MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GEORGETOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD HELD APRIL 10, 2006, 7:30 p.m.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Chairperson Bill Holland.

 

Prayer for guidance by R. J. Poel

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

Roll Call

Present:            Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, R. J. Poel, Del South, Richard VanderKlok,

Dale Mohr, Stanley Sterk

Absent: none

 

#060410-01 - Public Comments

 

Greg Steigenga, Ottawa County Undersheriff, introduced Dep. Jeremy Osbun and the German Shepard dog that he trained for use with the Sheriff’s Department.  He noted that the canine unit will provide services to Georgetown Township.

 

#060410-02 - Approval of agenda as presented for April 10, 2006

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the agenda as presented.

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Dale Mohr, to amend the motion to add an item to the agenda, Board Policy 2006-01.

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Del South, R. J. Poel, Stanley Sterk, Dale Mohr,

            Richard VanderKlok

Nays:   none

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED.

 

#060410-03 - Communications, letters and reports: Received for information, to be filed:

 

A.     Zoning Board of Appeals minutes for March 29, 2005

B.     Campground license for Baldwin Oaks

C.     Code Enforcement Officer’s March 2006 Monthly Report

D.     Senior Center Monthly Activity Report for March 2006

E.      DPW Report for March 2006

F.      Fire Department Report for March 2006

 

#060410-04 - Consent agenda

 

Moved by R. J. Poel, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

 

 

a.         Approval of minutes of the regular board meeting held on March 27, 2006

b.         Approval of the regular Monthly Bills

c.         Approval of $1,323.88 as the amount of the Township payment for participation in

the Ottawa County Conservation District Gypsy Moth spray program for 87 acres (as recommended by the Finance Committee)

d.         Approval and acceptance of the low bid from Bakhuyzen Landscape Management

for fertilizer and weed control for the cemetery for 2006-$10,997; 2007-$11,326.91; 2008-$11,666.72 (as recommended by the Finance Committee, Other bids )

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#060410-05 - Consideration of HB 5895 and SB 1157

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by R. J. Poel, to approve the resolution urging the Michigan Legislature to reject proposals such as HB 5895 and SB 1157 drafted by the Legislation which strips away local franchising authority and gives authority to the State and to recommend legislation which promotes competition in the Broad Band Cable which serves everyone

 

            Note:                The Services Committee recommends approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#060410-06 - Policy 2006-01

 

            Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Stanley Sterk, to approve Policy 2006-01 as follows:

 

Policy 2006-01

GEORGETOWN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS POLICY

 

Statement of Policy:

 

It is the policy of the Georgetown Township Board of Trustees to compensate the trustees and to reimburse expenses pursuant to a fixed predetermined schedule.  The township Board sets compensation and benefits annually.

 

Benefits for Supervisor, Clerk and Treasurer (effective November 20, 2008 benefits do not apply to the Clerk position)

 

Life Insurance:     See Personnel Policies and Procedures Manuel

Health Insurance:   “         “              “         “           “               “

Dental Insurance:   “         “              “         “           “               “

 

Board and/or Committee Meetings

 

Out of courtesy to fellow board members, and township personnel, and to assure the presence of a quorum, if members of the township board are unable to attend a Township Board meeting, or a meeting of a Board Committee, they should notify the Supervisor or the committee chairperson.

 

Per Diem

 

Per Diem for trustees (other than the Supervisor, Clerk and Treasurer) is $68.00 per half day, where the start of the first meeting until completion of the last meeting is four of less consecutive hours elapsed time, regardless of the number of assignments.  For a full day the per diem is $129.00 where assignments involve more that four consecutive hours elapsed time, regardless of the number of assignments.  Record of attendance at meetings should be submitted on an “Expense Voucher” to the clerk.  Meetings that qualify for per diem are:  board, board committees, MTA State, MTA Regional, planning, library, WCET-TV, Historical Society.

 

Mileage

 

Mileage is payable for any travel determined by the Township Board to be “Township Business.”  Mileage is payable at the current rate allowed by Internal Revenue Service Regulations.  Mileage from the trustee’s home to township offices for board meetings is not payable.  Mileage should be properly recorded on the mileage log sheet showing the date, destination, reason for the trip, mileage and submitted to clerk.

 

Telephone Cost

 

Long distance telephone costs pertaining to Township business are reimbursable.  The date the call was made, who was called, the cost, and a copy of the phone bill must be submitted to clerk.

 

Franking Privileges

 

Township stationary for correspondence and mailing, pertaining to township business, is available from the clerk.  Trustees may be reimbursed for postal costs pertaining to township business.  Receipts for those costs must be submitted to clerk.

 

Conferences and Other Meetings

 

Trustees are encouraged to attend conferences and other meetings pertaining to township business.  A written or oral report of conferences and meetings should be submitted to the Township Board with 30 days after returning.

 

Deferred Compensation

 

Deferred Compensation is available to all trustees.  See the treasurer to implement.

 

Retirement

 

See the Personnel Policies and Procedures Manuel.

 

Computer Usage

 

Trustees who use their home computer for township business shall be compensated $40.00/month to cover the cost of computer, ink, paper, depreciation, and access to online services.

 

 

Moved by Stanley Sterk, seconded by Dale Mohr, to amend the Per Diem section to state the money amounts to be established by the Township Board as follows:

 

Per Diem

 

Per Diem for trustees (other than the Supervisor, Clerk and Treasurer) is an amount of money as established by the Township Board per half day, where the start of the first meeting until completion of the last meeting is four of less consecutive hours elapsed time, regardless of the number of assignments.  For a full day the per diem is an amount of money as established by the Township Board where assignments involve more that four consecutive hours elapsed time, regardless of the number of assignments.  Record of attendance at meetings should be submitted on an “Expense Voucher” to the clerk.  Meetings that qualify for per diem are:  board, board committees, MTA State, MTA Regional, planning, library, WCET-TV, Historical Society.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

For the motion as amended:

Yeas:    Dale Mohr, Del South, Richard VanderKlok, Stanley Sterk, Daniel Carlton

Nays:   R. J. Poel, Bill Holland

 

MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED.

 

#060410-07 - Electronic Sign to Entrance of Library and Township Office

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by R. J. Poel, to approve authorizing the Supervisor to seek bids for a new electronic sign which will be part of the existing sign at the entrance to the Library and Township Offices on Baldwin St.

 

Note:                The Services Committee recommends approval

 

Bill Holland stated that it will be used as a communication tool and the message will not scroll. 

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, R. J. Poel, Del South, Stanley Sterk, Dale Mohr, Richard VanderKlok,

Nays:   Daniel Carlton

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#060410-08 - Proposal for New Township Park

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by R. J. Poel, to approve accepting the Bids and authorize the purchase of playground equipment for a new park at 18th and Rosewood to be called Rosewood Park, to be fenced with entrance off the parking lot of the Soccer Bowl and second entrance off 18th Ave.  Projected cost $88,500.00 (projected cost).  Installation to be by the Parks Dept., and for a budget amendment for the cost.

 

Note:                The Services Committee recommends approval

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, R. J. Poel, Del South, Stanley Sterk, Daniel Carlton, Richard VanderKlok,

Nays:   Dale Mohr

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#060410-09 - Bids for Fire Department Pick Up

 

Moved by R. J. Poel, seconded by Del South, to approve accepting the bid of $25,300 from Good GMC for a Fire Maintenance Pick up

 

Note:                The Services Committee recommends approval

The Fire Department recommends approval because this truck is on the lot

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#060410-10 - Public Comment

 

No one was present to make comments at this time.

 

#060410-11- Board Open Discussion

 

A.        An ordinance to prohibit J-breaking

B.        An exotic animal ordinance

 

The consensus of the Board was to pursue and research language for both ordinances.

 

#060410-12 - Announcement of any scheduled meeting of interest to board members

 

Dale Mohr asked that the issue of a Township Superintendent be added under the open board discussion section of the agenda for the meeting in two weeks.  R. J. Poel said that the ballots arrived and the absentee ballots will be sent out.

 

#060410-13 - Reports from Standing Committees

 

            Finance Committee meeting minutes of April 7, 2006

 

Services Committee meeting minutes of April 6, 2006

 

#060410-14 - Meeting adjourned at 8:23 p.m.

 

 

                                               

William Holland, Supervisor

 

                                               

R. J. Poel, Clerk