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PARK
TOWNSHIP
MEETING MINUTES
Draft until approved
at next meeting
April 13, 2006
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Art 1 |
Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park
Township Board held on April 13, 2006 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.
John Van Iwaarden gave the
invocation. |
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Art 2 |
The minutes of the
March 9, 2006 Board Meeting were approved with the correction to the
spelling of Marigold Woods in Art 10. |
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Art 3 |
The
Treasurer’s Report was given as follows:
Beginning
Balance...........................................................$2,559,210
Receipts........................................................................$ 627,088
Disbursements................................................................$
315,374
Ending
Balance...............................................................$2,870,924 |
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Art 4 |
The Fire
Department report indicated 15 calls were made in the month of March and
$272,750 in property damages. Chief Gamby reported that the Pierce fire truck
inspection was rejected. The truck will go through another testing and
inspection. He also reported that the Polaris ATV grant was denied, and they
submitted a Homeland Security Grant for $187,500 for air packs. |
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Art 5 |
The Zoning
Administrator's Report listed 33 building permits for the month of
March and a total building permit activity of $2,569,454. |
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Art 6 |
Koopman reported 6
Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for February and March.
All establishments were in compliance and good condition. |
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ART 7 |
DEPUTY CLERK
RETIREMENT / APPOINTMENT
Visser thanked
Ellen for her 22 years as the Park Township Deputy Clerk, and wished her
a happy retirement.
Ebihara introduced
Daniele Dykens as Park Township’s new Deputy Clerk. |
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Art
8 |
PUBLIC COMMENTS (2
MINUTES PER PERSON)
Frank Beltman,
Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals, spoke on behalf of the Kelly
Ridge subcommittee urging the Board to approve their recommendation.
Gretchen Fisher, 131 N. 160th Ave., questioned the process of the
Kelly Ridge P.U.D Amendment. She feels that the changes were implemented prior
to the Board Meeting. |
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Art
9 |
GREENWAY PRESENTATION
Derk Walkotten, Macatawa
Greenway Partnership Executive Director, gave a presentation on their plans for
2006 and beyond. Their primary focus is the lower Macatawa area, which is
Windmill Island to Paw Paw Park. Macatawa Greenway plays a vital role in the
protection of natural land and open space for people and wildlife in the Greater
Holland/Zeeland area.
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Art 10 |
TREE
TRIMMING UPDATE
Visser stated
that he met with representatives from Consumers Power and was reassured that
they will save as many trees as possible along Lakeshore Drive and 168th
Avenue. They will be meeting again in the near future to identify each tree to
be removed or saved. |
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Art 11 |
REPAVING PROJECT ADDITION
Visser stated
that Foxdown Road is in dire need of repaving, and would like to add it to the
previously approved road paving improvement project. The cost estimate is
$20,872.50.
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and
supported by Steggerda to amend the Road Paving Improvement Project adding
Foxdown Road. |
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Art 12 |
FAIRGROUNDS IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
Visser stated
that last month the Board required the Parks & Recreation Committee to hire a
professional planner for the fairgrounds improvement project.
Debbie Jensen,
M.C. Smith, gave an overview of possible improvements for the renovation of the
fairground/dog park area, and gave the Board itemized cost estimates. She noted
that parts of the driveway would be 16 feet wide in order to save mature trees.
Steggerda questioned the location for the landscaping and seeding.
Jensen
replied that it is for the renovation along the driveways.
Price
questioned the installation of a heated water pipe for the dog park.
Van Iwaarden
stated that the pipe was a suggestion that has not been formally addressed yet.
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and
supported by Koopman to hire M.C. Smith to oversee the fairground improvements
not exceeding $100,000, and to bring bids back to the Board for approval.
Van Iwaarden
stated that the Fair Board would contribute $10,000 for the removal of the round
building and paving, and the rest will come from the Parks & Recreation millage.
Price
questioned if the cost of the paving justifies its usage.
Van
Iwaarden stated that safety is a major factor for this renovation.
Steggerda
stated that the improvements would enhance awareness of the pavilion, tot-lot,
and other amenities.
Dreyer
questioned if the fairground parking would damage the asphalt, and the possible
shoulder damage where the driveway is narrow.
Van Iwaarden
stated that the removal of the round building would need to take place April 25,
26, and 27. |
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Art 13 |
CONTRACT AWARD: LAKEWOOD BLVD. WATER EXTENSION
Visser stated
that last fall the Board approved a special assessment district for a 1200-foot
water main extension on Lakewood Blvd. east of Bay Meadows. The lowest bid for
this project is Tyler David in the amount of $80,000.
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Steggerda and supported
by Koopman to award the Lakewood Blvd. water main construction to Tyler David in
the amount of $80,000.
Van
Iwaarden asked for an update on the Maple Beach water line agreement.
Visser
stated that a signed contract has not been received.
Morris
Peterson, 3635 N. Lakeshore Dr., stated that he just received the contract.
There are nine home sites in Maple Beach interested in hooking up to a water
line. He is confident that signed easements will be obtained.
Visser
explained that a water line was installed on Lakeshore Dr. last year, so it is
available to the Maple Beach residents. It would be very costly to hook up due
to the long distance from road to house. The resident’s proposal is for a
public main to be installed at their expense, which will give them better water
pressure and two fire hydrants. It will be maintained by the Township.
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and supported by
Van Iwaarden to authorize the Supervisor and Clerk to sign the Maple Beach water
line agreement to expedite the water main installation.
Steggerda
stated that even though these residents are paying for a water main, they would
still be paying trunkage fees and assessments. |
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ART 14 |
SUBCOMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION: KELLY RIDGE
Visser stated
that there were interpretation conflicts in the conditions of the Kelly Ridge
P.U.D. A subcommittee met, and forwarded their recommendations to the Township
attorney.
Attorney Dan
Martin stated that the committee had not made a formal decision. It is always
the intent and understanding that the Township Board is going to be making the
decision. The committee is seeking to interpret and resolve conflicting
provisions in condition U of the report that was approved in the Kelly Ridge
P.U.D. It specifically pertains to the preservation of trees. This is not an
amendment to the P.U.D. It is an interpretation.
Martin stated
that the spirit and intent of the north buffer area is to preserve the existing
trees and provide screening. If the Board decides to change the approved
landscaping plan, an amendment would be needed.
Van Iwaarden
stated the committee agreed that the number of trees existing on lots 8, 9, 10
and half of 11 were high quality and for the purpose of screening. The
committee recommended that the developer double the number of trees on half of
lot 11 and all of lot 12 to enhance the screening.
Visser stated
that the developer did the extra plantings in good faith prior to the Board’s
approval.
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and supported by
Dreyer to approve the recommendation of the subcommittee interpreting that the
Kelly Ridge P.U.D. is in compliance, and to immediately lift the building
moratorium. |
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ART 15 |
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Price, Park
Township Airport, stated that a date must be set for the special public meeting
to discuss the Airport’s future, and she asked for input on how the meeting
should be conducted.
Larry Nix, Land
Planner, stated that the question of the airport’s “highest and best use” is
very complex. You need to decide what is legally allowable, physically
possible, the demand in the marketplace for the use of this land, and the
maximum market value. You will also need to look into zoning and deed
restrictions.
Ebihara stated
that he would like Ottawa Aviation to inform the public of the airport’s
history, future use plans, land restrictions, and possibilities of land use
under the current zoning. He would like the public to have a chance to voice
their opinions and concerns.
Price stated
that at the 2004 Retreat the Board decided to come to a conclusion about the
airport, either extend the lease or terminate it.
Steggerda
suggested having someone experienced in statewide smaller airport issues attend
the meeting to answer questions, and inform us what other areas are doing with
small airports.
Van Iwaarden
stated that the Park & Recreation’s 5-year plan has an item called Airport
Corner Improvement. They would like to plan a beautification spot where the
trees were removed.
Visser stated
that this would be an informational meeting only. No decision will be made at
that time.
Van Iwaarden,
MACC Stormwater and Watershed Committees, provided the Board with a copy of the
SWPPI document, which must be submitted to the DEQ May 1.
Van Iwaarden
stated that the Macatawa Watershed Project is establishing a new Seal of
Approval that will be awarded to lawn care companies who adhere to
environmentally sensitive standards.
Van Iwaarden
requested permission from the Board to initiate dialogue with the MACC for
potential use of Pine Creek Trail as a demonstration site for storm water
sediment trapping.
The
Board approved Van Iwaarden’s request. |
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Art 16 |
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 and the bills
to be paid in April. |
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Art 17 |
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON) Wally Rooks,
440 Timberlake W., stated that he appreciated the meeting held with Consumers
regarding the tree trimmings and removals. He questioned the moratorium on tree
cutting on Lakeshore Drive. He feels that Consumer’s Energy went overboard with
the trimming, and does not trust that they wouldn’t continue in the same way
after the moratorium is lifted.
Visser stated
that Consumers Energy would not continue their project until all possibilities
have been considered. He will be meeting with Mark Knudsen and they will be
identifying individual trees to see which ones are marked for removal and which
ones could be saved.
Gretchen
Fisher, 131 N. 160th Ave., read a part of Condition U of the Kelly
Ridge P.U.D. and asked for an explanation of why there was not an amendment.
Martin stated
that there was a conflict in Condition U, and you cannot read any part of it out
of context.
Mike Toscano,
1228 Oak Hampton, stated that he is delighted with the approval of the
fairground improvements. He asked the Board to consider maintaining the Post
Avenue roadside along the fairgrounds just as nicely as the Ottawa Beach Road
roadside. |
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ART 18 |
BOARD
COMMENTS
Steggerda stated
that the Township receives many phone calls regarding a hazardous waste
drop off site, which we do not have in the Holland area. She has
contacted County Commissioner Joyce Kortman regarding this issue, and
urged the other Board members and the public to do the same. |
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ART 19 |
ADJOURN
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and supported by
Van Iwaarden to adjourn. |
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Julie Northrup
Recording Secretary
04/18/06 |
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