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Art 1 |
Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park
Township Board held on November 10, 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. |
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Art 2 |
The minutes of the
October 13, 2005 Board Meeting were approved as published. |
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Art 3 |
The
Treasurer’s Report was given as follows:
Beginning
Balance...........................................................$2,260,692
Receipts........................................................................$
80,905
Disbursements................................................................$
167,421
Ending
Balance...............................................................$2,174,177 |
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Art 4 |
The Fire Department report indicated 15
calls were made in the month of October and $0 in property damages.
Captain Patrick Gamby announced the retirement of Captain Gary Hoort
from station #2 effective October 31, 2005. Capt. Gamby thanked Hoort
for his 25 years of service. Lt. Scott Heerema will fill the vacated
position on an interim basis. The lieutenant’s position will be filled
on a weekly rotating basis by qualified fire fighters. Capt. Gamby also
stated that a meeting with Halt Fire Equipment was held on November 7 to
discuss engineering items for the Pierce fire truck, which is on
schedule. |
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Art 5 |
The Zoning
Administrator's Report listed 8 new single-family homes for the month of
October and a total building permit activity of $4,261,000. |
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Art 6 |
Koopman reported that 6 liquor inspection reports were turned in for
October. All establishments were in compliance and good condition. |
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Art 7 |
PUBLIC COMMENTS (2
MINUTES PER PERSON)
Al Friend, Holland
Tax Payers, stated that he is disappointed with the Airport Authority
Committee because they did not address how the airport can be operated
without local tax dollars. |
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Art 8 |
PUBLIC
HEARING: BIMINI PINES PUD
Visser opened
the public hearing.
David Clark,
Developer, 16405 Quincy Street, explained the PUD plans for the property
on the north side of Quincy Street between 160th Avenue and
168th Avenue. There would be seven parcels at approximately
2 acres each. Each parcel would have well and septic. He has approval
from the Ottawa County Health Department, Drain Commission, and Road
Commission. Each lot would have 35 feet buffers that may not be altered
without the association and/or township’s authorization.
Visser closed the
public hearing.
Steggerda
questioned if there are plans for a sign on Quincy Street.
Clark responded
that there would only be a street sign.
Koopman commended
Clark for the thoroughness of his plans, and his attention to detail for
the preservation of the environment.
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Steggerda and
supported by Van Iwaarden to adopt the report and approve the Bimini
Pines PUD. |
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Art 9 |
PUBLIC HEARING:
BLACKBERRY ESTATES PUD
Visser opened the
public hearing.
Jerry Nienhuis,
developer, 6677 Sunset Concourse, explained the PUD plans for the
property located on the north side of Post Avenue. There would be ten
site condos and three lot divisions with a 25 ft. buffer on three sides
of the project. It would be serviced by public water and septic tanks.
Visser questioned
if the retention area to the north had been maintained to the original
specks.
Nienhuis stated
that he does have approval from the drain commission, but is not aware
of the condition of the specified retention area.
Visser closed the
public hearing.
Price questioned
the reason for not having city sewer.
Nienhuis responded
that it is due to the elevation and the distance to connect.
Koopman stated
that with these noted items, the planning commission recommended
approval.
Van Iwaarden asked
for interpretation of the “no disturbed” area.
Nienhuis stated
that it means to leave the landscaping as is. Trees may not be removed
only added. No buildings or storage in this area.
Martin stated that
this concern is addressed in condition P. The no disturbed area is a
natural buffer where no vegetation can be removed or destroyed. If any
plant becomes diseased or dies, it needs to be replaced. Vegetation can
only be removed with written permission from the developer with a copy
to the township. Martin will add verbage clarifying no improvements or
structures such as sheds, sand boxes, and swing sets.
Van Iwaarden
questioned if the water line could be looped instead of ending at the
cul-de-sac.
Visser stated
looping has occurred in primary and secondary roads, but has not been
done on short cul-de-sacs.
