Banks Township Board Meeting
Monday October 19, 2009
1. The meeting was called to order at 7:30 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Trustee Marvin Rubingh, and Trustee Mark DeKorne. Absent: Treasurer Katy Postmus. Deputy Treasurer James Postmus arrived at 8:10 PM. Also present: Janet Koch of the Antrim Review, Sheriff Dan Bean, and Paul Barron. John Hastings arrived at 8:35 PM.
2. Supervisor Mann opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and prayer.
3. The minutes of the September Regular Board meeting were presented. MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes with correction of one typo. The minutes of the special meeting of September 26 were presented. MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to approve the minutes.
4. The treasurer’s written report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $346,658.67 with $40,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $80,370.08; Roads Fund Balance: $93,841.29; Liquor Fund Balance: $1,942.28; Grand Total: $522,812.32. Summer tax collections are at 90% collected.
5. Public Comment: Sheriff Bean addressed the Board and reviewed the written report of 911 calls for September. He announced that the proposed ORV Ordinance is scheduled to be voted on at the November 12 County Commissioners meeting. Close of comments on the proposed ordinance is October 26.
6. Public Comment: Paul Barron of Applied Energy Solutions addressed the Board about the Department of Energy grant funds that are available. Grant application deadline is October 22 for this round. It is expected that the grant may be extended and that others will be opened. He suggested an energy audit of the township buildings to prepare information for the grant applications. His firm can do the energy audit at cost of $10 per 100 sq ft of area. They can act as the third party consultant to hire and supervise contractors in completion of the projects. The cost of the services is reimbursable with grant funds.
7. Roads: Supervisor asked John Hastings to call a meeting of the Roads Committee to begin planning for 2010 projects. Norwood Township is investigating paving of their portion of Lakeshore Drive.
8. Bills represented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the bills as presented.
9. Planning Commission: Rubingh reported that the wind turbine ordinance amendment was published after our last meeting and is now in force. He & Mary Campbell attended a meeting in Petoskey related to the Right to Farm Act. Our ordinance will be amended to assure compliance with the Act. The proposed amendment related to cabins & accessory buildings as presented by Richard Beemon has again been tabled for research on septic regulations. Proposed amendment of the zoning districts is still under discussion. The effects of parcel divisions on zoning are being studied. Of special concern is the right to divide parcels that are less than 20 acres in size. Supervisor Mann commended the Planning Commission for the listening attitude that they convey and for the research efforts to find satisfactory solutions.
10. Personal Property Taxes: Trustee Rubingh asked that the Board consider refunding the township’s portion of the personal property tax to promote business and growth. MOTION DeKorne, Mann, CARRIED to authorize Rubingh to contact the township attorney to see if this has been done, if we can legally do it and what procedure needs to be done to accomplish this action.
11. Phragmites: Clerk Heeres reported the first treatment was completed early in October. MOTION DeKorne, Mann, CARRIED to pay the $3900 cost of phragmites treatment from the miscellaneous line of the general fund and return the donations from the property owners.
12. Internet service for BTHS: Clerk Heeres reported that due to construction of the township hall and the old bank building, wireless connection is not an option. Additional relays from building to building are necessary. Supervisor Mann will contact computer serviceman for more details on equipment needed.
13. Energy Grants: Clerk has begun the application for the MI Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program.
14. Township Hall Exterior Lights: Eisley Electric has been sold to Moon Electric of Bellaire. Clerk has scheduled installation of the fixtures & outside receptacle with Moon Electric as per the bid awarded to Eisley Electric.
15. Priority Health Insurance: Clerk was contacted by Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce that our membership dues will be increased to $120 since we are participating in the Priority Health Insurance. Clerk will investigate further.
16. Ribbon cutting at the House on the Hill Bed & Breakfast was held this afternoon for new owners Marci & Philip Palajac.
17. Clerk absence: Clerk reported she will be out of the area from October 22 through October 26 for knee surgery.
18. Snowplowing: MOTION Mann, Rubingh, CARRIED to approve the services of Heeres Excavating for snowplowing at the Atwood Fire Hall and Hilltop Plowing aka Keith VanderArk for snowplowing at the Township Hall, Ellsworth Cemetery Vault building and Ellsworth Fire Hall.
19. Recycling & Solid Waste: Supervisor Mann reported that the Recycling Center has opened in Ellsworth and we will no longer be required to pay for recycling services at the Central Lake site. The Central Lake Township Board plans to increase the cost of trash collection at the site from $2.50 per bag to $3 per bag on site or $25 for a book of 10 coupons. This is an increase from $20 for 10 coupons.
20. Letter of service recognition: Supervisor Mann sent a letter of service recognition to the US Coast Guard for Peter Rupinski. Pete serves on the Banks Township Fire & Rescue.
21. Breezeway: The Fall Color Tour & Costume Cruise took place on October 17. Businesses reported good activity. The chairlift rides at Boyne Mountain were very popular. Prizes were given for best costumes. Information meetings are being scheduled for next month for the residents. The first meeting will be at Banks Township Hall on Monday, November 23 @ 6:30 PM.
22. Info Items: MTA County Chapter meeting will be held October 27 @ 7:30 PM @ Elk Rapids Township Hall. Joe Meyers, Associate Planner for Antrim County will give an update on the Recycling Program. PA 116 Agreement for Anthony Postmus was received. Copy of the Consent to Relief filed by Township Attorney regarding the Barber petition for abandonment of a portion of the private drive, Wilson Drive, was shared.
23. Meeting Date Change: MOTION Mann, DeKorne, CARRIED to change the date of our regular November meeting from November 16 to November 23.
24. Road Name: Supervisor reported contact from Michael Spencer requesting consideration of change of road name. He is concerned that White Street within the Village of Ellsworth becomes Coeling Road at the Village limits and then (several miles later) becomes Boss Road. The Board did not see reason to change at this time.
25. The meeting was adjourned at 10:12 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres
Banks Township Clerk