Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on July 8, 2004 at 6 p.m.

Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Clerk Ed Marsilje, Trustees Gene Koopman, Amanda Price, Paul Van Dyke and John Van Iwaarden, and Attorney Dan Martin.

The minutes of the June 10, 2004 Board Meeting were approved as published.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance.........................................................................$2,959,388

Receipts......................................................................................$   37,936

Disbursements..............................................................................$  271,100

Ending Balance.............................................................................$2,726,224

The Fire Department report indicated 13 calls were made in the month of June and $500 in property damages.  Fire Chief Ken Fought reported all fire equipment is in good working order.      

The Zoning Administrator's Report indicated 68 building permits were issued in June and total permit activity of $3,321,274. 

Koopman reported 3 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for June.  All establishments were in compliance and good condition.

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

Skip Keeter, 4Roger Cotner announced he is running for Circuit Court Judge. 

Andrew Mulder announced he is running for Circuit Court Judge.

Viisser stated the Planning Commission recommended approval.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Marsilje to grant final approval to Timberline Acres West, Phase 2.

Price questioned the intended use of the large dirt pile by the south lake.

Sharp replied most likely it would be used for topsoil when new homes are built. 

Marsilje signed the mylar

REZONE:  C-2 TO R-4, 734 BAY ROAD 70-15-33-387-016 & 70-15-33-387-020 

Visser explained although this property is currently zoned Resort Service District, historically it has been used residentially.

Koopman stated 15 feet was added onto the property to allow a driveway and off road parking.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to grant the request to rezone parcel 70-15-33-387-016 & 70-15-387-020 from C-2 to R-4.

PLANNING COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT

The Park Township Planning Commission Annual Report was submitted.

FENCING:  VENTURA CEMETERY

Visser explained that the people at the Wyoming Water Treatment Plant would like to install a decorative wrought iron fence along New Holland Street and 168^th Avenue.  They asked the Township if we would like the fence to continue along the Ventura Cemetery property line.

Van Iwaarden stated he had talked with residents in the Ventura Cemetery area, and they were all in favor of the new fence.

Visser stated he would inform Wyoming Water to go ahead a replace the existing chain link fence with a new wrought iron fence.

OTTAWA COUNTY SHERIFF MARINE DIVISION REQUEST

Sgt. Koeman approached the Board seeking funds for 8 life preservers at the State Park pier.  The money needed is for the cost of installation and for the life rings.  The brackets are donated.  Roping will be an additional cost.  He asked for $1000.

Price questioned who would be responsible for replacements if rings were stolen, and why should the Township pay when the pier is an Army Corp Of Engineer structure.

Sgt. Koeman stated to help prevent theft they are considering inscribing “In Memory Of” on the rings.  The $1000 will buy 8 needed rings with installation, plus 2 extra.  The Army Corp Of Engineers stance is the pier was not made for public use, nor do they want it to be open to the public.  They will give the Township permission to give the Ottawa County Sheriff Marine Division a lease to install the life preservers.                  

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to grant funding for pier life preservers not to exceed $1000.

BIKE PATH                          

A) SOUTH SHORE DRIVE DRAINAGE              

Visser explained there is a drainage problem on the South Shore Drive bike path between First Avenue and Leonard Avenue.  The Drain Commissioner gave two proposals for solving the problem: 1) a double leaching system for $13,975.            2) hook up to an existing county drain for $15,200, which is a more permanent option.  A petition would have to be signed for the Drain Commission to permanently maintain this.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Price to authorize a petition for the Ottawa County Drain Commission to maintain the designated section of drainage on South Shore Drive.

B) RESURFACING CONTRACT

Visser stated Prein & Newhof recommended accepting the bid of $99,895 from Tulip City for approximately 5 miles of bike path resurfacing.    

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Van Iwaarden to accept the bike path resurfacing bid from Tulip City in the amount of $99,895.

160^TH AVENUE SANITARY SEWER CONTRACT

Visser stated the Township has an agreement with Kelly Ridge, LLC to pay $99,000 towards the 160^th Avenue wastewater collection system extension.  The check has been received.  Prein & Newhof recommended that the Township award the project to Al’s Excavating, Inc. for the bid amount of $272,245.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Steggerda to award the 160^th Avenue Sewer Contract to Al’s Excavating for the amount of $272,245.

URBAN COUNTY DESIGNATION

Visser stated Park Township is not eligible for grants available if we are designated as an urban county.  The only reason to approve this change would be to help our neighbors.  Holland Township opposed the change.  Holland City is exempted.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Marsilje to oppose the change to Urban County Designation.

CITY OF HOLLAND/PARK TOWNSHIP WATER SYSTEM AGREEMENT, MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AND WATER SYSTEM OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE CONTRACT

Visser explained that a large area of Park Township could not be served by city water.  By approving this Resolution, Holland B.P.W. water would be available township wide; except for the area already served by Wyoming Water.  In return, Holland City would be able to rebuild or add onto the water treatment plant if or when needed.  They would also have the right to use existing right of ways, an interconnect off 160^th Avenue with Wyoming Water, and one additional Lake Macatawa crossing.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Van Iwaarden to approve the City Of Holland/Park Township Water System Resolution. 

Attorney Mulder stated Holland B.P.W. has existing contracts with Laketown Township, Park Township, Holland Township in the Federal District, and they provide water on a wholesale basis to the City of Zeeland.  Projected studies of growth show a probable need for expansion in the next 5 to 10 years.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Price and supported by Koopman to grant the utility easement on Park Township property to Holland B.P.W. and the City of Holland.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Price gave an update on the Recreation Committee’s “Big Show”, and Eric Fogg’s search for an aircraft display.

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 June.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

John Foster, 586 Old Orchard Road, complimented the Board for their achievement with the city water treatment agreement and he hopes this kind of cooperation continues with regional planning as well as city and neighboring townships.

BOARD COMMENTS

Van Dyke stated the fairground fencing needs to be complete prior to the fair; they will be hosting an event for handicapped kids; and he complimented the Fair Board for their terrific work.

PENDING LITIGATION/CLOSED SESSION

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to go into closed session to receive advice from council.

ROLL CALL VOTE:  7 – Yes / 0 - No

Board adjourned to closed session.

Board returned to open session.

ADJOURN

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

Julie Northrup, Recording Secretary, 03/17/04