Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday November 21, 2011

Draft Minutes

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: Andy Veenstra and Mark Groenink.

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

3. The minutes of the October Regular Meeting were presented. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented, amending a couple of typo errors. The minutes of the October Special Meeting were presented. MOTION Rubingh, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $71,735.07 with $300,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $24,329.10; Roads Fund Balance: $35,340.42; Liquor Fund Balance: $1604.52; Grand Total: $133,009.11. Treasurer Postmus reported that she will mail the tax bills on November 30.

5. Public Comment: There was none.

6. Fire Department: Chief Mark Groenink invited the Board & spouses to the annual Firemen’s Dinner on Tuesday, December 6 @ 6 PM @ the Front Porch. The County Wide Mutual Aid Agreement was discussed. It now includes EMS as well as Fire Services. MOTION Postmus, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement and authorize the Supervisor to sign it. The Fire/Rescue Dept travel & expense reports were distributed. The total number of runs for the 12 months was 143, up from 113 the prior year. Supervisor Mann thanked the entire department for an outstanding job again this year! The old tanker truck advertisements have yielded no offers. Discussion was held and decision was reached to remove the tank and try to sell the tank and the cab/chassis separately. The Ellsworth Fire Hall Roof project has not been started.

7. Hazard Mitigation Plan: Letter from Carl Goeman, director of Emergency Management was received describing the plans to update the Hazard Mitigation Plan adopted by the Antrim County Board of Commissioners in 2005. The NWMCOG has offered funding to Antrim County to coordinate this project. Each local unit of government must sign a letter of intent to participate in the process. MOTION Heeres, DeKorne, to participate in the update of the Hazard Mitigation Plan. YEAS: 5; NAYS: None. MOTION CARRIED.

8. Cemetery Marker Restoration: The Banks Township Historical Society has been in contact with David Carter of Carter’s Cemetery Preservation about repairs to the markers in our township cemeteries. David is son of local residents and is offering his services to help maintain these old and damaged markers. He offered to meet with the BTHS and the Board in May of 2012 and offer suggestions. The Board is interested in meeting with him and Clerk will notify him of this.

9. Cemetery Activities: Issues regarding missing decorations left on graves was discussed. The lost item has been found and hopefully situation will not be repeated. Judy VanderArk suggested the Board consider adopting an ordinance for the cemeteries. This will be researched and discussed at a later time.

10. Ambulance Contract with City of East Jordan: Supervisor Mann and Fire Chief Groenink met with City officials to discuss a new contract for services. The last contract expired July 2011.

11. Holiday Festival: The Village of Ellsworth is again hosting the Wooden Shoe Festival on Wednesday December 14 from 6 PM to 7:30 PM. Tree lighting, caroling, crafts and Twister Joe are planned. The Breakfast with Santa is set for Saturday, December 10 from 9 AM to 11 AM.

12. Downtown Design: The Village of Ellsworth is holding a downtown design meeting on Tuesday, November 22 @ 7 PM to establish guidelines for theme and colors for the downtown district. Additionally, banners will be ordered to decorate the town thanks to grant funds from the Main Street Grant.

13. Zoning: Andy Veenstra, Zoning Administrator reported issuance of one permit for a farm building this month. He continues to work with Chuck Edwards of the Health Dept. on a violation issue.

14. Recreation Committee Update: Postmus informed the Board of a meeting set for Monday, December 5 @ 7 PM with the Rec Committee and Kevin Makarewicz of C2AE. Various grant fund sources will be explored at that meeting as well as establishment of elements for the proposed park improvements. Banks Township extends congratulations to Norwood Township on their award of grant funds from the Michigan Recreational Passport Grant.

15. Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh reported on the recent Planning Commission activities. Further revisions have been made to the draft proposals for Medical Marihuana and RV regulations.

16. National Flood Insurance Program: A letter was received from Attorney Bryan Graham regarding our mandated actions on the revised floodplain maps. The maps for this area are not finalized yet but when they are, we will need to have resolutions and ordinances pertaining to them.

17. Info Items: Charter Cable: Announcement was received outlining the upgraded digital network services that will be available in the area soon. Sheriff’s report of activities in Banks Township during October was shared. Election calendar for 2012 was shared: February 28, May 8, August 7, and November 6 are the dates for elections. Water Pollution Tax Exemption Certificates for William Austin and Chevron Michigan were received.

18. Township Hall Caretaker: Four applications were received for the position. All were reviewed and discussed by the Board. MOTION DeKorne, Mann, CARRIED to offer the position to Jerry Rasmussen for $300 per month.

19. Breezeway Task Force Strategic Planning Meeting was held November 18. The Breezeway Cruise will be held on Friday June 22, between the Jordan Valley Freedom Festival and the Ellebration Festival. Other events are being organized as well.

20. Township Hall: Discussion on a 5 year plan for improvements to the Township Hall was held. The wish list includes: historical building designation, restrooms upstairs, accessibility modifications, insulation, HVAC improvements, upstairs lighting improvements, and acoustical improvements upstairs. Postmus and Heeres agreed to make some contacts to begin the historical building designation.

21. Next meeting will be held Monday, December 5 @ 7:00 PM. (Special meeting) Next regular meeting will be held Monday, December 19 @ 7:30 PM.

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

23. The meeting was adjourned at 9:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk