Casco Township
Regular Meeting Minutes
September 6, 2011
7:00 p.m. Call to Order
Present: K. Holk, D.Goulston, P. Allagreen and C.Stover, J. Stevens.
8 Township residents.
Motion by C. Stover to approve Regular Meeting Minutes of August 2, 2011, with one (1) change – insert the word “excused” before the words “Absent: J. Stevens”. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Motion to accept Financial Report as received with no changes by P. Allagreen. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
James V. Dubay/Consent Judgment/Empty Pocket Farms
Attorney Dubay reviewed the proposed Consent Judgment with the Township Board, and outlined
items discussed and agreed upon with defendants at Court on September 2, 2011, which include that the defendants may only use the property for their own or leased horses, they must not have more than twenty (20) horses on the property and be in compliance with Michigan Law and Generally Accepted Agricultural and Management Practices (GAAMPS), whichever is the lesser number; provide proof that they own or are leasing the horses; no public use, activities for riding academies, riding, training or showing of horses, the Township must provide 24 hours notice prior to any inspection of the property, no attorney fees requested. Motion by K. Holk to accept the Consent Judgment and to allow the Supervisor and Clerk to consent to any small adjustments that may be necessary. Supported by J. Stevens. Roll call vote: D. Goulston – Yes, J. Stevens – Yes, C. Stover – Yes, K. Holk – Yes, P. Allagreen – Yes. Motion carried.
1. Correspondence
A. Richmond/Lenox EMS/New Insurance Carriers
K. Holk read e-mail communication from Jeff White, Richmond-Lenox EMS as to their
Changing of liability insurance carriers from Michigan Township Participating Plan to
Trident Argonaut.
Eligibility for Status as a Charter Township
K. Holk commented that this matter will be addressed at the next meeting because
it has to be published twice.
B. EDA Quarterly Report
K. Holk commented that the EDA is not doing well in St. Clair County. The Board
Discussed the 5 year tax abatement for businesses and the decrease in the unemployment
rate, as well as the article regarding the Fast Track Boot Camp for persons interested in
operating small businesses.
C. Department of Treasury/14 Point Mini Review
K. Holk advised the Board that the State Tax Commission was supposed to come out
to Casco Township in April, but Rick Watza was unable to make it. She read the
letter from Kelli Sobel, State Tax Commission of July 8, 2011 which stated that the
Township’s records are up to date. C. Stover commented that there are no drawings
on the new field sheets. She explained that the Apex program will run it, but it will
be a long process. K. Holk said she will check to see if anyone else received field
sheets with drawings on them.
2. New Business
A. 2012 Local Road Funding
K. Holk explained that this money is for big things and Casco Township doesn’t have
the money for small things; so we can’t make use of this at this time.
B. MTA/Self Insurance Programs for Workers Compensation
The Board discussed that initially there wasn’t enough people to sign up, to it
fell through. Now they are checking to see if there is anyone interested. Upon
discussion, Motion by K. Holk to encourage them to continue the program.
Supported by P. Allagreen. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried. K. Holk
will assist P. Allagreen in gathering information, P. Allagreen will contact
MTA on August 3, 2011 and encourage them to continue the program.
Casco Township
Regular Meeting Minutes
August 2, 2011
Page Two
C. Ordinance Regarding Uncut Grass
C. Stover addressed the Board and explained that it is not her intention for
big governmental or Planning Commission regulation, but that the Foreclosures
are increasing in the Township and there is a danger to the neighborhoods by
overgrowing grass in these yards. She said she would like a vehicle by which
the banks would be required to provide the Township with the number of a
property manager who would care for the grass cutting on these properties.
She went onto say that she would like the Planning Commission to check with
regard to the Township being allowed to have the grass cut and to put the tab
on the tax bill. She stated that she doesn’t want to blanket the whole township
unless we have to. D. Goulston expressed that he had read the Ordinance
provided by the City of Richmond, and that he didn’t agree with Casco
Township putting such an Ordinance in place. He asked C. Stover how many
yards she was talking about. She said 4 or 5. K. Holk advised that Casco
wouldn’t have such a restrictive one, just one that says you can’t let your
grass grow 12 inches tall. Upon further discussion, D. Goulston suggested that
the Township make contacts without an Ordinance in place since there are so
few at this time; and not have a blanket Ordinance. C. Stover said she will
try to obtain information from the banks for the rest of this season.
D. Advertise for Alternate for ZBA and Planning Commission Position
Motion by P. Allagreen to advertise for 1 alternation position to the ZBA;
and 1 Planning Commission position. Supported by C. Stover. 4 Ayes.
0 Nays. Motion carried. K. Holk will put the language together.
Payment of Bills
Motion by K. Holk to approve payment of bills submitted (#24478-24497); after the July 5, 2011 meeting totaling $53,484.38; and bills submitted for the August 2, 2011 meeting (#24498-24537), e-file First State Bank Withholding, Michigan Department of State, totaling $23,060.12. Also, check #1016 to M. Czenkus for $341.00 for liquor inspections and mileage. Supported by C. Stover. Roll call vote – D. Goulston – Yes, C.Stover – Yes, K. Holk – Yes, P. Allagreen – Yes. Motion carried.
Citizens Comments - Kyle Strezlecki addressed the Board with concerns about flooding of her property due to not having a ditch and culvert. She advised the Board that she had spoken with the Drain Commission, who referred her to the Road Commission. She stated that Mr. Kammer
from the Road Commission had come out to assess the situation and gave her a quote for the ditch and culvert. She said that the previous owner of the property refused the Road Commission access to the property 12 years ago to dig a ditch. She asked the Board for a special assessment on her taxes in order to have the work done. K. Holk explained to her that would not be possible, that she would need to go to the bank and get a loan, or ask the Road Commission directly if they could work something out with her. William Ruemenapp told Ms. Strezlecki to call the Road Commission and ask to be put on their Agenda, attend the meeting, state her case and see what they will do for her. He told her to put her packet together and provide to the Commissioners ahead of the meeting in order to give them time to review prior to their meeting.
C. Stover commented that E. China Schools is having a yard sale and wondered if she should
go to see if there is any office furniture the Township can possibly use.
Motion to adjourn at 7:58 p.m. by P. Allagreen. Supported by D. Goulston. 4 Ayes. 0 Nays.
Motion carried.
Patricia M. Allagreen, Clerk