How much will the Road Millage cost me?

To figure this cost:
Taxable Value (on recent tax bill) x .0005 = cost/year


example:
32,720 (Taxable Value) x .0005 = 16.36/yr for Road Improvements & Maintenance

Road Projects Completed since 2000

2001 - 11 Mile Rd - $157,350
2001 - 10 Mile (Poggensee Bridge) - $25,000
2004 - 10 1/2 Mile Overlay - $219,000
2007 - Harper Lake Drainage - $14,238
2008 - Dewitt Bridge - $50,380
2008 - 11 1/2 Mile Rd - $101,234
2010 - Granger Rd - $105,664

New Stuff...2012

New Front Door Installed by Homer Grant

New Sign being installed by Johnson Outdoors

Old Sign being removed by Johnny Gates

New Sign Installed by Johnson Outdoors

July Regular Meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

July 10, 2012

Johnny Gates offered a meditative thought & prayer for guidance at 6:55pm

Doulas Mann, supervisor, then called the meeting to order with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:          Douglas Mann, Supervisor

                                                Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                                Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee

                                                John Fairbanks, Trustee

Public Comments for future consideration-Johnel Buckingham discussed the black & white bags being left at the trash receptacles around Elk Twp & some suggestions were forthcoming that we need more such receptacles (all bags were picked up this week by Allied Waste); Charlie Young had a citizen call him requesting speed limits in front of their home, but they did not want to come to the board; John Bone discussed the continuing problem of ORV/ATV activity at Elbow Lake Public Access, he said there has been an arrest made and presented the board with a CD/DVD of video evidence

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve June 12, 2012 minutes, S. Young-seconded; all in favor

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper: S. Young-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, J. Fairbanks seconded; D. Mann requested C. Draper to continue including the cemetery fund in her report, she said that wouldn’t work and she will delete such fund at the end of the year since it has been rolled into the general fund; all in favor

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates: D. Mann-motion to approve election workers: Sharon Puff, Independent, Chairperson; Bonnie Knysz, Republican; Pat Bishop, Democrat; Johnel Buckingham, Independent; C. Draper seconded; all in favor

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve the bills for June, S. Young seconded; all in favor

Correspondence

Audit presented to the board with a favorable report & a bill for $4,710 to be paid to Baird, Cotter & Bishop

Insurance with Burnham & Flower Agency will be paid as per our budget, $3,176

Dignitary Reports

Assessor-Bob Englebrecht-completed his Masters degree for assessing; is out in Elk Twp assessing 20% of our residences; homestead/principle residence exemption deadline has been changed to Nov 1^st for Elk Twp; July 17^th will be the next Board of Review meeting from 12noon-3pm, and Bob believes this Board of Review to be well qualified and we can be proud of them

Fire Dept- Marilyn Zdebski-out of 15 calls for the month, 11 of them were for Elk; new fire chief, Greg Bombich, took over duties July 1^st

AT THIS POINT IN TIME, THE MEETING WAS INVADED BY HOT PINK T-SHIRTS WORN BY SAUBLE BOARD & CITIZENS REQUESTING A REMATCH FOR THE ANNUAL SOFTBALL GAME-SEPT 1^ST @ SAUBLE BALL FIELD

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-MSU Extension requesting $110,000 to continue their services for the county, Kay Cummings will be attending the next commissioner’s meeting to discuss options since Federal funds have been cut; Sandy Clarke is the administrator for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) which has some funding for home rehabilitation for needy people; J. Fairbanks is opening dialogue with Twin Lakes Club concerning moving the Millerton/Sauble Station to Sauble Twp ball field area for a museum

Cemetery- S.Young- the next cemetery board meeting will be August 6, 2012 @ Sauble @ 3pm

Supervisor-D. Mann-new chairs were delivered by Jackpine; All Season’s Port-a-Pot will be delivering a porta-potty Wed July 11^th ; discussion of a road millage educational ad, but citizens decided to place such ad themselves; S. Young-motion to place same road millage verbage on Nov ballot if it does not pass in Aug, D. Mann seconded; all in favor; Summer Clean up/Trash day will be July 21 from 8am-1pm @ Skinner Park

Trustees-J. Fairbanks-sent letters to DNR, Representative & Senator concerning no motors on Bluegill Lake; S. Young-an Ad Hoc committee will begin to meet after the elections to discuss road improvements in Elk Twp; there will be a Lake County Township Association meeting @ Lake Twp, August 23^rd

Action Items

V. Gates-motion to move Metro Authority monies from the Road Fund to the General Fund in order to offset the cost of the twp brining, D. Mann seconded; roll call vote: S. Young-No, V. Gates-Yes, D. Mann-Yes, J. Fairbanks-No, C. Draper-No; motion failed to pass

