Township of Bingham
Clinton County
1637 S. Dewitt Rd. St Johns, MI 48879
Phone: 989-224-8319
Fax: 989-227-8619
Supervisor Treasurer
Jim Ostrowski Mike Trebesh
989-224-8380 989-224-4389
Clerk Trustees
Helen Kus Eric D. Harger
989-224-2951 Tony Hufnagel
Township of Bingham
Meeting Minutes
Monday, October 8, 2012, 7:00 PM
A regular meeting of the Bingham Township Board of Trustee’s was called for 7:00 PM, Monday, October 8, 2012 at Clinton County RESA Building located at 4179 South US-27, St. Johns, Michigan.
The purpose of the meeting was to discuss items as noticed and posted for the regularly scheduled meeting of the Bingham Township Board of Trustee’s. The meeting assembled at 7:00 PM with the meeting being called to order at 7:05 PM. The meeting proceeded with roll call for attendance by Supervisor, James Ostrowski at 7:05 PM with a quorum of the board equaling three (3), Mike Trebesh and Helen Kus absent.
Present: Supervisor, James Ostrowski, Trustee, Tony Hufnagel, Trustee Eric D. Harger
Absent: Clerk, Helen Kus, Treasurer, Michael Trebesh
· Pledge of Allegiance by Supervisor, James Ostrowski
· Invocation: Trustee, Eric D. Harger
· Approval of Agenda as amended.
· Approval of Consent agenda with item (a) Minutes of September 10, 2012 Regular Board Meeting (tabled) due to not being distributed.
Public Comment: report from Board of Commissioners: Wind ordinance has been approved at the Board of Commissioners. No further comments made.
Assessor’s Report: Staff change with Preston Community Services – Pete Preston of Preston Community Services presented revised contract for a change of staff for Bingham Township, There being no changes from the previously approved contact, with the new assessor being Michelle Preston.
A motion by James Ostrowski with Support by Eric D. Harger to retain Preston Community Services for the remainder of the existing contract with Michelle Preston as Assessor through January 2013 was made.
The motion was opened for discussion by the Board and individuals present in the audience for comments.
A vote was taken by Supervisor, James Ostrowski: There being three (3) yes votes, (2) Absent
Motion Carries unanimously
Old Business:
a. ACO Completion – Still in MDEQ for review and comment
b. Motz Development/ First Bank Agreement – No change from last month, First Bank still desires to settle with Bingham Township by December 31, 2012.
c. 3/31/12 Audit – Board needs to schedule special meeting to discuss as soon as is practical.
d. North Sewer manhole repairs – Work was completed by Plumbers on budget with 11 manholes being repaired.
e. Bond Refinance/ Treasurer Trebesh – waiting on final numbers and will report at November meeting.
f. Rails-to-Trails investment from Road Fund – Approved at September 10th, 2012 regular board meeting and was not presented in invoices for approval, Jim Ostrowski to check on status to ensure payment was issued.
g. Committee’s – nothing to report at this time
New Business:
a. Water Tower/Well Maintenance – Board needs to be looking ahead as usual routine 10 year maintenance plan should be prepared to anticipate keeping system in good operating condition. We need to put budget together starting with well’s and pumps.
b. Other – Treasurer’s computer – Mike Trebesh recommended we purchase a new computer for the Treasurer and anticipated a fee of under $1000.00. Mike will have prepared for review and action at special meeting (TBD)
Reports:
a. CAASA – next meeting Dec. 20th, 2012 @ 7:00 PM – They are negotiating with County on purchase of existing facility.
b. Treasurer’s Report – No report, Mike Trebesh sick.
c. Clerks report – Invoices for approval – a copy of the check register was provided with four items for consideration and approval by the board in the amount of $9,688.15.
There was a motion by: Trustee, Eric D. Harger and Supported by Trustee, Tony Hufnagel to approve invoices on checks 6834 thru 6837 in the amount of $9,688.15.
The motion was opened for discussion by the Board and individuals present in the audience for comments.
A vote was taken by Supervisor, James Ostrowski: There being three (3) yes votes, (2) absent.
