6520 Center Street, PO Box 68
Ellsworth, Michigan 49729
Phone: 231-588-6126
Email: bankstownship@bankstownship.net

April 2018

Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday, April 16, 2018

  1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Trustee David Rasmussen and Trustee Tom Cooper. Absent: Treasurer Katy Postmus. Also present: Mark Groenink, Jarris Rubingh, and Deputy Clerk Tina Sundelius. Supervisor Mann led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Invocation.
  2. Public Comment: Jarris Rubingh announced the Agricultural Outlook is poor with prices down for goods and expenses up. Two farms in the county are having auctions. The Governor is expected to sign a sales tax exemption for Ag.
  3. Minutes: The minutes of the March 19, 2018, regular Board Meeting & Budget Hearings were presented. MOTION was made by Mann, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
  4. Treasurer’s Report: There was no treasurer’s report. Bills represented by the attached list were reviewed for approval for payment. MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Cooper, to approve the bills as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
  5. Township Hall: Clerk reported dimmable light bulbs for upstairs fixtures have been ordered and a baby changing table for the restroom.
  6. Zoning Administrator’s Report: Veenstra is out of town for 10 days, arrangements were not made for coverage. His log of permits issued was reviewed: one house and two garages/storage buildings permits were issued in the past month. No report on blight violations. Clerk reported a ZBA Public Hearing will be held on Monday, May 7 at 6 PM on a request for variance from Bryan & Anita Hoeksema to allow a storage building to be constructed on their property on US 31 Hwy. They are unable to meet the required 35 ft setback (110 ft from centerline of the road) due to topography and existing structures. They are requesting a 30 ft variance. Another letter of complaint was received regarding the blight situation(s) on Coeling Road and sent to the ZA for follow-up.
  7. Planning Commission: Cooper reported 4 visitors at the April PC meeting. Matt Heeres outlined plans for a sanctioned moto-cross race on his farm in May. It was determined that no permit is required under the Zoning Ordinance. The event is insured and has provisions for sanitation, etc. He also questioned the PC on requirements for gravel extraction on two parcels north of Eastport. He wishes to be allowed to divide the property into small lots when the mining operation is complete. He was given direction on requirements for parcel division. Zoning Ordinance #1 of 2018 (Completed Applications) was presented for approval following PC public hearing and review by the Antrim County PC. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper, to approve this amendment. Roll Call Vote: Rasmussen: Yes; Cooper: Yes; Mann: Yes; Heeres: Yes; Absent: Postmus. MOTION CARRIED. The Planning Consultant submitted a proposal for review of the master plan. The PC asked for a joint meeting with the Township Board in June. Discussion was held on the Blight/Nuisance ordinance that has been drafted. Plan to review the ordinance more thoroughly next month.
  8. Fire Department: Chief Groenink reported the ambulance vehicle will be delivered for inspection on Tuesday. If we do not purchase it, there will be an $800 charge for the delivery for inspection. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Rasmussen, that contingent upon satisfactory inspection by the Fire Department officers, the chief is authorized to sign documents to purchase a 2013 International Ambulance vehicle for $40,000 from Kodiak Emergency Vehicles. The vehicle is 27” longer and 12” taller than the current vehicle and Chief assured it will fit in the barn without modifications. Roll Call Vote: Rasmussen: Yes; Cooper: Yes; Mann: Yes; Heeres: Yes. Absent: Postmus. MOTION CARRIED.
  9. Correspondence: Clerk reported attendance at a meeting hosted by FEMA for comments on the updated flood plain maps for the inland waterways. Several Antrim County townships are still not participating in this mapping program. MTA Educational Conference is next week in Acme.
  10. Cemetery Markers: Carter Cemetery Preservation will begin work at the Catholic Cemetery with repairs to markers and Antrim City Cemetery maintenance this summer. Clerk is trying to obtain funding from other partners such as BTHS and the Catholic Diocese.
  11. American Tower: Treasurer Postmus is still negotiating on our tower lease.
  12. Clean Up Day: Supervisor reports the Village of Ellsworth will contribute the use of their backhoe for Clean Up Day. Preferred Waste 2 rates will be the same per compacted yard as last year. The will provide roll offs for steel and will take refrigerators. We will provide additional compensation for two men who will work in the tire trailer. We received a grant of $2,000 towards the tire disposal.
  13. Atwood Street Lights & Speed Study: Supervisor reports contact from Richard Friske requesting a speed study for US 31 at Atwood. Discussion was held and consensus to not request this as the speed limit may be raised following such a study. Request for a street light to be placed at Richardson Road on US 31. Further discussion led to inclusion of Essex Road intersection to be included in request for proposal from Great Lakes Energy. Also, request to change bulbs in all lights to LEDs. Supervisor will contact GLE.
  14. Elections: Clerk reported the wages for the election inspectors has been the same rate since 2006 or before. She requested an increase of $2/hr. MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Cooper to increase compensation to $13/hr for inspectors, $15/hr for chair. MOTION CARRIED. Election Inspectors appointments by the Elections Commission were presented by the Clerk. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper, to approve the appointments. MOTION CARRIED.
  15. Deputy Clerk: Clerk reports deputy Tina Sundelius has demonstrated independence in several areas of the job and recommends an increase in her compensation. MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Cooper, to increase the deputy clerk’s wages by $2/hr to $15/hr. MOTION CARRIED.
  16. Township Hall Roof: Approximate start date of May 1.
  17. Park Security: Discussion of need for security cameras was held. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper, to authorize Rasmussen & Heeres to purchase needed equipment to install small security camera at the Park. MOTION CARRIED. Kevin Makarewicz of C2AE will present recommendations for repairs to the storm damage at the Park at our next meeting.
  18. Lakeshore Drive: Supervisor will meet with committee to plan for May 19 10am meeting with LSD residents. Ann Chastain will moderate the meeting. Invitations have been sent to the Roads Committee, ACRC manager Burt Thompson, AC Commissioner Dave Heeres.
  19. Public Comment: Jarris Rubingh reported Chronic Wasting Disease is now present in the deer herd in 4 counties of Michigan. Also, tuberculosis has been found. Deer herd population is huge.
  20. Next meeting Monday, May 21 at 6 PM.
  21. The meeting was adjourned at 8:32 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres, Banks Township Clerk