MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE GEORGETOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD HELD JUNE 13, 2005, 7:30 p.m.

 

The meeting was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Clerk R. J. Poel

 

#050613-01 - Appointment of Chairman

 

Moved by R. J. Poel, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to appoint Daniel Carlton as Chairman.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Prayer for guidance by Dale Mohr

 

Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

 

Roll Call

Present:            Daniel Carlton, R. J. Poel, Del South, Richard VanderKlok, Dale Mohr,

Stanley Sterk

Absent: Bill Holland-with notice

 

#050613-02 - Public Comments

 

Herman Witteveen, 7407 Pinegrove Dr, said that six years ago he talked to another person who said that the Township would fix the sidewalks adjacent to the Pinegrove Condo property.  He said that he wants the Township to fix, repair and snowplow the sidewalks.  He said that he had contacted the office when he wanted the sidewalks repaired and learned that the condo owners were responsible, but they would rather not be responsible and would like the Township to be responsible.

 

David Spencer, 8088 Belaire, asked the Board to repeal the recently adopted cat ordinance that does not allow cats to stray.  He spoke to a veterinarian to confirm that cats do keep rabbits and vermin down.  He said that he is a gardener and now he has to clean bird droppings since he can’t have his cats lose.  He said that moles, mice and squirrels will increase and it is easier to spray cats with a hose or cover a sandbox if you don’t want cats in a yard.

 

Dale Mohr asked Herman Witteveen who had told him six years ago that the Township would take care of the sidewalks and was told a person who did not work at the Township told him.

 

Daniel Carlton said that in the past the Township has taken care of the main arteries but there were not near as many sidewalks as there are now.

 

#050613-03 - Approval of agenda as presented for June 13, 2005

 

Moved by R. J. Poel, seconded by Del South, to approve the agenda for June 13, 2005, as presented with the addition of one item for the Drain Commissioner.

 

Yeas:    Daniel Carlton, R. J. Poel, Del South, Stanley Sterk, Richard VanderKlok, Del South

Nays:   none

Absent:  Bill Holland

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-04 - Communications, letters and reports: Received for information, to be filed:

 

A.     Sheriff Department Report for April 2005

B.     Planning Commission agenda for June 1, 2005

C.     Library Report for April 2005

D.     Code Enforcer’s Monthly Report for May 2005

E.      Fire Department Monthly Report for May 2005

F.      Zoning Board of Appeals minutes of May 25, 2005

G.     Letter from Mr. Przybysz re: Wallin Estates

H.     Senior Center May 2005 Report

I.        Income and balance statements

 

#050613-05 - Consent agenda

 

a.         Approval of minutes of the regular board meeting held on May 9, 2005

b.         Monthly Bills

 

Moved by R. J. Poel, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the consent agenda as presented.

Yeas:  Daniel Carlton, Del South, R. J. Poel, Stanley Sterk, Dale Mohr, Richard VanderKlok

Nays:  none

Absent:  Bill Holland

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-06 - Non-Motorized Path for Rosewood, 12th Ave. and Kenowa

 

Moved by Stanley Sterk, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the installation of non-motorized paths on Rosewood from 12th Ave. to Sunset, Vanburen St. on the SE corner to connect to existing paths, Kenowa Ave. from Barry St. to 44th St. (to allow future connection between Kent Trails on 56th Ave. the 44th St. Path).

 

            Note:                As recommended by the Water/Sewer (Utilities/Facilities) Committee and it

                                    is in the budget

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-07 - Board Policy 2005-04 New Board Member Orientation Policy

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by R. J. Poel, to approve Policy 2005-04, New Board Member Orientation Policy, as follows:

 

Policy 2005-04

NEW BOARD MEMBER ORIENTATION POLICY

 

Newly elected members of the board shall be invited to attend all meetings of the board prior to the time they officially take office

 

Present members of the board and/or their designee shall conduct an appropriate orientation program, designed to acquaint new board members with the township, board policy, duties, responsibilities and other activities.  

 

Prior to the time they officially take office, newly elected board members shall receive copies of agendas, reports and other communications normally received by regular board members, except information or material of a confidential nature. 

 

            Note:    As recommended by the Water/Sewer (Utilities/Facilities) Committee

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-08 - Board Policy 2005-05 Creation of Township Board Policies

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve Policy 2005-05, Creation of Township Board Policies, as follows:

 

CREATION OF TOWNSHIP BOARD POLICIES

 

STATEMENT OF POLICY:

 

The Utilities Committee is the committee with the primary responsibility for drafting, recommending and reviewing the Policies of the Georgetown Township Board of Trustees.

 

IMPLEMENTATION

 

A.                 A proposed policy shall be submitted to the Utilities Committee.  The utilities Committee will evaluate and develop the content of the proposed policy and if necessary will:

1.      Refer the proposed policy for review and comment to any other committee of the board having an interest in the subject matter.

2.      Make additions, deletions and revisions to the proposed policy after conferring with the original proponent of the policy.

3.      Reject the proposed policy after conferring with the chairperson of the originating board committee, if any.

4.      Report the proposed policy to the full Board for consideration and passage.

B.                 All Board policies may be reviewed by the Utilities Committee at least once every three (3) years.  Any changes will go to the Township Board.

C.                 The Township Board may suspend the operation of a board policy by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.

 

            Note:    As recommended by the Water/Sewer (Utilities/Facilities) Committee

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-09 - Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance No. 2005-08 Sidewalk Amendment

Ordinance

 

Moved by Del South, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the introduction and first reading of Ordinance No. 2005-08, Sidewalk Amendment Ordinance, as follows:

 

ORDINANCE NO. 2005-08

Sidewalk Amendment Ordinance

 

The Charter Township of Georgetown ordains that Chapter 10 of the Code of Ordinances is amended as follows:

 

Sec. 10-216.  Construction by land owner; sidewalk locations.

The township board {may} has the authority (at its discretion) to order the installation and construction of sidewalks, pursuant to township sidewalk specifications, in {designated areas} any area of the township it deems reasonably necessary in order to protect the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the township.

Concrete sidewalks shall be installed, constructed, and maintained adjacent to paved streets in all new residential developments given final plat approval after June 1, 2000, and all developments given site plan or planned unit development approval after June 1, 2000.  In all instances of plats given final plat approval after June 1, 2000, or other developments where sidewalks are required, the sidewalks shall be constructed by the property owner on all property within the plat or development adjacent to all paved streets no later than five (5) years from the date of final plat approval or other approval of the development by the township whether or not construction has taken place on such property.   Where a developer or property owner does not desire to construct and install a sidewalk or sidewalks pursuant to the initial construction or installation of improvements within the plat or development involved and has obtained township approval, the township shall have the authority to require that financial security be filed with the township (in the form of a cash deposit, bond, or irrevocable letter of credit, and in a form, amount, and from a financial institution deemed acceptable to the township) in an amount estimated by the Township to be sufficient to cover the costs of installation of sidewalks in all portions of the plat or development plus reasonable incidental additional costs and expenses.

Existing commercial or industrial developments which receive substantial additions or improvements, defined as a construction cost of $20,000.00 or more within a 12-month period, {will be required to} shall construct, install, and maintain township [-]approved concrete sidewalks. Sidewalks shall be shown on the site plans submitted to the Township for approval and shall be constructed prior to the issuance of the occupancy permit.

All required sidewalk construction herein shall be at the sole cost and responsibility of the owner of the property involved.

The following projects shall be exempt from {this requirement} such sidewalk requirements: all {development} developments located in the AG and RR zoning districts except for those developments, projects, or uses within the AG or RR zoning districts which are of such a size or which will have such potential impacts that the township board deems it reasonably necessary that sidewalks shall be installed, constructed, and maintained in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents and property owners in the area; exterior cosmetic alterations which do not increase the usable area or exterior limits of the building; interior alteration work; and projects which do not require the submission to and approval of a site plan by the township.

The township {may} board shall have the authority to waive the sidewalk requirement (as well as sidewalk construction standards) if, in the opinion of the township board, the requirement would result in significant unfairness or unreasonable hardship.

Effective Date.  This ordinance shall become effect on the thirtieth day after publication after adoption.  This ordinance was read for the first time on June 13, 2005, published on    , read for the second time and adopted by the Georgetown Charter Township Board on                  , published for the second time on                     , and effective thirty days from second publication which is                   .

 

            Note:    As recommended by the Water/Sewer (Utilities/Facilities) Committee

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-10 - Purchase New Data Server

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by R. J. Poel, to approve the authorization for the Treasurer to purchase a new data server for an amount not to exceed $15,000

 

            Note:                The current server is approximately 5 years old

                                    As recommended by the Finance Committee

                                    This is a budgeted item

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-11 - Request for New Pagers

 

Moved by R. J. Poel, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the low bid from TeleRad for 17 Minitor V, VHR, 2 Frequency with Stored Voice, bid of $7,755.74, less $35 rebate for each pager in service at time present time, (total $7,427.30)

 

            Note:                As recommended by the Services Committee and is in the budget

 

            Attachment:      Quotation

                                    Letter

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-12 - NPDES Contract with Jenison Public Schools

 

Moved by Daniel Carlton, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the contract with Jenison Public Schools for the school to be nested under the Township’s program for compliance with the NPDES requirements

 

            Attachment:      Contract

 

            Note:    The Township is subject to the regulations in the National Pollutant Discharge

Elimination System (NPDES) and Jenison Public Schools requested to be nested under the Township’s program.  As recommended by the Finance Committee

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-13 - Contract with PCI for Enforcement of the Plumbing Code

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to approve the contract with Professional Code Inspections of MI, Inc. for the enforcement of the Plumbing Code, with the additional stipulation that the Township is required to obtain permits for any construction on municipal properties as required by law with no fees to be charged to the Township

 

            Attachment:      Contract

 

            Note:                As recommended by the Finance Committee

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-14 - Final Plat of Hager Pointe

 

Moved by Dale Mohr, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to grant final plat approval for Hager Pointe, Part of the SW ¼ Section 9, T6N, R13W, Georgetown Township, Ottawa County, MI, provided all state, county & local ordinance comply & all fees are paid.

 

            Note:                Letter of Credit, application, sidewalk compliance letter and street

light petition were received and are on file in the office.  All fees are paid to date (including $50 per lot fee).  DPW has approved.  As recommended by the Finance Committee

 

            Attachment:      plat map (available in Township Office)

 

            MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-15 – Clean Portion of Meyers Branch #2 Drain

 

Moved by Stanley Sterk, seconded by Richard VanderKlok, to clean the necessary portion of the Meyers Branch #2 Drain that is on Fillmore east of 48th Ave., with the Township paying 77.5% and Ottawa County paying 22.5%.

 

MOTION CARRIED.

 

#050613-16 – Public Comment

 

David Spencer, 8088 Belaire, asked the Board to respond to his earlier comments.

 

Dale Mohr said that he had contacted the National Humane Society and they recommended that cats be household pets and should not be allowed to roam.  He said that the homeowners had a right to not have cats on their property and that cats don’t have rights while people do.  He said that the people don’t want cats or dogs roaming on their property and protecting others and their property is greater than his right to let his cat roam.

 

Del South said that every year a wild Mallard duck nests next to his front door, but the neighbor’s cat got rid of it.  He said that the neighbors do not have their cat anymore.

 

R. J. Poel said that he does not have to get rid of his cats, but just keep them inside.

 

#050613-17 - Board Open Discussion

 

There was discussion regarding emergency procedures when a member of the Board becomes incapacitated and the notification process.  It was noted that the Township has disaster plans in place.

 

#050613-18 - Announcement of any scheduled meeting of interest to board members

 

R. J. Poel said that the Services Committee would meet next Monday.

 

#050613-19 - Reports from Standing Committees

 

            Water/Sewer (Utilities/Facilities) Committee minutes of May 9, 2005

 

Services Committee minutes of May 16, 2005

 

#050613-20 - Meeting adjourned at 8:15 p.m.

 

 

                                               

Daniel Carlton, Acting Chairman

 

                                               

R. J. Poel, Clerk