Meeting of the Board of Trustees Alamo Township 7901 North 6 th St. Kalamazoo, MI 49009 October 12th th, 2015 7pm 1. Call to Order 2. Approve Meeting Minutes 3. Approve Liabilities 4. Receive Reports A. Supervisor B. Clerk C. Treasurer D. Building Department E. Fire and Rescue F. Planning Commission -8.4 G. Park Board -5 th St Bridge 5. Business A. Policy Committee B. C. D. Marty Landis consulting E. 6. Citizen Comment 7. Board Comment 8. Adjournment *Alamo Township will provide necessary reasonable auxiliary aides, and services, to individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aides or services. Please give five (5) day notice to the Alamo Township Clerk. Laura Endres, Clerk, 7901 North 6 th St, Kalamazoo MI, 49009. 269-382-3366.
Alamo Township Hall 7901 NORTH 6 th STREET KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN 49009 Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Supervisor Hyet. The Pledge of Allegiance was cited and an invocation was given by Trustee VanderWeele. Attendance: Supervisor Hyet, Clerk Endres, Treasurer Stoneburner, and Trustees VanderWeele, and Kennedy. Other interested parties 32 +/- individuals. APPROVAL OF MEETING MINUTES: MOTION was made by Treasurer Stoneburner to approve the August 10, 2015 meeting minutes as written, Supported by Trustee Kennedy. Motion Carried 5-0 AUTHORIZATION OF LIBILITIES: MOTION was made by Clerk Endres to grant permission to pay outstanding invoices, Supported by Supervisor Hyet. Motion Carried 5-0. REPORTS: SUPERVISOR: Supervisor Hyet reported attending a supervisors conference; some of the subjects covered where Assessments, Roads, Personal Property Taxes, and how to handle Hot Topics at Board meetings. Hyet thanked citizen Dan Knight for working the monthly recycling program, and thanked Jeff Molenaar for helping with a fire call on the Highway, although Molenaar is not an active member of the Alamo Township Volunteer Fire Men he is a volunteer for Gun Plains Township. CLERK: August Liabilities: $137,459.01 Cemetery: Income for June: $0.00 Elections: Absentee Voter Applications will be going out in the mail September 18, 2015 for the November Election. CORRESPONDENCE: The Township has received several emails and phone calls of concern regarding the proposed Lantern Fest. Citizen Kim Spitzner called and would like to see a millage passed to support an increase of police presence within the community. TREASURER: General Account $202,938.87 Trust & Agency $ 405.93 Current Tax $ 235,392.12 Fire Truck Fund $ 18,240.78 Surplus Account CLOSED 9/4/15 to General Fund to pay for roads Cash Sweep Fund $ 197,172.60 Savings $100,229.50 Kalamazoo Foundation Treasurer Stoneburner asked for permission to move the Fire Truck Fund from PNC to First National Bank and place it into a Rising Rate CD.
MOTION was made by Clerk Endres to allow Treasurer Stoneburner to move the Fire Truck Fund from PNC to First National Bank and place it into a Rising Rate CD, Supported by Trustee VanderWeele. Motion Carried 5-0. BUILDING DEPARTMENT: August Report- 6- Building Permits $ 192.00 3- Electrical Permits $ 615.00 2- Mechanical Permits $ 130.00 1- Wood Boiler Permits $ 25.00 12-TOTAL $962.00 Supervisor Hyet has appointed Steve Hoogstraten to be the Townships Dangerous Building Ordinance Officer. FIRE AND RESCUE: Chief Kizers reported the department responded to 17 incidents in the month of August : 9- Medical Emergencies 3- PI Accidents 2-Grass Fires 1- Vehicle Fire 1- Mutual Aides: 1 Oshtemo 1- Miscellaneous Training: Driver Training, Evolution #1- Hose Lays. Operations: Nothing to report. Personnel: Jeremy Kent has resigned as of September 9, 2015. PLANNING COMMISION: Member Studabaker reported 4 citizens attended the Public Hearing on the proposed Sign Ordinance changes which was held September 8, 2015. Attorney Kaffman suggested continuing the discussion at the October Meeting. Supervisor Hyet stated he will be speaking to each of the PC Members to find common ground regarding the proposed changes to the sign ordinance over the next two weeks. Next month s Planning Commission meeting will be held at the Kalamazoo Nature Centers Heronwood Site. PARK BOARD: Chair J. Endres reported a B & E at the township park into the maintenance outbuilding. The break in is currently being investigated by the Kalamazoo County Police Department. Endres asked the Board if they had gotten word from the Engineer regarding the 5 th Street Bridge project so work could begin. Supervisor Hyet stated the go ahead was given by the engineer and work may begin. Endres stated having two plans of attack they will be choosing from. BUSINESS: COUNTY SHERIFFS REPORT/ RUPERT LAKE: The County Sheriff Department reported receiving 138 calls from Alamo Township for service. Supervisor Hyet mentioned having issues at Rupert Lake. Hyet is having Lieutenant Christiansen look into the cost to add scheduled patrols within the township. It is estimated that a full time officer ranges between $100,000.00 to $110,000.00 per year and $45,000.00 to $60,000.00 per year for part time. Options to pay for the added service include acquiring a public safety grant, or possibly creating a Special Assessment. ASSESSOR: After interviewing possible applicants to fill the vacant assessor position it was narrowed down to three: J. Hoevenaar, B. Brousseau, and Sherry Burd w/ Assistant.
