Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday September 17, 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: Mark Groenink, Andy Veenstra, Steve Hicks, Jack Costolo, Hugh Campbell. John Hastings arrived at 8:45 PM.

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

3. The minutes of the August Regular Board meeting were read. MOTION Rubingh, Postmus, CARRIED to approve the minutes as presented.

4. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $243,887.09 with $120,000.00 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund: $115,710.02; Liquor Fund: $2,298.26; Road Fund: $12,760.72; Grand Total: $374,656.09. Summer Tax Collection continues. Approximately 86% of the taxes have been collected, a total of $806,295.09.

5. Public Comment: Jack Costolo addressed the Board on behalf of the property owners and residents of Lakeshore Drive. He presented a petition, signed by 19 year around residents/property owners, asking to have Lakeshore Drive paved. Supervisor explained the Road Commission’s new policy for cost sharing on road improvements. Also, the local Roads Committee’s input on priorities for road improvements is desirable. Supervisor will contact the Antrim County Road Commission to obtain cost estimates and will ask the Roads Committee to meet prior to our October meeting and develop a priority list for the Township Board’s consideration.

6. Public Comment: Steve Hicks asked about the status of the proposal to relocate a portion of Lakeshore Drive. He was advised that the Road Commission has informed the Township that no petition is before the Commission at this time. Mr. Hicks commented that he wishes the Road Commission would not use dust control liquid on Lakeshore Drive as it makes a mess and does little to control the dust. However, “They still need to grade it”. He also questioned who was appointed to be the new Road Commissioner to replace Jerroll Drenth.

7. Village Report: Hugh Campbell, Village of Ellsworth President, reported that the new street lights on Main Street are now working as of September 13. Plans to plant miniature trees along the street are being developed. MDOT has not done the final inspection of the project yet. A public hearing is scheduled for October 8 to establish an Industrial Development District (IDD) in the Village. This would encompass the Ellsworth Farmers Exchange properties and would provide a tax rebate or abatement for a portion of the increase in the SEV for a set number of years. Details are still in the planning stages. The Northern Economic Alliance is working with the Village on the establishment of this IDD. The trail from the Community Park to the Sports Park Complex is the subject of a grant application being completed by the Village. Mr. Campbell requested the Township be co-applicant with the Village on this grant, as in the past. Consensus was favorable for this. Mr. Campbell suggested the Township purchase the property, currently owned by the railway company, from the northern Village limits to Best Road He feels that property could be used as a public trail. The Community Park plans have been approved by the State of Michigan and will be advertised for bids this winter. Ground breaking is planned for Spring of 2008. The Village Fall Festival is scheduled for Saturday, October 27. East Jordan Chamber representative, Mary Faculak, is coordinating a community forum for May 2008. This forum will be used to enlighten community members of the “happenings” in the Village/Township. New Village Council members were appointed to fill vacancies. Jerry Rasmussen and Eric Seese were appointed and will need to run for the office in November 2008, if they choose to continue.

8. Fire Department Report: Chief Groenink reported receipt of a letter from East Jordan Ambulance to Torch Lake Township related to advanced life support services for the portion of Banks Township that is currently served by Torch Lake Ambulance. Effective October 1, 2007, East Jordan Ambulance will no longer provide advanced life support service (intercept) at no charge.

9. Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra reported attendance at the Antrim Conservation District’s Watershed tour on August 22. He reported investigation is underway on a violation of a house trailer being placed without a permit. He was given Board permission to discuss this case with township legal counsel as this is the second offense for this property owner.

10. Clean Up Day: Postmus reported she contacted American Waste and scheduled our Clean Up Day with them for Saturday, May 17. Rates are expected to be higher than the $34 per yard that we paid this year. Supervisor will contact JKW Salvage and Ellsworth Farmers’ Exchange to inform of the date. Rubingh urged the Township Board promote and attempt to organize a community wide garage sale on May 10 to possibly reduce the amount of waste.

11. Bid Procedures & Policy: Postmus and Rubingh presented draft procedure & policy. The draft will be reviewed with possible adoption at a future Board meeting.

12. Cemeteries: DeKorne reported work has not begun on the repairs to the vault building at the Ellsworth Cemetery.

13. Planning Commission: Trustee Rubingh reported the Planning Commission had a work session for their September meeting. Comparisons of the various zoning districts are being done and combining similar districts is being considered. In addition to the Public Hearing scheduled for October 9, a forum on renewable energy sources will be held (approximately 8 PM) for the Planning Commission. The Township Board is asked to attend. The speaker will be Jeremy Wittrock of the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association. The information will assist in the development of ordinance language pertaining to wind generators and other sources of renewable energy.

14. Township Hall: Upstairs wood floor refinishing is complete. MOTION Mann, Postmus, CARRIED to allocate $400 for utensils and dishes for the kitchen. Heeres will make the purchases. MOTION Postmus, Heeres, CARRIED to have the back stairway walls, ceiling and steps painted. Heeres will contact local painters to see who is able to do this work.

15. Roads: Supervisor reported the road gravel that we contracted for earlier this summer is scheduled to be placed in October.

16. Attorney Contact Policy: Supervisor reported he is still looking for a sample policy.

17. Foreclosure sales: Rubingh noted an article in the Capital Currents addressed the State’s amended policy of using foreclosure sales in assessing sales studies.

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

19. Next meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 15.

20. The meeting was adjourned at 9:40 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Donna L. Heeres

Banks Township Clerk