Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on July 13, 2006 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Park Fire Station.

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.

Van Iwaarden gave the invocation.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,795,550

Receipts........................................................................$  274,481

Disbursements................................................................$  383,406

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,686,624

Koopman reported 3 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for July.  All establishments were in compliance and good condition.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

No public comments.

CONTRACT AWARD:  MAPLE BEACH WATER MAIN

Visser stated that the lowest bid was from Ron Meyer & Associates in the amount of $67,048.65.  Maple Beach residents will pay for the water main.  Prein & Newhof is recommending that we ask for $84,753.65 to be paid up front, which includes engineering and contingency.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Van Iwaarden to award the Maple Beach Water Main contract to Ron Meyer & Associates for $67,048.65 subject to the receipt of the funds and the DEQ critical dunes permit.

BIKE PATH REPAIRS

Visser listed the bike paths in need of repair including:  144^th Ave. south of Butternut Dr., Riley St. west of 144^th, Lakeshore Dr. near Tunnel Park, and the west end of Lakewood Blvd.  It is recommended that the contract be awarded to Holland Paving in the amount of $107,550.00.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Koopman to award the bike path repair contract to Holland Paving for the amount of $107,550.00.

Van Iwaarden questioned if there is a deadline for the completion of bike path repairs.

Visser replied that 90 days is standard for most contracts.

ZONING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT RE-ADOPTION

Visser stated that the Zoning Ordinance Amendment must be re-adopted for publication purposes.  It was adopted in June.   The amendment covers private roads, home occupations, and the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Steggerda to re-adopt Zoning Ordinance Amendment No. ZA56.

PRE-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Visser stated that he attended a presentation by Ottawa County, and they mandated that the Board adopt the three resolutions:  1) Michigan Emergency Management Assistance Compact; 2) Pre-Hazard Mitigation Plan; 3) National Incident Management System.  They all involve homeland security.   A DVD of the presentation is available.  There are no costs to the Township.

Martin stated that there is not a deadline, but in order to participate the resolutions must be adopted.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Steggerda to adopt the Michigan Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Dreyer to adopt the Pre-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Koopman to adopt the National Incident Management System.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Price, Park Township Airport Committee, stated that she received three survey bids for the airport questionnaire:  1) Hope College Frost Center; 2) School of Communication at GVSU; and 3) Public Sector Consultants Inc.

Ebihara stated that he would like to utilize the Frost Center to keep the money in the community and use the students.

Van Iwaarden stated that he is not ready to make a decision since some of the information was just received. 

Visser questioned the Board if they would like the Airport Committee to meet, and then make a recommendation at the September board meeting.

Van Iwaarden stated that he would like the alternatives clearly identified for the text of the survey before moving forward with this project.

Price stated that the survey would be asking the public for ideas.

Koopman stated that the questions to be asked are those that will be developed once the group is hired to do the survey.  It is the surveyor’s job to form the questions.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Dreyer and supported by Koopman to hire the Frost Center to conduct the airport survey.

Visser questioned if the Airport Committee will meet with the people from the Frost Center.

Price stated that other people have expressed an interest in participating on a committee for the survey.  The Airport Committee will ask the surveyors for their input on this subject.

Steggerda stated that she would like the Board to approve the questions to be asked by the surveyors.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Koopman to amend the first motion to read to hire the Frost Center to conduct the airport survey in an amount not to exceed $11,500.

Motion Carried: 6 – 1.  Van Iwaarden opposed.

Visser, Utilities Committee, stated that they will be meeting in the near future to discuss cost increases incurred in water taps.

Van Iwaarden, Parks & Recreation Committee, presented a plan of Ashwood Reserves made by MC Smith.  He asked the Board to give authorization for MC Smith to incorporate the changes made by the Parks & Recreation Committee.  A final plan and cost estimates will be brought to September’s Board meeting.

The Board gave consensus for the Parks & Recreation Committee to continue with the Ashwood Reserves plan.

Van Iwaarden stated that the property next to Ashwood Reserve was for sale. It has 125 feet of frontage.  The asking price was $1.75 million.  The Parks & Recreation Committee recommended that the Board pass on this offer.

Van Iwaarden stated that Eagle Scouts have offered to build more benches and a shade shelter at the Dog Park, and install signs and other directional amenities at the Disc Golf Course.  Van Iwaarden asked the Board to walk the newly acquired property by Wendt Park to help determine best uses of the land.  He also requested more maintenance help at all parks.

Van Iwaarden stated that Winstrom Park is in need of new restrooms.  He asked the Board if the Parks & Recreation Committee could obtain preliminary architectural sketches and cost estimates.

Steggerda stated that Winstrom Park is large and heavily used.  It is important to have good restroom facilities.

The Board agreed to have the Parks & Recreation Committee move forward with sketches and cost estimates.

Ebihara stated that the Primary Election was run successfully.  He thanked Deputy Clerk Daniele Dykens, and everyone else who was involved in the election.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Koopman to approve the check register for July and the bills to be paid in August.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Gwen Bergsma, 4191 N. Lakeshore Dr., expressed her feelings regarding the lack of building code enforcement on a neighboring lot, and questioned the Board’s integrity.

Wally Rooks, 440 Timber Lake W., addressed the Ottawa Beach Apartments that was destroyed by fire, and other eyesore areas.  He stated that Park Township should enforce their codes.

Dan Hendon, 1395 Crosswind Ct., presented a park plan for possible use of the airport, which he feels would fit in with the township’s Parks & Recreation Plan and the National Parks & Recreation guidelines.

Dan George, 1652 Waukazoo Dr., stated that he is in favor of keeping the airport.  He feels that it is a unique asset to our community, and is important for our children.  He questioned the need for more soccer fields, and suggested utilizing the Ottawa County Fair Grounds.  He also feels that commercial sites should not be considered on this property.

Dave Siegers, Vice President of Ottawa Aviation, reminded the public that Saturday August 19 is the Air Affair.  A pancake breakfast will be served beginning at 7:00 a.m.  He also commended the Board for not delaying the survey.  Siegers stated that Ottawa Aviation had a meeting with a guest speaker from the Niles Airport who presented their successful renovation for sport pilot licensing.  This could be a goal for the Park Township Airport as well.

Dan Melnyk, 100 Bay Meadows Dr., stated that he encourages alternative uses for the airport property.  A committee should evaluate all suggestions that would comply with the Parks & Recreation Plan.

Brian Fredrick, Park Township Airport Manager, reminded the people that there is a lot of history and good times involved with the airport.

Mike Toscano, 1228 Oak Hampton, asked the Board to become more familiar with issues before they take action, i.e. the Mitigation Plan.  He also asked that if the Township holds future forums, such as the May airport meeting, that we allow proponents and opponents their space to represent their interest other than by the front door, and establish ground rules with time frames.  Toscano stated that members of the Board who have an interest in the airport should not be directly involved with the surveyors in order to keep it impartial.   

CLOSED SESSION:  ATTORNEY/CLIENT PRIVILEGED CORRESPONDENCE

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Koopman to go into closed session to review attorney/client privileged correspondence with council.

Roll Call Vote:  Unanimous.

The Board returned to open session.

BOARD COMMENTS

Van Iwaarden stated that the Pine Creek Bridge along Ottawa Beach Rd. has been completed.

Van Iwaarden stated that, per the Ottawa County Road Commission, there is a likelihood that the rebuilding of Lakewood Blvd. will be delayed from spring to fall of next year due to the Engineering Departments work load.  He asked Stu Visser to investigate the possibility of hiring engineers from an outside organization to avoid a delay.

ADJOURN

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