Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday October 23, 2006

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: Mark Groenink, Jerry Rasmussen, Bill Austin, John Hastings and Andre of the Journalism Class.

2. The meeting was rescheduled from October 16.

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

4. The minutes of the September Regular Board meeting were reviewed. MOTION Postmus, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented. The minutes of the October 12 Special meeting were reviewed. MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

5. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $193,881.98 with $160,000.00 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: 114,602.91 Liquor Fund: $2,289.26; Road Fund: $25,434.58; Grand Total: $336,208.73. Summer Tax Collection is 91% collected for total receipts of $684,745.55.

6. Public Comment: Andre, exchange student from the Ukraine, introduced himself. He is on assignment from the High School Journalism Class. Jerry Rasmussen, candidate for Village President, introduced himself. Bill Austin, chairman of the township roads committee, encouraged the Board to use 22A gravel for roads that we plan to pave in the near future and 23A for the others that have gravel added. John Hastings reported that the water heater at the hall has failed and needs to be replaced. It is about 35 years old. Drenth Plumbing & Heating has been contacted to replace it with a 52 gal electric water heater.

7. Pension Plan: Information from Burnham & Flower was shared. Additional information is anticipated soon from Farm Bureau on the plan they offer.

8. Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh reports the amendment that was approved by the Planning Commission has also been reviewed by the Antrim County Planning Commission. The amendment is recommended for approval. MOTION Rubingh, Mann, CARRIED to adopt Ordinance Number 2 of 2006 to amend the language of the Zoning Ordinance as required by the Zoning Enabling Act, Act 110 of 2006. YEAS: Postmus, DeKorne, Rubingh, Mann, Heeres. Ordinance was declared adopted.

9. Roads: Crawford Road estimate was received from Antrim County Road Commission. Cost for paving 2,540 feet from Rushton Road is $75,496. Our share is one half. Central Lake Township is willing to pay the entire amount in 2007 and let us reimburse them for our share in 1-2 years. The Roads Committee met on October 18 and reviewed the needs within the township. They prioritized the roads for paving and addition of gravel. 1) Tyrrell Beach Road – paving. 2) Crawford Road – paving ½ mile and pay half in 2007 and half in 2008. 3) Slough Road – gravel addition to Detour Road only. Estimate $12,000. 4) Mitchell Road – gravel. Estimate $18,277. 5) Lore Road – gravel. Estimate $ 10,681. 6) Rubingh Road – gravel. Estimate $4,983. 7) Church Road – obtain opinion from Road Commission about the condition north of Valley Road. 8) Byers Road – reconsider later. 9) Bergsma Road – reconsider later. Discussion was held on cost estimates and why the difference in cost sharing percentages when computed per foot. Question arose about packed vs. loose gravel, which grade of road gravel is bid. The board tabled the decisions for now, pending more information and better weather. Supervisor expressed appreciation for the Road Committee members who gave very thoughtful consideration to the prioritization of the roads projects. Also, the Supervisor expressed appreciation to Trustee DeKorne for his computations and review of the estimates prepared by the Road Commission manager.

10. ACNA Board: Term of office for Carl Veenstra expires December 31, 2006. Supervisor Mann reappoints Carl Veenstra to this board. MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the appointment. The Antrim County Planning Department will be notified of this decision and the Antrim County Board of Commissioners will be asked to approve the appointment.

11. Election Inspector Appointments: Clerk reports contact from Antrim County Democratic Party Chairman Jim McKimmy regarding his dissatisfaction with the inspector appointments. MOTION Heeres, Postmus, CARRIED, to appoint Nancy Zimmerman, Jeff Kessler and Sue Kessler as alternate inspectors for the November 7th election. There are 170 absent voter ballots out so far.

12. Township Hall Doors: Page Hardware representative has been here and replaced the glass & grids on the downstairs, north end door. He also was able to repair the part that was loose inside the door. The doors on the east side of the building are now keyed alike.

13. Township Hall Painting Project: Supervisor expressed appreciation for Treasurer Postmus’ & Clerk Heeres’ efforts in coordinating the painting project. It is nearly completed and looks very nice. Carpet runner and coat racks will be ordered. New window coverings for the downstairs will be investigated as the old ones are sun rotted.

14. MTA County Chapter: Meeting scheduled for Tuesday October 24 at 7:30 PM at the Helena Township Hall in Alden. Laura Sexton, county clerk, is the speaker.

15. Fire Department: Groenink reports that the annual Firemen’s Dinner is scheduled for Tuesday, December 5 at the Township Hall. He reported that one of the overhead heaters in the Ellsworth Fire Hall is not working. They will try to replace the burner but may have to replace the entire unit.

16. Cemeteries: Groenink reported that the flagpole that was removed from the Ellsworth Cemetery will be repaired and will be placed at the Antrim City Cemetery in the spring.

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

18. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, November 20 at 7:30 PM. The meeting was adjourned at 9:10 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk