Banks Township Board Meeting

Monday, November 16, 2015

1. The meeting was called to order at 6 P.M. by Supervisor Thomas Mann. Present were Supervisor Mann, Clerk Donna Heeres, Treasurer Katy Postmus, and Trustee David Rasmussen. Absent: Trustee Tom Cooper. Also present: Mark Groenink, Jerry Rasmussen and Seumas Gardner. Supervisor Mann led the Pledge of Allegiance and gave the Invocation.
2. Fire Dept.: The annual report of runs and expenses was reviewed. Chief Groenink reported there have been two runs to Norwood Township, both car accidents, since the contract began this summer. The ISO rating for part of the township may change and some residents may see a reduction in their homeowner’s insurance premiums due to this change. This rating is based upon the amount of water that is available on scene of a fire and the outlying areas of the township may be lowered from 9 to 8A. The Fire Dept. will be notified in 90-120 days of the rating. The annual firemen’s dinner will be held at A Matter of Taste at 6 PM on December 1.
3. Public Comment: Seumas Gardner, property owner on Premore Road, addressed the Board about the condition of the road. He as if road gravel could be placed in the low areas of this seasonal road. He is willing to cost share with the township to get this work done.
4. Minutes: The minutes of the October 19, 2015, regular Board Meeting were presented. MOTION by Rasmussen, seconded by Postmus, to approve the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED. The minutes of the November 10, 2015, Planning Together workshop were presented. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the minutes as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
5. Township Hall: Jerry Rasmussen reported the township hall has had lots of calls and interest for rentals in 2016. People are excited about the work being done on the building. Trustee Rasmussen reported on the progress of construction with the plumbing work ready for rough inspection. The Electrical work is progressing. There will be 4 circuits in the serving area. The janitor closet and lift were designed to extend to the ceiling along the door-wall entrance to the great room. The design has changed some to make it 8 ft. tall and allow for lighting or decorative features above that. There will be 4 can lights in the entry with wiring for a center chandelier. He noted that the soffits on the east side of the building are in need of painting and the chimney needs to be tuck pointed. There has been water leeching thru the piers and pilasters due to standing water on top of them. He suggested gutters be considered to alleviate some of this problem. The lift will require twice yearly inspections. A contract for maintenance was reviewed and many questions brought to light. Trustee Rasmussen will try to get answers before we consider entering into this contract. Building Committee: Grant applications have not been fruitful to this point. Another will be submitted in December to the Tribe and one in February to the Rotary Charities.
6. The treasurer’s report of incomes and balances was given. General Fund Balance: $177,553.07 with $180,000 due from the Fire Fund; Fire Fund Balance: $73,984.03; Roads Fund Balance: $48,125.65; Vehicle Fund Balance: $90,113.62; Liquor Fund Balance: $2,237.77; Grand Total: $392,014.14.
7. Bills represented by the attached list were presented for approval for payment. MOTION Mann, seconded by Postmus, to pay the bills as presented. MOTION CARRIED.
8. Zoning Administrator: Andy Veenstra was absent due to medical procedure today. Clerk reported 2 permits were issued in the last month, one for a carport and one for steps to Lake Michigan.
9. Planning Commission: No report.
10. Ambulance Authority: Supervisor Mann reported that the Authority will seek renewal of millage plus additional for capital improvements at an election in 2016.
11. Correspondence: Sheriff’s report of 911 calls for October was shared. A resolution for Summer Tax Collection by Ellsworth Community School was shared. Treasurer will negotiate a contract with the school for collection.
12. DTE Energy: Representative from DTE Energy has contacted Banks Township asking for franchise to provide natural gas to parts of the township. Proposal is to extend north along Rushton Road from Central Lake to the Village of Ellsworth and surrounding area. Supervisor & Clerk, along with Village President met with the Rep on Friday and he will present the proposal at our December meeting.
13. Road Improvements: Marion Center Road repairs are completed south of the county line along with patching on Rushton Road near Clay Pit Bridge Road. Awaiting estimate from ACRC for ditching on Lakeshore Drive. MOTION by Postmus, seconded by Rasmussen, to get estimate for repairs to Premore Road from ACRC and authorize the supervisor to sign a contract for improvement up to $4000 total to be split 50/50 with property owner. MOTION CARRIED. Rasmussen reports North Church Road is a mess and needs grading badly. Supervisor to contact ACRC. Jack Costolo reported to supervisor that Lakeshore Drive is muddy but no longer slimy.
14. Park Grant Application: Treasurer Postmus reported that our preliminary score was increased by 25 points bringing our score to 205, we are second of 45 applicants.
15. Election Results: Clerk reported 318 ballots were cast on November 3. The Charlevoix School proposal passed 18-9 and the Ellsworth proposal 164-127. Relatively narrow margins for both.
16. Clean Up Day: Supervisor contacted Preferred Waste 2 for the Clean Up Day planned for May 14, 2016. It will be held at their facility this year. Details regarding moving of the tire trailer from the Co-op need to be worked out.
17. Meeting Dates: The January meeting date was changed to January 25 due to conflict with MTA Educational Conference. The December meeting date was changed to Thursday, December 17 due to conflicts with Christmas holiday.
18. Par Plan Grant Application: Clerk and Lynn Spearing are working on applications for security system funding grants for the township hall and several Village properties. MOTION by Mann, seconded by Rasmussen, to approve the application for grant funding from the Par Plan for a security system for the township hall. MOTION CARRIED.
19. ACNA: MOTION by Mann, seconded by Heeres, to reappoint Carl Veenstra to the ACNA commission for 3 years, term expiring 1/1/2019. MOTION CARRIED.
20. Next regular meeting is Thursday, December 17 at 6 PM.
21. The meeting was adjourned at 7:45 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,
Donna L. Heeres
Banks Township Clerk