Motion Carries unanimously
d. Supervisor’s report –
1. Searles payment – It is unknown if payment was made and if the fence around Township fire barn has been completed – Jim Ostrowski will check on.
2. Lagoon/Parker property – Jim Ostrowski indicated that there may be interest in the parcels and will keep the Board informed as information comes available.
3. CC DPW Board Mtg. November 7, 2012 @ 4:00 PM – Jim Ostrowski will attend mtg.
Other Business:
a. Jim Ostrowski received a phone call from a Clinton Area Fire and Rescue member inquiring if Bingham Township would be interested in Contract Services with them in the future for Fire and Rescue at the current or lesser rate that we pay with the City of St. Johns. Jim indicated that they would need to present a proposal that we would consider however in light of past litigation it may be tough to present to the Bingham Township Board and residents.
b. Tony Hufnagel – Tony inquired as to why do we not get meeting minutes distributed to the board for review per Township duties of the Open Meetings Act that requires they be presented to the Board within the eight (8) day requirement. – To be discussed at Special Meeting of the Board.
Adjournment:
There being no further business a motion was made by Trustee, Tony Hufnagel and supported by Trustee, Eric D Harger to adjourn the meeting at 7:53 PM.
Motion was brought to a vote by Supervisor, James Ostrowski.
Yes – 3
Absent - 2
Motion Carries unanimously
Meeting was adjourned at 7:53 PM
Respectfully submitted,
Eric D. Harger, Trustee
Bingham Township Board of Trustee’s
Bingham Township
Special Meeting
Wednesday, October 24, 2012 5:15 p.m.
Bingham Township Hall
1637 S DeWitt Rd, St. Johns, MI 48879
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 5:15 p.m.Clerk Kus called roll: present were Trustee Harger, Treasurer Trebesh, Supervisor Ostrowski, Clerk Kus, Trustee Hufnagel. No members of the public.
Supervisor Ostrowski led in the pledge to the flag. Trustee Harger gave the Invocation. / Call to Order
Roll Call
Pledge Invocation
The meeting was called and posted as a Special Meeting to receive minutes of September 10, 2012, and October 8, 2012. Discuss and act on Treasurer’s computer request, Approve invoices and discuss water fund deficit as of the audit of 03/31/2012.
The minutes of September 10, 2012 and October 24, 2012 were distributed to board members. The minutes will be approved at the regular board meeting of November 12, 2012.
The township computers used by the Treasurer and Clerk were discussed. Motion by Trebesh, supported by Harger to allow Clerk Kus and Treasurer Trebesh to investigate and purchase new computers not to exceed $2,000.00. Motion carries.
Accounts payable issued for period beginning October 8, 2012 for check numbers 6838 thru 6859, with total disbursements for this time period in the amount of $62,123.71. 22 checks issued. Motion by Harger, supported by Hufnagel to approve accounts payable in the amount of $62,123.71. Motion carries.
The water fund deficit at March 31, 2012 was discussed. A resolution to eliminate the deficit fund balance of the water fund in the amount of $8,689.00 was presented. Motion by Kus, supported by Ostrowski to authorize the Treasurer to transfer from the General Fund $9,000.00 to the Water Fund to cover deficit net assets in the Water Fund at March 31, 2012. Roll call vote: Ostrowski-yes, Kus-yes, Trebesh-yes, Harger-yes, Hufnagel-yes. Resolution declared adopted.
The letters received from the Department of Treasury regarding the deficiencies of the board reported by Abraham and Gaffney at audit end March 31, 2012 and the deficit of the water fund at audit end March 31, 2012 were discussed. Motion by Harger, supported by Hufnagel to authorize Supervisor Ostrowski to respond to the Department of Treasury letters regarding the audit deficiencies and the water fund deficit. Motion carries.
Motion by Trebesh, supported by Harger to adjourn the meeting. Motion carries. The meeting adjourned at 5:42 p.m.
Helen Kus
Bingham Township Clerk
Subject to approval of the regular board meeting of November 12, 2012 / Purpose
Minutes
Computer Request Treasurer
Motion
Invoice Approval
Motion
Water Fund Deficit/Dept of Treasury
Resolution
Motion
Treasury Letters
Motion
Adjournment
Motion