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...........................................................$2,862,257

Receipts........................................................................$  229,837

Disbursements................................................................$  135,579

Ending Balance...............................................................$2,956,514

On October 17, 2007 the firefighters will be involved in the Pizza Hut Firefighter’s Night Out.  Park Township firefighters will be located at the River Avenue Pizza Hut from 5:30pm-8: 30pm.  All proceeds will be going to Holland Area Fire Prevention Council.  All of the dollars generated will be spent locally.

PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Bob Ellis – Chairman of the Airport Renewal Committee gave a background on the history of the renewal process.  He read a letter submitted to the board regarding their recommending URS as a consultant and other recommendations.

John VanDuinen – URS Civil Engineer stated their first priority is to get an airport layout plan.  This is a survey of the trees and other features surrounding the airport.  The funding for the project as a whole would be 90% from the State of Michigan and 10% from Park Township.

Docter asked for an approximate cost of the consultation project.

VanDuinen stated it would be approximately $6500.

Steggerda confirmed with Martin that she would need to open a separate fund for the Airport.

Visser suggested the next step is to draft a lease for Board consideration.

Price suggested that Martin begin preparing the lease.

Martin agreed and suggested it would be similar to the lease for the Ottawa County Fairgrounds.

Docter mapped out the direction of the lease.  Council would draft the lease, and then it will go to the Park Township Board of Trustees for approval.  Upon approval it will go before the Airport Board for approval and signatures.

Ebihara asked for a title search on the property.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Docter to accept the recommendations of the Airport Lease Renewal Committee to hire URS and redraft the lease with the recommendations A, B, and C included in the letter.

Docter stated the lease must be drafted and approved by January 31, 2008.

Martin replied the Board will see a preliminary draft of the lease at the December meeting and it will be ready for a vote at the January Board meeting.

The board agreed to disband the Airport Lease Renewal Committee.

WEST MICHIGAN AIRPORT AUTHORITY

The Board agreed to table this discussion until a later date.

MACC BYLAWS AMENDMENT

Visser suggested to the board that they support a resolution to amend the MACC bylaws to include the Macatawa Area Express Transportation Authority as a transportation participant.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Docter and supported by Steggerda to support the resolution to amend the MACC bylaws as suggested.

MACC HOLDING COMPANY INC.

Visser stated that the MACC has asked us to be a member of the MACC Holding Co. which will enable the MACC to purchase it’s office space.

Price stated according to state law committees cannot purchase property.  If the MACC becomes a Company then instead of paying a lease they can buy the property.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Ebihara to adopt the resolution and become a member of the MACC Holding Company.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by VanIwaarden to amend the agenda to discuss the skate park item next on the agenda.

SKATE PARK COMMITTEE REPORT

VanIwaarden stated there is a skate park action committee meeting to be held on November 5^th from 6-7pm.  

David Dirkse-former Park Township resident-stated that he is willing to donate 25% of the cost of the skate park up to $100,000.

Jeff Compagner-chairman of the committee-presented the board with a plan of the skate park.  He stated they have committed to top-notch equipment with a cement base, cement like bowl and stainless steel equipment.

Barb Burmeister-Parks and Recreation Director-stated the Parks and Recreation Committee is very excited to have this park in Park Township.

VanIwaarden stated the Committee would like to start the project beginning in the spring if the funding is achieved.

Ebihara asked if companies could sponsor advertisements on the equipment to help with the funding.

VanIwaarden replied that the Parks and Recreation Committee approved that form of funding.  They are also going to recommend to the Ottawa County Road Commission that sidewalks be installed on the south side of Ottawa Beach Road from Waukazoo Drive to the entrance of the skate park for safety reasons.

CELL TOWER ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

Visser stated he is concerned that the new height limit of 160ft. doesn’t accommodate many residents or carriers.

Monica Arendshorst – 1653 S. Shore Dr. – Chairperson of the Cell Tower Subcommittee stated there were not many changes in the height ordinance but is firmly grounded in the Master Plan.  She stated they really focused on a balance between the aesthetics in the environment and service to the residents.  The new ordinance gives incentives to monopoles.

Ebihara recommended referencing the Friar’s Guide or the FCC database regarding information on existing telecommunications activity in other areas of the state.

Docter referenced the recommendations by Mr. Mark Kooyers of Tele-Rad Inc. – 354 N. Lakeshore Dr. – regarding the requirements of the FAA, MDOT, the DNR and public safety preferences.

Mike Toscano – 1228 Oak Hampton – resident, also on the Planning Commission and the Cell Tower Sub-committee stated that the updated ordinance raises the height.  The previous height was 150 ft.  The towers must go in C2 areas and there are many requirements in the ordinance on preservation of environmental views.  He has driven around to other townships and seen their cell poles and feels they blend in nicely.  He also suggested a joint Planning Commission formed by planning commission members of many local units of government to decide how to best service this area with wireless communication. 

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Ebihara to recommend the ordinance as presented.

Dreyer asked why the Planning Commission recommended only C2 areas.  In this community, which is highly residential, we may be limiting our coverage.  He also felt the height should be the full 200ft. to get better service in the rural areas of the township.  He also questioned the amount of feet (600) provided for the setback.

Ebiahra clarified that the taller the structure (monopole or lattice) the more carriers will be able to provide service on the tower.  If there is a 120ft pole only one carrier will be able to provide service.

Ebihara would like the Planning Commission reconsider the color preferences.  It becomes a maintenance issue to repaint the tower frequently.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Price and supported by Ebihara to withdraw the previous motion based on concerns presented by the board.

VanIwaarden stated that there is enough concern with the proposed ordinance that it should be sent back to the Planning Commission.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Docter and supported by Dreyer to send the ordinance back to the Planning Commission for further revision.

