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

Absent was Clerk Jeff Ebihara.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$3,499,746

Receipts........................................................................$   53,837

Disbursements................................................................$  192,499

Ending Balance...............................................................$3,361,084

Chief Gamby stated the ATV’s are in use and have met expectations.  As mentioned before the Township sent the largest number of personnel through the Fire Academy recently.  He announced all 6 attendees will graduate with honors from the Academy.               

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)   

Docter stated we did not receive the e-mail list from the residents.  He communicated to a few people regarding the updates he received regarding the flooding.

Ken Schaap - 4100 Estate Dr.-stated he was not present at the last meeting.  He had six (6) inches of water in his basement. He wondered what is being done and asked if the water treatment plant is to blame.

Jay Sharkey – 15865 Ryan Dr. – requested the minutes read back to the group on the flooding comments made by the board at the end of the June meeting.

Anna Muirhead – 16391 Riley St. – stated she circulated the e-mail list and she does not know where it went.  She will give a copy to the recording secretary via e-mail.

APPOINTMENT:  HERRICK DISTRICT LIBRARY REPRESENTATIVE

Visser stated the term of Mr. John Berry has expired and he has requested to be reappointed to the board for another 4-year term.

PIER SAFETY ORDINANCE

Visser stated Sergeant Koeman is available for information and questions regarding this possible ordinance.

Koeman-Ottawa County Sherriff’s Office in charge of the marine unit and dive team- stated he submitted 3 letters to the Board regarding the ordinance.  He briefly explained the reasons for requesting the ordinance.

Dreyer questioned Sgt. Koeman regarding enforcement of the ordinance. 

Price asked what type of education would be given to the public regarding the ordinance.

Koeman explained the type of education.

VanIwaarden asked what type of enforcement and how vigorous would it be.

Koeman explained the resources of the Marine Unit and what the Township could expect.

Price asked if there are specific weekends that there would be more possibility of the ordinance being challenged.

Koeman stated there is no particular weekend that is more of a problem than others.  He explained the ordinance wording it must include enforcement by a peace officer.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Dreyer and supported by VanIwaarden to direct legal counsel to draft an ordinance for pier safety.

Docter asked for clarification regarding this ordinance and which other township’s ordinance Park Township would be leaning toward using as a sample.

Koeman recommended an ordinance prohibiting jumping off the pier but suggested the ordinance not include any wording regarding swimming because the State of Michigan owns the water and we do not have jurisdiction to enforce.

Steggerda stated she asked residents of all ages and they stated they agreed we should have an ordinance.

Price stated she is comfortable with the enforcement which is where she had the most concern.

Visser asked counsel to confer with the public safety committee regarding the ordinance.

FORESTRY REPORT

Visser explained the forester (Mr. Kuipers) asked to take members of the board to the areas and show them his concerns regarding the Red Pine trees.  VanIwaarden and Visser accompanied Mr. Kuipers.  Visser is convinced the pine’s are near the end of their life.

Dreyer asked if they are going to log them or ship them.

Dreyer stated by removing the trees in this way minimal damage will be done to the area.  If the trees naturally fell over many of the healthy trees may fall. 

The board agreed to open discussions between the Supervisor, Clerk and Randy Kuipers regarding this issue.  

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by VanIwaarden and supported by Dreyer to allow the Clerk and Supervisor to enter into a contract with Mr. Randy Kuipers for deforestation of the Red Pine trees at our township parks.

HOLLAND HOSPITAL HOME HEALTH CARE IMMUNIZATION CLINIC

Visser asked for the approval of the township board room for this purpose.

Dreyer asked who would provide volunteers.

Visser stated the staff will be volunteering to help at this clinic as they did last year.

RECREATION:

a)    Skate Park Action Committee

Jeff Compagner - 169 S. Division – gave a project update regarding fundraising.  Lakewood Inc. has volunteered to help manage the project.  He explained what the committee expected Lakewood would do.

Scott Nykerk – Lakewood Inc. – gave an overview of the project.

VanIwaarden asked if the plan would include trees and other buffer materials.

Compagner stated many landscaping companies are interested in donating labor and plants.  The committee will keep in mind the preferences of the board.  A target goal for completion is May of 2009.

VanIwaarden stated the Skate Park Action Committee has the full support of the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Docter asked the projected size of the facility.