J. Fairbanks-motion to allow brining payments to be made from Road Fund instead of General Fund; motion tabled until V. Gates contacts MTA for legal information

V. Gates-motion to accept Johnson’s Sign Co bid for a 4x8 Read-A-Board, including an extra set of letters & installation, for a total cost of $2315; C. Draper seconded; roll call vote: S. Young-Yes, C. Draper-Yes, D. Mann-Yes, V. Gates-Yes, J. Fairbanks-No; motion passed

Old Business

Stump removal for more parking is still being completed by J. Fairbanks, Lou Fitz, and Jeff Riggs; we will look into lighting that area after completion of work

Summer Clean up/Trash day roster for insurance purposes compiled by V. Gates

New Business

D. Mann would like to see the flag moved slightly towards the road, after the current sign is removed, and lit properly

S. Young -motion to adjourn, C. Draper seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

7.11.12

Trash/Clean Up Day 2012

Unofficially we collected 4 (40yd) bins of trash, and at least 3 trailers of scrap

"Now why do you have to take a picture when we are resting?"

IATA was very helpful with a tractor to compact trash

Thanks to the workers: John Fairbanks

Charlie Young, Josh Marlow, Martie Gates

Trash/Clean Up Day was very successful for the entire community by providing a venue to get rid of collected trash & debris. Workers for the event included Sharon & Charlie Young, Johnny & Vicki Gates, John Fairbanks, Martie Gates, Josh Marlow, Chuck Charnes, Dan Charnes, Dean Burns, and unknown named helpers from IATA & Allied Waste...THANKS Y'ALL!

August Primary....August 7, 2012

Ballots are here. If you want to see a sample ballot, come on in during office hours, Thurs 9-1pm, or copy & paste this link:  https://webapps.sos.state.mi.us/mivote/
Remember, August Primary is to vote for one name to go on the general election ballot for Republicans and Democrats for an office, so the Independent thinkers will not be on the August Primary ballot.
That said, we do have three millage questions to be decided by the voters, including Elk Twp Road Millage Renewal of a pre-existing road maintenance millage. See you at the polls. If you need an absentee ballot, contact the Elk Twp Clerk, Vicki Gates, at the twp hall: 231.266.5983, or home: 231.266.8248

Irons Area Flea Roast /Ox Market

 A parade with Smokey, the bear

 and the Sheriff's department

 and the kids

 and food at the end

 Flea Roast/Ox Market going on all weekend

 beginning today, Thursday

 with awesome parking attendants

 and lots of vendors

June Regular Meeting Minutes

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

June 12, 2012

Douglas Mann, supervisor, offered a prayer for guidance at 7pm

He then called the meeting to order with Clerk, Vicki Gates, leading the Pledge of Allegiance

Members present:          Douglas Mann, Supervisor

                                                Vicki Gates, Clerk

                                                Carol Draper, Treasurer

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee

                                                John Fairbanks, Trustee

Public Comments for future consideration-none

S. Young-motion to approve May 8, 2012 minutes, as amended J. Fairbanks-seconded; all in favor

Treasurer’s Report-C. Draper (attached): J. Fairbanks-motion to accept the treasurer’s report, S. Young seconded; all in favor

Clerk’s Report-V. Gates (attached): J. Fairbanks-motion to approve the bills for May, C. Draper seconded; all in favor

Correspondence

MTA dues will be paid in June as per our budget: $1,162.69

DNR recommends “Firewise” landscaping techniques to protect rural homes from wildfire:  30-foot open-space buffer between the home and tree line; remove small trees, household debris, brush and ground fuels (such as leaves and pine needles); store firewood away from the house and clear vegetation at least 10 feet away from LP tanks; plant short green grass; prune lower tree limbs to a height of 6-10 feet

Copy of L-4029 from equalization showing tax rates and taxable value

Public Act 135, signed by Gov. Rick Snyder, allows residents to file an affidavit to claim poverty exemption, rather than requiring federal & state income tax returns

House & Senate completed action on the state general fund budget and constitutional revenue sharing continues to see growth, PILT (payment-in-lieu-of-taxes) should be seeing an increase, and state income tax rate will be reduced from 4.35 to 4.25 on Oct 1^st

House bill 4207 banns the uncontrolled burning of plastic, rubber, foam, chemically treated wood, textiles, electronics, chemicals, and hazardous materials. Rural residents still can burn yard waste such as brush & leaves, and household waste such as cardboard and paper products

