COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	December 16, 2003 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 35 citizens.

Treasurer's Report:

General Fund	103.999.46	Road Fund	687.06
Fire Fund	179.108.34	Ambulance Fund	72.275.09
Trust & Agency Fund	11.36	Tax Fund	3.898.07
Liquor Control Fund	5.216.94	Housing Rehab Fund	43.193.76

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-November 18, 2003; Special Meeting Minutes- December 3, 2003; December 9, 2003; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-November 4, 2003; bills through December 15, 2003; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: Bills paid since consent agenda.

Amerigas Propane for Fire Department $252.98

Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the bills paid after the consent agenda. Carried unanimously.

Public Comment: None

Announcements: Motion by Burgett, second by Harrington, to send a letter of Jack Conway’s service to Columbia Township, to Jan Conway.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Guest Speaker: Amanda Black, Miss Bloomingdale, thanked the Township for all of their support.

Supervisor: Ambulance response time of 8.13 minutes in November. The Funneling Ordinance has been sent to the township attorney for clarification.

Sheriff: 76 complaints received in November: 2 abandoned vehicle, 10 accidents, 6 alarm activation, standby, 1 animal control, 8 assault, 3 blight, 2 breaking & entering, 2 civil/property disputes, 1 conservation, 2 delinquent minor, 1 explosives; 11 general assistance, 1 harassing/nuisance, 2 invasion of privacy, 3 larceny, 2 MDOP, 1 missing person, 5 obstructing justice, 2 operating under the influence of liquor, 2 public peace, 1 runaway, 1 stolen vehicle, 2 traffic violation, 5 VCSA.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: The Van Buren County jail crew will be helping to maintain the KalHaven trail.

Fire Chief: 7 calls since November 18: 1 car fire, 1 false alarm, 1 personal injury, 2 rescues, 1 structure, 1 fire other. Average response time was 5.57 minutes.

Planning Commission: Funneling Ordinance recommendations were sent to the Columbia Township Board.

Neighborhood Watch: A trail watch could be formed to police the Kalhaven Trail. Make sure that the Serial Number is etched on all valuables in case they are stolen.

Book Station: Christmas festivities will be held at the Book Station on December 17, 2003, starting at 10am.

Hospital: No Report.

South Haven Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 7 Zoning Compliances issued in November: 2 double wide, 2 used mobiles, 1 pole buildings, 1 renovation, 1 deck.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: None

New Business:

	Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve Resolution 2003-23, Special Assessment District for the Eradication or Control of Aquatic Weeds and Plants for Saddle Lake. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington nay. Carried.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to re-appoint Jack Bowen for a 3 year term and Rosemary Hurley for a 1 year term, to the Planning Commission. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Harrington, to re-appoint Chris Hodgman, Gene Farley, and Jane Driscoll, to the Board of Review. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Beckwith, second by Fogarty, to appoint Mary Burgett, Assistant Zoning Administrator. Carried.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Beckwith, to pay Jim Schneberger, Architect, an additional $800 to rework the plans for the Emergency Services Building. Carried.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve Resolution 2003-24, Rescind Eldridge Blight Citation. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve Resolution 2003-25, Budget Amendment. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.

Notice

1) Senior Bingo/Lunch December 17, 2003--1:00-3:00pm

2) Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-January 8, 2004-9:30-10:30 am

3) Commodities December 19, 2003—9:00 am to Noon

4) Closed 12/22 through 1/5 for Xmas/New Years

5) Open 12/30 from 9-5 for payment of winter taxes

6) Bloomingdale Sewer Project Meeting-December 18, 2003-7pm

Public Comment: None

Adjourned: 8:10 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dean Beckwith, Supervisor