Watertown Charter Township

Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

March 19, 2007

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.    Staff present:  Tubbs, Polverento

Public Comment: 

• Sgt. Knight reported on breaking and entering, the drunken driving campaign grant through which they have purchased breathalyzers, etc,  child safety seat program.  
• Jack Enderle, county commissioner, reported on the Mid-Michigan Health open house on April 18 from 4-6:00 P.M.  The bids for the swine barns at the fairgrounds are going out.   The county re-monumentation program which has been ongoing for five years, is approximately half done.
• Steve Fabiano, LGRFA chief, reported 57 calls in February with 28 in Watertown.  Forty-six of the calls were for emergency medical services and 13 vehicle accidents. 

A Resolution Commending Alan Skerritt was read by Adams 

Charter Township of Watertown

County of Clinton, State of Michigan

RESOLUTION COMMENDING ALAN SKERRITT

At a regular meeting of the Watertown Charter Township Board of Trustees held on March 19, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. there were:

PRESENT:  Supervisor Deborah Adams, Clerk Jean Husby, Treasurer Janice Thelen, Trustees: John Maahs, Ken Mitchell, Al Skerritt, George Weitzel

The following Resolution was offered by Adams and supported by Weitzel.

WHEREAS, The Board of Trustees of Watertown Charter Township wishes to commend Alan Skerritt for his many years of service and dedication to the residents of the Township.

WHEREAS, Mr. Skerritt has served the Watertown Charter Township community for over 17 years in various capacities, including but not limited to:  Board of Review, Planning Commission, Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority, Parks and Recreation Committee, and as a Township Trustee working tirelessly to better the quality of life for all township residents.

WHEREAS, Mr. Skerritt has shown concern and promoted a positive office environment with his kind words and suggestions during his frequent visits with the office staff.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Watertown Charter Township wishes to honor Mr. Skerritt for his dedication and years of service that he has devoted to the Watertown Charter Township community.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Trustees of Watertown Charter Township

wishes Mr. Skerritt the very best in his future endeavors and a very happy retirement filled with many rounds of par golf.  He will be truly missed.

A vote on the foregoing resolution was taken and was as follows:

YES:        Adams, Maahs, Weitzel, Mitchell, Thelen, Husby

CERTIFICATION

I, the undersigned, duly qualified Clerk of Watertown Charter Township, Clinton County, Michigan, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of a Resolution adopted by the Township Board of Trustees at a Regular Meeting held on March 19, 2007.

                                                                                                                                Jean Husby, Clerk             

Skerritt received gifts and cards. 

Consent Agenda:  Husby noted the addition of the Public Safety Committee minutes from 3/14/07 to Board Reports, MTA Legislative report to correspondence, updated bill list, and the Foster, Swift, Collins newsletter with information on the new cable law.  Adams added a letter from Westport Development LLC concerning the water bond to the agenda for discussion.   Mitchell asked that the Public Safety Committee minutes be added to the agenda instead of reports. Water supplemental agreement no. 31 was also added to the agenda.   Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the consent agenda as amended.  Motion carried

Agenda Approval:  Adams announced the additions to the agenda:  item #6 will be the Water service agreement no. 31; item #7 will be the Public Safety Committee report.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Weitzel to approve the agenda as amended.  Motion carried

Approval of Minutes:  Regular meeting, February 20, 2007-motion by Thelen and seconded by Skerritt to approve the February 20, 2007 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented.  Motion carried

Closed meeting minutes of February 20, 2007-Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to approve the minutes of the Board of Trustees closed meeting on February 20, 2007.  Motion carried

Special meeting, February 14, 2007-Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to approve the minutes of the Board of Trustees special meeting on February 14, 2007.  Motion carried

Approval of bills:   Bills total $795,279.52.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Skerritt to approve the bills as presented for March 19, 2007.  Motion carried

Pending Business: 

1.         Case #06-10 TXT-amendment to Section 3.22 Water and Sanitary Sewer Service. 

Polverento summarized the issue.  Robert Erskine, 15040 Airport Road, is concerned that the change would require homeowners in the area to connect to sewer.  Richard Turcotte, 6980 Eaton Hwy, explained that as a member of the Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals, he voted against the amendment.  He would like open examination and communication.  Robert Erskine feels that the change was not noticed properly.  Husby feels that the residential homeowners and small business operators   would be subject to encumbrances that would be detrimental to them.  She also researched the neighboring municipalities and suggested that a public hearing be held with the public notices sent to all affected.  Maahs said that the Planning Commission conducted the public hearing back in November and it was properly noticed.  Adams explained the prior zoning ordinance required the public water and sewer for the industrial district but not business 1 and 2 districts.  When the zoning ordinance was amended, it was somehow lost and omitted inadvertently.  This amendment refers to new development only.  This would promote the usage of the sewer and allow for good planned development.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the Board of Trustees concurs with the Planning Commission and approves the zoning amendments to Section 3.22 to add the sentence to paragraph B (all development proposed in either the B-1, B-2, or LI zoning district shall be required to be serviced by a public water supply and sanitary sewer system) of the Watertown Charter Township Zoning Ordinance as amended and described in Case #06-10 TXT for the following reasons and findings of fact:

1)  The zoning amendments are necessary to provide clarification and improvement to the  

      existing Watertown Charter Township Zoning Ordinance.

2)  The zoning amendments address areas of the Zoning Ordinance where existing  

      language does not adequately cover current zoning issues.

Yes:     Adams, Skerritt, Maahs, Weitzel

No:       Husby, Thelen, Mitchell

Motion carried

Thelen would like to see something that grandfathers in the residential users. 

Husby doesn’t have a problem with the LI district, but she does have problems with B-1 and B-2.  This could hurt small business development.  Maahs suggested that there could be further amendments to this in the future.  Weitzel feels that the Zoning Board of Appeals can take care of problems and the Planning Commission can take note of the problems expressed for the B-1 and B-2 districts. 

2.         Granger Recycling Contract.  Tubbs presented the new contract that has addressed all the boards' concerns.  Skerritt feels that the township should have some idea of how long this will be at the township hall.  Husby is also concerned about the open end time period and the existing facilities.  Maahs feels that it is a reasonable agreement that allows for mutual cooperation on sites, etc.  He does appreciate the 24/7 availability.  The report indicates that the contamination rate is low and the volume is greater than with curbside.  Motion by Skerritt and seconded by Maahs to table Granger Recycling Contract until the regular April Board of Trustees meeting. Motion carried

3.         Discussion on letters of interest for the trustee position.   Husby reported that she             received seven letters of interest in the trustee position.  A withdrawal note was received             this evening.  All candidates were asked to introduce themselves.

• Edward Liebler with comments pertinent to the position.
• Christopher Pratt with comments concerning his interests and qualifications.
• Bruce Baker voiced his interest in the trustee position.
• Brian Mishler outlined his history of service to the community.
• Ron Overton was not in attendance.
• Daniel Zay was not in attendance.
• Billy Crego submitted a letter of withdrawal of his letter of interest.

            Husby suggested that there be a special meeting to interview the candidates.  Weitzel     agreed. The board scheduled a special meeting for Tuesday, April 10, 2007 at 6:00 P.M.           to interview the candidates for the trustee position.  The clerk will notify all the            candidates of the date.

4.         Update on ordinance codification.  Husby asked again for a committee meeting to       review the final draft.  Husby will email tomorrow to try to set up a meeting.

New Business:

1.         Appointments:  Boards & Committees.

a.  Re-appointments for Planning Commission: Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to re-appoint Richard Turcotte to the Planning Commission for a three year term expiring March 31, 2010.  Motion carried

     Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to re-appoint Ulrika Zay to the Planning Commission for a three year term expiring March 31, 2010.  Motion carried

     Motion by Maahs and seconded by Skerritt to re-appoint Donald Hartwick to the Planning Commission for a three year term expiring on March 31, 2010.  Motion carried

b.  Sewer Board of Appeals: Betsy Freund was in attendance for the appointment.  Motion by Maahs and seconded by Mitchell to appoint Betsy Freund to the Sewer Board of Appeals for a three year term expiring December 31, 2010. Motion carried

c.  Non-motorized Pedestrian Circulation Plan Committee.  Husby explained that the committee was originally set up for one year and has expired, but the work is not complete..  There were two members of the Planning Commission, two members from the township board, one member from the Parks and Recreation Committee, and four citizen-at-large members.  Polverento to provide a memo for the next regular Board meeting in April to recommend appointments.

2.         Case #06-12 SLU, SPR-Todd Hufnagel, Hufnagel Auto Repair.  Polverento          explained that the Board of Trustees has already approved the special land use with conditions.  The approval was contingent on site plan review approval.  The Planning     Commission has approved the site plan review and the conditions have been met.  Motion             by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the Board of Trustees concurs with the       recommendation of the Planning Commission and approves Case #06-13 SPR for Hufnagel Vehicle Repair at 7293 Grand River Avenue, provided that conformance to the             conditions 1 through 12, as noted below, is achieved to the satisfaction of the Township’s zoning administrator as being in accordance with the requirements of the Watertown    Charter Township Zoning Ordinance. 

            Yes:     Thelen, Mitchell, Weitzel, Husby, Adams, Skerritt, Maahs

            No:       none

            Motion Carried

3.         Refund of penalties for Enprotech Mechanical Services, Inc.  The treasurer does not           recommend the refund of late payment fees.  Enprotech Mechanical Services, Inc. has     requested refund of the fees imposed on taxes received by the treasurer after the deadline.

            They thought the postmark was accepted as on time for tax payments.  Thelen offered    that it would be difficult to do this for one and not do it for another.  Motion by Weitzel            and seconded by Thelen that the Township Board denies waiving the property tax             penalty for Enprotech Mechanical Services, Inc. as it does not conform to the township             policy regarding payment due date.  Motion carried

4.         Amendment to Policy 4.6 (c).   Motion by Thelen and seconded by Adams to             recommend the following amendment to Policy 4.6 (c): that in absence of the         bookkeeper, bank statements may be opened by staff within the supervisor’s department             or the supervisor’s designee.  Motion carried

5.         Handicap accessible entrances to the Township Hall.  Thelen explained that many residents find it difficult to maneuver through the doors and they need an easier way to        enter the building.  Motion by Adams and seconded by Thelen that the requirements be            referred to the township manager to have her obtain information and cost             information to make the township hall and the township gym handicap accessible.             Motion carried

6.         Supplemental water agreement no. 31.  Tubbs explained that the amount owed to the             Board of Water and Light is $415,700.00.  The bond was for $395,000.00 for the project.         Westport Development LLC has stated in a letter that they will pay the shortfall of       $20,700.00.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to approve supplemental water             agreement no. 31.  Motion carried

7.         Public Safety Committee report.  Mitchell reported on their discussion concerning the             levels of emergency calls with the committee suggesting that they continue to respond to         all four levels.  They also discussed ambulance service and the committee recommends that the Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority be able to provide transport services.  The      committee also recommends that LGRFA Chief Fabiano be included in all            correspondence to and from the Metro Fire Regionalization group and to attend meetings of said group.  Adams explained that the study is being funded by MSU and interested       communities contributed $500.00. 

Discussion and Public Comment: 

• Paul Opsommer, State Rep. 93^rd District, addressed the Board.  He sits on the education committee, local government committee, and the energy technology committee.  He has the same phone numbers as Scott Hummel had.  Weitzel asked about legislation concerning landfill fees and local recycling projects.  Thelen commented on the bills concerning property taxes and asked that he contact local officials on this subject. 
• Husby asked about the Phase II Storm Water Program.  Tubbs explained that she has submitted the necessary papers to withdraw from the program voluntarily.  The Board can choose to remain in the program if they want to, but she needed to meet a deadline.
• Husby asked about the IFT’s on the empty business buildings.  Thelen explained that a resolution needs to be created by the supervisor’s department and brought to the Board of Trustees to withdraw the IFT. 
• Husby needs to call an Election Committee meeting sometime between 3/29 and 4/17.
• Thelen explained that she will amend the Schedule of Investments and provide it at the next regular Board meeting.  She also announced the Easter Egg Hunt on March 31 at 9:00 A.M. could use volunteers.
• Trustee Skerritt thanked everyone for his gifts and kind comments.  It has been a pleasure to serve the community.  He feels that the township needs to involve the entire community concerning the fire department and ambulance service and it should be done before any action is taken on the issue.
• Weitzel spoke about the surrounding communities losing managers.
• Robert Erskine asked about the process to get a road paved. 

Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 9:47 P.M.

Date approved: ________________                             _____________________________

                                                                                    Deb Adams, Supervisor

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Jean Husby, Clerk