Watertown Charter Township
Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting
May 19, 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 (7:06 P.M.), and Trustees Maahs, Mitchell, Weitzel, Zay. Staff present: Tubbs, Polverento
Public Comment:
Consent Agenda: Adams would like to add correspondence item #15 to the agenda in New Business as item #7. Husby asked to add correspondence item #14 to the agenda. It will be item #8. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Maahs to approve the Consent Agenda items as amended. Motion carried
Agenda Approval: Thelen asked to add Item #1b-apppointment of Debra Plichta to the Parks & Recreation Committee. Tubbs asked to have her staff report added as item #9. Husby asked to add “committee meetings” as item #10. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the May 19, 2008 Board of Trustees agenda as amended. Motion carried
Approval of Minutes: Regular meeting, April 21, 2008: Thelen said to delete “that” in Pending Business on the 18th line down. Motion by Maahs and seconded by Thelen to approve the April 21, 2008 Board of Trustees regular meeting minutes as amended. Motion carried
Approval of bills: Tubbs suggested approval of the Woodhull bill pending her approval. She also pointed out that there is a bill for the first application of chloride from the County, but she is still waiting for a corrected contract. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs that the bills of the Clinton County Road Commission for chloride in the amount of $12,427.00 and the Woodhull Construction Company in the amount of $107, 980.40 be approved pending approval by the Township manager. Motion carried. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Maahs to approve the remaining bills on the list dated May 19, 2008 as presented. Motion carried
Pending Business:
1. Health Insurance. Tubbs explained that in order to send out an RFP for health insurance, she needed to get a detailed outline of our exact coverage from our provider. He also presented the rates for the coming year showing a two percent increase. Weitzel sees no reason to go out for bids. It involves only five people and it remains in the budget. Thelen asked what the two percent referred to. Husby wants to know if our health care plan is comparable to other plans. The fire department was able to get thirteen bids for only four people. She would like comparables to see if we can cut costs. Mitchell agreed that we now have our guideline and it wouldn’t hurt to go out and look. Adams said that we are limited to changes in the plan due to the union contract. Tubbs said that she would not be looking for changes to the plan, but she would have to take bids based on the existing coverage and deductibles. Thelen said that it wasn’t about changing coverage. It is just to look for the best deal. Motion by Husby and seconded by Thelen that the Township manager prepare a proposal for the Board’s review for next month for health care insurance quotes for our township using these guidelines.
Yes: Husby, Thelen, Mitchell
No: Adams, Maahs, Weitzel, Zay
Motion failed
New Business:
1a. Planning Commission appointment-Francis McNamara. Adams. Motion by Maahs and seconded by Weitzel that Francis McNamara be appointed to the Watertown Charter Township Planning Commission for a three year term to expire on March 31, 2011 to concur with the recommendation of the supervisor. Motion carried
1b. Parks & Recreation Committee appointment: Debra L. Plichta. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Weitzel to appoint Debra Plichta to a three year term to expire on December 31, 2010. Motion carried
Debra Plichta announced a community garage sale being planned for June 13 and 14.
Motion carried
2. Request for Special Assessment District & Bond Funding for State Road Paving.
Tubbs explained that she met with Mr. Cooley and she thinks that they will be able to come close to the time frame requested. She requests an ad hoc committee of Board members to meet and talk about various issues with the road and the area. There are issues on the sewer. She would like Trustee Mitchell to be on that committee. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen to send the request for the special assessment district and bond funding for State Road paving on behalf of Gravity Works LLC to the supervisor’s office for review and recommendation. Motion carried
Maahs and Mitchell are willing to be on the ad hoc committee with the Township manager.
3. Resolution on Building inspection fees. Husby explained that Mr. Cranson wanted to know if the new fees pertain to just residential or does it also include commercial? Weitzel feels that it includes commercial. Jeff Cranson commented that during meetings, it was agreed to reduce the fees to residential as outlined in the resolution. That would leave commercial unchanged. Tubbs commented that it was discussed, but it was not differentiated in the resolution. Mitchell thought that they were only changing residential. Thelen agreed that she thought that only residential was to change. Tubbs asked that they consider when a “change of use” comes in and they have to get a new building permit, a secondary fee could be charged for that. Cranson explained that what they have done on a “change of use” is that they use 25% of the value. That is not explained in the fee structure, but an unspoken rule. Motion by Husby and seconded by Maahs to establish a fee for Commercial Building Inspection Services for commercial construction each additional $1,000.00 or any part of at $8.50 ($7.00 to M.I.S.).
Yes: Thelen, Maahs, Zay, Husby, Mitchell, Adams
No: Weitzel
Motion carried
4. Building & Grounds Improvements-Lights, Lot Striping, Gym telephone. Tubbs explained that the lighting had been bid, and then the plan was changed. Tubbs said striping can not be done because we have no space to be in compliance; almost all of the parking is illegal. Thelen would like to see two handicapped parking spaces marked, one for the office and one for the Wallace Watt Community Center. Maahs feels that the lighting issue is valid. Weitzel doesn’t see the need for a telephone in the gym. Husby explained that in the future, the voting machine will need to be linked to the County. Tubbs said that they will get bids for lighting with daylight sensors.
5. SCCMUA reserves. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen that we request the unreserved retained earnings in the amount of $23,720.00 and the excess IPP funds be returned to the township to be placed in account #590-001.697.001. Motion carried
6. Local Government Fiscal Indicators. Thelen explained the information. Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to receive and place on file the report on Local Government Fiscal Indicators. Motion carried
7. Correspondence #15 –attorney opinion and correspondence to Mr. Westrick. Adams asked about manual. Husby said that she did loan an old trustee guide to, a resident, Mr. Westrick. It is old and out of date and ready for recycling. He did return the guide. Adams said that it is important to treat everyone the same. Husby replied that she offered information to everyone through the website and in the newsletter. Tubbs said there should be a policy that township items are not loaned. Thelen thinks that it should go to Policy & Personnel, because Township items have been loaned in the past. Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to refer the policy of loaning township materials to the Policy & Personnel Committee. Motion carried
8. Correspondence #14-Seventh Day Adventists. Husby explained that she has been contacted numerous times by this group to requesting the township give permission for their door to door missionary activities. She contacted the County and they replied that they appreciate receiving the notification. Adams has no interest in approving any missionary work in the township. Board members agreed with the position.
· Jacob Clapp (Boy Scout) asked if they would be allowed to place a flag on a gravesite. Husby replied that the 4-H comes in and places flags on graves of veterans, but there is no reason that they couldn't assist.
9. Township manager staff report. Tubbs wanted to discuss “Dump your junk” day. She
thanked the volunteers. They did over 200 cars in three hours. Granger went above and beyond by upping the size of four dumpsters to the large dumpsters. Padno’s donated a container for metals with the money from the metal to be returned to the Township. The Firestone tire people took in over 200 tires. The appliance collected did not work out well and something else will be done next year.
She reported that our attorney feels that the Liebler lawsuit is in a weak position and will be thrown out. That would leave the Stewart lawsuit.
10. Committee meeting scheduling. Husby explained that the By-laws committee is not finished with its work and needs to meet. As an example, Weitzel discussed various committees and their viability. The meeting was set for June 3rd at 4:00 P.M.
Discussion and Public Comment:
· Announcement: Maahs announced the Model Citizen determination. They selected Jack Huntoon as the first recipient. There will be a presentation at the cemetery service. A resolution will be prepared for the next Board meeting in June.
· Jean Case asked about a Grand Marshal. Thelen suggested the Hayes Middle School Band. They will discuss it at the next Parks & Recreation Committee meeting.
Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 P.M.
Date approved: ________________ _____________________________
Deb Adams, Supervisor
______________________________
Jean Husby, Clerk