Burtchville Township Board of Trustees Regular Meeting. February 20, 2012

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1 Burtchville Township Board of Trustees Regular Meeting 1. The Regular Meeting of the Burtchville Township Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Appel. Pledge of Allegiance was followed by roll call. Members Present: Alan Briolat, Trustee Cindy Minnie, Trustee Joel Platzer, Treasurer Mike Appel, Supervisor Carolann Tremble, Clerk 2. Consent Agenda: The consent agenda includes the pre and post approval payment of bills totaling $440, Motion by Mr. Briolat, supported by Mr. Appel, to approve the consent agenda with the addition of the invoice from L & J Construction in the amount of $1, Roll Call: Ayes: Briolat, Appel, Minnie, Platzer, Tremble. 3. Citizens wishing to address the Board: 3a. Tim Ward, St Clair County Commissioner addressed two items of interest to county residents, the I-69 Corridor Project and the Thomas Edison Convention Center Project. Mr. Ward wanted to clear up negative and incorrect information going around the county. The Convention Center is a $28,000, project of which approximately $19,000,000 would be privately funded and $9,000,000 funded by St Clair County in the form of a bond. The Convention Center project is expected to generate approximately $25,000,000 in annual sales and create in excess of 250 jobs in the community. This project will be funded in part by Baker College for a culinary school and the developer. There is a question as to why this issue will not be brought to a vote. Mr. Fletcher, the County Attorney, advised the County Commissioners that in the State of Michigan, the board cannot simply take an advisory vote if there is an issue that the Commissioners have the capacity to make a decision on. The I-69 Inter-Local Agreement project is basically being formed to benefit economic development activities in the county. As far as the petitions to take this issue to a vote, the County Clerk decides what goes on the ballot. The County Clerk notified the people responsible for the petitions three Page 1 of 7

2 times, in writing, that they should seek legal advice as to the language of the petitions or if this was even a valid petition item. The County Clerk reviewed the petitions and felt that it was not something that could be put on the ballot. He went further and consulted legal council and obtained a written legal opinion who confirmed the Clerk s opinion. Mr. Appel explained his concern that County will be responsible for part of the cost of the Convention Center if it doesn t make money. Mrs. Minnie asked where the money would come from it the Convention Center does make money. Mr. Ward said those funds would come from the general fund. Mrs. Pat Moses said she objects to the fact that residents cannot vote on these projects. David Klinesteker of 3671 Ferndale: Mr. Klinesteker said he is the Sales Manager for The Thomas Edison Inn in charge of booking conventions into St Clair County for the last 25 to 30 years. He feels this is a fantastic opportunity for the community as he has turned convention bookings away due to the lack of facilities. The conventions bring a lot of people to the area which also benefits other areas of the county. If this project is rejected, the Thomas Edison will close. Mr. Klinesteker feels this project is good for the county. 4. Agenda: Motion by Mrs. Minnie, supported by Mr. Platzer to approve the agenda. Ayes: All. 5. Department Reports: 5a. Fire Department: Mark Harrington No report, the items that Mr. Harrington wanted to address will be discussed in the new business portion of the meeting. 5b. Building Department: William Boesch Mr. Boesch reported that there were no permits in January and zero fees were collected. 5c. Water Department: Michael Appel Everything is going good in the Water Department. Page 2 of 7

3 5d. Library: Jane Jane reported that there were no building issues. Mrs. Minnie inquired about e books at the St. Clair County Library. Jane explained that this type of program needed to be approved twice by the Board of Commissioners. The e books program has passed the first round of approval and should hopefully be completed in April. 6. Unfinished Business: 6a. Chapel Restoration Project: Cindy Minnie Work was done during the previous week to clean Chapel and strip woodwork. Additional work meetings will be scheduled once snow birds return to Michigan. 6b. Building Codes: Alan Briolat 7. New Business: Information is still needed from the State to complete this item. 7a. Resolution Annual SCC Road Permit: Motion by Mr. Briolat, supported by Mr. Platzer, to approve Resolution Roll Call: Ayes: Briolat, Platzer, Minnie, Appel, Tremble 7b. Resolution Convention Center Motion by Mr. Platzer, supported by Mrs. Minnie, to approve Resolution Motion by Mr. Platzer rescinded Motion by Mrs. Minnie, supported by Mrs. Tremble to approve Resolution Roll Call: Ayes: Minnie, Tremble Nays: Appel, Briolat, Platzer Motion dies for lack of support Page 3 of 7

