BOARD OF TRUSTEES

MEETING and MINUTES

Thursday, April 14, 2011@ 7:30 p.m.

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Members Present/ Members Absent

Call to the Public

1.      Approval of Agenda  

2.   Consent Agenda

a.)    Approval of March 10, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes

b.)    Approval of April 6, 2011 Special Meeting Minutes

c.)    Assessing Report

d.)    Complaint Report

e.)    DPW Report

f.)     Treasurers Report

g.)    HAFA Minutes

h.)    MHOG Water Authority Minutes

i.)      Peavy Road Flow Chart

j.)      Zoning Report

3.      Marion Township Newsletter

4.      Coon Lake SAD Public Hearing (bring back packet items)

5.      HAFA Proposed Budget

6.      Marion Township Budget

7.      Hometown Phase III

8.      Heritage Days Liquor License

9.      Jewell Road Bridge

10.  Reconsideration of TXT# 04-09 Outdoor Wood Furnaces

Correspondence/ Updates:

      Pending Litigation

     Copperfield Master Deed

     Delinquent SAD Reimbursements

     Darakjian Property

     Animal Control Letter

     Joe Vellardita e-mail

Call to the Public

 Adjournment

 MINUTES

 MEMBERS PRESENT:      Bob Hanvey, Scott Lloyd, Les Andersen, Dan Lowe, Tammy Beal, Paula Wyckoff, and Travis Hodge

 MEMBERS ABSENT:       None

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CALL TO ORDER

Bob Hanvey called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m. 

PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

The board members introduced themselves. 

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Phil Farmer, an owner at Sunridge, was present to ask about the status of the homeowner’s association at Sunridge.  The developer, Mitch Harris, has filed bankruptcy and lots have gone back to Bank of America.  Mr. Farmer said the roads need repair, and common areas need to be maintained.  Bob Hanvey asked Mr. Farmer if he would be willing to meet with township officials for further discussion. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Item #11, Fire Hall Roof Leak, was added to the agenda.  Les Andersen motioned to approve the agenda as amended.  Paula Wyckoff seconded.  Motion carried 7-0.

CONSENT AGENDA

Les Andersen motioned to approve the consent agenda.  Tammy Beal seconded.  Motion carried 7-0.

TOWNSHIP NEWSLETTER

A copy of the recent newsletter was included in the packet.  Tammy Beal also said that Heritage Days is being held June 11-12 this year, and she is seeking volunteers.

COON LAKE SAD PUBLIC HEARING

Bob Hanvey said objections to the SAD have been received from owners of approximately 16.6% of the land. 

Call to the Public

Glen Stevenson said he feels people should be responsible for paying their share of the cost of weed control.

Barb Saum said she is in favor of the SAD and feels it a civic duty to help maintain the lake.  She said her family has paid more than their fair share since 1968.

John Arthur said everyone should pay their fair share, but the wealthy land owners who own large parcels should pay one share per lot, or based on frontage.  There should be a reduced rate for non-lakefront parcels.

Bob Hanvey reminded everyone that the numbers presented are proposed numbers. Two public hearings are required:  one to decide whether to create the district, and one to determine the allocation.

Bob Sabo said he’s in favor of the SAD, but objects to the allocation of cost.  He feels owners of multiple lots should pay one share for the principal lot, and a minimum of 10% of a share on additional lots. 

Tamera Anolick said it’s not about lakefront or who’s wealthier; it’s about using the lake.

Bob Sabo said is should be fair and equal.  He said 108 property owners are paying for 140 properties.

Peter Cohen said that everybody should pay.

John Arthur said the SAD doesn’t benefit anyone.

Mel VanNocker said the lake needs weed control; not doing it would devalue the property.

Monika Ealovega said a committee should be formed, and she has concerns with the chemicals.

Bruce Pfister said the DNR tightly regulates the procedure.

Joan Weiss said that all of Ms. Ealovega’s suggestions have been explored.

Bob Sabo asked when the allocation will be decided.

Bob Hanvey said if the district is created, there would be a public hearing at an upcoming meeting.

Dan Lowe said that about 1/3 of the residents don’t want the SAD.

Katrina Walsh said those residents already pay for weed control, and with an SAD, the cost may be less.

Bruce Pfister said there are 38 people who aren’t in the association and don’t contribute to weed control.

Tamara Anolick said the decision shouldn’t be reduced to finances.

