MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GEORGETOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD HELD NOVEMBER 13, 2006, 7:30 p.m.

 

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

 

Prayer for guidance by Del South

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

Roll Call

Present:            Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Del South, Dale Mohr, Stanley Sterk, Richard

VanderKlok, Marvin VanSomeren

Absent: none

 

#061113-01 - Public Comments

 

No one was present to make public comments.

 

#061113-02 - Approval of agenda as presented for November 13, 2006

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Dale Mohr, to approve the agenda as presented.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-03 - Communications, letters and reports: Received for information, to be filed:

 

A.     Letter from MTA regarding assistance from Legal Defense Fund in litigation with GLS.

B.     Zoning Board of Appeals minutes for October 25, 2005

C.     Fire Department Report for October 2006

D.     Planning Commission meeting minutes for November 1, 2006

E.      DPW Report for October 2006

F.      Code Enforcement Officer’s October 2006 Monthly Report

G.     General Ledger Report October 2006

H.      Sheriff Department Report for October 2006

 

#061113-04 - Consent agenda

 

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

 

a.         Approval of minutes of the regular board meeting held on October 23, 2006

b.         Approval of the regular Monthly Bills and utility bills

c.             Approval of Final Plat of Cedar Lake No. 11

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-05 - Rezoning (REZ0607) To change from (HDR) High Density Residential to (LDR)

Low Density Residential

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve Rezoning (REZ0607) To change from (HDR) High Density Residential to (LDR) Low Density Residential a parcel of land described as P.P. # 70-14-26-300-004, located at 1245 Parsons, Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, Michigan, based on the findings that the LDR zoning district is consistent with the Master Plan and Future Land Use Map, compatible with the surrounding area and the property is capable of sustaining the uses allowed in the LDR district.

 

            Note:                The Planning Commission recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-06 - Township Participation in NPDES

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Dale Mohr, to approve continuing to participate with the Grand Valley Metro Council to meet the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), for an estimated three year cost of $20,586, as presented

 

            Note:                The Water/Sewer Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-07 - Retirement Health Care

 

            Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Dale Mohr, to approve the following:

·        Amending the 2006 General Fund Budget from fund balance to fully fund the amount required to meet the estimated present value of accrued liability;

·        Authorizing a retirement health savings plan for employees to contribute for the cost of health care during retirement;

·        Offering a voluntary buyout based on the actuary’s estimate of the present value of the future benefit based on the following schedule

1.      100% for employees with at least 15 years of service as of 12/31/06 and retirees;

2.      66% for employees with at least 10 years of service as of 12/31/06;

3.      33% for employees with at least 5 years of service as of 12/31/06;

4.      16% for employees with less than 5 years of service as of 12/31/06

5.      Employees would have until 12/31/06 to accept the voluntary buyout;

6.      The minimum buyout would be $500.00;

7.      Retirees would have until 12/31/06 to accept and until 2/28/07 to drop the health insurance plan.  Any premiums paid for January or February would be deducted from the actuary’s estimate.

           

Note:                The Water/Sewer Committee recommended approval

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Dale Mohr, to amend the motion adding the following language:

 

RESOLVED, that the organization adopt an amendment to the Township Pension Plan to establish a schedule of Employer Contributions based on a one-time election by any employees to receive a buyout in lieu of retiree health benefits, effective December 1, 2006.

 

RESOLVED, that the schedule of contributions is to be as follows:

Years of Service                                                           Pension Benefit Amount

15 years or more                                                                      $80,000          

at least 11 years but less than 15 years                          $50,000

at least 7 years but less than 11 years                                        $10,000

at least 5 years but less than 7 years                                          $  5,000

at least 4 years but less than 5 years                                          $  2,000

                       

RESOLVED, that the contributions scheduled on behalf of each participant be paid for the Plan Year beginning January 1, 2006, except that if the contribution would cause the participant’s total benefits to exceed the limitations under Code Section 415 in any given Plan Year, the additional benefit amount that exceeds the limit will be paid in the following Plan Year.  A participant who terminates employment prior to receiving his or her total benefit would cease to be a participant in the Plan and therefore cease to be eligible for any additional benefits.

 

AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

            MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED.

 

I, Del South, hereby certify that the foregoing constitutes a true and complete copy of a Resolution adopted by the Township Board of the Charter Township of Georgetown, County of Ottawa, Michigan, at a regular meeting held at 7:30 p.m. or later, on Monday, November 13, 2006.

