Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday May 19, 2008

 

 

1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann.  Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Trustee Marvin Rubingh and Trustee Mark DeKorne. Absent: Treasurer Katy Postmus. Also present: Deputy Treasurer James Postmus, Jeff Kessler, Dan Bean, and Andy Veenstra.

 

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

 

3. The minutes of the April Regular Board meeting were reviewed.  MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes amending item #11 Misty Acres to Misty Valley, #13 to delete “cell” from turbine/cell in first line, and change language amendment to amendment language in the last line.  Also, amend item #22 to insert “the township” making the last sentence to read “Clerk will contact them to see if the township can hire them to plant trees at our cemeteries and park.”

 

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given.  Fund Balances: General Fund: $355,270.64 with $120,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: $147,428.63; Liquor Fund: $1,267.42; Roads Fund: $67,209.89; Grand Total: $571,176.58.

 

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

 

6.  Public Comment: Dan Bean, Republican candidate for Sheriff, addressed the Board.  He introduced himself and explained his reasons for his candidacy.

 

7. Public Comment:  Jeff Kessler addressed the Board and advised that there will be an article in the Antrim County News this week outlining the Breezeway project.

 

8.  Zoning Administrator Report: Andy Veenstra informed the Board that he has been receiving lots of phone calls from realtors about zoning districts and regulations.  There are not as many new construction permit applications this year but several inquiries.

 

9.  Fire Department Report for the six months ended April 30 was presented.

 

10.  Planning Commission: Rubingh presented a written report from PC Chair Sue Kessler.  Three proposed amendments will be the topic of a public hearing scheduled for June 17.  (Date changed from June 12 due to scheduling conflicts.)  #1 is to allow anemometer towers to have guy wires to reduce the size of their footprint.  #2 is to allow 3 acre parcels in the Ag zone provided the division includes existing buildings.  If no buildings exist, then less than one acre will still be required.  #3 is to reduce setbacks for cell towers.  The PC continues to develop language & map to amend the zoning districts.

 

11.  ZBA: Clerk reported that the application for variance to allow parcel divisions by Robert Kenney was approved.

 

12.  Cardboard recycling: Rubingh reported that his contract with the Central Lake Waste Receiving station for cardboard collection has ended.  American Waste is now providing this service to the station.

 

13. Cemeteries: DeKorne reported on the cemetery equipment list.  He was directed to number the riding mowers #1-#6 to better keep track of them.  The number of hours on each mower was noted.  The water tank at the Atwood Cemetery leaks.  VanderArk was authorized to replace the tank with another used one.  The Cemetery trees have been ordered through Mike Meriweather of the Conservation Service.  The service will plant them in the designated areas at the Ellsworth Cemetery.  The park analysis is expected from Mike in the next week or two.  MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to authorize planting of up to six trees at the park as recommended by Mike.

 

14.  PA 116 Applications for 10 years by Richard & Wendy Friske and Marvin & Jane Rubingh were presented.  MOTION DeKorne, Mann, CARRIED to approve the application for PA 116 by Richard & Wendy Friske.  YEAS: 4, NAYS: None.  Absent: Postmus.  MOTION DeKorne, Mann, CARRIED to approve the application for PA 116 by Marvin & Jane Rubingh.  YEAS: 3, NAYS: None, Abstain: Rubingh, Absent: Postmus.

 

15.  Private Road Name: New private road/easement east of Coeling Road, between Bergsma and Best Roads, in Section 12, needs to be named.  MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to name the private road Marcus Lane with second choice being Holt Road if Marcus Lane is already taken in the county.

 

16. Parcel Division: Application for parcel division on the Stott property on Old Dixie Highway was denied.  An application to the ZBA for variance is anticipated.

 

17.  IDD: Industrial Development District application has been received from Grand Traverse Pallet to establish an IDD to include property they own south of Essex Road.  Public Hearing by the Township Board is scheduled for June 16, during our regular board meeting.  Discussion was held.

 

18. Correspondence: Notice was received from MTA on the availability of dual principal residence exemptions under certain circumstances. 

 

19.  Antrim Dells Road abandonment:  Letter from Elizabeth Hoffman was received and filed.  Mrs. Hoffman’s property was found to not be adjacent to the road and therefore it was not necessary that she be notified of the abandonment application.

 

20.  Resolution for public inspection & copying was presented on behalf of our Assessor Amy Jenema.  Discussion was held on the proposal.  The Board felt this resolution is not necessary as such inspection & copying is covered under the Freedom of Information Policy that was adopted several years ago.  No action taken.

 

21.  Roads: Antrim County Road Commission is not able to complete our gravel work until late fall.  Supervisor to contact ACRC to get specs for road graveling and then get firm bids from Drenth Brothers.

 

22.  Correspondence: Thank you note was received from Moms & Tots Center for the use of the township hall for their annual brunch.  Sheriff’s report of activities within the township for April was received.  Letters regarding Rural Development grants and Conservation District grants were received.  Antrim Conservation District meeting scheduled for 7 PM on May 22.  Grand Vision Workshop scheduled for 6:30 PM on May 27 @ Shanty Creek.

 

23.  Park:  Workers have suggested another picnic table be placed at the park and a bench is placed at the Atwood Cemetery.  Cost estimates are $1000 for the picnic table, installed and $500 for the bench, installed.  Action tabled.

 

24.  Parking on US 31: Jake Veenstra reported vehicles have been parking along US 31 by the no parking signs.  He contacted the Antrim County Sheriff Dept.

 

25.  Breezeway & Task Force Meeting report: Held May 13.  First farmers market is scheduled for July 5.  The Good Samaritan is considering opening the restaurant as a coffee house.  NLEA is submitting a grant application to MDOT for roadway improvements.  They will meet again @ 9 AM on June 3.  Next Breezeway/Task Force meeting will be May 29 @ 5:30 PM.

 

26. New business: DeKorne questioned the need for an ordinance to restrict use of artificial flowers at the cemetery.  Discussion was held on possible restrictions.  DeKorne will prepare an announcement that will be made at the Memorial Day services addressing this issue.

 

27.  Next meeting Monday June 16 @ 7:30 PM.

 

28. The meeting was adjourned at 10:45 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Donna L. Heeres