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

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Scott Hladki.

 

Deputy Supervisor, Stephanie Barrett, called the meeting to order at the Dalton Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance said, invocation given and roll call taken. Stephanie stated that a new agenda was before the board as items numbered 11, 15, 16, 17, were removed from the agenda. She explained further.

 

Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the agenda presented. Yes: all.

 

MINUTES:

The regular township board meeting minutes of November 13, 2006 were accepted as presented and placed on file.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of November 30, 2006, the General Fund has $25,462.73, Fire Operating Fund has $41,028.31, and Fire Equipment Fund has $34,938.52. There is $200,809.61 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit.

 

Motion by Diane, support, by Mike, PASSED to approve the Treasurer's Report as presented. Yes: all.

 

Petsy requested a monthly list of receipts from Rosemary like the list Mary Ellen provides for the bills.

Rosemary stated that she and Mary Ellen will work it out as to who can provide a list of receipts. Mary Ellen stated that she or her deputy, Stacy, can print a list from the computerized general ledger or cash receipt programs; which may be easier than compiling a list from the treasurer's hand written journals.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support, by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Yes: Rosemary, Mary Ellen, Mike and Lynn. No: Diane and Petsy. General Fund $55,025.49, Fire Fund $7,045.50, Cemetery Fund $262.43. Bills were also paid from the building fund, street light fund, and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for November 2006. There were 33 calls with an average response time of 7.85 minutes.

 

Chief Furman stated that Keith McMillan, has finished his probationary period and Chief would like the board to approve moving Keith up to regular fire fighter status. Chief stated that Keith was employed as a regular fire fighter in the past, but left and came back; therefore he had to complete probation again.

 

Motion by Mike, support, by Diane, PASSED to approve for Keith McMillan to be brought up to regular fire fighter status, with appreciation for his service. Yes: all.

 

Chief stated that the Assistant Fire Chief, Kevin Anderson, solicited bids for turn out gear for the firefighters. He stated that the low bid is from 5 Alarm. Mary Ellen stated that the fire fighters need to have adequate fire protection, but questioned if this was a budgeted item. Chief stated that these items were budgeted for this fiscal year.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support, by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the purchase of seven sets of turnout gear plus two additional helmets as requested for $12,864.00. Yes: all.

 

CEMETERY:

Sexton, Gary Furman, stated that lots are being sold out of the new section of the Twin Lake Cemetery. He stated the roads have to be finished and the irrigation installed.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that the transfer station will be closed on December 23, 2006; the Saturday before Christmas. He updated the board other miscellaneous department items.

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER:

Compliance officer, Frank Swiatek, stated that 108 cases were investigated this year; six are pending, and two are at the county level. The board thanked Frank for a job well done.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION COMMENTS/RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. Planning Commission member renewal for Joe Drost and Tom Tuttle.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to reappoint Joe Drost and Tom Tuttle to the Township's Planning Commission for three-year terms. Yes: all.

 

2. Board of Review term renewal for Ed Hall, Tim Gage, and Dan Hansen.

 

Motion by Rosemary, support by Diane, PASSED to retain the services of Ed Hall, Time Gage, and Dan Hansen for an additional two year term, as they agreed. Yes: all.

 

3. Road Committee, suggestion from Scott to dissolve.

 

It was the consensus of the board not to dissolve this committee. Further discussion followed.

 

TOWNSHIP MEETING DATES AND HOLIDAY CLOSINGS FOR 2007:

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the holiday closings for 2007. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Diane, Lynn, Rosemary, Mary Ellen. No: Petsy. Discussion followed with regard to Veterans Day. If the county is closed then the township may also close for this holiday.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to approve the meeting dates for 2007. Yes: all. If the township is closed for Veterans Day, then the regular meeting that month will be changed to the next Monday as written on the meeting schedule.

 

DEPUTY SUPERVISOR WAGES:

A letter was presented from Scott requesting the pay for the deputy supervisor be clarified. He submitted two proposals. One, change the position to an hourly position at $13.00 per hour, or two, leave as it has been on as needed basis for $450 per month salary.

