COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Columbia Township board was called to order by Grahek. Present were May, Landers, and Harrington. Absent was Burgett. 21 people also attended.

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

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

Investment activity included a CD maturing at $31,819.84 and 4 Road Fund CD's maturing for a total of $74,198.30. Motion by Harrington, seconded by Landers, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Clerk's Report of monthly expenditures was read and approved as follows: Gen Fund bills $14,097.56; Gen Fund transfer to Road Fund $30,000.00; Road Fund bill $104,441.41. Motion by Harrington, seconded by Landers, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

It was announced that Scott Batten would be the deputy assigned full time to Columbia and Geneva Twps. under the new "COPS" grant, and that he would start Memorial Day weekend.

Grahek announced that the Board had passed the Consumers Energy Franchise Ordinance. He also reported that the Twp. will probably be forming an Ambulance Authority and that a 1 mil request would probably be put on the ballot. We will be learning more about it in the future.

Grahek reported that the Board is working on a Land Division Ordinance to tie the State Land Division Act (PA 591) together with the Twp. Zoning Ordinance. He explained that he had gone to class and was working with the Attorney and with the MTA attorneys to learn how the new ordinance would work, and that we were waiting for a workshop so we could work out the details.

A proposed land division of parcel 80-06-028-019-00 into 2 parcels, A and B, was presented to the Board for PA 591 approval. the application said that parcel B is not a development site, and it did not have Health Dept. approval. Grahek moved to approve the split under PA 591 with the stipulation that parcel B is not buildable until these requirements are fulfilled, and with the further stipulation that PA 591 approval does not constitute zoning approval. Seconded by May. Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

May introduced and moved to adopt a Bank Transaction Resolution because the banks had asked for one with a copy of the authorized signatures. Landers seconded, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

May moved to redesignate the Twp's financial institutions: West Mich. Savings, Shoreline, Old Kent, Pinnacle, and First of America. Seconded by Grahek, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

May moved to waive the Twp. Hall rental fee for an organ transplant benefit dinner. Seconded by Landers, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Grahek acknowledged receipt of a petition to pave 52 1/2 Street north and west of Silver Lake Road to the existing blacktop.

Grahek read some proposed lot sale rules to clarify the priorities in awarding bids and asked the Board if they agreed these are the priorities we follow. After some discussion and a couple of changes, Harrington moved to approve the rules. May seconded, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Grahek then suggested setting a date for the lot sales. After some discussion Landers moved to set them for July 26 at 10:00 AM. Seconded by Harrington, carried by unanimous roll call vote. Grahek said he would publish the list as soon as he got it and was able to put the notices together; hopefully in June.

BBACG Rep. Goss announced that the dept had approved sending 11 members to rescue, search, and recovery divers class. He also reminded us that the fire station in Grand Jct. is ready for the Sheriff Dept. car when the full time patrol starts.

Members of VFW Post 1214 presented the Twp. with a plaque in appreciation of the Twp's donation to the Veteran's Memorial. They announced the Memorial would be dedicated after the 11:00 Memorial Day Parade in Bloomingdale.

The Saddle Lake Assn. asked permission to use the Twp. Hall for meetings on some Saturday mornings at 10:00, without charge, if there is no scheduling conflict. May moved to approve, seconded by Landers, carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Grahek announced that the Land Use Survey sent out by the Planning Commission had brought in more than 500 responses, and that the vast majority of the people wanted the Twp. kept rural and agricultural.

Landers moved to adjourn, seconded by May and carried unanimously. Meeting adjourned at 9:18 PM.

Gerald P. Grahek

Columbia Township Clerk