MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GEORGETOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD HELD NOVEMBER 26, 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, Stanley Sterk, Del South, Dale Mohr, Richard

VanderKlok, Marvin VanSomeren

Absent: none

 

#071126-01 - Public Comments

 

No one made public comments.

 

#071126-02 - Approval of agenda as presented for November 26, 2007

 

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

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-03 - Communications, letters and reports: Received for information, to be filed:

 

A.     Library Report for August 2007

B.     Sheriff Department Report for September 2007 and October 2007

C.     Letter from three members of Rosewood Church regarding a portable sign without a permit

D.     Wyoming Water Supply project update with aerial photo looking south, aerial photo looking west

E.      Senior Center Monthly Activity Report for October 2007

F.      Code Enforcement Officer’s October 2007 Monthly Report

G.     Planning Commission minutes of November 7, 2007

H.     Construction update

I.        An ad will be published in the Advance to accept applications for a new Planning Commission member to replace Ron DeGood whose term expires Dec. 31, 2007 and he does not want to be reappointed

J.       General Ledger Report October 2007

K.    Fire Department Report for October 2007

 

#071126-04 - Consent agenda

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

 

a.         Approval of minutes of the regular board meeting held on October 8, 2007

b.         Approval of the regular monthly bills, monthly bills and the monthly bills and utility bills

            c.         Approval of Final Preliminary Plat (construction) of Lowing Woods No. 5 (paper

plan available in the Township Office) (plan a, plan b, plan c, plan d)

d.         Approval of the 2008 Meeting Schedule for Boards and Commissions

e.         Approval to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Quit Claim Deed for a portion

east 60 feet) of 6981 28th Ave. (future cemetery) to the Ottawa County Road Commission for road improvements to widen 28th Ave. in 2008 (Note: The Township has received a credit from the Ottawa County Road Commission for $18,000.00 and they will replace the parking lot along 28th Ave.)

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-05 - Request from Sheriff’s Department for Jake Breaking Signs

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve the purchase and posting of signs informing the public of the Township ordinance prohibiting engine braking or Jake braking as per the letter from Sgt. William Ward, Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department, including a list of sign locations

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

The Supervisor stated that each sign cost $162 and for 12 signs the total cost was $1944.

 

Sgt. Bill Ward explained why the request was made at this time and that truckers were not aware of the ordinance.

 

Yeas:    Bill Holland, Stanley Sterk, Del South, Marvin VanSomeren, Richard VanderKlok

Nays:   Daniel Carlton, Dale Mohr

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-06 - Michigan Strategic Fund Consideration

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to consent to the Michigan Strategic Fund’s consideration of the transfer of Jeup Inc./PK&J Development, L.L.C./P & K Development Company and 20 full-time employees to Kentwood in regards to an application for the issuance of tax exempt bonds

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended consenting

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-07 - Authorize the Participation for Non-Motorized Path

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Bill Holland, to approve the participation with Sunset Manor in the amount of $5,500 towards the installation of the non-motorized path from Port Sheldon to 18th Ave. which allows the installation of the path to be competed this year.  The non-motorized path now extends from Kenowa Ave. to 40th Ave.

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

Moved by Stanley Sterk, seconded by Dale Mohr, to amend the motion to include the same deal for Allen Springs because they are paying taxes and others were given between $5,000 and $8,000 for the installation of the bike path.

 

Yeas:    Marvin VanSomeren, Stanley Sterk, Del South

Nays:   Daniel Carlton, Richard VanderKlok, Dale Mohr, Bill Holland

 

MOTION DENIED.

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Bill Holland, to approve Dale Mohr abstaining from voting on the original motion.

 

The Board determined there was no legitimate reason for Dale Mohr to abstain from voting.

 

Yeas:    Dale Mohr

Nays:   Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Del South, Stanley Sterk, Marvin VanSomeren,

Richard VanderKlok

 

MOTION DENIED.

 

Original motion:

 

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

Nays:   Stanley Sterk, Del South

 

ORIGINAL MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-08 - 2008 Zoning Fees.

 

Moved by Marvin VanSomeren, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the 2008 Zoning Fees as proposed.

