COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:

REGULAR

Date of Meeting:

Tuesday, May 16, 2000

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 24 individuals.

Treasurer’s Report:

General Fund

$252,661.62

Road Fund

$ 102,283.11

Fire Fund

39,368.13

Ambulance Fund

51,239.88

Trust and Agency

300.01

Tax Fund

2,822.96

Liquor Control Fund

3,936.89

House Rehab

30,301.18

Consent Agenda: April 18, 2000, regular meeting, April 19, 2000 and May 1, 2000 special meetings, expenses through May13, 2000 and Treasurers report were presented.

Speicher moved to approve the consent agenda with corrections, removing Fire Fund checks 189 to TNT and 200 to Robwen seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.

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

General Fund:

Expenses in Consent Agenda:

$ 14,614.02

Issue CK 10826 Tony Evans Blight Enforcement

161.25

Total

$ 14,775.27

Road Fund:

Expenses in Consent Agenda:

$ 79,873.13

Fire Fund:

Expenses in Consent Agenda:

$ 9,171.64

Rem CK 189 TNT

-3,595.20

Void CK 200 Robwen Inc.

-26.10

Total

$ 5,550.34

Expenses after Consent Agenda:

Issue CK 189 TNT

$ 3,595.20

Issue CK 209 Marie Speicher – Materials for Bath Rm

325.99

Issue CK 210 GTE

28.98

Total

$ 5,905.31

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

Public Comment: None

Sheriff: 67 complaints in April. Discussed an emergency call to assist in CPR to three individuals located at Mr. Grocery. The sheriff was on scene within 3 minutes of the 911 call. Two volunteers from Lee Township area, with CPR knowledge arrived and gave medical assistance and helped Coloma. Public stated it was Albert and Pam Rawson who helped. Supervisor Beckwith will contact Coloma Ambulance to determine actual response times and more information on the call. Public suggested Columbia Township obtains first responders to help in these types of situations. The first thing that needs to be done in any emergency is call 911 to obtain emergency response.

Fire Chief: 75 calls since July 1, 1999. Supervisor Beckwith presented the Fire Chief and department with a letter of commendation for responding to five fire calls on one day, with three calls being concurrent.

Planning Commission: Discussed a revision to the Master Plan as the document is 15 years old and out of date. Don Ridge resigned from the Planning Commission as he is out of the area much of the year. Multiple occupancy building requests are on the rise. Provided a copy of an ordinance for towers for the Township Board’s review and consideration.

Book Station: Thanked George Harrington and Russell Thorne for the use of the front end loader in removal of trash at the lot. Michigan Blueberry Growers offered to help with operational cost of the book station.

NEW BUSINESS:

  1. Resignation Electrical Inspector: Landers moved to accept the resignation of Dick Burrows as Columbia Township Electrical Inspector, seconded by Harrington.
  2. Procedures for Hiring Electrical Inspector: May moved the Electrical Inspector’s position be advertised in the papers and accept applications until May 31, 2000, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimously.
  3. Election Clerk’s pay for Recall Election: May moved to contact Township Attorney to determine how a fair payment could be made to the Recall Election Clerks, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimously.

    4. Discussion: State Election Law doesn’t allow an appointed Clerk to perform the duties of the Township Clerk to receive compensation. A comment was made that the recall election was a waste of money as this is an election year.

  4. Planning Commission Meeting Date Conflict: May moved to change the regular meeting date of the Planning Commission from June 6, 2000 to Wednesday June 7, 2000, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.

    5. The Recall Election interferes with the Planning Commission meeting date.

  5. Advertising Planning Commission Meeting Date: Landers moved to advertise the change in meeting date for the Planning Commission, seconded by Harrington. Carried unanimously.

  6. Provided the names of the candidates, which filed for an election position by the May 16, 2000 deadline. The candidates have until May 19, 2000 to withdraw their names.

    7.

    Office

    Yearly Salary

    Republican

    Democrat

    Supervisor

    $3,492

     

    Dean Beckwith

    Vita Pike

    Larry Burgett

    Clerk

    $8,004

    Ken Speicher

    Mary Burgett

    Treasurer

    $8,004

     

    Bryce May

    Anne Willett

    Trustees

    $1,344

     

    Michael Petersen

    George Harrington

    Rosemary Hurley

    James Tash

    Joel Lemmer

    Constable

    $1,368

    Larry Austin
  7. Tires at Transfer Station: May moved to have MSU remove the tires from the Transfer Station, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.
  8. Fire Department Requests: Speicher moved to pay TNT for painting the Pierce Fire Engine ($3,595.00) and to have lettering and detailing (est. $800), seconded by May. Carried unanimously.
  9. Recall Election Costs: Speicher listed the current invoices received for the recall election and provided and estimated cost for additional activities, which are required. The total cost will exceed $4,500.00.

OLD BUSINESS:

  1. Yard Lights at Township Hall: Speicher contacted electrical contractor waiting for return information.

PUBLIC COMMENT: The cost of the recall election was discussed and how that money could have been better spent. It was also mentioned it was crazy to have a recall election in an election year.

Adjourned: By call of Supervisor, adjourned at 8:10 p.m.

Kenneth J. Speicher
Columbia Township Clerk