COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Burgett. Present were Grahek, May, Landers, and Harrington. 16 people also attended.

Minutes of the previous regular meeting were read and approved with a motion by Landers, seconded by Burgett. Carried unanimously.

Treasurer's Report was read by May and was approved as follows:

Investment activity included purchase of $20,000 CD for General Fund and $15,000 CD for Road Fund. Motion by Grahek, seconded by Burgett. Roll call vote unanimous.

Clerk's Report of monthly expenditures was read and approved as follows:

General Fund bills: $17,346.95 General Fund CD: $20.000.00

Road Fund bills: $ 367.73 Road Fund CD: $15,000.00

Motion by Landers, seconded by Burgett. Roll call vote unanimous.

Burgett reported that the inspector contracts were not ready yet.

Burgett then brought up a blight case and asked for a motion to turn it over to the attorney for legal action. Landers so moved, Burgett seconded. Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

The cleanup of the old dumpster site was discussed, and Grahek moved to table the issue until Harrington finds out more details and the weather gets better. Seconded by Landers. Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Grahek introduced a resolution required by the state to rescind the township plumbing ordinance so the state can take over, and moved that it be adopted. Seconded by Burgett. Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

The Board discussed a pay raise Jeff Gasper had requested to $7.50 an hour for cemetery maintenance. Grahek moved to approve the raise, seconded by Burgett. Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Burgett said he had received a bid for snow plowing, and he was expecting another one. Harrington moved to table the subject for two weeks. Burgett seconded. Carried unanimously.

Burgett produced a petition from a number of people on Saddle Lake requesting a DNR hearing for watercraft restrictions on Saddle Lake. Grahek read the resolution that would be required for the hearing, and moved that it be adopted. Seconded by Burgett. Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

May reported that by the end of March the Board would need to sign an agreement letter with an auditor. The Board discussed this and also discussed the pros and cons of an annual audit as opposed to a biannual audit. Grahek moved to continue with annual audits for now. Burgett seconded. Carried by unanimous roll call vote. Then May moved to table the question of whom to contract as our auditor until the next reg. meeting, indicating he would get some prices. Grahek seconded. Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Zoning Administrator Estavillo announced that she might change to Tues., Fri., and Sat. hours.

BBACG Rep. Goss announced that the Fire Dept supports the green sign markers for mail boxes. He said they are $17.00 each, and can be obtained by calling 427-8980, and BBACG would install them. He then brought up the subject of $32,000 that is dedicated for township ambulance service. May responded that the Township had received the money prior to the formation of BBACG, and that it is not mentioned in the contract with BBACG. May also indicated he would like the money put into its own account to separate it from General Fund money.

Co. Commissioner DeLeo reported that the Health Dept. is now Van Buren and Cass Counties combined.

There was a brief discussion of a blight issue brought up by a resident.

Grahek moved to adjourn. Seconded by Burgett. Meeting adjourned at 9:02 PM.

Gerald P. Grahek

Columbia Township Clerk