The regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on October 9, 2003, at 6 p.m. was called to order by Supervisor Stuart Visser.

Present were Supervisor Stuart Visser, Clerk Howard    Van Raalte, Treasurer Jan Steggerda, Trustees Ed Marsilje, Gene Koopman, Amanda Price and Paul Van Dyke, and Attorney Dan Martin. 

The Treasurer's Report was given as follows:

Beginning Balance, $2,611,599
Receipts,                $  30,585
Disbursement,          $140,388
Ending Balance,     $2,501,796

The Zoning Administrator's Report indicated building permits were issued for 10 single-family homes in October and a total of $2,854,000.  

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Visser welcomed State Representative Barb VanderVeen

Visser explained this involves a small parcel west of Lakeshore Drive and south of Lakeridge Drive.  It is currently zoned as Lakeshore Residential that requires an acre.  If it was rezoned to R-3, as the surrounding properties, another building site could be made.  The Planning Commission feels this is a reasonable request, and recommended the change.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Koopman to adopt the Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance.

Visser explained as part of the METRO Act, SBC is required to file an application for a permit to continue using the right-of-way.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Price to approve the METRO Act Permit Application Form for SBC.

Visser explained the Building Department fees have not been changed in a long time and are no longer covering the expenses.  They are not permitted to make money to use elsewhere, but are permitted to break even.  The Park Township Zoning Administrator and Assistant made suggestions for a fee revision, and Visser forwarded them to Attorney Dan Martin to put together a Fee Resolution.  

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Marsilje to adopt the Building/Zoning Fee Resolution. 

Price questioned the amounts of fee increases.

Visser summarized the fee changes.

Koopman questioned when the fees were last amended.

Visser replied a small change was made in the year 2000.

Price stated she received notification that Ottawa Aviation passed their Department of Transportation inspection.  

Koopman stated a Subcommittee of the Planning Commission is working on updating the Master Plan.  He also commented on how accurate their projections have been.

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

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS FROM AUDIENCE & BOARD

LeeAnne Jachim, 1522 Perry Street, commented on the poor turnout of residents especially after the Friends of Park Township meeting held earlier that week.  She questioned if the Township should conduct a new survey.  She also suggested the Township should do more marketing. 

Visser stated they looked into the possibility of a new survey and concluded that it would not be a wise use of tax dollars.  The cost would be too high, especially since they are not doing a full rewrite of the Master Plan.   They are just bringing a couple of sections up to date and redoing the statistics making sure they are still current.  He also noted that all Park Township meetings are posted on the door and open to the public.  Visser clarified that the Friends of Park Township meeting was not a product of the Park Township Office.

VanderVeen complimented the Board’s good work.

Marcilje stated during the last MACC meeting a volunteer assessment for the fireworks was handed out.  Last year we funded $1,500 for the July 4^th fireworks.  This year they are asking for $2,303.11.  He asked the Board for some guidance of what Park Township will do, if anything.

Visser stated he hasn’t even begun figuring the 2004 budget, and therefore is not comfortable making a commitment for next year’s budget.  He also announced there will be more financial cut backs from the state.

Steggerda agreed that the budget needs to be reworked before a commitment like this is made.

Price requested feedback from MACC on the success of their pilot program.

Van Raalte questioned how many newsletters the Township puts out in a year.  He feels most residents do not read them.

Visser replied normally two, but during an election year newsletters are distributed three or four times.  He stated he has received many “thanks” from residents for putting ballot information in the newsletters.

Koopman stated additional media information could be obtained from our web site.

Price suggested advertising the website.

Price announced the ball fields at Winstrom Park have been completed.

Van Dyke questioned if there is a way to enforce the leash laws.  He noted dogs are running free on the fair grounds and making messes on bike paths.

Visser stated leash laws are not easy to enforce.  Dog ordinances were noted in the last newsletter.  

Koopman stated to ask for more help from the police to enforce the leash law would probably not be wise. 

Price asked Visser to inform the public of the hunting laws in Park Township.

Visser gave a brief summary stating hunting is prohibited south of Ottawa Beach Road.  It is also prohibited in the area of State, Main, Columbus and Pinta Drive.  Duck hunting is prohibited in upper Pine Creek Bay.  Duck hunting is permitted on the waters of Lake Macatawa or from the upland of the premises where he is regularly domiciled..  Also disturbing any wild life on Township owned properties is prohibited.

ADJOURN

MOTION MADE, MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Raalte and supported by Koopman to adjourn.