Thursday, Oct. 25, 2007

                                                      AGENDA and DRAFT MINUTES

Call to Order

Pledge of Allegiance

Members Present/ Members Absent

Call to the Public

1.      Approval of Agenda  

2.   Consent Agenda

All items listed are considered to be routine by the Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Board member or Citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

a.)    Approval of October 11, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes

b.)    September 25, 2007 Planning Commission Report

c.)    July 30, 2007-Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Invoice for $373.50

d.)    October 2, 2007-Anderson, Eckstein & Westrick, Inc. Invoice for $2,904.00

e.)    October 9, 2007-Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C. Invoice for $3,430.70

f.)     Howell Parks & Recreation Report

2.      FEMA Ordinance

      3.      2007-2008 Snow Plowing Bids

     4.      Parking Lot Resealing

Correspondence/ Updates

   Norton Road Bridge

   Jewell Road Bridge

For the Good of the Township

Call to the Public

Adjournment

                                                  DRAFT MINUTES

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

MEMBERS ABSENT:                 None

OTHERS PRESENT:                  Phil Westmoreland , OHM

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CALL TO ORDER

Bob Hanvey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  

PLEDGE TO FLAG

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

None.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Dave Hamann motioned to approve the agenda as presented.  Les Andersen seconded.  Motion carried 7-0.

CONSENT AGENDA

Paula Wyckoff asked to have the Parks & Recreation report removed from the consent agenda and added as a regular agenda item.  Dave Hamann motioned to approve the consent agenda as amended.  Paula Wyckoff seconded.  Roll call vote:  Hamann, Lowe, Beal, Hanvey, Wyckoff , Andersen, Hodge—all yes.  Motion carried 7-0.

FEMA ORDINANCE

Bob Hanvey updated the board members on information he’s been able to gather on this item.  He found a website that provides a two-step process for lowering premiums or getting out of the program.  He also discovered that even if a community doesn’t participate, lenders can implement “forced coverage.”  He also said that 25% of claims are from people not in the floodplain.

Jack Lowe, chairman of the Planning Commission, said he is waiting for a call from the legal department at Metropolitan Title.  He’s found a lot of contradictory information.  He said there isn’t a deadline, and would like the opportunity to continue researching before a decision is made.

Tammy Beal motioned to provide updates and additional information at the next board meeting.  Paula Wyckoff seconded.  Motion carried 7-0.

2007-08 SNOW PLOWING BIDS

Tammy Beal presented the board with the three bids that were submitted.  After discussion, Travis Hodge motioned to accept the bid from Jay Birds.  Motion failed due to lack of second.  The board discussed the bids from Tom Rogers and Absolute Outdoor Services.  Ms. Beal said she needs to be able to get in touch with whoever is chosen.  Tammy Beal motioned to accept the bid for 2007-08 snow plowing from Absolute Outdoor Services.  Travis Hodge seconded. Roll call vote: Wyckoff , Hodge, Hanvey, Hamann, Beal—yes; Andersen, Lowe—no. Motion carried 5-2.

PARKING LOT RESEALING

Tammy Beal said the parking lot needs to be resealed.  This item will be placed on the agenda next spring.

PARKS & RECREATION REPORT

Paula Wyckoff asked the last line of the report should be corrected to read 9:15 pm .  Bob Hanvey asked if the number of permits on the report for Marion Township is daily or annual.  Ms. Wyckoff said she believes the numbers are combined.  Deb Mikula, Director of the Howell Park & Recreation Authority (HAPRA), said in the future, they will use color-coded stickers to get a more accurate count for each township.  She also would like to be able to use the township hall/property for future programs.

Tammy Beal motioned to accept the Parks & Recreation report as amended.  Paula Wyckoff seconded.  Motion carried 7-0.

CORRESPONDENCE/UPDATES

Norton Road Bridge :  Dan Lowe updated the board on the progress of this project.

Jewell Road Bridge :  Phil Westmoreland said he talked with Mike Craine, who said the DEQ doesn’t disallow culverts.  However, no funds are available from the state for culverts, only bridge work.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE TOWNSHIP

Bob Hanvey gave the board members an update on the MHOG and Fire Authority meetings.  He also passed out a letter from an attorney retained by a Cedar Creek resident.

There will be a Land Preservation information session on Monday, October 29 at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall.

Volunteers from Marion Township worked at Recycle Livingston on October 13.  Mr. Hanvey said they need a compactor for cardboard and plastic, and would like the township to make a contribution.  Mr. Hanvey will draft an agreement to contribute $1,000 and present it at the next meeting (AI #1.)

The Chestnut judgment date is October 12.  They have until Friday, November 2 to file an appeal.

Some of the township employees have signed up for AFLAC through payroll deduction.

The township has received a report from the DEQ on its Phase 2 efforts.  They are redoing the permit.

Bob Hanvey has been asked to write a letter of support by the county for a Clean Michigan grant.

Travis Hodge reported that AT&T has started work around Peavy Road .  Bob Hanvey said he will invite them to a future meeting for an update (AI #2.)

Les Andersen asked if there’s a timeframe on the request from the assessor for reappraisal of the township.  Bob Hanvey explained the 14-point review.

Dan Lowe asked why the township can’t stop issuing land use permits for Cedar Creek.  Bob Hanvey said the township’s attorney has advised him that the township shouldn’t deny a land use permit for the reasons the residents claim.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Jack Lowe asked whether the board members would be interested in having a steam engine festival, possibly in conjunction with the next flea market.  Tammy Beal said yes, and planning should start soon.

ADJOURNMENT

Dave Hamann motioned to adjourn at 8:35 p.m.   Travis Hodge seconded.  Motion carried 7-0