DRAFT

Casco Township

Regular Meeting Minutes

December 1, 2009

7:00 p.m.  Call to Order

Pledge to the Flag

Present:    K. Holk, C. Stover,  D.Goulston, J. Stevens. P. Allagreen 6 Township residents, 2 visitors; James Dubay, Township Attorney;  Mark Brochu, Director, St. Clair County Parks and Rec.   

Motion by J. Stevens   to approve Agenda with two  (2) additions – 1/add “L”, Approve 2010 Regular Meeting Dates; and add to Mark Brochu, 70 Mile Trail/County Line Road. Supported by  C. Stover. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays.  Motion carried.

Motion by C. Stover to approve Minutes of  November 3, 2009.   Supported by J. Stevens.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried.    

Motion by J. Stevens to accept Financial Report.  Supported by P. Allagreen.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried. 

 . 1.  Correspondence:

 A.  St. Clair County Board of Education/Collecting 100% on Summer Tax Levy C. Stover explained that as in the past, Casco Township will collect 100% of summe Taxes for Richmond and  E. China School Districts, Macomb ISD and St. Clair County RESA; and for Anchor Bay School District, 9 mills operating and 5 mills debt.

 B.  St. Clair County Road Commission/Hosting a Meeting K. Holk explained the conflict in Casco hosting a Road Commission meeting due to the Planning Commission meeting day of  the same Tuesday. She advised the Road Commission that if they change their meeting days, to let her know.

2.   New  Business:

 A.  Township Attorney/1D4R Alternative Dispute Resolution Mr. Dubay advised the Board of the Attorney meeting in Judge’s chambers on November 12, 2009; with the witnesses on call.  He advised that he had appeared.  On behalf of Casco Township and that two (2) attorneys appeared for the Defendants.  He advised that the Judge had encouraged both sides to discuss avenues of Resolution; and that the Defendants are in favor of a Global Agreement with the Property in this case as well as the adjoining property involved in the other case.  There was discussion of a Facilitator/Mediator meeting with both parties in an attempt to reach a resolution.  He advised that there would be a fee to the Mediator, that if the Board agreed, it would probably take place in mid-December.  J. Stevens asked if a criminal case would take precedent and Mr. Dubay advised that it would.  Mr. Dubay advised that he had not received anything from the Defendants as of yet.  He went on to advise that there would need to be a stipulation between the parties, that the Court doesn’t issue an Order.  He advised that the Defendants want both parcels  involved in this case and the other case.  It was the general consensus of the Board that there is no advantage to mediation.  Motion by K. Holk to say Thank you, but no Thank you to mediation.  Supported by  J. Stevens.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried. 

      B.  Mark Brochu/70 Mile Trail County Line Road Mr. Brochu addressed the Township Board and explained Phase 1 of the Trail project. He advised that Chesterfield Township opted out of  Phase 1.  He expressed his opinion that it shouldn’t be a matter of who pays what, but the overall benefit. He advised that regard to Phase II, Anchor Bay Schools and the City of Richmond are interested and that Lenox Township is in favor,.   He also advised that There may be grants available that are earmarked for such projects.    There was discussion as to the I-94 overpass, and Mr. Brochu advised that there would need to be contact with MDOT.  It was also dis-cussed that individual property owners would have to be contacted.  Mr. Brochu suggested that Casco Township participate in discussion with no commitment.  K. Holkadvised that Casco had not been invited to any discussions.  She also asked  What happens if Casco doesn’t want to participate.  Mr. Brochu told her to just say no.  She then inquired as to how   St. Clair County can use Parks and Rec funds for a non-County project.     Mr. Brochu said he would speak with Gary Fletcher with regard to that question.  He indicated that the         next step would be for preliminary analysis and preliminary cost evaluations be done; and suggested that a letter to MDOT be sent as to the overpass question.  If the Township is open to discussion, they should appoint a Board member to represent the Township and attend the meetings and report back to the Township.  D. Goulston volunteered to be the Township representative.  Mr. Brochu concluded by commenting that all decisions are to be made by the local governments, that the County will assist in any way they can.

