Watertown Charter Township

Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

April 16, 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 Mitchell, Maahs, Weitzel, and Zay.   Staff present: Tubbs, Polverento

Public Comment: 

• Harriet Smith announced that the DeWitt Public Library's next meeting to discuss the new library will be Wednesday, April 18 at 7:00 P.M. at the DeWitt Township hall.
• Jack Enderle reported the open house for the Mid-Michigan District Health Department also on Wednesday, April 18 from 4:00-6:00 P.M.  He is interested in the Non-motorized Pedestrian Circulation Plan Committee since the county is also looking at that subject.
• Sgt. Kyle Knight reported that things have been quiet.  The Safe Prom Initiative is in progress. 
• Robert Erskine, 15040 Airport Road, spoke on the zoning ordinance amendment 3.22. 

He spoke about the inconsistencies between the by-laws and the State law.  He turned in a petition from citizens on Stoll Road concerning the public improvements on that road.

• Carol Berryhill, 4777 W Stoll Road, spoke about the grading of the road and spot grading.  She would like the township to publish minutes in the Delta-Waverly paper. 

Consent Agenda:  Weitzel asked to place the township manager’s report #7 and the DEQ letter-correspondence #4 on the agenda.  Husby added Gloria Miller's reports from the Groundwater Tech & Management Boards to Board Reports and the SCCMUA agenda to Other Reports.  Mitchell requested correspondence #8-Fire Study Group be placed on the agenda.

Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.  Motion carried

Agenda Approval:  Adams listed additions: item #11 will be the Township Manager’s report, item #12 will be the DEQ item-Correspondence #4, Fire study memo from Eric Scorsone will be #13, a memo from the Treasurer item #14,  chloride contracts item #15, and Policy & Personnel Committee item #16.  Adams added that a chair pro tempore needs to be elected and will be item #17.  Husby noted the updated bill list.

Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the April 16, 2007 agenda as amended.  Motion carried

Approval of Minutes: 

• Regular meeting, March 19, 2007.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the March 19, 2007 minutes of the Board of Trustees regular meeting as presented.  Motion carried
• Special meeting, April 10, 2007.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to approve the minutes of April 10, 2007 as presented.  Motion carried

Approval of bills:  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the bills as amended.  Motion carried

Pending Business: 

1.         Granger Recycling Contract-Tonia Olsen.  Olsen reported that the volume is stable and flat so they don't expect any new construction until 2009.  Also, there is a great deal of legislation pending concerning recycling.  The recycling volume from the township's site is good and clean.  The newspaper bin is also labeled for magazines and office paper.  So far this year 53,160 lbs. of recycling have been deposited.  It is about 68% of what was collected curbside. In the contract there is no specific time frame for the recycling to be sited at the township hall.  The contract is for five years.  Weitzel spoke about the memorandum of understanding that goes back to 1992 and various existing problems.  Olsen will address the various questions after researching them.

Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to approve the recycling contract with Granger Container Service, Inc. dated March 19, 2007.  Motion by Adams and seconded by Maahs to amend the above motion to add “subject to the review and approval of the township attorney.” Motion carried

Vote on the main motion.  Motion carried

2.          Capital Regional Airport Authority.  Dan Otto, director of planning and development,         

provided a packet of materials outlining airport plans and developments.  The master plan update was submitted to State and Federal authorities. He summarized changes: a new terminal building that will be more efficient, new main entrance form the east, new runways are proposed and noise contours may change that may affect the new developments.  He spoke about wetlands mitigation and various plans.  Once the master plan is approved by the State and Federal authorities, they will provide a copy to the Township.  More information is available on their website.

3.         Zoning Ordinance text amendment-2^nd reading, adoption, and effective date.

Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to adopt text amendment Section 3.22 Water and Sanitary Sewer Service.

Yes:     Adams, Mitchell, Maahs, Thelen, Weitzel, Zay

No:       Husby

Motion carried and amendment adopted

4.         Appointments:

a.     Re-appointments-Public Safety Committee  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to re-appoint Billy Crego to a three-year term on the Public Safety Committee expiring March 31, 2010.  Motion carried

b.     Construction Board of Appeals- Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to re-appoint Michael Leyrer, George Walter, and Gregory Minshall for two year terms from May 1, 2007 to April 30, 2009.  Motion carried

c.     Zoning Board of Appeals- Motion by Maahs and seconded by Husby to re-appoint Richard Turcotte to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a one-year term that expires March 31, 2008.  Motion carried

d.     Appointments - Non-motorized Pedestrian Circulation Plan Committee  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell that Trustee John Maahs and Clerk Jean Husby be appointed to the NMPCPC.  Motion carried

        Motion by Husby and seconded by Thelen to appoint Ulrika Zay and Ron Overton to the NMPCPC as approved by the Planning Commission.  Motion carried

        Motion by Adams and seconded by Thelen to appoint Harriet Smith as a citizen-at-large member to the NMPCPC.  Motion carried

        Motion by Maahs and seconded by Adams to appoint Holly Madill as a citizen-at-large member to the NMPCPC.  Motion carried

5.         Case #06-10 TXT, Zoning amendments. 

            a.     District Regulations, Section 13.4.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs

to approve the zoning amendments to Sections 13.4 (c), 14.4(c), and 15.4(d) 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.

3.)          The new zoning amendments clarify Section 3.22 and make it easier for           developers, residents, and staff to understand all requirements in each zoning   district.

Motion carried

b.  Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses, Section 3.10.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to approve that the township board concurs with the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the zoning amendment to Section 3.10 Accessory Buildings, Structures, and Uses 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.

Motion carried

6.         Comcast-Cable Franchises.  Weitzel discussed that changes in the law leaves the township without any part in it.  Changes in the current contract and the contract presented were reviewed. Motion by Husby and seconded by Maahs to accept the Uniform Video Services Local Franchise Agreement presented by Comcast with the effective date on receipt of April 9, 2007.

            Yes: Thelen, Husby, Adams, Mitchell

            No:  Maahs, Weitzel, Zay

            Motion carried

7.         Special Assessment District Request & Bond Funding for State Road Paving.  Richard Cooley addressed the Board and explained that the project for "the Links" is underway.  They request the Board to initiative a special assessment district and to bond for the paving of the road.  This would be the most cost effective way to do the improvements.  He asked that a steering committee be formed that includes the township supervisor, township manager, township clerk or treasurer, and a township trustee. 

Tubbs would like the bonding attorney and financial advisor to be present at the steering committee meetings pointing out that there is a risk to the Township.  Thelen explained that there will be a lien on the property.            Discussion continued on paving of State Road and the impact on the residents.

·         Robert Honeywell, 4275 State Road, commented that he doesn’t want the road to be paved. 

·         Dewey Berryhill, 4777 Stoll Road, commented on the increase in traffic.

·         John Bonfiglio, Gravity Works, commented on paving vs. gravel that is maintained regularly.

·         Robert Erskine, 15040 Airport Road, asked about a traffic study.

It was pointed out that the Road Commission removed that requirement.

·         Dick Cooley noted the public hearing that the Road Commission will conduct. 

·         Robert Erskine asked about a public hearing before the special assessment.

Motion by Adams and seconded by Maahs to refer the project to the township manager’s office to schedule a meeting with the developer to include our bond council and financial advisor to discuss the issue.  Motion carried

Board members will be notified of the meeting. 

8.         Resolution no. 4-162007-01.  Resolution for a partial termination of a Farmland Development Rights Agreement.  Motion by Husby and seconded by Adams to waive the reading of the resolution.  Motion carried

            Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to adopt Resolution no. 4-162007-01 as completed for termination of the land described.

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

            No:  none

            Motion carried and resolution adopted

9.         Contract for assessing services.  Doug MacKenzie presented a two-year contract for assessing services May 1, 2007 thru April 30, 2009. Motion by Husby and seconded by Thelen to approve the contract for assessing services with Doug MacKenzie as presented.  Motion carried

10.       Assessor’s report on IFTE revocations.  Motion by Husby and seconded by Thelen that we prepare and consider for adoption, a Resolution to request revocation of the Industrial Facilities Exemption for Tec-Mar and the same for American Sunroof Corporation as recommended by the Township Assessor for the May meeting of the Board of Trustees.  Motion carried

            Thelen will calculate the taxes; Husby will prepare the resolutions; and Tubbs review

            the agreements to see what the Township can recoup.

11.       Township survey.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the Township Manager solicit requests for proposals for a township telephone and mailed survey.  Motion carried

12.       Budget amendments.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to adopt the budget amendments as presented dated 4/16/2007.  Motion carried

13.       Township manager report.  Weitzel asked for an explanation of the Metro Fire Group Study.  Tubbs explained that it is the managers that are doing the study and they are using the fire chiefs’ study.  Mitchell feels that it is the Fire Authority should be doing this.

14.       DEQ Permit – Davis Property   Weitzel just wants the Board to be aware of this permit. Polverento explained they want to place fill in a wetland.  She is in contact with other entities.

15.       Treasurer Thelen explained that the final payment for the G.O. Debt is due and the anticipated shortage is $1,544.94.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen that the Sewer Receiving Fund cover any financial shortages for the Sewer G.O. Debt and that any future collection of Sewer G. O. Debt funds be distributed directly to the Sewer Receiving Fund.  Motion carried

16.       Chloride contract.  Tubbs explained that the first contract is the usual contract and the  second contract is for one application on Cutler Road.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to approve project no. 497.015.157701 in the amount of $92,440.00 and project no. 407.013.137708 in the amount of $1,460.00 with the Clinton County Road Commission for chloriding the gravel roads.  Motion carried

17.       Policy & Personnel Committee.  Husby would like to have Policy 4.8b, Capitalization,  amended.  Motion by Husby and seconded by Adams to submit an amendment to Policy 4.8b to the Policy and Personnel Committee.  Motion carried

18.       Chair Pro tempore.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to elect Trustee John Maahs to serve as chair pro tempore through calendar year 2007.  Motion carried

Discussion and Public Comment: 

·         Janice Thelen received a letter from MTA about how the State government would like to abolish townships. 

·         George Weitzel commented that there are two library districts in the township-Grand Ledge and DeWitt.  Husby added that there is also Delta Waverly

·         John Maahs announced that Saturday, April 21^st will be the adopt-a-highway clean-up. 

Adjournment - The meeting was adjourned at 10:26 P.M.

Date approved: ________________                             _____________________________

                                                                                    Deb Adams, Supervisor

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Jean Husby, Clerk