Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday March 22, 2010

 

 

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, Trustee Mark DeKorne.  Also present: Fire Chief Mark Groenink, Zoning Administrator Andy Veenstra, Chuck Fox and Jerry Rasmussen.

 

2. Supervisor Mann lead the Pledge of Allegiance.  Trustee DeKorne opened the meeting with prayer.

 

3. The minutes of the February Regular Board meeting were presented.  MOTION Rubingh, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes amending article 23 to state:   “Roads:  The Antrim County Road Commission will be asked to modify the hill on Byers Road prior to paving.   A contract is expected soon for this work.”  

 

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given.  General Fund Balance: $418,773.06 with $40,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $52,732.91; Roads Fund Balance: $164,430.23; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,793.79; Grand Total: $637,729.99.  Summer Taxes are 94% collected.  ($1,310,539.50)  Winter Taxes are 90% collected.  ($953,763.15)

 

5.  Public Comment: Chuck Fox addressed the Board asking for support of the community fireworks that will be held on Saturday, July 3 this year.  Jerry Rasmussen thanked the Board of the use of the firehall property for the snowmobile trail.  It was helpful to get snowmobiles into town for gas and food.  A few modifications are planned for next year to improve the trail.  Supervisor thanked both Chuck & Jerry for their efforts to get the trail into town and get the fireworks going.

 

6.  PTAF: MOTION to not collect PTAF for 2010 was made by DeKorne, supported by Mann.  Discussion was held and action was tabled.

 

7.  Summer Tax levy: Postmus reported that the Ellsworth Community School Board passed a resolution to collect ˝ of the levy with summer tax collection at their December 2009 meeting.  She has reached an agreement with the school superintendent for Banks Township to collect these taxes at no extra charge to the school with the provisions that interest earned on the tax money while in the township’s bank account shall remain with the township.  MOTION Postmus, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the agreement for collection of 2010 Summer School Property Taxes.

 

8.  Payment of bills between meetings: Postmus reported on a discussion with our auditor regarding approval of such things as utility payments, phone payments, postage for assessment notices, etc.  These items may be paid between meetings provided a policy is set by the Board for payments to certain vendors.  She will work on language for such a policy.

 

9.  Fireworks Ordinance: Discussed need to get this in place.

 

10.  Fire Department: No word yet from Norwood or Marion Townships on our proposals. 

 

11.  The meeting was recessed @ 8:10 PM for the Public Hearings on the proposed budgets for 2010-11.

 

12.  The Budget Public Hearing was convened at 8:11 PM.  The Supervisor presented his proposed general fund, liquor fund and roads fund budgets for 2010-11.  Discussion was held and questions answered.

 

13.  The Budget Public Hearing was adjourned at 9:35 PM and the Regular meeting was reconvened.

 

14.  PTAF:  MOTION to not collect the PTAF for 2010 was again made by DeKorne, supported by Mann.  Roll Call Vote: DeKorne: Yes; Heeres: Yes; Mann: Yes; Postmus: Yes, Rubingh: Yes.  Resolution declared adopted. 

 

15.  Budget Transfers:  MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to transfer $50,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Fund as budgeted.  MOTION DeKorne, Heeres, CARRIED to transfer $500 from the Liquor Fund to the General Fund for administration fees as budgeted. 

 

16.  Fire Millage: MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to levy ˝ mil for fire protection with the 2010 tax levy.  Roll Call Vote: Heeres: Yes; DeKorne: Yes; Mann: Yes; Rubingh: No; Postmus: Yes.  Resolution declared adopted. 

 

17.  Budget Adoptions: MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to adopt the General Fund Budget as proposed by Supervisor Mann.  5 YEAS.  MOTION Rubingh, Heeres, CARRIED to adopt the Liquor Fund Budget as proposed by Supervisor Mann.  5 YEAS.  MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to adopt the Roads Budget as proposed by Supervisor Mann.  5 YEAS.  MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to adopt the Fire Budget as proposed by Supervisor Mann.  5 YEAS.

 

18.   Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh reported that the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on April 12 on a request from the Ellsworth Farmers Exchange for a Special Approval under the Zoning Ordinance.  The proposal will increase their operations on property they own in Atwood.  The PC has sent the proposed amendment that will allow Bed & Breakfast establishments in a Village zone to the County PC for review.  The proposed change of Ag & C/R zones to Farm/Forest is still in progress after many comments were received at the public hearing, both for and against the proposal.  The wind anemometer tower is up and functioning.  The Beemon Escrow account has a balance due of $319.25 after all bills are in.  The PC is asked to review this billing and make a recommendation on it.  The Supervisor commended the PC on its professionalism in dealing with public comment and controversy at recent public hearings.

 

19.  PA 116 Agreement application from Marvin & Jane Rubingh was received and forwarded to Antrim Conservation District and Antrim County Planning Commission for review.  Action will be taken at the April 19 Township Board meeting if reviews have been completed.

 

20. Election Inspectors for May 4, 2010, School Election:  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the slate of inspectors as presented by the Elections Commission.

 

21.  Information Items: MTA Spring District Meetings coming up; Campground License issued for Wieland’s Whistling Pines Campground; Smoking Ban for workplaces goes into effect May 1, 2010; sheriff report of 911 calls shared; kudos on the website were received from Terry VanderSlik, former resident of Banks Township; Rocky Top Farms has been verified as a Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program Cropping System compliant farm.  Congratulations to Tom & Mike Cooper.

 

22.  Parks & Recreation Survey: Antrim County Planning Department has asked for confirmation of sites within the Township.  The Board reviewed the maps and DeKorne agreed to visit the sites to assure all are correct.

 

23.  Phragmites: Clerk reported she met with Heidi Shaffer of the Conservation District & developed plans for removing seed heads and treatment for 2010.  Volunteers are being recruited to assist with these projects.  The mowing permit was received from the DNRE.

 

24.  Board of Review:  Supervisor reports that the BOR was fairly busy with property owners asking questions on taxable values, uncapping of values, etc.  BOR members exhibited great professionalism in dealing with the public and are commended for their service.

 

25.  Clean Up Day:  Scheduled for Saturday, May 8.  Contract was received from American Waste for $39 per compacted yard.

 

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

 

27. The meeting was adjourned at 11:23 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk