7:00 P.M.

 

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

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

 

Scott Hladki, Supervisor, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance said, invocation given and roll call taken.

 

MINUTES:

The regular meeting minutes of May 8 and the special meeting minutes of May 12, were accepted as presented and placed on file. Petsy requested the minutes of May 30 state that most board members were surprised at the number of people present in opposition to the sewer special assessment as Scott had previously stated that there was not many objections or opposition to the sewer special assessment.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of May 31, 2006, the General Fund has $38,653.31, Fire Operating Fund has $103,410.68, and Fire Equipment Fund has $58,182.80. There is $302,518.74 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. General Fund $81,388.14, Fire Fund $12,745.00, Cemetery Fund $531.40 and bills were also paid from the Street Light Fund, the Building Fund and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Diane, Rosemary, Petsy, Lynn, Mary Ellen and Scott. Petsy voted yes with the exception of check numbers 18021 and 9438. No: None.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Chief Furman submitted the fire incident log for May 2006 stating there was 56 incidents and the average response time of 6.5 minutes.

 

Chief Furman submitted the language that was previously placed on the ballot in 2005 for a millage renewal for fire equipment. He requested the board again approve the language and approve to place this millage question on the 2006 November General Election ballot for the voters consideration.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve both the ballot language and to place the millage question on the ballot for the November 2006 General Election. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Lynn, Petsy, Diane, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

 

CEMETERY AND MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENTS:

Sexton, Gary Furman, stated that Westshore Engineering will start surveying and plotting the new section of the Twin Lake Cemetery so plots will soon be available for sale. The maintenance supervisor was not present. Scott stated that he has recently learned that the township needs to acquire a permit from the DEQ to do the brining as we have been doing this year and last. He stated the permit fee is $1,500.00 and he does not know if it is still financially better to do the brining ourselves or give it back to the county road commission. The board requested to know how much we have spent on brining this year, add the permit fee, and compare to what the county will charge to once again perform these services. No action was taken.

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER:

The Compliance Office, Frank Switek, stated that there have been 52 complaint cases since January 2006. Fourteen are open, six are near completion, seven are still pending, and only one case had to go to court.

 

Discussion took place with the compliance officer regarding double bottom trucks from Nugent Sand using Riley Thompson Road which is not the route that was approved for this truck traffic. Scott stated that he did contact the sheriff department, weigh master, and they will be enforcing the weight restrictions.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Request by Robert Crawford for a Special Use Permit for retail sales at 2877 Pillon Road. The planning commission recommended approval to the township board. Mike stated that one neighbor had concerns regarding the outside lights at this location shining into his bedroom. Mike stated that Mr. Crawford offered to move or remove the light. Fencing was discussed for any possible outside storage.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Special Use Permit with the stipulation that any outside storage be fenced. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Mike, Petsy, Lynn, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

A natural buffer was discussed to be placed between the commercial and residential parcels abutting at the above mentioned business.

 

Motion by Petsy, support by Diane, PASSED to also place a stipulation on the above mentioned request to state that a natural or appropriate buffer shall be placed between the residential parcels abutting this commercial property. Roll call vote. Yes: Petsy, Diane, Mike, Lynn, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

2. Chris Johnson and Tim Scholowski, of Twin Lake Motorsports, were present to request a Special Use Permit for Motorsport Sales and Service at 5821 Holton Road. Mr. Johnson stated that repair work would also be performed at this business. Mary Ellen stated the SUP does not state anything about auto repair. She questioned if this business will be subject to the auto repair business permits required by the township. The zoning administrator stated they will need to obtain this permit for auto repair. Plans for the current and future building were discussed and a picture presented. The parking was also discussed. Mr. Johnson requested that the parking lot paving requirement be waived for one year so that they can get the building up first. Noise was discussed. It was stated that all repair work will be done inside the building; therefore noise should not be a problem. The hours of business will be 8:30 to 5:30 Monday through Friday and from 8:00 to 12:00 on Saturday.

 

Motion by Lynn, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the Special Use Permit for Twin Lake Motorsports, Sales and Service, at 5821 Holton Road, with the request granted to waive the paving requirement for up to one year. Roll call vote. Yes: Lynn, Diane, Mike, Petsy, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

TOWNSHIP PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR:

Scott stated that this was on the agenda and discussed at the previous meeting. He stated that he is still in favor creating this position. He stated this is an update and no action is necessary tonight; however, he will be putting this on the next agenda as well. He stated that he requests the board approve creating this position and that Stephanie Barrett, the township's zoning administrator, be appointed to this position as she has been answering the water and sewer questions and concerns and has been involved in the water and sewer special assessment process. Mike spoke in favor of creating this position and to hire Stephanie for the same. Rosemary and Sue, the deputy treasurer, spoke in favor of this as well, stating it is nice to have one person to take these calls.

