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

NOVEMBER 11, 2014 Regular Meeting with Big Bass Lake SAD Hearing #2

ELK TOWNSHIP                DRAFT

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

NOVEMBER 11, 2014

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

Prayer offered by Johnny Gates

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

Marilyn Zdebski led an honor for all veterans present

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 October 14, 2014 regular meeting minutes as amended; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.       Fire Department needs volunteers (we currently only have 13 members)

2.       Read a letter for a grant request (Dave Kott will be working on this with L. Fitz); S. Young-motion to approve the letter with revisions; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

3.       Mountain bike event scheduled for 2015 on the North Country Trail has been cancelled

4.       Lake County Commissioner meeting will be held at Elk Township Wed, Nov. 12, 2014 @ 6pm

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.       Successful Gubernatorial election with 50% voter turnout in Elk Twp

2.       Request to attend a class in Lansing to become QVF-lite (which allows address changes to be made in house for voters in our Qualified Voter File); L. Fitz-motion to approve mileage & meals for this class on November 20, 2014; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

3.       Irons Lp Price Protection Program-L. Fitz-motion to table this until December, he will look into options; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

4.       Cemetery flags & bronze markers-S. Young-motion to approve an order with Carrot-Top Industries for 100 flags & 25 bronze markers for veterans; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

5.       Needs to reorder checks from Sage & 1099s-L. Fitz-motion to approve; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

6.       Read letter from Municipal Retirement Systems requesting liquidation of Dennis Lisaius’ account-J. Fairbanks-motion to let Ann Bunting @ MRS know D. Lisaius is no longer an employee; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

7.       Requesting board approval on bills paid in October, including Big Bass Lake SAD, and Road fund- L. Fitz-motion to approve September bills; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

8.       Correspondence: Read 4 letters of protest concerning implementing the Big Bass Lake SAD

S. Young-motion to move the Big Bass Lake SAD hearing #2 up on the agenda; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

Big Bass Lake SAD hearing #2; discussion ensued concerning mailing & ads, and revisions of Resolution #4, but there were no comments made on the assessment roll

Public Comments were heard for hearing #2:

Tony Ellis thanked the Board for the work on the Big Bass Lake SAD

B. Myers, Treasurer

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

2.       Needs new computer-V. Gates-motion to allow Treasurer to purchase a new computer up to $750; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

3.       Discussed the tax notices which allow for a 1% collection of unpaid taxes-no action although B. Myers will let equalization know to change the tax notices

S. Young, Trustee

Reported that the Lake County Area Townships Association meeting for January 22 will be held at Chase Township @ 7:30pm

Public Comments:

Jackie McKellar-would like people to know that Cool Lake property owners paid for the new picture of Cool Lake @ township hall

Marilyn Zdebski-stated that zebra mussels were found on Sauble Lake #4

Dignitary Reports:

·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-honored Ed Chappel:

Mr. Ed Chappel, I have invited you to our commissioners meeting here tonight to thank you for your work on the North Country Trail. This was to be a formal resolution, but I felt that all the WHEREAS, and THEREFORE, and FURTHER MORES would not be fitting to honor your service. I wanted this to come from the heart. As we close this night, I would like to thank you from all of us on your many years of service on the NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL. You have given yourself unselfishly to better our township, county, and surrounding area. When you embarked on this task many years ago you labored your body, and, as time went on, you guided the next generation of caretakers of this wonderful trail system. With your wisdom, dedication and fortitude, you have made our forest more inviting and accessible for the public. It is refreshing to see that people still exist that will give of themselves wholeheartedly for the good public and expect nothing in return.

In closing, I ask the clerk of the board enter this verbiage in the minutes of this meeting so future generations will know that people of this caliber did exist.

·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given

·         Road Committee-S. Young-reported she discussed roads with Jay Syrewicze, including the corner of Johnson Rd & 9 Mile Rd, and corner of Canyon Dr & Bass Lake Rd

·         Historical Society-Joyce Durdel-adjourned until April

Old Business:

·         J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt Resolution #4 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 October 23 & October 30, 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 October 21, 2014; passed 5-0 (see Old Business for motions)

·         Trash bin discussion for winter: A-1 Services has offered a dumpster free of charge to be placed at the town hall; after much discussion, S. Young-motion to leave trash bins where they are & to remove this agenda item for future; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

·         Porta-Jon: L. Fitz will contact “Jim” and ask that the porta-jon be removed until April

New Business:

·         Audio taping of meetings: after discussion-J. Fairbanks-motion not to purchase audio taping equipment; V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0

·         Newsletter discussed to go out with winter tax notices: after revisions-S. Young-motion to fund the printing & folding of a two sided newsletter; V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0

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

Adjourned @ 9:20 pm

Respectfully submitted,

 Vicki Gates, Clerk              

11.12.14

Draft

50% voter turn out for November 4, 2014 Election