October 21, 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

Jean Hoffman - Treasurer

Al Baird - Trustee

Vern Nauta - Trustee

Motion by Stone, seconded by Nauta, to approve as written the minutes of the September 16, 2002 regular meeting with amendment to No. 5 Alton Church Society Request, adding “Wittenbach explained that the consultant and bid fees came in over the original allocation of $18,000.00.” Motion approved. Minutes of Vergennes Township Board Special Meetings of September 11, 2002 and October 7, 2002 approved as presented. Approval of the Agenda for October 21, 2002 Agenda as written with the addition of Item No. 3 – Snowplowing. Motion by Baird, seconded by Nauta to approve bills as read. Motion Approved.

Guest – Mary Hicks, United Way. Mission is to get support for United Way from governmental agencies within county. Two out of five Kent County residents served by funds contributed to United Way.

Unfinished Business:

1. Pyrotechnics Display – Date Change Request. Motion by Stone, second by Hoffman, to approve date change to Saturday, October 26, 2002, contingent on proof of liability insurance for Township provided to Clerk, notification of adjacent property owners/neighbors and advertisement of event placed in local publication. Motion approved.

New Business:

1. Planning Commission Recommendations.

Ordinance Amendments:

-Open Space –Motion by Nauta, second by Stone, to adopt Ordinance 2002-11, Open Space Preservation Community ordinance. Motion approved.

Roll Call Vote: Yes - Wittenbach, Stone, Hoffman, Nauta, Baird. Baird noted he is opposed to bonus lots.

-PUD –Motion by Nauta, second by Hoffman, to adopt Ordinance 2002-12, PUD ordinance as amended and as recommended by Planning Commission. Motion approved.

Roll Call Vote: Yes - Wittenbach, Stone, Hoffman, Nauta, Baird

-Site Condo –Motion by Stone, second by Baird, to adopt Ordinance 2002-13, an amendment to the zoning ordinance regarding site condo standards. Motion approved.

Roll Call Vote: Yes - Wittenbach, Stone, Hoffman, Nauta, Baird

-Signs – Home Occupation –Motion by Baird, second by Stone, to adopt Ordinance 2002-14, an amendment to ordinance regarding signs/home occupation. Motion approved.

Roll Call Vote: Yes - Wittenbach, Stone, Hoffman, Nauta, Baird

-Ordinance numbering/name changes - Motion by Hoffman, second by Nauta, to adopt Ordinance 2002-15, an amendment to the entire ordinance by changing wording of “Articles” to “Chapters” and from roman numerals to Arabic numbers. Motion approved.

Roll Call Vote: Yes - Wittenbach, Stone, Hoffman, Nauta, Baird

-Kazemier Private Road Planning Commission approved plan presented by Kazemier’s engineer; said plan provides for 18” culvert. Motion by Nauta, second by Stone, to approve Kazemier Private Road plan as presented. Motion carried. Request by Township Treasurer to Kazemiers for additional $500 to be placed in escrow account.

2. Recreation Committee Report – Draft of Vergennes Township Recreation Plan Update. Dan Edwards of the Recreation Committee reported to Board on the Recreation Plan update by noting additions, deletions, rationale for updating and explanation of the Recreation Plan. He noted that the state requires an approved recreation plan in order to apply for and be given some grants. Primarily the goals and objectives of the Recreation Plan is to meet the needs of the township and its residents, cooperate with other groups and enhance the township’s nature areas. He noted that a priority is actively participating in the Lowell Community Trails project. Motion by Hoffman, second by Stone, to adopt Vergennes Township Recreation Plan Update as written with amendment to Short and Long Range Improvement Program Schedule by removing Long Range Item No. 4 from the Long Term list and placing it as Item No. 6 under the Short Range list. Motion carried.

3. Snowplowing. Township received a bid by Bob Griffin for snowplowing. His bid raised each individual trip cost from $35 to $40. By a motion from Nauta last year Bob Griffin was approved for snowplowing for three years but limited any increases to 10% per year. $40 fee is slightly more than the approved 10%. Motion by Baird, second by Stone, to accept the $40 individual trip fee for snowplowing. Motion carried.

Other Business

Conference Registration. Stone requested board to notify her within 1-2 weeks regarding January attendance at annual conference that will be held in Detroit this year.

Planning Commission & Zoning Board of Appeal Vacancies. Notice of vacancies to be placed in local newspaper.

Receptionist Job. A number of applications have been received. Decision regarding the finalist to be a Board decision. Board to meet and discuss/qualify applicants on Friday, October 25, 2002 at 1:00 p.m. Possibility of interviews on October 25 and/or October 28, 2002.

Citizens Comments

David Yomtoob gave the board information on a grant he is submitting to provide the residents of the township with hi-speed wireless internet service. He needs some assistance from the board with the application, which is due November 5, 2002. The board suggested he attend the special meeting on the 25^th.

Meeting adjourned at 9:15 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Mari Stone, Clerk