Watertown Charter Township

Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

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

Public Comment:

• Clerk Husby reported that Tim and Lisa Mulder placed 62 acres of land into the land conservancy program.
• Sgt. Knight reported that there have been several breaking and enterings recently.  He received a call concerning Public Act 85 impacting speed limits.  The sheriff’s office is in a speed enforcement program thru a grant placing more cars on the road.  The increased visibility helps to deter speeding, etc. Drug test kits are available. Parents are purchasing the kits when they suspect that their child is using drugs or alcohol. 
• Rich Pochert, 9120 Angie Way, presented his findings on what he feels are exorbitant building permit fees for finishing a basement.   He feels that MIS has been charging extremely high rates.  He described their basement remodel and noted that Mr. Cranson entered the house without an invitation.  The fees are all based the same and are out of line with all of the surrounding municipalities.  His family researched the area fees.  Mr. Pochert suggested that residents are hesitant to pull permits or better their homes because of the high permit rates.
• Ted Buehler commented on the recent reports of permit fees for finishing basements.

In Watertown Charter Township the permit for remodeling a basement is charged at the same rate as building a new house.  This is wrong.  It is already built.  He thinks that something needs to be done.

• Dale Westrick, 9041 Herbison Road, went out for comparison fees.  He provided a report for the Board. He would like the fees to be on the Township website.
• Ted Buehler asked why they didn’t include a basement in their comparison.  Polverento replied that she was trying to keep it simple and basic for a baseline.
• Steve Fabiano, fire chief of Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority, reported that in February the department responded to 49 calls.  39 were EMS, 7 MVA, and ten were fire calls.  He wants to remind everyone that a burning permit is needed for spring clean-up fires. Zay commented on the proposed live burn and the need for smoke management.

• John Hanieski, 8583 Eaton Hwy, asked for a progress report of getting a public hearing on the paving of Eaton Hwy.  He asked about the attorney response.  Tubbs spoke about the fact that Eaton Hwy. is a border road not only between townships, but also between two counties.  Petitions were submitted that covered the north part that is Watertown Charter Township and the south part that is Delta Township.  Tubbs submitted questions to the bonding attorney because she was concerned that the petitions were not valid.  It turns out that 51% is needed for both sides of the road because it is two different municipalities.  Delta Township does have over 51% of the road frontage.  However, Watertown Charter Township does not have 51% frontage in support of the paving of Eaton Hwy.  Additionally, another petition was submitted to stop the paving of Eaton Hwy. and those had more frontage than those in favor of paving.   The project is stalled.  There isn't anything to push this forward at this time.
• Haneski then addressed a January 23rd letter from Delta Twp engineer regarding the petition that was submitted has 64.6% and is sufficient to present to the board to hold a hearing.  Also it was brought to his attention that an anti-paving petition was circulated. Such a petition is only informational, because a township can only act upon a petition to do something, not to not do something.   Delta Township is prepared to respond to the petition when Watertown is ready.

Consent Agenda:  Husby noted the memos distributed, the SCCMUA agenda, and the Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority financial report.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the Consent Agenda items as presented.  Motion carried

Agenda Approval: Adams noted that the fire authority agreement will be added as #8.  Weitzel would like #9 to establish a Policy & Personnel meeting.  Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to approve the March 17, 2008 Board of Trustees agenda as amended.  Motion carried

Approval of Minutes:  Regular meeting, February 19, 2008- Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to approve the February 19, 2008 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as presented. Motion carried

Closed meeting, February 19, 2008-Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to approve the Board of Trustees closed meeting minutes dated February 19, 2008 as presented.   Motion carried

Approval of bills:   Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to approve the bill lists dated March 17, 2008 as presented.   Motion carried

Pending Business: 

1.         Building permits fees.  Tubbs submitted a comparison between the previous rates and the proposed new fees.  Watertown Charter Township does not use any general funds to support the building department as other municipalities do. They met with the building inspector.  He wrote a memo and offered the Board a two-tiered cost system.  The contract does allow the fees to be changed.   Weitzel asked why the building inspector wasn’t present to discuss the fees and account for the services. The fees seem high and in looking at the comparisons they are complicated.  He discussed some of the estimates and the cost under new and old rates.  Husby also collected comparisons and they are consistent in having a separate fee for remodeling.  She suggested looking at the whole fee schedule and pulling it out of the contract.  Many of the communities are using the using the ICC basis and a couple the State of Michigan rates.  The inspectors have the same licensing requirements and they are all to enforce the same building code so some consistency should be expected.   Adams thinks that one advantage to changing fees now is that we can have some immediate change and relief.  In the next months, we can take additional steps to decide what the Township wants to do.  Weitzel agrees that immediate action needs to be taken to provide relief to township residents.  Maahs also agrees with the proposal and it is imperative that Municipal Inspection Services be present to discuss the situation.  Zay commented on the memos and portrayal of the customer i.e. residents as trying to circumvent the fees.  If they are trying to circumvent, that may be sending a message.  If the fees are rational, we need to provide a better explanation and if they aren’t, we need to provide relief.  There is no feedback process in our agreement with the building inspector.  We should track the service provided.  He is in favor of relief now.  Mitchell agrees and is frustrated with looking at the comparisons, we should be able to compare our fees to other townships to see if they are reasonable.. 

            Dale Westrick agreed that the time put into an actual inspection is minimal.  You should know what you are paying for, there should be a checklist, and feedback.  Ron Overton commented on how the permit fee was reduced as a result of complaints, but likes the s the suggestion of immediate relief and of studying the situation.  It should be let out for bids in order for the township to have credibility.  Ted Buehler commented that in Oneida Township, the building department receives no support from the municipality.  Pochert wants clarification of the new fees. 

            Motion by Adams and seconded by Weitzel that a resolution be prepared for the April regular Board meeting modifying the building inspection rates consistent with the proposal contained in the memoranda for this meeting.  Motion carried

New Business:

1.         Appointments:

a. Planning Commission: three year terms expiring March 31, 2011.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to concur with the recommendation of the supervisor and re-appoint Ron Overton to a three year term on the Planning Commission expiring March 31, 2011.  Motion carried

Motion by Maahs and seconded by Mitchell to concur with the recommendation of the supervisor and re-appoint Beth Ball to a three year term on the Planning Commission expiring on March 31, 2011.  Motion carried

b. Public Safety Committee: three year term expiring on March 31, 2011.  Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to re-appoint Chuck Openlander to the Public Safety Committee for a three year term expiring on March 31, 2011. Motion carried

c. Appointment term corrections.  Motion by Husby and seconded by Thelen to correct the term of appointment for Marilyn Acker to the Compensation Commission for a term expiring on January 1, 2012.  Motion carried

            It was decided to leave the Planning Commission appointment of John Maahs as it is.

2.         John Czarnecki, Clinton County Economic Alliance.   He came on board in January as the president of the Clinton County Economic Alliance.  He promised that he would meet with every elective body of the county and also every business within the county.  He works for the county citizens.  He needs to know what the Watertown Charter Township Board of Trustees needs from the CCEA.  He wants to know the plans and objectives for economic development.  He wants to make sure that the SEV of the county grows faster that the State average.  He feels that SEV is a good indicator of how well the geographic area is growing.  He wants the residents to have an opportunity for good jobs.  Education and skills need to be increased.  Clinton County Economic Alliance is a member of LEAP, the regional organization, hopefully the marketing arm for the entire region.  He wants Clinton County to be the entrepreneurial county. 

            Weitzel asked about costs.  Mr. Czarnecki wants to work to bring in development in Clinton County. He is here tonight to discuss the work of the alliance, not here about the money tonight.  Tubbs commented that she is glad that Clinton County finally thinks that economic development is important.  She is successfully taking care of our businesses as she has for eight years.  Dan Thelen of Shadybrook Lane asked about newspaper articles promoting the alliance.   

3.         Wayne Summers-DeWitt Public Library.  Harriet Smith provided a summary of the work planning a proposed new library.  Library use has been growing by leaps and bounds in both circulation and programming.  They have public access computers and e free wireless access.  They don’t have enough space.  They were given a parcel of land.  The proposal is to raise the operating millage by .95 mills for twenty years to pay for the building and the additional operating costs.  The building size should be 20-25,000 square feet by a conservative estimate.   Summers commented that they are being conservative and holding down costs, that they have to sell the idea. 

8:49 P.M.-three minute break

8:56 P.M.-meeting reconvened

4.         Codification updates.  Polverento reported that the Planning Commission had a public hearing with no public comment.  Motion by Husby and seconded by Mitchell to adopt the ordinance to amend various sections of Chapter 28 –Zoning- of the Code of Ordinances of the Charter Township of Watertown, Clinton County, Michigan to correct various omissions and errors that occurred during the codification process as presented March 17, 2008 to the Board of Trustees.

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

No:  none

Motion carried

5.         Planning Commission-2007 Annual Report.  Polverento reported that a new section was added relative to yearly progress made toward the goals and objectives of the Comprehensive Development Plan.

            Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the Board of Trustees receives and places on file, the 2007 Annual Report of the Planning Commission.  Motion carried

6.         Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority –Permission for live burn at 15899 Watertown Parkway.  Tubbs reported that the appliances and various salvageable items need to be removed.  Maahs asked if there has been a decision to burn the structure.  Husby said that there are accessibility issues if it is to be used for the public and  suggested getting a written assessment of the house to determine the value in order to decide what to do with it.  Weitzel commented that the use is limited with mold, etc, that it is a hazard and needs to be boarded up.  Adams suggested that not only should they decide what to do with the building, but they also need to decide what to do with the property.   The ad hoc committee of Zay, Maahs, Thelen and Husby had a first meeting on the 10^th of March to discuss that and listened to the preliminary presentation by the MSU group.  Husby had suggested a volunteer group to recycle some of the building materials, did not to expect the work to be paid for.  Maahs said that the Lions Club may be interested in helping.  This subject will return on the April agenda.

7.         Capital assets disposal policy.  Thelen thinks that the copier should be advertised because there was controversy concerning the truck and the fact that it wasn’t advertised.  It was suggested the sale of the copier be put in the newsletter.  Motion by Husby and seconded by Maahs that the sale of the copier be advertised in the newsletter, on the website, and on the bulletin board for sealed bids.  Motion carried

8.         Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority joint agreement.  Adams stated that there is a revised agreement.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the Board of Trustees adopts the Eagle and Watertown Charter Township Joint Fire Authority Agreement revised on 3/13/2008 and as corrected on 3/17/2008. 

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

            No:  none

            Motion carried

 9.          Establishing a Policy & Personnel Committee meeting.  It was decided to hold it on Monday, April 7 at 3:00 P.M.  Items on the agenda are: donations, electronic mail retention, and health care issues.

Discussion and Public Comment:   

• Polverento reported that the MSU students will be presenting their final report on April 21, 2008
• Chuck Openlander commented on the Eaton Hwy paving.  He thought that the cost could be spread over the entire township since it is a highly traveled road. 
• Ted Buehler asked if the building inspector contract will be going out to bid.
• Husby suggested that there is a need to contact the legislators concerning “early voting.”  It is House Bill 4090.
• Tubbs commented on “comments” in the minutes. 
• Dan Thelen would like to see the survey results.  Adams replied that the executive summary will be in the newsletter.

Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 9:35 P.M.

Date approved: ________________                             _____________________________

                                                                                    Deb Adams, Supervisor

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Jean Husby, Clerk