Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday March 27, 2006

  1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Deputy Treasurer James Postmus, Trustee Marvin Rubingh and Trustee Mark DeKorne. Absent Treasurer Katy Postmus. Also present: Steve Hicks, Donald Binns.
  2. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Trustee Rubingh offered prayer.
  3. The minutes of the February Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes amending item #21 with the word "revised" instead of "downsized to about 100 dwelling units".
  4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $244,461.17 with $200,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $132,235.98; Roads Fund Balance: $28,330.23, Liquor Fund Balance: $1,929.09; Grand Total: $406,956.47. The tax collection totals are $551,413.12 for summer taxes and $1,403,814.15 for winter taxes.
  5. Public Comment: Steve Hicks addressed the Board, noting the salary increases as described in the February minutes.
  6. Public Comment: Donald Binns asked if surveys would be conducted before any roads are paved in the future. Results of the survey of property owners on Lakeshore Drive were discussed. All comments will be noted and distributed to the Board and interested public.
  7. Bills represented by the attached list were reviewed and presented for approval for payment. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to pay the bills as presented.
  8. The regular meeting was recessed at 8:21 PM.
  9. The Budget Hearings were convened at 8:22 PM The supervisor presented his proposal for the 2006-07 general fund, roads fund and liquor fund budgets. Discussion was held regarding possible projects for the coming year.
  10. The Budget Hearing was adjourned at 10:22 PM and the regular meeting was reconvened.
  11. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED to adopt the General Fund Budget as proposed. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED to adopt the Fire Fund Budget as proposed. MOTION Heeres, DeKorne, CARRIED to adopt the Liquor Fund Budget as proposed. MOTION Heeres, DeKorne, CARRIED to adopt the Roads Fund Budget as proposed.
  12. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to transfer $44,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Fund in April of 2006 as a gift. Yeas: Rubingh, DeKorne, Heeres, Mann. Nays: None. Absent: Postmus.
  13. MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to set the Fire District Millage at .9 mill for the 2006-07 tax year. This is a reduction of .55 mill. Yeas: Rubingh, DeKorne, Heeres, Mann. Nays: None. Absent: Postmus.
  14. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED to transfer $400 from the Liquor Fund to the General Fund for the administrative fees.
  15. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED to adopt the budget amendments as listed on the addendum to these minutes.
  16. Planning Commission: Rubingh reported that Landmark Business Group has modified their proposal for Antrim Dells development and the public hearing on the same will be continued at the PC meeting on April 11 at 7:30 PM. The Planning Commission continues to review pros & cons of membership in the Michigan Association of Planning. He informed the board of Citizen Planner Classes that are offered this spring and suggested some of the planning commission members might attend.
  17. Cemeteries: DeKorne reported on the proposed Veterans Memorial to be erected at Atwood Cemetery. He & Phil Edwards have discussed using a large rock with a plaque on it, pea stone base, red mulch in a circle a distance from the rock with paver blocks as edging. There could be some type of shrub, etc. within the circle. Placement of the memorial was discussed, including flag poles.
  18. Township Hall: The new entry door is scheduled to be installed tomorrow.
  19. Memorial Gazebo: Clerk reported on meeting with the Village Council on the township’s wishes to erect a gazebo in the Community Park. The Council was less than interested in having this placed in their park. Clerk is investigating designs and cost estimates for this project.
  20. Newsletter: Clerk reported that the newsletter is almost ready to go to the printer. Will plan to mail in early April.
  21. ZBA: Clerk reported on the Evans setback variance request for wind turbine generator tower was denied. The Rich setback variance request was withdrawn prior to the scheduled public hearing.
  22. East Jordan Ambulance: Supervisor reported on meeting with the City of East Jordan and proposal for a contract for the next five years. The annual cost to the township will be $4800. The current contract expires June 30, 2006. Will review the proposal and plan to take action prior to June 30.
  23. South Arm Township Fire/Rescue Protection: Supervisor & Fire Chief met with the South Arm Township Board and discussed the need for a new contract to replace the 1985 contract. The SA Township Board has suggested they pay a flat rate of $2500 per year for Fire & Rescue services and re-evaluate after one year. They did approve payment of all expenses for 2004-05 and sent a check for $2,019.50.
  24. Board of Review: Supervisor reports busy sessions on both days that the BOR was in session.
  25. Roads: Discussion was held on sending out surveys to property owners on Tyrrell Beach Road and Scott Road to determine the paving wishes of the property owners. Will plan to do this later this summer.
  26. Pension Plan: Clerk reported on information obtained from Burnham & Flower Agency on MTA approved pension plans. Also, deferred compensation plans are available through that agency. Clerk will send information to the agency so that a proposal can be drafted for our review.
  27. Next Meeting has been rescheduled for Monday April 24 at 7:30 PM due to vacation schedules.

28. The meeting was adjourned at 12:20 AM.

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk