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

John Van Iwaarden gave the invocation.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,607,684

Receipts........................................................................$   38,268

Disbursements................................................................$  207,887

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,438,038

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

2007 DEPOSITORIES

TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT:  A) OATH OF OFFICE, B) SEATING 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Dreyer and supported by Price to appoint Bret Docter as Board Trustee for the remainder of the term.

Ebihara stated that there was a tremendous amount of interest for this position, and he thanked everyone who applied. 

Ebihara swore in Bret Docter.

Bret Docter took his place on the Board.

Bret Docter offered his resignation to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Board of Review.

Visser recommended to the Board to appoint Bret Docter to the Planning Commission.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Steggerda to appoint Bret Docter to the Planning Commission as the Board representative.

FOIA POLICY

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Ebihara to amend the FOIA Policy.

Price stated that she brought this amendment request to the Board so that all members can share equally in decisions affecting our community.  The Board as a whole is considered a client of Mr. Martin’s and his firm.  In her experience attorney/client privilege is not breeched.

Martin explained the FOIA policy in detail.  He also answered questions pertaining to the Open Meetings Act, which he feels the township did not violate.

Roll Call Vote:  YES - Steggerda, Dreyer, Price, Docter, Ebihara                                        NO -   Van Iwaarden, Visser

RECEIPT OF PETITION

Ed TerVoort, Port Sheldon Twp., spoke on behalf of the people who signed the petition.  He stated that he has known Kirk Briggs for 17 years.  Although they are friends, Kirk has stayed professional on the job.  Briggs had been one of the best attendees and teachers of building codes for the past 6 years during monthly Home Builders Association meetings.  TerVoort stated that outside inspection companies should not be considered.  Park Township is unique in the layout of the land.  An outside company would not know about special set back issues, flood plains, and critical dune areas.  An outside company would also be very costly.  As an inspector, you cannot please everyone - you go by the code.  Many times Kirk Briggs got blamed for issues that were turned down by the ZBA.  He worked for the township, and did what was best for the township.  TerVoort asked for Kirk Briggs to be reinstated.

Ebihara stated that given the fact the Mr. Briggs resigned and accepted severance pay, he questioned if Mr. Briggs encouraged or helped in this petition in any way.

TerVourt stated that he was surprised when he heard of Briggs’ resignation, and started asking questions.  Briggs did not encourage their action.      

John Berry, Park Twp., questioned due process of Briggs’ resignation.

John McDonald, Park Twp., stated that he had built a shed that was not within code.  Briggs worked with him to make it right.  It was the ZBA that turned him down, not Kirk Briggs.

Diana Garlinghouse, 2317 Auburn Ave., is a volunteer builder who has sought information from Briggs several times.  She is concerned that people would not be able to get needed information if the job was contracted out.  She also stated that issues should be documented and discussed.

Dawn Kragt, 14335 Essenberg Dr., shamed the Board, and accused Dreyer and Ebihara of fulfilling a campaign promise.

Don Bergman, 62 Sun Ridge Dr., is a certified home inspector.  He stated that he has seen significant problems in homes where contracted inspections were done.  He encouraged the Board to either rehire Kirk Briggs or hire a new full time inspector.

Tom Van Eenenaam, 4235 Lakeshore Dr., stated that he would like to know the reasons behind Briggs’ departure.

Joel Bouwens, 2265 Black Lake Ave., stated that the written record of Briggs’ resignation and agreement is indisputable.  It was agreed upon unanimously by the Board to accept his resignation.  Bouwens encouraged the Board to go through a careful and deliberate process to determine what skill set the township needs, and then decide the best and most economically way to fill those needs.

Rick Van Til, 2359 Black Lake Walk, stated that as a builder he felt his customers benefited from Briggs’ input.  He thanked the Board members he had contacted for giving him needed information during this interim. 

Kirk Briggs, 1950 South Shore Dr., addressed the Board stating that they had never gone to his office to discuss complaints.  He had been a township employee for 15 years, and felt that he deserved another chance.

David Smeenge, 2165 Woodlark Dr., stated that Kirk Briggs’ choices were to resign or be fired.  He feels that the township deserves better than how 3 of the Board members behaved. 

Van Iwaarden stated some facts in costs involving using private providers for inspections.

Rod Vandenberg, Vice President Oak Grove Camp Grounds, stated that as a business owner it is very hard to accomplish projects.  There is no help.  The township needs to improve their customer service.

Kristine Kane, 16523 Riley St., stated that she has never experienced any dissatisfaction when seeking help at the Park Township Office.                 

LeeAnne Jachim, 1522 Perry St., stated that she has always been treated with respect from the building department, and Briggs was always helpful.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED:  A motion was made by Visser and supported by Van Iwaarden to rescind the separation agreement previously enacted and reinstate Mr. Briggs immediately to his former position as Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator under the same terms of his prior employment.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Docter to recess to allow Attorney Martin to review Robert’s Rules of Order.

Roll Call Vote:  Unanimous

Ebihara questioned if it is practical for the Board to rescind a motion after we have already entered into a contract that has gone into effect.

Martin stated that the Board could amend the agreement.

Roll Call Vote to rescind the resignation of Kirk Briggs:                              YES:  3  (Steggerda, Van Iwaarden, Visser)                                      NO:   4  (Docter, Dreyer, Ebihara, Price)

DEMOLITION CONTRACT

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden, amended by Dreyer, and supported by Docter to accept the proposal from H&M Demolition Companies in the amount of $10,175.00 for the demolition of the houses and garage on parcel 70-15-13-400-030, with the stipulation that the land is brought up to grade with sand.

PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY

Roll Call Vote:  Unanimous.

The Board returned to open session.  No action was taken.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Ebihara to appoint Amanda Price, Doug Dreyer, Bret Docter, Roger Rushmeyer, Dave Siegers, Brendan Burke, and Bob Ellis to the Park Township Airport Lease Extension Committee.

Price stated that the language in the Airport Authority documents has been resolved.  The documents have been redrafted.  She asked for a study session meeting of the Board to review the documents.

The Board decided to meet on Thursday, January 25, 2007 at 6:00 p.m.

Van Iwaarden, MACC Watershed Technical Committee, stated that Ottawa County adopted a new fertilizer ordinance that will take effect in January 2008.  One of the major emphases of this ordinance is that no fertilizer may be applied unless it is 0% phosphorus.  Van Iwaarden stated that the Macatawa Watershed Project has produced a new video titled “Into the Watershed”.  It is an educational tool aimed at school children, but may be enjoyed by all ages.  DVD’s are available for check out at the Park Township Office front desk.

Van Iwaarden stated that the Parks & Recreation Committee unanimously endorses the proposal from T-Mobile for construction of a cell tower at Virginia Park, and asked that income from a lease be assigned to the Parks fund.  He also announced that the public forum on the future of Wendt Park will be at the Township Hall on January 30 at 7 p.m.

Steggerda, Personnel Committee, stated that she would like the Board to address the Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator position.  The building department is extremely busy.  There is illegal building under construction because people are aware that we do not have an inspector.  Steggerda feels that an in house inspector would be more valuable to the township.  She recommended placing an ad for this position.

Docter suggested a forum conducted by the HBA to help us understand what is the most appropriate and common practice with townships our size.

Ebihara stated that the Board should look into privatized companies.

Visser stated that he has proposals from PCI and Michigan Township Services.  They are not cost effective.

Docter stated that although he understands the advantages of having an inspector in the office, we should obtain long-term proposals from outside sources.

Price stated that she is concerned about the time frame.  She suggested instead of conducting a forum, ask for input from people who deal with this department on a regular basis.

Visser stated that a new job description should be written.

An ad hoc committee of Stu Visser, Doug Dreyer, and Bret Docter was formed to gather input of building department needs, and draft a building inspector/zoning administrator job description.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Mike Toscano, 1228 Oak Hampton, stated that he was also a trustee candidate, and commended the Board for the way the interviews were conducted.  As a Planning Commissioner, Toscano stressed the benefits of having a zoning administrator readily available.

Frank Beltman, Planning Commissioner, 1898 Lake St., stated that, even though this is a slow time for permits, the building department is extremely busy and is having difficulty keeping up with the workload.    He encouraged the Board to seriously consider getting away from the outside services of inspections, and hire someone in the position that was formerly occupied by Kirk Briggs.

Judy Beltman, 1898 Lake St., referenced a bike path map, and questioned why it was being called a sidewalk.

Visser explained that the Road Commission approves the bike path plans and they call them sidewalks.  For all practical purposes they are bike paths.

Brian Rexford, 1762 Main St., commended the Board for their professionalism.  He apologized to Jeff Ebihara and Doug Dreyer for being verbally accused of taking money to fire Kirk Briggs.  Skip Keeter and himself were also part of a group that was accused of taking money from a builder in the area, and it was false.

John Foster, 586 Old Orchard Rd., stated that he was a trustee candidate.  He thanked the Board for their time, and appreciated the fact they interviewed everyone that applied.  He also stated that he appreciates the township’s user-friendly web site.

Brian Frederick, Park Township Airport Manager, announced that a hot air balloon race will take place on January 27. 

BOARD COMMENTS

Price suggested for the Board to discuss the Legacy Cost during the budget meeting.

Docter commended the building department staff for their outstanding work under the present situation.  He also stated that he is honored to be the new trustee on the Board.

Steggerda stated that it was very interesting and enjoyable being on the Trustee Search Committee.  It was a hard decision, and she appreciated the candidates’ input.  She hopes that the Board will have integrity and respect for each other, and do what’s best for the township as a whole.

Van Iwaarden commended Peggy Van Eyk for her customer service skills in the building department.

Ebihara stated that he has received calls complimenting Sandy Brodie on her work in the zoning department.

ADJOURN