OCTOBER 15, 2007, 7:00 P.M.

 

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

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: None.

 

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

 

MINUTES:

The regular township board meeting minutes of September 10, 2007, and the special board meeting minutes of September 17, 2007. Mary Ellen stated that former Township Supervisor, Merle Hittle, called to state that at the previous regular meeting he stated that some township personnel should be part time; he said that he did not state that elected officials should be part time as was stated in the September minutes. He requested that this be changed in the minutes. The minutes were accepted with this change and placed on file.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of September 30, 2007, the General Fund has $76,556.44, Fire Operating Fund has $95,455.91, and Fire Equipment Fund has $21,334.05. There is $191,099.95 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit. An Income report for September 2007 for the General and Fire Funds was also received.

 

Street Light Districts 1, 2, 3, and 4. Rosemary stated that all four of these special assessment districts are millage based. She stated that all four of these districts will not be billed for the special assessment on this year's winter tax bill due to the excess money in the street light special assessment fund, generated from these four districts.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Yes: Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: Lynn.

 

General Fund bills totaling $78,843.21, through check number 19250, Fire Fund $8,392.00 through check number 9861, Cemetery Fund $1,067.05, through check number 957. Bills were also paid from the building fund, street light fund, and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

 

TOWNSHIP HALL CLOSING ON FRIDAYS:

Scott stated that all elected and all office personnel work 4 days per week and it is confusing to residents who works on what day. He suggested that we close the hall on Friday's and have all personnel work Monday through Thursday. He mentioned that this should also save money on utilities, etc. He stated this does not apply to the maintenance department. Discussion took place. Mary Ellen stated that this takes away one day for anyone to utilize services at the township hall.

 

 

Diane mentioned that she also had mixed feelings about the Friday closing. It was discussed that we can bring this back to the board at any time and change back to the current hours if things don't work out with the Friday closing. Rosemary stated that she will put a notice on the tax bills that go out December 1st regarding the new hours.

 

Motion by Lynn, support by Mike, PASSED effective December 1, 2007 to close the Dalton Township Hall on Fridays. Yes: Lynn, Mike, Rosemary, Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Fire Chief, Gary Furman, presented an Incident Log for September 2007. There were 58 calls with an average response time of 7.34 minutes.

 

Assistant Fire Chief, Kevin Anderson, stated that bids were received for a new fire truck. The bids were opened on Friday, October 5, 2007, at 4:00 p.m. in the township clerk's office. Bids were sought from six companies, one bid was received and another sent information back stating that they were not able to meet the required specifications. The one bid that was received was from Alexis Fire Equipment Company in the amount of $236,900.00. This is for a Demo Truck, 2007 Peterbilt with a 2000 gallon tank, 1000 PTO Hale Pump, and a lifetime warranty on the tank and body; with other equipment. It was explained to the board previously that one of our current fire trucks will be 20 years old this year. After a vehicle is 20 years old it is not considered part of the fleet and the ISO rating could be decreased without this truck in the fleet. If the ISO rating is lowered, due to losing this truck, everyone in the township may be paying a higher homeowners insurance rate. He stated that we previously discussed re-chassis of 1220 built in 1987 to keep this truck in the fleet, instead of purchasing a new truck; however it was determined that it would be cost prohibitive to re-chassis 1220. A list was submitted with all repairs that would need to be made to the 20 year old fire truck and stated the costs for these repairs and a new re-chassis would cost approximately $190,000.00. Chief Furman submitted budget information to the board regarding how payments would be made from the fire operating fund should the new truck be purchased. Mary Ellen stated the fire equipment millage was not renewed by the voters, therefore the new truck payments, if approved, would need to be made from the fire operating budget for the next fifteen to twenty years. She questioned if the normal capital outlay items such as gear for the fire fighters would be compromised. Chief Furman stated that safety gear, etc. would not be compromised by the new fire truck payments. Rosemary stated that National City quoted an interest rate of 4.4 percent, stating this is a very good rate. Petsy and Mary Ellen questioned how one makes a good decision regarding purchasing the Demo truck when no other bids were received for comparison. Fire Fighter, Joe Balder, stated that he did some comparables and stated the closest comparable was a Spencer and the cost was more at $270,000.00. He spoke of other trucks that he looked at that were not really comparable. Mary Ellen stated that it sounds like this is a really good deal for this truck and will be a good thing for the community, but again stated that the township should have something in writing to compare pricing. It was stated that if the Demo truck is purchased the old 1220 would be brokered and the money could be used to pay for the new truck as there is no penalty for early payments or payoff.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve payment of the new Peterbilt Demo Fire Truck from Alexis Fire Equipment Company for $236,900.00. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Rosemary, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: Petsy, as she stated there are no other bids to compare prices too.

