COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	July 20, 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 38 citizens.

Treasurer's Report:

General Fund	147,671.98	Road Fund	132,533.10
Fire Fund	66,229.32	Ambulance Fund	85,394.10
Trust & Agency Fund	84,280.09	Tax Fund	3,581.91
Liquor Control Fund	3,594.80	Housing Rehab Fund	42,713.83

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-June 15, 2004; Special Meeting Minutes- June 17, 2004; July 17, 2004; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-June 1, 2004; bills through July 19, 2004; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: Bills paid since the consent agenda:

National Sheriff Association Neighborhood Watch shirts $161.00

Farley Gruber Chief mileage $432.00

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

Guest Speaker: David Aviles-Mchigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners

Greg Sutka-candidate for trustee for Columbia Township

John Huizenga-candidate for trustee for Columbia Township

Chris Siebenmark from Senator Ron Jelinek’s office

Public Comment: David Aviles-- pleased that the township will be rescinding the Concealed Weapons policy.

Harold Johnson—Emergency Management Drills should be scheduled.

Vita Pike—MTA attorney should be used more. The Michigan Dept. of Treasury has to give written permission before the township can apply for a loan. (This is only necessary when you are going through the State).

Lynne Farley—Documents showing the total cost of the 8" well are available through a FOIA

request.

Frank Grubisich—the letter that was listed under correspondence on the last meeting’s agenda, took longer than three minutes to read. After visiting the Emergency Services Building he does not think that the electrical service at the Emergency Services Building is sufficient. He entered the property unescorted in disregard to what he had been told on July 17, 2004 by the supervisor.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Supervisor: Ambulance: 18 calls in June with an average response time of 7.45 minutes.

South Haven Seniors—367 seniors participating in activities in June.

Support the Van Buren County road millage renewal.

Support Columbia Township local road millage renewal of 3 mills

Support Columbia Township local police protection millage of 1.5 mills.

At the July 17, 2004 meeting, it was stated that people were welcome to visit the Emergency Services Building, escorted by someone from the site. This was incorrectly stated. The township attorney advised that the general public cannot go in because it is deemed a construction site with liability concerns. At a later date an open house will be held.

Sheriff: 95 complaints received in June: 14 accidents, 17 alarm activation, 1 animal control, 4 assault, 1 ATT pickup, 4 be on the look out, 1 cruelty/neglect, 2 flee/allude, 1 for your info, 18 general assistance, 1 hit & run, 2 larceny, 1 MDOP, 1 missing person, 10 obstructing justice, 3 under the influence of liquor, 5 public peace, 1 stolen vehicle, 6 suspicious situation, 1 traffic violation, 1 vehicle inspection. There were no Breaking & Entering in Columbia Township in June. Be aware of bottles sitting in strange places and alongside the road, they may contain Meth.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: No Report.

Fire Chief: Five calls received in June, 2 personal injury(auto), 3 structure (one assist to Bloomingdale; one assist to Lee), Average response time was 8.00 minutes. 18 Certified Firefighters on the Columbia Township Fire Department. A jet ski, for water rescue, has been donated through a loaner program by Leaders Marine and Polaris.

Planning Commission: A Public Hearing on the proposed Zoning Ordinance Amendments will be held August 10, 2004, at 7pm.

Neighborhood Watch: At the July 22, 2004 meeting the guest speakers will be from the marine patrol and CSI. At the August 5, 2004 meeting the guest speaker will be Senator Ron Jelinek.

Book Station: The book sale that was held along with the pancake breakfast on July 3, 2004, cleared $90. Thank you to Liz Hacker, Kathy Purk, Roger Post, Mary Fogarty, and Virginia Munn, for their help. The books that were not sold were donated to the AAUW.

Hospital: A new main frame computer has been installed with a estimated life of 5-7 years.

South Haven Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: Two Zoning Compliances issued in June: 1 deck and 1 modular.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: None

New Business:

	Motion by Beckwith, second by Burgett, to appoint John Lemmer to the Planning Commission. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Beckwith, second by Hurley, to approve 10% over the federal poverty guidelines for maximum income to quality for a discounted dump ticket ($15). Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to rescind the citations issued to Vernon Eldridge for blight. He has cleaned up the property. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve Resolution 2004-25, Establishment of Industrial Development District. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve Resolution 2004-24, Rescind Policy 2004-01, Concealed Weapons. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Fogarty, second by Beckwith, to approve Resolution 2004-23, Installment Contract Agreement. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett abstain, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington nay. Carried.
	Motion by Hurley, second by Fogarty, to approve the pay request by Burgett Builders for $98,802, for the construction of the Emergency Services Building. Carried. Harrington No. Burgett abstain.
	Motion by Beckwith, second by Burgett, to approve the allocation of the primary road millage of $21,600 toward the widening and paving of CR 388 from CR 681 east to 57^th Street. Carried unanimously.

Notices:

Commodities August 20, 2004—9:00 am to Noon

Senior Bingo/Lunch July 28, 2004--1:00-3:00pm

Neighborhood Watch Meeting—July 22, 2004

Planning Commission Meeting—August 10, 2004

Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-August 12, 2004-9:30-10:30 am

Primary Election August 3, 2004-Polls open at 7am

Public Comment:

Dale Bradford—The insurance company should be contacted in regards to residents entering the Emergency Services Property.

Maris Underwood—What is the estimated completion date of the Emergency Services Building? (possibly Mid September)

Rosemary Hurley—Thanks to MBG for the funds for the utility bills for the Book Station.

Frank Grubisich—Burgett should not be abstaining.

Lynne Farley—Will the bank be handling the payout to Burgett Builders? (Yes)

Adjourned: 8:50 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk; Dean Beckwith, Supervisor