 

Petsy inquired about the REU's (Residential Equivalent Units) for water. She states that she understands that the township set up the rate schedule; however, she stated that at the previous meeting Scott made it sound as if the county personnel assigned the number of REU's to each residence and business for the water special assessments. She stated that the assigned REU's needs to be looked at more closely as a residential and a business should not have the same number of REU's assigned. Scott stated the number of REU's is based on potential use not square footage. Petsy stated that a commercial business certainly has more potential use than a home, so why is the number of REU's the same for a home as it is for a business on Whitehall Road. Stephanie stated the number of REU's was set up by the township, mainly herself, the assessor, and deputy assessor. Petsy stated that Scott needs to be accurate in his statements and again stressed the number of REU's assigned needs to be more closely reviewed before the confirmation of the roll at the upcoming special meeting. Mary Ellen inquired about corrections that needed to be made to the sewer special assessment roll that was approved by the board on May 30th. The attorney stated that there is a statue in place that allows for corrections. Mary Ellen also requested a copy of the water special assessment roll as she still has not received this information and the notice published states that this information is on file in her office.

 

INSURANCE ORDINANCE, FINAL READING:

Petsy stated that it is up to the board to try and save money whenever possible and she states this ordinance is too expensive and out of line for today's standards for the township to pay for 80 percent of coverage for township retirees. She stated the ordinance should be amended to state that when a retiree is entitled to Medicare then Medicare should be their primary insurance coverage and the township insurance be a supplemental coverage. It was stated that this is the normal practice. Mike stated that Petsy's remark was a discriminatory statement and it should not be up to the board of trustees to define dependents. Petsy stated that Mike is misunderstanding her statements and concerns. She stated that she is only referring to costs and that she did not mention anything about dependents. Further discussion followed.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the second and final reading of the Ordinance titled, Dalton Township Insurance and Pension Ordinance. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: Petsy, Lynn and Diane.

 

BOYS SCOUT REQUESTS (2):

Tyler Churchill and Brian Swain made separate presentations regarding Eagle Projects that they wanted to perform. Tyler requested that the board approve for him and others to move the playground equipment from Duck Creek Elementary School to Beegle Field. The Eagle Project would consist of dismantling the equipment, moving and reassembling the same. Brian requested the township approve the construction and cost of approximately $3,500.00 for him to construct a covered picnic area approximately 24 X 32 with a two foot overhang. Stating this will also be located at Beegle Field and will be available for residents and park visitors to use.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve for Tyler Churchill to organize and complete the duties of the Eagle Scout Project as described. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve for Brian Swain to organize and complete the duties of the Eagle Scout Project as described, this motion also authorizes the estimated cost of $3,500.00. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

LIQUOR LICENSES: ONE TRANSFER AND ONE REVOKE:

The township received notification that the liquor license for Ray's Mini-Mart would be transferred and any comments or concerns could be filed with the State of Michigan. No comments, concerns, or actions, were mentioned; therefore, no action is necessary.

 

Revocation for liquor licenses for Dalton Grocery and the Riverside Grille.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to revoke the liquor license granted to the Riverside Grill, proposed to be located at River and Whitehall Roads, in 2003; as the business does not exist. Also to revoke the liquor license for Dalton Grocery as the business is now closed. Mary Ellen stated that when the liquor license was granted to the Riverside Grille in February of 2003 the owners stated they would be operational in six to nine months and this never happened. Stephanie stated that the Special Use Permit process was never finalized either as there was a dispute of property lines. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none. This motion also approves for the clerk to acquire and complete any forms necessary for this revocation process.

 

Scott stated that he sent registered letters to the owners of record for both Dalton Grocery and the Riverside Plaza regarding the revocation of the liquor licenses. The letter stated that if they wished to protest this action to call the township supervisor or attend this meeting and the date and time of the meeting and of this action is stated in the letter to the property owners. No one called or was present to state concerns.

 

LAND BID MINNEHAHA BEACH (1):

Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the bid for $2,000.00 for lots 89 and 91, Minnehaha Beach 07-602-000-0089-00 and 07-602-0000091-00 from Robert and Julie Terberg. Roll call vote. Yes: Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

CULVERTS AT TOWNSHIP HALL AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT:

The Muskegon County Road Commission prepared an estimate for $25,616.10 to repair the separated drive tiles and reconstruct entrances, to reset drive tiles and driveway prep work, to replace concrete curb and to resurface the drives. Board members asked if all three drives had to be reconstructed and if we could get an estimate for two drives. This item was postponed. No action was taken.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

Petsy stated that she and Stephanie mailed letters to property owners regarding the proposed Equestrian Trails within the township. Stephanie stated that four letters have been returned of the 19 that went out. Updates wil be given in the future. Diane thanked everyone for the cards and prayers for the loss of a family member. Scott stated that money is being recouped from the metal bins at the transfer station. Scott also stated that he has received good comments from people regarding Beegle Field.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

A resident in the audience stated that she had to replace a culvert at her residence and the estimates that she received were for $7,500.00, $10,000.00 and $15,000.00.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, PASSED to adjourn at 8:37 p.m.

 

 

DALTON TOWNSHIP BOARD

Scott Hladki Supervisor

Mary Ellen Sherwood Clerk

Rosemary Rinella Treasurer

Michael Hiner Trustee

Elizabeth Jenkins Trustee

Diane Misze Trustee

Lynn Young Trustee

 

Clerk__________________________

Mary Ellen Sherwood