COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

The Regular Meeting of the Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith. Present were Beckwith, Speicher, May, Harrington and Landers. In attendance were 55 individuals.

Cake, cookies and refreshments were provided (no Township Funds) to honor Marvin Landers for his 20 years of service.

Special Event: Honored Marvin Landers for his nearly twenty years as a Columbia Township Trustee. Marvin has elected to retire and is not running for re-election. Beckwith presented Marvin with a plaque and picture. Residents gave Marvin a large round of applause.

Special Event: The Columbia Township Fire Department presented honors to its Junior Fire Fighters, Kindergartner – Audrelia Swarn, First Grader – Jessie Stansel, Second Grader – Brittnee Fowler, Third Grader - Brian Irish. Chief Harry Rogalla, Asst. Chief Doroteio Corona Jr. and Lt Farley Gruber awarded certificates and posters.

Principal Maria Kahler of Grand Junction Elementary School presented Fire Chief Rogalla with a thank you card from the students and stated she was very impressed with their fire prevention program, which included "Stop, Drop and Roll" and "Two Ways Out of a Burning Building".

The meeting was adjourned for 10 minutes for cake and coffee in honor of Marvin Landers.

Consent Agenda: September 19, 2000, regular meeting, October 1, 2000 and October 6, 2000 special meetings. October expenses through October 14, 2000.

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

Clerk’s Report: Invoices received after preparing the consent agenda.

General Fund
11086 Marie Speicher Absentee Ballot Postage $125.40

Fire Fund
0320 W.S. Darley & Co. Water Nozzle $33.48

0321 Verizon Local Phone $29.92

Speicher moved to approve the additional invoices for payment, seconded by Landers. Carried unanimously.

Public Comments: None

Fire Chief: The Township has purchased land for a second fire station in the Township. Purchase price of $18,500 for about 5 acres of land with 300 feet of frontage on 49^th Street. It is located just off and north of CR-380 on 49^th Street. This station was located to complement operations with the current station in Grand Junction. The location was selected to improve response times to Township’s Southeast section and high residential areas like Scott Lake, Jephtha Lake and Breedsville.

9 fire calls last month. It is important to have green street address signs, they can be purchased at your local hardware stores. If you have an emergency please call 9-1-1, this is the fastest way to obtain emergency services, including fire and ambulance.

Fall is just around the corner - residents need burn permits for open burning. Our goal is to reduce the number of grass fires within the township. All permits must be in writing signed by the fire chief or assistant fire chief. Call a few days ahead and leave a message at the township hall and someone will review the site and if acceptable issue a permit. Burning on roadways is not acceptable.

Fire Prevention Week: Each year when you change clocks for daylight savings remember to change batteries in all household smoke detectors.

Southwest Michigan Burn Camp: The Columbia Township Fire Fighter’s Association is holding its first annual "Big Buck Contest" where 50% of the money collected will go to the winner and the other 50% to the burn camp and the Columbia Township Fire Fighter’s Association. This is a very good cause and flyers will be available at most businesses in the area.

Planning Commission: Contracted with Gove Associates for consultant support in updating the Master Plan. The November 8^th Planning Commission Meeting will have a Gove Assoc. member in attendance. We will be discussing the master plan and laying out a schedule for meetings and public comments. The Planning Commission is looking for help from the residents on reviewing and commenting on the master plan. Planning Commission is recommending approval of the Special Use Permit on the agenda this evening

Neighborhood Watch: The next meeting is November 2, 2000 and is the last of the year so please join us and learn about how to protect your neighbors and friends with a pencil and paper. Neighborhood watch is a group of residents watching out for their neighbors and not allowing illegal activities within their neighborhood to develop without someone noticing and reporting. The meetings are attended by a representative from the sheriff’s office and they discuss activities in our community to be on the lookout for. The next meeting will discuss public safety in the local schools. All are welcome to attend.

Hospital: New radiological interpretive services are available. The Red Cross is to have a blood drive November 1, 2000 12:00 noon to 5:45pm at the Peace Lutheran Church on Blue Star Highway.

1. Coloma Ambulance Contract Renewal – Speicher moved to approve a five year contract with Coloma Ambulance, seconded by Landers. Roll call vote Beckwith Aye, Speicher Aye, May Aye, Harrington Aye and Landers Aye. Agreement for contracted ambulance services was approved.

Notices: Neighborhood Watch November 2, 2000
Election November 7, 2000
Planning Commission Meeting November 8, 2000

Public Comments: A few residents were concerned with Lower Jephtha Lake accesses off from 48-1/2 street. They would like to see the access returned to original condition, prior to adjacent property owner having the ditch installed.

Adjournment: Adjourned at 8:20 pm.