Van Iwaarden
stated that originally there was a detention/retention area that
originated at the North Park Apartments that seems to no longer exist.
Steggerda stated
that per the drain commissioner, problems could occur if this
detention/retention area was not restored to its original state.
Visser stated that
the drain commissioner is aware of this problem, and the developer would
have to have his approval prior to anything done to the drainage system.
Visser closed the
public hearing.
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and
supported by Ebihara to adopt the report and grant the request for
Blackberry Estates to be approved as a Planned Unit Development. |
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Art 10 |
AIRPORT AUTHORITY
PRESENTATION
Brad Slagh, Chairman of the
Airport Authority Administrative Committee, gave a presentation on the airport
authority and distributed an executive summary. He addressed the board with a
resolution of intent to establish a formation document of an airport authority.
Municipalities adopting this resolution would share the estimated cost for
documentation of $7500. This would not be a binding commitment to join the
authority.
Dreyer questioned
if the airport authority intends to tax all taxable parcels regardless of their
zoning.
Slagh replied that it would
be consistent with the other township millages. Yes, all parcels would be
taxed.
Visser questioned if Park
Township would be obligated to pay if the millage increase proposal passed in
all municipalities but Park Township.
Slagh replied that
Park Township could not be part of the authority if they do not fund it.
However, the township would be responsible for the dollars they
committed to up to that point.
Van Iwaarden stated
that a lot of time and money could be invested into this authority, but
if it does not pass in the City of Holland all is lost.
Slagh stated that the
resolution of intent is to set direction. It is not asking the township
to join the authority.
Ebihara questioned
how the authority proposed to have greater minority representation on
its board, especially in light of the large Hispanic population in the
City of Holland.
Koopman stated that
he would only support the airport authority based on a millage voted in
by the people. He is opposed to taking money from the general fund.
Koopman feels that the board should participate in the planning process
to give the voters the best documentation possible.
MOTION MADE; MOTION
SUPPORTED: A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Koopman to
approve the adoption of the Resolution of Intent and to participate in
the formation of the airport authority documents.
Dreyer stated that he would
not support any resolution that uses property tax dollars to fund an airport.
MOTION MADE; MOTION
SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Price and supported by
Steggerda to table the motion to adopt the Resolution of Intent for the airport
authority until December 8, 2005.
Motion to table
the resolution was carried 6 – 1. Ebihara opposed. |
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Art 11 |
WYOMING WATER
SYSTEM 1995 BOND REFUNDING
Visser explained that the intent for this proposal is to save interest. It
could be refunded at a lower rate. Ottawa County needs approval from all units
of government that is part of the Wyoming water system.
MOTION MADE; MOTION
SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by
Steggerda to approve the bond refunding proposal from Wyoming Water System. |
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Art 12 |
FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
CONSENT TO ASSIGNMENT
Visser stated that this
request had been withdrawn from the agenda. |
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Art 13 |
MEDIA ONE METRO
ACT APPLICATION
Visser stated that this is a request from a local company asking for a Metro Act
permit. They will be using 144th Avenue and cross over into Park
Township at James Street and Lillian Street.
Van Iwaarden
questioned if the wires will be on poles or underground.
Ebihara
and Koopman confirmed that the permit states if the poles already exist then the
wires would be suspended.
Van
Iwaarden questioned if there are any fees associated with this application.
Martin
stated that state law establishes the fees. They are paid to the state, and
then the state reimburses local units of government based on lineal feet within
the township. Dan Martin explained the Metropolitan Extension of
Telecommunication Rights of Oversight (METRO) Act.
Steggerda stated that in order to receive the state refund a large report must
be completed specifying how the money will be used. It must be used for road
right-of-way projects.
MOTION
MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Ebihara and
supported by Koopman to approve the Media One Metro Act Permit. |
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Art 14 |
RECEIPT OF
PETITION: LAKEWOOD BLVD. WATER EXTENSION
Visser
explained that the petition received is for a 1200 ft. water extension on
Lakewood Blvd. It would be installed on the north side of the road.