Les Andersen motioned to adopt a resolution to create a Special Assessment District for Coon Lake Weed Control.  Scott Lloyd seconded.  Roll call vote:  Lowe, Lloyd, Beal, Hanvey, Wyckoff , Andersen, Hodge—all yes.  Resolution passed 7-0. 

Discussion:  Bob Hanvey said the next public hearing will be on the allocation of cost.

Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution approving Coon Lake to participate in the DNRE Canada Goose Programs.  Les Andersen seconded.  Roll call vote:  Beal, Andersen, Hodge, Wyckoff , Lowe, Hanvey, Lloyd—all yes.  Resolution passed 7-0.

HAFA PROPOSED BUDGET

Ron Hicks, Deputy Chief, was present to ask for the Board’s approval of the HAFA 2011-12 proposed budget.  Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution to adopt the Howell Area Fire Authority budget for fiscal year July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.  Les Andersen seconded.  Roll call vote:  Wyckoff , Hodge, Hanvey, Lloyd, Beal, Andersen, Lowe—all yes.  Resolution passed 7-0.

TOWNSHIP BUDGET

Bob Hanvey provided the board members with a copy of the 2011-12 allocation budget for the county.

HOMETOWN PHASE III

Tammy Beal said she talked with Pat Esper, and the land needs to be mapped by NCRS.  She has faxed a request to them.  Also in the packet is a letter from Tesha Humphriss from MHOG regarding farming the site.  Les Andersen said the mapping needs to be done first.  Dan Lowe said it’s not a big deal and shouldn’t need mapping.  This item will be discussed further at the next board meeting.

HERITAGE DAYS LIQUOR LICENSE

Tammy Beal said the Heritage Days committee would like to have a beer and wine tent on Saturday evening during Heritage Days.  Bonnie White said she supports the beer tent.  Scott Lloyd said he doesn’t think it’s a good idea.  Jack Lowe suggested trying it once. 

Les Andersen motioned to adopt a resolution to authorize a beer and wine tent from 6-11 pm on Saturday, June 11.  Tammy Beal seconded.  Roll call vote:  Beal—yes; Hanvey—yes; Andersen—yes; Hodge—yes; Lloyd—no; Wyckoff —yes; Lowe—yes.  Resolution passed 6-1.

JEWELL ROAD BRIDGE

A request from the Livingston County Road Commission for a letter of support from the township board is in the packet.  Jack Lowe said he’s concerned the township would have to match funds.  Bob Hanvey said according to Mike Craine, the township would not have to match funds.  Tammy Beal passed around a letter of support for the board members to sign.

RECONSIDERATION OF TXT #04-09:  OUTDOOR WOOD FURNACES

Planning Commission member Jerry Sidlar was present to ask the board to reconsider its decision to not have an ordinance on outdoor wood furnaces.  The lack of an ordinance allows anything as long as it’s within setbacks.  Scott Lloyd said he feels it should be part of the nuisance ordinance.  Bob Hanvey suggested the township provide residents with a list of “suggestions” for outdoor wood furnaces.  Jack Lowe said the Planning Commission would continue to discuss.

FIRE HALL ROOF LEAK

Scott Lloyd presented the board with three proposals for repairs to the fire hall roof.  Tammy Beal motioned to approve Proposal Items #2 & #3 for the repairs.  Paula Wyckoff seconded.  Roll call vote:  Hodge—yes; Beal—yes; Andersen—yes; Lowe—yes; Hanvey—yes; Lloyd—abstain; Wyckoff —yes.  Motion carried 6-0 (1 abstention.)

CORRESPONDENCE/UPDATES

A copy of a letter to the county treasurer regarding delinquent tax reimbursements for special assessments is included in the packet.

Bob Hanvey provided the board members with photographs of the Darakjian property.

A letter from prosecuting attorney David Morse in response to the township’s letter about animal control was received.

An email from Joe Vellardita regarding Norton Road work was received.

An Advantage Livingston presentation was held on Wednesday, April 13 at 7:30 pm, attended by Bob Hanvey, Tammy Beal and Paula Wyckoff.

A presentation on the Impact of Early Childhood Education on Economic Development is scheduled for Friday, April 29 at 7:30 am.

Tammy Beal said she has a copy of the Handy Township master plan in her office for review.

A Heritage Days meeting is scheduled for Monday, April 18 at 7 pm.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC
None.

ADJOURNMENT
Tammy Beal motioned to adjourn at 9:27 p.m.  Les Andersen seconded.  Motion carried 7-0.