Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on March 9, 2006 at 6 p.m.

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

Absent were Trustees Doug Dreyer and Gene Koopman.

Amanda Price gave the invocation.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,543,403

Receipts........................................................................$  142,828

Disbursements................................................................$  127,021

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,559,210

The Fire Department report indicated 13 calls were made in the month of February and $7,500 in property damages. 

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

No public comments.

PUBLIC HEARING:  KELLY RIDGE P.U.D. AMENDMENT / CORRESPONDENCE

Visser opened the public hearing.

Van Iwaarden questioned the definition of a natural buffer strip.

Mark DeVries asked for a swimming pool permit to be issued for lot 6.

The Board denied his request.

2006/2007 BUDGET

A)     HEARING

Visser explained the changes made to the budget.

Bruce B., Merigold Woods, questioned if potential legal fees derived from a Kelly Ridge court action, would it be a township charge.

Visser stated that if the Township ends up in a court situation over a building or subdivision issue, the township is responsible for paying its legal fees.

B)     RESOLUTON TO ESTABLISH GENERAL APPROPRIATIONS

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Van Iwaarden to adopt the resolution to establish the general appropriations for Park Township.

ROAD RESURFACING PROGRAM

Visser listed the roads to be resurfaced in 2006, which was recommended by the Ottawa County Road Commission.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Price to approve the road resurfacing project as listed.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Price submitted a written committee report.  Price, Koopman and Dreyer met with people from Ottawa Aviation to discuss long-range plans for the Park Township Airport.  They would like to bring their recommendations to the Board.  Dryer questioned if this is the highest and best use of the property.

Ebihara stated that we need an evaluation of what is allowable on this property as currently zoned.  He suggested holding a special meeting where the community can participate and voice their opinions.

Visser stated that the airport land is under lease for six more years.  He also stated that the Chamber of Commerce donated the triangle piece of land in the northeast corner.  If this land is not used for the airport, it reverts back to the Chamber.

Price stated that there is a strong possibility for airport funding through the Department of Transportation, however the lease would have to be extended.

Visser asked Price to communicate to Ottawa Aviation that the Board would like to set up an open forum with public input.

Van Iwaarden, MACC Watershed & Storm water Committees, stated that he received two letters from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality.  The DEQ requires a Macatawa Watershed Management Plan to be submitted yearly.  The prior plan needs a significant number of revisions to comply with the requirements.  These revisions assist the development of a Storm Water Pollution Prevention Initiative (SWPPI).   A plan must be in place by May 1 that addresses prevention of storm water pollution.  Van Iwaarden suggested forming a task force to help accomplish this task.

Van Iwaarden stated that the DEQ would like Park Township to have someone go out and actually take water samples from streams, creeks, drain basins, etc. and determine if progress is being made.

Ebihara suggested having the task force look at whether we could contract out to neighboring jurisdictions.

The Board members for the task force will be Van Iwaarden, Visser, and Dreyer.

Barb Burmeister, Parks & Recreation Director, stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee is looking for properties in Park Township for future sites for expanding parks as well as recreational activities.  All soccer fields are fully used.  More space will be needed as this program continues to grow.

Van Iwaarden, Parks & Recreation Committee, presented a proposal for modifications to the fair ground site.  The committee is seeking conceptual approval to:  remove the round building, move the flagpole, resurface the asphalt, asphalt the south drive, add a new driveway to the dog park from gate #1, add a sidewalk for preschoolers, add crushed limestone to the gravel road by the dog park, gravel the south side parking area, increase the dog park area, and add a skate board park.

Ebihara questioned if this proposal fits in with the long-range plan for both the Fair Board and the Park Township Parks and Recreation.  He suggested hiring a professional planner prior to going out for bids.

Brian Rexford, Parks & Recreation Committee, stated that the committee has a lot of experience and proven capabilities.

Steggerda stated that the Fair Board has offered to pay for part of this project.

Price stated her concerns with the skateboard park and liability issues.

Barb Burmeister stated that liability concerns are being addressed.  She is working with the Michigan Department of Parks and Recreation, and has been in contact with other area townships and cities that have skateboard parks.  She also noted that statistics show fewer injuries occur in skateboard park areas.

Ebihara commended the Parks & Recreation Committee for their work, but feels a public hearing should be held.

Price questioned if the township should be using our taxpayer’s money for the expansion of the dog park.

Van Iwaarden stated that the dog park is for the people.  It is a place for citizens to take their dogs and play and socialize.  It is the only place where dogs can be off their leashes and run.  This park has been very successful.

Visser does not feel the need for a professional planner.  The land for the dog park expansion is not being used for anything else.  The plan shows the utilization of land that has never been used for parking.

Earl Welling, Fair Board President, stressed the need to demolish the round building.  It is dangerous and is no longer being used.

Steggerda is concerned that if the township does not hire a professional planner, everything might not be done correctly.

Brian Rexford stated that a professional would be hired to design the skateboard park.

Visser reminded the Board that the Parks and Recreation Committee is only seeking conceptual approval in order to go ahead and seek bids for the projects.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Steggerda to seek bids from professional planners, payment not to exceed $7500.

Motion carried 3 to 2.  Van Iwaarden and Visser opposed.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Brian Rexford, 1762 Main St., asked for clarifications of the buffer zones in Kelly Ridge and the Sassafras trees to be removed.  He feels that the north side buffer is only to protect one person’s property.  He also stated that he is opposed to having recreational use at the airport.

BOARD COMMENTS

ART 16.          ADJOURN