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

Absent were Trustees Doug Dreyer and John Van Iwaarden.

Stuart Visser gave the invocation.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,438,066

Receipts........................................................................$  757,504

Disbursements................................................................$  181,244

Ending Balance...............................................................$3,014,325

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Don Herringa, President and CEO of Trendway Corp., 173 Oakwood Ave., stated that the airport authority would be an important piece of business infrastructure.  It would create opportunities and jobs.

Jim Storey, Chair of Tulip City Airport Advisory Board, 3044 W. 35^th St., stated that we should invest in our infrastructure so that we can attract new jobs, and have direct access to world economy through the Tulip City Airport.

AIRPORT AUTHORITY

Visser stated that the authority must pass in the City of Holland, and in enough other municipalities where their taxable values equal the City of Holland.

Martin stated that if the airport authority does not pass by the voters, the board has the option to take money out of the general fund to support it or refuse to take money from the general fund, and seek release from the authority.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Docter to adopt the resolution to bring the .10 mil airport authority funding to the vote of the people.

Steggerda stated that the board should let the residents vote on this matter, but is opposed to taking money out of the general fund if the vote does not pass.

Visser stated that if the Park Township voters say no to the millage, he would oppose overruling the voters by taking the money from the general fund.

Ebihara stated that he hopes to see representation of women and minorities on the authority board if it passes.

Roll Call Vote:  Unanimous.

Docter stated that the board must appoint two representatives to the airport; one could be a board member and the other a member of the community.  We should seek as many applications as possible.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Docter and supported by Ebihara to appoint Amanda Price as a Park Township representative on the airport authority board.

Martin stated that under the by-laws and the formation agreement, in order to have a quorum of the authority members, one of the township representatives must be present.  The terms are for three years each, but the initial terms will be staggered.

Price suggested appointing the 2^nd representative during the budget meeting on February 22.

KELLY RIDGE PUD AMENDMENT:  PUBLIC HEARING

Martin gave an overview of the Kelly Ridge PUD Amendment, and listed the Planning Commission’s recommended changes.

Martin stated that on July 1, 2006 a new provision to the Michigan Enabling Act came into effect.  If the board wants to make any changes to the conditions different than the interpretation of April 13, 2006, it will require the consent of each property owner.

Visser opened the public hearing.

Nikole Laarman, 1559 E B Creek, stated that she had followed proper procedures when her fence was installed.  She was told by the township to put it on the property line, and they did not remove any trees.

Mark DeVries, 14529 Sylvan, Kelly Ridge Estates Developer, read from a letter written by Gretchen Fisher dated 1/24/07.  The letter stated that the township violated the Open Meetings Act, and was irresponsible in the issuance of permits.  He does not believe that the township violated the open meetings act, and feels that they are correct in their interpretation.  DeVries stated that when he built Kelly Ridge PUD he did his best to follow the rules.  He has been in construction for over 30 years, and every project has a few problems.  Gretchen Fisher has turned mistakes into huge issues.    He feels that the Planning Commission’s recommendation to the board should be thrown out because it was made up of lies told by LeeAnne Jachim and Gretchen Fisher.  DeVries stated that LeeAnne Jachim should have excused herself from Planning Commission discussions regarding Kelly Ridge due to conflict of interest. 

Visser closed the public hearing.

Docter stated that he had abstained from the Planning Commission’s vote for their recommended amendment due to the fact that he was just appointed.  He stated that the Planning Commission was very thorough, but he feels that the interpretation from April 13, 2006 is correct.

Martin stated that the board could approve the report as modified consistent with the interpretation given by the township board April 13.  That would eliminate any arguments that the prior interpretation was an amendment without following amendment procedures.  The report would be changed, but not the conditions of the PUD.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Docter and supported by Price to approve the resolution supporting the April 13, 2006 interpretation of the Kelly Ridge PUD.

Roll Call Vote:  Unanimous.   

WYOMING WATER TREATMENT PLANT EXPANSION

Ken Zarzecki, Ottawa County Public Utilities Director, gave an overview of the Wyoming Water Treatment Plant expansion plans, and how the costs are distributed.  Bids were taken in October 2006.   This expansion will be a 3-year project, and good for 20 plus years.

Visser stated that all residents who will be supplied by the Wyoming Water Treatment Plant will be billed by Holland Township.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Price to adopt a resolution to approve the 2007 water system supply improvements contract to be dated January 1, 2007.

T-MOBILE

Docter questioned if a cell tower in this location would be in compliance with our ordinance.

Martin stated that because it is on public property it would not require a special use permit.  It is not a requirement to go through the Zoning Board of Appeals or the Planning Commission.

Ebihara stated that the Board should go through the same approval process as with past cell tower projects.  It is important to keep consistent, and to also allow public input.

Barb Burmiester, Parks & Recreation Director, stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee discussed the possible cell tower construction, and felt comfortable with the idea.

Ken Kuszpit, T-Mobile Representative, would like to meet with people from the Parks and Recreation Committee on site, and then draw up some plans.

BIMINI PINES EXTENSION REQUEST

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Docter and supported by Ebihara to approve a 2-year extension for the Bimini Pines PUD.

APPOINTMENTS:  A) ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS, B) BOARD OF REVIEW

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Steggerda to appoint Linda Dykert to a 2-year term on the Board of Review.

Visser stated that the last inspection fee increase was in 2004.  When comparing rates, Park Township is considerably lower.  This has made it very difficult to find a new mechanical inspector.  The recommendation of the eight government units seeking a new inspector is to increase the inspection fees from $34 to $37, and the permit fees from $39 to $42.  This would be effective April 1, 2007, and would apply to mechanical, plumbing, and electrical inspections.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Steggerda to increase the per inspection fee paid to the inspector from $34 to $37 and permit fees from $39 to $42.

PRESENTATION:  FUNDING REQUESTS

Andy Page, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Holland, asked the Board to consider donating $2,000 to help support their non-profit organization.  The Boys and Girls Club of Holland serves more than 2,000 youths in the area.  They are investigating a north side extension to the club, due to the rapid growth rate. 

Tamra Bouman, Tulip Time Executive, asked the Board to consider donating $8,000 to help fund the Tulip Time Festival.  Last year the township gave $5,000.  They are dependent on donations, contributions, sponsorships and partnerships to meet their budget goals. 

Visser stated that all three requests will be considered during the budget meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Docter stated that a job description draft for the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator position has been completed.  He also proposed a job posting.  He asked for help in posting, refining, and setting up interviews.

Barb Burmeister, Parks and Recreation Director, stated that the closing on the Lakewood Blvd./Division Ave. property will be February 12.  The Ottawa County meeting on the Riley Trails will be February 13 at 7 p.m. at the Park Township Office.  The 2^nd Wendt Park meeting will be March 6, and she submitted recommendations made by M.C. Smith based on the first meeting.  She also submitted an initial plan for bathrooms at Winstrom Park.  Burmeister stated that a donor would like to help fund a skateboard park, and the Parks and Recreation Committee would like to put a donor page on the township web site. 

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

BOARD COMMENTS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Price to change the February 22 budget meeting time to 5:00 p.m.

Price suggested for the Board to read “A New Model For Michigan” and “The New Agenda for a New Michigan”.

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