Township Board Minutes - September 2009
MINUTES OF THE ATTICA TOWNSHIP BOARD
Held on September 10th, 2009
Nancy Herpolsheimer, Clerk
At a meeting of the Attica Township Board held on September 10th, 2009, at the Attica Township Hall, 4350 Peppermill Road, Attica, Michigan. The meeting was called to order at 7 p.m. by Supervisor Ochadleus. PRESENT: Supervisor Al Ochadleus, Clerk Nancy Herpolsheimer, Treasurer Pam Mason, Trustee Richard Lacey and Trustee Phillip Madeline. ABSENT: None. ALSO PRESENT: Attorney Michael Gildner and the public per the Sign-In Sheet attached.
The minutes of the August 13th, 2009 regular Board meeting were reviewed by the Board; and there being no additions, corrections or deletions;
MOTION by Lacey, seconded by Madeline to approve the August 13th, 2009 Attica Township Board minutes as presented. A vote was taken. Ayes: All; Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.
CORRESPONDENCE: Supervisor Ochadleus informed the Board that the September 4th MTA (Michigan Township Association) newsletter reported that constitutional revenue sharing declined 5.7% compared to the expected 4.9%. One third of Attica Township’s budget comes from revenue sharing.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Treasurer Mason gave the following Treasurer’s Report: Beginning Balance of $370,100.77 receipts of $13,489.57; Interest of $50.25; Distributions of $109,015.68 for a New Balance of $274,624.91. Public Safety has $44,147.78; Fire Millage has $10,511.78 and there is $2,286.35 in the Lake George Road Special Assessment account. There is a C.D. in the amount of $70,911.00.
MOTION by Lacey, seconded by Madeline to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. A vote was taken. Ayes: All; Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.
POLICE REPORT: Deputy Kardell gave the following police report: 168 calls were received in the month of August, with 67 of them handled by the Township’s deputies. Deputy Kardell reported that scrap value is on the rise and advised residents to be aware of and report suspicious vehicles or people.
OLD BUSINESS:
1. Dean Campbell Case:
Attorney Gildner reported that he is due to meet with Mr. Campbell in court on September 21st. Dean Campbell has not come into the Township office to meet with Zoning Administrator Bud Fackler.
2. Museum Update:
Supervisor Ochadleus reported that the Museum is coming together and will be ready to open for Team Attica Day on September 12th.
NEW BUSINESS:
1. 911 Millage:
The director of 911, Vic Martin, explained the reasons the 911 millage request is going to be on the November ballot. Mr. Martin explained that the 911 system is in a fragile state and that the radio system is outdated and the computers are over twelve years old. County Commissioner Jarvis stated that the County is hoping to get stimulus money to help fund the 911 system update. There was lengthy discussion.
2. Flood Update:
Supervisor Ochadleus reported that the Emergency Management Coordinator, Mary Strikeleather, informed him that there was not any new news but that she has been contacting the governor’s office twice a day. The Township has National Flood Insurance and FEMA information at the front desk for residents.
3. MTA Banquet:
The Lapeer County Michigan Township Association Banquet will be Saturday, October 3rd at the Countryside Banquet Hall in Imlay City.
MOTION by Mason, seconded by Herpolsheimer to authorize the expenditure to cover the cost of any and all elected officials, deputies, department heads and their significant others wishing to attend the Lapeer County Michigan Townships Association banquet on October 3rd, 2009 at the Countryside Banquet Hall in Imlay City. A roll call vote taken. Herpolsheimer: Aye; Madeline; Aye; Lacey: Aye; Ochadleus: Aye and Mason: Aye. Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.
4. Payroll Classification for Township Assessor:
Attorney Gildner explained that the classification is complicated but after legal analysis his opinion is that it is the law that the assessor be deemed an employee of the Township. Attorney Gildner will look over Assessor Gottschalk’s contract and report back to the Board.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
1. FIRE: Fire Chief Warford reported:
a) There were 6 fire runs in the month of August with one structure fire.
b) Commended Assistant Fire Chief Dougherty with getting the ball rolling with the county to request government assistance for residents with flood damage.
2. PARK: Park Manager Madeline reported:
a) The park is getting a lot of use and he was surprised to see how much the volley ball court is now being used.
b) The car show for Team Attica Day will be at the park on September 12th, with 40 cars registered so far.
c) He has ordered two additional port-a-johns for Team Attica Day.
d) He has been trying to get in contact with someone from the Attica Little League regarding diamond dust for the baseball fields.
3. PLANNING COMMISSION: Planning Commission Secretary Bud Fackler reported:
a) The Planning Commission held the wind energy and temporary mobile home ordinance public meeting at their September 3rd meeting.
b) The Planning Commission voted to recommend approval by the Township Board of the Ordinance to amend Articles 2, 3, 4 and 7 of the Attica Township Zoning Ordinance. Secretary Fackler has sent the ordinance to the County.
c) Chuck Gravilla would like an additional sign on the side of his business. The ordinance states that that only one sign is allowed on a building for each business therefore it was determined that Mr. Gravilla will need to go to the ZBA if he would like to pursue his request.
d) There is a student interested in the vacant Student Planning Commission Member position.
4. ATTORNEY REPORT: Attorney Gildner reported that he provided training to new ZBA members regarding how to conduct a meeting. Attorney Gildner suggested printing rules for the meeting on the back of the three board’s agendas and will put something together.
5. AMBULANCE: None.
6. CEMETERY: None.
7. COMMISSIONER REPORT: Commissioner Jarvis participated in the 911 Millage discussion earlier in the meeting and stated that the County is working with Candice Miller’s office toward procuring stimulus money for the 911 system.
8. BOARD:
1. Clerk Herpolsheimer went over the following budget adjustments needed:
a) Transfer $50,000 from the General Fund to Public Safety for police contract.
b) Loan $5,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Department to cover bills.
MOTION by Herpolsheimer, seconded by Mason to transfer $50,000 from the General Fund to Public Safety for police contract and fuel for four months and to loan $5,000 from the General Fund to the Fire Department to cover bills. A vote taken. Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.
2. Clerk Herpolsheimer explained that she would like to convert from Cogitate Inc. to Quick Books. Supervisor Ochadleus agreed that changing to Quick Books would be beneficial and advised her to fill out a purchase request form.
PUBLIC: Steve Currier of 5735 Sutton Road distributed packets of information regarding 911 to the Township Board and explained why he disagrees with the 911 millage request. There was lengthy discussion
REVIEWING AND PAYING BILLS:
The bills were reviewed by the Board in the amount of $61,336.16 and there being no questions:
MOTION by Lacey, seconded by Madeline to approve the bills as presented. A roll call vote taken. Herpolsheimer: Aye; Madeline; Aye; Ochadleus: Aye; Mason: Aye and Lacey: Aye. Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.
There being no further business before the Board, MOTION by Lacey seconded by Madeline to adjourn the meeting at 8:15 p.m. A vote was taken. Ayes: All. Nays: None. MOTION CARRIED.
Submitted by: Respectfully Submitted By:
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Valerie Schultz, Recording Secretary Nancy Herpolsheimer, Clerk