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 Doug Dreyer, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price, John Van Iwaarden, and Attorney Dan Martin.

Absent was Clerk Jeff Ebihara.

Stu Visser gave the invocation.

The minutes of the May 12, 2005 Board Meeting were approved as published.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,994,748

Receipts........................................................................$  259,730

Disbursements................................................................$  157,827

Ending Balance...............................................................$3,096,651

The Fire Department report indicated 14 calls were made in the month of May and
$200,000 in property damages.  Fire Chief Scott Gamby reported that the new Lieutenant for the 160th Avenue/Perry Street Fire Station is Scott Heerema, and the new Virginia Park Fire Station Captain is Pat Gamby.  Chief Gamby noted that he had stepped down from the interviewing process to avoid a conflict of interest in the possible hire of a family member.

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

No public Comments.

PUBLIC HEARING:  SANITARY SEWER SAD #20 HEARING OF NECESSITY

Visser stated that the Special Assessment District is 145th Avenue from Sylvan south to Elden Street.

Visser opened the public hearing.

No public comments.

Visser closed the public hearing.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Van Iwaarden to adopt Resolution #3 establishing the proposed Special Assessment District #20 as a Sanitary Sewer Special District.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Price to adopt Resolution #4 scheduling a hearing of the Supervisor’s Assessment Roll Special Assessment in the amount of $57,000 to be held July 14, 2005 at 6:00 p.m. at the Park Township Office.

Visser will accept bids for this project at the same time the assessment roll is viewed.

OLD MACATAWA COURT REPORT

Rick VanTil, Old Macatawa Court Developer, apologized to the Board for proceeding with plans prior to approval.  He stated that it would not happen again.

Van Iwaarden commended VanTil on the landscape plan submitted.

Martin stated that the Report will be changed to identify the new site plan, and a document will be added showing the new landscape plan.

Clerk Ebihara arrived at the meeting.

PINE ISLAND REQUEST FOR FINAL APPROVAL

Neil Sharpe, Exxel Engineering, represented Pine Island.

Steggerda questioned if this was discussed with the Planning Commission.

Price encouraged the use of sidewalks for the safety of the children.

Steggerda stated that the lots are larger than many other subdivisions
giving children more room to play off the roads.  She feels that sidewalks
are unnecessary, and the land would be more attractive without them.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by
van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to grant final approval to Pine
Island Subdivision with the sidewalks deleted.

Dreyer stated that on the north side of James Street is a county drain ditch
that was filled in about half way.

VanTil stated that it will be returned back to its original state.

Ebihara signed the Mylar.

COUNTY OF OTTAWA WIRELESS BROADBAND PROJECT REQUEST FOR FUNDING

Paul Sachs, Ottawa County Funding Department, explained that the request
for $1,332 is to help cover legal and engineering fees.  He assured the Board
that the design, construction and operation of the network would still be
funded entirely by the private sector. 

Ebihara requested an infrastructure showing requirements so that we can
be prepared with our own ordinances and approval processes.

Sachs explained that they have a 12-page R.F.P. report that was distributed
to providers.  Proposals are due June 15.  They will identify where they
are proposing to put towers, the number of antennas to be installed,
locations of private property that may be used, etc.  The plan is to evaluate
these proposals, and receive legal and engineering advice.

Koopman questioned if all local units of government need to participate in order
for the Wireless Broadband Project to actually take place.

Sachs replied that at this point it might be all or nothing for deployment of
the project.  The legal and engineering services are necessary.  If we proceed
after the evaluations, then it’s quite possible to move ahead if the majority of
the units of government are happy with the proposed networks.  If all goes
well, they hope to have deployment by the end of August.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made
by Price and supported by Koopman to approve the request of $1,332 towards
legal and engineering fees for the County Wireless Broadband Project.

CONSUMERS POWER EASEMENT FOR OVERHEAD ELECTRIC LINES

Visser stated that Consumers Power is asking for a 50 ft. overhead easement at
the corner of Lilac and James Street by Wendt Park.  Consumers will be
installing a pole and they need the easement to keep lines clear of trees.  Up to
four trees may be affected.   

A) RESIGNATION

Visser stated that he received a letter of resignation from Dan Timmer from the Zoning Board of Appeals.  He thanked Dan Timmer for his seven years on the Z.B.A..

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Price to accept the resignation of Dan Timmer from the Zoning Board of Appeals.    

B) APPOINTMENT

Visser stated that he and Dreyer interviewed Skip Keeter and they feel that
he would be an excellent choice to appoint to the Zoning Board of Appeals. 
Skip Keeter has shown great interest and dedication to our Township.  There
are two years remaining on Timmer’s term so this would count as Keeter’s first
term.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made
by Dreyer and supported by Koopman to appoint Skip Keeter to the Zoning Board
of Appeals.

