COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	Regular
Date of Meeting:	October 16, 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 20 citizens.

Treasurer’s Report:

General Fund	204,764.21	Road Fund	544,272.94
Fire Fund	440,194.57	Ambulance Fund	92,411.56
Trust & Agency Fund	663.97	Tax Fund	5,287.67
Liquor Fund	4,196.58	Housing Fund	53,089.89
Police Fund	21,041.20

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-September 18, 2007; Special Meeting Minutes- xxx; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-September 17, 2007; bills through October 16, 2007; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: No Report.

Guest Speaker: Harold Johnson-Discussed his objections to the Tax Tribunal Hearing.

John Lemmer-Explained the need for a street light at 51-1/2 & 8^th Av.

Public Comment: H. Johnson-requested a speed bump at 51-1/2 & 8^th Av.

J. Grubisich-Her mother is confused and would think that it was daylight if a street light were put at 51-1/2 & 8^th Av.

L. Miller-Many people do not have a problem with the Assessor. Stated there was not a public comment in the last synopsis. Street lights are disruptive to people trying to sleep.

D Hartfield-Discussed Harold Johnson’s hearing.

L. Johnson-Street lights are OK. Concrete was dumped on the side of the road.

G. Farley-The speed limit should be lowered at 51-1/2 & 8^th Av.

Gomez-Street lights are for the safety of the people.

J. Lemmer-He will put up lights on his property at the corner of 51-1/2 & 8^th Av.. Rumble strips should be put at the intersection.

F. Grubisich-The Road Commission does not put down enough salt or keep the roads clear enough in the winter.

L. Miller-Street lights show thieves things to steal.

Announcements: None

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: None

Supervisor: No Report

Fire Chief: 4 calls received in September: 1 gasoline spill, 1 motor vehicle accident, 1 power line down, 1 lost child that was cancelled. Average response time was 5.00 minutes. Have an escape ladder for the second floor & and an escape plan.

Sheriff: 43 complaints received in September: 1 assault; 1 larceny; 1 fraudulent activity; 1 possession of stolen property; 1 MDOP; 1 VCSA; 1 obstructing justice/warrant arrests; 1 reckless firearm; 2 traffic violations; 3 health & safety; 2 dog law violations; 4 animals at large; 2 cruelty to animals; 2 accidents; 1 abandoned vehicle; 3 alarm activations; 1 suspicious situation; 12 general assistance; 2 attempt warrant pickups; 1 be on the look out.

State Police: No Report.

County Commissioner: The dog barking ordinance will be sent to the townships to look over.

Planning Commission: The Proposed Zoning Ordinance changes will be sent to Van Buren County for their suggestions.

Neighborhood Watch: Walmart donated $500 to Neighborhood Watch. There were no break ins in Columbia Township last month.

Hospital: Please donate food to the Michigan Harvest Food Gathering. October is breast cancer awareness month. The hospital will be holding a flu clinic on October 24^th from 8am to 10am; October 25^th from 2pm to 4pm; November 1^st from 4pm to 6pm.

South Haven Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 7 Zoning Compliances issued in September: 1 addition; 2 pole barns; 1 lean to; 1 migrant trailer; 1 remodel; 1 roof extension.

Blight Officer: No Report

Correspondence: None

Old Business: Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, not to accept the bid of $1,500 received from Bill Kelly for the property at Baseline & 51-1/2 St. Carried unanimously.

New Business: 1. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to set Halloween hours on October 31^st from 5pm to 7pm. Carried unanimously. 2. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to be closed from November 19 through November 26^th for Thanksgiving. Carried unanimously. 3. Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve the Senior Fund Budget. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Carried unanimously. 4. Motion by Burgett, second by Bradford, to authorize the Supervisor to sign the Van Buren County Sheriff contract. Carried unanimously. 5. Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to table the repair of the Little Bear Lake Access. Carried unanimously. 6. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to change the Regular Meeting from November 20, 2007 to November 13, 2007 and January 15, 2008 to January 17, 2008. Planning Commission Meeting from November 19, 2007 to November 12, 2007. Carried unanimously. 7. No motion was made for the Transfer Station to be open on Sunday instead of Saturday. 8. Motion by Hurley, second by Burgett, to table the approval of the street lights at 51-1/2 & 8^th Av. & 51^st & 8^th. Av. Carried unanimously. 9. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve Resolution 2007-16 Budget Amendment. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. Notices:

Senior Bingo November 14, 2007 1pm to 3pm

Blood Pressure/Sugar Clinic November 14, 2007

Senior Potluck November 16, 2007 5pm

Senior Commodities November 9, 2007 9am to Noon

Low Income Commodities November 21, 2007 9 am to Noon

Planning Commission November 12, 2007 7pm

Flu Clinic-Call 637-3607 November 7, 2007 9am to 3pm

Township Board Meeting November 13, 2007 7pm

Trick or Treat October 31, 2007 5pm to 7pm

Public Comment: L. Johnson-The Township needs more signs.

F. Grubisich- Rumble strips are an alternative to street lights.

L. Miller-Reflector signs are an alternative to street lights.

Gomez-The police should enforce the speed limits.

G. Farley-Who is going to talk to Leverings.

Motion by Bradford, second by Harrington, to adjourn. Carried unanimously.

Adjourned: 8:38 PM

Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dale Bradford, Supervisor