Watertown Charter Township

Minutes of Board of Trustees Regular Meeting

June 16, 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: Treasurer Thelen and Trustees Maahs, Mitchell, Weitzel, Zay.    Absent with notice:  Supervisor Adams and Clerk Husby.   Staff present:  Tubbs, Polverento, and Brown

Public Comment:

• John Czarnecki spoke about the public hearing for the Clinton County Brownfield Re-development Authority.  It will be held on June 24^th at 9:00 a.m. during the meeting of the Clinton County Board of Commissioners.  It will provide an incentive to re-use contaminated properties.  The decision concerning township properties in the program will be made at the local level.
• Sgt. Kyle Knight reported on a recent B & E that was caught in progress, with the suspect apprehended and the property returned to the owner.  He also reported two women have been victimizing home businesses.  It was reported on TV and a timely arrest was made. Be aware when dealing with portable propane tanks that meth dealers use the propane tanks to steal anhydrous for their operation and then returned the tank to a propane dealer.  The valves may then be faulty causing a dangerous situation, be cautious.  
• Jack Enderle, County Commissioner, reported that the county received a clean and unqualified audit for 2007.  They are trying to decrease greenhouse gas emissions by 2% each year for county buildings and vehicles.  They have a program that may be used by local government-contact Dan Leonard.  The chairman for the Greenspace Commission, Chuck Nelson, has been recognized as the first recipient of the Great Lakes Award for preserving 18,000 acres of wetlands. 
• Steve Fabiano, Looking Glass Regional Fire Authority fire chief, reported 45 calls for May 2008; 27 EMS; 3 building fires, 3 grass fires, 1 vehicle fire, and 11 miscellaneous calls.  He wanted to thank the firefighters for their diligence during the latest storms.  Rex Waltersdorf will be heading to Iraq as a contract firefighter.
• Sgt. Kyle Knight reported that the department was approached by residents of Lakeside Preserve concerning speeding within the development.  They put patrols in there at strategic times and will try to have a presence there.

PUBLIC HEARING:  Paving of State Road from Airport Road approximately ¾ mile west to the end of the “Links at Royal Scot.” 

The hearing opened at 7:30 P.M. 

Deputy clerk Brown reported receiving a fax from a resident in the area, Dan Murphy, and he wanted to be sure that he wasn’t a part of the special assessment district.  Tubbs reported that residents in the area had been notified of the public hearing.  She explained that only parcels in Gravity Works LLC are a part of the special assessment district.  Dick Cooley on behalf of Gravity Works LLC stated that Gravity Works LLC supports the petition and the establishment of the special assessment district.  They are concerned about the significant increase in the cost of the project.  The scope of the project has also increased.  He explained that the Links at Royal Scot is a condominium project and therefore there have been no splits of the land, but tax id numbers have been assigned to units so there are many parcel numbers, but no division of land has occurred except for the road right of way.  There will be no assessment to property owners other than Gravity Works LLC.  There was a question about the pavement running to Grove Road.  Tubbs explained that the sewer project has caused problems.  The cost to gravel up to the manholes is exorbitant.  They looked at paving that area. It will be covered out of the Sewer Fund.  Gravity Works LLC will be responsible for the original amount, but paving beyond that will be studied by the ad hoc committee of the Board and covered by the Sewer Fund.  There will have to be a meeting of the residents of the road to see if that is something that they are interested in.  The residents on Grove Road will not be assessed. 

Public hearing closed at 7:42 P.M.

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

Agenda Approval: Motion by Thelen and seconded by Mitchell to approve the June 16, 2008 Board of Trustees regular meeting agenda as presented.  Motion carried

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

Approval of bills:  Mitchell wanted the Board to notice the bill for the fireproof file cabinets from Kentwood Office Furniture.  It came about at a Public Safety Committee meeting that a member of the committee stumbled across the used fireproof file cabinets and we were able to obtain them at approx. half of the cost of new equipment.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to approve the bills on the list dated June 16, 2008 as presented.   Motion carried

Tubbs handed out her staff report and she would like to discuss it later.

Pending Business: 

1.         Set date for joint meeting of the Board of Trustees, Planning Commission, and the Non-motorized Pedestrian Circulation Plan Committee.  The Planning Commission submitted three dates.  August 14 at 6:00 P.M. is the first selection with August 11 at 6:00 P.M. as an alternate date. 

New Business:

1.         2008 Citizen of the Year Tribute-Jack Huntoon.   Maahs expressed thanks for all that Mr. Huntoon has done for the Township.  Weitzel read the following:

Special Tribute to

Jack Huntoon

“2008 Citizen of the Year”

            LET IT BE KNOWN, that it is both an honor and a privilege to extend the sincerest praise and commendation to JACK HUNTOON, in acknowledgement of his attaining the distinct honor of being named “2008 CITIZEN OF THE YEAR” for the Charter Township of Watertown.

            Ability, commitment, and integrity have been reflected in all of Jack’s endeavors as a volunteer throughout his years of community service.  He has made many sacrifices on behalf of the community, willingly and unselfishly, and is always ready to shoulder a little extra responsibility to lend a helping hand in any circumstance.

            Known primarily for overseeing recreation program pursuits in the township, Jack has delivered year round sports activities for the community and is an enthusiastic advocate for youth and adult recreation.  He has overseen and organized softball tournaments, weekly volleyball games, ice skating events, and the extremely popular Memorial Day Weekend “Looking Glass River Triathlon.”  In addition, Jack can be found passing out gifts at the Christmas party; assuring that there is a hayride at the Halloween festivity; presiding over the Eater egg hunt; and donning an apron to cook the hotdogs at the Memorial Day picnic.

            A lifelong resident of Michigan, Jack and his wife Gayl have lived in the Township for 47 years and have raised three children Lorie, Julie, and Ellie.  In addition, they will soon be celebrating their golden wedding anniversary.

            Jack has enriched the community with his generous use of his time and effort and over the years has proven to be a great friend to his community and a concerned citizen.  He merits our highest praise.

            IN SPECIAL TRIBUTE, Therefore, This document is signed and dedicated to commend and congratulate Jack Huntoon as “2008 Citizen of the Year.”

            Signed by the Watertown Charter Township Board of Trustees

            Maahs presented the tribute to Mr. Huntoon and expressed his thanks on behalf of the community. 

            Jack Huntoon shared a little about his life.  Wacousta is his lifelong home.  He enjoys people and sports.  Jack exclaimed, “It’s been a great life!”

PENDING BUSINESS:

2.         Habitat for Humanity-offer of an option to purchase.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell to confirm the original agreement with the Clinton County Habitat for Humanity and our property at 8949 W Herbison Road.  Motion carried

            Tubbs will send a letter accepting the offer and giving them 120 days to respond.  She will request that they respond in writing.

NEW BUSINESS:

2.         Resolution no. 06-162008-1:  Resolution approving necessity hearing and ordering preparation of assessment roll for paving State Road.  Motion by Thelen and seconded by Weitzel to waive the reading of the resolution.  Motion carried

            Thelen noted that the resolution needed to be amended to denote that Supervisor Adams and Clerk Husby are not present.

            Motion by Thelen and seconded by Weitzel to adopt resolution no. 06-162008-1 , Resolution approving necessity hearing and ordering preparation of assessment roll for State Road paving as amended.

            Yes:     Mitchell, Zay, Weitzel, Maahs, Thelen

            No:       none

            Absent: Adams and Husby

            Motion carried and resolution adopted

3.         Disability insurance.  Tubbs explained the situation.  The position is funded for full time employment, but the actual employee in the position does not work full time. According to our disability insurance policy, they must work a minimum of 30 hours per week to be covered.  The employee shouldn’t have been included on the census.  The insurance company collected premiums on the employee for over a year, but when a claim was filed, it was denied because the employee didn’t work the required 30 hours a week.  The insurance company has agreed to refund the premiums that have been paid for that employee. The total amount of benefit for that employee would cost the Township an additional $284.00.  Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Thelen that a one time payment of $1,200.00 be made to the assistant treasurer due to a temporary disability which would be a combination of the insurance company’s refunded premium of $916.00 and the Township’s participation of $284.00 to complete the entitled insurance compensation claim.

            Mitchell pointed out that the employee didn’t work the required hours.  Tubbs explained that the employee thought that she had that coverage.  He doesn’t understand the extra $284.00.  Tubbs explained that the employee was hired under the idea that she was covered.  Mitchell doesn’t think that the employee is entitled to anything, but he can understand the refunded premiums.  Tubbs explained that the Township was unaware of this thirty hour requirement.  She wants to avoid any complication.

            Yes:     Maahs, Thelen, Weitzel, Zay

            No:       Mitchell

            Absent: Adams and Husby

            Motion carried

            Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell that the Township manager notifies the affected employee in writing of the Township Policy regarding insurance coverage and the insurance company’s review of the claim and the Township Board’s action.

            Motion carried

4.         Additional charges for APT US and C Conference.   Motion by Weitzel and seconded by Mitchell that the Board approves the additional $135.00 to be expensed from the Treasurer’s expenses reserved account #101.393.038 to attend the APT US and C Conference.  Motion carried

Discussion and Public Comment:   

• Township manager Tubbs pointed out the results of the two lawsuits.  The Township prevailed on both cases. 
• Trustee Weitzel pointed out that there is a truck parked in front of our pump station on Grand River Avenue.  It is marked that it is for sale.  He is worried about the pump station being damaged.  Polverento will place a call to the number advertised.
• Weitzel complimented Polverento on her spreadsheet on the update on the CDP Update proposals.
• Polverento reminded the Board members that the Planning Commission will be having interviews with the CDP Update top three candidates on Monday, June 23^rd at 7:00 P.M.  She encouraged them to attend. 

Adjournment- The meeting was adjourned at 8:21 P.M.

Date approved: ________________                             _____________________________

                                                                                    Deb Adams, Supervisor

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Jean Husby, Clerk