6520 Center Street, PO Box 68
Ellsworth, Michigan 49729
Phone: 231-588-6126
Email: bankstownship@bankstownship.net
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August 2017

Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday, August 21, 2017

  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: Deputy Clerk Tina Sundelius, Andrew Veenstra, Jerry Rasmussen, Julie Waterman and Brad Berkau of NLEA. Cory Hoeksema arrived at 7:15 PM. Supervisor Mann led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Invocation.
  2. Presentation: Brad Berkau of NLEA gave a presentation on the results of the broadband survey that was conducted for Banks Township last month. Results show that 92% of the respondents are unsatisfied with the service they have. A large number are paying over $101 per month. Ten percent have no internet service; 4% is the regional average. The goal of the NLEA is to promote broadband fiber network in the area.
  3. Public Comment: There was none.
  4. Minutes: The minutes of the July 17, 2017, regular Board Meeting were presented. MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Postmus, to approve the minutes, amending item #9, 4th sentence to read: He recommends Drenth’s due to Banks Township contractor, proposal includes concrete removal and repair. MOTION CARRIED. The minutes of the August 14, 2017, Special Board meeting were presented. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper, to approved the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
  5. Fire Dept Report: Supervisor Mann gave the report for Chief Groenink who was absent. Chad Woodbury has rejoined the dept for the third time; he lives in Atwood now. Brittany Bruce, of Ellsworth, has also joined. Chief asked for the asphalt at Ellsworth Fire Hall to also be cleaned and crack sealed when Atwood Fire Hall is done. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper to approve the proposal from BD Services to clean and fill cracks in the asphalt at the Atwood Fire Hall for $1200. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper, to obtain a proposal from BD Services and have the work done similarly at the Ellsworth Fire Hall at a cost not to exceed $600. MOTION CARRIED.
  6. Township Hall: The acoustical panels and chandeliers are installed. Sconces scheduled to be installed tomorrow. Furnace room mopsink install nearly completed; urinal next week. Blue Fin Painting recommends not to paint the short wall in front of the stage. Will sand down, stain and polyurethane. Suggests 1×8 baseboards are needed all around the base of the floor. MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Heeres, to repair this short wall. Discussion held. MOTION FAILED. Consensus was to assess the budget to be sure limit has not been exceeded before proceeding. Jerry requested the parking lot be resealed. He asked for access to the online calendar so he can update it. Postmus will provide. He asked for access to security cameras system to be able to review ASAP when damage occurs. Heeres will contact security system rep to get Jerry set up for this. He reports he has had a lot of inquiries for rentals and several cancellations. Supervisor will contact renter for this weekend to gain permission to take photos of the wedding setup and display them on our website. Advertising for hall rentals: MOTION by Mann, seconded by Cooper to authorize Postmus to order a ¼ page ad in the NM Weddings Guide, price not to exceed $400. MOTION CARRIED. Yellow Pages Ad in the Phone Guide will be dropped. Discussed press release to announce the completion of the improvements project at the township hall. Clerk will coordinate. Will ask for proposal to crack fill and sealcoat the parking lot with work to be completed in the Spring. The Village will be contacted to repair the holes in the alley pavement.
  7. Treasurer’s Report: Postmus reported on the incomes & balances for the month: General Fund Balance: $164,399.91 (Balance due from fire fund: $120,000.); Roads Fund: $57,515.70; Fire Fund: $124,849.91; Vehicle Fund: $91,196.00; Liquor Fund: $1,049.65; Grand Total: $439,011.17. Bills represented by the attached list were reviewed for approval for payment. MOTION by Rasmussen seconded by Postmus, CARRIED, to approve the bills as presented.
  8. Zoning Administrator’s Report: Veenstra reported that 2 permits were issued this month, 1 new home, and 1 deck. He has sent two letters regarding cleanup of property on North Brinkers and Coeling Road. He reported that the both property owners have made progress with cleanup but not completed yet.
  9. Planning Commission: Cooper reported the PC had a large turnout for the Public Hearings and good input was received. The proposed amendment regarding storage containers was modified based on input from the public. The telecommunications amendment was sent to Antrim County Planning Commission for review. The short-term rentals guidelines were changed to a recommended noise ordinance and the MTA County Chapter will be asked to review. The Sand & Gravel Extraction SUP findings of fact are still being developed. Public Comment was received regarding semi’s running all night at the Preferred Waste site. A property owner approached the PC regarding a motorcycle endurance race weekend that he hopes to host annually.
  10. Ambulance Authority Report: Supervisor Mann introduced Julie Waterman as his appointee to replace Cody Randall on the Ambulance Authority Board. MOTION by Heeres, seconded by Postmus, to approve the appointment of Julie Waterman to the AA Board beginning October 1, 2017 until March 31, 2019. MOTION CARRIED.
  11. Computers: Cory Hoeksema addressed the Board on our need for additional support for township owned computers. Remote maintenance and support coverage for the treasurer, clerk and fire dept computers plus network, peripherals, election computer and other existing technology related products excluding cell phones and tablets is $1480. This does not include offsite backup. MOTION by Heeres, seconded by Mann, to approve a contract with Mission Computers for the above described computer support. MOTION CARRIED.
  12. Correspondence: Update from Ellsworth Community School regarding their expectation that the school construction project will be sufficiently completed to allow school to start on time and use all student areas. Sheriff report of 911 calls for July was reviewed. (Total: 83 with 16 medical and 18 traffic stops). Upcoming workshops presented by MTA were announced: Emerging Issues in Emergency Services, Hot topics in Planning & Zoning, MTA On the Road Regional Meetings, How Boards Make Decisions, Creating a Vision and Linking with the Community; MI Assn of Planning’s Annual Conference September 27-29 on Mackinac Island. MML letter regarding new legislations for medical marihuana facilities. NLEA Annual Report.
  13. Roads: The Central Lake/Ellsworth Road repairs are less than well done. The chip seal was not evenly applied causing the road to be lumpy and bumpy per Trustee Rasmussen.
  14. Park Project: MOTION by Postmus, seconded by Rasmussen to amend the DNR Grant agreement to add a split rail fence. MOTION CARRIED. MOTION by Postmus, seconded by Mann, to approve change order #1 and payment order #2 of the DNR Grant agreement. MOTION CARRIED. Postmus stated the cleanup of the beach is in compliance with our greenbelt ordinance. Rasmussen will contact Park maintenance employee to do the work.
  15. Banks Township Historical Society Building: Damage from a car backing into the building will be paid for by the insurance company of the driver. Estimated at $300.
  16. Cemeteries Update: Deputy Clerk Tina Sundelius reported on the work she is doing at the Antrim City Cemetery with recording of burials based upon marker information. The hope is that a records system can be established to allow for easier retrieval of burial information. The north driveway at the cemetery needs grading & gravel following recent hard rainstorms. Rasmussen will contact Heeres Excavating to do this work.
  17. Elections: The 16 eligible voters in Banks Township for the August 8 election for Central Lake Public schools were directed to vote at the Central Lake Governmental Center polling place. Two voters participated. The proposal was approved. There will be an election in Banks Township on November 7 on proposals for CharEm and Charlevoix Public Schools.
  18. Libraries: Reports from Central Lake District Library and Charlevoix Public Library were reviewed. Payments will be made in September.
  19. Planning Together Meeting: Supervisor announced he is organizing this meeting.
  20. Public Comment: None
  21. Next meeting Monday, September 18 at 6 PM.
  22. The meeting was adjourned at 8:29 P.M

Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres, Banks Township Clerk