MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GEORGETOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD HELD JANUARY 8, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

 

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

 

Prayer for guidance by Richard VanderKlok

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

Roll Call

Present:           Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Del South, Marvin VanSomeren, Dale Mohr,

Stanley Sterk, Richard VanderKlok

Absent:            none

 

#070108-01 - Public Comments

 

No one was present to make comments at this time.

 

#070108-02 - Approval of agenda as presented for January 8, 2007

 

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

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-03 - Communications, letters and reports: Received for information, to be filed:

 

A.    DPW Report for December 2006

B.     Code Enforcement Officer’s December 2006 Monthly Report

C.     General Ledger Report December 2006

D.    Sheriff Department Report for November 2006

E.     Tax Bill Comparison

F.      2006 Permits

G.    Senior Center Monthly Activity Report for December 2006

H.    Library Report for November 2006

 

#070108-04 - Consent agenda

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Daniel Carlton, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

 

a.         Approval of minutes of the regular board meeting held on December 11, 2006

b.         Approval of the regular Monthly Bills and 2nd Monthly Bills

c.         Approval of Property Tax Collection Agreement with Jenison Public Schools,

Property Tax Collection Agreement with Hudsonville Public Schools and Property Tax Collection Agreement with Grandville Public Schools (Note: The Finance Committee recommended approval)

d.                  Approval to re-roof the Museum (Note: The Finance Committee recommended

approval)

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-05 - Public Hearing and Approval of an application for IFEC (ACT 198), for

Schrier Plastics Corporation

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Dale Mohr, to open the public hearing.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

No one was present to make comments on this item.

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Daniel Carlton, to close the public hearing.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Moved by Marvin VanSomeren, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the following resolution:

 

“HEARING FOR APPLICATION FOR I.F.E.C.

(ACT 198) FOR SCHRIER PLASTICS CORPORATION”

 

            Whereas, Act 198 of the Michigan Public Acts of 1974, as amended, authorized the Township to approve application for industrial facilities exemption certificate; and

 

            Whereas, pursuant to Act 198, and after a duly noticed public hearing held on May 28, 1996, this township established the “Corporate Center Industrial District,” for the property listed below:

 

P.P.# 70-14-22-351-001, Schrier Plastics Corp., Lot 59 of Georgetown Industrial Center No. 6, Sec. 22, Town 6, North Range 13, West Liber 35 of Deeds. (2019 Pine Ridge Dr., Jenison, MI, Georgetown Township)

 

            Whereas, Schrier Plastics Corporation, hereinafter referred to as “applicant”, has filed an application for an industrial facilities exemption certificate under the provisions of Act 198 and this township set January 8, 2007, at 7:30 PM or after, local time, as the time to give the Township Assessor and a representative of each affected taxing unit an opportunity to be heard regarding said application as amended; and

 

            Whereas, written notification of this hearing has been given to the Township Assessor and to the legislative body of each taxing unit which levies ad valorem taxes within the township; and

 

            Whereas, the Township Assessor and a representative of the affected taxing units have been given an opportunity to be heard with regard to the approval of an industrial facility exemption certificate for the applicant; and

 

            Whereas, there were no objections to the approval of the industrial facilities exemption certificate at the meeting held on January 8, 2007,

 

            NOW THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, by the Township Board of Georgetown Charter Township as follows:

 

1.         That this Township Board finds:

 

a)      The proposed facility is located within an industrial development district which was duly established in Georgetown Township upon request or on the Township’s own initiative, taken before commencement of the restoration, replacement, or construction of the facility.

 

b)      That completion of the facility shall not have the effect of transferring employment from another community within the State of Michigan to Georgetown Charter Township.

 

c)      That the aggregate State Equalized Value of real and personal property exempt from ad valorem taxes under Act 198 does not exceed 5% of the total State Equalized Value of the township plus the State Equalized Value of real and personal property thus exempted.

 

d)     That the granting of industrial facilities exemption certificate, considered together with the aggregate amount of industrial facilities exemption certificates previously granted and currently in force, shall not have the affect of substantially impeding the operation of the township of impairing the financial soundness of a taxing unit which levied an ad valorem property tax in the township.

