworks display on July 3, 2010.  Application was signed by the supervisor and copies made for Mr. Gielda.

 

8.  Fire Dept: Jon Kelly & Darrell Richards recently completed FFI & MFR classes.  Darrell achieved perfect attendance and Jon missed only one class due to work obligations.  Darrell placed first on Drill Day.  They were both congratulated by the Board for their achievements and thanked for their dedication to the community.  Chief Groenink reported on the Board’s questions on the reimbursement report of last month.  He said that costs were up in spite of number of runs being down due to 1.5 more volunteers, on average, responding to the runs.  The Department was thanked by the Board for their dedication.  Chief Groenink reported that all ordered equipment has arrived and is in use.  The department assisted with Pig Roast activities including the Fun Run and the parade.  Concern was expressed over the trees at the Ellsworth Cemetery growing over the driveway.  Mark & Brad VanderArk have agreed to trim them back this fall to allow a fire truck & other vehicles to safely navigate the driveways.

 

9.  Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra reported two permits have been issued, one for a sign, one for a new house.  He reported that the Right to Farm Act covers the application by the Zimmermans (see last month’s minutes).

 

10.  Planning Commission: Rubingh reported that Heritage Wind Energy is working on a contract with an energy company for transmission distribution and sale of the electric power.  They are also negotiating with property owners for transmission lines and a substation.  Sue Kessler has resigned from the Planning Commission as she is moving from the area.  She has been an asset to the community and PC and will be greatly missed.  Bill Austin was elected chairman of the Planning Commission.  Ordinance Number 1 of 2010 to allow for bed and breakfast facilities in the Village District was approved by the PC and favorable comments were received from the Antrim County Planning Commission.  MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne to adopt Ordinance Number 1 of 2010 to amend section 6.06.2 of the Zoning Ordinance: Postmus: Yes, Rubingh: Yes, Mann: Yes, DeKorne: Yes, Heeres: Yes.  AMENDMENT declared adopted.  It will be published in the Antrim Review and will be effective 8 days after publication.

 

11.  Gas & Oil Leases: Rubingh reports negotiations continue for non-development leasing of Township Properties.

 

12.  Banks Township Historical Society Building: The security light that illuminates the parking lot has shorted out.  Magnum Electric gave a price of $255.75 for a 250 Watt HPS light and quoted labor rate @ $60 per hour for installation.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to have Magnum install this light.  Groenink reported that the light on the back of the Ellsworth Fire Hall is not working.   He was asked to get estimates for repair/replacement.  The furnace in the BTHS building has been smoking.  Jon Kelly has looked at it and reported that the gasket is burning off around the burner.  He recommended that the proper gasket be obtained (this one is too big).  Also, might consider changing to a high efficiency LP Furnace or alternately a heat pump for heating & cooling of the building.  Another option might be electric baseboard heat.  The clerk was instructed to ask local contractors to submit bids for the best heating/cooling solution for BTHS for opening at the next Township Board meeting.

 

13.  Township Hall Energy Audit:  The Clerk was asked to solicit bids for lighting retrofits for the lower level of the Township Hall and for modification of the heating/AC ductwork to improve efficiency.  Bids will be opened at the July meeting.  Bids for sealing of air infiltrations areas and addition of insulation to the attic will be solicited and be opened at the August meeting.

 

14.  Information Items: Phragmites education program set for Tuesday, June 22 @ 6PM @ the Banks Township Hall.  Report on Pig Roast activities was given by the Clerk.  Great Lakes Wind Power meeting will be held on Monday, July 12, 9:30 AM to noon @ Charlevoix Public Library.  RSVP by July 6.  Liquor License applications (SDD & SDM) have been submitted to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission by Christopher Tracey.  The Township may notify the Commission of non-compliance with local regulations.  A letter was received from the NLEA with thanks for our membership.  The Antrim County Road Commission’s annual report was received.  The MTA County Chapter meeting will be held Tuesday, June 29 @ 7:30 PM @ the Kearney Township Hall in Bellaire.  Burt Thompson, manager of the ACRC will be the speaker.  MTA Workshop on Managing Human Resources and Volunteers will be held in Lansing on August 11, 8:30 AM to 4 PM.  DNR permit for boring for a septic line along Wilson Lake was issued to Thomas Beson. The Sheriff’s report of incidents was reviewed.

 

15.  PC Appointments: Supervisor Mann announced that due to the resignation of Susan Kessler from the Planning Commission a vacancy has occurred.  Supervisor appoints Jack Costolo to the Planning Commission effective immediately and for an additional three years beginning July 1, 2010.  Supervisor also re-appoints Marvin Rubingh to the Planning Commission for a three year term beginning July 1, 2010.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve these appointments.  YEAS: 4, NAYS: None, Abstain: Rubingh. 

 

16.  ZBA Appointments: Supervisor Mann appoints Dennis Penfold, Mike McDuffie, Jack Danbert and Jack Costolo to one year terms, beginning July 1, 2010, on the ZBA.  He will make the fifth appointment in July.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED.  YEAS: 5, NAYS: None.

 

17.  Roads: Doctor and Skinner Road to Skeel Road estimates were received and Marion Township Supervisor Wilson Boss was contacted.  Marion Township Board has agreed to pay ½ of the cost of improvements to Skinner Road, between Doctor Road and Skeel Road.  $7007.  The Township Board has no intention of graveling seasonal roads. (Skeel)  Supervisor will contact the ACRC to prepare a contract for this work.

 

18.  Cemeteries: Letter from County Prosecutor Charles Koop reminding municipalities of their legal responsibilities to provide flags and flag holders on the graves of veterans was read.  If veterans graves are not decorated, the family should contact the Township Office with a request for same.

 

19.  Deputy Clerk: Heeres reported she has asked Jan Olach to serve as deputy clerk to assist with voter registration and election duties.  MOTION Heeres, Mann, CARRIED to approve the appointment, effective immediately.

 

20.  Breezeway Cruise: Supervisor Mann reported on a very successful cruise night again this year.  He awarded John Hastings the distinctive award of Banks Township Citizen of the Year.  Congratulations John!

 

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

 

22.  The next meeting will be Monday, July 19 @ 7:30 PM.

 

23. The meeting was adjourned at 9:38 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk