Elk Twp ORV

Just a note that Elk Twp remains closed to ORV traffic except for Brooks Rd from 9 mile to 12 mile because Eden Twp opened this road and traffic must be allowed to travel on both sides.

Violations of the ORV ordinance could cost users a minimum of $250 in direct fines and could be more with court costs.

In other townships, every ORV must have a trail permit, even if riders don't plan to ride the trails.

According to the Lake County Star, May 21st issue, roughly half of Lake County remains closed to ORV riders, including Sweetwater, Cherry Valley, Yates, Pleasant Plains, Lake, Webber and Elk. Sauble twp has two roads open to ORV riders. US 10 and M-37 are closed to ORV use and indeed were never under discussion for ORV travel. All US Forest Service and DNR tracks and trails remain closed to ORV traffic.

If you or someone you know plans to ride ORVs in Lake County, make sure the responsible driver obtains a map for ORV usage. Happy Trails!

May 12, 2009

Pledge began at the new time of 5 pm with all officers present and only 4 citizens.
Approval of March 28th minutes offered by John Fairbanks, seconded by Frances Arquette and passed by all.
Frances Arquette made motion to accept April 25th, SAD mtg minutes, seconded by Fairbanks and passed unanimously.
Arquette also motioned to accept April 25th special meeting minutes, seconded by Carol Draper, and passed unanimously.
Treasurer’s Report accepted in motion by Marilyn VanVleet, with Arquette seconding, and passed by all. This treasurer’s report by Draper included mentioning that we are down to 1.2% interest at West Shore Bank for a $35,000 CD, and another CD was rolled into the general fund account. The general fund holds a total of $239,998.19; the road fund holds a total of $81,744.77; and the cemetery fund holds a total of $9,474.28; this makes Elk Twp Total balance=$331,217.24. Draper further reported that revenue sharing will be cut by the state of Michigan.
Linda VanDolsen made motion to transfer the balance in the general fund, $81,744.77, to a money market fund account in order to draw additional interest, Arquette seconded, and passed by 5 yeas, 0 nays.
Bob Engelbrecht, assessor, gave report which referred to the packets given to the board for their review, and asked for feedback. Engelbrecht mentioned that he tries to assess the township every 5 years, so he reassesses about 20% per year.
No report by Marilyn VanVleet, Clerk.
Commissioner was absent.
Marilyn Zdebski, fire board chairman, gave report:
Total runs as of April 20, 2009: 76 (9 medical, 3 fire alarms, 4 grass fires, 1 chimney/structure fires, and 1 mutual aid with Norman Twp)
Zdebski mentioned the burn permit # which is needed to burn anything out-of-doors unless there is snow on the ground.
Burn Permit signs will be put up at each township hall as permitted.
Fire Dept put on an Easter Egg Hunt on April 11th which was a success.
Fire Dept will have a presence at the Flea Roast/Ox Market for first aid and fireworks safety.
She further stated that the furnace at the Bass Lake Station (#1) has been shut off because of damage to the pipe due to snow. It has been temporarily patched until bids can be advertised.
The Fire Chief and Medical Officer are in training to become CPR instructors.
Note per Fire Chief: Tom Elenbaas, burn permit #1.866.922.2876
Or www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits 

Linda VanDolsen has a long supervisor’s report (as usual):
Elk Twp was not on the “list” of twp association so we were not notified about grants. Oops!
No new info on ORV although it was mentioned that the County Board of Commissioners is about to enact an ordinance which they have no way of funding. VanDolsen suggested that people call the sheriffs dept when they see ORV violations and the Lake County Road Commission when they see road damage.

Under Correspondence:
Idlewild Music Fest, July 10-11th 
Thank you note from LMWCC (Little Manistee Watershed Conservation Council)
 
Under Old Biz:
ORV issue- The County Commissioners will be voting Wed, 1:30pm
Arquette suggested talking with Gary Oetman about signage for Eden/Elk boundaries.
Twp Newsletter- to be mailed with tax statements at the end of June. Suggestions to include: 1) Explanation of poverty exemption, 2) Trash Day date of July 11th, 9-2pm, 3) Twp board office hours, meeting dates and time, 4) ORV policy for Elk Twp, 5) tax deferment options
Approval of amended BBLSAD (Big Bass Lake Special Assessment District), Resolution 4- Fairbanks made motion to approve amendments and changes to the BBLSAD which was drafted by an attorney and the amendments approved/okayed by word of mouth, seconded by Arquette, and passed unanimously.
Bob Engelbrecht asked for a list of SAD
Arquette asked Zdebski about the Sauble Twp mtg she attended; it was Zdebski’s understanding that a donation will be made by Sauble Twp for their 28 properties on Big Bass Lake.
Aquatic Drs. Contract- Arquette made motion to accept the 6 year contract with Aquatic Drs., VanDolsen seconded, and it passed with 4 yes, and 1 no (Fairbanks).

Under New Biz:
1) FOIA (Freedom Of Information Act)- board decided to use the previous board’s procedures, and Fairbanks made motion to charge clerk to be the FOIA Coordinator, VanDolsen seconded, and it passed unanimously.
2) Revenue Sharing- 4.8% cut from the State.
3) MTA seminars/workshops- Arquette made motion to approve Draper & VanVleet to go to workshop and have mileage covered to Gaylord, seconded by Fairbanks, and unanimously approved.
4) Formation of Committees- Fairbanks suggested an open forum mtg in June to discuss some ideas with citizens, and a suggestion was made to put the idea of committees in the newsletter. Possible committees would include, but not be limited to, roads, redevelopment of twp site/property, cemetery, historical archives/preservation, grant funding.
5) Mason Cty Gravel Pit- Fairbanks would like to open discussion with Mason Cty, but does not want to rock the boat concerning the gravel pit on Mack Rd.
6) Lake County Twp Officials Association- to be hosted at Elk twp on Aug 27, 2009 at 7:30pm


Various Public Comments were given including wishes of residents and taxpayers to see the meeting time changed by to 7pm. Interesting note was that as many citizens came for a 7:00 meeting as attended the 5:00 meeting.
Marilyn Zdebski asked to have in the twp newsletter that golf carts are not covered under the ORV policy and do not belong on any roads. She also noted that the Blessing of the Bikes is this next weekend.
Lou Fitz asked the board to allow for another public comment on the agenda. He mentioned that the twp paid the same for road brining, but we are not getting the same service. He further suggested that the new meeting time is ineffective for citizens and questioned the board’s reasons for the alteration.

VanDolsen made a motion to have an additional public comment after the Pledge of Allegiance as well as at the end of the mtg, Draper seconded, and it passed unanimously.
Fairbanks made a motion to hold an open forum mtg on June 13th, at 10am (this is a Saturday), Arquette seconded, and motion passed unanimously.

Arquette motioned to adjourn, seconded by Draper, passed!