June Regular Meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

June 11, 2013

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called 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

John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

J. Fairbanks -motion to approve May 14, 2013 minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Cemetery well update-new well should be operational by 6.12.13

2.      Historical society request-wishes to become an official committee of Elk Township; S. Young-motion to approve request from Elk Township Historical Society to become an official committee; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

3.      Trash receptacles-yellow bags only; Allied Waste has provided a second tote at township hall for overflow from yellow bag bins (no cost to township)

4.      Correspondence from Detroit Free Press-requesting access to documents under Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) ; S. Young-motion to direct Supervisor to contact Detroit Free Press via email instructing them to use an approved FOIA form and denying a waiver of fees; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

5.      SAD (Special Assessment District) letter to Lake County Equalization-authorizing equalization department to continue collecting SAD fees for the 2013 summer tax season

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Requesting board approval on bills paid in May, including Big Bass Lake SAD bill for $66 for          ads in the Bulletin Board News; S. Young-motion to approve bills; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

2.      MTA (Michigan Township Association) yearly dues-B. Myers-motion to pay MTA $1145.18 for yearly dues; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

3.      Bonnie Wahr, janitor for Elk Township-letter of resignation from janitorial duties due to family      matters; J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Bonnie Wahr’s resignation; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

4.      MTA workshops-S. Young-motion to approve a full-day workshop for clerk @ $99 + expenses & half-day workshop for cemetery management for sexton @ $79 + expenses; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

   B. Myers, Treasurer

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

2.      Request to close summer tax account for disuse-S. Young-motion to direct B. Myers, Treasurer, to close summer tax account and move those monies into general fund; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

             

Public Comments:

Joyce Durdel informed public & board about Historical Society meeting with special speaker on June 18 @ 7pm @ township hall; and LMWCC newsletters @ township hall with their annual meeting (open to public) on July 6 @ 10am @ Skinner Park

Dignitary Reports:

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks:  many Veteran’s programs available to help those honorably discharged; EMS building set for obtaining a certificate of occupancy in Baldwin; new equalization director for county; part time lake property customers suing Great Lakes for raising rates on seasonal homes; heat exchangers @ county having issues with metal particles; county named in wrongful death suit in Chase township (with many other entities) due to carbon monoxide poisoning

           

Fire Dept- M. Zdebski:  fire department report given

Old Business:

      Township hall renovations-sketches are @ Nordlund and we await their reappearance

New Business:

1.      Resolution to establish cemetery fees-S. Young offered a resolution to establish “Cemetery Use Fee Schedule,” which includes purchase price of plots for residents=$200/plot & $450/plot for non-residents, and fees for burials/cremations=$300/burial & $100/cremation; B. Myers seconded; passed 4-0-1 roll call vote, with J. Fairbanks abstaining

2.      Resolution to establish FOIA policy, procedure & fees-J. Fairbanks-motion to accept resolution as written; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 roll call vote

3.      Six Mile (sink hole) project-J. Fairbanks would like to get this project “shovel ready” in order to obtain any grants that may be available; much discussion ensued with board & public;                J. Fairbanks-motion to table Six Mile project indefinitely; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Principals of Governance-J. Fairbanks-motion to sign the MTA document by all board members and display it at the township hall; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 (with thanks to J. Fairbanks for making a frame & hanging the document)

5.      Trash day ad for Bulletin Board News-J. Fairbanks-motion to put ad in BBN for two weeks; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

6.      Hazardous waste clean-up day on Oct 12, 2013 from 9-noon-S. Young-motion to pay $500 to Osceola-Lake Conservation District HHW (Household Hazardous Waste); B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

7.      Relocation of marquee to top of hill by township hall-S. Young-motion to allow volunteer to move & improve the marquee; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

8.      Lake County tax default properties-J. Fairbanks-motion to release the township from obtaining any properties from tax sale; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

9.      Cemetery Ordinance ad-J. Fairbanks-motion to post in BBN; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

J. Fairbanks requested to amend the agenda to discuss Cemetery issues:

1.      Bid from Peterson’s Well Drilling for $344.12 to run electrical from small shed to large outbuilding-S. Young-motion to accept bid including trenching in wire; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

2.      Garden tractor & trimmer @ township to be moved to Cemetery-L. Fitz-motion to move said equipment with stipulation that if the township needs it, it will be returned; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Continuing New Business:

10.  Help for trash day clean up-Boy Scouts not available on July 13; roster started for volunteers

11.  CPR offered by Fire Department-contact L. Fitz if interested 266.5040

12.  Softball game with Sauble-Sat, Aug. 31, 2013-food @ 3pm (bring dish to pass), game @ 4pm; Sauble requested help with food costs; B. Myers-motion to reimburse Sauble ½ of the food costs, up to $200; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

13.  Sauble recycling has changed to every third Sat of the month, noon-4pm

14.  Newsletter for tax statements to go out July 1^st-S. Young-motion to allow Jackpine to print & fold newsletter (with revisions); V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0

Public Comment:

None

V. Gates-motion to adjourn @ 9:35pm; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

6.12.13

Recylcing Restricted

Sauble Twp has reduced the times of recycling as follows:
Noon to 4pm every third Saturday of the months:

June 15, 2013

July 20, 2013

August 17, 2013

September 21, 2013

October 19, 2013

November 16, 2013

December 21, 2013

May Regular Meeting

another doosey of a meeting...
we almost needed our sleeping bags, as we didn't adjourn until after 10:30pm...
but we got a lot accomplished...
skinny version:
passed a Cemetery Ordinance for Lakeview Cemetery (we have existed without one);
new well approved for Lakeview Cemetery, work to commence soon;
preliminary construction drawings approved to be obtained by Nordlund to include one basic “L” shaped plan, with an option to have either a concrete slab, or a crawl space
(since there has been no opposition to an addition to the existing township hall, the board is under the impression that the public approves this possible renovation)... 

and if you have the time, here are the extended minutes:

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

MAY 14, 2013

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called 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

John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

J. Fairbanks -motion to approve MARCH 12, 2013 minutes; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

S. Young-motion to approve APRIL 9, 2013 minutes; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

·         L. Fitz, Supervisor: none

·         V. Gates, Clerk: Requesting board approval on bills

S. Young -motion to pay March bills; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve April bills, including SAD bills; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Correspondence: Lake County Community Foundation denied grant for a new well @ Lakeview, but the board gives a big shout-out to Dave Kott for all the hours spent on writing the grant

            Free fishing weekend will be June 8-9th

·         B. Myers, Treasurer: Read Treasurer’s report for April

J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Treasurer’s report, S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         S. Young, Trustee-next Lake County Township Association meeting @ Sauble on Aug 22^nd @ 7:30pm

             

Public Comments:

Marilyn Zdebski discussed trash issues regarding the yellow bin pickups

Judy Bass asked for clarification regarding Allied Waste vs. Independent Rural Waste

Johnel Buckingham wondered if it was time to have a township wide tax for waste service

Dignitary Reports:

·         Fire Dept- M. Zdebski:  fire department is looking for a new tanker truck; new chief, Greg Bombich is hoping to use his “connections” to obtain 25 SCBA (self-contained breathing apparatus) at a greatly reduced cost per firefighter

·         Commissioner-J. Fairbanks:  MSU Extension Annual Report online @ www.msue.msu.edu;

Blight grant denied for Lake County; 911 committee is considering recommending consolidation for dispatch services

·         Cemetery Committee-S. Young: Beth Ruby resigned; next meeting will be June 3^rd @ 3:30pm

Old Business:

·         Trash Day-July 13^th from 9-1pm:

J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Option #2 contract with Independent Rural Waste (Total Services estimate for 2 compactors & 2 operators=$3,300); B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

J. Fairbanks-motion to put an ad in the Bulletin Board News for Trash Day; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

·         New Well @ Lakeview Cemetery:

J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Peterson Well Drilling bid to put in a new well for $4341.67; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote

·         Approval of job description for trash receptacle cleanup & repair:

J. Fairbanks-motion to accept job description & contract with Pat & Katrina Boik for $10/receptacle/cleanup as directed by the Supervisor or Clerk; V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve job description for trash receptacle maintenance; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Amend agenda:

J. Fairbanks-motion to move additional lighting for the new parking area & flag pole lighting into the discussion for renovations of township hall; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Cemetery Ordinance:

After discussing new ordinance and obtaining public feedback, J. Fairbanks offered a resolution to adopt the ordinance as written; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote

·         Renovations of township hall:

After much discussion, including public input, and 3 contractor estimates of costs J. Fairbanks made motion to turn drawings over to Nordlund to do preliminary construction drawings to include one basic “L” shaped plan, with an option to have either a concrete slab, or a crawl space, not to exceed $2500 for plans; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote

New Business:

            J. Fairbanks would like to discuss the 6 Mile “Sink Hole” at the regular meeting in June

Public Comment:

Darryl F. from Independent Rural Waste mentioned that the blue bags are for sale @ Sweetfern, Na-tah-ka corner store, and Fairbanks Power Equipment Repair and may be put into garbage cans for animal control

Johnel Buckingham said she thought the board did a good job during a long meeting

S. Young -motion to adjourn @ 10:40pm, J. Fairbanks-seconded; passed 5-0

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

5.15.13

 

TRASH DAY FOR 2013

Since people are asking...
TRASH DAY @ SKINNER PARK
9-1pm
JULY 13, 2013
EVERYONE IN LINE BY 1pm WILL
GET A CHANCE TO DUMP THEIR TRASH
INDEPENDENT RURAL WASTE MANAGEMENT
WILL PROVIDE COMPACTORS & DUMPSTERS

Building Dialogue continues...

Well, talks move forward with a LLLLOOOONNNGGGG meeting of building renovations...
of the 12 citizens attending, all seemed in favor of a small renovation to the original building...
this means all the building will have to come up to code,
including electrical which we all know needs improvements...
and handicap accessible bathrooms...  
removal of the "old woodshed" attached to the back of the large meeting room...
addition of either a "straight back" 32' x 22' room for offices, bathrooms, small kitchen, mechanical area, and fire safe document room...
or...
addition of an "L" construction including a 12' x 24' area including bathrooms & small kitchen area & a 32' x 24' room for offices, mechanical area, and fire safe document room...
since so much time was spent hashing & rehashing  building plans, the ordinances were not discussed
 

April 9, 2013 Special Meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

SPECIAL MEETING

APRIL 9, 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, 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-add a Credit Card Resolution to Old Business; move New Computer & accessories for Clerk to Old Business

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes-motion offered by S. Young to approve April 2, 2013 Special Meeting; seconded by J. Fairbanks; motion passed with all in favor

Supervisor-L. Fitz-contacted Independent Rural Waste to change trash day to July 13^th from 9-1pm

                Blossom Fairbanks resigned from the Cemetery Committee-S. Young motion to accept resignation; B. Myers seconded; motion passed 4-0-1 (J. Fairbanks abstained)

                Ruth Lorenger to replace Blossom Fairbanks on Cemetery Committee-motion offered by J. Fairbanks; seconded by S. Young; motion passed with all in favor

Clerk-for Board info-our insurance has a $250 deductible, and copier to replace old Canon that went out with a power surge cost $226; Harper Lake Association has requested to use town hall for their meeting May 25, 2013 from 8:30-11:30am; there will be a retirement party for Gus Motzer on May 6, 2013 from 2-5pm @ Equalization Department in Baldwin

Trustees-S. Young-would like the township to think about using Independent Rural Waste for trash pick up

Public Comment-

Questions regarding why regular township business is being discussed during a special meeting; other comments in favor of building project; questions regarding what a “Junk Ordinance” would include; Johnny Gates presented a “new” building plan which would construct the new addition in an “L” configuration on the back of original building

