COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	October 21, 2003, 7:00 PM

The Regular Meeting of the Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith. Present were Beckwith, Burgett, Fogarty, Hurley, and Harrington. In attendance were 17 citizens.

Treasurer's Report:

General Fund	126,202.02	Road Fund	21,689.06
Fire Fund	189,213.15	Ambulance Fund	73,814.97
Trust & Agency Fund	11.36	Tax Fund	3,308.46
Liquor Control Fund	5,216.94	Housing Rehab Fund	43,173.58

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-September 16, 2003; Special Meeting Minutes- October 15, 2003; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-September 2, 2003; bills through October 20, 2003; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, seconded by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: No Report

Public Comment: None

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Guest Speaker: None

Supervisor: No Report

Sheriff: 129 complaints received in February: 5 accidents, 11 alarm activation, 5 animal control, 5 assault, 1 breaking & entering, 1 civil/property dispute, 2 conservation, 1 criminal sexual conduct, 1 drug related, 21 fire/ems, 3 flee/allude, 15 general assistance, 4 invasion of privacy, 3 larceny, 7 MDOP, 3 missing persons, 14 obstructing justice, 1 under the influence of liquor, 1 public peace, 1 reckless firearm, 5 stolen vehicles, 5 suspicious situations, 14 traffic violations.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: No Report.

Fire Chief: 4 calls in September, including 1 assist, 1 smoke detector activation, 1 rescue, and 1 camper fire. Average response time for September was 5.39 minutes. Fire Department Dinner/Dance will be held November 7, 2003 at 6:00 pm at Dutch Mill in Grand Junction. Tickets are $20. The Fire Department received a 50/50 grant from the DNR for dry hydrants.

Planning Commission: Funneling Ordinance Public Hearing will be held December 2, 2003 at 7:00 PM at the Columbia Township Hall.

Neighborhood Watch: Next meeting-November 6, 2003-7:30 pm. Remove all old papers from mailboxes to help prevent vandalism of property. Neighborhood Watch will be handing out candy to the children for trick or treat on Halloween.

Book Station: The Book Station will be handing out candy to the children for trick or treat on Halloween.

Hospital: October is National Breast Health Awareness Month. A special price for mammogram screening this month is $65.

Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: Permits issued in October: 9 Building Compliances, including 1 deck, 1 roof repair, 4 additions, and 3 pole buildings.

Blight Officer: 4 Blight complaints received in October.

Correspondence: Columbia Township received another payment of $108 from Frank Grubisich, in regards to the frivolous lawsuit he initiated and lost in 2002.

The state court appeal, in the Speicher vs Township of Columbia court case, has been concluded.

Coloma Ambulance average response time for September was 7.04 minutes.

Old Business: None

New Business:

	Motion by Hurley, seconded by Harrington, to set trick or treat hours on October 31, 2003 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, seconded by Fogarty, to raise the hall rental fee to $150 to Columbia Township residents only. There will be no fee for funeral related or non profit. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Beckwith, seconded by Hurley, to pay the Zoning Board of Appeals members $30 per variance request. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, seconded by Fogarty, to approve Resolution 2003-18 (Opposition to House Bills 4820-4828), the election consolidation package. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Hurley, seconded by Harrington, to hire Steve Sedlak with the lowest bid to plow snow at the Township Hall and the Fire Station. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, seconded by Hurley, to purchase voter registration software for $1,295. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, seconded by Hurley, to approve Resolution 2003-20 (Creation of a Special Assessment District for the Eradication or Control of Aquatic Weeds and Plants for Saddle Lake). Public Hearing date of November 18, 2003-6:30 pm. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.

Notices: Senior Bingo/Lunch October 29--1:00-3:00pm

Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-November 13, 2003-9:30-10:30 am

Commodities October 17—9:00 am to Noon

Trick or Treat at the Fire Station-October 31, 2003

Public Comment: Jan Conway thanked Farley Gruber for his help during an ambulance call.

Adjourned: 7:50 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dean Beckwith, Supervisor