Prices were received for safety gear for the fire department that was budgeted for this fiscal year. Prices were received from three different companies.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Rosemary, PASSED to purchase the turn out gear as this was budgeted in the amount of $10,000.00; from 5 Alarm Company, as they quoted the lowest price. Yes: Mary Ellen, Rosemary, Petsy, Lynn, Diane, Mike, and Scott. No: None.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that the residents free dump day went well.

 

Petsy asked Keith if he has any street sign poles that can be used for the new Equestrian Trail. Keith stated that he believes so, but will check to make sure.

 

Scott asked the board if they wanted to cancel the second free dump day each year as the township has to pay for the entire bill. He stated the first dump day of the year is paid for by the township and the county, as the county does not chare for tipping fees for the spring clean up. Mary Ellen stated that she is opposed to canceling either free dump day. Rosemary stated if the garbage is not brought to the dump, then it is dumped all over the township. It was decided to keep both the spring and fall dump days as they are now.

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER:

Compliance Officer, Frank Swiatek, gave the board an update of cases for the year, which are 104 cases. He stated that most residents are very cooperative in getting things cleaned up.

 

BUILDING INSPECTION:

Fee for the building inspector to condemn buildings. Building Inspector, Chris Hall, suggested a fee of $20.00 per hour for him to perform all work related to a structure that has been deemed unsafe or dangerous under the 2000 International Property Maintenance Code. Chris gave an update of buildings that are currently in this condition and the status of the same. Chris stated to date he only has about five or six hours performing this work and we are not paying attorney fees for the same as we have done in the past.

 

Motion by Rosemary, support by Mike, PASSED to accept the proposal as submitted by the building inspector to perform this work for a fee of $20.00 per hour out of the building department fund. Yes: Rosemary, Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: None.

 

TOWNSHIP SECRETARY POSITION:

Scott spoke about this at previous meetings. Mary Ellen explained that the township secretary position has been a job share position and one of the secretaries left employment. Scott questioned the board if the remaining secretary position should be a full time position. At a previous meeting Scott gave board members a document in support of the position becoming a full time position and stated that he would try to find money in the budget for the position. Board members agreed this is not budgeted and the township is not in a financial condition to be able to approve this position becoming full time. Mary Ellen prepared a financial statement showing the increase cost to the township should this position become full time and the increase, including benefits, would be approximately $20,000.00 annually.

 

Mary Ellen stated that we do not have the funds to approve for this position to become full time. Mary Ellen stated that the secretary is doing a great job and stated the board needs to thank the Secretary, Kristy Johnson-Carty, for working additional hours and being so cooperative and helpful.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, PASSED to deny the agenda item of making the township secretary position a full time position. Yes: all.

 

PERSONNEL POLICY CHANGES:

Mary Ellen stated that she made changes to the Township's Personnel Policy. Changes were written and provided to all employees and officials. She stated the only concern brought to her attention was from Scott regarding vacation procedures and approvals not coming from his office. Mary Ellen and Rosemary explained that department heads should approve vacations as they know what and when things are happening in their departments.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the changes to the Personnel Policy as submitted. Yes: Mike, Lynn, Diane, Petsy, Rosemary and Mary Ellen. No: Scott.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION:

1. Lot Division Ordinance. The Zoning Administrator, Stephanie Barrett, requested that the board table this item as she needs to speak with the township's assessor about this issue. She stated that she has been on vacation and has not had an opportunity to speak with the assessor about concerns she has with the proposed lot division ordinance.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Diane, PASSED to table this item until next month's regular board meeting. Yes: all.