 

2.                  That the application of the applicant for an industrial facilities exemption certificate with regard to facilities set forth in the application to be constructed in the district be and is hereby approved for a period of twelve (12) years.

 

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

            Marvin VanSomeren

Nays:   none   

Absent: none

 

            Note:   All notices were sent and advertisements were published

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-06 - Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2007-01, Michigan Motor Vehicle

Code and Uniform Traffic Code

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve reading for the second time and adopting Ordinance No. 2007-01, Michigan Motor Vehicle Code and Uniform Traffic Code, as follows:

 

AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 54 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GEORGETOWN, MICHIGAN, TO ADOPT THE MICHIGAN VEHICLE CODE AND UNIFORM TRAFFIC CODE BY REFERENCE

            THE CHARTER TOWNSHIP OF GEORGETOWN ORDAINS:

Section 1.        Amendment.  That Chapter 54 of the Code of Ordinances, Charter Township of Georgetown, Michigan, is hereby amended to read as follows in its entirety:

ARTICLE I. TRAFFIC CODE

Sec. 54-1.  Michigan Vehicle Code adopted.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Michigan Charter Township Act, 1947 PA 359; MCLA 42.23; MSA 5.26(23), the Michigan Vehicle Code, Act No. 300 of the Public Acts of Michigan of 1949, as amended, MCL 257.1, et seq., is adopted by reference, as if fully set forth herein.

Sec. 54-2.  References in code.

                References in the Michigan Vehicle Code to “local authorities” shall mean the Charter Township of Georgetown, Ottawa County, Michigan.

Sec. 54-3.  Enforcement; sanctions.

                (a)           The Michigan Vehicle Code may be enforced by any police officer or other employee of the township authorized to enforce criminal ordinances or authorized to issue civil infractions.

                (b)           The penalties provided by the Michigan Vehicle Code are adopted by reference, provided, however, that the township may not enforce any provision of the Michigan Vehicle Code for which the maximum period of imprisonment is greater than 93 days.

                (c)           When any person is found guilty of a misdemeanor or responsible for a civil infraction pursuant to this section, the judge or magistrate shall summarily determine and tax the costs of the action which shall include all expenses, direct and indirect, to which the township has been put in connection with the violation or infraction up to the entry of judgment.

Sec. 54-4.  Uniform Traffic Code Adopted.

                The Uniform Traffic Code for Cities, Townships, and Villages as promulgated by the Director of the Michigan Department of State Police pursuant to the Administrative Procedures Act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.201 to 24.328 and made effective October 30, 2002 is adopted by reference, as if fully set forth herein.

Sec. 54-5.  References in code.

                References in the Uniform Traffic Code to “governmental unit” or “municipality” shall mean the Charter Township of Georgetown, Ottawa County, Michigan.

Sec. 54-6.  Enforcement; sanctions.

                (a)           The Uniform Traffic Code may be enforced by any police officer or other employee of the township authorized to enforce criminal ordinances or authorized to issue civil infractions.

                (b)           The penalties provided by the Uniform Traffic Code are adopted by reference, provided, however, that the township may not enforce any provision of the Uniform Traffic Code for which the maximum period of imprisonment is greater than 93 days.

                (c)           When any person is found guilty of a misdemeanor or responsible for a civil infraction pursuant to this section, the judge or magistrate shall summarily determine and tax the costs of the action which shall include all expenses, direct and indirect, to which the township has been put in connection with the violation or infraction up to the entry of judgment.

Section 2.        Pending Proceedings.  All proceedings pending and all rights and liabilities existing at the time this ordinance takes effect are saved and may be consummated or continued according to the law in force when they were commenced.  No prosecution initiated prior to the effective date of this ordinance or initiated after the effective date of this ordinance for an offense committed prior to the effective date shall be affected by this ordinance.

Section 3.        Publication.  The Township Clerk shall publish a summary of this ordinance in the manner provided by law and shall at the same time publish a supplementary notice setting forth the purpose of the Michigan Vehicle Code and Uniform Traffic Code and the fact that a complete copy of the Michigan Vehicle Code and Uniform Traffic Code are available at the office of the Township Clerk for inspection by the public at all times.

Section 4.        Effective Date.  This ordinance shall take effect upon its publication as required by state law.  (To be published after adoption and effective 30 days after publication.)

Note:   The Township Attorney recommended that the Township adopt the MMVC

and UTC each year.  The Township currently enforces the MMVC (which is readopted annually to include all revisions).  With the new ordinance, this will continue; however, the Township will have the ability to enforce the recently amended version of the UTC (which previously largely duplicated the MMVC, but now has been amended such that only its unique supplemental provisions remain).  The attorney said that the ordinance HAS to be readopted each year and it could not contain wording to include amendments each year without readopting it.

Summary of the Michigan Vehicle Code and Uniform Traffic Code

The Michigan Vehicle Code is an act to provide for the registration, titling, sale, transfer, and regulation of certain vehicles operated upon the public highways of this state or any other place open to the general public or generally accessible to motor vehicles and distressed vehicles; to provide for the licensing of dealers; to provide for the examination, licensing, and control of operators and chauffeurs; to provide for the giving of proof of financial responsibility and security by owners and operators of vehicles; to provide for the imposition, levy, and collection of specific taxes on vehicles, and the levy and collection of sales and use taxes, license fees, and permit fees; to provide for the regulation and use of streets and highways and to provide penalties and sanctions for its violation.

The Uniform Traffic Code is an administrative rule promulgated by the Michigan Department of State Police to provide local law enforcement officers with the authority to locally enforce traffic laws; to provide for local traffic administration; to provide for the rights and duties of pedestrians; to regulate the operation of motorcycles, mopeds and toy vehicles; to provide for the rights and duties of drivers and others; to provide for the establishment and maintenance of traffic control devices; and to compel obedience to traffic regulations and provide sanctions for their violation.

 

            Note:               The Finance Committee recommended approval (at the 12/7/06 meeting)

 

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

Nays:   none   

Absent: none

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-07 - Bids for Publishing Legal Notices

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the bid proposal from Advance Newspapers for legal advertising from April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 in the amount of $3.56 per column inch for hard copy and $3.45 per column inch for electronically sent ads, and contract to be signed by the Clerk.

 

            Note:               The Services Committee recommended approval

Other bid includes Grand Rapids Press for $20.40 per column inch for the daily paper, $21.60 per column inch for the Saturday paper, $26.90 per column inch for the Sunday paper (the GR Press does NOT provide zoned advertising options any more)

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-08 - Request to Extend Plat Approval Time for Alward Estates West

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the request to extend approval time for Alward Estates West for final preliminary plat approval for one more year, which is until January 26, 2008 (which means that the final plat would have to be submitted to the Township for approval no later than January 26, 2008).  This is the second extension.

 

Note:   The Township Board initially granted tentative preliminary plat approval of Alward

Estates West phase 1 and 2 on January 27, 2003 with motion #030127-06.  At the January 26, 2004 meeting the Board extended the preliminary approval for phase two for one year, but phase two approval has subsequently expired since the developers had until January 26, 2005 to submit the plan for final preliminary approval and the final preliminary approval has not been requested nor have any extensions for phase 2 been requested.  At the January 26, 2004 meeting, the Board granted final preliminary plat approval for phase one.  (Note that the OVERALL plan has been tabled and no revision for the overall plan has ever been submitted.)  At the December 12, 2005 meeting, the Board granted an extension for one year for the final preliminary plat approval, until January 26, 2007, with motion #051212-10.  Therefore, the final plat was to have been submitted by January 26, 2007.  However, the developer is not ready yet and has asked for another year extension to submit the final plat.

 

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

            Marvin VanSomeren

Nays:   Bill Holland

Absent: none

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-09 - Accept Bid to Purchase 2007 Truck

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the low bid of $16,787.15 from Borgman Ford/Mazda to purchase a 2007 pickup truck (with a trade-in of DPW 2001 pickup truck for $6,500 or the truck could be sold for more than the trade-in price)

 

            Note:               The Finance Committee recommended approval

                                    Other bids

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-10 - Installation of Dry Sewer for Crosswinds Plat

 

Moved by Stanley Sterk, seconded by Dale Mohr, to approve the installation of dry sewer for Crosswinds Plat as per the plans dated revised 12/07/06 with the condition that no building occurs on the areas reserved for septic systems and subject to DPW Director approval and subject to Board approval for the preliminary plat layout

 

            Note:               The Water/Sewer Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-11 - Drain Clean Out Request for the Lowing-Comstock Drain

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the Township participation with Ottawa County by paying half the estimated cost of $3,400 (Township portion is $1,700) to clean out the Lowing Comstock Drain South of Fillmore by Cedar Lake Drive

 

            Note:               The Water/Sewer Committee recommended approval

 

The Supervisor stated that Paul Geerlings, Ottawa County Drain Commissioner, related that the problem was not caused by muck from the neighboring farmers, but rather from years of accumulation from the development of plats in the area.  Therefore, there was no other party that could be charged the other half of the cost, as was initially thought because the farmers would have had to pay half if they had caused the problem.  The County would not pay half, but rather would let the issue go unresolved if the Township did not pay the cost.

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Dale Mohr, to amend the motion to include the whole amount based on the normal formula.

 

AMENDMENT CARRIED.

 

            MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED.

 

#070108-12 – Public Comment

 

No one was present at this time to make comments.

 

#070108-13 – Board Open Discussion

 

Daniel Carlton presented a report with the Pro Shop Summary, noting that it is losing money.  He said that the goal was to have it break even and strategies would be discussed about ways to achieve that goal.

 

Daniel Carlton presented a report about the brush and leaf pickup with a five year summary. 

 

Daniel Carlton presented a report about the e-coli contamination of the lake at Maplewood Park.  The contamination was the reason for the closing of the park for swimming for most of the time during the past summers.  He stated that the Township was working in conjunction with the Health Department to identify the source of the contamination.  He said that due to the higher level of e-coli presence up the stream, the determination was made that the contamination was not coming from the farming operation.  He said that the source of the e-coli contamination has been tentatively identified as coming from the deterioration of the septic systems at the residential home sites to the north and west of Maplewood Lake.  He said that swimming at the park should be discontinued until the septic systems were fixed.

 

Bill Holland recognized Dan Hamming, Township Fire Chief, for doing a great job applying for and obtaining grants in the amount of $181,760.  The Township would have had the expense of $163,584 for equipment that would have been purchased anyway, but now would get that money back.

 

Bill Holland stated the following.  There is a problem with the booster pump for Georgetown Station 1.  It needs to be replaced since it has been leaking since last spring.  One bid was returned.  The Director of the DPW recommended that it be replaced quickly or there could be a problem.  Although the Supervisor has the authority to approve this expense since it is an emergency, he preferred to bring the request to the Board for full Board approval.  In October two pump companies were invited to review the pump situation and bid the cost for repairs.  Northwest Kent Mechanical responded immediately with a bid of $7,250.  River City Mechanical Company visited the site, but after three weeks and another call from the Township, they have not returned with a bid.  The DPW Director recommended that repair work be done by Northwest Kent Mechanical for $7,250.00.

 

#070108-14 – Add an Item to the Agenda

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve adding the item of the pump repairs to the agenda.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-15 – Repair Pump at Georgetown 1

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Daniel Carlton, to approve accepting the bid of $7,250 from Northwest Kent Mechanical Company to repair the pump at Georgetown 1.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#070108-16 – Board Open Discussion Resumed

 

Dale Mohr stated that there should be time limits for bids.

 

Stanley Sterk asked if the Board would be provided with an amended budget including the retirees’ health insurance buyout and he was told yes.

 

#070108-17 - Announcement of any scheduled meeting of interest to board members

 

Del South said that the Services Committee would meet on the 15th at 7:30 a.m.

 

#070108-18 - Reports from Standing Committees

 

            Water/Sewer committee minutes of January 4, 2007

 

            Finance Committee meeting minutes of January 5, 2007

 

Services Committee meeting minutes of December 18, 2006

 

#070108-19 - Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

                                               

William Holland, Supervisor

 

                                               

Del South, Clerk