COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:

 REGULAR

Date of Meeting:

 September 21, 2004 7:00 PM

The Regular Meeting of the Columbia Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Beckwith. Present were Beckwith, Burgett, Fogarty, and Harrington. Hurley was absent. In attendance were 38 citizens.

Treasurer's Report:
General Fund 130,538.21 Road Fund 133,133.20
Fire Fund 199,515.50 Ambulance Fund 84,073.15
Trust & Agency Fund 82,146.31 Tax Fund 2,568.00
Liquor Control Fund 3,220.46 Housing Rehab Fund 46,894.66

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-August 17, 2004; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-August 10, 2004; bills through September 20, 2004; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried.

Clerk: Bills paid since September 20, 2004

Terry Page Burial $250

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

Guest Speaker: Tina Leary-candidate for Van Buren County Clerk.

Public Comment: Sandra Wagoner-Requested an explanation of the letter she received in response to her letter of August 17, 2004.

Frank Grubisich-Requested that the amount for the attorney fees for the 2002 lawsuit, shown on the Treasurers Report, be removed.

Mary Burgett-correcting rumors--

The Board does not have any meetings that are not open to the public.
Lanny Gibson contacted the state concerned that there were no permits for the construction of the Emergency Services Building. Copies of all permits (building, plumbing, electrical, and mechanical) were faxed to the state. All of this at taxpayer’s expense-state & township
The bid review committee meeting was not required to be a public meeting.
No promise was made that any additional work, not on the plans, would be included in the original construction bid for the Emergency Services Building.
Mary Burgett abstained 14 times, on issues concerning her husband, to prevent even an appearance of a conflict of interest.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Supervisor: Emergency Services Building Contract cost $405,921. Completion should be in the next 2-3 weeks.

Everyone is enjoying Saddle Lake this summer, without the hindrance of the Milfoil.
Thank you to the Columbia Township Firefighters for doing the painting at the Emergency Services Building. A special thank you to Rachael Craft and Jeremy Price, who have faithfully been painting almost daily from the start.

Sheriff: 80 complaints received in August: 1 abandoned vehicle, 5 accidents, 5 alarm activation, 1 animal control, 9 assault, 3 be on the look out, 1 civil/property disputes, 2 delinquent minor, 1 embezzlement, 5 flee/allude, 18 general assistance, 1 harassing/nuisance, 2 invasion of privacy, 4 larceny, 6 MDOP, 3 public peace, 3 stolen vehicle, 4 suspicious situation, 1 traffic stop, 2 traffic violation, 1 VCSA, 2 vehicle inspection. Citizens Police Academy from October 6, 2004 through December 15, 2004.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: No Report.

Fire Chief: 7 calls received in August; 1 medical assist, 1 personal injury, 3 hay bale fires, 1 tractor fire, and 1 canceled in route. Average response time was 4.43 minutes. Some of the items the Columbia Township firefighters have been involved in are: Cops for Kids Triathlon, Stand-by at the Fly-Wheelers show grounds and the Van Buren County Fair. The Columbia Township Fire Department is in need of the following: DVD Player and large color TV for training videos, Rescue skid, rope, and rigging equipment, Gumby suits for ice water rescues, Video Camera, Large air compressor & hose. Donations would be appreciated.

Planning Commission: A lot of input was received from the public at the hearing for open space preservation on September 11, 2004.

Neighborhood Watch: Sheriff Dale Gribler will be at the next meeting-October 7, 2004-7:30 pm. Neighborhood Watch supports the township police millage of .5 mils.

Book Station: No Report.

Hospital: South Haven Community Hospital will be conducting their annual food drive "Harvest Gathering Drive" during the first two weeks of October. The Shoreline Women’s Center is nearing completion.

South Haven Senior Services: A potluck, with Bingo afterward, will be held September 29, 2004 at noon.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 8 Zoning Compliances issued in August: 1 modular, 1 used mobile, 1 garage, 1 dormer, 1 shed, and 3 decks.

Correspondence: Firearms information was received.

Guest Speaker: Tonya Schuitmaker-candidate for State Representative.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Motion by Burgett, second by Beckwith, to approve the Communication Tower Amendment. Carried.
Motion by Beckwith, second by Burgett, to approve the Consumers Energy Resolution to add the street light at 52nd and CR 384. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley absent, Harrington aye. Carried.
Motion by Beckwith, second by Burgett, to approve appointing Robert Pumfrey to the Board of Review. Carried. Harrington no.
Motion by Beckwith, second by Fogarty, to approve the Budget Amendment. Roll call vote. Beckwith aye, Burgett abstain, Fogarty aye, Hurley absent, Harrington aye. Carried.
Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve a $500 fee for Site Plan Review performed by the Planning Commission. Carried. Harrington no.
Motion by Beckwith, second by Burgett, to table the Agreement from the A.B.B. Joint Fire Department Board, stating that any litigation expenses arising from any act or omission by the A.B.B. or who they are responsible for, will be paid by Columbia Township. Carried.

Notices:

Commodities October 22, 2004—9:00 am to Noon
Senior Bingo/Lunch September 29, 2004--1:00-3:00pm
Neighborhood Watch Meeting—October 7, 2004
Planning Commission Meeting—October 5, 2004
Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-October 14, 2004-9:30-10:30 am
Last Day to Register to vote-October 4, 2004
Special Assessments due October 1, 2004

Public Comment: What will the Grand Junction School Building will be used for in the future?

Adjourned: 8:08 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dean Beckwith, Supervisor