     C. Hi-Tech/Networking P. Allagreen explained the difficulty the Treasurer’s and Assessor’s offices are having sharing information.  D. Goulston inquired if there had been          any other bids received. P.  Allagreen advised there had not.  She advised she didn’t have any other names to contact for bids.  Wayne Baumgarten said he had a referral, the company that set up China Township’s network.  He will provide the Township with the information. Dan advised that we should do some checking and if the quote wasn’t’ far off, from the quote by Hi-Tech, he then added that if we have someone who provides good service, that a lower cost may not be what’s best to do. Motion by K. Holk to table matter indefinitely in order to obtain other bids.  Supported    by  P.  Allagreen.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried.

     D.   Re-appoint Kathy McKenzie to Planning Commission for 3 years K. Holk advised that she had contacted all those up for re-appointment and all had agreed. Motion by P. Allagreen to re-appoint Kathy McKenzie to Planning Commission for 3 years.  Supported by J. Stevens.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried.

     E.   Re-appoint Jennifer Andersen to Planning Commission for 3 years.  Motion by J. Stevens to re-appoint Jennifer Andersen to Planning Commission for3 years.  Supported by D. Goulston.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried.

     F.    Re-appoint Wayne Baumgarten to Planning Commission for 3 years. Motion by J. Stevens to re-appoint Wayne Baumgarten to Planning Commission for 3 years.  Supported by D. Goulston.  5 Ayes   0 Nays.  Motion carried.

     G.    Re-appoint Barb Cole to ZBA for 3 years.  Motion by D. Goulston to re-appoint Barb Cole to ZBA for 3 years.  Supported by J. Stevens.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried.

     H.    Re-appoint Sandy Bishop to ZBA for 3 years.  Motion by D. Goulston to re-appoint Sandy Bishop to ZBA for 3 years.  Supported by J.  Stevens.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried.

     I.     EDA/Interest in Assembling Large Acreage for Development.  The Board discussed the lack of the amount of property needed for such development,     and the lack of utilities that would be necessary.  C. Stover stated that the Industrial Corridor on 26 Mile Road does not have the acreage necessary for such a project, andthat private property owners would have to be contacted.  C. Stover suggested that a letter be sent with a zoning map and a list of property owners that the County could contact directly, that at this time Casco Township is not interested as the Township doesn’t own enough property and cannot provide the utilities necessary.  It was ultimately decided that K.  Holk will call Shaun Groden to advise of the Township’s position.

     J.   Comcast/Telephone Business Service K. Holk advised that she had asked for references and she had not yet received that information.  Motion by P. Allagreen to table matter until further information is received.  Supported by C. Stover.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried

     K.  2010 MTA Annual Meeting Motion by P. Allagreen for J. Stevens and a guest to attend dinner meeting on January 7, 2010.  Supported by J. Stevens.   5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried.

      L.  2010 Regular Meeting Dates Motion by J. Stevens to approve 2010 regular meeting dates as presented.  Supported by P. Allagreen.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays.  Motion carried

 Payment of Bills

Motion by P. Allagreen to approve bills, submitted (#22614-22629),  after the November 3, 2009 meeting totaling $6,649.03; and bills submitted for the December 1, 2009 meeting including e-file  Michigan Dept. Of Treasury and taxes withheld; and two (2) debit purchases  (#22630-22668), totaling $25,083.50.  Also, check #1075 to Don Scheuer for $278.00 for liquor inspections and  mileage.    Supported by  C. Stover.  Roll Call Vote:  Holk - Aye, C. Stover – Aye,  Holk –Aye, Allagreen – Aye, Goulston – Aye, J. Stevens – Aye.  5 Ayes.  Motion carried.

Citizens Comments:  J. Stevens commented that he would like to invite Township Planner, Rod Arroyo to the next Board meeting to receive information as to digitalizing the Township Zoning Ordinance.  Mr. Arroyo gave presentation at Planning Commission meeting.  After Mr. Arroyo makes his presentation to the Board, the Board will look into other companies as to the cost for comparison. 

 Motion to adjourn at 8:11 p.m. by K. Holk.  Supported by D. Goulston.  5 Ayes.  0 Nays. Motion carried.

Patricia M. Allagreen

Casco Township Clerk