East Bay Charter Township 1965 Three Mile Road North Traverse City, MI 49696 Regular Board Meeting Monday November 18, 2013 Call Meeting to Order: Chairman Lile called the meeting to order at 6:30pm. Pledge of Allegiance: was recited by all in attendance. Roll Call: Board Members Present: Glen Lile, Matthew Courtade, Craig Goodrich, Sue Courtade, Beth Friend, Tracey Bartlett and Bryan Marrow Forty (40) members of the public were in attendance. Review for Conflict of Interest: None presented Correspondence: Provided in the Board Packets. Public Comment: (6:30) Sue LaRose-Grover commented on the Parks Commission fundraiser. Consent Calendar: (6:30pm) A. Board Minutes: October 14, 2013 Regular Meeting Minutes and October 29, 2013 Water Tower Meeting Minutes B. General Fund: Checks numbered 10409-10483 were paid in the amount of $91,397.06. C. Emergency Fund: Checks numbered 2789-2806 were paid in the amount of $46,895.21. D. Receiving Fund: Check numbers 2148-2154 were paid in the amount of $314,859.19. E. Escrow Fund: Check numbers 1291-1293 were paid in the amount of $1,116.95. F. Payroll Fund: The payroll dated 10/6/13 through 10/19/13, checks #4268-4297, totaled $13,968.04, and includes check number 4296 for $728.26 for State of Michigan withholdings. 1
The payroll dated 10/20/13 through 11/2/13 checks 4298-4330, totaled $19,995.99 and includes check #4329 for $929.99 for State of Michigan withholdings. Payroll Taxes EFT Funds For the two payroll periods the payroll tax transfer totaled $10,293.84. Total Amount Paid: $498,526.28 G. Motion to accept the proposed Budget Adjustments (as needed). H. Motion to accept the proposed Ambulance 3Q 2013 write-offs Friend moved and Goodrich supported to adopt the consent calendar as presented. The motion carried by a roll call vote. Reports (6:36): Supervisor: Lile said that the tribe was awarded an outstanding development award for the Holiday Hills repaving project. The township received an award from the Boom Boom Club for their contributions to the fireworks display. He added that the township is actively looking for land for a new water tower. He attended Grand Traverse County board budget meeting and expressed concerns with proposed road patrol cuts. Clerk: Treasurer: Trustees: S. Courtade reported that the November 5, 2013 Special Election participation was 25%. Of which 1,109 voted by absentee ballot. The cost to the Township was approximately $8,700. Auditors were out to begin the 2013 audit process. Bartlett said her office is working on tax bills to be mailed Dec. 1 st. At the Planning Commission meeting, the new Parks and Recreation plan was approved. The ordinance amendment for the former village center was heard and will be coming to the board as will the ordinance amendment which fixes references to the Brown Bridge Dam. No reports Sheriff Department: Deputy Sarah Medipedigan reported that in October 2013, East Bay Township had a total of 503 calls for service. Tom Bensley, Grand Traverse County Sheriff spoke about the budgeting process and possible staff cuts. 2
New Business: Ambulance Department: provided in writing Fire Department: Chief Pat Parker reported that in October there were 57 calls in the township. They are working to find land for the new station in Acme. County Commissioner: County Commissioner Larry Inman reported the budgeting process has been difficult this year and extra budget meetings may have to be scheduled. Commissioner Charlie Rennie reiterated that they are trying to save police officers. He said that pension obligations are still being discussed and that labor and contract negotiations continue. Township Attorney: A written report was provided on Scout Camp and Trager Roads gravel improvement proposal. 1. Pictometry Assessing Jim Baker, Grand Traverse County Equalization Director (6:59) Russ Casselman from the assessing department said permits for new building are up by 30%. Jim Baker, County Equalization Director said that residential home values are rising. Baker said there is a new program called pictometry. and asked the board to consider purchasing it. He said that the aerials show a much better picture and sides, angles, lengths and widths can be measured. He showed a presentation about pictometry and how it works. He added that townships could purchase it together to save money. Board members asked questions about the product and had concerns about cost. 2. Grand Traverse County Road Commission Scout Camp/Trager gravel maintenance proposal (7:18) Jim Johnson from the GTCRC spoke regarding the gravel road program for the two roads. He said that the Road Commission would place and grate gravel, improve drainage, replace ditching and remove some trees. The intent was to make the road better and work on getting 6 of new gravel for just over one mile. The road commission