June Regular Meeting

DRAFT                     ELK TOWNSHIP                

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

JUNE 9, 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 as revised; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

Minutes approval-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve May 12, 2015 regular meeting minutes;

S. Young seconded; L. Fitz-motion to revise minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 4-1 (V. Gates, no); J. Fairbanks-motion to approve minutes as revised; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      BS&A software “on hold” for assessor, will budget for FY2016

2.      3% increase in Revenue Sharing from Michigan

3.      Grant received from LCCF for $1120 to be used for new flagpole & lighting –J. Fairbanks-motion to approve purchase of flagpole & lighting (credit Building & Grounds Capital Outlay in Budget Amendment); B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Resolution offered by L. Fitz for Citizen Recognition of Dave Kott for his work on the LCCF grant; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

5.      Letter read to show appreciation for Lake County Road Commission’s work on three projects

6.      Letter read to show appreciation for Independent Rural Waste Service for Trash Day help

7.      Trash Day-went well with 110 people getting rid of their household trash; send letter to Lee Young for his help with the front end loader which saved township money

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Election Reimbursement for 2015 Special Election=$3197.63

2.      Harper Lake donated $50 for hall lease

3.      MTA class for Money Matters & Better Budgeting on July 15^th –J. Fairbanks-motion to approve V. Gates & B. Myers attending @ $149 each plus book “Building a Better Budget” & mileage; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0 (V. Gates canceled class in June with MTA & they will issue credit)

4.      Approval of non-periodical bills

·        J. Fairbanks-motion to approve MTA dues; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

·        Fire dept auxiliary-L. Fitz-motion to table two bills until MTA is contacted to assess legality; V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0 (L. Fitz will call MTA)

·        L. Fitz-motion to pay off Dennis Lisiaus’ pension; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        L. Fitz-motion to approve election supplies from Election Source=$84.13; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        J. Fairbanks-motion to approve two new batteries for tabulator (one for memory pack & one for backup power source for tabulator)=$399; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        J. Fairbanks-motion to approve BBN Ads for Trash Day & Public Hearing for June 20^th; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        J. Fairbanks-motion to approve Aquatic Dr bill for Big Bass Lake SAD treatment=$16,250.65; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

5.      Requesting board approval on bills paid in May, including Big Bass Lake SAD-L. Fitz-motion to approve bills; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

  B. Myers, Treasurer

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

L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

Public Comments: varied

Dignitary Reports:

·        County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-discussed the intricacies of housing inmates in a private facility in Lake County, the Judicial slate suggests that the Commissioners budget for medical needs for such inmates because the state will not pay for such needs in a private facility

·        Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given; July 12^th @ 12-3pm there will be a Fire Dept Open House @ Irons Station #2 for the public

·        Historical Society-Joyce Durdel-will get the Board minutes from their last meetings; June 23^rd  @ 7pm there will be a public speaker giving history of the SEE Fire Dept

·        Road Committee-Sharon Young-motion to table discussion on road signs until FY2016 budget for 8 road signs on main roads saying “Welcome to Elk Township”; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0; S. Young-motion to purchase two handicap signs for town hall parking; V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0 (Building & Grounds Capital Outlay)

Old Business:

·        Website-L. Fitz-motion to table discussion until July meeting; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

·        Newsletter draft-L. Fitz will make changes; J. Fairbanks-motion to approve & fund printing & folding of newsletter to go out with taxes July 1^st ; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        Budget workshop date-J. Fairbanks-motion to table until July; L. Fitz seconded (he suggests we think about a mid-March date); passed 5-0

·        Hall & Grounds agreement; V. Gates-motion to table until September & see how the summer goes with leasing hall; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

·        Table & Chairs-J. Fairbanks-motion to purchase 30 padded folding chairs & 10 folding legs, rigid tables; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 (L. Fitz will order; take out of Bldg & Grounds Cap Outlay)

New Business:

·        L4029-2015 Tax Rate Millage Request-V. Gates-motion to approve L4029 & send it to equalization; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

·        Household Hazardous Waste (HHW)-J. Fairbanks-motion to send HHW $250; B. Myers seconded; 2-3 roll call vote (B. Myers, J. Fairbanks-Yes; S. Young, V. Gates, L. Fitz-No). Motion failed. L. Fitz-motion to send HHW $100; V. Gates seconded; 5-0 (note: they currently have a large fund balance)

·        Luther Library-offered a board position to any Elk Township resident we would recommend

·        Resolution to update FOIA to be in compliance with new laws-V. Gates-motion to table until July; J. Fairbanks seconded; 2-3 roll call (J. Fairbanks, V. Gates-Yes; B. Myers, L. Fitz, S. Young-No). Motion failed. After time to read through documents-S. Young-motion to approve Resolution to establish policy, procedure, and fee schedules pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) dated June 9, 2015; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

·        MTA focus article to be submitted to MTA-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        Concert in Park-J. Fairbanks-motion to approve hosting a Concert in the Park Ice Cream Social with public funds out of Parks & Recreation to benefit Elk Township residents & friends; V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0

