Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on May 12, 2005 at 6 p.m.

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

Absent was Clerk Jeff Ebihara and Trustee Doug Dreyer.

Stu Visser gave the invocation.

The minutes of the June 9, 2005 Board Meeting were approved as published.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$3,096,651

Receipts........................................................................$   50,958

Disbursements................................................................$  235,693

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,911,917

The Fire Department report indicated 28 calls were made in the month of June and $90,250 in property damages. 

Koopman reported 7 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for June.  All establishments were in compliance and good condition.

Faith Van Popering, Port Sheldon Township, voiced her opinion in favor of the dog park.  She is a Holland Michigan Kennel Club member.  A dog park is a place for responsible people to mingle with others of the same interest.  It was reported that 68% of households have pets.  Many owners have small back yards or live in apartments.  A dog park is a place to socialize and exercise your dogs.

Earl Welling, Ottawa County Fair Board President, stated that 75,000 fair books were sent out, and they are advertising on radio and television.  He congratulated the Board for the purchase of the property east of the fair grounds, and thanked them for working with the Fair Board.

Dave Siegers, Ottawa Aviation, shared pictures and happenings at the airport including:  the removal and replacement of trees; the remote control airplane event; the annual August 20 Air Affair; a vision statement is being drafted; and the military jet is still in route.

Terry Beck, 2517 N. 144^th Avenue, spoke in favor of the dog park.  She stated that she had lived in the state of Washington and visited a local dog park frequently.  She stated that the people who use these parks are responsible.  They follow the posted rules and clean up after their dogs.

Brian Rexford, 1762 Main Street, on behalf of the Recreation Committee thanked the Board in advance for their support on the Dog Park and the Disc Golf Course.

TIMBERLINE ACRES WEST PHASE III FINAL

Neil Sharpe, Exxel Engineering, spoke on behalf of the developer.  He stated that the Planning Commission recommends approval of Timberline Acres West Phase III.  The plan is for 23 lots.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Van Iwaarden to grant final approval to Timberline Acres West Phase III.

Visser stated that Clerk Jeff Ebihara will sign the Mylar when he returns from vacation.

PUBLIC HEARING:  SAD20 SPECIAL ASSESSMENT ROLL

Visser stated that Special Assessment District #20 is located on 145^th Avenue from Elden Street north to Sylvan Street.

Visser opened the public hearing.

No public comments.

Visser closed the public hearing.

Visser stated that the resolution as presented has an 8% interest.  He recommended amending it to 6%.

Steggerda stated that the Utility Committee would like to have all current and existing SAD Assessment rates changed from 8% to 6%. 

RECEIPT OF PETITION:  GROVE AVENUE ROAD IMPROVEMENT

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Steggerda to adopt Resolution #1 declaring our tentative desire to proceed with road construction on the basis of petition.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Steggerda to adopt Resolution #2 to schedule a hearing of necessity on the proposed road construction to be held August 11,
2005 at 6 p.m. at the Park Township Office.

AWARD OF CONTRACT:  160^TH AVENUE BIKE PATH

This contract is for three sections on 160^th Avenue: New Holland Street to
Ransom Street, James Street to Lakewood Blvd., and on the south side
from Woodlawn Avenue to Highland Avenue.  The recommended bid was
from Triangle Excavating in the amount of $114,490. 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made
by Steggerda and supported by Koopman to award the bike path contract
to Triangle Excavating in the amount of $114,490.

AWARD OF CONTRACT:  145TH AVENUE SANITARY SEWER, PERRY STREET WATER

Visser stated that due to the large differences in bid amounts, our engineer verified the low bid amount with the contractor and they are comfortable with the bid submitted.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Van Iwaarden, Parks & Recreation Committee, stated that the Virginia
Park renovation is in progress with a completion date by July 4, 2006.  The
bid opening will take place mid August.

Van Iwaarden stated that the Parks & Recreation Committee gives full support
for a Disc Golf Course at Winstrom Park.  It would be located in the
wooded southeast corner of the park in an 18-hole arrangement.

Dean Thayer helped with the design of the course and explained the layout. 
He stated that mature trees would not be cut down.  They would only need to
clear some undergrowth.

Price questioned if the course would be handicap accessible.

Dean Thayer replied that anyone who can walk through the woods could play this
game.  The tee areas will be easily accessible but there are some areas that
could be difficult.

Van Iwaarden questioned if sponsor names would be allowed on signs if they
make a contribution.

Martin stated that care must be taken to avoid the argument that sponsors
are advertising off premises. 

Visser stated that this type of signage would need to be investigated.

Price stated that she would like to table the approval requests for the Disc
Golf Course and the Dog Park until next month when the Board could hear
more input. 

A MOTION was made by Price, but NOT SUPPORTED, to table the possible
approval of a Disc Golf Course at Winstrom Park and the Dog Park at the
Multi-Purpose Park.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by
Van Iwaarden and supported by Koopman to approve the construction of the
Disc Golf Course at Winstrom Park with a cost limitation of $25,000.

Koopman stated that the Board should honor and respect the Recreation
Committee and their work and accept their recommendation.  The disc golf
course would offer the community an alternative sport.

John Foster, 586 Old Orchard Road, stated that the Center for Independent
Living might be a good resource for looking at how you could design the Disc
Golf Course with people with disabilities in mind.

Price questioned if we would have to comply with A.D.A. requirements in
the construction of the course.

Martin replied no.  You can make it as accessible as possible, but due to the
nature of the course, it cannot be accomplished in its entirety.

Van Iwaarden presented a drawing of the proposed 1.6 acre Dog Park to be
located in the south east corner of the Multi-Purpose Park.  The Fair Board
supports this project.  They will continue mowing the Multi-Purpose Park
including the enclosed Dog Park area.  It will not interfere with the parking
during the fair.  The dog park will be easily accessible.  Van Iwaarden
commended Dan Hoe Excavating for their excellent work in the demolition of
the house and barn. 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by
Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to approve the construction of the
Dog Park in the Multi-Purpose Park for an amount not to exceed $25,000.

Motion was carried 4 to 1.  Price strongly opposed.

Price stated that Chris Raphael is no long the President of Ottawa Aviation. 
Roger Rushmeyer is the new President and Dave Siegers is the Vice President.

Price distributed a packet of information on the Tulip City Airport including a
survey of local businesses and the economic impact of the airport.  The
projected operating budget is also included.

Van Iwaarden stated that the MACC Watershed Committee is concerned with
the high phosphorus levels in Lake Macatawa.  They are working with farmers
trying to get them to establish filter strips along the streams.

Koopman, Public Safety Committee, met with Chief Gamby and his officer staff. 
He is very impressed with their dedication and service to the community.     

PAYMENT OF BILLS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was
made by Steggerda and supported by Van Iwaarden to approve the check
register for June and the bills to be paid for July.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

No public comments.

BOARD COMMENTS

Visser distributed pictures of a vacant house in a subdivision that has been
neglected for several years.  The water has been shut off.  Taxes are paid to
date, so technically it is not abandoned.  He is not sure if there is an
ordinance violation.

Van Iwaarden suggested contacting the City of Holland, who has dealt with
similar situations, for advice.

Visser stated that Parks & Recreation Director Mary Alice Ritsema has
informed the Board that she wishes to retire.  Board members Jan Steggerda,
John Van Iwaarden, and Stu Visser, along with the Parks & Recreation
Committee’s recommendation, hired Barb Burmeister as her replacement.  She
will begin August 1.

Koopman stated that he would like future proposals involving expenditures to
come to the Board as a regular agenda item.  The information would then be
included in the board packets for review prior to meetings.

ADJOURN

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