6520 Center Street, PO Box 68
Ellsworth, Michigan 49729
Phone: 231-588-6126
Email: bankstownship@bankstownship.net
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March 2018

Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday, March 19, 2018

  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 David Rasmussen and Trustee Tom Cooper. Also present: Mark Groenink, Jerry Rasmussen, Andy Veenstra, Julie Waterman, Aaron Gaffney. Deputy Clerk Tina Sundelius arrived at 6:30 PM. Supervisor Mann led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Invocation.
  2. Public Comment: Aaron Gaffney, Superintendent of Ellsworth Community School, addressed the Board regarding school safety with lack of emergency personnel and response. He is coordinating a meeting to discuss options for promoting safety at the school and requested Township participation in the discussion. More details to come.
  3. Minutes: The minutes of the February 19, 2018, regular Board Meeting were presented. MOTION was made by Postmus, seconded by Cooper, to approve the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
  4. Fire Department: Chief Groenink reported business as usual. The Fire Budget was again reviewed with the up to date revenue & expenditure figures for the current year. Slight revisions were made.
  5. The meeting was recessed and the General Fund Budget Public Hearing was called to order at 6:45 PM. Supervisor Mann presented his proposed budget and allowed input from the Board. There was no public comment. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:46 PM and the Roads Fund Budget Public Hearing was called to order at 7:46 PM. Supervisor Mann presented his proposed budget and allowed input from the Board. There was no public comment. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:52 PM and the Vehicle Fund Budget Public Hearing was called to order at 7:52 PM. Supervisor Mann presented his proposed budget and allowed input from the Board. There was no public comment. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:55 PM and the Liquor Fund Budget Public Hearing was called to order at 7:55 PM. Supervisor Mann presented his proposed budget and allowed input from the Board. There was no public comment. The Public Hearing was adjourned at 7:58 PM and regular board meeting reconvened.
  6. Clean Up Day: Supervisor reported Preferred Waste 2 will accept metals and Freon units, as well as compactable items and will provide manpower for all stations except the tire trailer that the Township will have to supervise.
  7. Treasurer’s Report: The treasurer’s report on the incomes & balances for the month was presented: General Fund Balance: $255,701.49 (Balance due from fire fund: $90,000.); Roads Fund: $106,244.86; Fire Fund: $156,310.50; Vehicle Fund: $91,888.09; Liquor Fund: $1254.39; Grand Total: $611,399.33. Payment from State of Michigan for the Recreation Passport Grant, CharEm for additional bill related to the November election and Kingscott for attorney fees related to the School encroachment issue are expected prior to the end of the fiscal year. 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.
  8. Zoning Administrator’s Report: Veenstra reported he has been working with Village of Ellsworth President Hugh Campbell on a split on property owned by the Village that is being sold to two private owners. These parcels will be returned to the tax roll once the transaction is completed. He has also worked with property owners on Lake Michigan regarding their wish to split a parcel. However, upon investigation, the parcel was found to be too narrow to be split. The Blight issue on Coeling Road continues and now the property has reverted to bank ownership. An additional nearby property is also being investigated. Discussion on gathering evidence was held.
  9. Planning Commission: No meeting in March due to lack of quorum as two PC members were attending a training session on mining operations.
  10. Ambulance Authority: Julie Waterman reported that the Authority has completed the 2018-19 budget. She reported the Authority has set up a Building Maintenance Fund with the Authority contributing $10,000 per year for 5 years and the City of East Jordan doing the same. This is felt to better protect the funds and reflect the purpose (not rent fees). The Board reviewed the Authority’s draft budget and offered no comments. Ambulance Authority’s next meeting has been rescheduled to March 28 instead of March 21.
  11. Breezeway Task Force: Clerk reports the task force is in the process of replacing the way-finding signs at an estimated cost of $5905. Funding sources are being investigated.
