08-23-2010 Board Meeting Minutes
FRUITPORT CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES OF AUGUST 23, 2010
A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, August 23, 2010, in the township board room.
Members Present: Brian Werschem, Supervisor; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Carol Hulka, Clerk; Trustees: Ron Becklin, Dave Markgraf, Marjorie Nash and Chuck Whitlow. Member Absent: None
At 7:35 p.m., Supervisor Werschem opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and a prayer.
Also Present: 0-township residents, 0-employees, Fire Chief Doctor, DPW Director Farrar, Planning Commissioner, Larson, Attorney James Rose/Rose & Rose, Attorney Matthew VanHoef\ Scholten Fant, Attorney Ron Bultje/Scholten Fant, Eric VanDop/Brickley DeLong, Jerry Bartoszek –Director of Public Works/Norton Shores, Attorney Michael Ortega/Lewis Reed & Allen, and Muskegon Chronicle reporter, Gaertner
The board meeting minutes of August 9, 2010—regular meeting—were approved as presented.
The motion by Chuck Whitlow, seconded by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to amend the meeting agenda of August 23, 2010, as follows:
1. Add- Heritage Route Resolution, Agenda Item 09
2. Add- Childhood Obesity Awareness Week, Agenda Item 10
3. Add- Public Safety Director, Agenda Item 11
4. Change- remaining agenda items to 12 – 15
5. Change- Agenda item 06, Audit Presentation for year ending March 31, 2010 instead of March 31, 2009
CORRESPONDENCE / REPORT
Muskegon Area District Library- Agenda of August 18th and minutes of June 16th were received
Muskegon County Chapter of Michigan Townships Association- August 30th meeting at Fruitland Township at 7:00 p.m.
For the August 3rd Primary Election, the voting precinct normally held at Shettler School was moved to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 2651 Shettler Road, because of construction. Pastor Timothy Winkel, Dave Stebbins, and the church council generously let the Township use their church facility at no expense to the Township. Their community service is greatly appreciated.
Letter received from Daniel Stoup, County /Sheriff Department/Emergency Services regarding Hazard Mitigation Plan. Fruitport Township will participate in the Plan in order to be eligible for federal emergency assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA).
A letter received from Bonnie Johnson, 3653 Dangl Road, regarding Fruitport Township and Norton Shores talk of building a new water supply plant.
PUBLIC COMMENTS – none received
UNFINISHED BUSINESS--none
NEW BUSINESS
01-074 Audit Presentation for Year Ending March 31, 2010
Township Auditor Eric Van Dop, CPA, from the firm of Brickley DeLong, PLC, gave an overview and analysis of the financial activities of the Township for the fiscal year ending March 2010. At the end of the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the governmental funds reported a combined fund balance of $673,841.00 which includes general Fund, Public Safety, and other governmental funds.
01-075 Muskegon Heights Lawsuit Settlement Agreement
Chuck Whitlow moved, Dave Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt a settlement agreement with the City of Muskegon Heights regarding Muskegon Heights litigation, and authorize the Supervisor and Clerk to execute the Agreement. Attorney James Rose was in attendance to explain and answer questions regarding the settlement.
Ayes: Whitlow, Markgraf, Hulka, Dillon, Nash, Becklin, Werschem Nays: None
FRUITPORT CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
August 23, 2010
Page #2
01-076 New Wastewater Contract with Muskegon County
The Muskegon System’s Management Committee is made up of representatives of the Muskegon County Board of Public Works, Fruitport Township, and the other fourteen local units of government which participate in the Muskegon System.
Ron Becklin moved, Marjorie Nash seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt a new Master Agreement (Exhibit A) regarding the Muskegon Area Wastewater System, which is subject to and contingent on the approval and execution of the Proposed Master Agreement by all of the other parties to the 1970 Master Contract, as listed on Exhibit B. The Township Supervisor and Clerk are authorized and directed to execute and deliver the Proposed Master Agreement on behalf of the Township, provided that such execution is expressly noted to be subject to and contingent on approval and execution of the Proposed Master Agreement by all parties to the 1970 Master Contract, as listed on Exhibit B.
Attorney Michael Ortega, Attorney Matthew VanHoef and Director of Public Works for Norton Shores, Jerry Bartoszek were in attendance.
Ayes: Becklin, Nash, Dillon, Hulka, Markgraf, Whitlow, Werschem Nays: None
01-077 Heritage Route Resolution
The Muskegon County Convention and Visitors Bureau is part of a partnership with surrounding communities through the state’s tourism department The partnership is called Beachtowns and it represents communities a long Lake Michigan beginning with Ludington to the north and going south to Harbor Country located on the state border. Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), pursuant to the Heritage Route Act of 1993, is empowered to designate scenic, recreational, and historic highways in the state.
Chuck Whitlow moved, Carol Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to support the nomination of US 31 as a heritage route and requests and encourages (MDOT) to designate US 31 as a heritage route.
Ayes: Whitlow, Hulka, Dillon, Nash, Becklin, Markgraf, Werschem Nays: None
01-078 Childhood Obesity Awareness Week
A proclamation was presented to the Board regarding Childhood Obesity Awareness Week.
Dave Markgraf moved, Chuck Whitlow seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to proclaim the week of September 20th as Childhood Obesity Awareness Week in Fruitport Township.
Ayes: Markgraf, Whitlow, Becklin, Nash, Dillon, Hulka, Werschem Nays: None
01-079 Public Service Director
Fire Chief Ken Doctor has been operating both departments—police and fire—without additional pay since June of this year.
Ron Becklin moved, Dave Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to increase Ken Doctor’s base salary by $12,000 on an annualized basis along with associated benefits while running both departments.
Ayes: Becklin, Markgraf, Hulka, Dillon, Nash, Whitlow, Werschem Nays: None
01-080 Payment of Bills
Ron Becklin moved, Dave Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the bills for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $19,135.75; Public Safety $15,734.97; Water $4,657.57; Sewer $3,451.56; Parks $8,195.26 Totaling $51,175.11
Ayes: Becklin, Nash, Hulka, Dillon, Werschem, Markgraf, Whitlow Nays: None
PUBLIC COMMENTS—part 2 None received
Meeting was adjourned at 8:43 p.m.
CAROL HULKA, CLERK BRIAN WERSCHEM, SUPERVISOR
Early Head Start
Head Start of Muskegon/Oceana is currently accepting applications from families having three and four year-old children who wish to enroll their children in this free preschool program beginning in September 2010. Waiting lists are made each year, so call early! For information as to your closest Head Start classroom, please call 231-767-8300.
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