February Regular Meeting

DRAFT                ELK TOWNSHIP               DRAFT

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

FEBRUARY 10, 2015

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order @ 7:00pm

Prayer offered by Johnny Gates

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

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

Vicki Gates, Clerk-510.2597

Brandy Myers, Treasurer-bmyers42780@yahoo.com

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

Officials absent:         Sharon Young

Agenda-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve agenda as revised; B. Myers seconded; passed 4-0

Minutes approval- J. Fairbanks -motion to approve January 13, 2015 regular meeting minutes;

B. Myers seconded; passed 4-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Would like to thank Dave Kott for working on the Great Lakes Energy grant which was denied

2.      Board of Review dates will be published in the Lake County Star by the Lake County Area Township Association; next meeting will be April 23, 2015 @ 7:30 @ Yates Township

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Transworld Network account updated to paperless billing (long distance bill)

2.      Shredder died; after discussion J. Fairbanks-motion to replace shredder at cost not to exceed $350; B. Myers seconded; passed 4-0 (V. Gates will order after shopping around)

3.      New color printer will be needed next fiscal year

4.      Heat for hall-L. Fitz reports that the furnace professional recommends heat to be left @ 60 degrees, but no less than 55 degrees (we are going through more Lp than last year); L. Fitz will talk to Irons Bottle Gas about their recent lack of service & resulting outage & price per gal

5.      Finalizing  Dennis Lisiaus’ retirement account to send to Michigan Department of Treasury as unclaimed properties; after discussion J. Fairbanks-motion to send letter to MERS (Municipal Retirement Systems) requesting payment; L. Fitz seconded; passed 4-0

6.      Discussion ensued concerning Sage software annual renewal which jumped 60%; L. Fitz-motion to renew Sage @ $550/year & instruct V. Gates to check out accounting programs with payroll for next year; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 4-0

7.      Approval of non-periodical bills (including BS&A assessor’s software; assessor’s postage & envelopes for assessment change notices; final decorations for Sharon Puff’s project)-L. Fitz-motion to approve; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 4-0

8.      Requesting board approval on bills paid in January-L. Fitz-motion to approve bills; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 4-0

9.      Brining-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve brining up to $6,500; L. Fitz seconded; approved 4-0

  B. Myers, Treasurer

1.      Read Treasurer’s report for January-V. Gates-motion to accept Treasurer’s report;

J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 4-0

Public Comments:

Varied

Dignitary Reports:

·        Dan Sloan-Economic Development-shared with the Board & public the $45,000 grant obtained to promote Lake County as an ORV destination spot (will be working on a mobile app & various social media avenues to make trails easily accessible & safe); would like to see townships contribute to a fund designated to be used in obtaining matching funds grant(s); will be discussed at the March regular meeting

·        County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-discussed aerial photography; MSU Extension report; legislative report; Baldwin schools going to year-around schooling; ORV meeting; May 5^th referendum which will be on a state wide ballot; county looking for drivers for troubled youth needing to get to various appointments (will pay up $8/hr)

·        Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given

·        Historical Society-Joyce Durdel-put historical documents & pictures up in hall

·        Assessor (in absentia) recommends that the Board directs individuals to contact him in regards to Principal Residence Exemption

Old Business:

·        Door closures-J. Fairbanks-motion to purchase 3 door closures; B. Myers seconded; passed 3-1 (J. Fairbanks, no)

·        Drop box for hall-after discussion it was decided by consensus to put in next fiscal year’s budget

·        Aerial photography-county has contracted for updated aerials and would like townships to contribute; L. Fitz-offered a resolution to contribute $2,677.78; motion failed due to lack of second

New Business:

·        Officers’ salary resolutions-J. Fairbanks offered resolution to approve salary of Supervisor to remain @ $9,100/yr; V. Gates seconded; passed 3-0-1 (L. Fitz abstained)

 J. Fairbanks offered resolution to approve salary of Clerk to remain @ $11,100/yr; B. Myers seconded; passed 4-0

J. Fairbanks offered resolution to approve salary of Treasurer to remain @ $12,100/yr; V. Gates seconded; passed 4-0

·        Budget workshop

Public Comments:

Varied

V. Gates-motion to adjourn; B. Myers seconded; all in favor

Adjourned @ 10 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

2.11.15

Just an FYI

Never let it be said that government never gives back...
Elk Township has found that it has amassed an excess of funds in the Midget Lake Special Assessment District, and the Midget Lake Association does not want to continue the Special Assessment District...
therefore, the Elk Township Board agreed by resolution to refund the monies in the S.A.D. to the owners of record, so if your friends wonder why they have received a check from Elk Township, you now know the answer...
you are welcome!