MOTION
MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and
supported by Steggerda to adopt resolution 1 declaring our tentative desire to
proceed with construction of the Lakewood Blvd. water main on the basis of
petition.
MOTION
MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Ebihara and
supported by Van Iwaarden to adopt resolution 2 scheduling a hearing of
necessity for the Lakewood Blvd. water main construction to be held at 6 p.m. on
December 8, 2005 at the township office. |
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Art 15 |
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC
COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)
Don Herringa, 173 Oakwood
Avenue, chairman/owner of Trendway Corporation, stated that he supports the
airport authority. He feels that it is an important part of his company’s
infrastructure, and to the economic development in our community.
Joe Zobkiw, 2339 Sunset Bluff
Drive, stated his views on the importance of the airport authority resolution of
intent. He feels that it is necessary in order for the city of Holland to
present clear documentation to the people when asking for their support.
Bret Docter, 1122 Warwick
Ct., is a member of the Airport Authority Exploratory Committee. He stated that
the airport authority would benefit Park Township by bringing in more jobs, and
it would enhance the quality of life for the area as a whole.
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Art 16 |
PENDING LITIGATION
MOTION MADE; MOTION
SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Dreyer and supported by
Steggerda to go to closed session to receive advice from counsel.
Roll Call Vote:
Unanimous
The board
adjourned to closed session.
The board returned
to open session. |
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Art 17 |
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Van Iwaarden, Parks & Recreation Committee, reported that the renovation
of Virginia Park is ahead of schedule, and the disc golf course at
Winstrom Park is almost complete. The committee is working on expanding
the dog park by 0.68 acres on the north boundary, and it will still be
under the original budget. This will come to the Board for approval at
a later date.
Van Iwaarden commended Barb
Burmeister for her outstanding leadership in her new position as Director of
Parks and Recreation.
Van Iwaarden, MACC
representative on the Storm Water Committee and the Watershed Committee, had a
guided tour of a new 5-acre watershed demonstration site. It is intended to
trap sediment overflow in times of heavy precipitation, retain the suspended
particles on site and release the water slowly back into Noordeloos Creek. Hope
College students majoring in Environmental Studies are conducting tests,
performing experiments, and studying the site. Van Iwaarden stated that the
Board should continue to encourage the enactment of practices that help reduce
the high phosphorus levels in Lake Macatawa.
Steggerda, Finance Committee,
presented a resolution authorizing the township to accept credit and debit cards
for tax payments. This would be in effect for the 2005 winter’s tax bills.
Payments would be made only by phone or Internet. An insert would be mailed
with the tax bills explaining this payment option. There is no cost to the
township. An additional 3% fee will be charged only to those who use this
service.
MOTION MADE; MOTION
SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Van
Iwaarden to adopt the resolution to accept tax payments by debit or credit
cards.
Price, Park Township Airport,
stated that a working committee is developing a vision statement. Additional
time is being requested in order to fully investigate and prepare a presentation
to the board. |
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Art 18 |
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 October and the bills to be paid for
November. |
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Art
19 |
BOARD COMMENTS
Visser
stated that Ottawa County Parks & Recreation is asking for Park Township’s
financial support for bike path improvements in the Park 12 area on Ottawa Beach
Rd. The cost of this project will be $116,875.00. They would like the township
to pay half. This construction would move the bike path further away from the
road near the State Park.
Price questioned
if easements will need to be obtained.
Visser replied
that no easements are necessary in the area involved. The improvements
will be on county property.
Steggerda
questioned if our engineers confirmed that the price is fair.
Visser
stated that we could make it a stipulation to have our engineers involved in
this project.
The board decided
to make this a formal agenda item in December. |
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Art 20 |
ADJOURN
MOTION
MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Steggerda and
supported by Van Iwaarden to adjourn. |
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Julie Northrup
Recording Secretary
Posted 11/16/05 |
