COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	May 18, 2004-7:00 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 43 citizens.

Treasurer's Report:

General Fund	109,341.96	Road Fund	115,199.48
Fire Fund	70,066.64	Ambulance Fund	85,751.31
Trust & Agency Fund	9,736.36	Tax Fund	2,354.28
Liquor Control Fund	3,844.36	Housing Rehab Fund	43,293.81

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-April 20, 2004; Special Meeting Minutes- May 7, 2004; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-April 6, 2004; bills through May 17, 2004; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: Bills paid after the consent agenda.

Chuck Moore Building Inspector $1,944.59

Farley Gruber Reimburse Expenses $34.57

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

Public Comment: The New Attitude Bike Club will be having a Memorial Day Breakfast from 8am until the parade in Breedsville.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Guest Speakers: Matt Davis-Wightman & Asso.

Tina Leary

Duane Whaley

Art Toy

Steve Goforth did not attend

Supervisor: A letter of gratitude, from Dean Beckwith, to Columbia Township, for giving him the honor of serving six years as supervisor. Ambulance average response time for March, 2004--6.55 minutes; April, 2004--6.04 minutes

Sheriff: 123 complaints received in April: 3 abandoned vehicle, 6 accidents, 24 alarm activation, 1 animal control, 9 assault, 4 ATT pickup; 2 be on the look out, 2 breaking & entering, 2 civil/property disputes, 1 conservation, 3 delinquent minor, 8 flee/allude, 1 for your info; 9 general assistance, 13 health & safety, 2 invasion of privacy, 9 larceny, 5 MDOP, 1 missing person, 2 obstructing justice, 1 open intoxicant, 1 under the influence of liquor, 4 public peace, 1 traffic violation, 7 VCSA, 2 vehicle inspection.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: No Report.

Fire Chief: 13 calls received in April; 1 car fire, 5 grass fires, 1 medical assist, 1 personal injury, 1 rubbish fire, 2 structure, 2 unauthorized burning. Average response time was 6.00 minutes. A book on fire fighting was presented to Rosemary Hurley, from Chief Gruber, for the Book Station, in memory of Cookie Page.

Planning Commission: At the May meeting a special use permit was approved for the Columbia Township Emergency Services Building.

Neighborhood Watch: At the next meeting, June 3, 2004-7:30 pm, Sheriff Gribler will be the guest speaker. The annual pancake breakfast will be held July 3, 2004, from 7:00 am to Noon at the township hall.

Book Station: Thanks to Bryce May for all of the help setting up the computers at the Book Station.

Hospital: The construction of the cafeteria is completed at the hospital. The Columbia Township Emergency Services Building will be a great asset to the community.

South Haven Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 9 Zoning Compliances issued in April: 2 wood frame homes, 1 modular, 1 pole barn addition, 1 log home, 3 decks, 1 emergency services building.

Blight Officer: Many blight violation warnings have been given out this month.

Correspondence: Supervisor Bly’s Memo, regarding the supervisor’s support of the road millage.

James Ray Letter, regarding Jephtha Lake Access.

Attorney Opinion regarding special use permit for Emergency Services Building

Old Business: Motion by Hurley, second by Fogarty, to approve the bid from West Michigan Savings Bank for the loan of $250,000 for the Emergency Services Building, with a 4.14% interest rate for 15 years. Carried. Harrington No. Burgett abstain.

New Business:

	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to have a street light installed at the intersection of CR 384 and 52^nd St. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Beckwith, to approve an amount not to exceed $535 for the Columbia Township Flag. Carried. Harrington No.
	Motion by Beckwith, second by Fogarty, to approve the second payout to Dan Burgett, of $100,000, for the Emergency Services Building. Carried. Harrington No. Burgett abstain.

Notices: Commodities--May 21, 2004—9:00 am to Noon

Senior Bingo/Lunch--May 26, 2004—1:00-3:00 pm

Neighborhood Watch Meeting—June 3, 2004—7:30 pm

Planning Commission Meeting—June 1, 2004—7:00 pm

Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic—June 10, 2004—9:30-10:30 am

Closed for Memorial Day—May 29-31, 2004

Public Comment: Frank Grubisich was concerned that the purchase of the cabinets, table, etc., did not benefit him.

Vita Pike was concerned that the compactor would grab and pull her in

Lynne Farley said that the Fire and Ambulance Balance would all be used along with the loan and it would cost the township over $722,000 to build the building. This is incorrect. The total cost of the building will be approximately $400,000. The Fire & Ambulance balance is for all expenses.

Adjourned: 8:18 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dean Beckwith, Supervisor