Watertown Charter Township
Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
February 20, 2007
7:00 P.M.
Call to order: The meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Board Members Present: Supervisor Adams, Clerk Husby, Treasurer Thelen, Trustees Maahs, Mitchell, Skerritt, and Weitzel. Also present: Tubbs, Polverento
Public Comment:
Public Hearings:
Streetlight special assessment district #35 for annual maintenance and operation of
streetlights. The public hearing was opened at 7:06 P.M and closed at 7:07 P.M. with no comments received.
Fire hydrant special assessment district #83 for annual maintenance and operation of fire hydrants. The public hearing was opened at 7:07 P.M and closed at 7:07 P.M. with no comment received.
Consent Agenda: Thelen asked to move board report #2-Heritage Festival and Correspondence #1-letter from Sheriff Kangas to the agenda as items18 and 19. Husby announced that the date for the Clinton County Road Commission meeting has been confirmed for March 22nd from 1:30 P.M. to 2:30 P.M. at the Clinton County Road Commission. She also reported that the director of the DeWitt Public Library has provided an announcement for a public forum concerning a new library on February 28th at 7:00 P.M. at the DeWitt Township Hall.
Motion by Skerritt and seconded by Thelen to approve the Consent Agenda as amended. Motion carried
Agenda Approval: Thelen asked to add two resignations to new business item 1. Husby noted the additional bill list. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried
Approval of Minutes:
Regular meeting, December 18, 2006: Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Skerritt that the regular meeting minutes of December 18, 2006 be approved as corrected. Motion carried
Regular meeting, January 15, 2007: Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell that the regular meeting minutes from January 15, 2007 be approved as presented. Motion carried
Approval of bills: Weitzel asked about the bill concerning 15899 Watertown Parkway. Skerritt asked about the request for workshop submitted by the treasurer. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to approve the bills as presented for February 20, 2007. Motion carried
Pending Business:
1. Update on Ordinance Codification. Husby reported on the responses received to date and asked the Ordinance Review Committee to schedule a meeting to review the final draft as amended. Adams would like authorization for the Ordinance Review Committee to decide Questions 1-7 and to approve the final copy for submission. The Board will return to this item later.
2. Filling of trustee vacancy. Tubbs submitted the opinion of the attorney. A memo from Husby suggested advertising for applicants, in “News Briefs.” The Board will return to this item later.
New Business:
1. Appointments: Boards & Committees.
a. Parks & Recreation Committee-resignation of Daniel Zay and appointment of Nancy G. Noyola. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to accept the resignation of Daniel Zay from the Parks and Recreation Committee. Motion carried
Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to accept the resignation of Carrie Frazer from the Parks and Recreation Committee. Motion carried
Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to accept the resignation of John Lanese from the Parks and Recreation Committee. Motion carried
Nancy Noyola was present for appointment to the Parks and Recreation Committee. Motion by Husby and seconded by Skerritt to appoint Nancy Noyola to the Parks and Recreation Committee for a three year term. Motion carried
b. Sewer Board of Appeals appointment to fill vacancy that expires December 31, 2007. The applicant was unable to attend the meeting. It will be placed on the agenda for March.
c. Compensation Commission-Angela Davis to fill vacancy that expires January 1, 2009. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen that Angela Davis be appointed to the Compensation Commission to fill the vacancy that expires January 1, 2009. Motion carried
2. ESRC-First Responder Services. Jim Fyvie from Clinton County 911 was present to address the issue. He gave an overview of the system with calls rated as 1, 2, 3, & 4 with 1 & 2 as emergencies and 3 & 4 as non-emergency in nature. The level of service is determined by each municipality. A series of questions from the dispatcher and the responses are used to determine the level of the call. The system is proven nationally and has been in existence for many years.
Motion by Husby and seconded by Thelen to refer the discussion on emergency services ordinance and emergency call responses to the Public Safety Committee for review and recommendations. Motion carried
3. Road paving petition-filed 1/29/2007-Eaton Hwy. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to refer the request for paving Eaton Hwy from Delta River Drive to Wacousta Road to the township manager to seek adequate information to report back to the Board on the viability of this project and to include a rough estimate of the costs from either the Eaton or Clinton County Road Commission by April’s regular Board meeting. Motion carried
Public comment: Zokvic, 7777 W Eaton Hwy., commented on the traffic on the road and the need for improvement.
John Hanieski addressed Act 51-funding for roads formula, this road does not qualify. This petition is different from those previously filed, it is for the road segment from Delta River to Wacousta Road only. The west end of Eaton Hwy is very sparsely populated and they don’t think that they should have to wait for that area to populate in order to get their road improved
4. Payment in lieu of taxes. Tubbs explained that a Payment in lieu of taxes is not allowed in a Tool and Die Recovery Zone. No action.
5. Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority Agreement. Adams would like input from Board members on the authority agreement by email by March 19th.
6. Award of bid for Stoll Road sewer project. John Dunigan addressed the Board, providing comments on the experience and background of his company.. He had the low bid for the sewer project. Tubbs has recommended a different contractor based passed experience with Dunigan Bros. The project is being paid for by the developers with a timeline to be met. Motion by Skerritt and seconded by Maahs that the Notice of Award for the Stoll Road Sanitary Sewer and Lift Station 405 be sent to E.T. MacKenzie Co. in an amount not to exceed $1,125,840.52 and that the engineers be directed to prepare and execute the Notice of Award. Motion carried
7. Deer Creek Streetlights:
a. Resolution no. 3-Resolution no. 2-202007-1, Confirmation of public hearing on roll for Special Assessment District No. 35 Annual Operation costs for streetlights Deer Creek. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to waive the reading of Resolution no. 3-Resolution no. 2-20-2007-1. Motion carried
Thelen asked that reference to Phase 1 be deleted. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to adopt Resolution No. 20-202007-1, Confirmation of public hearing on roll for Special Assessment District No. 35 Annual Operations for streetlights for Deer Creek.
Yes: Thelen, Mitchell, Weitzel, Husby, Skerritt, Adams, Maahs
No: none
Motion carried and resolution adopted
b. Resolution no. 4-Resolution no. 2-202007-2. Confirmation of Special Assessment Roll No. 35 for Deer Creek Streetlights. Motion by Maahs and seconded by Weitzel to waive the reading of Resolution no. 2-202007-2. Motion carried
Thelen noted the following changes to the resolution: add to item 3 under “Now, Therefore Be It Resolved” ……………….. annually every year thereafter. Said installments of the special assessment roll shall bear interest from and after December 1, 2007, striking "at the rate of eight percent (8%) per annum, said interest to be payable annually on each installment due date.” Also all reference to Phase I will be deleted. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to adopt Resolution 4, -Resolution No. 2-202007-2, Confirmation of special assessment roll for Special Assessment Roll No. 35 for Deer Creek streetlights, as amended.
Yes: Weitzel, Adams, Skerritt, Mitchell, Husby, Thelen, Maahs
No: none
Motion carried and resolution adopted
8. Deer Creek Fire Hydrants:
a. Resolution no. 3-Resolution no. 02-202007-3, Confirmation of public hearing on roll of Special Assessment District No. 83 for annual operation costs for Fire Hydrants Deer Creek. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to waive the reading of Resolution 3-Resolution no. 02-202007-3. Motion carried
Thelen asked to delete all references to Phase 1.
Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to adopt Resolution 3-Resoluiton No. 02-202007-3, Confirmation of public hearing on roll of Special Assessment District No. 83 for annual operation costs for Fire Hydrants in Deer Creek.
Yes: Mitchell, Maahs, Adams, Husby, Thelen, Skerritt, Weitzel
No: none
Motion carried and resolution adopted
b. Resolution no. 4-Resolution no. 02-202007-4, confirmation of special assessment roll for Fire hydrants in Deer Creek. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Husby to waive the reading of resolution 4-Resolution No. 02-202007-4. Motion carried.
Thelen again asked that references to Phase 1 be deleted. She also asked that the reference to annual installments be deleted in paragraph 3.
Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to adopt resolution no. 4-resolution no. 02-202007-4, confirmation of special assessment roll for Fire Hydrants in Deer Creek.
Yes: Thelen, Mitchell, Weitzel, Skerritt, Adams, Maahs, Husby
No: none
Motion carried and resolution adopted
9. Sewer rate increase. Tubbs referred to the resolution provided concerning the sewer rate increase which is based on the engineer’s recommendation to raise the fee to $85.00 per quarter. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to waive the reading of the resolution revising fees for sewer users in accordance with sewer ordinance no. 5.8. Motion carried
Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to adopt Resolution No 2-202007-5 to
Revise fees for sewer users in accordance with Sewer Ordinance 5.8.
Yes: Husby, Weitzel, Thelen, Adams, Maahs, Mitchell, Skerritt
No: none
Motion carried and resolution adopted
10. Residential Equivalent Unit Audit. The annual review was presented. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to waive the reading of the resolution to accept the 2007 Sewer REU Chart in accordance with Sewer Ordinance No. 5.8.
Motion carried
Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to adopt Resolution No. 2-202007-6 to
accept the 2007 Sewer REU Chart in accordance with Sewer Ordinance No. 5.8.
Yes: Adams, Husby, Thelen, Skerritt, Mitchell, Maahs, Weitzel
No: none
Motion carried and resolution adopted
11. Increasing the treasurer’s credit card limit and membership card to Sam’s Club. Thelen explained that with a credit card limit of $200.00, purchasing items for recreation events usually exceeds that amount. Policy 4.11h would need to be amended. Motion by Adams and seconded by Skerritt to refer this to the Policy and Personnel Committee for a recommendation to the Board of Trustees. Motion carried
12. Credit card payments for taxes. Thelen researched this item by surveying treasurer departments in Clinton County, Delhi Township, DeWitt Township, and the city of DeWitt. All four entities use Official Payments Corporation which she has used it in the past. She recommends that the Township enter into a relationship with Official Payments Corporation. Motion by Husby and seconded by Mitchell to table this item for preparation of a financial policy on credit card receipts and for the preparation of a resolution by the treasurer. Motion carried
13. Pedestrian walking path in Heritage Park. Thelen reported that this item was discussed by the Parks and Recreation Committee members and given their full support. Her rough estimate of distance is 1.65 miles. Grants are available, but we missed an opportunity to work with the county this year. She would like to get an estimate of costs. Motion by Skerritt and seconded by Maahs to refer to the Planning and Zoning Department for their assistance in developing information on viability and costs. Motion carried
14. Acceptance of Farmland Development Rights agreements. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Husby to accept and place on file Farmland Development Agreements from the State of Michigan for Harold Lonier, Russell Sibley, and Donald Seyfried with an expiration date of 12/31/2013. Motion carried
15. Additional pay for zoning assistant. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen that
the Planning and Zoning Assistant Amy Wixon be compensated an additional five dollars an hour for the period that the Planning and Zoning Office was without a director. This compensation is not to exceed two thousand dollars and will be taken from the line item 400.702.400 Planning Director’s Salary. Motion carried
16. Budget adjustments. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Skerritt to approve budget adjustments dated 2-20-2007 as presented. Motion carried
17. Heritage Festival. Thelen explained that Heritage Festival Inc had met in September 2006. A plan was made for a Heritage Festival in 2007. They had ideas on food, activities, etc, but they wanted to know if there would be support from Watertown Charter Township with funds, the use of township property at no cost, and piggybacking of insurance coverage. Thelen explained that the profits would come back to the township. Maahs would like more details on the organization and how they would spend monies. Adams remarked that when she came on the Board that the Heritage Festival was a line item on the budget and there was a significant cost to the township. It was eliminated to decrease expenses. Husby explained that Heritage Festival Inc was created in order to get a gaming license and a liquor license. It was specified that any profits would be returned to the township. Thelen also pointed out that a commitment would allow them to seek corporate donations. Their plans are on hold until Heritage Festival Inc. knows how much support they will receive from the township. There has been no budget developed. Husby volunteered to work with the treasurer to determine approximate costs. The township board needs specifics. Thelen will take it back to the group that the Board is receptive to further discussion.
18. Correspondence #1-letter from Sheriff Kangas. Thelen just wants a response sent from the Board as a courtesy. No action was taken.
Return to Pending Business:
1 Update on Ordinance Codification. The administrative questions were addressed.
A meeting date will be scheduled through emails on Wednesday.
2. Filling of trustee vacancy. Thelen suggested that “News In Brief” should be used.. They will request a “letter of interest” be sent to the clerk's office by March 13th at 5:00 P.M.
Discussion and Public Comment: None
Closed session. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to go into closed session for the
purpose of discussing the union negotiations and to include the township manager. Motion
carried
9:55 p.m. Closed Session
10:10 p.m. Returned to Regular Session
New Business CON'T:
19. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to adopt the agreement between Watertown Charter Township and Teamsters State, County, and Municipal Workers Local 214 effective January 1, 2007 through December 31, 2009.
Motion carried
20. Motion by Adams and seconded by Thelen to provide medical reimbursement to Sarah Davidson consistent with Township Board policy in the amount of $2000.00 annually for so long as she remains a part time employee of the Township.
Motion carried
Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 10:18 P.M.
Date approved: ________________ _____________________________
Deb Adams, Supervisor
______________________________
Jean Husby, Clerk