BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Scott Hladki, Mary Ellen Sherwood, Mike Hiner,

Elizabeth (Petsy) Jenkins, Diane Misze and

Lynn Young.

 

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Rosemary Rinella.

 

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:

Petsy stated that she requested that Stephanie change the minutes as follows: to change the wordage as to why the special meeting held on May 28, 2008 was called. She also requested that the minutes state that the treasurer's report did not show dollar figures for the fund balances. Also, where the minutes discuss the township attorney changed employment and is with a new law firm, she requested that it state this is the attorney retained only for the sewer litigation cases. The minutes will be filed with the addition of these comments.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Connie Burchfield asked the board to speak up so that the audience can hear the business being conducted by the board.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of June 30, 2008, the General Fund has $100,502.06, Fire Operating Fund has $151,890.12, and Fire Equipment Fund has $35,108.66. There is $245,481.42 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit. An income report for June 2008 for the General and Fire Operating Funds was also submitted.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the monthly bills as submitted. Yes: Mike, Diane, Lynn, Mary Ellen, Petsy, and Scott. No: none.

 

General Fund bills totaling $44,790.92, through check number 19831, Fire Fund $6,840.13 through check number 10093, Street Light Fund $1,248.15 through check number 487. Cemetery Fund $825.39 through check number 981. Bills were also paid from the building fund, and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Fire Captain, Joe Balder, submitted the Incident Log for June 2008. There were 49 calls with an average response time of 6.35 minutes.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that they had a successful burn at the transfer station. He also stated that residents are not just dumping brush, as allowed; they are dumping large tree limbs and stumps, and showed a picture of the same. He stated that he has had no luck in getting the chipper that was previously discussed.

 

 

ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT OFFICER:

Ordinance Enforcement Officer, Frank Swiatek, stated that since the beginning of the year we have had 61 cases, only six are left open, and he has only had to issue one citation. He stated the letters being sent regarding violations are working very well and residents are being very cooperative.

 

RESOLUTION TO CHANGE WATER/SEWER RATES FOR CAMPGROUNDS:

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to adopt a Resolution approving changes to Appendix A of the Water/Sewer Ordinance Rates. Appendix changes involve reducing the REU's on campgrounds from 0.25 REU per site to 0.14 REU per site plus other uses specifically mentioned on the REU schedule. Yes: Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:

A. Twin Lake Investments, LLC, Ken Smith, request for a Special Use Permit for self storage units including an outdoor vehicle storage area at 5370 & 5390 Holton Road.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Special Use Permit as recommended by the Planning Commission. Yes: Mary Ellen, Lynn, Diane, Mike, Petsy and Scott. No: none.

 

B. Double Z Development, LLC request for a Zone Change from R-1 to AG/RC and for a Special Use Permit for an RV Resort on a vacant parcel fronting Riley Thompson and Whitehall Roads. Parcel #61-07-019-100-0004-00.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Zone Change as requested by Double Z Development as recommended by the Planning Commission. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Special Use Permit as requested for an RV Resort as recommended by the Planning Commission. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

C. AriaLink request for a Zone Change and a Special Use Permit for a lattice tower at 3180 Duff Road (Twin Lake Gun Club).

 

Motion by Lynn, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Zone Change as requested for AriaLink as recommended by the Planning Commission. Yes: Lynn, Mike, Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Special Use Permit as requested for AriaLink for a lattice tower at 3180 Duff Road. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

D. The Planning Commission recommended that the township board consider a Port-A-Jon Ordinance as there are some around the township in residential areas that are not emptied regularly causing odorous and unhealthy conditions.

 

It was the consensus of the board to support the concept of a Port-A-Jon Ordinance. This document will be created and brought back to the board for consideration.

 

CHANGES TO LIFE INSURANCE POLICY:

Mary Ellen explained that she and the township insurance agent found a life insurance policy that doubles the coverage and costs less per month. She requested the board's approval.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Mary Ellen, PASSED to approve the change in the Life Insurance Policy canceling the policy with Fort Dearborn and approving the new policy with Boston Mutual. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Petsy again requested that Mary Ellen check into short term disability as their life insurance policy includes the short term disability for little added cost. Mary Ellen stated that she would do this in the near future.

 

JIM KECK REQUEST FOR EXTENSION FOR PARKING LOT PAVING:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the extension of paving at his commercial property located at 3551 Holton Road until June 1, 2009. Yes: Mary Ellen, Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy and Mary Ellen. No: Scott.

 

SEWER ORDINANCE AND POLICIES:

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Policy and Guidelines for hard ship deferments of connection fees and costs for sewer connection. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to approve a new Sewer Ordinance titled Provisions Regarding Public Sewer System Protection and Operation. Yes: Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

TAXI RESOLUTION:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the Resolution to authorize the County of Muskegon to research and develop a plan to implement Taxi Applications, with the stipulation that there shall be no cost to the township. Yes: Mary Ellen, Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy and Scott. No: none.

 

BOARD COMMENT:

As has been discussed at previous meetings, the house at 3059 2nd Street, Twin Lake is a dangerous building and needs to be torn down.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Mary Ellen, PASSED to approve for the township attorney and the township's zoning administrator to start the process to have this house torn down. Yes: Mike, Mary Ellen, Diane, Lynn, Petsy and Scott. No: none.

 

Petsy gave the board information regarding the rail trail and bike trail. She stated that some boy scouts wishing to obtain their Eagle Scout badge will be doing some work on these trails and also on the equestrian trail as well.

 

Mary Ellen stated that she received a quote from Municipal Code Corporation to update and re-codify the township's Code of Ordinances for the General Law Ordinances. She asked if the board would like additional quotes. The board stated they would like two more quotes for this service.

 

Petsy stated that at the last board meeting she suggested the township purchase land located within the equestrian trail for $312.00 as the county is offering to the township at this low price before it goes up for auction.

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the purchase of land as described by the county treasurer for the land abutting the equestrian trail as provided at last months meeting. Yes: Mary Ellen, Diane, Lynn, Mike and Petsy. No: Scott.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT:

Dave Wilkinson of Johnston Road asked who is responsible for the boat launches and requested that some dolomite be brought in for the launch on Middle Lake. Scott stated that he will contact Ken Hulka at the Muskegon County Road Commission. Mr. Wilkinson also stated that he believes there should be two additional full time fire fighters in the near future.

 

Connie Burchfield asked if the township receives any revenues from the cell tower being placed on Duff Road as approved by the board. Scott stated the township does not receive any money for the placement of this cell tower.

 

Darlene Jarvi made suggestions regarding the proposed Port-A-Jon Ordinance. She also inquired about hiring by-laws or policies with regard to hiring relatives at the township.

 

Michele Klint introduced herself as a candidate for a township trustee position.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Mike, support by Mary Ellen, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 8:19 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