 

 

___________________________________

Del South, Clerk

Georgetown Charter Township

 

#061113-08 - Baldwin St. Improvements

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the following for the Baldwin St. improvements:

·        Participating by contributing up to the amount of $500,000 to the Ottawa County Road Commission provided

1.      Concrete is used in the road-way;

2.      The County waives all inspection fees for the Township;

·        Approving decorative street lighting up to the amount of $200,000;

·        Approving installation of underground utilities up to the amount of $320,000.

 

            Note:                The Water/Sewer Committee recommended approval

 

Moved by Bill Holland, seconded by Dale Mohr, to amend the motion to eliminate the amount of $320,000 for the installation of underground utilities

 

AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION CARRIED.

 

The amended motion is to approve the following for the Baldwin St. improvements:

·        Participating by contributing up to the amount of $500,000 to the Ottawa County Road Commission provided

1.      Concrete is used in the road-way;

2.      The County waives all inspection fees for the Township;

·        Approving decorative street lighting up to the amount of $200,000;

 

            MOTION AS AMENDMENDED CARRIED.

 

#061113-09 - Audit and Assistance with Preparation of Financial Statements

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the amount not to exceed $19,750 to be paid to Kiekover, Scholma, & Shumaker, PC, Certified Public Accounts, for an audit, assistance in the preparation of the financial statements and required GASB 34 conversion entries, assistance with preparation of the management’s discussion and analysis and preparation of the form F-65, as presented

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-10 - Salary for Election Official

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve an election based pay of $2,500 per election for the Election Official to cover all election related costs including training.

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

Daniel Carlton stated that the reason for the additional pay is because Del South was appointed as the new clerk with the originally set salary of $10,000 with the Township’s intention of hiring an election official to handle elections.  He said that Del South has spent more time in the office than the previous clerk and has spend more time in training becoming certified and working the election than previously anticipated which has saved the Township the expense of hiring someone else as the election official.  He said that Del South should be compensated for the additional work and training.

 

Bill Holland agreed and said that Del South has taken the responsibility to become trained and certified, plus has spent more time and effort than initially anticipated on the election.

 

Del South said that he appreciated the comments but had not asked for the additional pay.

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Dale Mohr, to allow Del South to abstain from the vote.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Dale Mohr, Stanley Sterk, Richard VanderKlok, Marvin

VanSomeren

Nays:   none

Abstaining: Del South

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-11 - Appointment to Services Committee

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the appointment of Marvin VanSomeren to the Services Committee

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Dale Mohr, Richard Vander Klok, Del South, Marvin

            VanSomeren

Nays:   Stanley Sterk

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-12 - Fee Increases for Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Permits

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve the fee increases for (Commercial and Residential) Building, Plumbing, Mechanical and Electrical Permits (for PCI), to be effective January 1, 2007

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-13 - Lawn Sprinkling at Soccer Bowl

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Bill Holland, to approve the low bid of $7,938.00 from Schepers Lawn Sprinkling for an irrigation system at the Soccer Bowl at Rosewood and 18th Ave. (bids)

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, Stanley Sterk, Dale Mohr, Richard Vander Klok, Del South, Marvin

            VanSomeren

Nays:   Daniel Carlton

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-14 - Lawn Sprinkling at Hanley Cemetery

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the low bid of $4,550.00 from S&S Sprinkling Systems-Snowplowing Inc. for an irrigation system at the Hanley Cemetery at Jackson and 4th Ave. (bids)

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, Stanley Sterk, Dale Mohr, Richard Vander Klok, Del South, Marvin

            VanSomeren

Nays:   Daniel Carlton

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#061113-15 – Public Comment

 

Gene Altena, 1291 Caprice Ct., thanked the Board for the financial commitment to the ice rink in the 2007 budget and asked questions about the operation of the ice rink.  He provided his phone number so that the Supervisor could respond with the answers.

 

Dan Hamming, Fire Chief, said that the new fire truck that had been order early in 2006 was delivered and available outside for the Board to see.  He thanked the Board, the officers and the Truck Committee.

 

#061113-16 – Board Open Discussion

 

Del South said that the election went well and there was a good turnout.  He stated that he appreciated the Fire Department’s work.

 

Bill Holland commended Del South on the election.

 

Marvin VanSomeren said that he appreciated the work of the Fire Department, Code Enforcer and the Sheriff’s Department.

 

#061113-17 - Announcement of any scheduled meeting of interest to board members

 

Del South stated that the Services Committee would meet next Monday morning.

 

#061113-18 - Reports from Standing Committees

 

            Water/Sewer committee minutes of October 20, 2006

 

            Water/Sewer committee minutes of November 1, 2006

 

            Finance Committee meeting minutes of November 9, 2006

 

#061113-19 - Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

 

                                               

William Holland, Supervisor

 

                                               

Del South, Clerk