 

Petsy stated that Scott's absences and paying the deputy supervisor has been going on far longer than planned, going on two years. She stated that the supervisor has been receiving full pay through his absence and we are paying the deputy supervisor wages as well. She proposed cutting the supervisor's pay as paying both positions is part of the reason for the budget concerns. It was stated that Scott is elected and therefore no one can reduce his pay and only the governor, or the people of the township in a recall, can remove him from office.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to keep the deputy supervisor position as it has been on a as needed basis for $450.00 per month until the end of this fiscal year, March 31, 2007 as previously discussed. Yes: all.

 

RESOLUTION BETWEEN MUSKEGON CHARTER TOWNSHIP & DALTON TOWNSHIP:

Our township attorney stated that this resolution wants a contract to be prepared for the sewer projects and other sewer issues. The attorney stated that a contract was prepared and is in the hands of Muskegon Charter Township; therefore he sees no need for approval of this resolution.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED not to approve this resolution and for Stephanie to contact Dave Fisher of Muskegon Charter Township to inquire about the status of the contract regarding the same. Yes: all.

 

TEMPORARY SPECIAL USE PERMIT FEES:

The fees for the newly created Temporary Special Use Permits was presented to the board with a range of proposed fees. Discussion followed.

 

Motion by Petsy, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the fees for the Temporary Special Use Permits as follows. Yes: all.

A. Mobile Homes: $50.00

B. Signs and Supplies $50.00

C. Seasonal Uses: $50.00

D. Parking Areas $100.00

 

SECOND READING FOR LIQUOR LICENSE:

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the second and final reading of the Dalton Township Liquor License Ordinance. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Rosemary and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

WOOD CUTTING FEES:

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to approve a $10.00 fee for wood cutting on township property. A written agreement must be obtained and this is only available for township residents. Yes: all.

 

BOARD COMMENTS:

DALTON INDUSTRIAL PARK-Muskegon County Business Park, North. A prelimary draft of the Business Park-North was provided in the board packets and discussed. Stephanie stated that only Phase I plans are in the preliminary stages. Other stages are not available. Stephanie stated the proposed uses are listed, the roads shown, and the property splits are provided on the draft plan map. Stephanie stated that all lot splits have been approved by Wanda in our assessing department and all splits are of proper lot size requirements. The rail trail coming through this property was discussed. Stephanie stated that an overlay will be coming showing lots that cannot have buildings due to contamination. Stephanie stated the county would like some kind of acceptance of this preliminary plan from the township.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to state that the Business Park-North preliminary plans dated November 30, 2006 for Phase I are acceptable. Yes: all.

 

LIBRARY: Correspondence was reviewed from Karen Fowler, the township's appointed representative on the Muskegon Area District Library Board. The correspondence was regarding current events that have taken place regarding the District Library. Discussion took place. It was stated that Karen is doing a very good job on this board and that we should show our support and appreciation to Karen.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to have a resolution prepared from the Township to Karen Fowler stating our support and appreciation of her services on the Muskegon Area District Library Board for our township and its residents. Roll call vote. Yes: Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy, Rosemary and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

Stephanie stated the vacant planning commission seat will be on the January agenda. Petsy gave the board an update regarding the equestrian trails. Stephanie gave the board an update of Scott's condition. Truck routes through the township were discussed.

 

CLOSED SESSION-CONSULT WITH ATTORNEY REGARDING PENDING LITIGATION:

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to enter into closed session to discuss pending litigation with our township attorney. Roll call vote. Yes: Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Rosemary and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

Mike left the meeting at 8:41 p.m. At 8:48 p.m. Motion by Rosemary, support by Lynn, PASSED to end the close session and enter back into the regular meeting. Roll call vote. Yes: Rosemary, Lynn, Diane, Petsy and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

MUNICIPAL STORMWATER-PHASE II:

Mary Ellen inquired about this issue with the attorney as an invoice is being held awaiting the written opinion of a judge who will decide if some townships are obligated to pay these fees as they are unfunded mandated costs under the "Headlee" Amendment. The attorney stated that the judge ruled in favor of township with regard to Phase II Stormwater. He stated to stop or hold the invoice to state that we do not want to participate any longer. Our attorney also stated to disengage with the Municipal Stormwater and do not pay the invoice to the Muskegon Area Municipal Stormwater Committee.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Diane, support by Rosemary, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 8:57 p.m. Yes: all.

 

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