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

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$3,505,241

Receipts........................................................................$  150,203

Disbursements................................................................$  180,080

Ending Balance...............................................................$3,475,365

Chief Gamby reported a team will leave for Frankenmuth to pick up the ATV’s and return to Virginia Park Station and will be in service in mid June.  The Fire Department has received the specs for the new fire truck.  They are expecting a ship date near the end of the year.  The Ottawa County Fire Chief’s Association has decided to host their June meeting at our Virginia Park Station.  

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)    

Visser explained the process of getting signs.

The board agreed to have Mr. Visser bring the concerns of Mr. Gietzen to the Ottawa County Road Commission meeting on Wednesday evening.

Mr. Gietzen prefers the south side of the road be marked.

Steggerda asked if the garbage dumpster has been delivered.

Mr. Gietzen stated that mostly residents of the area are using the dumpster for personal use.

Gietzen stated that the dumpster is there year round.

Steggerda asked if it is clean.

Gietzen stated it is not very clean because it is always full.

FIREWORKS PERMIT

Visser stated the request from V.A. Enterprises.

Docter asked if the date is on July 4^th.

Visser stated that is the date scheduled.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by  Docter and supported by Steggerda to approve the fireworks display as requested by V.A. Enterprises on July 4^th 2008.

Docter thanked VA Enterprises.

APPOINTMENTS:  A) PLANNING COMMISSION; B) ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS

Visser explained the appointments and asked if the board would like to move from a nine (9) person board to a seven (7) person board.

Docter asked if the board could place the appointments on hold until the June meeting.

Visser stated that one member has asked not to be reappointed and that would leave the planning commission short three (3) members.  He stated it can wait until June but no later.

Steggerda asked what the planning commission thought.

Toscano-chair of the Planning Commission-stated his concerns and preferences.

Ebihara asked if he could get a record of attendance for the planning commission members before he decides on appointing new members.

Price stated building activity has decreased and that may contribute to her decision.

Docter stated the nine (9) person board may not be efficient and sees the benefit of going to seven (7).

VanIwaarden stated many past planning commission members stated that having a nine (9) person board created diversity within the commission.

Docter stated that Park Township intentionally brings in people with vast types of expertise and knowledge to diversify the board.

Visser stated that he prefers a nine (9) person board to seven (7).

Dreyer stated that sometimes having so many people becomes cumbersome.

Steggerda would like to check other municipalities as to how many they have and how it works.

Ebihara asked Toscano to elaborate on his previous opinion.

Toscano would prefer to stay with nine (9) members.  He compared the situation of absences with that of the board of trustees.  The number of members is consistent with that of other townships in Michigan.

Price and Steggerda agreed to keep nine (9) members.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by VanIwaarden and supported by Steggerda to keep the planning commission at nine (9) members.

Docter stated that he will vote against and stated his reasons.

Ebihara stated that less government is more government and he would prefer a seven (7) person Planning Commission.

Roll Call:  4-3 the motion passes.

Docter asked if there are other applicants available.

Ebihara would like to wait until June for appointments.

VanIwaarden agreed.

Docter stated we should announce we have three (3) openings on the Planning Commission.

Visser stated that Mr. Dreyer’s term on the Zoning Board of Appeals is up and recommended Mr. Dreyer be reappointed as board liaison.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Docter and supported by Ebihara to reappoint Doug Dreyer to the Zoning Board of Appeals as board liaison.

Dreyer abstained.

Visser will make appointment recommendations to the board at the June meeting. 

Ebiihara asked if there are ways we can reach out to community to get other interested candidates.

Dreyer asked if there are certain qualities that the board may look for in a candidate please give those recommendations to the Chair of the Planning Commission.

Price stated it takes up to three (3) years to get up to speed with either board.

PENDING LITIGATION

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Price to go to closed session to discuss pending litigation with the attorney.

Roll Call:  7-0

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Amanda briefed the board on her board report including the passing of the airport authority at the May election.

Steggerda stated she should have the millage language by mid-June.

Price wants input from the board members regarding aesthetics.  She asked for permission from the board to have legal counsel draft a month-to-month land lease for the leasees.  There will be provisions in the lease regarding the hangers only housing aviation related items and inspections of hangers and non-compliance will result in eviction.

Docter asked if the taxes would be in arrears.

Steggerda explained how taxes could be levied.

Ebihara stated the Township should consider placing a deadline on the lease that requires a lease to be agreed upon by a certain date, if not, the lease would not be renewed.

Price stated the intention of the committee is to bring a lease to board next month. She suggested the board hold a work session just to review the lease.

The board agreed a work session regarding the lease would be in order.

Price asked for the board’s consent on approaching the land leasers.

VanIwaarden reported that the soccer programs are full.  A new program has begun called Little Kickers.  It is for 3-4 year old children to get an earlier start in learning soccer. There is a need for additional soccer fields in the future due to the growth of the program.  VanIwaarden provided the board with an update on the skate park.  He introduced the board to a e iH  project at Pine Creek Trail (Lakewood Blvd and 144^th Ave.) that was submitted by an Eagle Scout. 

Visser asked if there is any professional oversight.

Docter asked if we need a permit for this project.

Steggerda would like to have maintenance sign off on it for maintenance purposes.

VanIwaarden stated the improvements at Wendt Park would be completed in May.  Pickleball teams will be re-introduced into the Township’s line up for recreation.

Price would like to see teams use courts other than the lighted tennis courts on Ottawa Beach Road because they are used frequently for tennis.

VanIwaarden will research the cost of the program and bring the proposal to the board next month.

Steggerda stated the community building used to accommodate a league before the building was improved.

Dreyer informed the board the ZBA meeting has been moved to the 27^th of May due to Memorial Day.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

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

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Donna VanIwaarden-1864 Blue Isle Ct.-stated she noticed a distinct contrast with the appointment of the Planning Commission members and the re-appointment of Mr. Dreyer.  The re-appointment of Mr. Dreyer was very quick and the other appointments were deliberated.

Dreyer stated the difference in the appointments is because he is the board representative to the ZBA.

BOARD COMMENTS

Ebihara stated that the election went smoothly on Tuesday.  He thanked the election staff for their hard work and dedication.

Docter stated he was watching the county web site and noticed Park Township had numbers in very quickly and was impressed.

Ebihara stated that is due to the excellent election inspectors.

Price stated the Township needs to make sure we treat the fair lease the same as the airport lease.  Also, asked about an update on MACC TV.

Ebihara stated pod cast meetings have been mentioned but there have been no other updates.

Visser stated all jurisdictions involved needed to vote to support the station and Holland Charter Township rejected the proposal.

VanIwaarden stated the bike path on the south side of OB road and was granted the easement from the property owner.  He thanks the Holland Sentinel for investigative reporting and the property owner for resolving the situation so quickly.

Steggerda stated many residents have called and asked why we are repaving bike paths when our roads seem to need more attention. She clarified the Bike path millage can only be used for bike path related improvements.  However, the Township board did approve an extra $80,000 from the General Fund to be used for road resurfacing this year.  

ADJOURN      

Daniele Dykens, Recording Secretary