Negaunee Township Regular Board Meeting Call to Order William Carlson, Township Supervisor, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance. Other Board members present included Kathleen Carlson, Patrick Moyle, Rachel Sertich and Gary Wommer. Absent None Agenda Upon motion of Kathy Carlson, seconded by Patrick Moyle, the Agenda as presented was approved. Motion Carried. Approval of Minutes Board members reviewed the minutes for the Regular Board Meeting held on October 12, 2017. Upon motion of Patrick Moyle, seconded by Gary Wommer, the minutes as presented were approved. Motion carried. Public Comment Steve Krook, 453 South Basin Drive, addressed the Board on behalf of the 95 residents on South Basin Drive, Three Mile Road, Nardi Road, Ketchum Drive and Pietro Drive, requesting the Township continue to consider paving South Basin Drive from the end of the pavement to the Totem Pole. He had also addressed the Board at the October, 2017 meeting and at that time had presented a petition signed by 26 residents of the area. Old Business Bid & Quotes Policy Board members reviewed proposed, 1) Bids & Quotes Policy, and 2) Expenditure Authorization. Additional draft Township Board Authority policy information was provided. Gary Wommer motioned, and Kathy Carlson seconded the Bids & Quotes Policy and Expenditure Authorization be adopted. However, after further discussion and request for additional review, the motion was rescinded and the item was tabled until the December, 2017 Board meeting. Board members were asked to review the material in detail and to present any revisions / updates to the Treasurer within the next several weeks. New Business Community Center Board Request for Bids on New Tractor A Request for Sealed Bids (RFP) document from the Community Center Board (CCB) for a new four-wheel drive tractor was reviewed. Board members had several concerns regarding the detail of the RFP and also the fact the purchase of a new tractor and the RFP request were not specifically noted in the minutes of the CCB s 11/1/17 meeting (minutes only noted prices were to be provided at the December, 2017 meeting). Gary Wommer and Patrick Moyle noted they will assist with updating the RFP to include required specifications for the CCB, including having the document formatted in a manner similar to other Township RFPs. Pump House Heater Bids Bids to supply and install space heaters at the Township pump house were reviewed. Upon motion of Gary Wommer, seconded by Patrick Moyle, approval was given to award the bid to supply and install two Empire DV-210 natural gas space heaters at the Township pump house to Central Heating & Cooling at a cost of $2,460. Motion Carried. Amendment to Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority Articles of Incorporation Upon motion of Rachel Sertich, seconded by Kathy Carlson, the following amendment was adopted: Negaunee Township Board Meeting Page 1 of 5
AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION OF THE MARQUETTE COUNTY SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY At a duly held meeting of the Board of Trustees of Negaunee Township on Thursday, November 9 th, 2017, the named municipality, which is also a Constituent Municipality of the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority, passed a Resolution to amend the Articles of Incorporation of the Marquette County Solid Waste Management Authority to include 1) the County of Marquette as a constituent member, with the following restrictions and limiations: 1. The County s only duty is to appoint Authority Board members in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation of the Authority and the Intergovernmental Agreement, and 2. The County has met all of its financial commitments, including the upgrade to County Road NP and the upgrade to the Carp River Bridge, and the County does not have any existing or future financial obligations or duties connected in anyway whatsoever with the operation of the Authority or the Marquette County Landfill, and 3. The County DOES NOT pledge its full faith and credit or provide any other guarantee as to the Authority or its operation. 2) To also include the following as Constituent Municipalities, pursuant to the requirements of an Intergovernmental Agreement previously executed by the municipalities: Marquette City Negaunee City Ishpeming City Champion Township Marquette Township Sands Township Chocolay Township Michigamme Township Skandia Township Ely Township Negaunee Township Tilden Township Ewing Township Powell Township Turin Township Forsyth Township Republic Township Wells Township Humboldt Township Richmond Township West Branch Township Ishpeming Township Aye: W Carlson, K Carlson, P Moyle, R Sertich & G Wommer Nay: None Motion Carried Ordinance to Authorize and Regulate the Establishment of Medical Marijuana Facilities Board members reviewed the draft police power ordinance prepared by the Township Planning Commission with respect to Michigan s medical marijuana permitting process. Discussion was held regarding the process by which the Planning Commission had set license levels, and the fact all licenses would be considered Conditional Use. After lengthy discussion and upon motion of Gary Wommer, seconded by Kathy Carlson, approval was given to adopt Township of Negaunee Ordinance to Authorize and Regulate the Establishment of Medical Marijuana Facilities. Reports Aye: K Carlson, R Sertich & G Wommer Nay: W Carlson & P Moyle Motion Carried Community Center Board Patrick Moyle, Board Liaison to the Community Center Board (CCB), provided an update for the meeting held on November 1, 2017. Items highlighted included: 1) UP Engineers & Architects will be working on the soccer field project, 2) new winter apparel had been acquired for the winter workers with the Township Board wanted to make certain appropriate high visibility clothing (vests, etc) were being worn, 3) CUPPAD is conducting a survey of Township residents Negaunee Township Board Meeting Page 2 of 5
