Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on December 11, 2003 at 6 p.m.

Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Clerk Howard    Van Raalte, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Trustees Ed Marsilje, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price and Paul Van Dyke, and Attorney Dan Martin. 

The Treasurer's Report was given as follows:

Beginning Balance, $2,501,796
Receipts,                $261,637
Disbursement,          $134,717
Ending Balance,     $2,628,717

The Zoning Administrator's Report indicated building permits were issued for 16 single-family homes in November and a total of $6,279,000.  

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Ted Bosgraaf, Representing the Greenway Committee, shared an article that was printed in The Holland Sentinel titled “Saving the Best”.  It was in regards to preserving green space in West Michigan.  He asked the board to consider this when putting together the new budget. 

Visser opened the public hearing.

Randy Bouwkamp, Bouwkamp Builders, asked for final Board approval for the Lake Street townhouses.  He presented a diagram of the 8-unit project with 8 single car garages and storage area.  At the request of a neighbor, he asked the Board to allow another 15 feet of fence to the northwest boundary line.  The       10 X10 building for the pool mechanical room and bathroom was underestimated. And he asked for the elevation of the building to be 12 inches higher on the west end.

Ray Loeschner, owner of parcel 70-15-27-351-026, objected the extra foot of elevation.

John VanIwaarden, 1864 Blue Isle Ct., stated the Planning Commission looks at the crown of the road in front of the project for placement when considering the height of a building.

Visser closed the public hearing.  

Koopman stated the Planning Commission approved this plan.  The pool and pool building will be added at a later review.

Visser clarified that the fill is for the west end of the property; the east end will not change.

Bouwkamp stated that there is a significant slope in the parking lot from the garage to the building.

Steggerda questioned the elevation of the condos to the west of this project.

Bouwkamp replied they are higher in elevation, but does not have the exact height.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Van Dyke to adopt a report as exhibit B and grant the Lake Street townhouses as a Planned Unit Development.

Visser stated he, along with Terry Nienhuis of Holland Township, have been meeting with a group of students at West Ottawa High School called the Student Advisory Council.  This generated an interest to have a student member on the Recreation Commission.  Brendan Burke is recommended for this appointment.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to appoint Brendan Burke to the Recreation Commission as a student representative. 

Visser stated the meetings would continue on the 2^nd Thursday of each month at     6 p.m.  The location needs to be discussed.

Marsilje stated we used to have some flexibility to relocate the meetings to the south side if there was a major project in that area.

Visser agreed the flexibility should remain.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Raalte and supported by Van Dyke to adopt the 2004 meeting schedule with the location at the Park Township Office unless otherwise noted.

Visser stated Treasurer Jan Steggerda has submitted a list of depositories that she wishes to use in 2004.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Koopman to approve the 2004 depositories.

Steggerda stated she may not use all the depositories on the list, but would like the option to be diversified. 

Visser stated the HAZMAT Agreement and Bylaws have been modified.  The major change is it now requires 75% participation instead of 100%.

Martin stated the agreement could be amended and we would have the ability to withdraw our participation within 90 days.

Visser stated out of the 24 units of government 19 signed the original agreement and will be asked to resign.  4 units (including Park) sent a letter of intent to participate.  1 unit declined to participate, has now signed onto the new document. 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Marsilje to approve the HAZMAT Agreement and Bylaws. 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Marsilje stated a proposal by John Vandenbos of 340 Dyken Avenue to discontinue Road Commission maintenance on Dyken Avenue from Waukazoo Drive to Lake Macatawa and replace with a 5-foot walkway was considered by the Utilities Committee.  The committee feels this is not appropriate due to the location of a fire hydrant and a public water main.  Marsilje read a proposed resolution.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Steggerda to approve the resolution requesting that the Ottawa County Road Commission continues to maintain Dyken Avenue from Waukazoo Drive to Lake Macatawa as a public road.

Koopman stated a Planning Commission Subcommittee is working on updating the Master Plan.  Copies of the draft will be available after the Planning Commission reviews it.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Steggerda to approve the check register for November and the bills to be paid for December.

Ken Fought, Park Township Fire Chief, thanked the Board for their support in the HAZMAT project. 

Kelly and Nancy Dokter, 13 Counts Cove Ct., stated the ZBA recommended that they request the Board to appoint a committee to look at changing the ordinance for setbacks on primary roads.  The way the ordinance reads now, they are unable to add 15 feet to their home. 

Visser stated the Master Plan Committee will look at the possibility of changing this ordinance.

Koopman stated bringing a student into the Recreation Committee was a good idea.  If we can find other ways to bring youths into local government activities it may serve well for the future.

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