Compagner stated 12-11,000 just for the slab.  He explained possible variables in the estimate.

Docter asked about the provision for parking.

Compagner stated there is no specific plan for parking included at this time.

Steggerda asked if fencing is in the budget or if Parks and Recreation will fund that expense.

Comp.-stated there are companies willing to donate time and materials to the project.

Price asked if the board would be seeing a “plan” of the facility soon.

Compagner agreed the committee’s next step is to provide a plan.

Price asked Compagner if the committee would like the skate park more visible or screened.

Compagner stated for safety reasons and letting others know about the park they would like it to be visible.

Docter made suggestions regarding landscaping.

VanIwaarden suggested the skate park be closed during the week of the fair.

Docter stated there should be an entrance to the skate park off Ottawa Beach Rd.

Compagner stated there will be a four (4) ft. fence so the skate park would have to be closed during fair week.

Visser reviewed the requests of the committee.

VanIwaarden suggested the committee return with the fund raising efforts just prior to beginning construction.

Docter stated the committee has gone a long way in their fundraising and would like the board to help them move to the next step.

Dreyer asked what the committee is looking for from the board.

Compagner stated his wishes from the board.

Docter would like to get them started and go a bit further by providing a gift showing the support of the board.

Dreyer asked Mr. Compagner to update again when a full board is present and move further at that time.

Burmeister suggested working with the Ottawa County Fair during fair week and have professional skaters display their talents.  She also asked if the committee needs to gather bids if the services are donated.

Visser stated no they do not have to go out to bid.

Docter stated they may want to go out for a donation bid.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by VanIwaarden and supported by Steggerda to approve the requests of the Skate Park Action Committee as outlined in the supplement.

Docter asked Compagner and Burmeister to keep the fair board apprised of the possibility of working with them during the week of the fair.

b)    Winstrom Tennis Courts

Visser stated two (2) quotes were received to repair and repaint the tennis courts.  The quotes were different and the processes were different.

Docter asked if the scope would need to be revised due to the differences.

Steggerda asked what the price difference is. 

Visser stated the difference in price is $9,000.

Price gave the board suggestions on who may be able to educate the board on the processes described in the quotes and find the best one for our situation.

The board sent the bids back to the Parks and Recreation Committee for their preference.

c)    Haunted Forest

Visser received a request and asked the board for formal approval of the event.  Visser gave the dates the forest would be operational.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by VanIwaarden and supported by Docter to approve the operation of the Haunted Forest on the dates recommended.

d)    Pickle Ball

Visser asked VanIwaarden to inform the board of the Parks and Recreation Committee’s suggestions regarding courts.

VanIwaarden stated the priorities of the Parks and Recreation Committee and gave recommendations for locations for Pickle Ball courts.  He asked the board to approve the Parks and Recreation committee go for bid on this project.

Price made a suggestion of the courts at Winstrom Park.

VanIwaarden stated the court is not adequate for use as a Pickle Ball court.

Docter suggested the board receive a recommendation from the Parks and Recreation Committee showing Pickle Ball as a priority along with their recommendations for a place to have the courts.

Visser asked Ms. Burmeister to take the plan back to the Parks and Recreation Committee for their review and possible recommendation.

BIMINI PINES REQUEST FOR EXTENSION 

David Clark - 16405 Quincy - requested a three (3) year extension due to tough economic times. Additionally, Clark mentioned that prior to the board meeting this evening he received a call from the Ottawa County Drain Commissioner regarding possible drainage solutions in Clark’s neighborhood.  An extension could also allow for a complete survey to be done of the area for this possibility.

Visser asked for specifics regarding the plan.

Clark explained cost is a major factor and would need to consult other resources and explained the plan and the recommendations from the County as to where the pond should be placed.

Price asked if an amendment to the PUD would need to be made.

Visser stated the only thing the board can do is extend the PUD.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by VanIwaarden and supported by Steggerda to approve the three (3) year extension as requested by Mr. Clark for the Bimini Pines PUD.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Price gave a brief overview of her committee report.  She reminded residents the board will be having another meeting regarding the airport lease next Thursday at 6pm. 

Docter asked what the format of the meeting would be.

Visser stated Ms. Price would make a power point presentation regarding the history of the airport and then public comments.

Price stated she would ask the Township Administrative Assistant to place the lease on the web site.

VanIwaarden stated some of the goals of the Park 12 Area discussed at the meeting he attended.

