Thursday, October 23, 2014

SEPTEMBER 9, 2014 Regular Meeting



ELK TOWNSHIP
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
SEPTEMBER 9, 2014

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order @ 7:00pm
John Fairbanks offered a prayer with a tribute to Pat Brach of Norman Twp
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 revisions-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve agenda as revised; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0
Minutes approval- S. Young - motion to approve August 12, 2014 regular meeting minutes; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0
Minutes approval-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve September 6, 2014 special meeting minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:
   L. Fitz, Supervisor
1.      Contacted Ray Gries of Norman Twp, chairman of the Planning Commission, on his request to review their township’s Master Plan informing him we have no expertise to oversee this, based on this information Mr. Gries absolved us from further requirements
2.      Read letter of tribute from State of Michigan per Darwin Booher, State Senator & Jon Bumstead, State Representative, on the Elk Township Centennial Celebration
3.      Reported that the DNR fixed the road breech to the Little Manistee River by Fox Bridge
4.      Elk vs. Sauble Twp softball game was rained out
5.      L. Fitz, S. Young, and Dave Kott are working on a grant from Great Lakes Energy for more chairs and tables, a lighted flag pole w/ground lighting, and a ramp out north door
6.      Brooks road project is completed and there will be a ribbon cutting Thursday, September 11, 2014 @ 1pm

   V. Gates, Clerk
1.      Created a list of periodicals & discussed Board policy on paying bills-J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt the Policy for the Post-Auditing Payment of Certain Township Bills; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote; Board also looked at the payments for September that were not periodicals
2.      Coded the front door for the Historical Society:  discussion ensued regarding who should be allowed in the locked vault; L. Fitz-motion to continue the policy of only officers having access to the vault, and if a person would like access to records an officer will have oversight for the vault; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0
3.      Discussed donations for the Historical Society, such donations must go into the General Fund as income, so the budget for the expenses should be raised to show availability for expenses:  S. Young-motion to raise the Historical budget line item $498 for donations received during the Centennial Celebration; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote
4.      Reported work on both the Big Bass Lake & Midget Lake SADs
5.      Requesting board approval on bills paid on August, including Big Bass Lake & Midget Lake SADs:  J. Fairbanks-motion to approve August bills; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0
6.      Discussion ensued concerning payment of deputies who are assisting on work with a SAD:  L. Fitz-motion to utilize deputies for work on a SAD provided they are paid out of SAD funds; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 4-1 by roll call vote (V. Gates voting no)
7.      Need for postage to be paid from Big Bass Lake SAD in order to send out hearing notices:  J. Fairbanks-motion to allow V. Gates to purchase stamps for BBL SAD up to $100 to be paid from BBL SAD; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

B. Myers, Treasurer
Read Treasurer’s report for August-S. Young-motion to accept Treasurer’s report; J. Fairbanks 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-commented that she has heard questions from the public regarding who may use the fire ring & picnic area at the township (open to any responsible person)
Jackie McKellar-wonders if items of historical nature will be on display at Elk Township (J. Durdel of Historical Society will address during Historical Society report)
Bonnie Knysz-would like the public to know that the Sauble-Elk-Eden Townships Fire Department will be hosting an Open House for Fire Prevention week on Oct 5, 2014 at Station #2 (next to Eden Twp hall) from 2-4pm with food, tours, and activities for kids
Joyce Durdel-back door wasn’t really planned to be used and as such recommends a sign stating “Emergency Exit Only” on door; mentioned that the Hazardous Waste program scheduled for October 11, 2014 from 9-noon at the Wenger Pavilion in Baldwin needs volunteers; likes the note of tribute extended to Elk Township but would like the public to know that Elk Twp was established in 1874
Vicki Kasper-needs advice for a water/ice issue at the end of her driveway (Charlie Young from the Lake County Road Commission stated that this is a low spot & a bad situation, but he will have his crew look at it again; J. Fairbanks said he will look into getting a solution with the okay from the forestry)

Dignitary Reports:
·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-would like to see the County pay down its debt with some of its “rainy day” monies
·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given, including the addition of two new firefighters & Nestle will be donating a pallet of water for the firefighters (L. Fitz noted that he will be meeting with the fire chief to discuss an exit sign on the west side of the meeting room)
·         Road Committee-S. Young-reported that chip seal was applied to 6 mile road; L. Fitz stated he will compose a Thank You letter to the Lake County Road Commission
·         Historical Society-Joyce Durdel-would like to see historical pictures decorating the hallway to the bathrooms; the old cupboard in the meeting room is historical & was utilized for the Centennial Celebration; the historical society would like to have access to the cupboard with the ability to lock it up; pamphlets were produced for the Centennial Celebration and are available for a recommended $2.50 donation; at least 160 people attended the celebration
Old Business:
·         Big Bass Lake SAD 2015-2021: received certificate from L. Fitz, Supervisor, testifying to the petition signatures percentages which equals 63.33% of total lineal feet of water frontage; V. Gates-motion to receive petitions by the township board; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0; L. Fitz-motion to direct the Clerk to proceed with plans for the improvement, and estimate of the costs; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0; Clerk reported to the board that these plans & estimates total $26,526/yr; L. Fitz-motion to accept the plans & estimates to be filed with the township clerk for public examination; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0; L. Fitz-motion to adopt Resolution #1 to tentatively declare its intent to provide a professional aquatic program for the control of weeds and/or algae within the Big Bass Lake area & to set the 1st hearing date of October 14, 2014 @ 7:00pm @ the Elk Township Hall & instruct the Clerk to give proper notice of such hearing by mailing and publication in accordance with the law; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote
·         Big Bass Lake SAD 2015-2021 discussion for a tentative date for 2nd hearing to be November 11, 2014 @ 7pm

New Business:
·         Lake County Community Foundation (LCCF) endowment fund-S. Young-motion disallowing the establishment of an endowment with LCCF; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote
·         Discussion ensued regarding a letter from Dan Holland concerning a 1% admin fee that could be collected on the property tax bills-L. Fitz-motion to table the 1% admin fee indefinitely; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote
·         Resolution to establish township trustees’ compensation-L. Fitz-motion to adopt resolution to pay trustees $95 per meeting; B. Myers seconded; passed 3-1-1 by roll call vote (J. Fairbanks voted no, and S. Young abstained)
·         Closing Lowe’s credit card account & Sherman-Williams account-J. Fairbanks-motion to close accounts; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote
·         Midget Lake SAD-L. Fitz read letter from Larry and Kathy Hall of the Twin Lake Shores Association stating that the property owners would like to receive the remaining funds in the Midget Lake SAD as refund checks to all current property owners of record after SAD expires December 31, 2014; discussion ensued regarding a letter drafted from L. Fitz to Larry and Kathy Hall-S. Young-motion to approve the sending of said letter; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote

Public Comment:
V. Gates-drinking fountain was fixed by Johnny Gates so that it doesn’t leak on the floor when someone is using it

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

Adjourned @ 9 pm


Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       
9.10.14

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