Clean Sweep & Household Hazardous Waste Disposal in Lake, Mecosta & Osceola Counties:  October 13, 2012; S. Young-motion to approve “Agreement for Services” for $500 (same as last year), J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor

Dignitary Reports

911-David Sanders, deputy director of 911-spoke of the 911 millage up for renewal on the August 7^th primary ballot

Fire Dept- Marilyn Zdebski (attached)-out of 15 calls for the month, 10 of them were for Elk; fireman’s ball will be held at Skinner Park Aug. 4th

Commissioner-J. Fairbanks-MSU building sale for the historical society museum in Baldwin is proceeding; housing committee is looking for people to help with emergency repairs on their homes as well as ongoing rehabilitation of homes for low income residents

Cemetery- S.Young- the next cemetery board meeting will be August 6, 2012 @ Sauble @ 3pm

Assessor-absent, but Supervisor, D. Mann, would like it known that Bob Englebrecht completed his Masters degree for assessing

Supervisor-D. Mann-thanks to Lou Fitz, Roger Buckingham, Sharon & Jack Puff, and John Wagner for creating a picnic area at the twp hall; thanks to Dave Kott & Jim Abbott for the continued maintenance of the yellow bag receptacles; Summer clean up will be July 21^st from 8am-1pm @ Skinner Park (anyone wishing to volunteer to assist in unloading please contact Vicki Gates, 266-8248); read excerpt from Statute 41.101 of Michigan Compiled Law which states, “A person who refuses to withdraw from a public meeting, on being ordered by the moderator to do so, is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $50.00.”

Trustees-J. Fairbanks-informed us that the Historical Society will be having a guest speaker, Robert Griffin (an old-time surveyor for this area), June 19^th @ 7pm @ twp hall

S. Young-reported per the Road Commission that brining cost 2 ½ cents for the brine, which is all we are charged, and they spot brine early in the spring (in front of houses), then complete a full brine twice in the summer

Action Items

Ad Hoc Citizens Advisory Committee for road projects created with S. Young heading it up

Approval of contracts-S. Young-motion to accept contracts for janitorial, lawn maintenance @ twp hall grounds, snowplowing services, and maintaining twp marquee, J. Fairbanks seconded, all in favor

Purchase 30 triple braced, double-hinged, padded chairs for twp hall-V. Gates made motion to purchase from Jackpine, not to exceed $1200, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor

Installation of new front entrance with keyless entry locks-C. Draper made motion to accept Homer Grant’s bid for a 36” out-swing door with two 12” glass panels on either side, for a total of $1905, S. Young seconded; all in favor

Porta-Pottie for picnic area @ twp hall for $70/month/3 months including cleaning & insurance- V. Gates made motion to contract out, J. Fairbanks seconded; all in favor

Old Business

Six Mile Sink Hole update-supervisor-per Henry Diemer of Wilcox Engineering, grants are slim and the next step would be topographical survey & core samples for $5100; C. Draper made motion to table the Six Mile project indefinitely, V. Gates seconded; all in favor

Summer Clean Up Trash Day flyer will go out in tax statements the end of June

Stump removal for more parking is still being completed by J. Fairbanks, Lou Fitz, and Jeff Riggs; we will look into lighting that area after completion of work

New Business

D. Mann would like to investigate a new marquee, C. Draper made motion to approve the investigative work, S. Young seconded; all in favor

Public Comment-Johnny Gates mentioned that J. Fairbanks could investigate an historical sign for the twp hall & collaborate with D. Mann

C. Draper-motion to adjourn, S. Young seconded; all in favor

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk

6.13.12

Road Millage Renewal

 Just a note that this is a renewal of our existing road millage which due to legal wording has not "bumped" us back up to the requested .5 mill since 2000. Unofficially, of course, the current board is requesting a renewal of the road millage in order to continue improving the roads in Elk Township. The supervisor has also requested volunteers to serve on an ad hoc committee to give the board direction on which roads the residents would like to improve.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ELK TOWNSHIP, LAKE COUNTY

ROAD IMPROVEMENTS & MAINTENANCE MILLAGE PROPOSAL

August 2012

Shall ­­­­­­­­ELK Township impose an increase of up to .5 mills ($.50 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution and levy it for five (5) year(s), 2013 to 2017, inclusive, for road improvements and maintenance, which .5-mill increase will raise an estimated $33,214 in 2013, the first year the millage is levied.

[    ]      Yes
[    ]      No

TRASH DAY

The date for the yearly Trash Day/Clean Up has been scheduled for July 21, 2012 @ Skinner Park from 8am-1pm...volunteers welcome for unloading on that day...contact person is Douglas Mann, Supervisor