Casco Township
Regular Meeting Minutes
October 4, 2011
7:00 p.m. Call to Order
Present: K. Holk, D.Goulston, P. Allagreen and C.Stover, J. Stevens. 6 Township residents.
Motion by C. Stover to approve Regular Meeting Minutes of September 6, 2011. Supported by G. Goulston. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Motion to accept Financial Report by J. Stevens. Supported by D. Goulston. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried. K. Holk inquired as to the County PRE Denial. C. Stover explained that it was a Board of Review decision against the homeowner. The PRE was denied by the Tax Tribunal, and the money refunded by the County Treasurer to Casco.
1. Correspondence
A. Smiths Creek Landfill/State of Michigan Solid Waste Surcharge Increase
K. Holk read communication of 9/22/111 from Matthew Williams, Smith Creek Landfill
explaining the increase from 7 cents per gate cubic yard to 12 cent per gcy, which
became effective October 1, 2011. She advised that this would be a 2% increase
over what is currently been charged. She also advised that the tipping fees were not
being raised at this time.
B. County Planning Commission/Annual Fall Workshop
K. Holk read the Notice regarding the Annual Fall Workshop and advised that she had
spoken to Bill Ruemenapp and they thought there was nothing of interest to the Township
at this year’s workshop. She recommended that the Township not pay for Township
attendance this year. B. Ruemenapp commented that once the Registration Form is
received, there may be further information that might be of interest to the Township.
Upon discussion, Motion by P. Allagreen to allow Township representatives to attend
if there are matters of interest once the Registration Form is received, and that the person/s
pay and the Township will reimburse. Supported by J. Stevens. 4 Ayes. 1 – Nay/Holk.
Motion carried.
C. ITC/Vegetation Management and Donation
P. Allagreen read September 29, 2011 communication from Cynthia Stump, Customer
Relations Supervisor regarding a $2,000.00 donation to be used for planting in residential
Areas. K. Holk advised the Board that she would be meeting with Ms. Stump on
October 10, 2011. Motion by D. Goulston to put the $2,000.00 donation into the
Parks and Recs fund. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
2. New Business
A. Ordinance #55/Precious Metals and Gem Dealers Ordinance
K. Holk explained the process for obtaining a license. She advised the Board that she
had contacted the County Sheriff at this time, they have nothing in place to deal with this,but they are working on a uniform application. She advised the Board that she then contacted Township Planner, Rod Arroyo and he advised that the Township adopt the Ordinance as required.
Motion by P. Allagreen to adopt Ordinance #55, Precious Metals and Gem Dealers
Ordinance. Supported by C. Stover. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
B. 2011-2012 Snow Removal Contract
The Board discussed the length of the Contract as proposed November 1, 2011 through
March 31, 2012; and the possibility of snow later than the March 31, 2012 date.
Motion by D. Goulston to approve Contract from November 1, 2011 through April
30, 2012. Supported by C. Stover. 0 Ayes. 5 Nays. Motion failed
Motion by P. Allagreen to approve Contract as proposed from November 1, 2011
through March 31, 2012. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Casco Township
Regular Meeting Minutes
October 4, 2011
Page Two
C. Resolution #2011-08/Millage for Road Improvement and Maintenance
P. Allagreen read the proposed Resolution 2011-08 – Millage for Road Improvement and
Maintenance. K. Holk explained that the Township has lost money because we have
lost people. The Township is going for a 1 mil for each $1.00 ($1.00 for each $1,000.00) of the taxable value of such property, including real and personal property. For the period of four (4) years (2012-2015 inclusive) for the purpose of providing road improvement and maintenance within the Township. Motion to adopt Resolution #2011-08/Millage for Road Improvement and Maintenance by C. Stover. Supported by J.Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
D. Approve Wording for Ballot Language
P. Allagreen read proposed Ballot language, which is outlined in Resolution #2011-08.Motion by J. Stevens to adopt wording for Ballot Language. Supported by D. Goulston. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
E. Discuss Cost and Payment for Pelton Drain Project
C. Stover outlined to the Board the beginning balance of the loan would be $168,060.20
With 5 ¼ % interest per year for twenty (20) years. The first year the principal would
be $8,403.03 and the interest would be $2,175.58. The interest paid for the twenty (20)
year period will be $86,062.29. K. Holk advised the Board that she had asked Attorney
Dubay for a letter of opinion as to whether or not the Township could borrow the money
from the Parks and Rec fund and repay the loan with 1.5% interest. Mr. Dubay
advised that since the money comes from voted in millage, before it could be borrowed
from Parks and Rec, it would have to be approved by the voters. K. Holk proposed that
the Township sell two (2) parcels that the Township owns to Parks and Rec for a sum of
$65,000.00 each and use those monies towards the cost of the Pelton Drain project, leaving
a balance owing of $38,000.00. The Board then discussed obtaining another legal
opinion, perhaps from Attorney Dloski. K. Holk will investigate such an option, and
get more information.
F. Reimbursement for Repair of Vehicle for Assessor
P. Allagreen explained the situation which led to the damage to Assessor Shelly
Baumeister’s vehicle to the Board. She advised that she had spoken to our Insurance
agent, and he had advised that the Township has liability coverage. She also advised
the Board that she had spoken with Jim at MTA and he had advised that after P.
Allagreen had gotten the information from our insurance company that the matter should
have been dropped. She further added that Jim had suggested that the Township contact
our Insurance company as to perhaps providing Comprehensive coverage. Upon discussion, it was the general consensus of the Board that this matter should be settled by
Shelly in Small Claims Court. Motion by K. Holk to deny the reimbursement and to
assist in small claims court if necessary, by making P. Allagreen available to testify
if Shelly needed her to appear. Supported by J. Stevens. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays.
Motion carried.
D. Goulston then requested that P. Allagreen contact our Insurance agent as to what
the cost might be to provide Comprehensive coverage as mention by MTA. After
considerable discussion, P. Allagreen will obtain information regarding Comprehensive
coverage for deductible reimbursement, and report back to the Board.
G. Transfer of Berm Money to Roads - $7,424.17
K. Holk advised the Board that so far this year the Township had spent $50,158.31, that
last year the Township had spent $113,000.00. With the transfer of the berm money,
the Township will have $28,142.00. Motion by C. Stover to approve transfer of $7,424.17
berm money to roads. Supported by P. Allagreen. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays. Motion carried.
Casco Township
Regular Meeting Minutes
October 4, 2011
Page Three
Payment of Bills
Motion by J. Stevens to approve payment of bills submitted (#24581-24593); after the September 6, 2011 meeting(check #24584 voided); including one (1) debit card purchase, totaling $7,418.52; and bills submitted for the October 4, 2011 meeting (#24594-24624), e-file First State Bank Withholding, Michigan Department of State, totaling $17,694.28. Also, check #1018 to M. Czenkus for $351.50 for liquor inspections and mileage. Supported by C. Stover. Roll call vote – D. Goulston – Yes, J. Stevens – Yes, P. Allagreen – Yes, K. Holk – Yes, C. Stover – Yes. Motion carried.
Citizens Comments - J. Holk commented that the Assessor should have called the resident first before going onto his property. He also added that he has had many scratches on his truck when conducting Township business and never submitted for reimbursement.
Mr. Steven Mayhac addressed the Board and inquired as to the park property being rented for farming. K. Holk advised him that the property is zoned Recreation Open Space and therefore cannot be farmed. W. Ruemenapp commented that it had been rezoned in an effort to preserve the property should the Township lose in a lawsuit regarding Industrial use.
William Ruemenapp addressed the Board and commented that during the Motion to accept the snow removal contract, no mention was made as to the cost. K. Holk advised him that the amount is $1,650.00, the same as last year.
Motion to adjourn at 8:33 p.m. by J. Stevens. Supported by C. Stover. 5 Ayes. 0 Nays.
Motion carried.
Patricia M. Allagreen, Clerk