January Regular Meeting 2015

draft                  ELK TOWNSHIP               draft  

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 13, 2015

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order @ 7:00pm

Prayer offered by Johnny Gates

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

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

Vicki Gates, Clerk-510.2597

Brandy Myers, Treasurer-bmyers42780@yahoo.com

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

Agenda-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve agenda; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Minutes approval- J. Fairbanks -motion to approve December 9, 2014 regular meeting minutes;

S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Would like each Board member to review their budget line items and have figures ready for next month’s meeting

2.      Grant status-Dave Kott will be working on the Great Lakes Energy Fund grant

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Termination of Midget Lake SAD-J. Fairbanks offered a resolution to allow the ML SAD to expire without further action & to authorize the Clerk & Treasurer to divide the remaining monies less the administration costs of postage & envelopes to the property owners of record as of 1.13.15; S. Young seconded; approved 5-0

2.      Historical society donations-L. Fitz-motion to raise the historical society line item budget $24;

 S. Young seconded; approved 5-0

3.      Requesting board approval on bills paid in December-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve December bills; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

4.      New invoices for January-J. Fairbanks-motion to renew Sage (accounting program & support);

L. Fitz seconded; approved 5-0; L. Fitz-motion to approve payment to equalization for printing of tax bills; J. Fairbanks seconded; approved 5-0

  B. Myers, Treasurer

1.      Read Treasurer’s report for December- S. Young -motion to accept Treasurer’s report;

J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

Public Comments:

Jackie McKellar asked about Stanley Dombrouski’s memorial marker; J. Fairbanks said this should be addressed to the funeral home

 Dignitary Reports:

·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-reappointed to a number of county committees

·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given

·         Road Committee-S. Young will meet with Jay Syrewicze in the spring

·         Historical Society-Joyce Durdel-the donations were for historical brochures; will be working with Marilyn VanVleet on historical family folders

·         Assessor-Bob Englebrecht-setting assessments for 2015 tax year; building permits are up from years past; change assessments will be mailed end of February; Dan Holland, Lake County equalization director has resigned

Old Business:

·         Contract revision for Bob Englebrecht’s pay-J. Fairbanks-motion to accept revision for assessor’s contract to allow payment to be beginning of each month; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Discussion concerning sidewalk snow removal; consensus to keep status quo

New Business:

·         Discussion concerning payment of contract laborers; consensus to allow payment at laborer’s request

·         Discussion concerning a drop box for payment of taxes; will put in next year’s budget

Public Comments:

Sharon Puff-concerns regarding door closures for meeting room door & interior vault door

Marilyn Zdebski would like to see tables & chairs put in budget next fiscal year

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

Adjourned @ 8:17 pm

Respectfully submitted,

 Vicki Gates, Clerk       

1.14.15

December Regular Meeting

draft

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

DECEMBER 9, 2014

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order @ 7:00pm

Prayer offered by Johnny Gates

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

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

Vicki Gates, Clerk-510.2597

Brandy Myers, Treasurer-bmyers42780@yahoo.com

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

Agenda-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve agenda as revised; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Minutes approval- J. Fairbanks -motion to approve November 11, 2014 regular meeting minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      LMWCC using hall first Saturday of every month for meetings-J. Fairbanks-motion to allow this action with no security deposit necessary; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

2.      SEE Fire Dept to use hall for Christmas party Jan 3, 2015

3.      Thank You to Sharon Puff for the Christmas decorations in and around the hall

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Attended a QVF-lite in Lansing in order to manage our Qualified Voter Files at the township

2.      Sold 2 cemetery lots

3.      Discussion of purchasing office supplies-J. Fairbanks-motion to allow Clerk to purchase necessary office supplies from Amazon; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0; related issue-S. Young-motion to allow Clerk to purchase office supplies as necessary periodicals; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Need budget amendment for election costs overrun-S. Young-motion to amend budget redistributing $420 from savings to elections; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

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

  B. Myers, Treasurer

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

Public Comments:

Joyce Durdel related that it takes approximately 2 & ½ hours to heat the meeting room, and thinks the heat could be set higher when no one is on site

Dignitary Reports:

·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-recommends everyone call their State Senators & Representative to protest the current bills to fix the roads, the current plans will not work because both proposals are based on state sales tax; County is tentatively re-funding the MSU Extention

·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given

Old Business:

·         Lp bid:  Crystal Flash has offered propane through April 30, 2015 for $1.899/gal, and will supply the tank & equipment & change it out for no cost. After discussion, J. Fairbanks-motion to task L. Fitz with calling Irons Bottle Gas to give them a chance to match the offer from Crystal Flash; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

New Business:

·         Approval of Board of Review members-J. Fairbanks-motion to accept L. Fitz recommendation for the following Board of Review members; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Don Arquette, Chairman                    Yvonne Kibbe, alternate

Kay Macdonald                                   Joyce Durdel, alternate

Karen Fickies                                       Lou Fitz, secretary

·         L. Fitz administered Oaths of Office to Board of Review members in attendance

·         Discussion ensued concerning sidewalk snow removal-V. Gates-motion to authorize Pat Boik to purchase calcium chloride for the entrances & mileage for such; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 (it was also discussed to block off the sidewalk between entrances for the rest of the winter)

·         Timely salary payment for the assessor discussed-V. Gates stated that his contract defines that he will be paid after each meeting; discussion tabled until January meeting when L. Fitz will follow up

Public Comments:

B. Myers thanked Pat Boik for being a Salvation Army bell ringer at Dublin Store and still attending tonight’s meeting

Marilyn Zdebski believes Irons Bottle Gas will match Crystal Flash offer

L. Fitz wished everyone a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

S. Young-motion to adjourn; V. Gates seconded; all in favor

Adjourned @ 8:04 pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

12.10.14