MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GEORGETOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD HELD DECEMBER 10, 2007, 7:30 p.m.

 

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

 

Prayer for guidance by Marvin VanSomeren

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

Roll Call

 

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

VanderKlok, Marvin VanSomeren

Absent:            Stanley Sterk-with notice

 

#071210-01 - Public Comments

 

James Poelman, 6894 12th Ave., reported that a situation was created to funnel storm water onto his property as a result of a construction project that took place on his road.  He submitted pictures to the Board.  He stated that he had contacted the Township Supervisor, who had directed him to contact the Road Commission and Drain Commission.  He said that no one would help with the situation and both the Road Commission and Drain Commission said that it was a Township situation.

 

#071210-02 - Approval of agenda as presented for December 10, 2007

 

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

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-03 - Communications, letters and reports: Received for information, to be filed:

 

A.    Code Enforcement Officer’s November 2007 Monthly Report

B.     Senior Center Monthly Activity Report for November 2007

C.     General Ledger Report November 2007

D.    DPW Report for November 2007

E.     Library Report for September 2007

F.      Fire Department Report for November 2007

 

#071210-04 - Consent agenda

 

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

 

a.         Approval of minutes of the regular board meeting held on November 26, 2007

b.         Approval of the regular monthly bills and utility bills

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-05 - Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2007-05, Michigan Motor Vehicle

Code and Uniform Traffic Code

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve the second reading and adoption of 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

 

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

            Marvin VanSomeren

Nays:   none

Absent: Stanley Sterk

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-06 - Second Reading and Adoption of Ordinance No. 2007-04, Dismantled Motor Vehicles

Revision Ordinance

 

Moved by Marvin VanSomeren, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 2007-04, Dismantled Motor Vehicles Revision Ordinance, as follows:

 

Sec. 46-2 of the Georgetown Charter Township Code of Ordinances is revised 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

 

Yeas:   Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Del South, Richard VanderKlok, Marvin VanSomeren

Nays:   Dale Mohr,

Absent: Stanley Sterk

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-07 - Poverty Exemptions Guidelines and Resolution

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the poverty exemption guidelines and the Resolution for poverty exemptions

 

            Note:               The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

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

            Marvin VanSomeren

Nays:   none

Absent: Stanley Sterk

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-08 - Rate Schedule for Sewer/Water Connection Charges

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Daniel Carlton, to approve the rate schedule for Sewer/Water connection charges as presented by the Water/Sewer Committee minutes of November 30, 2007.  Sewer connection charges will have to be adjusted when the Grandville Sewer Expansion Agreement is amended.

 

Note:               The Water/Sewer Committee recommended approval

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-09 - Bids for Purchase of Fire Apparatus

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the purchase of the SVI Fire Rescue truck for a total amount of $527,484.79.  

 

Note:               The Services Committee recommended approval and as recommended by the

Fire Chief

 

Dale Mohr stated that he was concerned because he had received no documentation and he had no information about the truck or bids.

 

Bill Holland stated that three bids had been sought and two came back.  He said that the issue had been thoroughly reviewed by the committee and with input from the Fire Chief.

 

Del South said that his committee spent hours reviewing the Fire Department’s need and the purchase of the truck.

 

Bill Holland stated that this truck would fulfill the need for two or three additional trucks.

 

There was further discussion and the Fire Chief gave a presentation detailing the components of the truck and how the truck would fulfill the needs of the Fire Department.

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to amend the motion to approve selling the old truck, number 831, when the new one comes in.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

            MOTION AS AMENDED CARRIED.

 

#071210-10 - Option on the Apparatus Bid Proposal

 

Moved by Marvin VanSomeren, seconded by Del South, to approve accepting the option on the Apparatus Bid Proposal to deduct $7,520.00 from the total bid amount if the chassis is paid for in full upon completion of the chassis at the manufacturing factory.

 

Note:               The Services Committee recommended approval 

 

There was discussion regarding the fact that the savings would not be different from the amount of money that would be earned from interest if the money was not paid ahead of time.

 

Yeas:   none

Nays:   Bill Holland, Daniel Carlton, Del South, Richard VanderKlok, Marvin VanSomeren, Dale

Mohr

Absent: Stanley Sterk

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-11 - Purchase SCBA’s

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve the purchase of four SCBA’s for the amount of $15,300.00 with the funds to be used from the turnout gear line item.

 

Note:               The Services Committee recommended approval 

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-12 - Purchase Fire Fighting Equipment Under a Second Grant

 

Moved by Richard VanderKlok, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve the purchase of Fire Fighting Equipment under a second grant from Assistance to Firefighters for a total amount of $24,059.00, with the Township share to come from a budget amendment to the turnout gear line item, as follows:

 

a.         52 Helmets from 5-Alarm Fire

Homeland Security:    $8,460.00

Georgetown:               $2,599.00

 

b.         52 Pairs of Bunker Boots from Time Emergency

Homeland Security     $11,025.00

Georgetown                $  1,975.00

 

Note:               The Services Committee recommended approval 

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-13 - 2008 Library Fees

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Marvin VanSomeren, to approve the 2008 Library Fees (library tab) as presented

                                                                       

Note:               The Services Committee recommended approval and as recommended

by the Library Director

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-14 - 2007 Budget Amendments

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the 2007 Budget Amendments

 

            Note:               The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

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

            Marvin VanSomeren

Nays:   none

Absent: Stanley Sterk

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-15 - 2008 Appointments for Boards, Commissions and Committees

 

Moved by Marvin VanSomeren, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the 2008 Appointments for Boards, Commissions and Committees, as presented

 

            Note:               The Finance Committee recommended approval

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#071210-16 - Public Comment

 

Dave Agema, State Representative, gave an update regarding politics with State government.

 

#071126-18 - Board Open Discussion

 

Marvin VanSomeren stated a concern regarding James Poelman’s property and planned to talk to the Drain Commissioner.

 

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

 

Bill Holland asked the Board members to keep December 27, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. open in case a special Board meeting was needed.

 

#071126-20 - Reports from Standing Committees

           

            Finance Committee meeting minutes of December 6, 2007

 

            Water/Sewer committee minutes of November 30, 2007

 

Services Committee minutes of December 4, 2007

 

#071126-21 - Meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.

 

 

                                               

William Holland, Supervisor

 

                                               

Del South, Clerk