Sauble-Elk-Eden Twps Fire Dept Training

There used to be a house on 8 Mile Rd...not anymore...well, at least one less...
But the firefighters did an awesome job training on this old structure...
Hats off to our brave men & women on Sauble-Elk-Eden Townships Fire Dept...
and THANKS! MANY THANKS!

New Offices...Public May Use Old or New Entrances

February Meeting

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

FEBRUARY 11, 2014

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence @ 7:01pm

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

Roll call, all officials present:             Lou Fitz, Supervisor-266.5040

Vicki Gates, Clerk-266.8248

Brandy Myers, Treasurer-970.9030

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

Agenda -J. Fairbanks-motion to approve the agenda; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve JANUARY 14, 2014 minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      House bills 5172 & 5173 would change how an assessor accesses properties

2.      Qualified Forest Program-no impact for Elk Township

3.      Board of Review for March will be published in The Star by Lake County Townships Association; S. Young-motion to NOT put Board of Review in the Bulletin Board News for March; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Set up on-line banking @ West Shore in order to get statements in a more timely fashion

2.      Still have questions regarding Great Lakes Energy billing; will sort out with Nicki

3.      Board of Review members signed up for training

4.      Porta-jon service dropped; ATT & Gold Comm Cable will be on site Thursday to install/move services to the new part of the Townhall

5.      Ballot containers will be inspected at the County in March; will call to see if someone can drop them off early

6.      Requesting Board approval on bills including Midget Lake SAD; J. Fairbanks-motion to approve bills for January; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 (Building costs are currently $112,115.31)

7.      Brining for 2014-2015; J. Fairbanks motion to send in brining contract not to exceed $6000; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

8.      Harper Lake Association request: L. Fitz-motion to grant request for use of building on May 24, 2014 & August 30, 2014, 8 am – 11:30am; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 (V. Gates will contact Dave Kott via email to confirm)

  

B. Myers, Treasurer

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

  

S. Young, Trustee

1.       Lake County Area Townships Association meeting @ Luther Fire Station on April 24, 2014 @ 7:30pm

Public Comments:

Pat Boik discussed why he thinks the trash bins are a problem for the township, suggests putting them @ the townhall year around

Jackie McKellar suggests that if we do away with the trash bins we will see more dumping in the woods

Joyce Durdel said congratulations to the Board in moving the offices out to the new addition

Marilyn Zdebski believes we will have problems without the bins although she offered thanks to Pat Boik for the work done with the cleanup of the bins

Harry Mead asked about Norman Twp trash operations; L. Fitz responded that Norman Twp has a punch card that residents pay for which allows them so many transfer station visits; they also pay someone to “man” the transfer station every Saturday

L. Fitz thanked the volunteers who helped move the offices: Joyce Durdel, John Fairbanks, Charlie & Sharon Young, Johnny & Vicki Gates, Sharon & Jack Puff, Kay & Jess Geiger (and Lou Fitz helped)

Dignitary Reports:

·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks:  reported there is a frozen water line under M-37 to the Mental Health Building in Baldwin; Sheriff’s Department will be receiving 3 new vehicles; Code Red was approved by the County (although residents expressed problems with the system); ORV ordinance has been approved the same as last year since there were few issues (only in Lake Twp); County Commissioners will be traveling to Elk Twp to hold a meeting on November 12, 2014

·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski:  fire department report given

·         Road Committee-S. Young: discussion regarding private road signs-V. Gates-motion that private road signs be paid for by private individuals on those roads; J. Fairbanks seconded; motion failed by roll call vote: J. Fairbanks, no; B. Myers, no; L. Fitz, no; V. Gates, yes; S. Young, no (1-4)

(L. Fitz to create a resolution for Board consideration on Board policy for private road signs)

Old Business:

·         G.E. Johnson bill: S. Young-motion to authorize L. Fitz & J. Fairbanks to sit down with G.E. Johnson before we pay his most recent bill; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

·         G.E. Johnson estimate for renovations to the existing hall: J. Fairbanks-motion to table the estimate until questions are resolved; V. Gates seconded; passed 4-1 (L. Fitz dissenting)

New Business:

·         Salary Resolutions: J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt Salary Resolution for Supervisor @ $8,500 per year; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote: L. Fitz, abstain; J. Fairbanks, yes; B. Myers, yes; S. Young, yes; V. Gates, yes

·         Salary Resolutions: J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt Salary Resolution for Clerk @ $10,500 per year; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

·         Salary Resolutions: J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt Salary Resolution for Treasurer @ $11,500 per year; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

·         Revised job descriptions: S. Young-motion to approve snowplowing job description as revised; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

·         Revised job descriptions: J. Fairbanks -motion to approve janitorial job description as revised; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Revised job descriptions: S. Young-motion to approve trash receptacle & general area clean up job description as revised; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0

·         Bids: J. Fairbanks-motion to accept bid from K&P for snowplowing for 2014-2015 fiscal year; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Bids: J. Fairbanks-motion to accept bid from Pat Bishop for janitorial services for 2014-2015 fiscal year; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

·         Stipend for additional snowplowing & shoveling: J. Fairbanks-motion to approve K&P stipend for $200 for additional work necessary due to construction; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

·         Office accessories: J. Fairbanks-motion to authorize Sharon Puff & Joyce Durdel to purchase office items & a vacuum for new facilities, not to exceed $1000; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0 (out of Building Capital Outlay budget)

·         Proposal from VanMaanen Heating Company: J. Fairbanks-motion to table proposal to install heat runs and adjust heat flow for existing hall; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Schedule a budget workshop: S. Young-motion to hold a budget workshop on March 11, 2014 @ 6pm @ townhall; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0 (L. Fitz will deliver a draft budget to each Board member)

·         Pre-bid meeting: after much discussion, including public input; B. Myers-motion to put a Pre-Bid Notice in the Bulletin Board News for renovations for the existing township hall; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 (L. Fitz will put add in BBN for Feb 26^th pre-bid meeting; bids due March 10th)

Public Comment:

none

S. Young-motion to adjourn; L. Fitz seconded; all in favor

Adjourned @ 10:04pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

2.12.14

Building Progress

JANUARY 14, 2014

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 14, 2014

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence @ 7:01pm

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

Roll call, all officials present: 

Lou Fitz, Supervisor-266.5040

Vicki Gates, Clerk-266.8248 
Brandy Myers, Treasurer-970.9030

Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

Agenda revisions-adding trash bins, vinyl flooring, and Congressmen under Supervisor report; adding new south entrance renovations under Old Business; J. Fairbanks-motion to adopt the agenda as amended; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve December 10, 2013 minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Budget review-looks good

2.      Vinyl flooring-meets ADA (American with Disabilities Act) guidelines

3.      Trash bins-bin at Johnson Rd is being abused and difficult to maintain; J. Fairbanks-motion to move the two trash bins from Johnson Rd to K&K and Granger Rds; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Three Congressmen will be holding a Town Hall Meeting @ Oak Grove in Irons, Friday, Jan. 17 @ 3:30 (including Dan Benishek, Bill Huizenga, and Jon Bumstead)

   V. Gates, Clerk

1.      Used current software program, Sage, to close year 2012, and generate W2s & 1099s

2.      Reported we will most likely be having an ESD school election in May

3.      Requesting approval on bills paid in December (building project @ $111,220.05  to date):

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve bills; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

4.      Discussed new service bill from Great Lakes Energy; V. Gates will email Nicki for clarification

5.      Per Senate Bill No. 545, “a local unit of government may exempt itself from the requirements of employee medical benefit plans”; J. Fairbanks-motion to exempt the Elk Township Board members from a medical plan for the year 2014; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

6.      Principle Resident Exemptions need an affidavit before June 1^st for the July Board of Review, and November 1^st for the December Board of Review sessions

7.      Jackpine will be closing their Ludington retail store at the end of January, and they are making major upgrades to their online site store @ www.jackpine.com

   B. Myers, Treasurer

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

   S. Young, Trustee

1.       Lake County Area Townships Association meeting in Chase Jan 23^rd

 

Public Comments:

Joyce Durdel mentioned the need for more salting/sanding of new parking area by sidewalks

J. Fairbanks suggested Pure Calcium Chloride in 50# bags

Dignitary Reports:

·         County Commissioner-J. Fairbanks:  reported there will be a land swap for the two towers @ Wolf Lake hill; and the State Police gave the Lake County Road Commission an “attaboy” for the work they have done this winter on the roads

·         Fire Dept-Marilyn Zdebski:  fire department report given

·         Road Committee-S. Young: believes private road signs should be paid for by owners; J. Fairbanks believes a previous board voted on this situation

Old Business:

·         G.E. Johnson waiver of leins accepted and filed

·         G.E. Johnson proposal for old hall renovations-L. Fitz-motion to table until February; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         New south entrance renovations-B. Myers would like to see a type of “Dutch door” to separate the entrance from the work area; J. Fairbanks said he would be able to build such a door

New Business:

·         Phil VanVleet turned in a letter of resignation from the Board of Review-J. Fairbanks-motion to accept Phil VanVleet’s letter of resignation with regret; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Need to fill an opening on the Board of Review-L. Fitz-motion to appoint Joyce Durdel as an alternate for Board of Review, and move Kay Macdonald up to an active member on the Board of Review; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

·         Board of Review training-J. Fairbanks-motion to allow four (4) members of the Board of Review to go to training @ $79/each + 1 book @ $31.50 + mileage for each driver; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

·         Lowes’ credit card application-J. Fairbanks-motion to authorize L. Fitz, supervisor, to open a revolving credit account @ Lowes per our credit card resolution; S. Young seconded; passed by roll call vote 5-0

·         Salary resolutions-L. Fitz polled the Board members and they all indicated they would not be seeking raises, therefore salary resolutions will be created for the fiscal year 2014-2015 to be the same as last fiscal year

Public Comment:

Joyce Durdel would like to see the Board create a timeline for the old hall renovations so that the Historical Society could set plans for a centennial celebration (maybe in Aug)

L. Fitz said a big Thank You to the paint crew who worked on the new addition: Sharon & Charlie Young, Sharon & Jack Puff, John Fairbanks, Joyce Durdel, and Lou Fitz

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

Adjourned @ 8:25pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

1.15.14

Treasurer Hours

Hey, you should all have your property tax bills due Feb. 14th, and if you didn't, get a hold of the treasurer during her office hours on Thurs evenings 5:30-8pm
Call the twp hall @ 231.266.5983
-or-call Brandy's cell 231.970.9030

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

ELK TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

November 12, 2013

Lou Fitz, Supervisor, called the meeting to order with a moment of silence @ 7pm

Pledge of Allegiance, led by L. Fitz

Roll call, all officials present:             Lou Fitz, Supervisor-266.5040

Vicki Gates, Clerk-266.8248

Brandy Myers, Treasurer-970.9030

                                                Sharon Young, Trustee-266.8432

                                    John Fairbanks, Trustee-266.8023

J. Fairbanks-motion to approve October 8, 2013 minutes; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

Board Member Reports:

   L. Fitz, Supervisor

1.      Letter from Lake County concerning property sales for Elk Twp: S. Young-motion to sign letter to return property in question to county; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

2.      Luther Library made presentation: they hope to put a county-wide millage question put on the ballot in August, they will be asking ¼ mill for the three libraries in the county

3.      Re-designate trash bins from Allied/Republic Waste to Independent Rural Waste Services: J. Fairbanks-motion to re-designate the existing four trash bins to be IRWS, blue bags only by Jan 1, 2014; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0 (notes: IRWS will take care of the signage by Jan 1, 2014; L. Fitz will take care of an ad to put in BBN for the month of Dec, and will inform Allied)

4.      Newsletter: after discussion, S. Young-motion to ask Jackpine to print & fold 2-sided newsletter to put into tax statement envelopes; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

5.      Trash Day: June 7, 2014 @ 9am-1pm with IRWS (L. Fitz will check with Skinner Park)

6.      Community Service participant: a Sauble twp resident needs to provide 150 hours of community service; J. Fairbanks is willing to supervise his work at the cemetery; S. Young-motion to allow this community service contingent on our liability coverage (L. Fitz will check this); B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

7.      Thank you letter to Tim Fischer for the discount on the fill sand: J. Fairbanks-motion to send signed letter to Tim Fischer; B. Myers seconded; passed 5-0

   V. Gates, Clerk

Requesting approval on bills paid in October, including Big Bass Lake SAD:  J. Fairbanks-motion to approve bills; S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

   B. Myers, Treasurer

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

2.      Liquidate LOSB money markets & withdraw $75,000 from West Shore money market: S. Young-motion to close LOSB money markets & reduce West Shore’s money market by $75,000;            J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0 by roll call vote

3.      Over/short tax payments: B. Myers-motion to take care of up to $1 variance in tax payments; J. Fairbanks seconded; passed 5-0

 

 S. Young, Trustee

            Lake Cty Twp Association meeting @ Chase twp on Jan 23rd @ 7:30pm

             

Public Comments:

Marilyn Zdebski would like to see the meetings recorded

Dignitary Reports:

·        Commissioner-J. Fairbanks: consolidation with other counties for our 911 service is still being discussed, State Police would like to see communications tied together

·        Fire Dept- M. Zdebski:  fire department report given

·        Historical Society-Joyce Durdel: they are currently preparing a booklet for the 100 year celebration of the township hall; helped in the ground breaking ceremony; won’t be meeting until April; J. Fairbanks thanked Jackie McKellar for the historical memorabilia from Stanley Dombrouski’s estate

Old Business:

Trash investigation: L. Fitz gave report; a township-wide special assessment is still being considered and a survey of the taxpayers was discussed: J. Fairbanks-motion to pay Jackpine to print & fold a 1-sheet survey to be included in the tax statement envelopes; L. Fitz seconded; passed 5-0;              J. Fairbanks-motion to authorize Vicki, Clerk, to purchase a Special Assessment book from MTA;     

S. Young seconded; passed 5-0

New Business:

Discussed a change order for a different style of windows for the addition & an estimate from Troy      Johnson of G. E. Johnson for a renovation of the front porch; it was decided to wait on both

Public Comment:

Charlie Young mentioned the need for careful wording in the survey to be sent to taxpayers concerning a township-wide SAD to decide the trash collection question

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

Adjourned @ 9:19pm

Respectfully submitted,

Vicki Gates, Clerk       

11.13.13