VERGENNES TOWNSHIP

Regular Meeting Minutes

March 11, 2002

 

The regular meeting of the Vergennes Township Board was called to order by Tim Wittenbach at 7:00 p.m. in the Vergennes Township Hall.

 

Members Present:         Tim Wittenbach            -           Supervisor

                                    Mari Stone                   -           Clerk

                        Al Baird                       -           Trustee

Members Absent:         Vern Nauta                  -           Trustee

                                    Jean Hoffman               -           Treasurer

 

The minutes of the February 18, 2001 regular meeting were approved with an amendment to item #5, noting that Wittenbach also voted no.  Treasurer’s Report accepted as read.  Baird, seconded by Wittenbach, made a motion to approve bills as read.  Motion approved.

 

Tim Johnson of Main Street Planning was present to answer any questions from the Board regarding using his services as planner of record for the Cook/Landon rezoning request.  Johnson had been one of two recommendations from township attorney Jim Doezema.  His background includes reviews for Cannon Township on the Landon proposal there, and he is planner for several area townships.  He is currently working with Lowell Township on their Master Plan update, and has reviewed our Master Plan and ordinances while working on that project.  His hourly fee is $75, and he is available to attend the April 8th Planning Commission meeting to give them a report.   Motion by Wittenbach, seconded by Stone, to retain Tim Johnson as planner of record for the Landon application.  Motion carried.

 

Public Hearing – 2002-03 Budget

 

The Hearing was opened at 7:15.  Wittenbach read the budget.  Justin Michael questioned the proposed Gypsy Moth spray blocks.  Wittenbach explained that the program intends to stay on top of emerging populations, and those areas indicated a rise in egg masses.  Michael asked to have the area around Bailey Lake, Cole Lake, and the marshes behind his property surveyed again.  He stated that he observed higher numbers in that area last year.  Wittenbach will convey this to Brian Kroll, and set up a visit to the area.

 

No other comments were made.  The Public Hearing was closed at 7:35.  A motion was made by Stone, seconded by Baird, to adopt the 2002-03 Budget (attached) as presented.  Motion carried.

 

New Business:

 

1.            2001-02 Budget Amendments – Stone presented a list of amendments to the current budget, including the creation of line items for grant funds and grant projects.  Motion by Stone, seconded by Baird, to amend the 2001-02 budget as follows, motion carried.

Add account to Revenues for Grants                             101-000-696               $4400.00

Add account to Expenditures for Grant Projects   101-248-955               $4400.00

Amend Haz-Mat account                                     101-621-840   From    $75.00

                                                                                                                        To        $95.00

 

2.            Planning Commission Recommendations -  Wittenbach motioned to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and deny the preliminary site plan attached to the application submitted by Landon Company.  Motion carried.

 

Wittenbach motioned to adopt Ordinance 2002-03, amending height allowances for steeples and spires, Baird seconded.  All were in favor, and the motion carried.

 

3.            Carlson Farms Phase II Private Road Approval – Baird questioned the pavement thickness  as proposed.  It was agreed that it is the same as what was approved for phase I.  Baird motioned to approve Carlson Farms Phase II private road with a bond to the township in the amount of 5% of the cost of the road.  Stone seconded, and the motion carried.

 

4.            Gypsy Moth Suppression Program Contract -  Motion by Baird, seconded by Stone, to approve the contract with Mid-Michigan Helicopter Service for application of the 2002 Gypsy Moth Spray Program.  Motion carried.

 

5.            Wittenbach noted that Kerry Tap has submitted a letter of resignation from the ZBA as one of the two alternates.  Since it is an option for the board to appoint two, no vacancy needs to be filled at this time.

 

Citizens Comments

 

Jim Cook Jr. expressed disappointment with the Planning Commission in the manner in which it handled the Public Hearing regarding his property.  He thought the chair should not have allowed the attorney for the Wege property to exceed the time standard set for the public, and that the discussion regarding rezoning to R1 was held after the mikes were shut off. 

 

Vandersloot gave the board the new Zoning Ordinance books.  She noted that the project took her much longer than anticipated.  Ordinance updates will now be done by her, and she suggested that we may want to consider a new laser printer, one that prints on both sides and in color.  Other items she suggested to be considered, possibly as future grant requests, are a color copier, a laptop for power point presentations, ARC view program, printer/plotter for large printing jobs like maps, and a TV/VCR for the meeting room.

 

Justin Michael asked about ordinance updates.  Vandersloot explained that the very latest version would always be available on the township web site.  Stone and Vandersloot will work on a notification of some form to alert book owners that an update has been adopted.

 

The meeting adjourned at 8:05p.m.

 

                                    Respectfully submitted,

                       

Mari Stone, Clerk _______________________________