Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Clerk Jeff Ebihara, Trustees Bret Docter, Amanda Price, John Van Iwaarden, and Attorney Dan Martin.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$3,152,672

Receipts........................................................................$  291,646 

Disbursements................................................................$  391,458

Ending Balance...............................................................$3,052,860

Docter questioned with the volume of permit activity down 50% from two years ago, has the building and zoning department remained self-supported?

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

MILLAGE RATE REQUEST

Van Iwaarden questioned when the Operating and Parks millages would go on the ballot for renewal, since they both expire December 31, 2007.

Visser replied that the Allocation Board renews the Operating millage.  The Parks millage would go on a 2008 ballot.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Van Iwaarden to approve the millage rate request as presented.

VEHICLE REPLACEMENT 

The board asked for warranty and miles per gallon information before making a decision.

SKATE PARK PROPOSAL

Barb Burmeister, Parks & Recreation Director, gave a presentation on the skate park proposal, which is part of the 5-year plan.  She noted that the best location would be along Ottawa Beach Road by the Dog Park due to visibility and accessibility.  It is already considered park land, and would have to follow park ordinances.  There would be no additional liability costs.  Currently, there are about 30 people involved with the Skate Park Exploratory Committee, who will be raising funds for the park’s equipment.  The only thing that the committee is asking of the township is the use of the land.

Price stated her concerns with the impact on neighboring businesses.

Burmeister replied that she would talk with the business owners. 

Van Iwaarden stated that water and electric already exist on proposed site.  Buffers would be placed on the east and south borders.  Rules would be posted.  He also suggested, for safety reasons, to add a sidewalk on the south side of Ottawa Beach Road from 152^nd Avenue to the entrance.

Jeff Compagner, 169 S. Division Ave., Holland Twp., stated that the size of the proposed area is large enough with room to grow. 

Ebihara stated that this a good opportunity to put a first class project in to this area.  It could be an asset to our community.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Docter to approve the site for the potential skate park.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Price, Park Township Airport Committee, stated that two responses were received for the Request for Qualifications.  Interviews will take place August 10.  She also noted that Ottawa Aviation’s Air Affair will be held on August 18.

Van Iwaarden, Park 12 Advisory Council, stated that encroachments by citizens on park land are being handled.  Some safety issues with the new pedestrian path are being addressed.

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 July, and the bills to paid in August.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

No additional public comments.

BOARD COMMENTS

Visser stated that the building is deteriorating rapidly, and the premises are overgrown.

Martin stated that the board could site the owner for municipal civil infraction for the above-mentioned ordinances, and ask the district court to compel compliance.  If the property owner does not clean up the property, then the court would authorize the township to clean it up and force them to pay.  If they do not pay, then the township could put it as a lien on the property.

The board agreed to have Dan Martin pursue this issue starting with notifying the owner.

Van Iwaarden stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee would like the board to consider hiring an additional worker to help maintain our parks during the summer months in 2008.

Van Iwaarden announced that he will not be running for Trustee in next year’s election.

Ebihara stated that he and Deputy Clerk Daniele Dykens are working on the township’s local and long distance phone service contract.  By switching carriers the township could save about 30%, with a substantially higher speed Internet connection.  They had also drafted an RFP for outsourcing our information technology services.  Five companies responded, and had met with the search committee.  Ebihara believes that we will see a significant savings, and will bring recommendations of the search committee to the Finance Committee for approval.

Steggerda stated that the Spyglass monitoring line should be addressed before a decision is made on a new phone service proposal.

Ebihara stated that he would like the Board to have a workshop meeting to look into options for a township manager.

Price stated that she would contact West Michigan Townships to obtain information on the process for such a transition.

Ebihara stated that a board meeting should be held on the south side yet this year.

ADJOURN