Casco Township
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 5, 2011
7:00 p.m. Call to Order
Present: K. Holk, D.Goulston, P. Allagreen. J. Stevens, and C.Stover. 11 Township residents; and 5 guests.
Motion by J. Stevens to approve Agenda with one (1) addition, under Correspondence, add “D” Larry Gramer Update with Nick Buffa. Supported by C. Stover. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Motion by C. Stover to approve Regular Meeting Minutes of June 7, 2011. Supported by J.
Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Motion by J. Stevens K. Holk to approve Special Meeting Minutes of June 30, 2011. Supported by C. Stover. J. Stevens retracted his Motion, pursuant to K. Holk advising of needed corrections.
The following corrections were made: strike “d” in the word “and” agent; add the word “pay” also they “pay” partial tuition . . . .; strike the words “of the” as follows:; and “ $17870.00”, Public Officials should be $1787.00.
Motion by J. Stevens to approve minutes of Special Meeting of June 30, 2011, as amended. Supported by C. Stover. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried. K. Holk asked that P. Allagreen check as to worker’s compensation coverage in either October or November. There was discussion regarding Certification of Zoning Administrator and Michigan Citizen Planner for the ZBA members. J. Stevens stated that he thought these should be attended. K. Holk said she would need to find out where they are being offered.
Motion to accept Financial Report by J. Stevens. Supported by P. Allagreen. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried. K. Holk inquired as to State of Michigan Road Maintenance Fee. C. Stover explained that it is the Metro Act money.
2010-2011 Audit
Mr. Lehn King addressed the Board and reviewed the proposed Audit. There was discussion with regard to the increase in expenditures that impact the Township’s fund balance, and the trend of spending more than what is being taken in. He and the Board discussed the high cost of attorney fees, and the need for more detailed explanation of billings. Mr. King concluded that the Audit went well and that the Township books and records are in good order. There was discussion as to separation of duties by the Township. Mr. King advised that Casco Township is pretty much in line with other Townships. Motion by D. Goulston to accept 2010-2011 Audit Report. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Audit Proposal for 3 Year Contract
Motion by P. Allagreen to accept proposal for 3 years at same price ($6,750.00 per year). J. Stevens inquired as to if the Township should check around. P. Allagreen explained that the audit runs very smoothly and the time it takes is much shorter, since a pre-audit is being done. 5 Ayes.
0 Nays. Motion carried. K. Holk asked Mr. King to check to see if any Road Commission bills need to be reversed out. Mr. King said he would check.
1. Correspondence
A. Metropolitan Planning Commission/Appointment of New Director P. Allagreen read the June 20, 2011 letter from Marsden M. Murphy, St. Clair County Metro Planning Commission, introducing David Struck as the new Director. K. Holk asked William Ruemenapp if he had met Mr. Struck, and Bill advised that he had
B. Kirk Weston/Proposed Road Millage Request P. Allagreen read June 21, 2011 letter from Kirk D. Weston, Managing Director, St. Clair County Road Commission. She explained that the County gets 19 cents Per gallon of gas and 14 cents per gallon of diesel; and that none of the 6% sales Tax goes towards transportation funding. She advised that the County may add one-quarter mill on county taxes for continued work on primary roads, bridge maintenance. K. Holk asked J. Stevens if he would like to attend the Supervisor’s Meeting on July 21, 2011. Joe said he would go and that he would pay for his own meal.
Casco Township]
Regular Meeting Minutes
July 5, 2011
Page Two
C. Liquor Control Commission/New Specially Designated Merchant an Specially Designated Distributor K. Holk read June 21, 2011 letter from Michigan Liquor Control regarding Casco Convenience Center application for Specially Designated Merchant and Specially Designated Distributor licenses.
D. Larry Gramer/Update with Nick Buffa Mr. Gramer addressed the Board with regard to Nick Buffa’s visit to his property, pursuant to a complaint received by the Township as to unlicensed vehicles and a camper parked in his front yard. There was discussion as to Mr. Gramer’s claim that there is no ordinance regulating the placement of the trailer in his front yard. K. Holk advised him that there was provision in the Ordinance that required the trailer to be in the rear yard. After discussion, she said she would provide the Ordinance provisions regarding same. Also, there was discussion regarding the two unlicensed vehicles in his yard. He said there was only one vehicle, a Jeep, that he was going to put into his garage within the next 3 weeks to do repairs on it. K. Holk and Mr. Gramer agreed that the Jeep would either be plated or put in the garage within 2 weeks. Mr. Gramer will call Karen to let her know when he has it plated or put in the garage.
2. Old Business
A. Resignation of Donald Scheuer as Constable Motion by K. Holk to accept Donald’s Scheuer resignation. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried. C. Stover gave Doc a sincere thank you for his many years of service, not only as Constable, but also as Building Inspector, Planning Commission member and his service in general to the Township.
B. Appointment to Fill Constable Position until November 2012 K. Holk advised that there were two (2) applicants, Dennis LaForest and Mike Czenkus. She then asked them if they had been convicted of a felony. Both advised they had not. K. Holk asked the gentlemen if either of them wanted to address the Board. Mr. LaForest declined; and Mr. Czenkus stated that with his experience, he thought that he would be suited for the job. J. Stevens inquired as to whether Mike could hold the elected position as Constable as well as the Zoning Administrator position. C. Stover advised that she had contacted MTA and that Casco Township was not required to have a Constable, but if they wished to have one, it would be permissible for a person in an employee position to be appointed to an elected position in the interim with the added duties as Zoning Administrator. She went onto explain, that at the election, the Board could Continue with the added duties, or the Zoning Administrator position could be Split off. Motion by C. Stover to appoint Mike Czenkus as Constable until November 2012 with the added duty of Zoning Administrator. Supported by D. Goulston. 3 Ayes (C.Stover/D. Goulston/J. Stevens) 2 Nays (K. Holk/P. Allagreen) Motion carried.
3. New Business
A. Resignation of Kathy McKenzie from Planning Commission K. Holk read June 29, 2011 letter of resignation from Kathy McKenzie. Motion by J. Stevens to accept letter of resignation by Kathy McKenzie. Supported by C. Stover 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried. K. Holk commented that she will speak to a couple of people about filling the vacancy.
Casco Township
Regular Board Meeting
July 5, 2011
Page Three
3. New Business Continued
B. Request for 2011 Recreation Millage K. Holk outline the Request for Local Millage Distribution. D. Goulston stated that he would like to see the stats on the number of Casco Township resident participants. K. Holk advised that monies donated by Lenox Township would be used to purchase a key card machine, which will track the number of people who use the Aud and where they live. Upon review of the 2011 Request Form and discussion of language proposed by K. Holk, it was decided that the language be changed to read that Casco Township will be donating money to expand programming at the Richmond Aud for recreation use for Casco Township residents. Motion by J. Stevens to approve request for 2011 recreation millage. Supported by P. Allagreen. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
C. Bill Kauffman/Off Road Vehicle Ordinance Motion by C. Stover to choose Option 3 and to add language to read “ORVs are not currently permitted on the roads in Casco Township”. Supported by D. Goulston. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
D. St. Clair County Treasurer – Act 123 – “First Right of Refusal” to Acquire Tax Foreclosed Parcels Motion by C. Stover to exercise Casco Township’s First Right of Refusal and send back to the County. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
E. Ordinance #30-79/Amend Section 8.02 – B-2 District Permitted Principle Uses to Add a new Subsection L; and Ordinance #30-80/Amend Section 10.03 Industrial District Use Permitted on Special Approval, to Amend Subsection G K. Holk advised the Board that she was going to address both Ordinance #30-79 and #30-80 together. She expressed concern with regard to a daycare center being a special land use, and a gun range being a permitted use. After discussion between the Board and, Planning Commission Chairperson, William Ruemenapp, as to Ordinance #30-79 Motion by K. Holk to send both Ordinances back to the Planning Commission to allow B-2 District as a permitted use for gun sales only; and gun sales in a firing range as a special land use. Supported by D. Goulson. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays.
As to Ordinance #30-80, Motion by K. Holk to send back to the Planning Commission for action, if it is possible to do as permitted use in Industrial gun sales with firing range. Supported by P. Allagreen. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Payment of Bills
Motion by P. Allagreen to approve payment of bills submitted (#24430-24440); after the June 7, 2011 meeting totaling $6,244.34; and bills submitted for the July 5, 2011 meeting (#24441-24477), e-file First State Bank Withholding, Michigan Department of State, totaling $18,730.13. Also, check #1015 to D. Scheuer for $284.50 for liquor inspections and mileage. Supported by D. Goulston. Roll call vote –D. Goulston – Yes, J. Stevens – Yes, C.Stover – Yes, K. Holk – Yes, P. Allagreen – Yes. Motion carried.
Citizens Comments - Susan Coppens of the Corn Maze addressed the Board and advised that the trailers had not been Moved from the property due to rain, and they will be needing them soon. She asked if they could be left there and then removed by November 15th. K. Holk and William Ruemenapp advised her they aren’t allow to be there, because they were not on the original site plan, the one building had been allowed, but not the trailers. She then said she would remove them in 3 weeks. William Ruemenapp addressed the Board and asked if the Audit proposal had been approved for 3 years. He said that K. Holk had said she would call Mr. King next year. K. Holk told him that it was a 3 year contract.
Motion to adjourn at 9:13 p.m. by K. Holk. Supported by D. Goulston.. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays.
Motion carried.
Patricia M. Allagreen, Clerk