COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The Regular Meeting of Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith. Present Beckwith, Speicher, May, Harrington and Landers. In attendance were 29 individuals.

Consent Agenda: March 16, 1998, regular meeting, March 23, 1999, special meeting, March 29, 1999, special meeting and April 11, 1999, Special meeting minutes and expenses through April 18, 1999 were presented. Landers moved to approve the consent agenda as presented seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.

Treasurer’s report: was read by May as follows:

Speicher moved to approve the Treasurer’s report, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.

Clerk’s report: Speicher presented monthly expenses as follows:

Expenses in Consent Agenda: $16,537.16

Expenses received after issuing consent agenda

CK -10194 to Sam DeLeo 343.00

CK-10184 to State of Michigan 370.42

CK-10185 to West Michigan Savings Asso 966.74

General Fund Total $ 17,874.32

Harrington moved to approve the bills, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.

Supervisor’s Report:

1. Beckwith explained the board was presenting a new tentative joint fire agreement to the other BBACG’s members to see if an agreement could be obtained between the municipalities to save the existing fire district. The other municipalities can provide comments in areas in which they would like to see changed or improved. The Supervisor then explained how people can have different opinions and how to move toward compromise by taking the best solutions from all points of view.
2. He asked for anyone with old pictures in the Township to contact the Township so copies could be made and put on display at Township Hall. Lonny Johnson will check on this.
3. Accepted 20 letters from the 2^nd and 3rd graders of Grand Junction School requesting a library in Grand Junction.

Planning Commission: Working on re-write of the master plan, will take a year or more to complete.

Zoning Administrator: Nine (9) zoning compliance permits were issued.

Fire Representative: At an 1984 election, the residents of Columbia Township approved forming a joint fire district with City of Bangor, Bangor, Arlington and Geneva Townships. On the 1984 election ballot the district was formed in accordance with PA 33 of 1951, providing for cost of maintenance and operation. State Statue PA 33 of 1951 requires two members from each municipality on the fire board and one member from the district selected by the newly formed fire board members. PA 33 of 1951 also requires the fire budget to be approved by the Municipality’s governing bodies. The BBACG joint fire board is operating in noncompliance with this State Statue, as their budget is not approved by Township Boards / City Council and the number of fire board members are incorrect. Previously and by Resolution Columbia Township Board directed the fire board representative not to authorize any expenditures until compliance with state statues are met. Columbia Township is keeping the State of Michigan, Department of Treasury and the Michigan Fire Marshall informed of all actions in this matter. It is unlawfully for any public official to knowingly or willfully violate state statues or their oath of office.

1. Beckwith moved to accept Charles Voytech’s resignation from the Zoning Board of Appeals and adopt a resolution thanking Charles Voytech for his many years of faithful service, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
2. Speicher moved to appoint Jennie Grubisich as member of the Zoning Board of Appeals, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.
3. Speicher moved to advertise free dump day three times prior to May 22, 1999, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.
4. Beckwith moved to remove trailer per court order, seconded by Speicher. Carried unanimous.
5. Speicher moved not to pay BBACG invoices, May amended to table discussion until the July regular meeting, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous. The 2nd quarter invoice is not due until end of 2nd quarter. In January, the board sent a letter to BBACG on 1st quarter invoice and still has not received a response.
6. Landers moved to Table a.) 6" - 600 gpm water well in Grand Junction, b.) 25,000 gallon underground water storage system, c.) purchasing a grass fire unit d.) locating a new fire station in Southern part of township, e.) grants for fire protection, seconded by May. Carried unanimous. Fire committee needs to provide township board at least two estimates for purchasing.
7. Discussed ball field repairs with no actions taken by the township board. recreation committee will meet Thursday night and determine if township board support is needed.
8. May moved to advertise for sealed bids to sell a building in Grand Junction, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.
9. Speicher moved to purchase copy machine as recommended from May’s pricing evaluation, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.
10. Speicher moved to purchase a computer from Butler to be used by the Clerk, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
11. May moved to have a lot sale this year, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
12. Speicher moved to approve fire committee’s application form for applying for position of volunteer fire fighter, seconded by Beckwith. Carried unanimous.
13. May moved to refer Zoning Administrator’s request for Land Division Ordinance revision to the Planning Commission, seconded by Speicher. Carried unanimous. Al Bearren from the Planning Commission asked for two months to review and prepare for any revision to the Land Division Ordinance.
14. Beckwith moved to install a planter around the Township Hall sign in accordance with zoning criteria for set backs, seconded by May. Carried unanimous.

None

Mentioned a lawsuit filed against Township. Big Chair in Grand Junction. Discussed BBACG fire agreement and contents with respect to the specified amount to be paid by the Township as being stated in the agreement. Which is one fifth (1/5) to join, then equal shares (1/5) as a member, then if withdrawal - get one fifth (1/5) of all BBACG’s assets. Discussed resident’s anticipated future millage of 6 to 8 mils as being not true and actual millage rate is unknown at this time as the final fire protection direction is unknown. Township Board is being responsible by being prepared for either direction. The Board is also looking at all options to provide the most cost effective and efficient fire protection service for the Township.

Adjourned: At 9:30 p.m. by call of the Supervisor the regular meeting was adjourned.

Kenneth J. Speicher

Columbia Township Clerk

Minutes approved by Board May 18, 1999