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:

The regular township board meeting minutes of September 8, 2008, were accepted as submitted and placed on file.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

None.

 

TREASURER'S REPORT:

As of September 30, 2008, the General Fund has $75,162.40, Fire Operating Fund has $111,102.43, and Fire Equipment Fund has $16,596.00. There is $247,193.97 in the Co-Merica J-Fund. The Treasurer's Report was accepted and placed on file for audit. An Income report for September 2008 for the General and Fire Funds was also submitted.

 

MONTHLY BILLS:

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

 

General Fund bills totaling $45,927.36, through check number 20031, Fire Fund $4,705.05 through check number 10171, Cemetery Fund $118.88, through check number 988, Streetlight Fund $1,366.66 through check number 489. Bills were also paid from the building fund and other self-supporting miscellaneous funds.

 

FIRE BUSINESS:

Fire Chief, Gary Furman, submitted the Incident Log for September 2008. There were 29 calls with an average response time of 6.24 minutes.

 

Chief Gary Furman stated that the Assistant Fire Chief, Kevin Anderson, stepped down from the assistant fire chief position; however, is still an active fire fighter for the Township. He stated that the position was posted and the Fire Commission interviewed interested personnel. Chief Furman stated the Fire Commission recommends that the board approve the appointment of Stacia Ripley for the permanent position of Assistant Fire Chief. Board members asked if Stacia meets the requirements for the position. Chief Furman stated that she does.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to accept the recommendation of the Fire Commission and appoint Stacia Ripley as the new Assistant Fire Chief. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none. The board applauded and congratulated Stacia.

 

Chief Furman stated that hose testing was recently conducted and new hose and nozzles are needed. He stated this is not a budgeted item; however, he found money in the budget for the same. He stated that some budgeted items will not be purchased this year so that the hose can be purchased. He stated that $6,986.00 will be changed in the budget to accommodate for this purchase.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the purchase of new hose and nozzles as requested by the Chief. Yes: Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Chief Furman also requested that the board approve for the fire fighters to receive run pay while on duty. He explained that previously if a fire fighter was on duty, they only received the duty pay even if they were on a several hour run. He stated that by only getting paid for the duty, they are being undercut for run time. He stated this pay can be amended without having to amend the current budget.

 

Motion by Scott, support by Mike, PASSED to approve paying run pay while an employee is on duty and also receiving duty pay. Yes: Scott, Mike, Diane, Lynn, Petsy and Mary Ellen. No: none.

 

MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

Maintenance Supervisor, Keith Ostoin, stated that the recycle trailer at the Transfer Station generated $700.00 in revenue for the Township. Keith stated the Transfer Station will be closed on the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and on Wednesday, Christmas Eve and Wednesday, New Year's Eve. Keith stated the contract with Solid Waste Solutions will expire soon. He inquired if we can approve a new contract with them for transfer station services or if we have to go out for bid for the same. He stated they have been a good conscientious company to work with. It was decided this issue can be brought back at a future meeting. Keith stated that the boilers at the township hall should be replaced in the near future and explained reasons for the same. No action was taken. Keith stated that they had another successful burn at the transfer station and will need to have another burn soon.

 

COMPLIANCE OFFICER REPORT:

Compliance Officer, Frank Switeck, stated that there have been 81 complaints filed this year. Seven have been re-inspected. One ticket is pending, and may end up in court, as they will not comply with township ordinance.

 

PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATIONS:

River of Life Church located at 4860 Holton Road, request for a Special Use Permit for an Accessory Use to the Church at 4876 Holton Road. The Zoning Administrator, Stephanie Barrett, requested this item be tabled as the Church did not get fire department and health department approvals.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Petsy, PASSED to table the request of River of Life Church. Yes: all.

 

LAND BID REQUEST:

A request was received to put Township property up for bid. The land is described as vacant land, parcel number 07-509-018-0001-00. Lakewood Addition No. 9 Plat, TB Lots 1-16 INC and Lots 19-48 INC BLK 18, SEC 4, T11N R16W.

 

Scott stated that the township assessor valued the lots at approximately $50.00 per lot and the assessor recommends a minimum bid of the same, $50.00 per lot.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to approve advertising for land bids as requested with a minimum bid of $2,300.00 for all lots. Yes: all.

 

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS TO WEST LAKE ROAD. RESOLUTION AND ASSIGNMENT OF PURCHASE CONTRACT, SHELBY STATE BANK:

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Resolution authorizing execution and delivery of an Installment Purchase Agreement for the financing of road improvements to West Lake Road as requested and petitioned by the residents owing property on said Road. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Assignment of Purchase Contract between Asphalt Paving and Shelby State Bank for the financing of road improvements to West Lake Road. Yes: Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Petsy, PASSED to open the Public Hearing to take comments regarding the Special Assessment Roll for the improvements to West Lake Road in the amount of $48,000.00. Yes: all.

