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Art 1 |
Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park
Township Board held on February 9, 2006 at 6 p.m.
Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Trustees Doug Dreyer, Gene Koopman,
Amanda Price, and Attorney Dan Martin.
Absent were Clerk Jeff Ebihara and
Trustee John Van Iwaarden.
Jan Steggerda gave the
invocation. |
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Art 2 |
The minutes of the
January 12, 2006 Board Meeting were approved as published. |
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Art 3 |
The
Treasurer’s Report was given as follows:
Beginning
Balance...........................................................$2,070,095
Receipts........................................................................$ 624,713
Disbursements................................................................$
151,405
Ending
Balance...............................................................$2,543,403 |
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Art 4 |
The Fire Department report indicated 16
calls were made in the month of January and $0 in property damages.
Captain Gamby reported that fire fighter Loran Serne was promoted to
Lieutenant at Station #2, and all officer positions are now filled. |
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Art 5 |
The Zoning
Administrator's Report listed 21 building permits for the month of
January and a total building permit activity of $908,900. |
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Art 6 |
Koopman reported that 3 liquor inspection reports were turned in for
January. All establishments were in compliance and good condition. |
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Art 7 |
PUBLIC COMMENTS (2
MINUTES PER PERSON)
No public comments.
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Art 8 |
SUBDIVISION ORDINANCE VARIANCE
Jack Siebers, Attorney, stated that owner Peter Huizenga
of Hideaway Holdings LLC would like to split his 250 ft. wide parcel. The Park
Township subdivision ordinance states that the depth of the property may not be
more than 3 times the width, which would not work with parcel. He requested a
variance for two lots with one being 105 ft. wide and the other 145 ft. wide.
The Planning Commission recommended the approval for this variance.
Visser stated that there is a
provision in our subdivision ordinance to grant variances in
unusual circumstances.
Dreyer questioned if we have
preliminary approval for both septic systems.
Visser stated that we have a
permit for the existing house, and an Ottawa County
Environmental Health vacant land evaluation report for the lot
that we would be creating if this variance were approved.
MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by
Koopman and supported by Steggerda to approve the subdivision
ordinance variance for Hideaway Holdings LLC.
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Art 9 |
SUBDIVISION PRELIMINARY: HIDEAWAY SHORES
MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION
CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Price to approve the
subdivision preliminary for Hideaway Shores. |
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Art 10 |
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Price submitted
an outline for her committee report. She stated that MACC is making progress in
regards to the phosphorous levels in Lake Macatawa, and the DEQ is willing to
renegotiate and extend the deadline for compliance. Price stated that she would
like to work with John Van Iwaarden to educate the public about phosphorous
levels in our environment. She stressed the severity of this problem.
Visser stated
that phosphorous information could be placed in the spring newsletter. He noted
that fertilizers applied to all Park Township properties contain no phosphorous.
Dreyer
explained the stricter phosphorous requirements placed upon farmers.
Koopman
questioned if there are any grant possibilities toward bulk purchases of
phosphorous free fertilizer for resale to our residents at a lesser cost to use
as an incentive.
Dreyer
suggested that maybe the MACC would be willing to help co-pay soil testing.Price stated
that the MACC website has information on managing phosphorous level on lawns. |
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Art 11 |
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 January and the bills to be paid in
February. |
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Art 12 |
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON) John Foster,
586 Old Orchard Rd., thanked the Board for holding this meeting on the south
side. He suggested publishing the locations where people could buy
non-phosphorous fertilizers. Regarding the budget, he questioned how salaries
are determined.
Visser stated
that to figure salaries he starts by evaluating each department, next he
cooperates with the other units of government in the area to see how they are
functioning, then the U.S. Government Bureau of Labor Statistics, and finally he
and Jan Steggerda phone local units of government to check on fringe benefits
and cost of living adjustments. Visser stated that he will go into more detail
during the budget meeting on Monday, February 27 at 4:00 p.m. at the Park
Township Office.
Jackie Van
Wieren, 1865 Columbus St., stated that Van Wieren Hardware sells low phosphorous
fertilizer, and she thanked the Board for their concern of this matter.
Visser
stated that we need to be careful not to promote private businesses. Fred Porter,
625 Harrington Ave., questioned where the salaries of non-elected employees are
listed on the budget.
Visser replied
non-elected employees are under Township Office, Building Department, Zoning
Department, and Assessing Department. |
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Art 13 |
BOARD
COMMENTS Steggerda
stated that due to the numerous complaints received, she called Consumer’s
regarding the tree cuttings. Consumer’s are in their legal rights. They will
take care of the brush; they will not remove stumps; and the logs are left for
residents to help themselves.Price stated
that she also talked with Consumer’s and noted that they identified all trees
prior to cutting.
Dreyer
questioned if the garbage collection matter was looked into. Visser stated
that one suggestion was to divide the Township into five districts and notify
all the garbage companies what days they can service a particular area. Hours
could also be restricted. He hopes to have more information prior to the budget
meeting. |
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Art 14 |
ADJOURN
MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman
and supported by Steggerda to adjourn. |
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Julie Northrup
Recording Secretary
02/13/06 |