  12. Correspondence: Clerk reports that David Bell of Intermediate Lake will present at the April Board meeting regarding concerns of the high water levels on the upper Chain of Lakes. Letter from MI Dept of Ag & Rural Development regarding an inspection done on property in Banks Township that was found to be out of compliance with manure management practices. This issue has been referred to the MDEQ for further investigation. Annual contractors workshop presented by the Antrim Conservation District will be March 21 beginning at 3 PM at the Blue Pelican. MDOT North Region Annual meeting will be March 20 from 3PM to 5PM in Grayling. The ParPlan News was distributed. Sheriff’s report of calls in February 2018 was reviewed. Letter from Watershed Council informing of a survey questionnaire to be mailed next week was shared. Newsletter from Beckett & Raeder that had two articles about Banks Township was shared: Availability of virtual meeting attendance for planning consultant and the November visioning meeting. Michigan Association of Municipal Cemeteries will hold the annual conference at Frankenmuth August 15-17. Letter from Scott Schwander of the Civil War Veterans group with an invitation to a dedication of monuments at the Oakwood Cemetery in Traverse City on May 19 at 10 AM.
  13. Cemeteries: Clerk will contact Carter Cemetery Preservation to perform maintenance on all cemeteries this summer at a cost not to exceed $3000. Clerk will contact BTHS to see if they have funds available to assist this year.
  14. American Tower Proposal: Discussion regarding proposals offered by American Tower. MOTION by Heeres, seconded by Mann, CARRIED, to authorize Treasurer Postmus to negotiate with American Tower on behalf of Banks Township.
  15. Board of Review: Supervisor reports 14 appeals were heard by the Board of Review.
  16. School Encroachment Issue: Clerk reports communication with legal counsel and Kingscott Engineers finds the resolution is several months out. Kingscott will reimburse the Township for expenses to date.
  17. Park Security: Clerk shared proposal from Habitec Security for camera system. Consensus was to investigate an alternative system.
  18. Newsletter: Draft copy was distributed and a couple of typos were corrected. Newsletter to be mailed approximately April 1.
  19. Budget Amendments: MOTION by Mann, seconded by Postmus, to amend the budgets per the list prepared by the Clerk. MOTION CARRIED.
  20. Township Hall Roof: Bids were received for replacement of the township hall roof from Story Roofing and J&J Quality Roof Repair & Installation. After careful review and consideration, MOTION was made by Cooper, seconded by Postmus, to contract with Story Roofing to install Landmark Pro Shingles per their proposal for a cost of $25,320. MOTION CARRIED.
  21. Township Hall driveway & parking lot: One proposal was received from Payne & Dolan for replacement of the driveway; no proposals for sealcoat & re-lining of the parking lot. Consensus to table until further investigation can be completed.
  22. Budgets Adoption: MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Cooper, to adopt the General Fund Budget as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Cooper: Yes; Rasmussen: Yes; Postmus: Yes; Heeres: Yes; Mann: Yes. Supervisor declared the General Fund Budget ADOPTED. MOTION by Postmus, seconded by Rasmussen, to adopt the Roads Fund Budget as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Cooper: Yes; Rasmussen: Yes; Postmus: Yes; Heeres: Yes; Mann: Yes. Supervisor declared the Roads Fund Budget ADOPTED. MOTION by Heeres, seconded by Rasmussen, to adopt the Fire Fund Budget with a 1.1 millage rate as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Cooper: Yes; Rasmussen: Yes; Postmus: Yes; Heeres: Yes; Mann: Yes. Supervisor declared the Fire Fund Budget ADOPTED. MOTION by Postmus, seconded by Heeres, to adopt the Vehicle Fund Budget as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Cooper: Yes; Rasmussen: Yes; Postmus: Yes; Heeres: Yes; Mann: Yes. Supervisor declared the Vehicle Fund Budget ADOPTED. MOTION by Cooper, seconded by Rasmussen, to adopt the Liquor Fund Budget as presented. ROLL CALL VOTE: Cooper: Yes; Rasmussen: Yes; Postmus: Yes; Heeres: Yes; Mann: Yes. Supervisor declared the Liquor Fund Budget ADOPTED.
  23. Elections: Clerk reported elections are scheduled for May 8, August 7 and November 6 in 2018. Slate of inspectors will be presented for approval for the May 8 school/ISD election at the April meeting.
  24. Public Comment: There was none.
  25. Next meeting Monday, April 16 at 6 PM.
  26. The meeting was adjourned at 9:29 PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres, Banks Township Clerk