Watertown Charter Township
Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
June 18, 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, Weitzel, and Zay. Staff present: Tubbs, Polverento
Public Comment:
· Jack Enderle addressed the Board on the subject of “green government” and taking an initiative to conserve energy. The Clinton County Economic Alliance is moving along with licensing and a website. The sheriff’s office is conducting a dog census.
· Steve Fabiano, Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority chief, reported fifty-two calls for the month of May: thirty nine of the calls were EMS, 5 MVA, 13 fire calls, 4 structure fires, and 2 vehicle calls. Watertown Charter Township had 66% of the calls and Eagle Township had 34% of the calls.
· Sgt. Knight reported that there is a program aimed at the youth alcohol problem. He reported on the Eavey nuisance calls concerning barking dogs. Enforcement of the township ordinances by the county sheriff’s department is possible on a contractual basis. Maahs commented that township residents should expect to enjoy their property and there needs to be a resolution to the problem. Weitzel suggested that the noise ordinance be reviewed. Adams responded that she is following the ordinance procedure and will be contacting the township attorney.
Consent Agenda: Weitzel asked to pull the Planning Commission annual report from Board Reports #3 and place it on the agenda as item #14. A memo from the township attorney re: the noise violation enforcement was added to Correspondence. Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to approve the consent agenda as amended. Motion carried
Agenda Approval: Husby presented an amended bill list, an application for Parks and Recreation Committee to add to appointments. Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to approve the agenda as amended. Motion carried
Approval of Minutes:
Approval of bills: Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the non-routine bills as presented. Motion carried
Pending Business:
1. Road project requests. Tubbs reported that a meeting has been scheduled concerning the paving of Eaton Hwy on July 19, 2007 at the Delta Township Board room at 5:30 p.m. She also reported that the State Road paving is not ready for this year. Husby commented that something needs to be done presently to improve the condition of the road. Tubbs explained the problem with the raised manholes and that the situation is being studied.
2. Assessor’s report on IFTE revocations. Thelen explained that ASC has filed for bankruptcy and the attorney has suggested that the township not proceed at this point.
Tec Mar is different and Thelen suggested that the township manager, clerk, treasurer, and assessor meet to discuss this business.
New Business:
1. Appointments:
a. Construction Board of Appeals Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to appoint Dick Turcotte to the Construction Board of Appeals for a term toexpire April 30, 2009. Motion carried
b. Parks & Recreation Committee Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to waive the By-law requiring attendance at the meeting where the appointment is made. Motion carried
Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to appoint Dale Westrick to the Parks
and Recreation Committee to fill a term that expires on December 31, 2008. Motion carried
2. Liquor License-Mr. K Enterprises, Inc.-Paul Kwiecien. Mr. Kwiecien explained that it was for an entertainment permit and they need such a permit to run things like a millionaire party or Texan Hold-em parties for charity. Motion by Maahs and seconded by Husby to waive the reading of the resolution. Motion carried
Motion by Maahs and seconded by Husby to adopt the resolution for Permit #418321 for Mr. K Enterprises, Inc. –withdrawn.
Motion by Maahs and seconded by Husby to adopt the resolution for Permit #418321 in order that the request from Mr. K Enterprises, Inc. for a new Entertainment Permit to be held in conjunction with 2007 Class C licensed business with dance permit located at 4710-4722 W. Grand River, MI 48906, Watertown Township, Clinton County be considered for approval.
Yes: Maahs, Zay, Husby, Mitchell, Weitzel, Adams, Thelen
No: none
Motion carried and resolution adopted
3. Sewer Master Plan Update. Scott DeVries, the township engineer, provided a hand out
summarizing the update of the Sewer Master Plan. They used the population report of 2002 as a basis for the report. They plan forward for the next twenty years. The age of the system is relatively low. They try to plan for future capacity needs by over sizing. A growth of approximately 10% is expected, with higher rates in certain areas. The township is operating at 20% of capacity currently. DeVries reviewed the service areas in the plan and the conditions of and proposals for improvements to the 5 pump stations. Husby asked about alternative systems for the Wacousta area and those subdivisions. DeVries responded that they have given us the costs for a gravity system. Weitzel asked who paid for the study and who participated in the study. DeVries replied that it was the township manager, his firm, and SCCMUA representatives. Husby asked about the sewer service to the industrial zone and where additional connections could be made. DeVries responded that properties in the area of gravity sewer lines could be connected. Where there is force main, connection can be made through the lift stations. Board members were invited to address any questions or concerns to the township manager. They expect the final report in approximately two weeks.
4. Case #07-03, Wenco LLC. –Rezoning from Industrial to B-2 Commercial. Polverento explained the request for rezoning. The Planning Commission felt that this was generally in compliance with the Comprehensive Development Plan. Traffic was a concern with curb cuts, etc. If it is rezoned, Industrial Parkway would be the access rather than Grand River Avenue. The agencies generally don’t have any opposition to the rezoning. Motion by Maahs and seconded by Mitchell that the Watertown Charter Township Board of Trustees agrees with the Planning Commission to approve the request to rezone the property described in Case #07-03 REZ from LI, Light Industrial, to B-2, Commercial Business, for the following reasons and findings of fact:
(1) The proposed rezoning is consistent with the Future Land Use Map recommendations of the Watertown Charter Township Comprehensive Development Plan.
(2) The proposed rezoning is consistent with the stated goals and objectives in the Comprehensive Development Plan.
Motion carried
5. Hotel/motel establishments-permitted vs. special land use in B-2.
Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the Watertown Charter Township Board of Trustees agrees with the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approves the zoning amendment to Section 14.2 (i) 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. Planning Commission Annual Report for 2006. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen that the Board of Trustees receives and places on file the 2006 Annual Report of the Planning Commission. Motion carried
7. Herbison Road house. Husby asked if the township would be willing to sell it to Clinton County Habitat for Humanity to build a new house. Tubbs stated that she would put together the costs that the township has connected with the property to come up with a selling price if the Board wants to sell the property. Thelen would like to keep it for a green space for the Township. Motion by Mitchell and seconded by Husby to have the township manager research the costs associated with the house to determine a sale price and research the requirements and costs to have the fire department burn down the house.
Yes: Husby, Maahs, Weitzel, Adams, Zay, Mitchell
No: Thelen
Motion carried
8. Rental property on Watertown Parkway. Thelen suggested that the property at Watertown Parkway could be made into a park for the residents and the house could be renovated for rentals for various types of gatherings. Weitzel feels that the Watertown Parkway property is valuable to the township for various uses, such as the site for a future township hall. Board members would like a tour of the property. They will discuss the rental of the property at the July Board meeting and tour the property prior to that meeting.
9. BS & A Cash receipting program. Thelen presented information for the cash receipting program. She would like to meet with BS & A to discuss equipment needs,etc. Board members were concerned about the costs. Thelen thinks that it would be a timesaver. It was felt that she needs to get more facts for the Board.
10. Custodial Risk of Investment & Daily Custodial Funds. Thelen explained she was directed to get comparisons from neighboring communities. Delhi Township was the only one that responded. The question was if the policy in place is sufficient. Thelen said that there are GASB requirements that she needs to work into the township policy. She will prepare suggestions.
11. Purchase of 19-150-185-000-030-00, tax foreclosed property. Thelen explained that Outlot A is just a small strip at the north end of National Parkway. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to authorize Watertown Charter Township Supervisor’s Department to purchase parcel no. 19-150-000-030-00, OutLot A of the Greater Lansing Industrial Park, section 35, T5N R3W with a minimum bid price of $317.00. Motion carried
12. Policy & Personnel Committee-set meeting date. Weitzel explained that there are a number of items to go over. The meeting date was set for July 9th at 6:00 P.M.
13. Township Survey. Tubbs sent RFP’s out to five different firms with only two firms responding. . She suggested a telephone survey would receive better response recommending MRC at $16,500.00. Weitzel looked at credentials and found Epic-MRA had the experience. Thelen found the Epic-MRA proposal offered more.
Husby felt that a mailed survey would receive a better response than a phone survey considering the time involved in the phone survey. Mitchell thought the options offered to follow up with phone calls to reach the results and the name recognition of Epic-MRA would get a better response. Adams also felt that the mailed survey would get a better response considering the time factor for the telephone survey. Tubbs plans to work with the survey firm in order to bring the information back to the regular Board meeting in July.
Discussion continued on the contents of the survey to be sure we get all the topics covered, the number of surveys by mail or phone or both, and to request a result level versus limiting the number of surveys issued. A special meeting may need to be scheduled to discuss the survey contents.
Motion by Maahs and seconded by Mitchell that the Board authorizes the Township Manager to contract with Epic · MRA to develop a survey to mail and to augment with telephone surveys for a cost not to exceed $19,000.00. Motion carried
Discussion and Public Comment: none
Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 10:30 P.M.
Date approved: ________________ _____________________________
Deb Adams, Supervisor
______________________________
Jean Husby, Clerk