COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The Regular Meeting of Columbia Township Board was called to order by Clerk Speicher. Present Speicher, May, Harrington and Landers, absent Beckwith. In attendance were 41 individuals.

Select Chairperson: Landers moved to appoint Speicher as Chairperson for the meeting, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.

Consent Agenda: May 18, 1999 regular meeting, expenses through June 12, 1999 and Treasurer's report were presented.

Harrington moved to approve the consent agenda as presented, seconded by May. Carried unanimous.

Clerk's report: Speicher presented Monthly expenses as follows:

Expenses in Consent Agenda: Road Fund $ 32,412.50

General Fund $ 15,182.58

CK 10303 to Colnial Die Corp 192.25

CK 10304 to Van Buren County Sheriff 183.04

CK 10305 to George Harrington 111.50

CK 10306 to Siegfried, Crandall Vos & Lewis 2,609.00

CK 10307 to Van Buren Public Transit 350.85

CK 10308 to Quinlan Publishing Group 168.59

CK 10309 to James E. Boardman 1,578.50

CK 10310 to GTE 233.10

General Fund Normal Expenses $ 20,609.41

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

Planning Commission: A public hearing scheduled in July for a proposed revision to the master plan. The revision is minor and states intent to maintain the Township as rural and agricultural community.

Zoning Administrator: Six zoning compliance permits were issued last month.

Fire Representative: Good chance of getting the fire truck located at the Grand Junction Station. June 22, 1999 at 7:00 p.m. a special meeting is scheduled at Bangor Community Fire Station to split BBACG's assets for Columbia Township withdrawal. The Township is getting prepared to operate own fire department on July 1, 1999.

Sheriff Report: 105 calls in Columbia Township up by 65 calls from last month.

Library: Need volunteers

Recreation: Ball Field being work on. Player's bleachers were installed. back stop is being repaired. Will move dirt around the baselines shortly. Horse shoe pits were installed.

1. Harrington moved to call a special meeting June 22, 1999, at 7:00 p.m. at Bangor Community Fire Department, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
2. Harrington moved to call a special meeting June 23, 1999, at 7:30 p.m. for issues related to fire protection, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
3. Harrington moved to purchase items recommended by the fire committee, Turnout gear $1,282 per person (10 units, $12,820.00), Physicals at $230 person (10 units $2,300.00), Radio / license/ tower for $9,118.00 and passive alarms at $200.00 per person (10 units $2,000.00). Two bids required prior to purchase, not to exceed value of ten units, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous. Committed $26,238.00 for fire fighting.
4. Harrington moved to set salaries for fire fighters as recommended by the fire committee, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.

Chief - contractual agreement with Township

Asst. Chief Captain Lieutenant Firefighter

Salary (per year)* 1,500.00 750.00 375.00 0

Min per call 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

Additional hours 15.00 15.00 15.00 15.00

In-house Training 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00

* paid quarterly

5. May moved to sale lots obtained prior to 1998 and to hold lots obtained before 1998, which are adjacent to any 1997, or 1998 lot, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
6. May moved to place advertisements for lot sales at least 30 days, 15 days and 7 days prior to the date of the lot sale, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
7. Harrington moved to have the lot sales on Saturday, August 28, 1999 at 10:00 a.m., seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
8. Harrington moved to have a minimum lot sale price of $100.00 per lot, seconded by May. Carried unanimous.
9. May moved to purchase a port-a-potty for use at the Transfer Station, not to exceed $100.00, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimous.
10. May moved to table decision on Van Buren Land Information Access Asso. Coalition, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous. Send to Planning Commission.
11. Speicher reviewed placing a sign (public road) on Fire Lane 43 and determined it would be an unauthorized expenditure, the Township considers the fire lane a private drive. Road commission has not dedicated fire lane 43 as a public road. No action taken.
12. May moved to table 1/2 purchase of lawn mower until the June 23, 1999 special meeting to gather more information, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.
13. May moved to table purchase of tax reverted land (Resolution 9919) until properties were reviewed, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous. May to visually check properties to ensure Township is interested in purchasing.
14. Speicher moved to approve Resolution 9920 (Planning Commission / Zoning Administrator responsibilities) as corrected, supported by May. Speicher "Aye", May "Aye", Harrington "Aye", Landers "Aye" and Beckwith "Absent".
15. May moved to approve transfer of liquor license (Resolution 9921), supported by Harrington. Speicher "Aye", May "Aye", Harrington "Aye", Landers "Aye" and Beckwith "Absent".
16. Speicher moved to table the Environmental Study for the new Fire Station, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimous.

1. Landers moved to table paying the Zoning Administrator (per Land Division), this was based on review of Planning Commission meeting minutes, seconded by May. Carried unanimous.
2. May moved to table Ordinance to retrieve all legal expenses for enforcement of ordinances, seconded by Speicher. Carried unanimous.
3. May discuss Palmer Drain - Resolution, no action taken.
4. May discuss Silver Lake Outlet - Resolution, no action taken.

Fire Lane 43, has a neighborhood dispute and wants the Township to resolve the problem. Harrington will investigate and discuss issues with one of the neighbors. There is nothing the Township can do, suggest civil action to resolve differences.

Silver Lake Road has a neighborhood dispute. The Township has been asked to pave a portion of the road between Silver Lake and residents to correct an alleged safety problem. County Road Commission has looked into the situation many times without taking action. Township will not get into a neighborhood dispute, but upon 51% receiving a petition from 51% of the adjacent property owners will consider the request of the petition.

Adjourned: At 9:40 p.m.

Kenneth J. Speicher

Columbia Township Clerk