Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on November 11, 2004 at 6 p.m.

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

Visser reported on the trees that were cut down at the Kelly Ridge site off 160^th Avenue.  Visser shared pictures taken on 11-11-04 showing the boundary stakes and the grade of the land.  The developers engineer re-surveyed the land on 11-10-04.

The Board expressed their desire to take another look at the property.  They will meet the engineer at Kelly Ridge on 11-12-04.

Koopman questioned what actions could be taken if it becomes clear that there are violations.  He stated that he would take this matter very seriously if a violation was found.

Martin replied that if there are violations we could withhold building permits.  Then the developer would probably have to either sue the Township to allow them to go forward or negotiate to replace trees or alternative landscaping. 

Steggerda agreed with Koopman.  With the time and efforts put into developing standards for the P.U.D., we need to support it and if necessary follow through with discipline.

Van Dyke questioned if a violation is found, who actually would be at fault.

Visser replied the developers engineering firm is responsible.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Koopman to approve the October 14, 2004 Board Meeting Minutes as published.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,659,510

Receipts........................................................................$  91,351

Disbursements................................................................$  164,426

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,586,435

The Fire Department report indicated 20 calls were made in the month of October and $0 in property damages.  Fire Chief Ken Fought reported that all the fire equipment is in good working order. 

The Zoning Administrator's Report lists 22 new single-family homes for the month of October and a total building permit activity of $6,945,140.

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

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

Skip Keeter, 4LeeAnn Jachim, 1522 Perry Street, stated that she hopes the Planning Commission and the Board uses the Kelly Ridge development as a learning experience.  She suggested in the future to possibility have developers submit a 3-dimentional plan of the land in question.

MACATAWA LEGENDS P.U.D. AMENDMENT

Van Iwaaden questioned the sidewalk connecting to the golf cart path.  He suggested for safety reasons, signs should be posted.

Siglow explained the purpose is only to allow them to go across the bridge.  He also noted the intent of the sidewalks is not for golf carts.  They can be driven on the private roads.

Visser closed the public hearing.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Steggerda to adopt the Resolution and Report granting the Macatawa Legends P.U.D. Amendment.

Martin stated that he revised the Report to clarify the two accessory buildings for the golf course.

TIMBERLINE ACRES III PRELIMINARY

Visser explained that this is an extension of an existing project.

Todd Stuive, Exxel Engineering, asked for preliminary approval for Timberline Acres Phase III.  This area has 23 lots.  The smallest lot is 13,500 sq. ft., the largest lot is 18,500 sq. ft., and with the average size being approximately 15,500 sq.ft.  There is 5.7 acres of open space along the perimeter.  There is also a centrally located lake and the berm along the roadway is complete.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Marsilje to grant preliminary approval to Timberline Acres West Phase III.

Van Iwaarden commended Stuive for their usage of blended grasses in the landscaping.

FAIR BOARD LEASE

Visser stated that he just received the comments back from the Fair Board yesterday.  There may be some minor changes and he would like the Board to have the opportunity to review and give their input.

Van Iwaarden questioned paragraph 8 stating no Sunday activities without prior written approval.

Visser stated the approval could be delegated to the Supervisor and Fair Board Representative.  This is how it has been handled in the past.

APPOINTMENTS

Price asked to be replaced as the Recreation Representative due to additional responsibilities she has acquired.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Marsilje to accept Amanda Price’s resignation as Recreation Committee Representative.

Visser stated Paul Van Dyke will need to be replaced as the Board Representative on the Zoning Board Of Appeals.  He recommended Doug Dreyer as his replacement.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Van Iwaarden to appoint Doug Dreyer as the Board Representative to the Zoning Board Of Appeals.

Visser was notified by the County Clerk that, due to the new terms beginning at noon on Saturday, November 20, oaths of office need to be taken on Friday, November 19, 2004, at 10:00 a.m.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Steggerda to appoint John Van Iwaarden as Representative to the Recreation Committee.

ROOFING CONTRACT

Visser stated that the roof of the Community Building (located on the fair grounds) needs replacing.  He received estimates from two companies.  Both recommended a membrane roof. One company suggested a total tear off at a cost of $24,480.  The other recommended a micro foam pad and membrane over the existing roof at a cost of $17,200.  They have similar warranties and the same life expectancy. 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Van Iwaarden to accept the Proposal of $17,200 from Holland Ready Roofing Co. for re-roofing the Community Building.

Steggerda stated that it is necessary to repair the roof.  This building is heavily used and is in good shape

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Visser stated that he has a written report from the Sign Committee recommending no changes to the sign ordinance. 

LeeAnn Jachim, Sign Committee Representative, stated that they will be more active in enforcing the sign ordinance.

Visser stated that due the large amount of funds involved in engineering the water line up Lakeshore Drive, he would like to show on record that we intend to build that next year.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Van Iwaarden to approve a Resolution of Intent to install a water line in 2005 on Lakeshore Drive from the existing line north of James St. to Quincy St., then east to 168^th Ave., and then south to Lakeshore Elementary School.

Price questioned the amount of money involved for engineering.

Visser stated approximately $100,000.

Price announced the Recreation Committee has met with M.C. Smith and has begun to update the Recreation Plan.

Van Iwaarden reported that the M.A.C.C. Watershed Technical Committee met concerning the investigation of heavy metals and sediment in Lake Macatawa.  He noted the heavy metal concentration in the lake is below the sediment quality guidelines in all of the heavy metals except for nickel.  Lead was the only contamination problem in 1 out of the 15 monitoring stations. He also noted the committee continues to work on the phosphorus problem.

Price noted that this M.A.C.C. meeting could be seen on MAC TV.

Van Iwaarden requested the MAC TV schedule be posted on our web site.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

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 in November.

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Fred Porter, 625 Harrington Avenue, asked if Park Township had any provisional ballots.

Marsilje replied no.

Visser stated that Park Township had 2,254 absentee ballots, and 84% of our residents voted.

Gretchen Fisher, 131 N. 160^th Avenue, thanked the Planning Commission for all their time and efforts that they put into the Kelly Ridge Development plan.  She stated that she is extremely grateful for all of the provisions that were made to help protect her property.  She also thanked the Board for coming out to the Kelly Ridge property on the weekend, and stated that she did not initiate the article in the Holland Sentinel.  Fisher expressed her disappointment with the number of trees that were cut down, and feels that Mark DeVries deceived the Township. 

BOARD COMMENTS

Price announced the Board is planning a retreat on December 10 at 8:30 a.m. at Camp Geneva.  The meeting will last approximately 3 hours with lunch following.

The Board thanked Paul Van Dyke and Ed Marsilje for their time and dedication, and stated that it has been a pleasure working with them and that they will be missed.

Marsilje thanked all of the election workers for doing such a fabulous job.  He noted that Park Township was the first governmental unit in Ottawa County to report after the polls closed.  We had approximately 60 dedicated paid volunteers working on November 2, and they all had to go thru training classes. 

Marsilje thanked the Township for allowing him to contribute 25 years.  He enjoyed this time, but is now looking forward to retirement.

Visser stated that last month he was asked to solicit input from the Holland Fish and Game Club regarding a possible change to the no wake zone hours in Pine Creek Bay.  He informed the Board that the Fish and Game Club is opposed to the change.  He also noted that during the summer they have until 7:30 p.m. instead of 6:30 p.m. because the law states “Eastern Standard Time” not Daylight Savings Time.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Van Dyke to adjourn.