 

Howard Trygstad of West Lake Road stated that he did not have complaints; he only questioned why the corner was not paved. Scott stated that this was not included in the project or the cost. No other comments were received.

 

Motion by Mike, support by Diane, PASSED to close the Public Hearing for the West Lake Road Improvements. Yes: Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Special Assessment Roll for the West Lake Road Improvements in the amount of $48,000.00. Yes: Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

RESOLUTION FROM THE REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM POLICY BOARD TO CHANGE APPENDIX B-WATER RATES:

The Township received the Resolution that recommends Appendix B be amended effective December 1, 2008 to make uniform rates and charges for the entire Muskegon County Regional Water System.

 

 

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Diane, PASSED to approve the Resolution amending Appendix B to make uniform water rates and charges as described in said resolution. Yes: Mary Ellen, Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy and Scott. No: none.

 

RESOLUTION-LIQUOR CONTROL COMMISSION-FOR APPLICANT: KAYLA K, LLC, TO TRANSFER LOCATION OF 2008 CLASS C LICENSED BUSINESS FROM 3391 WHITEHALL ROAD TO 3408A WHITEHALL ROAD, MUSKEGON, MI, AND A REQEUST FOR A NEW ENTERTAINMENT PERMIT:

Motion by Diane, support by Lynn, PASSED to approve the Resolution as written for Kayla K, LLC. Yes: Diane, Lynn, Mike, Mary Ellen, Petsy and Scott. No: none.

 

RE-CODIFICATION OF TOWNSHIP ORDINANCES:

Motion by Mary Ellen, support by Petsy, PASSED to approve the Re-codification of the Township Ordinances and award the project to American Legal Publishing in the amount of $6,935.00 to be paid over two fiscal years. Yes: Mary Ellen, Petsy, Diane, Mike, Lynn and Scott. No: none.

 

SUSPENSION OF BILLING ON THE 2008 WINTER TAX BILLS FOR CERTAIN STREETLIGHT SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS:

Mary Ellen informed the board of the excess money still left in the Street Light Special Assessment Fund. She stated that due to the excess money still left in this fund she suggested that the board suspend billing again this year for the districts that were over billed in the past. She stated that she is bringing this to the board's attention as Rosemary will not be present at the meeting and this issue needs to be addressed at this meeting.

 

Motion by Diane, support by Scott, PASSED to approve suspension of tax billing for the Street Light Special Assessment Districts for the same districts that were suspended in the 2007 tax billing. Yes: Mary Ellen, Diane, Mike, Lynn, Petsy and Scott. No: none.

 

INTERGOVERNMENTAL AGREEMENT WITH MUSKEGON COUNTY FOR GYPSY MOTH SUPPRESSION PROGRAM:

Muskegon County sent information regarding a coordinated program to combat the growing levels of the gypsy moths. Some township residents have expressed concerns as the gypsy moths have returned in portions of the Township. Through this program the County will be responsible for necessary field audits of areas requiring aerial spraying, the County shall map areas to be sprayed, the County shall notify property owners regarding the spraying, the County will bill the Township accordingly, etc. The cost for the County's assessment is $300.00, to be paid out of the Gypsy Moth Fund.

 

Motion by Lynn, support by Mike, PASSED to approve the Intergovernmental Agreement with Muskegon County for the Gypsy Moth Suppression Program. Yes: Lynn, Mike, Diane, Petsy, Mary Ellen and Scott. No: none.

 

BOARD COMMENTS:

Mary Ellen stated that she went to Lansing to attend the pre-hearing for eight of the cases that are in the tax tribunal regarding sewer special assessments. She informed the Board that the judge set trial dates for the same and she provided the dates. She stated that the tax tribunal Attorney, Josh Wease, will inform the Board of any additional information that needs to be shared.

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

Carl Lafay inquired about the Township's noise ordinance. Ross McCloskey made comments regarding the ordinance re-codification project that was approved. Connie Burchfield stated that the microphones need to be adjusted so the audience can hear what is being said. Connie also spoke to the board regarding the re-codification project, the boiler in the township hall, and the tax tribunal, all which were on the agenda for this meeting. Darlene Jarvi stated the maintenance department did an excellent job at the Township's free dump day. She inquired about the new assistant chief position and the hiring process. She also made comments regarding a township employee receiving a dollar per hour raise at the last meeting. Sandra Sternburgh stated that she has heard West Lake Road referred to as Road, Avenue, and Drive. She requested the correct name of the road.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

Motion by Diane, support by Mike, PASSED to adjourn the meeting at 8:11 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