Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park Township Board held on September 9, 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.

The minutes of the September 9, 2004 Board Meeting were approved as published.

The Treasurer’s Report was given as follows: 

Beginning Balance...........................................................$2,550,085

Receipts........................................................................$  247,424

Disbursements................................................................$  137,999

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,659,510

The Fire Department report indicated 15 calls were made in the month of September and $0 in property damages. 

The Zoning Administrator's Report lists 6 new single-family homes for the month of September and a total building permit activity of $2,384,111.

Koopman reported 7 Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for September.  All establishments were in compliance and good condition.

PUBLIC COMMENTS 

Skip Keeter, 4Jon Van Allsburg, 207 Bay Circle Drive, encouraged the public to vote for him on November 2 for Ottawa County Circuit Court Judge.

            Mike Toscano, 1228 Oak Hampton, complimented the Township for its many parks, but stated his concern with the litter at Winstrom Park.  He noted that his wife’s Girl Scout troop has taken the initiative to clean it up once a month.  He suggested we could request additional law enforcement and note the problem in our next newsletter to encourage all residents to help keep our parks litter free.

PUBLIC HEARING:  ROAD S.A.D. ASSESSMENT ROLL

Visser opened the public hearing.

No comments.

Visser closed the public hearing.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; ;MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Marsilje to adopt Resolution #5 accepting the Supervisor's Assissment Roll for Raod S.A.D. 12 in the amount of $8,190.00 with interest to begin June 1, 2005 at 6%.

Visser stated that this is a requirement of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination Systems Phase II.  The Drain Commission and Attorney Dan Martin prepared this ordinance.

Price questioned if the Planning Commission has seen this ordinance.  She asked if training would be needed.

Martin replied the Planning Commission has not seen this version of the ordinance. The Drain Commissioner’s Office would do most of the work.

Van Iwaarden stated that he read the entire document and found it to be well worded. He commended Dan Martin on his work.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Marsilje to adopt the Phase II Storm Water Ordinance.

Visser explained that this lot merger was originally put into place to allow the owner to have a garage built on the lot across the street from his home.  Now there is a new owner, who also owns adjacent parcels.

Andrea Crossman-Ortman, representing the seller, stated the neighbors are aware of their intentions.  This is a non-conforming lot.  The garage would be torn down. It would no longer be a marina.  A sewer stub fee would have to be paid if split again.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Marsilje and supported by Steggerda to grant the request to revoke the lot merger agreement Liber #1764, page 868, recorded 9/14/93, with the stipulations that parcel 70-15-34-353-007, lot 145 Jenison Park be merged with an abutting lot, the garage torn down, any outstanding sewer assessments be paid, and the marina be removed.

Visser explained that the Recreation Committee recommends that we enter into an agreement with M. C. Smith to update the Recreation Plan in the amount of $12,500.  We are required to update our recreational plan every 5 years in order to be eligible for any recreation grants.  We have been successful with M. C. Smith in the past.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Marsilje to grant the Recreation Plan Update to        M. C. Smith in the amount of $12,500.

Visser stated that this is a requirement to bring us in compliance with the I.R.S. Ruling 2004-12.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Steggerda to adopt the Deferred Compensation Plan Amendment.

Steggerda clarified that this is an update to an already existing plan.

Visser stated that the no wake zone in Pine Creek Bay was established many years ago to compromise the time of usage between water skiers and fishermen.

Marsilje suggested that we get input from the Fish and Game Club.

Visser stated that, with the Board’s consensus, he will acquire feedback from the Fish and Game Club.

Price stated that Eric Fogg reported that we are in a position to acquire a Lockheed     T-33A military jet.  He found a company to transport the jet to Park Township, and said that he would raise the money for this cost.  He would like the Board to grant approximately $2,500 for the application and title fees.  If we get this jet, Fogg has volunteers to clean it, and construct the base.

Visser stated that we have an obligation to keep the airport runway approaches clear.  There are three locations where trees will need to be topped or removed.  There are 8 trees on the corner of 152^nd Avenue and Ottawa Beach Road; this is the same area where the military jet would be placed.  There are also 8 trees on the airport side of the street between the bike path and Ottawa Beach Road.  And there are 4 trees on the fairgrounds property, off the southwest end of the asphalt runway.

Van Iwaarden stated that he would like to see a plan showing details of where the jet would be located, and how it would be displayed and maintained.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Van Dyke to authorize expenditures up to $2,500 for the application and title fees to acquire a Lockheed T-33 military jet; subject to the plan approval

Price stated at the last M.A.C.C. Policy meeting the budgets were approved.  However, they wanted to know if the D.E.Q. allowed certain funds to be carried over.  She noted that, with staffing changes, there is approximately $30,000 excess revenue over expenses. She also stated that there are 5 units of government that have decided to participate in the convening discussions on the Tulip City Airport.

Van Iwaarden stated that the Macatawa Watershed Technical Committee had an architectural presentation on the Zeeland Public School’s landscaping project showing the advantages of having larger areas of landscape using turf grass and native plantings.  This would cut down maintenance time and costs.  He would like to present this idea to the Planning Commission. 

Van Iwaarden stated along with the $500,000 state grant for the Upper Macatawa Conservation Area, the Greenway Project added another $100,000.

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

No additional public comments.

Van Iwaarden stated that the Parks And Recreation Committee is responsible for a huge amount of work.  He would like to see all committees looked at for efficiency for distribution of workload.

Van Iwaarden and Koopman agreed to work as a subcommittee to find better ways to manage committee workload distribution, and Visser will be the resource person.

Steggerda urged everyone to vote on November 2.  Absentee ballots are also available.

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