 

GIS PROGRAM:

The County of Muskegon sent a letter to the township regarding the GIS (Geographic Information System) Project Update and Basic Level of Service Proposal. The cost for the township to have this system available is $1,315.79 plus annual maintenance fees. This program and the capabilities were discussed. All board members agreed that this is a great program and would benefit the township; however, nothing is budgeted for this fiscal year. Scott asked if the board wants this item brought back to the next meeting. Mary Ellen suggested that Scott try to fit this into next year's budget. The board agreed to try to fit this into the next budget.

 

ROSEMA ZONING VIOLATION:

Scott requested that the board give our Attorney, David Wells, and the Zoning Administrator, Stephanie Barrett, permission to move forward with this case.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Petsy, PASSED to give approval for the zoning administrator and the township attorney to move forward with this case. Yes: all.

 

CELL TOWER AGREEMENT:

This Agreement was approved at the previous board meeting. Mary Ellen stated that she and Scott were to sign this Agreement and she is not comfortable signing as the township attorney has concerns with some of the language in the Agreement.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to have the attorney make the necessary changes to the Agreement and give his approval for Scott and Mary Ellen to sign the same. Yes: all.

 

PETITION FOR HUNTING AREA CONTROL:

Many township residents were present to oppose the hunting that is taking place on the Island on Twin Lake. These residents submitted petitions with 59 signatures requesting that the township petition the State of Michigan DNR to declare this area a hunting control area. Mary Ellen prepared a resolution as requested and petitioned by residents living on Twin, Middle, and West Lakes to create a hunting area control on said lakes. The resolution, if approved by the Department of Natural Resources, will prohibit hunting on said lakes.

The petitions submitted stated concerns for the safety and well being of residents living on said lakes and also concern for the people visiting the Twin Lake County Park and the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge on Twin Lake as this is a populated residential area with many recreational activities on the lake. Complaints have been coming into the township hall about people hunting geese on the Island in Twin Lake, and shots being fired in the direction of residents and people on the water. The township contacted the sheriff department and the DNR to try and stop the hunting on said lakes. It was discovered that the township has no control over the law that allows people to hunt there as long as they maintain the distance from any dwellings as stated by law. The township board agreed that safety issues are a large concern and supported the resolution requesting that the State of Michigan Department of Natural Resources do whatever means necessary to stop the hunting in this area on Twin Lake, West Lake, Middle Lake, and on the Island on Twin Lake.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to adopt the Resolution to establish a hunting area control as stated. Yes: Mike, Rosemary, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott.

 

BOARD COMMENTS:

Scott stated that he would like to send a letter to the Muskegon County Commissioners regarding any concerns that he has with the county drain commissioner's office. He wanted the board to support this letter. Mary Ellen stated that she is not comfortable approving a letter that she has not seen as it is not even written yet. Scott stated that the letter will be written and he will e-mail to board members for their review before he submits it to the county commissioners.

 

Petsy stated the equestrian trail is almost completed. She stated that volunteers are needed to clear the trails. Petsy stated that the first "work bee" meeting to begin grooming and clearing the trails for the new Dalton Township Equestrian Trail will be held on October 28, 2007 (weather permitting) at 2:00 p.m. at the curve of Automobile Road and Michillinda Road, next to the rest stop. She asked everyone to bring pruners of all types, axes, compass, and orange hat or vest for safety. Drinks and snacks will be provided. Mary Ellen thanked Petsy for her commitment and all of the time that she has put into this project. Petsy stated that Westshore Consulting did all of the surveying and mapping free of charge, and the parking area for the equestrian trail will be courtesy of Accurate Excavators.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Many residents were present regarding the hunting area control and again stated their frustration about gun fire in such a populated area and they again stated the safety concerns regarding the same. Mary Ellen stated that she will submit the Resolution that was adopted tonight to the State right away.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Mike, support by Rosemary, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 8:28 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