Visser stated the planning Commission should consider the height, setback limits, and finish in the revision of the ordinance.

Price stated she supports a monopole.

VanIwaarden stated he would like to see an increase in the height limitation and in turn increase carriers. 

The board agreed they would rather see a few tall structures than many short ones around the township.

Docter suggested we include a member of the Ottawa County Central Dispatch on the ordinance sub-committee.

Visser stated he is on Central Dispatch and may be able to help find an operations representative to serve on the sub-committee.

Price will bring information about making communications an area wide prospect as suggested by Mr. Toscano to the MACC for discussion.

Ebihara stated the township should encourage this type of service because many people work out of their homes and it would be a good service to the community.

Docter recommended the sub-committee revise the ordinance making the height limit at least 200ft or follow requirements by the FAA if it is located within a flight path.

Ebihara stated that the township look at the assessment values of the property these structures are on.  They are considered real property and can be taxed.

Steggerda recommended the Planning Commission receive a copy of the e-mail from Mr. Kooyers of Tele-Rad Inc.

RECREATION COMMITTEE REAPPOINTMENT

Visser stated that Pat Dobb is eligible for reappointment to the Parks and Recreation Committee for a 3-year tem.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Price to reappoint Pat Dobb to a 3 year term on the Parks and Recreation Committee.

Steggerda stated that she had worked with Ms. Dobb and found her to be a dedicated member of the Parks and Recreation Committee and residents would benefit from her reappointment.

WATER RATE RESOLUTION

Visser voiced his concern regarding the depleting water-operating fund. The recommendation from the Utilities Committee was for a ready to serve charge of $15 in place of the usage charge and a trunkage of $500 increased from $250, which is equal to the lowest in the county.  Our gallon rate will stay the same at $1.45 per 1000 gallons.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED, MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Van Iwaarden and supported by Dreyer to accept the water resolution as presented.

PARKS MILLAGE RENEWAL

Visser gave a brief history of the parks millage and its pending expiration.

Ebihara recommended placing the parks millage renewal on the January 15^th ballot. He stated by doing this the township might only have to pay for the ballots instead of incur the total cost of the election.

Martin stated the language for the millage renewal proposal would need to be certified by the Ottawa County Clerks office by November 5^th.  This would require a special meeting by the Board of Trustees to approve the ballot language.

Visser asked the board to propose a length and number of mills for the proposal.

Docter asked about the budgetary needs of the department and if there are any special projects to consider.  He also questioned if the department is dependant on the millage renewal.

VanIwaarden stated they are preparing to develop Ashwood Reserve and some of the newly acquired properties.  They are also looking at a soccer complex.

Visser requested the board approve a renewal of .5 mills for 10 years.

Martin agreed to draft a proposal with those specifications for board approval.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Steggerda and supported by Docter to hold a Special Board of Trustees meeting on October 29^th at 4:30pm at the Park Township Office at 52 152^nd Ave. to approve ballot language for the parks millage renewal to be placed on the January 15^th 2008 ballot.

TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION; AD HOC COMMITTEE

Visser stated that at the September 24th Special Board meeting the board agreed to appoint an ad-hoc committee consisting of the Supervisor, Treasurer, Clerk, an office employee and up to two (2) residents to be determined at this meeting.

Visser stated that Al Nykamp-Park Township Assessor-has expressed interest in being on the committee as the representative for the office employees.  Skip Keeter and John Foster have expressed interest in representing the residents on the committee.

Arendshorst expressed her support of the proposed system of government.

Visser stated that this committee will be responsible for drafting a job description for the Township Manager position.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED:  A motion was made by Ebihara and supported by Docter to appoint Visser, Steggerda, Ebihara, Nykamp, Keeter and Foster to the Township Organization Ad Hoc Committee.

Visser thanked the Mr. Keeter and Mr. Foster for their interest in serving their community on this committee.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

VanIwaarden stated the Parks and Recreation Committee had a meeting and informed the board of their plans and achievements.  The Winstrom Park bathroom facility is complete.  The buildings have been demolished on the corner of Lakewood and 144^th.

Price stated many of the issues from her committee meetings were discussed during the course of the board meeting.

Dreyer stated that the ZBA is developing a policy on the use of alternates. Also, that the ZBA will submit a formal policy regarding the use of alternates and absences among board members to the Board at a later date.

VanIwaarden submitted the Ottawa County Fair financial statement.  The board has a new treasurer and invited Mr. Welling to make any additional comments.

Earl Welling-Ottawa County Fair Board Chairperson-stated they have moved their meetings to a different day to accommodate a new board representative since the resignation of VanIwaarden.  The next meeting is Monday, October 15, 2007.

Docter expressed his interest in being the Fair Board representative and will attend the next meeting.

Steggerda stated after going thru the RFP process and taking in bids for snow removal for 2007-2008 the finance committee has recommended hiring Israel’s Property Service.

Docter stated with the help of Building Inspector Davis the Planning Commission is looking at redrafting and clarifying many ordinances.  These revisions will be brought to the board for them to review all at one time.

PAYMENT OF BILLS

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

ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER PERSON)

Representative Arlan Meekhof provided the township a list of the new taxable services based on the new budget.

Steggerda asked if she could get a list of the new programs the Governor has proposed in the new budget.

He requested she call his office to obtain the list since it is not available on-line at this time.

Meekhof also stated that Bill 4780 asking for Township consolidation is loosing momentum.

BOARD COMMENTS

The Board agreed to pay the $50 membership fee to the West Michigan Strategic Alliance for membership.

MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made  by VanIwaarden and supported by Ebihara to adjourn.   

Daniele Dykens, Recording Secretary
October 19, 2007