Old Business-

·         Credit Card Resolution to empower Clerk & Treasurer to use a debit card for easier transactions on line & at businesses that will allow for tax exempt purchases-motion offered to adopt such resolution by J. Fairbanks, S. Young seconded; motion passed by roll call vote; all in favor

·         J. Fairbanks received a quote from Nordlund for a bid to include structural documents for a building plan= $1500; Abonmarche declined to bid; still waiting for Ivan Peterson’s bid

After much Board discussion-V. Gates made motion to table township hall building plan discussion until May; seconded by B. Myers; roll call vote-J. Fairbanks, No; B. Myers, Yes; L. Fitz, No; V. Gates, Yes; S. Young, No; motion failed

Discussion continued with public involvement-many people want to see a counter area in the addition to help serve the public; some discussion involving furnace issues; other people mentioned they would like to see the board act sooner, rather than later in addressing building plans

J. Fairbanks asked for a raise of hands from the public- out of 12 citizens-6 wanted an “L” shape configurations, and 4 wanted the straight back; 7 citizens wanted the new addition to be constructed on a concrete slab, while 2 wanted wooden floor construction; most all wanted a steel roof; aluminum soffit fascia was preferred; 6 panel pine interior doors preferred; brick/block to match original design for outer “siding”, but public wanted an allowance for siding; 5/12 - 6/12 pitch for roof; windows to match the original construction; outer doors to match the new door on west side of building; steel door for fire safe room & fireproof paint for document room; 6 panel doors for bathroom

S. Young-motion to close discussion to public, J. Fairbanks seconded; motion passed 4-1 (V. Gates, No)

V. Gates-motion to investigate an “L” plan construction to get structural drawings as well as a straight back plan; B. Myers seconded…after discussion, V. Gates rescinded motion & B. Myers rescinded second

V. Gates-motion to allow J. Fairbanks to create a project manual in order to get estimates on two (2) building plans; B. Myers seconded; motion passed with all in favor

Board would like to publish an ad in the Bulletin Board News for estimates on building plans for week of April 18^th

L. Fitz offered motion to adopt a timeline for Elk Township Hall Renovations; S. Young seconded; after discussion, motion passed 4-1 (V. Gates, No)

·         New Computer & accessories for Clerk-motion offered by J. Fairbanks, not to exceed $700; L. Fitz seconded; motion passed with all in favor

New Business

·         Junk/Dangerous/Dilapidated Buildings/Civil Infractions Ordinances

S. Young-motion to table discussion and put in files for a future date; L. Fitz seconded; motion passed by roll call vote-> Fitz, Yes; S. Young, Yes; J. Fairbanks, No; V. Gates, Yes; B. Myers, Yes

·         Cemetery Ordinance

S. Young-motion to allow Clerk to “clean up” the Cemetery Ordinance based on the Cemetery Committee’s recommendations and bring back to the Board; J. Fairbanks seconded; motion passed with all in favor

Public Comments

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

Meeting adjourned @ approximately 9:30pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

4.12.13

Next meeting...

The next special meeting of the Elk Township Board will be Tuesday, April 9th @ 7pm:
topics include:
Building renovations
Cemetery ordinance
Junk & dilapidated buildings ordinance

and just the skinny take...

Three (3) meetings within a week, and I can fully understand why you didn't attend all of them.
So, what you might want to know:
@ the Annual Meeting of the electors (the only time the public can vote-kinda rotten I know), the public decided to give your Clerk a raise of $1,000
@ the Budget Meeting a final budget was adopted with $135,000 being allocated for possible building renovations, and final proposed budget figures were $152,115 with only $129,465.37 being spent last fiscal year (that of course is in addition to the building fund spoken of above)
@ the Special Meeting to discuss possible building renovations, all the public was in favor of a modest addition which would replace & expand the back part of the building (including bathrooms, a small kitchen, a fire proof room for historical & township documents, and open office space)
More meetings to discuss building renovations to be announced, so keep tuned & informed