Building Progress

JANUARY 14, 2014

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 14, 2014

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence @ 7:01pm

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

Agenda revisions-adding trash bins, vinyl flooring, and Congressmen under Supervisor report; adding new south entrance renovations under Old Business; J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt the agenda as amended; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve December 10, 2013 minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Budget review-looks good

2.      Vinyl flooring-meets ADA (American with Disabilities Act) guidelines

3.      Trash bins-bin at Johnson Rd is being abused and difficult to maintain; J. Fairbanks-motion to move the two trash bins from Johnson Rd to K&K and Granger Rds; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Three Congressmen will be holding a Town Hall Meeting @ Oak Grove in Irons, Friday, Jan. 17 @ 3:30 (including Dan Benishek, Bill Huizenga, and Jon Bumstead)

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Used current software program, Sage, to close year 2012, and generate W2s & 1099s

2.      Reported we will most likely be having an ESD school election in May

3.      Requesting approval on bills paid in December (building project @ $111,220.05  to date):

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve bills; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Discussed new service bill from Great Lakes Energy; V. Gates will email Nicki for clarification

5.      Per Senate Bill No. 545, “a local unit of government may exempt itself from the requirements of employee medical benefit plans”; J. Fairbanks-motion to exempt the Elk Township Board members from a medical plan for the year 2014; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

6.      Principle Resident Exemptions need an affidavit before June 1^st for the July Board of Review, and November 1^st for the December Board of Review sessions

7.      Jackpine will be closing their Ludington retail store at the end of January, and they are making major upgrades to their online site store @ www.jackpine.com

   B. Myers, Treasurer

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

   S. Young, Trustee

1.       Lake County Area Townships Association meeting in Chase Jan 23^rd

 

Public Comments:

Joyce Durdel mentioned the need for more salting/sanding of new parking area by sidewalks

J. Fairbanks suggested Pure Calcium Chloride in 50# bags

Dignitary Reports:

·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks:  reported there will be a land swap for the two towers @ Wolf Lake hill; and the State Police gave the Lake County Road Commission an “attaboy” for the work they have done this winter on the roads

·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski:  fire department report given

·         Road Committee-S. Young: believes private road signs should be paid for by owners; J. Fairbanks believes a previous board voted on this situation

Old Business:

·         G.E. Johnson waiver of leins accepted and filed

·         G.E. Johnson proposal for old hall renovations-L. Fitz-motion to table until February; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         New south entrance renovations-B. Myers would like to see a type of “Dutch door” to separate the entrance from the work area; J. Fairbanks said he would be able to build such a door

New Business:

·         Phil VanVleet turned in a letter of resignation from the Board of Review-J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Phil VanVleet’s letter of resignation with regret; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Need to fill an opening on the Board of Review-L. Fitz-motion to appoint Joyce Durdel as an alternate for Board of Review, and move Kay Macdonald up to an active member on the Board of Review; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

·         Board of Review training-J. Fairbanks-motion to allow four (4) members of the Board of Review to go to training @ $79/each + 1 book @ $31.50 + mileage for each driver; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Lowes’ credit card application-J. Fairbanks-motion to authorize L. Fitz, supervisor, to open a revolving credit account @ Lowes per our credit card resolution; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

·         Salary resolutions-L. Fitz polled the Board members and they all indicated they would not be seeking raises, therefore salary resolutions will be created for the fiscal year 2014-2015 to be the same as last fiscal year

Public Comment:

Joyce Durdel would like to see the Board create a timeline for the old hall renovations so that the Historical Society could set plans for a centennial celebration (maybe in Aug)

L. Fitz said a big Thank You to the paint crew who worked on the new addition: Sharon & Charlie Young, Sharon & Jack Puff, John Fairbanks, Joyce Durdel, and Lou Fitz

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

Adjourned @ 8:25pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

1.15.14