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Art 1 |
Supervisor Stuart Visser called to order the regular meeting of the Park
Township Board held on September 14, 2006 at 6 p.m.
at the Virginia Park Fire Station.
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.
Stuart Visser gave the
invocation. |
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Art 2 |
The minutes of
the August 10, 2006 Board Meetings were approved as published. |
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Art 3 |
The
Treasurer’s Report was given as follows:
Beginning
Balance...........................................................$2,642,387
Receipts........................................................................$
54,559
Disbursements................................................................$
252,985
Ending
Balance...............................................................$2,443,961 |
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Art 4 |
The Fire
Department report indicated 25 calls were made in the month of August and
$41,300 in property damages. |
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Art 5 |
The Zoning
Administrator's Report listed 46 building permits for the month of
August and a total building permit activity of $2,220,000. |
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Art 6 |
Koopman reported 7
Liquor Inspection reports had been turned in for August.
All establishments were in compliance and good condition. |
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ART 7 |
PUBLIC COMMENTS (2 MINUTES PER PERSON)
Laurie Van Ark, Hope College Frost Research Center Assistant Director, is
working with the Park Township Airport Committee to develop a phone survey of at
least 400 township residents regarding the airport land. The basic goal of the
survey is to find a random sample of what Park Township residents think should
be done with the land. Should the land be kept as an airport, if not what the
residents think should be done with the land. They have been working on
developing questions that would allow surveyor response to give honest opinions.
The Frost Center plans to provide unbiased analyzed data to assistant the Board
in their decision making of the use of the airport land. They ask that
questions not be released to the public prior to the conducting of the survey to
keep the survey uncontaminated.
Ebihara questioned if students will be working on the survey.
Van Ark replied that Hope College students will be working on the survey.
Van
Iwaarden questioned if a committee or the Board have access to look at
the questions before they are actually used.
Van
Ark replied that the Airport Committee and herself are working on the
questions together.
Steggerda stated
that the Board had wanted to view the survey before it was actually
conducted.
Van
Ark stated that if the whole Board looks at the survey it would become a
public document, which means reporters would have access to it. She
advised the Board not to view it in order to keep it unbiased.
Koopman stated that
he is confident that the Frost Center could provide a survey that would
meet the requested needs. He feels that they have a clear understanding
of the goals.
Visser stated that
he has faith in the Airport Committee and the professionalism of the
Frost Center.
Van
Iwaarden questioned the Airport Committee if the recommendations of the
Parks and Recreation Committee for alternative uses been included in the
discussions with the Frost Center.
Koopman replied
that their recommended alternative uses have not been discussed with the
Frost Center.
Price stated that the first meeting was a
preliminary. The next meeting will be more in depth, and they will
review the Parks and Recreations Committee’s alternative use
recommendations at that time. |
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Art
8 |
HIDEAWAY SHORES FINAL
PRELIMINARY
Neil Sharp, Exxel Engineering,
stated that they are fulfilling the requirements of the State Plat Act, which
very few communities have followed. It is a two-stage process. Preliminary
approval goes to the Planning Commission for input public hearing, and plans are
sent to other government agencies. Then it goes to the Board for final
preliminary approval.
Visser stated that the Planning
Commission recommends final approval.
MOTION MADE; MOTION
SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and supported by
Ebihara to grant final preliminary approval to Hideaway Shores
Subdivision.
Van
Iwaarden questioned if there were plans to build a house on the north
lot of this split.
Sharp
replied that they do not have plans for building on that lot at this
time.
Sharp
requested a copy of this meeting’s minutes. |
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Art
9 |
ALARM SYSTEM
Visser stated that he received a
second quote for an alarm system for the township office building. It is not a
fair comparison. The two companies viewed the level of protection differently.
He suggested having Fire Chief Gamby give his recommendation on what coverage is
needed.
Ebihara agreed that the
Fire Chief should put a spec together, and redistribute to both
companies for new quotes. |
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Art 10 |
MILLAGE RATE REQUEST
Visser stated that the proposed millage rate of 3.9576 has been the same
since 2002. He noted that this is the rate he used for the budget.
MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Van
Iwaarden and supported by Price to approve the millage rate request as
presented.