regarding the 5 Year Recreation Plan and what individuals would like to see as high priority items, 4) wages for part-time CCB workers had been increased based on the levels included in the Township s new wage scale matrix, 5) approval had been given to purchase and install motorized blinds for the west facing windows located near the ceiling n the Board room, and 6) a dugout at Veale Field had blown down during the recent bad weather and Stonehouse would be contacted to see how the issue could be corrected. Fire Department Report Board members reviewed Fire Chief Jeff Kontio s Fire Department report dated. Highlights included: 1) 12 calls for the month of October 2017 (115 year-todate), and 2) training for the month was Policies, Procedures and Protocol review. Water Report The Water Department report for October, 2017 was review by the Township Water Department Supervisor, Russ Williams. Highlights included: 1) all hydrants had been checked and were ready for winter, 2) work was being done to GPS map water main valves, 3) Andy Hall had taken the exam for water certification with results to be available mid-december, and 4) Dick Supina, Traverse Engineering, is working with the Township Supervisor on specifications for the pump house generator. Clerk Report(Bills, Claims) Water Fund Checks #8022 through #8036 totaling $13,899.75 were reviewed. Upon motion of Gary Wommer, seconded by Kathy Carlson, the Water fund checks as presented were approved. Motion Carried. General Fund checks #27250 through #27349 totaling $61,984.24 and ACH information for the month of October, 2017 totaling $27,093.40 were reviewed. Upon motion of Gary Wommer, seconded by Patrick Moyle, General Fund checks and ACH items with a grand total of $89,077.64 as presented were approved. Motion Carried. Planning Report Gary Wommer, Board Liaison, and Nick Leach, Zoning Administrator, were in attendance and noted the most recent Planning Commission meetings had been pertaining to medical marijuana ordinance. With the topic having been covered earlier in the meeting, there was no additional information to provide. Assessor s Report Assessor, Susan Bovan, provided a written report dated November 6, 2017 which highlighted: 1) Reappraisal, 2) New Construction, 3) IFT Report, and 4) County Equalization Study. She also noted Tiffany Filbrandt, Assessor Assistant, had recently taken and passed the exam to become a Michigan Certified Assessing Technician. Treasurer s Report A written report from Treasurer, Kathy Carlson, was reviewed by the Board members. Highlights included: 1) Continued work to refund the Building Bond, 2) Work with Wells Fargo regarding investment options, 3) prepping for the Winter Tax Roll, and 4) work to move the General Fund Pooled checking account and the Security Deposit checking account to MBank. MBank Depository for Township Funds The Treasurer informed Board members in order to open and deposit funds to MBank, the financial institution needed to be added to the list of authorized Township depositories. Upon motion of Kathy Carlson, seconded by Gary Wommer, approval was given for MBank to be named as a depository of Negaunee Township Funds effective immediately. Motion Carried. Supervisor s Report Supervisor Carlson provided an update on Township activities since the last Board meeting. RFP Township Attorney The Supervisor noted with Township Attorney Kevin Koch retiring as of November 30 th, he had received several recommendations for individuals to represent Negaunee Township for legal issues. After discussion it was the recommendation of the Board for the Township Supervisor to publish an RFP seeking information on legal representation for the Township, including obtaining fee schedules. Negaunee Township Board Meeting Page 3 of 5
Brownfield Authority No meeting held, however, the Brownfield Administrator noted the property on Sawmill Road is to be sold, and the new owners anticipate constructing a single family home on the property in 2018. Wellhead Protection Committee The wellhead protection video continues to be near completion, with some voice-over narratives still remaining to be done. Roads Gary Wommer noted he was pleased to see the new Road Millage had been approved by 71% of the Township voters at the November 7 th election (605 Yes / 245 No). Work will be done with the Township Treasurer to have bonding in place for the start of the 2018 construction season. The Township Supervisor noted nothing had been resolved with the condition of Co. Rd. 492 from the Negaunee City Cemetery to M-35. The Supervisor will continue to pursue the issue. Advisory Trial Committee Al Reynolds noted the Iron Ore Heritage Trail Authority is working on their 5 Year Plan and will be using community input recently obtained through an online survey. Personnel Committee No meeting held Emergency Management Report Mr. Carlson noted addresses had been brought up-to-date. Correspondence Letter to Ron Kauppila Thank You for donation to Dead River Bridge recreation area MCSWMA - Recycle Program Changes Kevin Koch Township vs Kramer / Miscellaneous Debris Kevin Koch Dead River Campers Plat No 4 / Filing Fees Letter to Commercial Forest Program from Township Assessor (10/13/17) Judy Allen Emails dtd 10/31/17 and 11/2/17 regarding Senate Bill 522 Public Comment Russ Williams, 170 M-35, addressed the Board and noted he was please to see the Township working with Asset Management of employees by hiring the new NMU intern and also with the Assessor Assistant having received her State Assessing Technician Certification. Nick Leach, Township Zoning Administrator, agreed with the information presented by Mr. Williams. Steve Krook, 453 South Basin Drive, commented it appeared no money would be available to pave South Basin Drive. Gary Wommer indicated at this time the determination cannot be made. While it is believed the anticipated costs for 2018 construction may be higher than what the actual bids will show (possibly allowing funds to pave South Basin Drive from the end of pavement to the Totem Pole), this cannot be determined until bids are received and reconciled against the funding level of the new road millage. Informational Item MCTA Minutes Foster Swift 10/23/17 Email Dark Stores Co.Rd. 492 MCRC Email dtd 10/17/17 Central Dispatch Minutes 9/14/17 Board Member Comments Kathy Carlson noted: 1) the Township s Fall Newsletter had been very well done, 2) pictures should be taken of the Board and Township staff for posting on the Township website, and 3) collection of Winter Taxes will begin on December 1 st. Negaunee Township Board Meeting Page 4 of 5
Gary Wommer noted he had toured the new energy center in Marquette. He said the facility was impressive and the noise while standing outside the facility with the generators running was minimal. Next Meeting The next regularly scheduled Township Board Meeting will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2017 Adjournment No further business appearing and upon motion of Rachel Sertich, seconded by Gary Wommer, the meeting was duly adjourned at 9:02 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Rachel Sertich Negaunee Township Clerk Negaunee Township Board Meeting Page 5 of 5