DALTON TOWNSHIP SPECIAL BOARD MEETING-SEWER PROJECTS
MARCH 15, 2006
5:30 P.M.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Hladki, Mary Ellen Sherwood, Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins, Diane Misze and Lynn Young.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Rosemary Rinella and Mike Hiner.

Supervisor, Scott Hladki, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall.

This meeting was called and posted for the purpose of meeting with Johnson and Anderson, Engineers for proposed township sewer projects, also to meet with county representation and representatives from ACI Finance regarding the same projects. Dalton Township is contemplating two areas for sewer improvement projects. Whitehall Road has an estimated project cost of $2,225,000 according to the cost estimate provided by J&A (Johnson and Anderson Engineers). River Road is estimated to be $1,600,000 with Dalton Townships share being $800,000; as this is a shared project with Muskegon Charter Township.

Tom Traciak of ACI Finance, Inc. was contracted to configure a financing plan for the townships sewer projects. A two page memo dated March 13, 2006 was received from Mr. Traciak and discussed regarding the finance plan to support both proposed sewer projects in the township. The memo states to this point, Mr. Traciak has been collecting data from township representatives, the engineers, and the attorneys. Based on the information provided, the following is an updated financing plan for the Whitehall Road and River Road projects. Special Assessment: $7,500.00 per REU (residential equivalent unit). Vacant buildable commercial or residential lots will be assessed on REU (this includes structure with no water or sewer service). A home will be assessed $7,500.00. A business will be assessed $18,750.00 Connection Charge: $1,000.00-REU if an REU assessment was paid, i.e., existing structure. $8,500-REU if an REU assessment was not paid, i.e., new builds after credit for the first REU (paid one REU in assessment on vacant). (REU) at $6,000.00 and one parcel at $1,500.00 for a total cost per homeowner of $7,500 which can be paid by special assessment over a period of approximately 30 years. Bonding for these proposed projects will be funded through the County of Muskegon. Partial payments for the special assessments are not recommended. Petsy questioned if there are state funded programs that will assist people financially with the costs of these projects. It was stated there are some programs available. Mary Ellen requested information for the board from the attorney and from ACI regarding any and all assistance programs that are available to help the residents with the special assessment or connection costs in reference to these projects.

Johnson and Anderson (J & A) Representatives, Terry Broemer and Dick Lappo, were present to explain the current status of the proposed sewer projects and to answer questions of the board. The radius of the projects, time frames, and bidding timelines were discussed. Many county and township representatives were present at the meeting stating their support of the sewer projects within the township. They also stated that rezoning of the Whitehall corridor should be strongly considered. Some of those present included, the County Administrator, James Borushko, County Commissioners, Don Aley and Chuck Buzzell, Township Supervisors, Patrick Jordan and Roland Crummel, John Warner of the Muskegon County Department of Public Works was also present and answered questions from board members regarding water and sewer. The status of the proposed water project going up Whitehall Road was discussed and is still at the state level waiting to hear back on the possible grant approval for this project. Petsy and other board members stated that getting water north of River Road is and was the main objective of the board. Now the water is uncertain until the state approves the grant for this project and the sewer projects are moving forward. Mary Ellen stated for years it has been the boards intention to get water to these folks north of River Road and just about everyone wants and needs water in this area, and now the only project being discussed is the sewer. Mary Ellen questioned county representatives if the water and sewer projects will be constructed at the same time and she questioned if the grant is not approved for the water infrastructure project how will this be funded. County representatives stated that hopefully both the water and sewer infrastructure projects will be constructed at the same time. County Administrator, Mr. Borushko, stated that he believes there is a zero percent chance that the grant will be denied for the water infrastructure going up Whitehall Road; it is just a matter of waiting to hear back on the grant approval.

Mary Ellen stated that the board agreed that the residents on both Whitehall and River Roads would be notified before any sewer construction projects were approved. Other board members did not want to vote on this issue at this time. Two of the reasons mentioned were, there was not a full board present and the residents had not yet been notified as we previously agreed they should be notified. Scott stated that he would send out letters of information to the residents that are affected by the sewer construction for both the Whitehall and River Roads projects. No action was taken at the meeting. Some representatives' present expressed concern regarding the time lines not being met for these proposed projects if action is not taken tonight, or very soon. The time line was discussed regarding these projects. Scott and some representatives stated that the time line is very tight and waiting until the next regular board meeting to vote on this issue will not leave sufficient time for the special assessment process and hearings, the bidding process, the selling of bonds, construction of these projects, etc. Mary Ellen stated that she did not appreciate being pushed by an elapsing time line when there have been other meetings held regarding these sewer projects with the attorney, the engineers, finance representatives, and others, when at least four of the board members had no knowledge of the meetings and did not receive any oral or written communication from Scott, Stephanie, or Rosemary who attended these meetings of the discussions or happenings regarding these proposed projects. Another meeting of the Dalton Township Board was discussed to again address this issue.

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to schedule another meeting of the township board to vote on the construction of the sewer projects on River and Whitehall Roads, 4:30 on Wednesday March 22 to take place with the meeting scheduled for another 06-07 budget review.

ADJOURNMENT:
Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to adjourn at 7:24 p.m.