is asking for $50,000 for materials and trucking of the materials and all other costs will be borne by the road commission. Supervisor Lile offered public comment at 7:20pm. *Tom Case from Scout Camp road asked about source of funding and Johnson said that an SAD is one option for some of the $135,000 total cost. Case asked about paving a bit the road near Bass Lake. *Terry Brandt of Scout Camp Road was led to believe that the residents were not going to pay any money pursuant to a 2005 letter. He asked for a solution that did not include any payments on behalf of the residents. *Jeannie Brandt commented that she thought the Road Commission was responsible for the good gravel road that was originally promised. She asked 3
about the type of gravel and the cost of gravel transportation. Johnson said that the cost for gravel transportation was estimated at $24,360. *Mark Orlikowski commented that residents do not want to pay for the road repairs that should have been done all along. *Gerald Nyquist on Scout Camp Road commented on new gravel being placed over old gravel. *Susan LaRose Grover of Trager Road did a cost history of the roads that went from $300,000 in 1993 up to $1 million per mile today to fix the road. She asked about speed limit signage on the road and commented on any SAD which would be in place. LaRose-Grover asked the board to consider helping seniors and low income people if there was to be a SAD and asked that any payments be spread over 15 years with an interest rate reflective of current market rates. *Tony Malicious of Trager Road asked where the improvements would be made along the roads and asked for fairness to each property owner regarding their proposed assessment. *Paul Horvath of Trager Road commented on the grading of roads when they were wet and added that every time the road is graded, drainage stops. He also said that the roads were a safety issue and there had been three school bus accidents in the area. Lile called a ten minute recess at 8:17. Lile called the meeting to order at 8:26pm. 3. Resolution 2013-20 in support of Motorcycle Awareness Signs (8:26) Karen Robinson asked the board to pass the resolution for motorcycle safety. She offered some statistics regarding motorcycle accidents and said that there were 3,510 accidents involving motorcycles in 2012. She would like to purchase the first sign warning people to be careful of motorcyclists in memory of her son and she is looking for board support and approval to move forward with the signage. Friend moved and Goodrich seconded to approve Resolution 2013-20 in Support of Motorcycle Awareness Signs. The motion carried. 4. Updated Watermain Specifications (8:33) The Board of Public Works adopted new specifications for C-900 plastic piping. All townships are asked to adopt the same specifications. Friend moved and Marrow seconded to adopt the updated watermain specs. Goodrich commented that in most cases, the new piping will be used, but there will still be cases where the other steel pipes will be preferred. The motion carried. 5. Liquor License Request (8:36) S. Courtade suggested tabling this item until the next meeting. 6. Street Lights Request (8:36) A resident wrote a letter regarding streetlights in the Avenue D area requesting 4
that they be replaced or added. Friend suggested that the streetlight proposal be forwarded to the Planning Commission for consideration in light of the dark sky ordinance. 7. East Bay Water System Layout (8:39) The layout map for the new water system was reviewed and board members agreed to wait to make any decisions until property was secured. Friend asked Pat Parker about hydrants and Parker said that homes would receive better ISO ratings with water hydrants in the area. The plan for water lines to go through subdivisions would be favorable to both the fire department and the township. Goodrich said that C-900 pipe can be used for this project and would save money. 8. Resolution 2013-22 Approving Contract for East Bay Township Water System Improvement Project (8:53) Lile said that the contract and resolution needed to be forwarded to both the DPW and the County Commissioners. Board members were concerned with the total cost and would like to see more numbers, but agreed to move forward with a cost not to exceed $5 million. Goodrich moved to approve Resolution 2013-22 Approving Contract for East Bay Township Water System Improvement Project not to exceed $5 million. M. Courtade seconded and the motion carried. Public Comment: (9:00) Barry Gorbett of English Woods Drive asked about water lines going through subdivisions to maximize hookups. Adjournment: Chairman Lile adjourned the meeting at 9:03pm. Submitted by: Anne E. Wendling, Recording Secretary Date Susanne M. Courtade CMC, Township Clerk Date Glen Lile, Township Supervisor Date 5