COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The Regular Meeting of Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith. Present were Beckwith, Speicher, May, Harrington and Landers. In attendance were 21 individuals.

Consent Agenda: March 21, 2000, regular meeting, March 21, 2000 Public Hearing, and March 22, 2000 special meetings, expenses through April 13, 2000 and Treasurers report were presented.

Speicher moved to approve the consent agenda with corrections, voiding checks 10777 (Office Depot) and 10790 (Burnham & Flowers), seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimously.

Clerk’s Report: Consent agenda and additional monthly expenses:

General Fund:

Speicher moved to approve payment of the additional invoices received after consent agenda, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimously.

Public Comment: Rail Road Crossings on CR 215 is still in bad condition. The county road commission has made a repair, which did not fix the condition. Beckwith has contacted CSX/Florida headquarters.

County Commissioner: Doug DeLeo presented Columbia Township with a picture frame containing an original piece of Copper Plate from the dome on the Van Buren County Court House erected in 1903. Restoration was done on September 9, 1999.

Fire Chief: 64 calls since July 1, 2000. Burning permits are required; property owners need to call 434-6227 a few days in advance. Fire Chief will make an inspection prior to issuing a permit. Must have a written permit prior to burning. It is acceptable to burn in an approved burning container without a permit. No burning of tires or shingles.

Planning Commission: 19 building applications were received last month. Jack Bowen resigned from the Zoning Board of Appeals. Recommend Jeff Sauer to be appointed to the zoning board of appeals. Expect a proposed tower ordinance for township board approval within a few months.

Library Committee: The Craft Fair at the Township Hall was a great success. The Book Station will have some extra bodies if the Ball Field needs some workers, let us know. The Book Station was featured on Cosy’s breakfast club.

Hospital Report: Community education on health is a priority of the hospital. Lessons on better strategic planing being provided to staff. Heart to heart screening was successful, 544 people took the test.

One complaint at the hospital is not having something to pass the time while waiting. It was suggested that cable TV be provided in waiting room. The Auxiliary Board is donating $15,000 for the new TVs.

1. Free Dump Day: Beckwith presented a resolution to declare the week of May 26, 2000 to June 3, 2000 as "Columbia Township Spruce Up Pride Week" with up to 100 letters of commendations and free dump day on June 3^rd and 4^th, supported by Speicher. Roll call vote: Beckwith aye, Speicher aye, May aye, Harrington aye and Landers aye.
2. Assessor’s Contract: Beckwith moved to continue with present assessor’s contract with current payment rates for land divisions, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.
3. Received letter from Bangor on making improvements to Don Mora Field. No one in attendance used the field. No action was taken.
4. Coloma Monthly Report was discussed. 9 emergency calls were received in February, with 6.6 minutes on average. 17 emergency calls in March, with 6.9 minutes on average. Beckwith stated the response times were excellent.
5. Zoning Appeals Board: Speicher moved to place Jeff Sauer on the Zoning Board of Appeals, seconded by Beckwith. Carried unanimously.

1. Renewal of Road Millage on August Primary: Beckwith moved to approve the wording provided by the township attorney to present the road millage decision to the public at the August Primary, seconded by May. Carried unanimously.
2. Yard Lights at Township Hall: Speicher contacted electrical contractor waiting for return information.

Frank Grubisich stated he thought the township board and fire department personnel were acting very professional with all the lies that are being provided to the residents and placed in the newspapers.

Mentioned Bangor Township meeting minutes in paper reflecting looking at Hartford to expand further into Bangor Township to improve fire protection.

Adjourned: By call of Supervisor, adjourned at 8:07 p.m.

Kenneth J. Speicher
Columbia Township Clerk