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-09 - Water System Reliable Study

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Stanley Sterk, to approve $5,000 to redo a computer model for the water system reliability study to be done by Prein & Newhof, as per the letter from Prein & Newhof, due to the fact that the Township’s former engineer is unwilling to provide the Township with the previously approved and purchased computer model for the water system.

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-10 - Financial Audit for 2007

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the contract with Kiekover, Scholma & Shumaker, PC, as presented in their letter for the financial audit for 2007.

 

            Note:                The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

There was discussion regarding accepting bids for future financial audits.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-11 - Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2007-05, Michigan Motor Vehicle

Code and Uniform Traffic Code

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve introducing and reading for the first time Ordinance No. 2007-05, 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

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-12 - Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2007-04, Dismantled Motor Vehicles

Revision Ordinance

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve introducing and reading for the first time Ordinance No. 2007-04, Dismantled Motor Vehicles Revision Ordinance, as follows:

 

Sec. 46-2.  Storage and disposal of waste matter and dismantled motor vehicles.

 (d)       Dismantled vehicles. No person shall store, dismantle, wreck, dispose of or repair any automobile, trailer, or other self-propelled motor vehicle which is dismantled or partially dismantled or an unregistered or unlicensed motor vehicle without current up-to-date license plates attached to such vehicle for a period of more than two weeks, unless such vehicle is stored or parked within a wholly enclosed garage or other enclosed structure, or unless such motor vehicle is regularly used by the owner of the premises in the ordinary course of business or farming on a seasonal or annual basis, except in a junkyard licensed by the township under this chapter. Any such unlicensed or licensed, operable or inoperable, or dismantled vehicle, if located in any road right-of-way, shall be removed after a 24-hour period.

 

            Note:                The Services Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-13 - Park Entrance Fees for 2008 for Nonresidents

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve raising the 2008 park entrance fees for nonresidents as follows:

 

Current                                 Increase to

$1.00 for kids                           $2.00

$3.00 adults                             $5.00

 

            Note:                The Services Committee recommended approval

 

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

Mohr

Nays:   Daniel Carlton

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-14 - Change Sewer Rate

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Daniel Carlton, to approve the sewer rate change from $2.25 to $2.50 per 1,000 gallons of water consumed for all billings after January 1, 2008

 

            Note:                The Utilities (Water/Sewer) Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-15 - Morgan Sidewalk Waiver Request

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Daniel Carlton, to deny the Morgan Sidewalk Waiver Request for P.P. # 70-14-27-475-032 and -033

 

            Note:                The Utilities (Water/Sewer) Committee recommended denial

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-16 - Latimer Sidewalk Waiver Request

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Dale Mohr, to deny the Latimer Sidewalk Waiver Request for P.P. # 70-14-18-201-012 and -013

 

            Note:                The Utilities (Water/Sewer) Committee recommended denial

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071126-17 - Public Comment (maximum 3 minutes per person)

 

Chad Tuttle, representing Sunset Manor, 725 Baldwin, thanked the Board for approving $5,000 to pay for the increase in the amount of money it cost Sunset to complete the sidewalk this year.

 

#071126-18 - Board Open Discussion

 

Dale Mohr stated that the Board should consider ways to increase safety related to the health, safety and welfare relating to the man that was hit on Baldwin.

 

Bill Holland said that he had attended a meeting regarding the Grandville Waste Water Treatment Plant.  He stated that MDOT should finish the work for the construction project this week.

 

Stanley Sterk questioned the sidewalk by the water treatment plant and was told it would be completed.

 

#071126-19 - Announcement of any scheduled meeting or meeting attended of interest to board members

 

Dale Mohr stated that he had attended a Risk Management Seminar and a WCET meeting, along with the Supervisor, regarding housing in Ottawa County.

 

#071126-20 - Reports from Standing Committees

           

            Finance Committee meeting minutes of November 20, 2007

           

Water/Sewer (Utilities) Committee minutes of November 1, 2007

 

Services Committee minutes of November 19, 2007

 

#071126-21 - Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

 

 

                                               

William Holland, Supervisor

 

                                               

Del South, Clerk