Docter stated no planning commission meeting will be held until August.  The fair begins soon and fireworks will be displayed on the evening of July 19.  Master Plan Committee put out bid for consultants.  Ask if finance committee has had a chance to discuss request for possible help with financing the fireworks. 

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 May, and the bills to be paid in June.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Visser updated the board on the progress of the water issues at the Water Treatment Plant. The study done in 1991 is still reliable according to three (3) different sources.  He gave some recommendations offered by the consultants.  He stated helping the 4100 block of Estate Dr. by many conventional options is not possible because of the grade.

Docter referred to a few points in the Gronlier report.

Visser stated the three (3) reports would be made available on the web site.  The map will be available at the office for viewing.

Docter sited another letter from the City of Wyoming dated June 18^th that would be available tomorrow to residents. 

Steggerda explained the board comments during the board reports at the last meeting. 

Docter apologized to the residents regarding communication.

Muirhead stated the list of e-mail names was on the table in the lobby.   

The board stated they had not received the list of names.                        Jerry Riemersma – 16513 Quincy - asked what the data collected so far has shown.  The Township is relying on old data to answer questions about recent events.  He believes there is a sub structure blocking the water placed there by the Wyoming Water Treatment Plant.  He is disappointed the Township is not going to the levels they should.   

Visser stated the township is willing to conduct an 18 month study to survey the land but this is the information that is available right now.                            

Riemersma stated they want answers to the problems now.                       

Docter explained the scope of the survey.

Waldemar Maj – 4200 Estate Dr. – gave his experience with the water.  He continues to have water in his basement five (5) weeks later.

Jim Seymour – 2152 S. Bristol – stated he did not experience any water issues but his neighbors did.  He suggested the Township send a postcard to residents asking if they had water and other questions.  Take the information from the postcards and place the homes affected on a plat map and find where water was located. 

John Darling - 16516 Quincy – recommend the township find how many homes were affected.  He believes someone needs to track the hydrologic changes in the township. 

Kathy Blank - 15759 Fendt Farm – stated when she was here last month she asked for help.  She stated the residents of the area had experienced water problems for a while but nobody told them before they purchased the home.  She asked if the board doesn’t help who will.  She asked if the residents form a committee and canvas the area would the township support them. 

Visser welcomed her suggestions regarding forming a committee.  

Karl VonIns – 4236 Estate Dr. – stated some facts regarding the water table.  He discussed the grade of the area.  In 1990 the township contacted the water treatment plant regarding the water problems and the problem was solved. 

Jim Grant - 16222 Pinyon – stated his well went dry 2 years ago.  Last year he had no problems.  His water table was two (2) inches over slab.  It is eight (8) inches below slab right now. 

Frank Beltman - 1898 Lake – complimented Park Township on resurfacing the bike trails.  The new bike path constructed on Ottawa Beach Rd. is great. He suggested the township place a sign for no motorized vehicles at intersections and the township should notify residents of the Red Pine removal and why this is being done.  He also expressed concern over Trustee Docter’s campaign signs.

Donna Wehrmeyer – 4115 Estate Dr. – stated she is still pumping water and believes something has happened to the water tables.   

Clark stated this is a great forum to bring everyone together to share notes.

Brad Slagh – Ottawa County Treasurer – introduced himself to the board and shared some information relating to Park Township and his job responsibilities. 

Doug Wehremeyer – 4115 Estate Dr. – stated the Ventura Estates area was school owned land and sold.  He asked why a subdivision was allowed to be placed there.  He believes the township should make it right if they allowed it to happen.  

Ken Schaap – 4100 Estate Dr. – asked if the township has control over the elevation of a home. 

Kirk Briggs – 1590 South Shore – answered the question posed by Mr. Schaap.  

John Foster – 586 Old Orchard Rd – stated he has water seeping thru cracks in his basement.  He asked Visser to explain more about the blockage of the drain on South Shore.

Visser explained the blockage and how that was remedied.

BOARD COMMENTS 

Dreyer stated the board is trying to help. 

Visser reported on allegations in the neighborhoods affected.  He stated he asked the drain commissioner to focus on drain #37.  The drain commissioner and the supervisor are looking at starting to fix the problem from a surface water level issue.  His focus was on getting the problem fixed.

ADJOURN      

Daniele Dykens, Recording Secretary