MOTION was made by Trustee Kennedy to retain Sherry Burd and her assistant as the Alamo Townships Assessor at the same pay rate, Supported by Clerk Endres. Carried 5-0. LANTERN FESTIVAL: Supervisor Hyet informed all that since there is no township ordinance regulating or restricting the release of sky lanterns it is currently not illegal. Concerns were heard regarding possible fires, trespassing, litter, wind, and distance traveled, and height traveled, burn time, risk to community and an overall general disagreement with the speedways decision to host this event. MARTY LANDIS CONSULTING: MOTION was made by Clerk Endres to retain Landis Consulting to perform Alamo townships annual Sand & Gravel operations inspection, Supported by Supervisor Hyet. Carried 5-0. AGENDA POLICY: Trustee VanderWeele presented an updated version of the Board Transparency Policy for consideration. Supervisor Hyet suggested VanderWeele meet with him to review and make minor changes. CITIZEN COMMENT: Comment was heard regarding Rupert Lake: trash, outhouse blown up, meth problem, and drug transactions, and general crime; It was suggested that the citizens should be making calls to the County if one feels something doesn t look right this would make the county have a presents in the township without incurring an additional charge to its citizens. BOARD MEMBER TIME: Trustee Kennedy- Thanked those present for allowing a civil meeting to take place. Trustee VanderWeele Reminded board members of the September 25 th deadline for Newsletter articles. Treasurer Stoneburner- Taxes have been coming in. ADJOURNMENT: MOTION was made by Clerk Endres to adjourn meeting at 8:38 pm, Supported by Supervisor Hyet. Motion Carried 5-0. Respectfully Submitted, Laura Endres, Alamo Township Clerk
Supervisor s Report Natural gas is still a possibility for Alamo Township residents. Dealing with the phone prompts at Consumers Energy is very frustrating, but it is the right number. I am waiting to hear from a representative of Consumers Energy to give me numbers of residents interested in program. When I have those numbers we can target areas that needed more involvement to push program through. The Township Hall parking lot construction should begin 10/8/15, and should be completed by 10/14/15. Mulder Landscape Supplies will be contracted to do the work. They bid the job at $4,597.00 in April of 2015. For questions, or concerns, regarding our roads please contact KCRC at 269-381-3171, or go to their website www.kcrc-roads.com. CLERK REPORT LIABILITIES: SEPTEMBER 2015 Liabilities: $111,969.18 CEMETERY: Income for September 2015 - $ 800.00 ELECTIONS: Everything is running smoothly for the November Election, AV Ballots have gone out.
TOWNSHIP TREASURER REPORT October 6, 2015 PNC BANK: General Account: $90,116.50 Trust & Agency: $801.74 Current Tax: $183,218.40 FIRST NATIONAL BANK Insured Cash Sweep: $197,222.03 Money Market Savings: $100,245.98 MOVED THE ALAMO TOWNSHIP FIRE TRUCK ACCOUNT FROM PNC TO FIRST NATIONAL BANK 10/7/15 PUT INTO A RISING RATE CD: $18,240.93 KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION: Alamo Township Building Department Report For September 2015 Building Permits 5 $719.00 Electrical Permits 4 $545.00 Mechanical Permits 6 $570.00 Outdoor Wood Boiler 0 Permits/Zoning Compliance Totals 15 $1,834.00
FIRE & RESCUE October 8, 2015 Incidents: For the month of September 2015, Alamo Fire Department responded to 22 Incidents. The nature of these calls are as follows: 14 Ems calls 2 PI accidents 2 Misc. 2 Cover Assignment (1-Oshtemo,1-Gobles) 1 Vehicle Fire 1 Grass Fire Training 09/07 Vehicle Extrication. Special thanks to Weller for the cars and Otsego for the coverage while we were out of Township. 09/21 Fire Ground Communication Operations As of October 14, 2015 we will be mandated by the State of Michigan to carry Narcan on all rescued trucks. Personnel: No personal issues to report. Public Relations/Fire Prevention: No public relations to report Respectfully Submitted, Terry Kizer, Fire Chief
ALAMO TOWNSHIP PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING HELD AT KALAMAZOO NATURE CENTER HERONWOOD 6378 HART DR. KALAMAZOO, MI 49009 OCTOBER 06, 2015 Meeting Called To Order: Chairman Belden Smith called the meeting to order with the Pledge Of Allegiance at 7:00PM. Roll Call Of Commissioners: Chairman Belden Smith, Vice Chair Pauline Keiser, Commissioner Dick Bennett Commissioner Don Porter, Commissioner John Kennedy, and Secretary Patrick Studabaker. Commissioner David Veenstra was not present at roll call but came in at 7:06PM Others Present: Four (4) other citizens were present. Approval of Meeting Minutes: No changes were brought up. Commissioner John Kennedy made the motion for the approval to accept the meeting minutes with the change. Commissioner Dick Bennett supported the motion. Motion carried without objection. At 7:05PM, Chairman Smith called the opening of the public meeting to discuss the proposal of the Section 8.1(3)(b). A citizen made a comment that places like industrial businesses might not care about the appearance of their parking lot and so might choose to not pave their parking lot and not keep aesthetics in mind. The citizen wanted other permeable surfaces such as compacted surfaces to be allowed. A citizen made a comment that it is not the township s responsibility to require an employer to provide what some consider is adequate parking. At 7:14PM Chairman Smith closed the public hearing. Discussion of commissioners on the public hearing took place. Discussion was made on whether or not to add language to require clearance to every parking space for traffic and emergency vehicles. Commissioner Patrick Studabaker made a motion to submit to township board for adoption the changes to article 8.1(3)(b). Commissioner Don Porter supported the motion. A roll call vote was conducted. Chairman Smith voted yea. Vice Chair Keiser voted yea. Commissioner Dick Bennett voted yea. Commissioner Don Porter voted yea. Commissioner John Kennedy voted yea. Commissioner David Veenstra voted yea. Commissioner Patrick Studabaker voted yea. The motion was carried 7-0. A copy of the approved document is attached and labeled as Attachment 1 OLD BUSINESS SECTION 8.4 - SIGNS
Commissioner Patrick Studabaker stated he had researched the Site Plan regulations along with the definitions and determined that a sign is considered a structure. Therefore signs were already required to be in a site plan. Chairman Smith suggested the possibility of sending the work already done by the Planning Commission to a subcommittee to work on the remainder of the needed changes. Commissioner David Veenstra discussed the need to agree to incorporate the short and sweet version and maybe have subcommittee work that into the existing ordinance. Commissioner John Kennedy made a motion to adopt the short and sweet version with the listed proposed changes and have a site plan with a sign plan. If you have an original sign that is ok and if you want to change it you need to come to the Planning Commission to approve it. If the structure is changed then the Planning Commission would need to approve. Commissioner Dick Bennett supported the motion. A roll call vote was conducted. Chairman Smith voted nay. Vice Chair Keiser voted nay. Commissioner Dick Bennett voted yea. Commissioner Don Porter voted yea. Commissioner John Kennedy voted yea. Commissioner David Veenstra voted nay. Commissioner Patrick Studabaker voted yea. The motion was carried 4-3. Commissioner Patrick Studabaker made a motion to refer to the short and sweet version in the previous motion as the attorney s amending ordinance. A roll call vote was conducted. Chairman Smith voted yea. Vice Chair Keiser voted yea. Commissioner Dick Bennett voted yea. Commissioner Don Porter voted yea. Commissioner John Kennedy voted yea. Commissioner David Veenstra voted yea. Commissioner Patrick Studabaker voted yea. The motion was carried 7-0. A copy of the approved document is attached and labeled as Attachment 2 NEW BUSINESS Vice Chair Keiser referenced an email sent by the township clerk from Gun Plain Township on its land use plan CITIZEN COMMENT A citizen commented that a fireworks ordinance was going to be brought before the Planning Commission and that it Chinese lanterns. A citizen thanked for the use of Heronwood for its use and suggested that next year s meeting be held in November to match up with the election month. A citizen gave a report on the use of Heronwood including 41 students who were attending that semester. COMMISSIONERS COMMENT Commissioner Don Porter suggested that if the next Chinese lantern event, if it comes back next year, could be a good support event for the Alamo Fire Department. Commissioner Dick Bennett thanked the commissioners for their professional debate and enjoyed the discussions. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn was made by Chairman Smith. Commissioner Veenstra supported the motion. The motion carried with no objection. Meeting adjourned at 9:19PM
Respectfully submitted by, Patrick Studabaker, Secretary EFFECTIVE: EIGHT DAYS FOLLOWING PUBLICATION AFTER ADOPTION ATTACHMENT 1 ALAMO TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE NO. ADOPTED: An Ordinance to adopt an amendment to the Alamo Township Zoning Ordinance regarding the requirement for hard surfacing of parking lots and to repeal all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith. ALAMO TOWNSHIP KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAINS: SECTION I AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 8, SECTION 8.1 (3) (b) Article 8, Section 8.1(3)(b) of the Alamo Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by revising this subsection to read as follows: Sec. 8.1(3)(b). Off-street parking facilities constructed of asphalt or concrete surface shall be drained so as to prevent runoff to abutting properties or public streets. Parking facilities having 2,000 square feet or more shall have drainage confined solely to the property served by the facility. SECTION II SEVERABILITY Should any provision or part of the within Ordinance be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the enforceability of the balance of this Ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION III REPEAL All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION IV EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall take effect eight days following publication after adoption.
ATTACHMENT 2 ALAMO TOWNSHIP ORDINANCE NO. ADOPTED: EFFECTIVE: EIGHT DAYS FOLLOWING PUBLICATION AFTER ADOPTION An Ordinance to adopt various amendments to the Alamo Township Zoning Ordinance regarding Zoning Ordinance provisions on signs, including adding new regulations for signs in commercial and industrial zoning districts and to repeal all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith. ALAMO TOWNSHIP KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MICHIGAN ORDAINS: SECTION I AMENDMENT OF ARTICLE 8, SECTION 8.4 (6) PERMITTED SIGNS Article 8, Section 8.4(6) of the Alamo Township Zoning Ordinance, Permitted Signs is hereby amended by revising Subsection (c) to read as follows: Sec. 8.4 (6) c. The sign is located not closer than 60 feet from the nearest right-of-way of any public street or highway if the size of said sign is more than eight square feet but less than 100 square feet. SECTION II ADDITION OF ARTICLE 8, SECTION 8.9 - SIGNS IN COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DISTRICTS Article 8, of the Alamo Township Zoning Ordinance is hereby amended by adding a new subsection, Subsection (9) to read as follows: Sec. 8.4(9) Signs in Commercial and Industrial Districts a. Sign creation and use limitations. Except as provided elsewhere in this section, all other signs are allowed in the Commercial and Industrial zoning districts (C-1, C-2, I-1, I-2 and I- 3). b. Prohibited Signs. Prohibited Signs: The following signs are absolutely prohibited: i. Signs which by reason of size, location, content or coloring, or display a reasonable person may confuse with any traffic control sign. ii. A sign illuminated by lighting or emits light or noise that causes interference with safe movement of public roadway traffic.
iii. iv. A sign that is illuminated by lighting or emits light or noise whose direct emittance crosses onto another s property or interferes with the safe conduct of traffic. Externally illuminated signs shall be enclosed and directed to prevent the source from shining directly onto traffic or another s property. A sign that interferes with safe movement on a public roadway. c. If you have an original sign that is ok and if you want to change it you need to come to the Planning Commission to approve it. If the structure is changed then the Planning Commission would need to approve. SECTION III SEVERABILITY Should any provision or part of the within Ordinance be declared by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the enforceability of the balance of this Ordinance which shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION IV REPEAL All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION V EFFECTIVE DATE This Ordinance shall take effect eight days following publication after adoption.