Watertown Charter Township

Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

November 17, 2008

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, Treasurer Thelen, and Trustees Mitchell, Weitzel, Zay, and Maahs.  Absent:  Clerk Husby     Staff present:  Tubbs, Polverento, and Brown

Public Comment:

• Patti Schafer, Eagle Township treasurer and supervisor elect, confirmed that the Eagle Township Board agrees to meet with the Watertown Charter Township Board of Trustees at the LGRFA on November 25 at 6:00 P.M.
• James Smith, 432 Kimberly, Dimondale, addressed the Board concerning the township property at 8949 Herbison Road.  He expressed interest in the property if the Habitat for Humanity doesn’t exercise its option. 
• Jack Enderle, County commissioner, spoke about the raffle for Friends for Life; the airport and incineration; and a grant that Clinton County has received to combat and prevent childhood obesity.

Consent Agenda:   Weitzel asked to place the township manager’s report to the Consent Agenda.  Polverento reminded the Board that the Planning Commission will have a special meeting on Wednesday, November 19 to discuss the draft of goals and objectives for the township. She provided Board members with copies of the report.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Zay to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.  Motion carried 

Agenda Approval:    Weitzel asked to place the township manager’s report as item #12.   Polverento explained that her items, no. 3 & 4, needed to be addressed in December after the proper notice and wouldn’t be addressed at this meeting.  Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to approve the regular meeting agenda as amended.  Motion carried

Approval of Minutes:   

·         Regular meeting, October 20, 2008:  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Zay to approve the minutes of the October 20, 2008 Board of Trustees regular meeting as presented.  Motion carried

·         Special budget meeting, October 22, 2008:  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to approve the minutes of the October 22, 2008 special budget meeting as presented.  Motion carried

·         Special meeting, October 30, 2008:  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to approve the minutes of the October 30, 2008 special meeting as presented.  Motion carried

Approval of bills:  Motion by Maahs and seconded by Zay to approve the bill lists as presented.   Motion carried

PENDING BUSINESS:  none

New Business:

1.     appointments:

a.              Appointments to Committees:  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell that the Township Board has no objection to outgoing clerk, Jean Husby, continuing to be a member of the Non-motorized Circulation Plan Ad Hoc Committee and the Greenspace Ad hoc Committee until the committees are phased out on December 31, 2008.  Motion carried

                 -The Parks and Recreation Committee appointment will be addressed at the December 15, 2008 regular meeting.

2.     Swearing in of Township Board officers.  Adams thanked Trustee Zay and Clerk Husby for their service to the township as a member of the Board of Trustees.  Adams welcomed Dale Westrick and Melissa Freeman as new Board members.  Adams asked deputy clerk Brown to give the oath of office to those who have not been sworn in.  Polverento took a picture of the Board members to take office on November 20, 2008 at noon.  Deputy clerk Brown gave the oath of office to the trustees and the clerk. 

5.     Request for extension of Lakeside PPLT.  Polverento presented the request for two years of the preliminary plat.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the Watertown Charter Township Board of Trustees concurs with the Planning Commission to approve granting a two year extension to the Preliminary Plat approval, Case #06-0108 PPLT for Lakeside Preserve, LLC to expire December 1, 2010.  Motion carried

6.     Health Insurance Language Clarification.  Tubbs explained that the language is a result of the Ordinance Review Committee reviewing the information and what has already been passed.  It started in 2003.  In February 2004, the Policy and Personnel Committee recommended approval of language to the Board that was approved on February 17, 2004.  It is based on the policy and practice that is already in place.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell that the amendment of Division 2. Section 2.69 of the Watertown Charter Township Codified Ordinance is BE scheduled for public hearing at the December 15, 2008 regular Board meeting.  Motion carried

7.     MTA New Officials Training.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to approve that Trustee Dale Westrick and Clerk Melissa Freeman attend the New Officials Training sponsored by Michigan Townships Association.  Motion carried

8.     December planning/discussion meeting.  Adams would like to schedule a planning and discussion meeting of the Board of Trustees to discuss issues concerning the thoughts of members for accomplishments, etc.  It was scheduled for December 10 at 5:30 P.M. 

9.     Winter Tax season, additions to tax roll.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the delinquent utility bill and drain amounts as presented by the Treasurer, to be placed on the 2008 winter tax statements for further collection.  Motion carried

10.   Resolution to adopt the Watertown Charter Township Community Recreation Plan for Years 2008 through 2013.  Weitzel had concerns about the resolution using “public greenspace.”   Thelen explained that the Parks and Recreation Committee would like to see it to remain as public greenspace.  Adams commented that the Board of Trustees has not discussed the options and if they put that in there that it will have the whole 125 acres as greenspace and would not allow options.  Zay commented that they felt that it was “land banking” green space, but he does have concerns that it has not been thoroughly investigated.   Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to refer this item to the township manager for review and recommendation.  Motion carried

11.   Budget adjustment.  Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to transfer $69,000 from 101-000.001-699.000 to 101-911.000-801.008.  Motion carried

12.   Township manager’s report.  Weitzel asked about the length of the rating from Standard and Poor’s.  Tubbs explained that it is reviewed yearly.  The Township is going to be audited this year and she has asked in advance and in writing all of the information that they want to review and she will consult with the Township financial advisor beforehand.

-Weitzel asked about the Herbison Road bridge project.  Tubbs said that it needs to be replaced completely. The Township will be responsible for 5%.  She will have a public meeting of the residences impacted directly.  The bridge cannot be closed. 

Discussion and Public Comment:   

-Jean Case asked why the election results for the township were not in the newspaper.  Tubbs pointed out that there have been some local shake-ups that might have an effect on regional cooperation.

Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 7:56 P.M.

Date approved: 12/15/2008                                             _____________________________

                                                                                    Deb Adams, Supervisor

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Jean Husby, Clerk