PLEASANT PLAINS TOWNSHIP
PO Box 239
885 8th St.
Baldwin, MI 49304
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING MINUTES May 23, 2016
Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm.
ROLL CALL
Trustee Deb Russell-absent, Trustee Clint Jackson-present, Treasurer- Ronnie Hanna-absent, Clerk Allen-present, Supervisor Tammy Ghent-present
CONSENT AGENDA: No additions to agenda. Agenda accepted.
REGULAR BOARD MEETING MINUTES, April 2016: A draft copy of March meeting minutes have been presented to the board. One correction was presented and corrected; under the supervisor’s report- Motion was made by Clerk Allen to complete the letter of support for the Baldwin Bridge repair; seconded by Trustee Russell not Trustee Davis. Motion was made by Trustee Russell to accept the April board minutes with correction; seconded by Supervisor Ghent. All in favor: None opposed. Motion carried.
REPORTS
· CLERK’S FINANCIAL REPORTS:
Ø PAY MONTHLY BILLS
CUSTOMER / DESCRIPTION / TOTALDTE ENERGY / $119.56 CREDIT REMAINING
BLOOM, SLUGGET, MORGAN / 321.00
BS&A ANNUAL FEES / CEM-$464.00+195.00 / 659.00
FIRE / 195.00
LIGHTS / 195.00
REFUSE / 195.00
LIBRARY / 195.00
ROADS / 195.00
TAX.NET-$994.00+PR, GL, AP / 1,997.00
ACE HARDWARE / CEM-RAKES, SHOVEL / 115.95
PERSONNEL CONCEPTS / LABOR LAW SIGNS / 19.00
ELECTION SOURCE / ELECTION MACHINE FEE / 245.00
GREAT LAKES OFFICE / COPY PAPER (2 CASES) / 65.00
ELECTION SYSTEMS / AUTO MARK MACHINE / 31.60
MTA / DUES / 993.96
OSCEOLA-LAKE CONSERVATI / TOXIC/HAZARDOUS WASTE / 1,000.00
Check register was provided to the board for approval signature. There was a brief discussion regarding the bills. Motion was made by Clerk Allen to pay the bills totaling $6,422.51 seconded by Supervisor Ghent: Roll call: Trustee Jackson-yes, Trustee Russell-yes, Clerk Allen-yes, and Supervisor Ghent-yes. Motion carried.
Clerk Allen stated that she contacted the Lake County Road Commission regarding Brining of the roads. She reported that Heather from the Road Commission stated equipment was down where they get the material for Brining and she was not sure when it was going to be fixed. Clerk Allen reported the township paid their portion of the brining in April. Heather confirmed the payment was received.
· TREASURER’S FINANCIAL REPORT: Clerk Allen reported that because the meeting was a week early, total reconciliation of the accounts have not been completed. She stated that she and Ronnie meet the 3rd Saturday of the month to reconcile the accounts. Clerk Allen is also setting up the reconciliation process within the BS&A program. Reconciliation reports will be submitted during next month’s meeting.
· COMMISSIONER: Commission Vayda stated the commissioners have approved to move forward with the report of the Star Lake drain. He also reported there was discussion regarding providing the mapping system to the emergency services but it would be costly because laptops would have to be in every fire truck.
· SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Supervisor Ghent stated she would be contacting A1 Service to obtain a current copy of their insurance and discuss the fact that they have not started cleaning up the property on US-10 that was approved for clean-up/demo during the boards February meeting.
· TRUSTEE REPORTS: DEB RUSSELL, CLINT JACKSON: Trustee Russell discussed a piece of township owned property at M-37 and 76th St. She suggested possibly offering it to the adjacent property owners. She will contact Mark Barnett to get an assessed value of the property and bring the information to the board. She also stated that the property owner adjacent to the M-37 property the township currently has up for sale is possibly interested in purchasing a portion of the property. She will follow up and bring an update to the board. Trustee Russell stated the County Treasurer has presented a list of properties that have been foreclosed upon. The township can purchase any property on the list at minimum auction bid and it must be used for approved public purpose. Motion was made by Supervisor Ghent to opt out of the option purchase property pre auction; seconded by Trustee Russell: Roll call: Trustee Jackson-yes, Trustee Russell-yes, Clerk Allen-yes, and Supervisor Ghent-yes. Motion carried.
Trustee Jackson briefly discussed the progress with the Cajun Bijou property. He also stated his concern/frustration that the demolition has not started for the US-10 property.
· ZONING ADMINISTRATOR: BOB SANDERS: A separate hard copy of the zoning report was submitted to the board. There was discussion regarding the report. He briefly discussed the Planning meeting, the research and meetings he has had regarding possible grant funding. He also provided a follow up regarding the Cajon Bijou property.
· ASSESSING REPORT: MARK BARNETT: A separate hard copy report was submitted to the board. There was a brief discussion regarding the report.
· PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Previously discussed during the Zoning Administrator’s Report.
· CEMETERY CARETAKERS REPORT: GREG NICHOLS: Mr. Nichols stated that spring clean-up is complete, American flags are placed. There was discussion regarding leveling the section of the new side of the cemetery. It was decided to get a bid from Oceana Irrigation to place sprinklers in that section before it is leveled. There was discussion regarding approximately 10 trees that need to be removed because they are dead or in danger of damaging headstones. Supervisor Ghent will contact Mr. Tracey to obtain a bid to remove those trees.
· FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT: No report at this time.
OLD BUSINESS:
· PLANNING COMMISSION WORKSHOP: There was discussion regarding paying the Planning Commission for all Planning meetings. There was discussion regarding why the Secretary and Administrative Assistant are paid position. A secretary is required and the Administrator completes all clerical duties efficiently. Motion was made by Clerk Allen to continue paying the Planning Commission for the Special Land use meetings as they currently are; seconded by Supervisor Ghent: Roll call: Trustee Jackson-yes, Trustee Russell-yes, Clerk Allen-yes, and Supervisor Ghent-yes. Motion carried.
NEW BUSINESS:
· ZONING BOARD OF APPROVAL/PLANNING: It is not permitted to have a member of the Planning Commission as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Due to this, Greg Nichols will be removed as a ZBA member, and will remain a member of the Planning Commission. There was discussion regarding filling the position. Postings to fill the vacancy on the ZBA will be posted on the website, SaveALot and Houseman’s Foods.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS (limited to 3 min each):
Mrs. Kyles stated her concerns regarding the acceptance of A-1 Services bid to clean up the US-10 property. She has also requested the Township Board to contact the Lake County Road Commission regarding the Brining. Mrs. Kyles also reinstated her request that her road get paved. Mrs. Kyles discussed properties that need Blight/Zoning enforcement. Mr. Sanders, Zoning Administrator, explained the process of enforcement and requested that complaints regarding properties should be brought to his office rather than to meetings so he has an opportunity to research the complaint.
ADJOURNMENT-Motion made by Supervisor Ghent; seconded by Trustee Jackson to adjourn this meeting. All in favor; none apposed. Meeting adjourned 7:58pm.
Disclaimer: The monthly board meeting can be heard in its entirety by appointment in the Clerk’s office
for up to 30 days after that meeting was held.
Meeting minutes approved by:
Kellie Allen, Clerk
Tammy Ghent, Supervisor