Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday March 21, 2011

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, Jerroll & Marilyn Drenth, Chris & Kandi Randall, Tina from the Antrim Review.

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

3. The minutes of the February 17 Special Meeting were presented. MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented. The minutes of the February Regular Board meeting were presented. MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as amended.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $303,570.81; Fire Fund Balance: $26,670.71; Roads Fund Balance: $ 98,874.56; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,866.54; Grand Total: $430,982.62.

5. Public Comment: None.

6. Zoning Administrator’s Report: Andy Veenstra reported on interest in a change of use to a veterinary hospital for the former Drenth Brothers office & garage on Six Mile Lake Road. He reports it is an existing non-conforming use in the C/R zone. Comments were received from the Drenths and the Randalls about their desires to have this use approved. The Board recommended they follow the procedures in the zoning ordinance to obtain approvals necessary for this change of use. Andy reported that he has sent another application for zoning permit to the Beemons for their cabin on Six Mile Lake Road. If no response, the matter will be turned over to the township attorney for action.

7. Planning Commission: Rubingh reported work on the Master Plan revision is progressing. In addition to interest in the Vet Hospital on the Drenth Property, the Ellsworth Farmers Exchange is applying for permits to build a grain drying facility on their property in Atwood. A special meeting of the Planning Commission will be held on Tuesday March 29 @ 7:30 PM to review the application and schedule a public hearing on the request.

8. The meeting was recessed @ 9 PM for the Public Hearings on the proposed budgets for 2011-12.

10. The Budget Public Hearing was convened at 9:01 PM. The Supervisor presented his proposed general fund, liquor fund and roads fund budgets for 2011-12. Discussion was held and questions answered.

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

12. MOTION Rubingh, Heeres, CARRIED to adopt the Fire District Budget and set the millage @ .99 for 2011-12. MOTION DeKorne, Postmus, CARRIED to adopt the Liquor Fund Budget as presented. MOTION Heeres, DeKorne, CARRIED to adopt the Roads Fund Budget as presented. MOTION Postmus, Rubingh, CARRIED to adopt the General Fund Budget as presented.

13. MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to transfer $1000 from the Liquor Fund to the General Fund as administrative fees.

14. MOTION Heeres, DeKorne, CARRIED to pay $8000 as fifth and final payment to the Village of Ellsworth from the Roads Fund for the Main Street improvement project.

15. PTAF: MOTION to collect the 1% PTAF for 2011 was made by Postmus supported by Heeres. Roll Call Vote: Rubingh: Yes; Postmus: Yes; Mann: Yes; Heeres: Yes; DeKorne: Yes. Resolution declared adopted.

16. Budget Amendments: MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the budget amendments as proposed by the Supervisor and Clerk.

17. Recreation Plan: Postmus presented the proposed recreation plan as developed by the Recreation Committee. It was reviewed and adopted earlier this evening by the Ellsworth Village Council. A resolution was proposed by Mann, supported by Heeres, to adopt the recreation plan. Resolution is attached to these minutes. Roll Call Vote: Rubingh: Yes; Postmus: Yes; Mann: Yes; Heeres: Yes; DeKorne: Yes. Resolution declared adopted. Supervisor Mann commended the Recreation committee on their work on this comprehensive plan. Postmus announced that a community survey is being developed to prioritize the recreation needs for the community. This survey will be available online.

18. Fire Department: Chief Groenink reported that fireman Jon Kelly has requested a personal leave of absence and that was granted. He also reported that the bodies for the new fire trucks have been ordered. He has been in communication with a fire dept that is interested in purchasing one of our old tanker trucks. Six firemen attended NIMS 300 training in Elk Rapids and several will attend the NIMS 400 course in a couple weeks. This training is for the National Response Plan. FD Internet: MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to install two antennae for phone & Internet between the township hall & Ellsworth Fire Hall.

19. Priority Health Premium Payments: MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to reconsider action taken last month to pay a portion of the premium for the clerk. Yeas: 4, Nays: 1. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to rescind the approval of payment of a portion of the premium. Yeas: 3, Nays: 2.

20. Township Hall: Lighting project is complete. A rebate from Consumers Energy in the amount of approximately $530 is expected. A thank you note was received from the High School students that used the facility for testing early in March.

21. Information Items: Various workshops are planned for Planning & Zoning on April 19 in Gaylord; Leadership Summit on April 18 in Traverse City; MAMC Conference June 15-17 in Petoskey. Sheriff’s report was reviewed. Clerk informed that printer is beginning to have issues and may need a new print cartridge or replacement soon.

22. Cemeteries & Parks Needs: Judy VanderArk has informed the clerk that no new mowers will be needed this year. She would like to have a portable air compressor to fill tires as needed. New flags will be needed prior to Memorial Day.

23. 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 are commended with their ability to deal with the public.

24. Clean Up Day: Scheduled for Saturday, May 14. Contract was received from American Waste for $40 per compacted yard. A fuel surcharge may be levied, dependent upon fuel costs. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the contract.

25. Planning Together Workshop: Scheduled for Monday, April 11 @ 6:30 PM at the Township Hall. The PC, ZBA, BOR, Fire Board, Assessor, Planning Consultant, Zoning Administrator and Township Board will be invited. Also, this year, the Ellsworth School Board & superintendent will be invited as well as the Village Council. State Representative Greg MacMaster will be the keynote speaker for the evening. Cookies & beverages will be served.

26. Insurance: Adam Gandolfi submitted proposals for change of insurance coverage’s. The Board was not clear on the proposals and will ask Adam for more explanations.

27. Newsletter: Clerk reports that the newsletter is just over half completed and will be mailed prior to April 1. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to change the format of the newsletter to an online newsletter and send out postcards advising the property owners to go online for the full newsletter.

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

29. The meeting was adjourned at 11:20 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk