COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The Regular Meeting of Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith at 7:30 p.m. Present were Beckwith, Speicher, May, Harrington and Landers. In attendance were 25 individuals.

Consent Agenda: May 16, 2000, regular meeting, expenses through June 17, 2000 and Treasurers report as presented.

Speicher moved to approve the consent agenda, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.

Clerk’s Report: Additional monthly expenses:

General Fund:

Road Fund:

Fire Fund:

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

Public Comment: None

Sheriff: 63 complaints in April.

County Commissioner: 800mhz 911 system will be in effect this fall. The fire department will receive one 800 MHz radio from the county.

Fire Chief: 78 calls since July 1, 1999. Ken Goodwin was recognized for graduating from South Haven Fire Fighting Academy on June 19, 2000. Ken received State certification for Fire Fighter I/II.

Planning Commission: Recommended a person to fill Don Ridge vacancy on the Planning Commission. Discussed discrepancies with the zoning map and made plans on how to correct the errors. The Planning Commission will be holding two or three public hearings on the necessity of up dating the master plan. These hearings will provide the public an opportunity to hear the reasons for needing a current master plan and how it will provide a benefit to the community. Governmental grants are based on well-written master plans. Regular meeting dates next month will be Wednesday, July 5, 2000 as Tuesday is the 4th of July.

Book Station: Country and Western Dance to raise funds on June 24th at the Township Hall. Looking at contractors to start work on the building. A web site has been established for the Bookstation www.thebookstation.homestead.com/index.html.

Hospital: A pain clinic for people with chronic pain was added. Persons interested should call 637-5271, ext. 225. Cable TV was installed. Hospital Auxiliary awarded its annual scholarships to three area students. Annual Audit report will be available July 1, 2000 for public view and comments.

1. Electrical Inspector: Beckwith moved to contract David Pabis as Columbia Township Electrical Inspector, seconded by May. Carried unanimously.
2. Interim Recall Election Clerk: Speicher moved to reduce his salary by $219.00 to pay the interim recall election clerk for performing the duties of the Clerk for an election. Harrington seconded provided the township attorney approved the method. Carried unanimously.

Discussion: The State Statues do not allow the Township to pay the interim recall clerk for performing the duties of the Township Clerk being recalled. Speicher is willing to reduce his salary, to have the township pay the interim clerk directly to avoid paying Federal and State taxes twice.

3. Transfer Station Tickets: Beckwith moved to stop selling Dump tickets at the township hall, seconded by May. Carried unanimously.

Discussion: Dump tickets can be purchased at the Transfer Station, so there is no need to sell them at the township hall.

Beckwith discussed roadside cleanup, which he was doing with some individuals providing community service.

4. Planning Commission Meeting Date Conflict: Speicher moved to change the regular meeting date of the Planning Commission from July 4, 2000 to Wednesday July 5, 2000 and November 7, 2000 to November 8, 2000, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.
5. Tires at Transfer Station: MSU will move the tires from the transfer station this coming month. Discussed the transfer station and the necessity to have a recyclable trailer. Decided additional information was needed, no decision was finalized.
6. Planning Commission Appointment: Beckwith moved to approve the Planning Commission’s recommendation of Frank Schaeffer to the Planning Commission, to complete Don Ridge’s term, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.

1. Yard Lights at Township Hall: Speicher contacted electrical contractor waiting for return information.
2. Peachtree Accounting Program: Harrington moved to purchase software upgrade to Township’s Accounting program, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously

PUBLIC COMMENT: Discussed a resident’s letter to the editor indicating the Ambulance Station was located in Columbia Township. The Ambulance station is located outside the Township on 28th avenue near CR 215 (Arlington Township). The resident who wrote the letter tried to make a correction prior to print. The Board was asked if any litigation with BBACG was ongoing and the Board answered "No". A copy of the township audit was asked for, presently not available as the auditor has not completed the report.

Adjourned: By call of Supervisor, adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Kenneth J. Speicher
Columbia Township Clerk