Treasurer Hours

Hey, you should all have your property tax bills due Feb. 14th, and if you didn't, get a hold of the treasurer during her office hours on Thurs evenings 5:30-8pm
Call the twp hall @ 231.266.5983
-or-call Brandy's cell 231.970.9030

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

November 12, 2013

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence @ 7pm

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

Roll call, all officials present:             Lou Fitz, Supervisor-266.5040

Vicki Gates, Clerk-266.8248

Brandy Myers, Treasurer-970.9030

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve October 8, 2013 minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Letter from Lake County concerning property sales for Elk Twp: S. Young-motion to sign letter to return property in question to county; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

2.      Luther Library made presentation: they hope to put a county-wide millage question put on the ballot in August, they will be asking ¼ mill for the three libraries in the county

3.      Re-designate trash bins from Allied/Republic Waste to Independent Rural Waste Services: J. Fairbanks-motion to re-designate the existing four trash bins to be IRWS, blue bags only by Jan 1, 2014; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 (notes: IRWS will take care of the signage by Jan 1, 2014; L. Fitz will take care of an ad to put in BBN for the month of Dec, and will inform Allied)

4.      Newsletter: after discussion, S. Young-motion to ask Jackpine to print & fold 2-sided newsletter to put into tax statement envelopes; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

5.      Trash Day: June 7, 2014 @ 9am-1pm with IRWS (L. Fitz will check with Skinner Park)

6.      Community Service participant: a Sauble twp resident needs to provide 150 hours of community service; J. Fairbanks is willing to supervise his work at the cemetery; S. Young-motion to allow this community service contingent on our liability coverage (L. Fitz will check this); B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

7.      Thank you letter to Tim Fischer for the discount on the fill sand: J. Fairbanks-motion to send signed letter to Tim Fischer; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

   V. Gates, Clerk

Requesting approval on bills paid in October, including Big Bass Lake SAD:  J. Fairbanks-motion to approve bills; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

   B. Myers, Treasurer

1.      Read Treasurer’s report for October: J. Fairbanks -motion to accept Treasurer’s report; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

2.      Liquidate LOSB money markets & withdraw $75,000 from West Shore money market: S. Young-motion to close LOSB money markets & reduce West Shore’s money market by $75,000;            J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote

3.      Over/short tax payments: B. Myers-motion to take care of up to $1 variance in tax payments; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

 

 S. Young, Trustee

            Lake Cty Twp Association meeting @ Chase twp on Jan 23rd @ 7:30pm

             

Public Comments:

Marilyn Zdebski would like to see the meetings recorded

Dignitary Reports:

·        Commissioner-J. Fairbanks: consolidation with other counties for our 911 service is still being discussed, State Police would like to see communications tied together

·        Fire Dept- M. Zdebski:  fire department report given

·        Historical Society-Joyce Durdel: they are currently preparing a booklet for the 100 year celebration of the township hall; helped in the ground breaking ceremony; won’t be meeting until April; J. Fairbanks thanked Jackie McKellar for the historical memorabilia from Stanley Dombrouski’s estate

Old Business:

Trash investigation: L. Fitz gave report; a township-wide special assessment is still being considered and a survey of the taxpayers was discussed: J. Fairbanks-motion to pay Jackpine to print & fold a 1-sheet survey to be included in the tax statement envelopes; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0;              J. Fairbanks-motion to authorize Vicki, Clerk, to purchase a Special Assessment book from MTA;     

S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

New Business:

Discussed a change order for a different style of windows for the addition & an estimate from Troy      Johnson of G. E. Johnson for a renovation of the front porch; it was decided to wait on both

Public Comment:

Charlie Young mentioned the need for careful wording in the survey to be sent to taxpayers concerning a township-wide SAD to decide the trash collection question

S. Young-motion to adjourn; J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor

Adjourned @ 9:19pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

11.13.13

Outside Finished...

windows...

and more progress....

as of 11.7.13

Addition Progresses

Ground Breaking for New Addition to Township Hall

what: ground breaking for an addition to township hall
when: October 8, 2013 @ 6pm
where: Elk Township Hall
why: because we can
who: anyone who is anyone
how: remains to be seen

and more minutes...another special meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

SPECIAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 26, 2013

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence

Pledge led by Lou Fitz

All Board Members present:      Lou Fitz 266.5040

Brandy Myers 970.9030

Sharon Young 266.8432

John Fairbanks 266.8023

Board Members absent: Vicki Gates 266.8248, due to family obligations

Agenda revisions-none

Public Comment-none

New Business

·         Review old bid from G.E. Johnson from Reed City: Base bid=$133,351.20

·         Discussion ensued by Board at last meeting about possible changes to the bid in order to reduce costs. Fax from G. E. Johnson Construction:

o   It was discussed at bid opening item to credit off base price and this work to be completed by owner. These items are a labor and material credit to the township:

§  All painting and door finishes –$2,800

§  Cabinets and tops -$3,300

§  All interior doors, locksets and all woodwork  -$3,411

§  Kitchen sink to standard sink  -$550

§  Reinstall toilet room accessories  -$280

o    The door credit also includes the fire doors at two locations

o   These credits total -$10,341.00

o   Which makes the new base bid $123,010.20

·         Performance bond; required by law: Johnson’s insurance company charges him $1328.40, he adds an additional charge to the township of $200, making the total bid, with the performance bond $124,538.60

·         Board discussion about the performance bond: It’s the law, has to be done, not as high of a price that was thought it would be

·         Discussion opened up to public:

o   Kevin Walsh of Heritage Bay – Commends the board for finally being able to resolve this long time issue

o   Joyce Durdel – States she is 100% behind the board, willing to volunteer in any way she can

·         Lou Fitz-motion for Elk Township to enter into a contract with G.E. Johnson Construction, Inc. of Reed City MI., to build a 1,056 sq. ft. addition onto the existing Elk Township Hall based on plans and specifications dated 8/13/13 and provided by Nordlund & Associates, Inc. The bid submitted by G. E. Johnson Construction, Inc. in the amount of $123,010.20, dated 9/25/2013, an amount revised from the original bid of $133,351.20 and dated 9/24/2013, is accepted. Additionally, the G. E. Johnson Construction will provide a payment and performance bond to meet bonding requirements as stated in MCL 129.201. The cost for this bond is $1,528.40, bringing the bid total to $124,538.60.  This phase of the Township Hall renovation is not to exceed $126,000.00 without further approval of the Elk Township Board. Construction can begin immediately as Board approval of this motion constitutes a verbal contract between Elk Township and G. E. Johnson Construction, Inc. A final, written contract is to be composed by John Fairbanks, Board Trustee and Building Project Manager, and G. E. Johnson Construction, Inc., represented by Troy Johnson, to be presented to the Elk Township Board for signatures at the regular meeting of the Elk Township Board on Oct. 8, 2013. Sharon Young seconded; roll call vote: John Fairbanks, Yes; Brandy Myers, Yes; Sharon Young, yes; Vicki Gates, absent; Lou Fitz, Yes; motion passed.

·         Discussion: Sharon Young & Brandy Myers – Wiring in the existing building must also be taken care of, all agree. Existing building must be brought up to date in order to get a County Certificate

·         Lou will call G. E. Johnson Construction to let them know the Board’s approval

·         Historical Society will be contacted to get the “long-timers” of Elk Township to participate in a groundbreaking ceremony to be held at the regular monthly meeting held Oct. 8^th 2013

·         Public Comment:

o   When do we start?

o   Lou will call G. E. Johnson Construction and find out

·         John Fairbanks-motion to adjourn meeting, Sharon Young seconded; all in favor. Meeting adjourned @ 7:21pm

Respectfully submitted,

Bonnie Knysz

Temporary Secretary

10.02.13

Special Meeting...and another one Thurs eve @ 7pm

ELK TOWNSHIP

SPECIAL MEETING

SEPTEMBER 24, 2013

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence

Pledge led by L. Fitz

All Board Members present:      Lou Fitz 266.5040

Vicki Gates 266.8248

Brandy Myers 970.9030

Sharon Young 266.8432

John Fairbanks 266.8023

Delete Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes from Agenda

Public Comment-none

New Business

·         Open bid (only one received) from G.E. Johnson from Reed City: Base bid=$133,351.20

·         Discussion ensued by Board, including possible changes to the bid in order to reduce costs

·         Discussion opened up to public; various comments & questions (see below)

·         V. Gates-motion to task Troy Johnson from G.E. Johnson to bring figures back to us for our next regular meeting Oct 8^th @ 7pm; J. Fairbanks seconded; roll call vote: J. Fairbanks, No; B. Myers, No; S. Young, No; V. Gates, Yes; L. Fitz, No; motion failed to pass

·         J. Fairbanks-motion to discuss the new figures at a Special Meeting on Sept 26^th, Thursday, @ 7pm @ township hall; S. Young seconded; roll call vote: L. Fitz, Yes; B. Myers, Yes; S. Young, Yes; J. Fairbanks, Yes; V. Gates, No (it was noted that V. Gates is not available on that date); motion passed

Public Comment-L. Fitz asked Troy Johnson when he could begin construction, Troy said he could begin as soon as the power pole is changed over

(Various public comments & discussion included…a “knock down” finish on the ceilings only with smooth on the walls; Troy will look into price difference; “knock down” finish would help with acoustics on the walls; Johnson company could begin as soon as possible and would be finished within 180 days; 2x6 studs for vault inside, no reason for metal studs in vault; Johnson company references include Tony Gagliardo, building inspector, and Darryl Fenstermacher of Independent Rural Waste, and Nordlund & Associates; no volunteer work on tear off of old “wood shed” (back part of building) because of electrical & liability issues; there is no renovating costs included for existing building; we could possibly save up to $10,000 by “backing out” painting, trim, cabinets, countertops, all interior doors, changing the kitchen sink, reusing toilet accessories; queries of a “performance bond” for the builders

J. Fairbanks-motion to adjourn, S. Young seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

9.25.13