Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday May 17, 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, and Trustee Mark DeKorne.  Also present: Andy Veenstra Zoning Administrator, Steve Arends, Tim Underwood, Bernie Steenwyk, Pat McGuire, Burt Thompson, Sheriff Dan Bean, Bill & Nancy Zimmerman, Bud Hierlihy.    John Hastings arrived @ 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 with an amendment in article 7.  (Last sentence to read: “This was discussed by the Planning Commission as an allowed use under the ordinance as an essential service.”)

 

4. The treasurer’s written report of incomes and balances was given.  General Fund Balance: $375,178.42 with $40,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $84,604.35; Roads Fund Balance: $165,186.38; Liquor Fund Balance: $1294.40; Grand Total: $626,263.55. 

 

5.  Steve Arends, auditor for Baird, Cotter & Bishop, PC, introduced himself as the township’s auditor.  He is present this week to complete the financial audit for the Village and the Township.  He explained that the State now requires all reports to be filed electronically and the reports are available on line to the public.  In addition to auditing the financial records, the auditors do a review of procedures and give a “report card” for the township.  They also file a municipal qualifying statement that expedites the township’s ability to borrow money.  An F-65 report is filed with the state annually, by the auditor and the clerk on alternate years.  This report impacts the State Revenue Sharing disbursements.

 

6.  Marna Robertson, administrator for Meadowbrook Extended Care Facility, explained the change of care delivery occurring at Meadowbrook and the plans for renovations and expansion.  A request for renewal of the millage of up to 1 mil will be on the August 3 ballot. 

 

7.  Bill & Nancy Zimmerman and realtor Bud Hierlihy addressed the board on zoning restrictions on their property on US 31, located in a Village zone.  They inquired about the ability to raise chickens on this parcel with the intent of selling the products.  Rubingh advised that the use is not allowed under the Banks Township Zoning Ordinance.  However, under the State’s Right to Farm Act, it is allowed if eggs or chickens are sold.  He advised them to investigate the Act for specifics.

 

8.  Burt Thompson, manager of the Antrim County Road Commission, addressed the Board about the Byers Road paving proposal of application of 6” of gravel and 2” of asphalt @ 22 ft width.  The estimated cost to the township is $148,229.  Comments & questions were heard from Pat McGuire, representing Royal Farms, about the change in grade and the approach/driveways into his properties.  Also the drainage and ditches along the road may pose a problem.  Burt assured him that the RC will shape the road prior to paving to assure optimum drainage and lessen the impact on the driveway slopes.  Tim Underwood, representing the Ellsworth Farmers Exchange, inquired about the timing for the project to assure least impact on construction plans at the Farmers Exchange and harvest by Royal Farms.  Burt stated that he plans to have the shaping & gravel work completed before the harvest with pavement applied in early fall.  Questions by the Board were answered regarding premature deterioration of the edges of the pavement from heavy traffic.  Burt assured the Board that 2” of asphalt will be adequate for the traffic and that if premature deterioration does occur, the ACRC will cover the cost of repairs.  He indicated that the cost to the county for summer maintenance of gravel roads is approximately $5600 per mile, nearly the same for the County’s share of paving.

 

9.  Sheriff Dan Bean reported on 911 calls from Banks Township during April.  Also, he gave information on the number of Breaking & Entering’s throughout the county over the past 4 years.  He plans to participate in the Breezeway Cruise on June 17.  He explained the new Lake Watch program.

 

10.  Public comment was closed @ 9:20 PM.

 

11.  Roads: MOTION Heeres, Mann, CARRIED to contract with the ACRC to pave Byers Road for a total cost to the Township of $148,229 with the first payment made now for $111,172.00.  YEAS: 3, NAYS: 2.   MOTION CARRIED.   Proposal for gravel on Doctor Road and Skinner Road was reviewed.  Township’s portion for gravel on Doctor Road is $5,507.  For Skinner Road, total is $14,015.  MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to authorize the work be done contingent upon Marion Township agreeing to pay ½ of the cost.  Road Millage was discussed. MOTION Heeres, Mann, to place on the August 3 ballot a proposal for renewal of the 1 mil road tax.  MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, to amend the motion to request ½ mil.  YEAS: 2, NAYS: 3; MOTION Failed.  Original motion for 1 mil was voted on: YEAS: 3; NAYS: 2; MOTION CARRIED.

 

12. Fire Department: Reimbursement and Run Report was submitted by John Hastings for the past 6 months.  Supervisor will contact Fire Chief regarding some questions that were posed.

 

13.  Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra reported no new permits have been issued this month but there have been lots of phone calls. 

 

14.  Personal Property Tax Info: Treasurer Postmus reported that one property owner who is delinquent on payment of personal property taxes has an auction sale scheduled for this weekend.  Treasurer has contacted the attorney who will contact the auctioneer in an attempt to avoid seizing the property for non-payment.  Two other property owners will receive letters from the attorney in an attempt to collect delinquent personal property taxes.

 

15.  Planning Commission: Rubingh reported that the proposal to change Ag & C/R zones to Farm/Forest is still being discussed.  No word from ACPC on amendment recommended by the BTPC for allowing B&B in Village Zones.  PC terms are up for Marv Rubingh and Sue Kessler as of July 1, 2010.

 

 

16.  Gas & Oil Lease Agreements: Discussion on contract received from Jordan Development Company.  MOTION DeKorne, Heeres, CARRIED to authorize Rubingh to negotiate on behalf of the Township for the best rate available.  Supervisor and Rubingh are authorized to sign the contract.

 

17.  Personal Property Tax Refunds: Rubingh read a letter from Rep Elsenheimer addressed to Attorney General Mike Cox requesting an opinion on the laws pertaining to this issue.

 

18.  PA 116: No response on application submitted by Marv & Jane Rubingh and forwarded to Antrim Conservation District and Antrim County Planning Commission.  More than 45 days have elapsed.  MOTION Heeres, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the application as submitted and forward on to the Michigan Department of Agriculture.  YEAS: 4, NAYS: None, Abstain: Rubingh.

 

19.  Fireworks Permit Application from David Rasmussen was submitted.  Not complete.  Will ask him to complete the proper forms and resubmit.  MOTION Heeres, Mann, CARRIED to contribute $1000 to the fireworks display on July 3.  YEAS: 5; Nays 0.

 

20.  Pig Roast: Scheduled for June 17-20.  MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to appoint the following members to the committee for 2010: Donna Heeres, Jan Olach, Alana Haley, Erin Nickels, Louise Alfred, Patty Howes, Scott Sowers, Susie Collins, Tom Cooper, Barney Drenth and their designees.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to contribute $500 to the Pig Roast to sponsor the inflatables/kids games. 

 

21.  Informational Items: Phragmites Educational program scheduled for Tuesday June 22 @ 6 PM @ the Banks Township Hall.  Gas/Oil Lease info meeting scheduled for Wednesday, May 19 @ 6 PM @ the Banks Township Hall.  Financial reports for 2009-10 were distributed.  Xerox Copier sold on Craig’s list for $50.  Thank you Vanessa Rubingh for helping us get this sold!

 

22.  Clean Up Day: 125 compacted yards was collected.  This is a decrease from 170 yards in 2009.  Special thank you is extended to Mark Groenink, Larry Essenberg, Dave Heeres, Jim Postmus, Chris DeKorne, Pete Rupinski, Bill Everett, the Village of Ellsworth and the Ellsworth Farmers Exchange.  Rubingh reported that a local resident has asked to be considered for future collection of metals.  He directed the resident to prepare a proposal for the Board to consider. 

 

23.  Breezeway: The NLEA has award the Breezeway Committee the Maniac of the Year award for its work on promotion of the Breezeway Corridor.  The Cruise is set for June 17, the garage sales for May 29. 

 

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

 

25.  The next meeting will be Monday, June 21 @ 7:30 PM.

 

26. The meeting was adjourned at 11 P.M.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk