Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on April 14, 2005 at 6 p.m.

Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Clerk Jeff Ebihara, Trustees Doug Dreyer, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price, John Van Iwaarden, and Attorney Dan Martin.

Amanda Price gave the invocation.

The minutes of the March 17, 2005 Board Meeting were approved as published.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,449,553

Receipts........................................................................$  939,691

Disbursements................................................................$  433,520

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,956,724

The Fire Department report indicated 20 calls were made in the month of March and $125,000 in property damages. 

The Zoning Administrator's Report lists 2 new single-family homes for the month of March and a total building permit activity of $1,349,929.

Koopman reported 6 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for March.  All establishments were in compliance and good condition.

Jeff Hoekstra, 3340 N. Lakeshore Dr., asked the Board for permission to clear a 6 ft. wide public walkway on Lakeshore Dr. just north of Camp Geneva (Heneveld’s Supervisor’s Plat No. 7).  The walkway runs from Lakeshore Dr. to Lake Michigan, and he noted that survey stakes are intact.  He would seek donations from neighbors for stairs that would lead down to the beach. It is not to be advertised and there is no public parking. Mr. Hoekstra will seek approval from the D.E.Q. if the Board approves his plan.

Visser stated that by consensus, the Board has no objections for allowing Jeff Hoekstra to clear the public walkway.

Rick Fisher, 131 N. 160^th Ave., expressed his feelings about the character of the Kelly Ridge developer.  He felt that Mark DeVries should have handled issues more professionally.  One issue that he detailed was a survey discrepancy of the property line.

Visser stated that the boundary location is a private issue and the Township cannot get involved.

Koopman suggested contacting the Ottawa County Center for Dispute Resolution.

Gretchen Fisher, 131 N. 160^th Ave., questioned if Mr. DeVries will be presenting his new P.U.D. Plan at this meeting.

Visser replied that it is on the agenda, but not as a public hearing.

Martin stated that there will be no formal presentation, just an update on how the litigation has been resolved. 

OLD MACATAWA COURT P.U.D. AMENDMENT

RIVERWORKS PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN

Clark responded that the group represents the whole community.  Anyone can attend the meetings that are held on the 2^nd Tuesday of each month.

Visser stated that WHTC will be giving updates on the constructions.  He questioned if RiverWorks would be duplicating this information.

Dreyer stated that he feels the campaign is on the right track, however more information is needed.

Jan questioned whether or not the Township could legally give money for signage in areas not in our jurisdiction.

Martin replied that an argument could probably be made to make it lawful.

T2 FRANCHISE AMENDMENT

Visser explained that Varnum Riddering law firm recommended this amendment.  They are suggesting three changes to the insurance: 1) increase general liability from $2 million to $6 million, 2) increase auto liability from $2 million to $3 million and, 3) delete the requirement for the cross-liability endorsement.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Dreyer to approve the T2 Franchise Amendment.

APPOINTMENT:  HOSPITAL BOARD

Visser stated that Rick Lievense’s term on the Hospital Board has expired.  It was recommended that Greg Maybury be appointed as the Park Township representative for the Hospital Board.

Greg Maybury, 293 Little Station Rd., gave a brief background of his family, education and experiences.  He stated that he feels privileged to be nominated.

Dale Sowders, President of Holland Hospital, stated that if Greg Maybury were appointed, five out of the thirteen board members would be Park Township representatives.  They work with four townships that are all represented on the board.  Mr. Sowders stated that Greg Maybury would bring a wealth of facilities experience.  He also gave an update of the hospital’s construction projects.

Van Iwaarden stated that he has known Mr. Maybury several years as a colleague at Hope College, and that he is highly respected.

KELLY RIDGE

Martin gave an update on Kelly Ridge.  Mr. DeVries and Kelly Ridge LLC have admitted responsibility for cutting down an undetermined number of trees on the property.  The Consent Judgment required Kelly Ridge to submit a modified site plan.  The conditions of the Consent Judgment have been met.

Van Iwaarden stated that he personally witnessed the removal of soil from the Kelly Ridge site prior to the ZBA approval.  He also voiced his unhappiness that the homeowners are to pay for the tree replacements on their sites.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Van Iwaarden, Parks and Recreation Committee, reported that M.C. Smith is finalizing the plans for Virginia Park.  When the plans are complete, it will be available to the public.  He also stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee and volunteers have been cleaning up the land for the proposed dog park.  The
first meeting of the Friends of the Dog Park Committee will be April 23.

Visser stated that if the old Virginia Park Fire Station were going to be removed, it would have to come to the Board for approval.  If the Board approves this, he offered to help seek bids for the possible demolition.

Van Iwaarden, MACC Watershed Committee, gave a list of local hardware stores that carry No Phosphorus Fertilizer:  VanWieren Hardware, Graafschap Hardware, and DeBruyn Seed.

Price, MACC Policy Committee, stated that they had a study session on the book “The Price of Government”.   She also noted that they are hoping for a new
federal transportation bill.

Price, Tulip City Airport Authority, stated they will be looking at a survey of
employees place of residents, a presentation of the financial projections, and
a discussion of comparable airport authorities.

Price, Park Township Airport Committee, stated that the military jet will be
delivered during the last week in April or the first week in May.  They are also working on a vision statement, and will be visiting other airports for comparisons.

Koopman, Public Safety Committee, stated that they will be interviewing six candidates for the Fire Chief position on Saturday, April 16.  They will have a recommendation for the Board at a special meeting on Monday, April 18 at 9 a.m. at the Park Township Office.

Dreyer, Zoning Board of Appeals, stated the new policy that was implemented to give each agenda item a 20-minute time slot worked out well.  He also stated that the Board and residents are very fortunate to have Bret Docter as the ZBA Chairman.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Van Iwaarden to approve the check register for March.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Gretchen Fisher, 131 N. 160^th Ave., thanked John Van Iwaarden for his efforts in holding accountable the developers in this township.

John Foster, 586 Old Orchard Rd., questioned why Old Macatawa Court PUD
has been making changes prior to approval.

Visser replied that the developer should have final approval from the Board prior
to making changes.  He will have the Building Inspector investigate this concern.

BOARD COMMENTS

Visser stated that he is 99% sure that a water line will be going in on the east
side of 160^th Avenue.  With the Board’s approval he would like to go ahead with
plans to construct a bike path on the west side of 160^th Avenue, between
Lakewood Blvd. and James St.  He also stated that the Pine Creek bridge on
Ottawa Beach Rd. has existing abutments.  He will seek permission from the Road Commission to construct a bridge across the abutments, which would get the bike path away from the road.

Ebihara stated that the accounting software has been upgraded.  He thanked Treasurer Jan Steggerda and Deputy Clerk Ellen Van Raalte for all their hard work
in getting this implemented.

ADJOURN

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Dreyer and supported by Ebihara to adjourn.