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Government Home>Local Governments>Townships>Montcalm Township>Board Meeting Minutes
Board Meeting minutes
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Monthly Meeting Minutes for November 9, 2011 MONTCALM TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTESNovember 9, 2011 MEMBERS PRESENT: Michael Adams, Supervisor; Carol Rosebrook, Clerk; Tom Smith, Trustee; and Rick Rought, Trustee. MEMBER ABSENT: None. Meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Michael Adams Pledge to the Flag. A Motion was made by Rosebrook to approve the Agenda, Second Rought. Motion carried. A Motion to approve the October 12, 2011 Township Board Meeting minutes was made by Rought, Second Smith. Motion carried. A Motion to approve the October 12, 2011 Election Commission Meeting minutes was made by Smith, Second Rought. Motion carried. Supervisor’s Comments: *Treasury Letter – A response to the September 27, 2011 State of Michigan Treasury Dept. letter was not necessary because representatives from the Treasury Dept. conducted a review in our office on October 31, 2011. A report on the review is expected within 30 days. *ISO Testing – Supervisor Adams contacted the ISO Chicago office & has been communicating with a number of ISO analysis regarding the status. Apologies have been extended regarding the lost paperwork originally submitted in April. The paperwork was faxed this time, confirmation received & an estimated test date of late first quarter 2012. After inquiries & some schedule shifting it looks like the testing visit will occur before the end of the year. The fire station test is a small part of the whole process which usually takes 5 to 6 months. Treasurer’s Report: Supervisor Adams read the Treasurer’s report. A Motion to accept the Treasurer’s Report as read was made by Rosebrook, Second Smith. Motion carried. Payment of Bills: A Motion to approve the Payment of Bills was made by Rought, Second Smith. Motion carried. Reports:· Sheriff Report: Deputy Butts read the Sheriff’s report and commented that things were slowing down.· Planning Commission: Trustee Smith reported on the November 2, 2011 Planning Commission meeting. They are about ¾ of the way through the proposed ordinance. · Zoning Board of Appeals: Did not meet. · Cemeteries: Bill Willison updated the Board on the measuring of East Montcalm Cemetery one of the last steps needed to complete its computerization. During the measuring process many stakes could not be located which should be placed every 16 ft. as benchmarks to be used before placing a stone or doing a burial. Sexton Ralph VanOcker provided an estimate to re-stake parts of section 4 and 5. A Motion to approve the re-staking in East Montcalm Cemetery not to exceed $800.00 was made by Rosebrook, Second Rought. Motion carried. · Library Board: The Library Board Agenda and report is posted on the Township bulletin board. · Zoning Administrator: Zoning Administrator Mike Nelson issued 3 permits and answered several zoning questions during October. He also attended the November 2, 2011 Planning Commission meeting. · Assessor: The Assessor was not present to give a report. November 9, 2011 minutes continued Page 2 · County Commissioner: County Commissioner John Johansen discussed the following issues: * Fund Balance – As promised a copy of the fund balance study was provided. *QVF (Qualified Voter File) – The County Clerk’s office maintains the QVF for all of the townships in the county at no charge. The Board of Commissioners recently approved a schedule of fees to be charged to townships if the County Clerk’s office continues to maintain the QVF. *Workshop – Local Government Role in the Rural New Economy workshop information was provided to the Board members. *Oak Wilt – The first reported case of oak wilt was on Commissioner Johansen’s property and an article regarding it will be in the Daily News. *Transportation Millage – It was defeated and the Transportation Authority appointed by the Commissioners will cease to exist 12/31/2011. *Traffic Light – Discussed the timing of the traffic light at M-91 and Sidney Road. *Monroe Cemetery – An oak tree was removed, another tree fell and something will have to be done about the maple trees on the south side. Because they are too close to the power lines Commissioner Johansen will not be able to take care of them as he has the other trees. *Public Safety Issue – Law & Courts Committee is working on court room safety and maintaining road patrol. The following are options: A. Continue to cut budget resulting in less than 24 hour road patrol; B. Consider public safety millage – the full Board will take action sometime soon; and C. Township & villages support a local officer like Sidney & Montcalm Townships do. *Budget – They are working on the 2013 budget.· Fire Department: Chief Dickinson reported on Fire Dept. activity since the October board meeting. · Trustees: Nothing to report.· Clerk: Clerk Rosebrook discussed benefits vs. fees for the County Clerk’s office to continue to maintain the Qualified Voter File for the Township. Public Comment: Cemetery sexton Ralph VanOcker commented on the tree stumps in the cemeteries. Supervisor Adams recommended the Local Government Role in the Rural New Economy workshop to all Township Board members. Old Business: Helen Peer Burial: Attorney Van Essen has made contact with the executor of the estate and indicated we should have an answer in the next week or two. Cleaning Bids for the Township Hall: Three bids were received for the cleaning of the Township Hall as follow: Bunnell’s Cleaning $10.00 per hour (average $100.00 to $120.00 per month), Clingers Cleaning $65.00 per week and Luxury Janitorial $32.00 per week. A Motion was made by Smith to accept the bid of Bunnell’s Cleaning not to exceed $120.00 per month, Second Rought. Motion carried. Township Hall Flooring: Supervisor Adams asked Clingers Cleaning, Luxury Janitorial and Brads Cleaners for estimates on cleaning the carpet and to strip and wax the tiled floors. The carpet cleaning bids were as follows: Clingers Cleaning $532.75 including a guarantee to re-clean if the spots returned, Luxury $ 422.60 and Brads Cleaners (bid has not been received). A Motion was made by Smith to approve up to $532.75 to clean the carpet with the guarantee to re-clean if the spots return at no additional cost, Second Rosebrook. Motion carried. The bids for the tiled floors were as follows: Clingers Cleaners $462.60, Luxury Janitorial $400.92 and Brads Cleaners (bid has not been received). A Motion was made by Smith to approve up to $462.60 to strip & wax the tiled floors, Second Rosebrook. Motion carried. November 9, 2011 minutes continued Page 3 New Business: Bank Signatures: After consulting with Attorney Van Essen it is acceptable for the supervisor to be the second signature on bank accounts. A Motion was made by Rosebrook to add Supervisor Adams as an authorized signer on all bank accounts temporarily until a Treasurer can be appointed, Second Rought. Roll Call Vote: Rought, yes; Smith, yes; Rosebrook, yes and Adams, yes. In answer to a question regarding who will handle the responsibilities of the Treasurer, Supervisor Adams indicated in the immediate interim he would begin looking into the software, the process and be available to fill the position until someone can be appointed. He will immediately begin searching for someone the Board can appoint to fill the Treasurer position until the February 28, 2012 election. Public Comment: Bill Willison provided information from insurance companies regarding the ISO rating and how lowering the Township’s ISO rating could lower premiums for homeowners insurance. Copies of his information and findings are available. A Motion to adjourn was made by Rosebrook, Second Smith. Motion carried.Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. Respectfully Submitted by: Carol Rosebrook, ClerkPosted: _____________________Approved
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Board Meeting Minutes
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This page last updated on 12/12/2011.
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