COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	REGULAR
Date of Meeting:	February 20, 2007 - 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	142,307.01	Road Fund	485,023.86
Fire Fund	389,870.44	Ambulance Fund	143,438.83
Trust & Agency Fund	163,880.13	Tax Fund	20,147.00
Liquor Control Fund	3,979.24	Housing Rehab Fund	52,548.741

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-December 19, 2006; Special Meeting Minutes-January 8, 2007; January 11, 2007 Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-December 18, 2006; bills through February 20, 2007; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: Bills paid since the consent agenda – Register of Deeds Lot Sale Deeds $34

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

Guest Speaker: None

Public Comment: H. Johnson-the township should review its liability insurance.

Announcements:

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: Motion by Burgett, second by Bradford, to add #10 to New Business; Senior Bingo. Carried unanimously.

Supervisor: The annual Conference in Detroit had many good classes. Bradford rode with Deputy Douglas for about 5 hours.

Fire Chief: 5 calls received in January, 2 motor vehicle accidents, 1 gasoline spill, 2 mutual aid (South Haven & Lee Township). Average response time was 7.4 minutes. Training was held with Bloomingdale & Gobles Fire Departments to train in ice rescue operations and tactics. Other training this winter; Search & Rescue; Winter firefighting operations; Technical Rope Rescue.

Sheriff: 34 complaints received in January: 1 abandoned vehicle, 3 accidents, 5 animal at large, 2 assault, 2 ATT pickup, 3 dog law violation, 8 general assistance, 1 harassing/nuisance, 1 health & safety, 2 larceny, 1 MDOP, 1 obstructing justice, 3 suspicious situation, 1 traffic violation.

State Police: Post Commander Michael Harvitt gave a report of the questions that have been addressed lately by citizens.

County Commissioner: Sue Hammond has been assigned to 3 committees. Beth Clausin will be visiting all municipalities to talk about the recycling program.

Planning Commission: Aaron Fuller, Black River Watershed was the guest speaker at the last meeting. A grant for $19,000, to be used between 4 communities, is offered for master plan update. Zoning Ordinance revisions were discussed.

Neighborhood Watch: March is Meth awareness month. One of the Meth signs is missing. The FBI is involved because this is part of Homeland Security. Next meeting-March 1, 2007-7:30 pm.

Hospital: Heart to Heart Cholesterol Screening took place February 13-15. Brian Long has been named the hospital’s new Chief Financial Officer. Thomas Bauer is the hospital’s new Business Office Director. Sleep Medicine is the specialty of Dr. N. Craig Boss.

South Haven Senior Services: Bingo, for the Seniors, would like to be held on the second Wednesday of every month from 1-3 pm.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 2 Zoning Compliances issued in January: 1 modular/ 1 Ag addition.

Blight Officer: None

Correspondence: Van Buren Supervisor’s meeting.

Old Business: None

New Business:

Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve drainage work at CR 215S/388, CR 215N/388, ditching at 49^th S of 18^th & 24^th/47^th. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Harrington, to increase the insurance liability from $1,000,000 to $3,000.000 Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve purchase of Fire Department radios not to exceed $925. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the additional cost of the SCBA’s, $443 & $535. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the cost of the Fire Department Conference, not to exceed $1,650. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the purchase of Strobe Lighting for the Fire Department, not to exceed $1,000. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the purchase of portable signs for the Fire Department, not to exceed $1,400.

Motion by Burgett, second by Bradford, to approve the purchase of a Ventilation Saw, Ventilation Fan, & a generator powered light, not to exceed $4,350. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve Resolution 2007-02 – Budget Amendment. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously.

Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve Senior Bingo at the township hall every second Wednesday of the month from 1-3 pm. Carried unanimously.

Notices: 1. Senior Commodities - March 9, 2007—9:00 am to Noon

2. Low Income Commodities – March 16, 2007--9:00 am to Noon

3. Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic-March 9, 2007-9:30-10:30 am

4. Planning Commission Meeting/Workshop—March 19, 2007—6:00 PM

5. Last day to pay taxes-February 28, 2007—9:00 am to 5:00 pm

6. Senior Night Out-March 16, 2007—5:00 – 8:00 pm

7. Senior Tax Assistance-February 22, 2007-02-26

Public Comment: L. Johnson-street lights should be put in the center of intersections.

D. Johnson-thanks to Board for approving Fire Department equipment.

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

Adjourned: 8:12 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dale Bradford, Supervisor