·        Discussion of old shrubs on west side of hall which will need to be replaced in fall

Public Comments:

Varied

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

Adjourned @ 9:45pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

6.10.15

Public Hearing

Public Hearing

Saturday,  June 20, 2015

1pm @ Elk Township Hall

8966 Bass Lake Road

Discussion of road fund monies & 

Possibility of paving

Heritage Bay roads

If unable to attend, you may email

clerk@goldcommcable.com

and they will be read @ meeting

This meeting is for discussion only

Annual Trash Day

Don't forget Annual Trash Day @
Skinner Park
June 6, 2015
9am - noon
Bring Tax Statement or proof of residency
No hazardous waste or Freon
charges for tires, or anything resembling a tire

New Look at Johnson Bridge...just in time for summer vaca

May Regular Meeting

draft                              ELK TOWNSHIP                             draft

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

MAY 12, 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 as revised; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Minutes approval-S. Young-motion to approve March 24, 2015 special meeting minutes;

J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Trash Day-June 6^th, 9-12noon with A1 Services (S. Young will get the water & soda); J. Fairbanks-motion to approve 2 ads for Trash Day in the Bulletin Board News @ ¼ page; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

2.      Lake County Website has availability for townships

3.      Letter to equalization director to continue the Big Bass Lake SAD and include on summer tax roll @ $120/yr

4.      Sign for Elk Township Park by Dave McIntire, Dave suggests a 10”x18” on 4x4 posts facing River Rd to say “Elk Township Community Park,”-V. Gates-motion to approve the construction & installation of such sign; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

5.      Resolution for township citizen recognition- S. Young-motion to offer such resolution in recognition of Austin McIntire’s achievement of Eagle Scout (highest Boy Scout award); V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0

6.      Letters to 5 property owners to encourage them to clean up their property

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Conducted May 5, 2015 Special election with 37% voter turnout; highest in Lake Cty

2.      Need ads for the Big Bass Lake SAD spraying to be done around June 2^nd & July 20^th –J. Fairbanks-motion to put ads in the Bulletin Board News for these two sprayings; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

3.      Approval of non-periodical bills (including string trimmers for the cemetery; PO box rental; Baird, Cotter & Bishop for Annual Fiscal Report F-65; Bulletin Board News ads; election supplies & maintenance contract for AutoMark)-V. Gates-motion to approve; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Requesting board approval on bills paid in March & April-S. Young-motion to approve bills; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

5.      Accounting document shows that the 2014-2015 fiscal year income was $143,640.12 & expense was $171,742.84 for same period

   B. Myers, Treasurer

1.      Read Treasurer’s report for March & April-S. Young-motion to accept Treasurer’s reports;

J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

2.      Need to put a newsletter together to go out in summer taxes by end of June

   S. Young, Trustee-next area township meeting will be @ Luther Fire Department on August 27^th  @ 7:30pm

Public Comments:

Varied-L. Fitz-motion to allow Sharon Puff an access code for office doors; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Dignitary Reports:

·        Cty Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-book for Vets will stay @ hall; District Health Dept #10, 2014 Report is also @ hall; EMS reports 18 runs from Jan-March to Elk Twp with an average run time of 18,” therefore the county still pursues another EMS station located farther north; Household Hazardous Waste clean up to be held Oct 10, 2015 from 9-12noon @ Baldwin

·        Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski- fire department report given

·        Historical Society-Joyce Durdel-resumed meeting monthly

·        Road Committee-Sharon Young-met on April 9^th with Steve Leonard from Rd Commission and related that the Rd Commission is seeking $600 from Elk Twp for River Rd renovations (they would like $600 worth of gravel put back into their gravel pit)-J. Fairbanks-motion to contract with Tim Fischer to move $600 worth of gravel (and labor) from his pit to the Rd Commission pit on 10 ½ mile & Bass Lake Rd, S. Young seconded, passed 5-0 with monies coming out of our Road Millage Fund (L. Fitz said he will get ahold of Tim Fischer); Road Commission would also like 2 signs for 11 ½ mile rd to read “Narrow Road”-V. Gates-motion to allocate $100 for one sign, J. Fairbanks seconded, passed 5-0 (L. Fitz will follow up with Rd Commission); S. Young stated there are 16 potential sites for “Welcome to Elk Township” signs which would also cost $100 each-tabled until June meeting & L. Fitz asked S. Young to bring back number of primary sites for such signs; discussed paving Heritage Bay, total road project would be $268,994.37, L. Fitz suggested a public meeting as a public hearing for June 20, 2015 @ 1pm- J. Fairbanks-motion to schedule such meeting with published ads (2); V. Gates seconded; passed 5-0

 Old Business:

·        Drop box for taxes- J. Fairbanks-motion to approve purchase of locking wall mount for $115.77; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0 (B. Myers will order & L. Fitz said he could install)

·        Fire Millage Renewal-we will need to put a renewal millage on 2016 ballot

New Business:

·        Lake County website-look at in June

·        Karen Fickies to be appointed to Lake Cty Economic Development Committee as a representative of Elk Twp-S. Young-motion to approve appointment; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0 (will discuss an alternate at June meeting)

·        Establish a budget workshop meeting-V. Gates-motion to table until June meeting; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

·        Trustees compensation resolution-L. Fitz-motion to offer resolution to increase trustees salaries per meeting from $95 to $120; B. Myers seconded; 3-1-1 (roll call vote, Yes-L. Fitz, V. Gates, B. Myers; No-J. Fairbanks; Abstain-S. Young-resolution adopted)

·        MTA meeting for June 16, 2015 in Big Rapids- J. Fairbanks-motion to approve meeting & mileage for supervisor & clerk @ $119/ea; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        Bob Englebrecht’s software upgrade- J. Fairbanks-motion to approve BS&A software upgrade up to $2000; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·        Land value maps-too difficult to obtain, all requests for land values may be referred to Bob Englebrecht

·        IRS mileage went up to 57.5cents/mile

·        Plat map purchase-L. Fitz-motion to approve purchase of current plat map book; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0 (B. Myers will purchase)

Public Comments:

Varied-S. Young-motion to purchase a refrigerator for town hall up to $700 (with caution to use only as much as needed); L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0 (L. Fitz will purchase)

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

Adjourned @ 9:45pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

5.13.15

May Election Results

Awesome 37% voter turn out on 
May 5, 2015 Special Election
Elk Township:
State Proposal: Yes-47;   No-254
Sheriff Road Patrol Renewal:  Yes-159;    No-142
Manistee ISD Renewal:  Yes-101;   No-75

And a BIG "Thank You" to our Precinct Workers:
Bonnie Knysz, Ginni Braddy, Johnel Buckingham, Pat Bishop, Sharon Puff, Janice Donathen, Ron Thornburgh
You guys ROCK!

Vote May 5, 2015

VOTE TUESDAY MAY 5, 2015 
7am - 8pm
Statewide Proposal 15-1
County Sheriff Road Patrol Millage Renewal
Kaleva-Norman-Dickson Millage Renewal for ISD
If you need an Absentee Ballot, your Clerk is in the office Monday, May 4, 2015 from 9am - 4pm

Annual Meeting 2015

draft     ELK TOWNSHIP     draft

ANNUAL MEETING

March 28, 2015

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order @ 10am

Prayer offered by Johnny Gates

L. Fitz led the Pledge of Allegiance

Board present: Lou Fitz, Supervisor

                                Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                Brandy Myers, Treasurer

                                John Fairbanks, Trustee

                                Sharon Young, Trustee

Agenda-motion to approve agenda offered by Don Arquette; seconded by David Bass; passed

Minutes-motion to approve Annual Meeting minutes of March 29, 2014 offered by Joyce Durdel; seconded by Greg Bombich; passed

Board Member reports:

Supervisor-L. Fitz-State of the Township report

Clerk-V. Gates-election May 5, 2015 for Proposal 15-1, and Road Patrol Millage Renewal for Lake County Sheriff’s Department (Manistee ISD also has a Special Education Millage Renewal on ballot for Kaleva-Norman-Dickson school district); great audit for 2014; balance each month with the Treasurer

Treasurer-B. Myers-report given

Trustee-S. Young-continues to attend Lake County Area Townships Association meetings; and continues to look at roads in Elk Township for upgrades

Trustee-J. Fairbanks-noted the absence of Harry Mead

Public Comment:  Various

Salary Resolutions:

Supervisor salary-motion to raise the salary by $1500/yr  which will be equal to $10,600/yr offered by Don Arquette; seconded by Charlie Ludovissy; amendment to raise salary by $2500/yr which will be equal to $11,600/yr offered by Jack Puff; seconded by Don Arquette; passed 15-3-1

Clerk salary-motion to adopt resolution to keep salary at same rate of $11,100/yr offered by Marilyn Zdebski; seconded by Judi Bass; passed 13-5-1

Treasurer salary-motion to adopt resolution to keep salary at same rate of $12,100/yr offered by Don Arquette; seconded by Marilyn Zdebski; amendment to raise the salary by 3%, or $363/yr  which will be equal to $12,463/yr offered by Joyce Durdel; seconded by Don Arquette; failed 8-8-1

Treasurer salary-motion to raise salary by $600/yr which will be equal to $12,700/yr offered by Jack Puff; seconded by Charlie Ludovissy; passed 11-4-1

Reconsider Clerk salary-motion to reconsider offered by Jack Puff; seconded by Greg Bombich; passed 13-4-1

Clerk salary-motion to raise the salary by $600/yr  which will be equal to $11,700/yr offered by Jack Puff; seconded by Joyce Durdel; passed 12-4-1

Trustees per meeting-motion to direct the Board to look at line item for Trustee’s wages at May regular meeting to raise to $120/meeting; seconded by Joyce Durdel; passed 11-4-1

Public Comment:  Various

Adjourn-motion offered by Jack Puff; Marilyn Zdebski seconded; passed @ 11:45am

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk 3.31.15