|
DALTON TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING–MAY 11, 2009, 7:00 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Chris Hall, Mary Ellen Sherwood, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins, Mike Hiner, Merle H. Hittle, James Lothschutz, and Ross McCloskey.
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.
Supervisor, Chris Hall, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance said, invocation given, and roll call taken.
MINUTES:
Merle stated that he has two corrections that he wants changed in the minutes of April 13, 2009.
He corrected a comment that he made regarding fire millage and stated that Mike voted no, not yes, regarding the hiring of new legal counsel.
Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the minutes of April 13, 2009 with the two corrections as stated. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, James, Elizabeth, Mary Ellen and Chris. No: none.
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Connie Burchfield spoke of her views of the financial condition of the township, state revenue sharing, and the tough economy. Terry Huber and Dan Wilks spoke regarding their opposition to granting Thunderbird Raceway a Special Use Permit to race on Sundays. Written correspondence was also received from Terry and Mary Huber regarding the same.
TREASURER'S REPORT:
As of April 30, 2009, the General Fund has $160,886.12, Fire Operating Fund has $158,293.51, and Fire Equipment Fund has $28,069.53. There is $248,445.99 in the Investment Fund (C.D.’s). An income report was also provided for the General and Fire Funds. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit.
MONTHLY BILLS:
Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Yes: Merle, Mike, Petsy, James, Ross, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
General Fund bills totaling $41,701.53 through check number 20476. Fire Fund bills totaling $21,855.47 through check number 10357. Cemetery Fund bills totaling $431.06 through check number 1004. Streetlight Fund bills totaling $1,418.58 through check number 497. Bills were also paid from the building fund and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.
FIRE BUSINESS:
Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for April 2009. There were 60 calls with an average response time of 6.37 minutes.
MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:
Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, was not present. Supervisor Chris Hall stated that the free dump day went well.
COMPLIANCE OFFICER REPORT:
Compliance Officer, Frank Swiatek, was not present. No new information to provide.
PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:
Request of Thunderbird Raceway for a Special Use Permit for circle track racing on Sundays at 350 W. Riley Thompson Road. Ross Ferguson was present on behalf of Thunderbird Raceway.
Much discussion took place with Mr. Ferguson, the board members, and residents present. The residents present were opposed to the Sunday racing because of the noise on Sundays. Mr. Ferguson stated that he has 45 employees to think about, stating if they are not racing the employees are not getting paid and feeding their families. Mr. Ferguson asked if the Sunday racing is only approved for a few days per season; how will it be handled if race day gets rained out. Some board members stated that they assume if the race is rained out then it would be rescheduled for the following Sunday.
Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the request for a Special Use Permit for Mr. Ferguson of Thunderbird Raceway to race two Sundays per year with the Special Use Permit and approve two additional Sundays, Memorial Day and Labor Day. Racing shall end at 11:00 p.m. or earlier. The motion also added a stipulation that before next year’s racing season, the township will re-evaluate the noise at the race way as the sound barriers are not in place. Yes: Merle, Mike, James, Ross, Petsy and Mary Ellen. No: Chris.
LAND PURCHASE FROM THE COUNTY OF MUSKEGON:
A memorandum was received from the Muskegon County Treasurer’s office with a list of tax foreclosed properties. The memorandum stated that our municipality has first option to purchase any of the foreclosed properties in our jurisdiction. Chris stated that there are two properties that he believes are worth purchasing.
Motion by Mike, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the purchase of two tax foreclosed properties. Parcel Number 07-032-400-0001-00 for $3,782.37 a thirty acre parcel; and Parcel Number 07-504-057-0049-00 for $338.89 a vacant parcel within the equestrian trail. Yes: Mike, Ross, Merle, James, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
WATER SYSTEM MANAGEMENT CONTRACT:
Chris explained this contract is similar to one previously adopted by Dalton Township. He stated that now the Eastside water system is paid off, this incorporates the systems into one system and encompasses the Whitehall Road water system.
Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the amended and restated Muskegon County Regional Water System Contract. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, James, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
AGREEMENT FOR ROAD MAINTENANCE WITH THE M.C.R.C.:
Chris explained that the Road Maintenance Agreement dated June 24, 2004 between the Muskegon County Road Commission and Dalton Township will expire soon. He requested that the board approve the agreement for one year instead of five years.
Motion by Ross, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the extension of the Agreement for Road Maintenance with the Muskegon County Road Commission for one year. Yes: Ross, Mike, Merle, James, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
APPROVE APPLICATION FOR FIREWORKS DISPLAY PERMITS AND POSSESSION:
Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the two (2) applications for fireworks display/possession permits as requested by Tom Lusk for fireworks displays at Thunderbird Raceway and at the island in Twin Lake. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, James, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
COST SHARE FOR FIREWORKS:
Motion by Mike, support by Merle, PASSED to approve the cost share of $500.00 for the fireworks display at Twin Lake, payable to the Twin Lake Fireworks Fundraisers. Yes: Mike, Merle, Ross, James, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
RECOMMENDATION FROM THE PARKS AND RECREATION COMMITTEE:
Chris stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee received two quotes for 200 tons of crushed concrete to be placed in the parking area of the equestrian trail. He stated that Yellow Rose Transport, Inc. had the lowest quote in the amount of $1,936.00.
Motion by Merle, support by Ross, PASSED to approve the recommendation of the Parks and Recreation Committee as stated, approving the quote from Yellow Rose Transport, Inc., for crushed concrete in the amount of $1,936.00 plus the cost of fuel. Yes: Merle, Ross, Mike, James, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
GYPSY MOTH SPRAY PROGRAM:
Chris stated that the Township paid the Muskegon County Department of Public Works to survey Dalton Township for areas that need spraying for Gypsy Moths. The estimated cost to spray the affected areas in Dalton Township is $11,600.57. Chris stated that there is still money in the Gypsy Moth Fund to cover these costs.
Motion by Merle, support by Mike, PASSED to approve $11,600.57 for the spraying of Gypsy Moths as recommend. Yes: Merle, Mike, Ross, James, Petsy, Mary Ellen, and Chris. No: none.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
Karen Fowler complemented Chris for trying to resolve the water flow situation at the lakes. Connie Burchfield questioned how many fire runs were in the township and how many outside the township, she questioned how many runs were fire runs and how many were medical runs. She also questioned if the board has made progress on the revisions to the Township’s Personnel Policy.
BOARD COMMENTS:
Petsy stated that the State is cutting revenue sharing to the township. Merle stated that there needs to be changes to the final draft of the 2009-10 budget and stated what changes need to be made. He stated there is no firefighter wage scale in the budget and requested the same be included. Merle questioned the fire chief’s salary and also questioned the deputy clerk’s pay for April. Mike stated that he was questioned by a resident regarding how much we are paying for travel time for the new attorney. Chris stated that he would check on this, but he believes that we are paying him one way.
ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Ross, support by Mike, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 8:32 p.m. Yes: all.
DALTON TOWNSHIP BOARD
Chris Hall Supervisor
Mary Ellen Sherwood Clerk
Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins Treasurer
Michael Hiner Trustee
Merle H. Hittle Trustee
James Lothschutz Trustee
Ross McCloskey Trustee
Clerk__________________________
Mary Ellen Sherwood
|