Thursday, October 23, 2014

OCTOBER 14, 2014 Regular Meeting with Big Bass SAD Hearing


       ELK TOWNSHIP                                                           DRAFT 
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
OCTOBER 14, 2014

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order @ 7:00pm
Moment of silence
Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz
Roll call, officials present:      Lou Fitz, Supervisor-266.5040
Vicki Gates, Clerk-510.2597
                                                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- S. Young - motion to approve SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 regular meeting minutes; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:
   L. Fitz, Supervisor
1.      Read letter to the Lake County Road Commission thanking them for the chip seal application on 6 Mile Road
2.      Discussed Lake County Silent Observer Program which allows for anonymous tips to report information about serious crimes, call 231.745.7581
3.      Apprised the Board of vandalism done to the marquee, no damage, but L. Fitz will keep monitoring the sign
4.      Discussed Northland Lakes Association change of by-laws (off 6 ½ mile rd)
5.      Discussed North Country Trail Bike event; J. Fairbanks would like to work on a letter of commendation to Ed Chappel for his untiring work on the North Country Trail
   V. Gates, Clerk
1.      Budget amendments-L. Fitz-motion to approve budget amendments reflecting donations to the historical society & reimbursements for road signs and elections; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0
2.      Reported completing continuing education classes for clerk accreditation
3.      Created 4 resolution, 2 notices for ads, 2 letters to be mailed, estimates of costs, and various affidavits for Big Bass Lake SAD 2015-2021, inclusive
4.      November 4, 2014 is  the General Election
5.      Discussing with the County & State becoming QVF (Qualified Voter File) lite to help with voter change of addresses
6.      Closed both Lowes & Sherwin-Williams accounts
7.      Board looked at the payments for October
8.      Requesting board approval on bills paid in September, including Big Bass Lake SAD- J. Fairbanks-motion to approve September bills; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0
9.      Discussed the purchase of a 2014 MI Labor Law Poster which is required by law whenever you have employees-J. Fairbanks-motion to purchase such poster (look for made in MI); S. Young seconded; passed 5-0
10.  Discussed a bill submitted by Sharon Puff for decorations for building-S. Young-motion to approve such out of Building & Grounds Capital Outlay ($22.88); B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0
11.  Discussed the legal bill submitted by Clifford Bloom for phone consultations-S. Young-motion to pay lawyer’s fees out of the Big Bass Lake SAD; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

B. Myers, Treasurer
1.      Read Treasurer’s report for September-V. Gates-motion to accept Treasurer’s report; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0
2.      Discussed the past PILT (payment-in-lieu of taxes) payments which need to be returned to the County-J. Fairbanks-motion to cut a check for $1721.62 out of the General Fund for PILT payment; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

S. Young, Trustee
            Reported that the Lake County Area Townships Association meeting for October will be held at Elk Township on October 23, 2014 @ 7:30pm and she would like the board’s participation & assistance

Public Comments:
Marilyn Zdebski-thinks Tony Ellis is doing a good job with the Big Bass Lake Association; would like to see meetings recorded; would like a deputy clerk to be able to sign checks; believes the Centennial Celebration was well received
Paul Spaniola-introduced himself and let everyone know he is currently running for a Judicial spot in Lake County & is currently the Mason County Prosecutor
Bob Wotta-thinks Canyon Rd is in a terrible state (S. Young said she would call the Lake Cty Rd Comm)
Ed McKay-thinks that Canyon Rd has been degenerating for the past 6 months

Dignitary Reports:
·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-Harper Lake & Big Bass Lake boat launch will be plowed this winter for ice fishing; ORV grant was obtained for publicity; gave kudos to Don Turnwall & Shelly Myers who saved Lake County about $300,000 by refinancing our mortgage package
·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given
·         Road Committee-S. Young-reported she will be sitting down with Jay Syrewicze to discuss roads; B. Myers asked S. Young to pass on concerns about the corner of Johnson Rd & 9 Mile Rd
·         Cemetery-J. Fairbanks reported he will be critiquing & purging dilapidated urns; after Nov 11th flags and silk flowers will be removed for the winter; need to re-order flags & bronze markers
·         Historical Society-Joyce Durdel-a file system is being set up for Ann Chase to maintain individual family folders
Old Business:
·         Big Bass Lake SAD 2015-2021 hearing-open to the public for comments:
Ed McKay-concern that costs could rise 10% each year for a large yearly payment by the end of 7 years; would like to see the ability of payment twice/yr (L. Fitz answered that the equalization director stated only 1 payment/yr)
Mark Harris of Aquatic Doctors (contracting lake assessment & control)-believes treatment has helped Big Bass Lake to remain healthier
Judi Bass-believes Aquatic Drs has been a savior for Big Bass Lake, and she remembers when propellers used to be loaded with milfoil upon returning to the dock, now certain spots of the lake are clear of milfoil
Bob Wotta-wonders how far the yearly assessment payments go in lake coverage & wonders how far the milfoil goes down into the lake (Aquatic Drs answered milfoil goes as far down as you can see sunlight, and they treat the lake in various ways)
Nancy Chase-would like to object to the chemical 24D; she has checked with Oregon State for a fact sheet on 24D, and has found that this fact sheet states the ½ life of 24D is 2 weeks; would like to see optional treatment and states she now has milfoil on her end of the lake; takes issue with the lack of notice on her dock for the 2nd spraying this past summer (Aquatic Drs answered that notice only needs to extend 100’ from the end of their spraying; 24D is one of the safest herbicides in the state & 24D is selective to milfoil)
V. Gates read a letter from Barb & Bob Robinson objecting to the method for establishing the BBL SAD; questions the reasonably proportionate benefit derived from the improvement for their lot; the unfairness of SAD for Big Bass Lake while Little Bass Lake & Bluegill Lake owners are not assessed although they have access to Big Bass Lake; and raises the question of Sauble residents who are also property owners on Big Bass Lake
V. Gates read a letter Julia Shakinas objecting to the special assessment for her property
·         L. Fitz-motion to adopt Resolution #2 for Big Bass Lake SAD 2015-2021; S. Young seconded; discussion ensued by Board, and clerk reported that proper notice of the hearing on this matter had been published in the Bulletin Board News on September 18 & September 25, 2014, and had been mailed by first-class mail to each property owner within the proposed assessment district as shown on the current tax rolls of the township on September 17, 2014; passed 5-0
·         J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt Resolution #3 for Big Bass Lake SAD 2015-2021; S. Young seconded; discussion ensued by Board and the supervisor reported he had completed the assessment roll in accordance and said roll had been received and filed with the township clerk; passed 5-0
·         Addendum to the Big Bass Lake SAD 2015-2021, Contract with Sauble Twp-V. Gates-motion to approve corrected contract with Sauble Twp regarding the BBL SAD 2015-2021; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0
·         Elk Twp Historical Society display wall-J. Fairbanks-motion to provide the bathroom hallway for a display wall for the Elk Twp Historical Society (with all others to obtain permission from the Elk Twp Board); S. Young seconded; passed 5-0
·         Elk Twp Historical Society display cupboard-S. Young-motion to approve use of the historical cupboard with a lock whose key is to be kept in the vault; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0
·         Quote from Jackson Electric for lighted EXIT sign in meeting room-S. Young-motion to authorize payment of such lighted exit sign ($65) out of the Building & Grounds Capital Outlay; L. Fitz seconded; passed 4-1 (J. Fairbanks voted no)

New Business:
Floyd Cadwell with A-1 Services would like to provide a different option to the trash bins:  he proposes a dumpster to be on site at the township hall for blue bags at no cost to the township-S. Young-motion to table this item until November; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

Public Comment:
Would like more comfortable chairs for such long meetings (tongue-in-cheek)

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

Adjourned @ 9:30 pm
Respectfully submitted,


Vicki Gates, Clerk       
10.15.14

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