Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on January 12, 2006 at 6 p.m.

Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Clerk Jeff Ebihara, Trustees Doug Dreyer, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price, John          Van Iwaarden, and Attorney Dan Martin.

Doug Dreyer gave the invocation.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,268,856

Receipts........................................................................$  116,296

Disbursements................................................................$  315,056

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,070,095

The Fire Department report indicated 14 calls were made in the month of December and $9,000 in property damages.

Visser stated that although new home permits are down, the total number of permits issued is about the same due to the increase of remodeling.  The building department is also working on code enforcement issues.

Van Iwaarden stated that 70 to 75 percent of the permits are for remodeling and additions, which is very inspection intensive.  The workload remains the same.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Alvin Boyd, Port Sheldon Township, stated his concerns with the poor street lighting and the layout of the roads at the 152^nd Avenue, Ransom Street and Butternut Drive intersections.

Visser stated that the he would look into the street lighting problem.  The intersection issue will need to go through the Ottawa County Road Commission.

Jim Jurries, 1933 South Shore Drive, stated his frustrations and concerns with the garbage services in Park Township.  In order to eliminate the proliferation of garbage services, and help our environment, he asked the Board to consider putting it out for bid.

Visser stated that Mr. Juries comments will be taken seriously, and his efforts are appreciated.

Tamra Bouman, Executive Director of Tulip Time, ask the Board for a donation to help support the 2006 Tulip Time Festival.  She stated that Holland Township donated $8,000 and asked the Board to consider matching this contribution.

No comments.

Visser closed the public hearing.

WEST OTTAWA PUBLIC SCHOOLS – SUMMER TAX COLLECTION FEES

ZONING MAP AMENDMENT ORDINANCE:  AG TO R1

Visser stated that the Planning Commission recommended denial of the zoning map amendment ordinance.  It was a unanimous vote, 6- 0.  The land is located ¼ mile west of 152^nd Avenue on the south side of Riley Street.  It is currently zoned agricultural, master planned for agricultural, and is being used agriculturally.

Koopman stated that unless there are very strong reasons for a change, the Planning Commission studies should be upheld and no change should be made. 

Martin stated that the Board could either make a motion to support the Planning Commission or send this item back to them for further review.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Van Iwaarden to affirm the decision of the Planning Commission to deny the Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance.

Van Iwaarden stated that the Planning Commission is an extremely efficient and good unit of government, and the Township Board needs to support their decisions.

Price stated that the Planning Commission’s decision was well thought out.

MEETINGS SCHEDULE AMENDMENT

Visser stated that two of the Board members are unable to attend the budget meeting on February 23.  Therefore, he recommended changing the date to February 27 at 4 p.m.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Price to approve the Meetings Schedule Amendment changing the budget meeting to February 27, 2006 at 4 p.m.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Van Iwaarden, MACC Watershed Committee, stated concerns about the high phosphorus levels in Lake Macatawa.  A call is being made for a summit meeting of elected officials from all governmental units in the watershed, key industrial leaders, and farmers to address the problem and recommend effective cooperative actions.

Dryer stated that more phosphorous per acre is allowed for lawn fertilization than farmland.

Visser stated that he has been on the Waste Treatment Administrative Committee for nineteen years, and the phosphorous in lawn fertilizer has always been an issue.  There is zero phosphorous fertilizer available.  If the phosphorous levels do not improve, we may be mandated to expand the waste treatment plant and treat at a higher level.  Today’s estimated cost would be $60 million dollars.

Koopman encouraged all Board members to attend the summit meeting when scheduled.

Van Iwaarden, Parks & Recreation Committee, stated that the Virginia Park renovation is on schedule and should be complete by July 4, 2006, and the "Grand Re-Opening" will be around that time.  The Disc Golf Course “Grand Opening” will take place this spring.  He also noted that the Community Building on the fairgrounds is in need of interior maintenance.

Ebihara requested an update of any changes the Fair Board has made as to how the members are recruited, appointed, and the overall make-up of the Board.

Price stated that the Maatman Center should also be looked at for possible interior improvement.

Price gave the Board a written report on the MACC Policy Committee, the Park Township Airport, and the MACC Transportation Committee. 

Visser stated that a representative is needed for the Airport Authority’s Document Formulation Committee for the purpose of bringing the issue to voters.

Price volunteered to be the representative.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Steggerda to approve the check register for December and the bills to be paid in January.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Martin stated that the condition was already changed.  If the Board were to make another revision, a public hearing would need to be held.

Gretchen Fisher, 131 N. 160^th Avenue, stated that Saugatuck City recently passed a tree preservation ordinance with little or no opposition.  She asked the Board to consider such an ordinance for Park Township.

BOARD COMMENTS

Visser stated that MTA might have information on this topic.

Steggerda suggested that the MACC could supply and sell the non-phosphorous fertilizer and use the profits towards educating the people.

ADJOURN