4 7c. SCC Road Commission Estimate for Crossover Tube on Babcock Rd. Motion by Mr. Briolat, supported by Mr. Appel, to approve the estimate from St Clair County for a crossover tube on Babcock Road for approximately $1, Roll Call: Ayes: Briolat, Appel, Minnie, Platzer, Tremble 7d. Fleet Card for Mobile Station Mr. Appel explained that the Township could save $.08 per gallon of gasoline if a fleet account was established with Mobile Oil. Information will be obtained to see what is involved to apply for a fleet credit account. 7e. Pest Control for Building Exteriors: Bids have been received from ABC Home & Commercial Services in the amount of $ and S.W.A.T. TECH in the amount of $ to spray the exterior of the buildings in the spring. Mr. Briolat said that an estimate is also needed to spray the Chapel for bugs. Motion by Mr. Briolat, supported by Mr. Appel, to approve the bid from S.W.A.T. TECH in the amount of $ Roll Call: Ayes: Briolat, Appel Minnie, Platzer, Tremble 7f. Tornado Siren at Metcalf Road: Mark Harrington explained that the siren at Metcalf Road has been out of order for about a year. An estimate was obtained last year form West Shore to repair the siren. As discussed at the January meeting, the siren also needs to be updated because the FCC is changing to a narrow band. St Clair County applied for a grant to update the sirens in the county but found out that the grant will only cover sirens purchased with grant funds. West Shore will honor the estimate of $3, given to the Township last year to repair and update the Metcalf Road siren. As requested, Mr. Appel contacted Fort Gratiot Township to ask if they would share the cost of this repair. Fort Gratiot Township agreed to pay for half of the repair. Motion by Mr. Appel, supported by Mrs. Minnie to approve the bid from West Shore in the amount up to $3, for the repair of the Metcalf Road siren with the understanding that Fort Gratiot Township agreed to pay half the cost. Page 4 of 7

5 Roll Call: Ayes: Appel, Minnie, Briolat, Platzer Tremble 7g. Mutual Aid Agreement with Sanilac County: Mr. Appel explained that the Township attorney reviewed this Mutual Aid Agreement with Sanilac County. He had a few questions but after he spoke with Mark Harrington, Fire Chief, he felt there were no issues with the Agreement. Motion by Mr. Appel, supported by Mr. Platze,r to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement with Sanilac County. Roll Call: Ayes: All 8. Supervisor s Report: Michael Appel Mr. Appel talked with Mr. Briolat regarding the lawn care contract and both agreed that the Township should extend the contract with TLC for another year at the same cost as last year in the amount of $16, There are a few items that need to be addressed with TLC and Mr. Appel will contact Chad to discuss these things. Motion by Mrs. Minnie, supported by Mr. Appel to approve the contract with TLC for the 2012 lawn care season for the same amount as the 2011 contract of $16, with items of concern addressed. Roll Call: Ayes: Minnie, Appel, Briolat, Platzer, Tremble 9. Clerk s Report: Mrs. Tremble said the Clerk s office is getting ready for the election on February 28, Treasurer s Report: Mr. Platzer reported that the Treasurers office is wrapping up the tax payments. 11. Trustee s Report: Cindy Minnie: Mrs. Minnie said there was a vendor at the MTA meeting that will handle the sale of used office equipment at no cost. She thought we Page 5 of 7

6 should contact them to dispose of the old copier being stored in the storage vault in the DPW building. Mrs. Minnie asked Mr. Boesch for an update on the Timberline (Louis Carufel) property as there are logs along the road again which violates the agreement they made in court. Mr. Boesch said he has talked to Mr. Carufel numerous times but the logs have not been moved. Mr. Appel said the issue may have to go back to the courts for resolution. Another issue of concern is the Sutherland property; there are more cars for sale on the property. Mr. Boesch said he has a letter ready to send to the property owner and the State of Michigan regarding this issue. Alan Briolat: Mr. Briolat explained that there was an estimate from St Clair County Drain Commission to clean the Wixon Drain in the amount of $1, This is really informational only. Mr. Briolat spoke with Certified Abatement regarding the asbestos testing in the old DPW building. The cost to do the entire testing would total approximately $ Depending on the results, a company may need to be hired to remove asbestos detected before the building is demolished. Motion by Mr. Briolat, supported by Mr. Appel, to approve the inspection of the old DPW building by Certified Abatement for up to $ Roll Call: Ayes: Briolat, Appel, Minnie, Platzer, Tremble Mr. Briolat said the there is an estimate from Mark s Plumbing to change the pipes at the Old Town Hall. Dusty discovered that if he turned off the water at the old DPW building, the Old Town Hall would not have water. Motion by Mr. Briolat, supported by Mrs. Minnie to approve the estimate from Marks Plumbing in the amount of $ to change the piping at the Old Town Hall. Roll Call: Ayes: Briolat, Minnie, Appel, Platzer, Tremble Motion by Mr. Briolat to extend LD Kenner s contract to clean the Township Hall. After some discussion, it was decided to table this issue until the next regular meeting. Page 6 of 7

7 12. Extended Public Comment: Robert Abernethy: Mr. Abernethy questioned the weed control in the TLC contract and was told that this was included in the TLC contract. Mr. Abernethy wanted to make sure the Bike Path was mowed five foot on each side of the path. Motion by Mrs. Minnie, supported by Mr. Briolat, to adjourn. Roll Call: Ayes: All Meeting adjourned at 8:28 pm Approved On: Page 7 of 7