Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday May 18, 2009

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, and Trustee Mark DeKorne. Also present: Fire Chief Mark Groenink, Zoning Administrator Andy Veenstra, Jerry Rasmussen, Larry Nobach, Lorraine Mottern, Greg Kirby, John Hastings arrived at 8:05 PM.

2. Supervisor Mann opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and Trustee Rubingh offered prayer.

3. The minutes of the April Regular Board meeting were presented. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $393,310.06 with $80,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $112,793.31; Roads Fund Balance: $109,291.48; Liquor Fund Balance: $1177.93; Grand Total: $616,572.78.

5. Public Comment: Jerry Rasmussen addressed the Board on the plans for a fireworks display for the community on July 3. The promoters & funders of the fireworks are asking for contributions from local businesses. The Village donated $1000 and he asked if the Township would be willing to contribute to the fund as well.

6. The regular meeting was recessed and a Public Hearing on the proposed Phragmites Ordinance was called to order at 7:45 PM. Comments were received by Lorraine Mottern, resident of Torch Lake Township; Larry Nobach of Timberlane Terrace Subdivsion; and Greg Kirby of Lore Road. All expressed concern over the problems caused by the Phragmites and a willingness to help educate the public on the problem. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 8:12 PM.

7. The regular meeting was reconvened at 8:13 PM. The proposed ordinance was discussed and funding options identified. Procedure for obtaining signed consent from property owners along with contributions for treatment was discussed. Clerk will try to find volunteers from each subdivision to assist with the education and collections. MOTION was made by Mann, supported by DeKorne, to adopt Ordinance Number 4 of 2009, the Banks Township Phragmites Ordinance, effective the day following publication in the Antrim Review. ROLL CALL Vote: Yeas: Rubingh, Postmus, Mann, Heeres, DeKorne. Nays: None. Absent: None. Ordinance was declared adopted. MOTION was made by Mann, supported by DeKorne to appoint Heidi Lang as Phragmites Administrator for Banks Township. Yeas: 5, Nays: None. Motion approved. Postmus will contact legal counsel about funding issues that were identified during the meeting. Also, Postmus will contact our assessor to obtain a mailing list and spreadsheet of property owners along Lake Michigan.

8. Fire Dept: Chief Groenink reported that the students submitted a grant application for a new fire truck last week. Some corrections will need to be made and he will see to it that they are made online before the deadline. He stated that no grant funds are available for fire stations “this round”. He reported the replacement of the heating system at the Ellsworth Fire Hall is underway as is the insulation project. The steel portion will follow immediately after the heating portion is complete. He wishes to hold off on the kitchen remodeling for now due to too much to oversee at one time. The Firemen’s Association purchased a rescue jack stabilization system at a cost of approximately $5000. They have been practicing using it and feel that it will greatly improve the safety of the scene at car accidents and other times too. Supervisor Mann expressed thanks to members of the Department for their work in helping fight the fire at the AFC home in East Jordan recently. He was also conveying the gratitude of the East Jordan Fire Department and City leaders for assistance from BTFD. The reports of the fire/rescue activities within the past 6 months were reviewed.

9. Zoning: Andy Veenstra, zoning administrator, reported three permits have been issued so far this spring.

10. Planning Commission: Rubingh reported that the PC held a Public Hearing on proposed map and language changes with approximately 30 people in attendance and 11 pages of minutes! Concerns over parcel division restrictions and increased density of dwellings where change is made from C/R to R-1 were heard. A public hearing on an amendment related to wind turbine generators will be held June 8. A public hearing on an application from Richard Beemon for language amendments to the ordinance will be held July 20. Mary Campbell is overseeing the compliance with MPEA of 2008.

11. Cemeteries: Rubingh reported that he has obtained a water barrel for the Ellsworth Cemetery. It will be available in about 2 weeks. He has also found concrete picnic tables for $500 each in lots of two, plus shipping from MN or WI. He will check with them on availability of benches as well. DeKorne reported that he has completed an evaluation of the time sheets. The total amount of time spent doing specified tasks at each of the cemeteries, park, fire hall and township hall were calculated. DeKorne is seeking additional bids for re-shingling the storage building at the Ellsworth Cemetery. A complaint that tulips were whipped off prematurely was received. It was pointed out that deer may be the culprits, not the cemetery workers as often deer eat young tulips.

12. Breezeway Update: Supervisor reports the meeting on May 12 was held at Boyne Mountain. Way finding signs will be placed along the Breezeway Route in the next several weeks. Stickers/labels are being ordered to promote the route. The Farmers’ Markets will begin June 20 in Ellsworth. The Breezeway Cruise night will take place June 18 with gathering at Boyne Mtn. @ 5:30 PM for free chairlift rides, appetitzers, etc. Sheriff Don Schneider will escort the group, leaving at 7 PM, from Boyne Mtn along the Breezeway, through East Jordan, to the Antrim County line where Sheriff Dan Bean will then head the procession through Ellsworth to Antrim Dells. Arriving approximately 8:30 PM @ Antrim Dells, the group will be offered a burger buffet for a cost of $10, including tax & tip and a cash bar. A reception for the Citizen of the Year with a cake honoring him will be served by the Lioness Club.

13. Web page: Vanessa Rubingh has revamped several pages and is keeping the pages up to date.

14. State of the Community meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 21 @ 7 PM at the Ellsworth High School library.

15. Computer Program: Supervisor requests authorization to purchase Microsoft Office Program for the township’s laptop computer. It is already on the computer on a trial program and can be purchased for $300. MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to purchase the software for the laptop.

16. Clean Up Day report: Total compacted yards were 170, down by 5 yards from last year. There were 21 freon units collected, down from 25 last year. Tire collection was about the same as last year. Supervisor Mann extended thanks to Trustees Mann & DeKorne, Jim Postmus, Larry Essenberg, Mark Groenink, Pete Rupinski, and Chris DeKorne for their help with activities of the day.

17. Fireworks: MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to contribute $1000 towards the fireworks program scheduled for Friday, July 1 and to advertise the event on the Township Website.

18. Road Repairs: An estimate of $25,000 for crack sealing of roads throughout the township was received from the Antrim County Road Commission. 75% deposit is required with the signed contract. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to authorize the supervisor to sign the contract for services and the clerk & treasurer to pay the deposit for the work to be done.

19. Section 125 Plan: Clerk has researched section 125 plans and health insurance plans for the township. MOTION Heeres, Rubingh, CARRIED to establish a section 125 plan for the township officials who desire to participate and qualify for the health insurance.

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

24. Info Items: Clerk submitted a grant for HAVA funds for election equipment including new booths and a voter call “door bell” for assistance system. Clerk reported that the Good Samaritan Food Pantry is one of 120 nominated and is a finalist for a Governor’s Award for excellence in volunteers. Jan Olach made the nomination and will travel to the Governor’s residence on June 18 to be present when the 8 awards are presented. State Revenue Sharing has been reduced by 4.8% or $4479 for 2009. PA 116 agreement for Friskes was received. Antrim County Road Commission financial reports were received. MI Farm Bureau Spring into Agriculture Day has been changed to June 5 @ Royal Farms.

25. Next meeting will be Monday, June 15 @ 7:30 PM

26. The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk