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, Clerk Jeff Ebihara, Trustees Doug Dreyer, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price, John Van Iwaarden, and Attorney Dan Martin.

John Van Iwaarden gave the invocation.

The minutes of the April 14, 2005 Board Meeting and the April 18, 2005 Special Board Meeting were approved as published.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,956,141

Receipts........................................................................$  239,085

Disbursements................................................................$  200,478

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,994,748

The Fire Department report indicated 14 calls were made in the month of April and $75,000 in property damages.  Fire Chief Scott Gamby expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to represent Park Township and the fire department.  He also stated that one of the firemen was deployed to Iraq for one year to serve in Fire Suppression at one of the bases.

Van Iwaarden compared building activities and dollar amounts to the prior year, and noted that the building of new homes has gone down in Park Township. 

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

No public Comments.

PUBLIC HEARING:  5-YEAR RECREATION PLAN UPDATE:

Visser stated that this hearing was advertised and the plan has been available to the public.  The Parks and Recreation Committee and M.C. Smith put it together.

Visser opened the public hearing.

No public comments.

Visser closed the public hearing.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Koopman to approve the Resolution of Adoption for the 5-Year Parks and Recreation Plan.

Price stated that the Airport Committee has been trying to make the airport into an airpark.  This usage as a recreational resource is not well referenced in the new plan.

Van Iwaarden stated that Price’s comments were discussed at the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting.  The members decided that the airport was referenced correctly in its usage at this point and time and decided that no further changes were needed.

Price stated that nowhere in the document is the dog park referenced, and now it is one of the top priorities.

Van Iwaarden stated the reason the dog park was not in the previous plan for  2000-2005 is because there was no facility where this could be implemented.  Upon the purchase of the Chef property, it was clear that this land was to be used as a multi-purpose park.  There had been many requests for a dog park.  A proposal will be brought to the Board next month.

Visser stated that a dog park would not preclude other events such as equestrian events, antique shows, etc. 

Dreyer asked by approving this plan, is the Board approving all the items in the plan in the order that they are listed?

Van Iwaarden replied that the Park & Recreation Committee members gave a priority number.  The order of the list can be changed.

Visser stated in order to be eligible for a grant, the item does not need to be the highest priority, but it must be mentioned in the plan. 

Van Iwaarden stated that the monies for Parks & Recreation Committee is budgeted annually and future projects are prioritized each year.   

PUBLIC HEARING:  OLD MACATAWA COURT P.U.D. AMENDMENT

Visser opened the public hearing.

John Foster feels that the original landscaping plans would have suited Holland’s natural beauty better than the wall that was constructed without approval. 

Visser closed the public hearing.

The Board compared maps of the approved P.U.D. and the changes.

Koopman stated that the Planning Commission reviewed the plans and they felt that although it was a change in the plan, it was aesthetically pleasing.  The Planning Commission voted to approve it and made a recommendation for the Board to approve it as well.

Ebihara stated that the Board must set a precedent for developers who do not follow building procedures.

Mike Toscano, Planning Commission, stated that the changes made were prior to the Planning Commission’s approval.  He also stated that the dimensions of the wall are in the same perspective as the berm.

Steggerda stated that she would like to see a landscaping plan.

Ebihara stated that the point is not necessarily in the landscaping, but the fact that the developer went ahead with the development process without approval.

Sikkel stated that they did not feel they were out of context with the plan when changing the landscaping material.  He also stated that we should have letters on file from the Drain Commission and Road Commission for their approval on the drainage and mailbox changes.

Koopman stated at this time the Board approved none of the changes yet they took place.  The issue is that they ignored the board process.  He questioned how the Board should respond so the problem will not recur.

Dreyer stated that developers are not following the Township’s rules and agrees that a solution must be found to stop this trend.

Visser noted that on the original approved plan it states “landscaping as needed”.   

Martin stated that it is clear that the prior report was violated.  Stop work orders or citations could have been issued.  The Board could approve the changes as they are, approve some but not all, or could reject them all and request the Zoning Administrator to issue municipal civil infraction citations. 

Visser stated that the next time a developer does not abide by the rules, the Zoning Administrator should put a Stop Order on the project as a stern warning. 

APPOINTMENTS:

A)     LIBRARY REPRESENTATIVE

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to appoint James Barry as a Park Township Representative on the Herrick District Library Board.

B)     PLANNING COMMISSION

Visser stated LeeAnne Jachim was appointed last summer to serve Phil Hill’s remaining term.  Less than half of a 3-year term does not count as a first term.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Price to appoint LeeAnne Jachim to a 3-year term on the Planning Commission.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Price and supported by Koopman to appoint Nicki Arendshorst to a 3-year term on the Planning Commission.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Dreyer to appoint Jim Szidik to a 3-year term on the Planning Commission.

C)     ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Visser stated that Doug Dreyer was also appointed last summer to fill Paul Van Dyke’s remaining term.  This new appointment would be considered his first 3-year term.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to appoint Doug Dreyer to a 3-year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals.

RECEIPT OF PETITION – SANITARY SEWER:

Visser explained that the Township received a petition for sanitary sewer on 145^th Avenue from Elden Street to Sylvan Street.  There are ten parcels involved, nine owners have signed the petition.

A)     RESOLUTION 1

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Koopman to adopt Resolution #1 to proceed with construction of the 145^th Avenue sanitary sewer improvement on the basis of petition.

B)     RESOLUTION 2

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Steggerda to adopt Resolution #2 scheduling a hearing of necessity for the 145^th Avenue sanitary sewer construction to be held at 6:00 p.m. on June 9, 2005 at the Park Township Office.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY PERMIT

Visser stated that the Van Andel family wishes to continue with their tradition of the 4^th of July fireworks display on the south pier.  A Permit Application and a Certificate of Liability Insurance have been received.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Price to approve the Van Andel fireworks display for July 2 with a rain date of July 4.

Price suggested asking the Van Andels for a 1-hour notice if they cancel due to rain.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Price stated that the Airport Authority Committee was asked to prepare a Notice
of Intent for the organizational steps involved in the Airport Authority.  The document will be drafted and looked at again during next month’s meeting.

Van Iwaarden reported that the Ottawa County Road Commission has changed the date of rebuilding Lakewood Blvd. to fiscal year 2007.  It was originally scheduled for 2006, however the River Avenue Bridge and Pine Avenue are getting priority. 
He suggested that the citizens of Park Township contact the Road Commission urging them to proceed with the reconstruction of Lakewood Blvd. at the earliest possible date.

Van Iwaarden stated that the Parks and Recreation Committee’s first action item for this year is the renovation of Virginia Park.  He presented a drawing of the Concept Plan and noted a public forum for additional input will be held at the Maatman Center on May 16 at 7p.m.  The plan will be presented to the Board for approval at the June 9 Board Meeting.  Van Iwaarden also stated that in order to accomplish the renovation at Virginia Park it is necessary to demolish the old Fire Station.

Visser stated that, with the Board’s consensus, he would proceed with obtaining bids for the fencing along Ottawa Beach Road by the new multi-purpose park and fairgrounds.  He would also obtain bids for the demolition of the house and barn
on this newly acquired property and the old fire station by Virginia Park. 

PAYMENT OF BILLS

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

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Gary Smeyers, 6541 120^th Avenue, gave a presentation on a zoning ordinance amendment addressing child safety issues in public facilities providing childcare.  The amendment would require viewing windows in the nursery and/or playroom areas.  The amendment would cover facilities that are not regulated or licensed
by the State of Michigan.  It would also require that all nurseries or playrooms in these facilities be adjacent to or located within fifteen feet of a restroom or in a location approved by the Planning Commission.  He noted that Olive Township had approved this amendment.

Visser questioned if a zoning ordinance is the proper step for the interior construction of a public building.  This seems more like a building code question, which would need State approval.

Smeyer stated that the Ottawa County Attorney has addressed this question and explained that this is legal.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Ebihara to table the proposed zoning ordinance amendment until the Board can review all information presented and receive advice from council.

Terry Verhey, 4585 N. 160^th Avenue, stated that he is opposed to the setback of the proposed bike path to be located on 160^th Avenue between Ransom Street
and New Holland Street, and asked the Board to present a plan for drainage.

Greg Marosz, 4537 N. 160^th Avenue, stated that he is opposed to the 160^th
Avenue bike path proposal.  It will take away from his natural setting.  There is very little vehicle and pedestrian traffic. He feels there is no value to having this bike path between Ransom and New Holland Streets, and asked the Board why
they want it in this location since it would stop south of Ransom.

Visser stated that the reason the bike path will not go further south on 160^th at this time is because there are discussions of putting in an interconnect between the two water plants which would be starting out at Ransom Street. 

Arlyn Lohman, 4529 N. 160^th Avenue, is opposed to the new bike path.  He stated that he received a proposal from the engineers to take out several trees for the bike path.  He asked for the bike path to be located closer to the road in order to save the trees.

LeeAnne Jachim, 1522 Perry Street, stated that since the Board’s time is valuable all applications should be complete before submission to the Planning Commission. She also feels that rule violators should have stiffer penalties, and detailed landscaping plans should be submitted for approval.

BOARD COMMENTS

Ebihara asked the Board for their consent to pursue the possibility of a third party firm to evaluate our existing building development process.  He would request proposals and bring them back to the Board for their input.

Visser agreed to work with Ebihara to investigate the possibility of developing a Request for Proposal.  He would like to involve some Planning Commission members as well.

Ebihara reported that the school elections went smoothly.  He thanked Deputy
Clerk Ellen Van Raalte and all the election workers for their support.

Koopman expressed his appreciation to Harold Burrell for all his hard work on the Planning Commission. 

Price stated that the military jet for the Park Township Airport is being disassembled and will be en route soon.

Dreyer stated that in regard to the appointment process, the Board should
advertise the positions to be filled.  He also feels that more people should be
involved in the screening process.

ADJOURN

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