COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	May 17, 2005- 7:00 PM

Supervisor Bradford called the Regular Meeting of the Columbia Township Board to order. Present were Bradford, Burgett, Fogarty, Hurley, and Harrington. In attendance were 28 citizens.

Treasurer's Report:

General Fund	12,039.00	Road Fund	229,732.96
Fire Fund	170,228.50	Ambulance Fund	102,657.94
Trust & Agency Fund	82,155.93	Tax Fund	5,769.08
Liquor Control Fund	3,656.15	Housing Rehab Fund	46,341.09

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-April 19, 2005; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-April 5, 2005; bills through May 17, 2005; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: No Report

Guest Speaker: Lemmer Sisters requested donations for their trip to New York.

Public Comment: None

Announcement: The work at the Jep Lake Access has been completed. The Nextel tower is partially erected.

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Supervisor: The Sewer meeting has been rescheduled.

Sheriff: 137 complaints received in April: 3 accidents, 10 alarm activation, 10 animal control, 3 assault, 9 be on the look out, 2 breaking & entering, 3 delinquent minor, 4 dog law violation, 21 fire/ems, 17 general assistance, 1 harassing/nuisance, 2 health & safety, 3 invasion of privacy, 3 larceny, 1 lost/found property, 3 MDOP, 22 medical response, 1 missing person, 1 obstructing justice, 5 public peace, 1 runaway, 2 stolen vehicle, 6 suspicious situation, 2 traffic violation, 2 vehicle inspection.

County Commissioner: There will be a report the end of this month about the security at the court house. The county transportation system is having financial problems.

Fire Chief: 24 calls received in April: 11 grass/brush fires, 1 medical assist, 1 outside rubbish fire (during burn ban), 2 smoke detector activations, 1 smoke scare, 1 standby, 1 structure (arson), 1 structure with 3 exposures, 3 transformer fire/downed wire. Average response time was 5.93 minutes. The state is considering cutting the fire marshall position.

Planning Commission: No Report.

Neighborhood Watch: Next meeting-June 2-7:30 pm. Frost your windows so that criminals cannot see in.

Book Station: No Report.

Hospital: A dinner was held on May 10, in recognition of employees who have reached milestones of 5-35 years of service.

South Haven Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 6 Zoning Compliances issued in April: 1 wood frame, 1 deck, 2 used mobiles, 1 pole building, and 1 garage.

Correspondence: None

Discussion: Sewer Study-owners around the lakes need to submit petitions if they would like sewers installed around the lake.

Draft proposal-Coloma Ambulance hiring Farley Gruber full time to stay at the ESB building for medical and fire calls.

Old Business: None

New Business:

	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the zoning ordinance amendment-2005-01. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, and Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Fogarty, second by Burgett, to determine the number of years for the tax abatement for MBG. Fogarty No. Carried.
	Motion by Harrington, second by Hurley, to approve the tax abatement for 12 years for MBG. Fogarty No. Carried.
	Motion by Hurley, second by Fogarty, to determine the number of years for the tax abatement for Stokes Blueberries. Fogarty No. Carried.
	Motion by Fogarty, second by Hurley, to approve the tax abatement for 12 years for Stokes Blueberries. Fogarty No. Carried.
	Motion by Hurley, second by Burgett, to approve the Assessor Contract. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the 2005 roadwork. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve Palisades re-licensing. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to increase the punches for auto tires from 3 to 4 and to add semi/ag tires for 8 punches for disposal at the transfer station. Carried unanimously.
	Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to have the Fire Department take the mechanical voting machines and sell them for scrap for a fundraiser. Carried unanimously.

Notices:

	Commodities June 10, 2004—9:00 am to Noon
	Neighborhood Watch Meeting—July 1, 2004
	Planning Commission Meeting—June 7, 2004
	Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-June 10, 2004-9:30-10:30 am
	Pancake breakfast—July 3, 2004—7:00 am to Noon
	Book Station Hours-Wednesday 2-5pm; Saturday 10-2pm.
	Closed May 28-30 for Memorial Day.

Public Comment:

	The road is settling where the Silver Lake Drain was repaired.
	Roger Stokes thanked the Board for the 12-year tax abatement.
	MBG thanked the Board for the 12-year tax abatement.

Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty to adjourn the meeting. Carried unanimously.

Adjourned: 8:29 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dale Bradford, Supervisor