Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday, April 15, 2019

1. The meeting was called to order at 6:00 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Treasurer Katy Postmus, Trustee Tom Cooper and Trustee David Rasmussen. Also present: Heidi Cooper, Don Miles, Julie Waterman, and Tina Sundelius. Supervisor Mann led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Invocation.
2. Public Comment: Don Miles reported that Lakeshore Drive is “wall to wall” potholes and the culverts were not unplugged over the winter to allow drainage. Supervisor Mann reported that some gravel was placed in the potholes last week but the ACRC is not able to access with a grader due to frost law restrictions. ACRC is aware of the situation and will grade ASAP.
3. Minutes: The minutes of the March 25, 2019, regular Board Meeting & Budget Hearings were presented. MOTION was made by Cooper, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Sheriff’s report of 911 calls for March was shared. There were 74 calls in March.
5. Village of Ellsworth: The Village Sewer Project study was completed and recently the plans were unveiled for a three phase, $10-12 million-dollar project. The Village will apply for a USDA grant to help fund this project.
6. Fire Department: The department has been active with calls. The natural gas bill from DTE Energy for the Ellsworth Fire Hall has recently been received for the past 12 months.
7. Township Hall: The carpet cleaners are due tomorrow. The rain gutters have been installed. Proposals for repairs/replacement of concrete on the west side of the building have been received.
8. Treasurer’s Report: Report of incomes and balances was presented by the Treasurer. General Fund Balance: $340,364.21 with $60,000 due from the Fire Fund. Fire Fund Balance: $144,933.00. Liquor Fund: $1125.75. Roads Fund: $117,436.60. Vehicle Fund: $75,640.68. Grand Total: $679,500.24. Bills represented by the attached list were reviewed for approval for payment. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper, to pay the bills as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
9. Zoning Administrator: Performance Evaluation was completed by the Supervisor, PC Chair and Trustee Cooper. Very positive reviews from the PC and the public.
10. Planning Commission: The draft Master Plan was sent forward and scheduled for public hearing at the July 9 Planning Commission meeting. The Planning Consultant with send out notices as required by law and the draft ordinance will be available for public inspection on the website. A draft ordinance regulating accessory buildings will have a public hearing on May 14 at 6 PM. The Planning Consultant has recommended adoption of an ordinance on recreational marijuana. The PC will be addressing this soon.
11. Ambulance Authority: Julie Waterman reported the AA has not met since our last meeting. They will attend the April 16 meeting of the East Jordan City Council where it is expected the council will vote on the addition of Boyne Valley Township to the AA. Action had been tabled at the April 2 meeting.
12. Correspondence: Letters from: Vanessa Le, website administrator regarding maternity leave and her willingness to train someone to do updates while she is on leave. Deputy Clerk Tina Sundelius will contact her and learn to do this. Antrim County will host a facilities master plan meeting on Tuesday, April 23 at 6 PM. Antrim Conservation District newsletter was shared. SAFE in Northern Michigan, a project of the Health Department of NW Michigan, inquired about marijuana retail sales regulation and asked that we notify LARA of State of Michigan of our decision to opt-out so licenses are not processed for our community.
13. Bay Watershed Protection Plan: Supervisor Mann continues to interview potential representatives for this group.
14. Banks Township Park: Proposals for Park repairs to the erosion areas were reviewed. Bids were presented by Heeres Excavating and Sommer Solutions to place a catch basin, relocate the bench and place a drain tube to the edge of the cliff. Also, repair the yard and seed. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper, to award the work to the lowest bidder, Sommer Solutions, for $3000. MOTION CARRIED. Don Miles suggested “crown vetch” be planted on the slope to hold the side hill. Park Concrete: The paint has checked and peeled. Will contact MDC regarding this as they have now painted it twice and just doesn’t last.
15. Atwood Fire Hall: Proposal to extend the hard surface on the south side of the building 8’ x 55’ was presented. Cost for concrete to the area is $1800 plus $300 for prep & restoration. Cost for gravel is $550 plus $300 for prep & restoration. MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Cooper to hire Stevens Concrete install concrete as described and Sommer Solutions to do the prep & restoration work. MOTION CARRIED. The posts need to be painted and Brian Darrah is willing to paint them. It has been recommended that a wind break be installed on the west side of the service door. Trustee Rasmussen will install an acrylic panel to allow light and sight through the panel and protect from wind & snow.
16. Township Hall: The concrete trough on the west side of the building has been damaged and allowed water to leak into the meeting room, causing staining of the carpet. Proposal from Stevens Concrete to remove several sections and replace was submitted for $2100. MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Mann to approve this proposal. MOTION CARRIED.
17. Clean Up Day: Supervisor Mann is working with Kevin Russell & American Waste to ensure the flow of traffic is acceptable on this day. In addition to the usual items, including metals, American Waste will accept refrigeration units. Mark Groenink has agreed to operate the backhoe and Larry or Rob Essenberg will operate their tractor with the forks to aid in moving the items around. Possible curbside pick up was discussed and cost will be investigated for future clean ups.
18. Website Security & ADA Requirements: Discussion on need to update the website for better function, user friendliness, security & ADA compliance. Clerk will obtain 2-3 proposals for consideration at the next meeting.
19. Election: The election commission appointments for the May 7 election were presented. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the appointments. MOTION CARRIED.
20. Public Comment: There was none.
21. Next meeting Monday, May 20 at 6 PM.
22. The meeting was adjourned at 7:59 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres, Banks Township Clerk