COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The regular meeting of the Columbia Township Board was called to order by Burgett. Present were Grahek, May, Landers, and Harrington. 54 people also attended.

Minutes of the previous regular meeting and three psecial meetings were read and approved with motions by Landers, seconded by Harrington. All carried unanimously.

Treasurer's report was given by May and was approved as follows:

There were also several transfers and reinvestments. Motion by Grahek, seconded by Harrington, carried unanimously. May then announced that the Twp is required to adopt an investment policy by September and furnished the Board with a proposed policy. He also pointed out that the Board needs to adopt a policy regarding the Twp accepting property from people.

Grahek again announced his upcoming resignation and said he would like to have a replacement already in place by May 7. He then gave the Clerk's report of monthly expenditures and transfers. It was approved as follows:

General Fund bills: $34,489.12

General Fund transfers: $55,000.00

Road Fund transfers: $30,000.00

Motion by Harrington, seconded by Landers, carried unanimously.

Deputy Scott Batten announced a rash of B&E's especially around Saddle Lake. He said people should record the make, model, and serial number of their possessions, and to report suspicious activity to him or to Marge Kurasz of Neighborhood Watch.

The Board again discussed purchase of a PA system for the Twp Hall. Grahek moved to purchase the Radio Shack package for $999.63 installed. Seconded by Burgett. Carried by 4 votes. Landers abstained.

Grahek moved to adopt a settlement agreement for a blight case. Seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimously.

May moved to adopt, by resolution, the proposed budget for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1999, in summary form, with the exception that Road Fund expenditure would be increased from $195,000.00 to $199,200.00. Seconded by Harrington, Carried by unanimous roll call vote.

Grahek moved to approve the proposed audit agreement with Timothy K. Hutchens CPA. Seconded by Burgett, carried unanimously.

The Board reviewed four proposed land divisions for approval:

8006 020 008 01, 8006 003 014 00, 8006 002 008 00, 8006 024 002 40.

Grahek moved to approve them, seconded by Harrington, carried unanimously.

May proposed computerizing Twp records to make them more accessible and more available to the people and submitted a list of equipment for the Twp to purchase for $5856.36. After some discussion May moved to approve the plan and the purchases. Seconded by Harrington, carried by a vote of 4 to 1 with Burgett casting the dissenting vote.

BBACG Rep Dennis Mackinder announced that Geneva Twp has submitted a letter of withdrawal from BBACG. He also announced that BBACG has decided to contract out the ambulance service with VBEMS and that the new location of the ambulances had not yet been decided.

VBC Commissioner DeLeo announced that the County is going to computerized records.

Next there was a lengthy discussion/argument about ambulance problems. Landers moved that BBACG continue to run the ambulance service itself. Seconded by Burgett. Motion failed by a vote of 2 to 3, with May, Harrington, and Grahek voting against it.

Grahek moved to adjourn, seconded by Harrington. Meeting adjourned at 10:10 PM.

Gerald P. Grahek

Columbia Township Clerk