GRATTAN TOWNSHIP BOARD Regular Meeting of October 17, 2016 I. Call to Order Township Supervisor Frank Force called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. II. Pledge of Allegiance Frank Force led the Pledge of Allegiance. III. Roll Call Members present: Supervisor Frank Force, Treasurer Sabrina Freeman, Clerk Kessie Brummel, Trustee Paul Knoerl and Trustee Dennis Heffron. Members absent: none. IV. Approval of the Agenda A. Kessie Brummel moved and Sabrina Freeman seconded to approve the amended agenda. V. Officers Report Clerk's Report Approval of the Minutes Kessie Brummel moved and Paul Knoerl seconded to approve the minutes of the September 12, 2016 regular meeting as written. Budget Amendments Accounts Payable Kessie Brummel moved and Sabrina Freeman seconded to approve accounts payable in the amount of $117,326.42 with check numbers 39174 through 39248. Page 1 of 7
VI. Consent Agenda A. Payroll B. Treasurer's Report C. Correspondence Kessie Brummel moved and Paul Knoerl seconded to approve the consent agenda as presented. VII. Working Agenda Hearing of the Public David Emaus, who resides at 3773 Alden Nash, spoke to the Board regarding the Township's need to enforce a zoning issue on a neighbors parcel. Mr. Emaus gave the Board several papers that addressed the zoning issue. The Board said they would review the information and consult with the Zoning Administrator as well as the Township Attorney. Then the Board will address this issue further at the next regular Board meeting November 14, 2016. Department Reports Fire Department (See Spreadsheet) Fire Administration and Safety Committee (No Meeting) Safety Board of Appeals (No Meeting) Sewer Report (Chris Chambers September Client Report) Chris Chambers gave his September report. Planning Commission (See Minutes October 5, 2016) Page 2 of 7
Zoning Board of Appeals (See Minutes September 21,2016) Building Department (See Spreadsheet) Unfinished Business Presentation of Township Audit by Joe Verlin Joe Verlin representing Gabridge presented the Township with highlights from their annual audit and gave the Township a great review. Round Lake Weed Control Open Public Hearing Frank Force moved and Kessie Brummel seconded to open the public hearing. Comments Bob Bouman, who resides at 5439 Corrigan Ave, said he was pleased with the weed control at Round Lake. Sabrina Freeman stated she had received a notice from Ernest & Robin Bowen who reside at 5621 Corrigan Ave, stating that they disagreed with Special Assessment weed control at Round Lake. Sabrina Freeman also explained she was able to lower the cost to $350 per parcel this assessment term. Close Public Hearing Frank Force moved and Paul Knoerl seconded to close the public hearing. All ayes. The motion carried. Resolution Sabrina Freeman moved and Paul Knoerl seconded to approve the 2016-026 Resolution Confirmation of Special Assessment Roll;Lien;Payment and Collection of Special Assessment. Roll call vote. All ayes. Motion Carried. Training Reimbursement Resolution The Board decided to revisit this next month and go through the Resolution to see if any verbiage needs to be changed. Citizen Planner Requirements Page 3 of 7
Board discussed the importance of the Citizen Planner course for our Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals Committee members. Board agreed to make a Training Requirement Agreement that Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Commission committee members must sign when applying in addition to application. Forester Agreement Board discussed the agreement between the Forester and the Township and the adjustments regarding the insurance portion of the contract. The board would like the Township Attorney to approve changes before using the agreement. Paul Knoerl moved and Denny Heffron seconded to approve Boyd Kahler as the Forester for the timber project. Tim Heffron Frank noted that Tim Heffron was supposed to attend tonight's meeting to clear up some confusion about when his surveillance fee was due for sand extracted from his site at 13310 Strothiede. Tim Heffron did not show up. It was confirmed that Tim Heffron's surveilance fee had to be paid by or before December 31, 2016. Farm Lease The Board noted that the current lease will expire at the end of this year for Grattan Vergennes. The new lease will total 88 acres at the rate of $105 per acre. They will present the new lease to current lessee first and if he does not accept, they will accept bids from other farmers. Paul Knoerl moved and Kessie Brummel seconded to approve the farm lease written as 88 acres and $105 per acre. New Business Snow Plowing Bids 2016/2018 Page 4 of 7
Paul Knoerl moved and Kessie Brummel seconded to approve Creekside Property Services for renewal of services at the current rate. Kessie Brummel discussed with the board whether it was necessary to get quotes every two years if we are satisfied with the current service and their rate. The Board agreed to keep existing service if satisfied. Recycle Bin and Sign Kessie Brummel said she is working on getting signage stating what is and is not allowed to be recycled. This will be displayed near the bins. She will get another quote on pricing for signage. Kessie Brummel is also considering getting a corrugated recycling bin for our Township depending on pricing. Denny will look into the cost of his recycle company for the corrugated service. Exit Lights Frank Force proposed to replace the bulbs in the 3 EXIT lights on the building's exterior of the Township Hall to LED bulbs explaining we are losing 75% of electrical efficiency not using LED lights. The Board agreed to replace them with LED lights. Fertilizer Ordinance No changes were made at this time. Fire Station Building Loan Board discussed the Fire Station building loan. Discussed payoff and interest percentage of loan. Board decided there will be no changes at this time. Ashley (Between Six and Five Mile) 2017/2018 Board agreed to repair the section of Ashley between Five and Six Mile next fiscal year and to inform Jerry Byrne of Kent County Road Commission right away that we are considering Plan B which will include repairing two Kent County Drains that cross Ashley. Page 5 of 7
Five Year Plan For Grattan Fire Department Paul Knoerl will discuss the 5 year plan for the Grattan Fire Department with the Fire and Safety Administration Committee and then will bring it back to the Board for further discussion. Conflict of Interest Frank Force gave a handout to each Board Member from the Grattan Township Planning Commission By-Laws Section 11, explaining the standards of Conduct regarding conflict of interest, for their review. VIII. Board Member Communications A. Kent County Programs and Policies Dinner Meeting November 3, 2016 at 6:30 p.m. RSVP no Later Than October 24, 2016 B. Legal Notice Regarding Seven Mile Road Frank Force informed the board of a letter from a resident's lawyer regarding the condition of Seven Mile road and its repercussions on them. The Township Attorney has written a response letter. PDR Denny Heffron stated their was a farm that withdrew their application per their accountants advise. Meeting Dates Sewer Advisory Meeting October 19, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting October 19, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Page 6 of 7
Fire Administration and Safety Committee October 27, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Next Board Meeting October 31, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. (As Needed) Planning Commission Meeting November 2, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. Next Regular Board Meeting November 14, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. (This Meeting Will be Chaired by Township Clerk) IX. ADJOURNMENT There being no further business, Frank Force declared the meeting adjourned at 09:20 p.m. Kessie Brummel, Township Clerk Date Franklin J. Force, Township Supervisor Date Amy Sue Brown Recording Secretary Page 7 of 7