Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday October 20, 2008

 

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, Andy Veenstra, Lee Wollgast, Bill Austin, John Hastings.  Stan Bean & Bill Gadwau arrived at 8:30 PM.

 

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

 

3.  The minutes of the September Regular Board meeting were reviewed.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes with corrections in item #7 to replace the last two words “primary structure” with “residence”.  Also, strike the item about cemeteries as is a repeat of the August report.  Item #15 to read: “PTAF: Postmus reported that a change in the PTAF levy can be decided annually at the budget hearing, not mid tax season. “

 

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given.  Fund Balances: General Fund: $299,695.10 with $80,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: $121,538.22; Liquor Fund: $2,092.27; Roads Fund: $34,023.69; Grand Total: $457,349.28.  Summer tax collection is 90% collected. ($877,384.24)

 

5.  Public Comment: Lee Wollgast, resident of Timberlane Terrace Subdivision was present and addressed the Board.  He gave an update on the legal battle over access to Lake Michigan from the subdivision’s jointly owned park. He announced that Penny & Pete Szafran are now the presidents of the association.

 

6.  Roads: John Hastings & Bill Austin reported for the Roads Committee.  After reviewing available money and traffic counts on several roads being considered for paving, the committee’s recommendation is to pave Lakeshore Drive at a standard width of 24 feet, not the 14 feet that had been proposed.  Additionally, the committee recommends crack sealant on local roads with special attention to the shoulders with grading and gravelling.  They also would like to encourage the Road Commission to maintain the shoulders of all county primary roads as well.  Several other roads were mentioned as needing repairs.

 

7.  Waste Receiving & Recycling Station:  Stan Bean, supervisor of Central Lake Township and Bill Gadwau, trustee of Central Lake Township, addressed the Board to discuss a new contract to cover these services.  Proposal is for Banks Township to pay 15%, Torch Lake Township 35% and Central Lake Township 50% of the costs above the revenues for the Recycling program.  The waste transfer station is self supporting.  Each township will be billed on April 1 of each year for the costs of the year then just ended.  Discussion was held on options for providing the recycling services.

 

8.  Fire Department: Chief Groenink reported that the Fire Dept is again providing a fire safety program at both elementary schools in town.  Previously, the Dept had asked businesses to provide materials for this program but with the state of the economy, they decided not to do so this year.  He asked if the Board could allocate funds for part of this expense.  MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to appropriate $220.50 for materials for the fire safety program if it is found to be a lawful expense.  Information was provided on the need to switch FD radios/monitors to narrowband frequency.  Projected cost is approximately $11,000.  These expenses will need to be built into the 2009-10 budget.  Chief reported on an emergency run to Lore Trail.  He reported the services provided by the East Jordan Ambulance crew were very timely and appropriate.  Treatment for the patient was initiated in the home with an IV start to alleviate the symptoms.  The patient was transported to the hospital for further care.  He reported that private roads are not well signed in many areas and urged residents on these roads to take steps towards proper signage and widening to allow emergency vehicles to access their homes when the need arises.

 

9.  Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra addressed the Board with concerns from Drenth Brothers, contractor for the Brooks mineral extraction site on Old Dixie Highway.  The special use permit will expire next spring.  Drenth Brothers contacted the ZA over the need to remove the berm on the property that was a condition of the permit.  The Planning Commission reviewed the special use permit conditions and advised the applicant & company that removal of the berm was not an expressed condition and therefore it is up to the property owner whether the berm is removed.  ZA Veenstra also reported on a structure that was moved to the township, applied for and received a zoning permit after the fact and never applied for a building permit.  Enforcement is now in the hands of the Antrim County Building Dept.  He also reported on a violation that he is following up on that has a camper set up on a parcel on Lake Michigan.

 

10.  Bank Signatories: Postmus asked that the deputy clerk & deputy treasurer be added as signatories on bank accounts.  MOTION DeKorne, Rubingh, CARRIED to authorize this.  Postmus presented an amended Investment Policy resolution. MOTION Heeres, Mann, CARRIED to rescind the current policy and adopt the new proposed policy.  Roll Call Vote: Postmus YES; DeKorne YES; Mann YES; Rubingh YES; Heeres YES.  Resolution was declared adopted.

 

11.  Planning Commission: Rubingh reported that the Tower Safety Zone amendment was not published within the required timeframe so needs repeat action by the Township Board.  MOTION Rubingh, DeKorne, to adopt the Tower Safety Zone amendment to the Zoning Ordinance as recommended by the Planning Commission.  Roll Call Vote: Postmus: YES; DeKorne: YES; Mann: YES; Rubingh: YES; Heeres: YES.  Amendment declared adopted.   Three proposed amendments to the zoning ordinance are slated for Public Hearing on November 10 @ 7:30 PM.  a) Non-commercial wind turbine generators to have a set maximum height of 150 ft. b) Parcel divisions for Ag parcels to be changed to allow for reconfiguration of property lines as long as no change in the number of parcels results.  c) Accessory structures would be allowed as a primary use in all zones.   The Planning Commission is requesting input on a proposal to change the Conservation/Recreation and Agricultural zones to Farm/Forest zone.  The proposed map and regulations were reviewed.

 

12.  Lore Road: The ownership & dimensions of the parcel need to be determined.  Rubingh & Heeres will do some research and report back at the next meeting.

 

13. Township Hall Renovations: Clerk reports work is underway and should be completed by November 1.

 

14. Atwood Tower: Clerk received a letter of interest in purchasing our lease.  The Board is not interested at this time.

 

15.  Chamber of Commerce: The Atwood Business owners are invited to a breakfast at Antrim Dells Golf Club House at 9 AM on Thursday, October 30. 

 

16.  MTA County Chapter Meeting: Scheduled for Tuesday, October 28 @ 7:30 PM @ Warner Township Hall.  Kevin Elsenheimer will speak about the Township Budget Depletion Proposal.

 

17. Info Items: Merris Fox, clerk of Milton Township for 24 years, was honored with a retirement party on October 18.  MDEQ permit was issued to the Village of Ellsworth for a nature boardwalk and dock.  The Sheriff’s report of incidents in Banks Township during September was reviewed.  A Renewable Energy Workshop is scheduled for October 30 from 10 to 4 PM in Traverse City.  Registration fee is $30.  Bathroom stalls at the Township Hall are rusting out.  Clerk will research cost of new stalls as the current ones are over 40 years old.

 

18.  Election Inspectors: Clerk reported that the Election Commission met and appointed inspectors for the November 4 General Election.

 

19.  Breezeway: Supervisor reported on the progress of the grant application with a telephone conference call last week.  We have made it to the second phase.

 

20. PTAF: Discussion was held regarding PTAF levy and memo received from the Dept of Treasury.

 

21.  Board of Review: MOTION Mann, Heeres, CARRIED to compensate all members of the Board of Review who participated in the July 2008 session $25 for services rendered.  A policy will be developed and implemented for operation & compensation of the Board of Review prior to the 2009 session.

 

22.  Phragmites: Discussion on need for an administrator to determine the extent of the species within the area.  Possibility of working with all Lake Michigan townships in Antrim and Charlevoix County to hire one firm to do the inspection and treatment in an effort to control costs.  Townships will need to adopt an ordinance to address how the eradication will be funded.  Property owners would be notified of the presence of the species, the plan for treatment and funding.  A public hearing would be held for property owners to learn about the program and voice concerns.  Three ways to fund the program would be through the general fund, a special assessment district established for this purpose or through donations from the property owners. 

 

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

 

24.  Next meeting Monday November 17 @ 7:30 PM.

 

25. The meeting was adjourned at 11:25 PM.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

 

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk