PARK TOWNSHIP
BOARD MEETING MINUTES - DRAFT

February, 2003

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Art 1	The regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on February 13, 2003, at 6 p.m. was called to order by Supervisor Stuart Visser. Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Clerk Howard VanRaalte, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Trustees Ed Marsilje, Amanda Price, Gene Koopman and Paul VanDyke, and Attorney Dan Martin.
Art 2	The minutes of January 9, 2003 were approved as printed.
Art 3	The Treasurer's Report was given as follows: Beginning Balance, $2,119,000 Receipts, $296,713 Disbursement, $117,046 Ending Balance, $2,298,667
Art 4	The Fire Department report indicated 26 calls were made in the month of January with $100,500 in property damage, mostly due to a house fire.
Art 5	The Zoning Administrator's Report indicated building permits were issued for 13 single-family homes in January and a total of  $4,393,000.
Art 6	Koopman reported that 6 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in from January.  All establishments were in compliance and good condition.
Art 7	PUBLIC COMMENT No public comment.
Art 8	RECREATION APPOINTMENT Visser recommended the appointment of Barb Burmeister to the Recreation Committee.  He noted the appointment would be for the remaining term of Diane Sinclair.  She would then be reappointed for a full 3-year term in September. MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Marsilje to appoint Barb Burmeister to the Recreation Committee to complete the unfinished term of Diane Sinclair.
Art 9	UNIFORM TRAFFIC CODE ORDINANCE Visser explained the Uniform Traffic Code and the Motor Vehicle Code.   Those codes were amended to remove duplications.  This ordinance recognizes those changes and deletions from the Uniform Traffic Code and brings us back into compliance. MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Steggerda to adopt the 2002 Uniform Traffic Code Ordinance.
Art 10	STORM WATER PERMIT APPLICATION Visser explained this application has been worked on by the M.A.C.C. for several months.  It is a requirement that we apply for a storm water permit.  VanRaalte stated the best alternative that we have found is taking all the units in the Holland/Zeeland area and putting them all under one application.  As a result, we would save money and do a better job in the long run. MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Marsilje to approve the application to authorize the Storm Water Permit.  Koopman noted this is strictly an application.  We would be waiting for the state to accept it, and then the work would begin.
Art 11	PUBLIC PARTICIPATION POLICY Visser stated this originally came up in November.  In December he reported back the policies of other units of government, and then asked Attorney Dan Martin to come up with a policy for Park Township.  Visser noted the policy allows speakers 2 minutes during the public comment time at the beginning of the meeting and 5 minutes during the additional comments from the audience and the Board at the end of the meeting. MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to adopt the resolution and policy for public participation at Board meetings. Marsilje complimented Attorney Dan Martin’s work on this policy.  Koopman suggested this policy be posted on a bulletin board.
Art 12	A.  WATER RATE RESOLUTION Visser stated this came by recommendation from the Utilities Committee.  The water rates were last increased in 1997 and cost of water has since doubled.   It was suggested to set the commodity charge at $1.30 per 1000 gallons with a minimum 3-month charge of $15.  We will still have one of the lowest rates in the area.  MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Steggerda to adopt a resolution for the new water rate.  VanRaalte questioned why we are keeping the rates so low compared to other municipalities.  Visser stated we like to keep the cost as low as we can for the residents.  But also noted that it will have to be looked into again in the next year or two.  B.  SEWER RATE RESOLUTION  Visser explained this does not involve any commodities.  Sewer is billed and maintained by Holland Township.  The resolution is to change the frontage charge to $28 per foot.  MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by VanDyke to adopt a resolution for the new frontage charge.
Art 13	COMMITTEE REPORTS  Price stated that she and Koopman attended a Chamber of Commerce meeting.  They were asked if Park Township would be willing to participate in a Study Committee regarding the idea of Tulip City Airport becoming a regional airport.  She noted Tulip City is the 6th largest airport in the state.  It provides an economical base for our whole community by bringing in jobs and businesses.  Koopman noted the vitality of corporate life revolves in the ability to bring in clients.  Many of these businesses provide a lifeline for our residents.  In that aspect, it does affect Park Township.  Part of the study group will help identify who the major role players are.  Visser stated a member from the Airport Committee would attend the Study Committee meetings.
Art 14	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 January and the bills to be paid for February.
Art 15	Earl Welling, Representing Ottawa County Fair with the request from Holland Water Sports, 1810 Ottawa Beach Road, Owned by Jeff and Trina Ward. Welling explained the Wards are purchasing a large dinner boat to give scenic dinner cruises on Lake Macatawa.  The boat will hold 150 people.  They need parking space for their customers and asked to use the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.  The Fair Board is in favor of it.  The Wards would use a shuttle bus to transport their customers from the fairground to the boat from May 1 through September.  During Tulip Time they want to coordinate the bus shuttle with campers at the fairgrounds to downtown. Visser questioned the entrance to be used going into the fairgrounds.  He also asked if there would be a request for additional signs along Ottawa Beach Road.  Welling stated they would use the main entrance or west gate off of Ottawa Beach Road.  The entrance off Post Avenue would not be used.  Additional signs along the road is not allowed in Park Township. VanRaalte questioned if there was a need for additional capital for Ottawa County Fair.  Welling stated they would charge a nominal fee, and noted they are in “beautiful financial condition”.  Their main goal is to run a fair.  But this would allow a service for Ward’s business plus for Tulip Time. Koopman questioned the hours of the shuttle bus. Ward responded it would be basically evenings, 6 to 9 p.m., six nights per week. Marsilje questioned if this boat is a permitted use at his facility, and what is his current parking situation. Ward replied it is a permitted use.  He has enough parking for his current business.  He needs extra parking to facilitate only the dinner boat customers.  Steggerda questioned if the dinner boat is rented to individuals or groups, and what method of advertising is to be used. Ward replied they would rent to individual or groups; companies, weddings, etc.  They advertise through the tourist industry using magazines and brochures.  The dinner boat usage would be by reservations over the phone. Welling noted the agreement would be for one year. VanDyke stated the reason for this discussion is for fairground parking only. MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by VanRaalte and supported by Koopman to permit the Ottawa County Fair Board to negotiate a one year parking agreement with Jeff and Trina Ward. Price questioned if this parking arrangement would significantly change the usage currently permitted at their existing business, or do they need to go before the Planning Commission. Martin stated this is an issue for Kirk Briggs whether this type of charter dinner boat is significantly different than actually renting out for other individual usage like a Jet Ski or boat. Marsilje stated his biggest concern is using the fairgrounds for commercial operation. Steggerda agreed with Marsilje and stated she is also concerned about excess traffic in and out of the fairgrounds.  Motion was carried.  Marsilje and Steggerda opposed.
Art 16	ADJOURN MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by VanRaalte and supported by Koopman to adjourn.
	Julie Northrup, Recording Secretary 02/17/03

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