AWARD OF BIDS:

A)     DEMOLITION

Visser stated that he received bids for the demolition of the house and barn at
1216 Ottawa Beach Road, and the old Virginia Park Fire Station.  The low
bid recommendation is Dan Hoe Excavating at $13,265.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made
by Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to accept the demolition bid from
Dan Hoe Excavating in the amount of $13,265.

B)     FENCING

Visser stated that he received bids for fencing along Ottawa Beach Road by the
new multi purpose park and fair grounds.  The low bid came from Ottawa
Fence Works in the amount of $40,000.  The quote called for 2 ½” posts. 
$1,000 could be deducted with 2” posts, which would match the already
existing fence.   

ATTORNEY REPORT:  DAY CARE FACILITIES

Martin stated that Park Township is preempted by the state construction code
from seeking to enforce  restrictions such as requiring viewing windows in
childcare facilities.  These issues would pertain to the construction of the
building more so than the actual use.  The state construction code was
adopted to try to bring uniformity throughout the entire state.    Although he
feels that it is a good idea, we could not enforce it through our ordinances. 
It is recommended that we do not approve a Zoning Ordinance Amend-
ment addressing child safety issues in public facilities providing childcare.

Koopman question if there was a way that we could encourage child safety in
the construction or remodeling of childcare facilities.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

A)     PARKS & RECREATION RECOMMENDATIONS

1.  Virginia Park

Van Iwaarden displayed the Virginia Park concept plan for the Board’s approval,
and the cost estimates not to exceed $554,000.  This was a priority in the
Parks & Recreation Committee’s 5-Year Plan. 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made
by Van Iwaarden and supported by Koopman to approve the Virginia Park
final concept plan and authorization to obtain bids.

Visser stated that the Board could still reject bids.

Ebihara requested that the jobs be posted as an open bid process so that
everyone has an equal opportunity.

2.      Multi Purpose/Dog Park

Van Iwaarden stated that the Parks & Recreation Committee is seeking
conceptual approval from the Board to allow the Friends of the Dog Park
Committee to proceed with the creation of a site plan and cost estimates not
to exceed $30,000. Van Iwaarden thanked the Park Township Maintenance, the
Fire Department, and the Friends of the Dog Park Committee for all their hard
work and efforts in preparation for the park.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made
by Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to give conceptual approval to
the Parks & Recreation Committee to proceed with the making of the site plans
and refine cost estimates for the dog park.

Koopman stated that one of the main intents of the purchase of the property
was to provide additional parking for the Fair.  He questioned if the dog park
would encroach onto the parking area.

Van Iwaarden stated that the dog park would be on approximately 2 acres in
the southeast corner of the property.  He is working with the Parking Supervisor
for the Fair to figure out how much of the land is actually being used for
parking.  They will create a plan that would not interfere with the needed
parking space.

Price complimented the appearance of the property, but stated that she is
opposed to using public money for a dog park.

Ebihara questioned if the Parks & Recreation Committee has considered going out
for a R.F.P to hire a design professional for the dog park plans.

Van Iwaarden replied that they do not foresee the need to go out for proposals
from professional companies.   It would be very costly; probably about as much
as the dog park itself.  The Committee is doing Internet research,
soliciting information from people familiar with dog parks in other parts of
the country, and visiting area dog parks.

Ebihara stated his concerns of the ongoing maintenance costs, and possible
liability issues.

Van Iwaarden replied that owners are responsible for picking up their dog
droppings and bags will be available.  Signs will be posted at the entrance of
the park to restrict liability issues.

Visser stated that there are at least 1500 dogs registered in Park Township.

Price stated that originally the Committee was going to look into obtaining
private funding.

Van Iwaarden stated that they will be soliciting funds from area businesses.

Dreyer clarified that this is not a final approval on the dog park. 

The motion was carried:  5 – yes, 2 – no

Van Iwaarden stated that the Parks & Recreation Committee will be working
on establishing a disc golf course at Winstrom Park.

B)     OTHER

Price reviewed the MACC Policy Committee, the MACC Technical Committee,
the Area Airport Authority, and the Park Township Airport (Ottawa Aviation).

Van Iwaarden questioned when the Board will receive a sketch of the area
where the military jet will be placed.

Chris Raphael replied that the jet will not be installed this summer as
originally planned.  A lot of work needs to be done to the jet.  Dave Verburg and
Eric Fogg will complete the drawings.   

PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made
by Steggerda and supported by Price to go into closed session to consider
the purchase of real property.

ROLL CALL VOTE:  Unanimous

The Board adjourned to closed session.

The Board returned to open session.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

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

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

John Foster, 586 Old Orchard Road, questioned the number of trees that will
be affected by the demolition of the Old Virginia Park Fire Station.

Van Iwaarden replied that possibly six trees will be taken out, but there will be
new plantings.

Foster encouraged the consideration of an environmental impact study for the
dog park. 

BOARD COMMENTS

Steggerda thanked John Van Iwaarden for his many hours of volunteer work
at the multi purpose park.

ADJOURN

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