Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on July 13, 2006 at 6 p.m. at the Virginia Park Fire Station.

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.

Amanda Price gave the invocation.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,863,777

Receipts........................................................................$  73,250

Disbursements................................................................$  185,713

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,761,313

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Jane Johnson, 442 Lakeshore Drive, thanked the Board for tending to her concerns about the dumping at Keppel Forest.

Garry Smeyers, 6541 120^th Avenue, announced his candidacy for Republican County Commissioner, District 2.

SUNSET HARBOR CONDOMINIUMS PUD AMENDMENT:  PUBLIC HEARING

Visser explained that the amendment is a minor adjustment to a building envelope in order to save trees. 

Visser opened the public hearing.

Visser closed the public hearing.

Koopman stated that a second envelope would also be adjusted.  The Planning Commission recommended the amendment to the Board.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Price to approve the amendment and the report for the Sunset Harbor PUD.

ANCHORAGE PLAZA PUD AMENDMENT:  PUBLIC HEARING

Visser stated that this amendment would permit a cell tower on the Anchorage Marine property.

Visser opened the public hearing.

Mark Kooyers, 354 N. Lakeshore Drive, President of Tele-Rad Inc., stated that it is their intent to deliver a 100% tower package.  The height would be 148 feet, which is under the FAA’s maximum clearance requirement.  They are in compliance with the Township’s tower ordinance.  The tower is designed for a minimum of four cellular carriers with capabilities for expansion.  All four slots are filled under letter of intent; Centennial Communications, Cingular Wireless, IPCS Sprint, and T-Mobile.  He feels that this is the best possible site in Park Township. 

Skip Keeter, 442 Lakeshore Drive, stated that Tele-Rad is a part of Verizon, and questioned why Verizon is not one of the carriers on the tower. 

Kooyers stated that Verizon has expressed an interest, but is not under a letter of intent at this time.

Visser closed the public hearing.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Dreyer to approve the Anchorage Plaza PUD Amendment for the cellular tower, and its report.

Price questioned their decision of using a lattice tower over a monopole.

Kooyers stated that the monopole would actually be as wide or wider than a lattice tower, and lattice tower would interfere with the horizon less.  The biggest advantage that the lattice tower provides is its flexibility; it is easier to change its structure to accommodate future service changes.  It is also the primary selection for public safety.   

Koopman stated that both tower styles were discussed at the Planning Commission meeting.  The ordinance allows either one, and they also feel that the lattice tower is much more adaptable.

Van Iwaarden stated that originally this PUD Amendment was asking for more changes, but has since been modified to address only the tower.  The original Anchorage Plaza PUD Amendment still has specific requirements including customer parking spaces and signage.

Attorney Dan Martin stated that during the June Planning Commission meeting Mark Kooyers and Jeff Cavanagh requested the withdrawal of those portions unrelated to the cell tower.

Price questioned cell coverage, FAA clearance, and fake pine branches on towers.

Kooyers replied that camouflage towers are generally shorter in height, and could not meet the ordinance requirements.  Michigan is one of the leading states with registered boaters, and boaters want the use of cell phones.  The Coast Guard also recommends this service on the lake.   The FAA clearance is part of the approval process. 

Ebihara stated that the FCC offers numerous options of frequencies.  The wireless cell tower could be used not only for voice, but also data and possibly video.

Steggerda questioned the maximum number of cellular carriers.

Kooyers replied that it is yet to be defined, but he figures 6 to 8 carriers. 

WATER SYSTEM IMPROVEMENT

Visser explained Park Township’s five water districts.  He stated that the Utilities Committee met with our engineers and the contract operator from Holland Township, and recommended installing a water main in Butternut Drive from the high school to Northland Estates.  Northland Estates currently service 103 customers. This project is estimated at $614,000 with Park Township’s share being $411,548.  The EPA stated that this district must be protected either by hooking up to Butternut Drive or operating on its own system, which could require a storage tank.   

Van Iwaarden questioned what could Park Township do to help recoup some of the cost that benefits only 103 homes.

Visser stated that increasing the cost of water to this district is an option stated in our contract.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Dreyer to proceed with the water system improvement for $411,548 and allow the Finance Committee to determine the best procedure for inner departmental loans.

PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY

Visser stated that this property was made available to the Township from the Wendt estate, and is immediately adjacent to Wendt Park.  It is a seven-acre parcel that was appraised at $294,000.  Barb Burmiester put together a preliminary agreement to present to the heirs of the estate.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Price to make an offer for the purchase of real property, parcel 70-15-13-400-030.

Van Iwaarden stated that on behalf of the Parks & Recreation Committee they sincerely thank the Board for considering this purchase.  It will allow more opportunities for future expansions of an already existing nice park.

Ebihara questioned where the funding would come from.

Visser replied that the money for this purchase would be taken from the Parks Fund, which is funded by a separate millage.  The current amount in this account is $981,777.

ALARM SYSTEM

Visser stated that a fire scare happened at the Township Office last month.  One of the offices filled with smoke due to a faulty electrical strip.  Fortunately, this problem occurred during business hours.  Visser obtained one alarm system quote for $2,897 plus $20 per month monitoring fee.

With the Boards consent, Visser will seek more bids.

PLANNING COMMISSION ANNUAL REPORT

Visser distributed the Planning Commission’s annual report to all Board members.  It’s a two-page synopsis of the Planning Commission’s activities during the past year. 

Koopman praised the members of the Planning Commission for their many hours of dedicated work.

AIRPORT COMMITTEE:  SURVEY RECOMMENDATION

Price stated that the Airport Committee (Dreyer, Koopman, and Price) met after the May 18 meeting.  They felt that they did not receive enough public feed back for alternative uses for the airport land.  Conducting a community wide survey was suggested.  Price distributed a proposal from the Frost Center for a resident survey.  Representatives from the Frost Center felt that a phone survey would be the most appropriate type with about a 400-person target.

Visser questioned the size of the population sample. 

Price stated that it is her understanding that over 300 people would give an accurate sample.

Van Iwaarden agreed that a phone survey would be more significant than a paper survey.  There are procedures that the Frost Center would have to take to assure us that we are indeed getting a random sample.  We also need to know if the survey would be available in Spanish, and how many minutes of interview time would be available.

Koopman stated that at this time the Airport Committee is seeking the Board’s okay to proceed with obtaining telephone survey proposals. 

Dreyer questioned if the survey should cover other topics, too.

Van Iwaarden cautioned that if we cover more topics, we have to be prepared to act on them.

Ebihara stated that awhile back there was a sense of urgency to make a decision regarding the airport.  He questioned if a survey would cause too great of a delay.  Ebihara feels that the survey should focus only on the airport.

The Airport Committee will continue to obtain telephone survey proposals.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Van Iwaarden, Parks and Recreation, stated that the fairground’s improvement project is proceeding.  The overlay of the pavement at the fairground entrance is complete.  The Committee will be obtaining recommendations from M. C. Smith for the Ashwood Reserve road end improvements. 

Van Iwaarden, MACC Watershed Committee, reported that the phosphorous level going into Lake Macatawa has gone down.

Price submitted a summary report of her committee meetings.  She noted that Ottawa Aviation’s Big Bird Classic and WACO events had very good turnouts.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

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

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Skip Keeter, 442 Lakeshore Dr. N., applauded the Airport Committee’s decision to find a professional company to do the survey.  He suggested Dean Whitacker as another choice.

Sandra Keirnan, 16144 Red Pine Ct., stated that a professional surveyor would assure that the questions are not slanted. 

Sandra Keirnan, Disability Network Lakeshore Representative, explained that their organization connects people with disabilities to resources and opportunities within the community.  They focus on employment, transit, education, housing, and community support.

Mort Wright, 2544 N. Lakeshore Dr., stated that the Model Airplane Club has donated $400 to the Young Eagle organization.  He also stated that the 4-H Club raised about $1000 taking care of the parking during the events.  Wright questioned if more soccer fields were to be placed on the airport property, where would the money come from, and what did the existing soccer field originally cost.

Visser replied that the money would come from the Land Acquisition and Parks Fund.  The soccer field, located behind the Township office building, cost $15,000, which he managed himself in order to save money.

Earl Welling, Fair Board President, stated that the 48^th Ottawa County Fair begins July 24.  He thanked the Board for the entranceway improvements.  He also stated that half of the gate proceeds on Biker’s Night will go to the Fire Department for safety equipment.

BOARD COMMENTS

Steggerda stated that the summer tax bills are out.  The due date is September 14, 2006. 

ADJOURN

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