Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday March 26, 2007

 

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, and Trustee Mark DeKorne. Trustee Marvin Rubingh arrived at 7:40 PM.  Also present: Mark Groenink, Jessica Marsh, Scott Papineau, Jerroll Drenth, Jon, Kelly, Patrick & Kathy Halcin.

 

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

 

3.      The minutes of the February Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes. The minutes of the March 12 Special Meeting were reviewed.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes.

 

4.      The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $280,974.27 with $160,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $153,061.38; Roads Fund Balance: $94,155.76, Liquor Fund Balance: $1,934.39 Grand Total: $503,125.80. She reported that she has settled the tax account with the county.

 

5.      Zoning Administrator: Jessica Marsh addressed the Board and explained her reasons for leaving our employ as zoning administrator.  She has been offered a position at a law firm in Las Vegas.  Her last day of work was March 19.  The Board wished her well.

 

6.  Public Comment: Jon Kelly addressed the Board on the condition of Bergsma Road and asked that some work be done to improve it.  He presented a copy of a letter from Melvin Burcz that also addressed the conditions and had been received recently by the Board.

 

7.  Public Comment: Jerroll Drenth addressed the Board as County Commissioner for District One.  As former member of the Road Commission, he was able to explain some of the funding issues and practices employed when maintaining and improving roads.  He also advised the Board on the Commissioner Committees on which he serves.  The Board expressed its concerns related to the Building Department and the seeming lack of public service and courtesy that is displayed.

 

8.  Lot Line Reconfiguration: Clerk explained a situation that occurred in Spring Valley Plat No. 2 that now requires a lot reconfiguration.  Survey from Ferguson & Chamberlain Associates Inc. was reviewed.  The parties involved, Patrick & Kathy Halcin and Tom & Kay Wynsma (represented tonight by Scott Papineau), have reached a settlement and agree to the proposed transfer of property that amounts to .011 acre or 491.57 sq. ft. from the Wynsmas to the Halcins.  The Clerk was advised by the Assessor, Amy Jenema, that the lot configuration must be approved by the Township Board.  It is not a parcel division issue.  MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the lot reconfiguration of lots 41 and 42 of the Spring Valley Plat No. 2 as described on the survey and accompanying legal description.

 

9.  Township  Hall:  Postmus reported on two bids she has received for window washing.  ($300 & $435)  This would include all windows, inside and out on both levels, including screens.  MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to award the bid to Pro Window Washing for $300.  Cleaning bids were submitted for the upstairs. ($1100 & $900)  They included only the floors and unpainted walls.  The Board felt these bids were too high. Will seek other bids.

 

10. The meeting was recessed at 8:40 PM to hold the Public Hearing on the proposed budgets.

 

11. The Public Hearing on the proposed General Fund, Liquor Fund and Road Fund Budgets was called to order at 8:41 PM.

 

12.  Supervisor Mann presented his proposals and questions were answered.

 

13. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

 

14. The regular meeting was reconvened at 9:11 PM.

 

15. Roads: MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to ask the Road Commission to place gravel on Bergsma Road to improve the condition of that road.

 

16.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to adopt the General Fund Budget as proposed.  MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to adopt the Liquor Fund Budget as proposed.  MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, CARRIED to adopt the Roads Fund Budget as proposed.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to adopt the Fire Fund Budget as proposed and set the millage rate at .0009 mills for 2007.

 

17. Budget Amendments: MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to amend the budgets per the proposal submitted by the Clerk & Supervisor.

 

18. Planning Commission:  Rubingh reported on the public hearing scheduled for April 10 on a rezoning request for Elizabeth Stephen on Brandt Road.  Proposal would rezone a parcel that is currently Ag to R-1.  It is adjacent to the Antrim Dells Subdivision.  Clerk reported that a site plan review is scheduled April 10 for a high speed internet tower, owned by COLI, to be erected in Section 24.  Public Hearing is tentatively scheduled for May 8.

 

19. Zoning Administrator: Clerk has been filling in since March 19.  One permit was issued.  One application has been received so far and two additional telephone inquiries.  Decided to contact several of the applicants from 2006 to see if still interested.  Rubingh will serve as interim ZA until someone can be hired.

 

20. Fire Department: Approval was given to order new dress shirts for the 21 members at a cost of approximately $55 each, including patches.  This is a budgeted item.

 

21. PA 116 Agreements: Three new agreements were received for Rubingh’s Breezy Acres.

 

22. Cemeteries: The need for more detailed time sheets was discussed.  Supervisor & Trustee DeKorne will meet with Cemetery Supervisor and assess for equipment needs.

 

23. Township Hall Renovations: Moving along slowly.  Rough in inspections are expected this week.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve bid not to exceed $1000 for removal of old electrical panels and wiring to clean up the furnace area.

 

24. Library Contracts: Supervisor will send our drafts along to the attorney for developing.

 

25. Roads: M-32 extension: Supervisor has been in communication with US Representative Bart Stupak to help move this project along.

 

26. Newsletter: At the printer.  Expect to have in the mail by March 31.

 

27. Bills represented by the attached list were reviewed and presented for approval for payment.  MOTION Postmus, Rubingh, CARRIED to pay the bills as presented.

 

28. Next Meeting scheduled for Monday April 16 at 7:30 PM.

 

29. The meeting was adjourned at 10:13 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk