Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday November 19, 2007

 

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: Kip Ditlow of Torch Lake Township EMS and John Hastings.

 

2.  The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.  Supervisor Mann offered prayer.  

 

3. The minutes of the October Regular Board meeting were reviewed.  MOTION Rubingh, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes. 

 

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given.  General Fund Balance: $244,168.68 with $120,000.00 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: $115,390.83 Liquor Fund: $2,084.57; Road Fund: $12,872.46; Grand Total: $374,516.54.  Summer Tax Collection is at 89% collected for total receipts of $841,593.53.

 

5. Public Comment:  None.

 

6.  Fire Department: The annual dinner is set for Tuesday, December 11 @ 6:30 PM.  RSVP’s to Chief Groenink by December 4.  The annual run and expense report was distributed.  Jason McCalib is a new firemen and is currently taking Firefighter I training.

 

7. Planning Commission:  A letter was received by the Planning Commission from Kathy Fairbanks explaining plans for resubmission of the Antrim Dells PUD Project at a later date.  Trustee Rubingh reported a new amendment has been prepared and will await public hearing in conjunction with another application.  This amendment deals with Sections 8.03 and 4.23 of the ordinance.  Discussion continues on waiver of setbacks for cell and wind towers.  The requirements set for the special approval for the flea market at the Atwood Building Center have not been met; therefore the approval is still pending.  Ordinance Amendments: The three zoning amendments recommended by the Planning Commission and the Antrim County Planning Commission were presented.  Amendment to Section 4.02.7b Non Conformities.  MOTION Rubingh, Heeres, to adopt the amendment.  Roll Call Vote with all members voting yes.  Amendment to Section 4.24.3 and 4.24.4 Co-Location of Antennae.  MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne to adopt the amendment.  Roll Call Vote with all members voting yes.  Amendment to Section 4.25 Second Dwelling on a parcel.  MOTION Rubingh, Mann to adopt the amendment.  Roll Call Vote with all members voting yes.  All amendments were declared adopted and will be published in the newspaper.  The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 11.

 

8.  Zoning:  A letter was received from Don Vidosh regarding a commercial venture in an Agricultural zone.  The Board reviewed the ordinance and will refer to the Zoning Administrator as a permit is required even if the use is an allowed use.  Supervisor will contact Mr. Vidosh with the Board’s response.

 

 

9.  Roads: The Roads Committee met and developed a priority list.  Recommendations: 1) Pave Scott Road (approx 5/8 mile) 2) Pave Lakeshore Drive 14 ft wide (approx 1 mile), based on funds available. Eaton and Rubingh Roads have had new culverts placed with ditching and lots of good pit gravel before the final 3” of road gravel.  Both should be in good shape for awhile.  Supervisor reports he will send out new surveys to Lakeshore, Scott and Byers Roads’ property owners to see if they are interested in having their respective roads considered for paving.  Supervisor commended the Roads Committee for their efforts and services to the citizens of Banks Township.

 

10. Announcements:  Dan Bennett has been elected new mayor of East Jordan, replacing Mark Postma.  The East Jordan/Ellsworth Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours meeting will be December 3 at the House on the Hill in Ellsworth.  The County Chapter of Michigan Townships Association will holds its Christmas Party at the Banks Township Hall at 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 4.  Cost is $18.

 

11. Shop Local Proposal: Supervisor Mann outlined a proposal to promote local businesses with a “local’s card” to give discount to township residents who do business at township businesses.  He will talk with various local business owners to see if there is interest in such a program.

 

12.  Historical Society Museum: Supervisor Mann proposed that a grant application be made to renovate an old, vacant building in the township to be used for a museum.  He suggested the High School students could work with the Historical Society to set up displays and hold business hours.  He suggested there might be a NLEA grant available.

 

13.  M-32 Renaming Project:  Supervisor Mann is scheduled to meet with South Arm Township, Village of Ellsworth and City of East Jordan Officials on December 4 at 5 PM to continue work on the proposal.  The NLEA is looking for funding for signage. 

 

14. Township Hall Security Cameras: Supervisor is continuing to investigate.

 

15.  Cellular Tower in Atwood: American Tower has sent an offer to amend the lease to allow an additional 4, five year terms of the lease.  For agreeing to this amendment, they offered to pay the Township $2160.  The Clerk was directed to send to the attorney for his opinion.

 

16.  Road Name: Treasurer Postmus was contacted by Robert Bearss inquiring why the road that formerly carried his family name is now called Boss Road.  Clerk reported she has contacted the Equalization Department and learned that the name was changed before they began being the department in charge of naming roads.  They have no records of the road ever being called Bearss Road.  Clerk will research old minutes of Township Board meetings to find any reference to this change.

 

17.  Snowplowing: MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to hire Matt Heeres for the Atwood Fire Hall and Keith VanderArk for the Township Hall, Ellsworth Fire Hall and Cemetery Vault building snowplowing.

 

18.  Library Contracts: Clerk reports the amended contracts have been signed and returned.  She has sent copies to the State of Michigan Library.

 

19. Township Hall: Septic Tank at the Township Hall was pumped today.  New stoves were installed in the kitchen.  Discussed extended warranty and decided to not purchase it.  An estimate for ceiling tiles for the kitchen was received from Lowe’s for $147.24, not including installation. 

 

20.  Visitors Guide Advertisement: MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED 4-1 to purchase a ½ page advertisement in the publication; cost sharing with the Village of Ellsworth. (2/3 to 1/3)

 

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

 

22.  The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, December 17 at 7:30 PM. 

 

23. The meeting was adjourned at 10:10 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk