Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday, April 20, 2015

1. The meeting was called to order at 7 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Treasurer Katy Postmus, Trustee Tom Cooper. Trustee David Rasmussen arrived at 7:10 PM. Also present: Andy Veenstra, Dave Heeres, Tina Sundelius, Jerry Rasmussen, Mark Groenink, Don Miles, Susan Dutcher, Robert Dutcher, Bill Austin, Josette Costolo, Jack Costolo, Marc & Kathy Lame. Supervisor Mann led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Invocation.
2. Public comment: Jack Costolo addressed the Board with complaints about the condition of Lakeshore Drive. The surface is slippery and has wet spots. Afton stone, mixed with clay creates mud, he stated. Grading of the road has helped but the rain makes it very slippery. Robert Dutcher stated the product is not what was expected and what was advertised. It is not what we purchased. He asked if the provider of the material can be held responsible. He stated that paving would not hold up at this time. Marc Lame stated drainage is a problem, the water does not drain through the road, and it sits there and becomes mud and slime. Kathy Lame stated the seasonal people need to be kept informed. What information do we share with them? Supervisor Mann told the group that the action they took by going directly to a Road Commission meeting was the right action. The Road Commissioners listed to them and instructed the manager to do something to correct the situation. He told them that many roads in the township are in need of work and the township board is attempting to prioritize the needs and make improvements as budgets allow.
3. Planning Commission: Jack Costolo has announced his plans to retire from the Planning Commission as of July 1. Supervisor Mann gave accolades to Jack for his years of dedicated service on the planning commission and ZBA.
4. Roads: Supervisor Mann met with Dave Draper and Burt Thompson on site on N. Dennis Road. Discussion regarding cost sharing for road improvements to this seasonal road were discussed.
5. Minutes: The minutes of the March 16, 2015, regular Board Meeting were presented. MOTION by Postmus, seconded by Cooper, to approve the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED. The minutes of the special March 31, 2015, Board Meeting were presented. MOTION by Postmus, seconded by Cooper to approve the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
6. Fire Department: The Grass Truck has been repaired and is back in service. Bill Everett has left the Dept. as he moved to Grand Rapids area. Justin Potter & Nathan Humble have joined and will be starting FF1 training soon. Justin is an EMT. Mutual Aid Agreement with the DNR was reviewed. MOTION by Heeres, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the agreement. MOTION CARRIED. The premium notice for AD&D coverage for the fire dept. was not received. Clerk contact insurance agent to inquire and was told it will be sent soon, to be paid in May.
7. Township Hall: Jerry reported the rentals have been quiet lately but lots of calls for reservations have been coming in. Painting project and floor refinishing is underway. A proposal from Kritter Katcher for bug spray inside and outside was received for $175-200. MOTION Heeres, seconded by Mann, to approve up to $200 for bug spray and have the BTHS building done at the same time. The dehumidifier at the BTHS is not working, iced up per Dave Heeres who opened the facility for the summer. BTHS Members have been notified. Building Committee presented engineered drawings for the renovations for accessibility of the upstairs along with cost estimates. The Board toured the upstairs and examined the new ceiling lights and dimmer switches. Concern was expressed over the number of lumens with the new lights vs the 300 watts each bulb from before. Consumers Power Company and Atlas Electric have conferred over the new service for our building. One or two of the condenser units will need to be moved when the new service is installed. MOTION Rasmussen, seconded by Heeres to advertise for bids for the renovations to the township hall and set a meeting date with the engineer to present the plans to contractors during a walk through. ROLL CALL: Postmus: Yes, Rasmussen: Yes, Cooper: Yes, Mann: Yes, Heeres: Yes. MOTION CARRIED. Ads will be placed in the TC Record Eagle, Petoskey News Review and Antrim Review with insertion in the first two to be on a Friday. Will set June 10 for bids to be submitted for committee to look them over prior to the June 15 Township Board meeting.
8. Fire Dept.: The siren on the roof of the Township Hall is activated by the Sheriff Dept. and probably does not work since now on narrow band. Question about requirements for a warning system were discussed. Will get feedback from the community and address it at a later date.
9. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $282,014.14 with $180,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $77,639.97; Roads Fund Balance: $185,690.61; Vehicle Fund Balance: $90,062.51; Liquor Fund Balance: $1368.30; Grand Total: $636,775.53. Discussion on use of Township Hall by service clubs for fund raisers. Discussed having a contract with Lioness Club since they do maintain the building while using it and provide some supplies.
10. Bills represented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION Postmus, seconded by Rasmussen, to pay the bills as presented. MOTION CARRIED. Jeff’s Garage is interested in performing maintenance on cemetery/park mowers and equipment.
11. Zoning: Andy Veenstra reported on the dangerous building complaint on Old Dixie Highway. He has spoken with the property owner who has agreed to contact the fire chief regarding knocking down and burning the building. Andy also followed up on a hunting cabin in section 9 with no electricity that was built without a permit. Property owner is trying to obtain easements for driveway. He is also interested in placing a mobile home for his mother on a site of a former mobile home on the property. Andy is working with him on that. Friske Orchards has contacted Andy about replacing mobile homes used for farm workers with a 20×40 dwelling unit. He was referred to the Assessor for parcel line adjustments to make this compliant with zoning ordinance. The motel in Atwood has been purchased and is in the process of renovations to reopen in June. The Planning Commission did not meet in April.
12. Ambulance Authority: Supervisor Mann reported that the ambulance authority had its first official meeting last week. They are cleaning up loose organizational ends.
13. Correspondence: Clerk reported the AD&D Insurance for the Fire Dept. was not billed last year. She has contacted the agent who will look into it and send us a bill so the coverage does not lapse. Youth Conservation Corps is active out of Traverse City and looking for work. Clerk will contact them about helping with opening the cemeteries this spring. Sheriff’s report of 911 calls for March was shared. Information was received from Hugh Campbell with design and funding options for the Town Center lot. It was suggested that the township website needs updating with dates and information. The township newsletter has been sent to webmaster for inclusion. Clerk has been trying to get pdf of Tina’s newsletter to include.
14. Clean Up Day: Set for Saturday, May 9 at the Community Park from 8 to 11 am.
15. Election Inspectors: Motion Rasmussen, seconded by Cooper, to approve the appointment of election inspectors for the May 5, 2015, State Election as appointed by the Elections Commission. MOTION CARRIED.
16. Public Comment: Bill Austin suggested the Board consider increasing the Road Millage request next time it is up for a vote.
17. The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres
Banks Township Clerk