COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Type of Meeting:	Regular
Date of Meeting:	January 17, 2008 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 17 citizens.

Treasurer’s Report:

General Fund	236,467.74	Road Fund	475,693.55
Fire Fund	485,982.58	Ambulance Fund	95,785.44
Trust & Agency Fund	129.99	Tax Fund	10,612.90
Liquor Fund	3,944.98	Housing Fund	53,309.38
Police Fund	3,220.29	Spec. Assess Fund	6,230.13

Consent Agenda: Regular Meeting Minutes-December 18, 2007; Special Meeting Minutes- January 7, 2008; Planning Commission Meeting Minutes-December 17, 2007; bills through January 17, 2008; Treasurer’s Report. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to approve the Consent Agenda. Carried unanimously.

Clerk: No Report.

Guest Speaker: Paul DeYoung-candidate for Register of Deeds

Public Comment: None

Announcements: None

Additions/Corrections to Agenda: Motion by Fogarty, second by Burgett, to add to New Business #5-Camera for Deputy. Carried unanimously.

Supervisor: The supervisor, clerk, treasurer, and 1 trustee attended the MTA Conference in Detroit. The classes were very informative.

Assessor: None

Fire Chief: 6 calls received in December: 2 downed power lines; 1 lines arcing & sparking; 1 possible propane gas leak; 1 standby, assistance to CEMS; 1 carbon monoxide detector activation. Average response time was 8.33 minutes.

Sheriff: 82 complaints received in December. Deputy Todd Oliver introduced himself. He has taken over for Deputy Ron Douglas. Paul Edwards has been chosen as the new under sheriff. Keep all serial numbers in a safe place.

State Police: None.

County Commissioner: The Public Transit has started evening hours. Call Lori for more information at 1-800-828-2015.

Planning Commission: Farmland Preservation will be discussed at the next meeting.

Neighborhood Watch: Remove old papers from mailboxes of unoccupied homes.

Hospital: The Wellness Center has many sessions in January.

South Haven Senior Services: No Report.

Recreation/Cemetery: No Report.

Zoning Administrator: 4 Zoning Compliances issued in December: 1 pole barn; 1 pole barn addition, 1 garage addition, & 1 roof tear off.

Blight Officer: No Report.

Correspondence: None

Old Business: Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to install street lights, that shine down, at 8^th & 51^st; and 8^th & 51-1/2. Carried. Harrington No.

New Business: 1. Motion by Burgett, second by Hurley, to approve Resolution 2008-01.Ordinance to Repeal the Office of Township Constable. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington nay. 2. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to pay off the Fire House Loan $86,674.97. Carried unanimously. 3. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to transfer $31,000 from the Ambulance Fund to the Fire Fund. Carried unanimously. 4. Motion by Burgett, second by Bradford, to approve Resolution 2008-02-Budget Amendment. Roll call vote: Bradford aye, Burgett aye, Fogarty aye, Hurley aye, Harrington aye. 5. Motion by Burgett, second by Fogarty, to purchase a digital camera & memory card for the deputy at a cost not to exceed $175. Carried unanimously.

Notices:

Senior Commodities	2^nd Friday	9:00 am to Noon
Senior Bingo/Blood Pressure Sugar Clinic	2^nd Wednesday	1:00-3:00 pm
Neighborhood Watch	1^st Thursday March-November	7:30 pm
Planning Commission Meeting	3^rd Monday	7:00-8:00 pm
Senior Potluck	3^rd Friday	5:00 pm
Township Board Meeting	3^rd Tuesday	7:00 pm
Low Income Commodities	February 15	9:00 am to Noon

Public Comment: S. Hammond-will bids be obtained for the fence at the Breedsville Cemetery?

H. Braunz-If the camera is lost is the township responsible for replacement? R. Flammang-over 50 petition signers are against the installation of the street lights. Have other alternatives been checked out? What is the township going to do about the intersection at 8^th & 51-1/2? What is the purpose of the FOIA to Van Buren Mental Health? B. Bower-He is embarrassed about what is going on in the township with all the criticism in the papers and at the meetings. R. Stickney-The township transfer station should be open part of the day Sunday. L. Miller-Installing street lights is not keeping the area rural. What is the purpose of the FOIA’s to Van Buren County Mental Health? J. Conway-The lights are at least ½ mile apart. In the city they are very close together. J. Lemmer-Lights are on cars to see in the dark. It is a matter of public safety.

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

Adjourned: 8:02 PM Mary Burgett, Clerk

Dale Bradford, Supervisor