Steggerda stated that this rate is quite lower than the amount the
Township is allowed to tax. The Township is trying to be very
efficient.
Van
Iwaarden stated that this rate is one of the lowest in the area of all
the governmental units.
Ebihara stated that the Township does not have control over the Library
rate.
Visser stated that the E-Unit is funded with Holland Township based on
population. It was just voted in for another four years.
Koopman stated that the E-Unit program has proven to be very beneficial
to the community. |
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Art 11 |
WATER RATE RESOLUTION
Visser stated that the
price increase for water rates are due to substantial increases in
copper, meters, and wholesale water purchase costs. The Utilities
Committee reviewed this. He explained how the rate of $1.45/1000 gal.
was determined.
MOTION MADE; MOTION
SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Steggerda and supported
by Van Iwaarden to approve the Water Rate Resolution as presented. |
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Art 12 |
S.O.S. PROPOSAL
Visser stated that the
Stop Over Spending proposal did not make the ballot. Therefore, no
action will be taken. He does feel confident that it will be on a
future ballot. |
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Art 13 |
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Van Iwaarden, Parks and
Recreation Committee, stated that in cooperation with Holland Township,
registration for Fall/Winter activities is available on-line on the Park
Township web site. Van Iwaarden also stated that the committee is
studying the possibility of having all Park Township parks close at 10
p.m.
Van Iwaarden, MACC
Stormwater Committee, stated that an updated Storm Water Pollution
Prevention Initiative (SWPPI) must be submitted to the DEQ by September
30. The Board needs to approve the SWPPI before its submitted.
The
Board decided to have Stu Visser and John Van Iwaarden represent the
Board for the final SWPPI approval.
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Art 14 |
PAYMENT OF BILLS
MOTION MADE;
MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by Steggerda and
supported by Dreyer to approve the check register for August and the bills
to be paid in September. |
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Art 15 |
ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENTS (5 MINUTES PER
PERSON)
Skip Keeter, 442 Lakeshore Drive,
stated that if the Board decided to keep the airport, then the hangers should be
relocated away from Ottawa Beach Road. He also suggested moving the jet until
the display is erected.
John Foster, 586 Old Orchard Road,
asked the Board to consider along with the leaf drop off in the spring, include
brush and branches. The Township could hire someone to chip it, which
could then be used in our parks.
Visser stated that he
would look into the costs for this service.
Gretchen Fisher, 131 N. 160th Avenue, stated that she
submitted a letter to the Board yesterday, and asked if they had
comments. |
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ART 16 |
BOARD COMMENTS
Visser stated that the letter
submitted by the Fishers has some legal questions that he would like Attorney
Dan Martin to address. He suggested having this as an agenda item at next
month’s Board meeting in order to give Dan Martin time to review the letter.
Koopman stated that he would like
to have legal guidance for possible alternatives, and the steps that could be
taken.
The Board agreed to place this on the October agenda.
Ebihara stated that the audit report from the Primary Election was
received with excellent results. He complimented Deputy Clerk
Daniele Dykens for her work, and thanked everyone involved.
Visser stated that the Board received a letter regarding the Orange
Striped Oakworm problem. He did some research and reported that
their population goes in cycles. They can be treated by BT, but to
spray an area would be wasteful since they only eat the leaves of
Red Oaks. The most effective control is a very cold winter. They
feed in late summer so permanent damage to trees is unlikely.
Van Iwaarden questioned if individual parties could buy BT (the
chemical used to kill Gypsy Moths).
Visser stated that he would look into the possibility of individuals
purchasing BT. He will have this information on the Park Township
web site along with a link about the Orange-Striped Oakworm.
Steggerda questioned if Ottawa County is addressing this problem.
Visser stated that Ottawa County does not intend to do anything
about the Oakworms.
Visser stated that the 144th
Avenue and Lakewood Blvd. intersection will be closed starting Monday, September
18. The completion date is November 15. The Ottawa County Road Commission sent
out a news release stating that this is for 4/10 of a mile road reconstruction
including intersection improvements, and drainage improvements, asphalt paving,
traffic signals, pavement markings, and adding turning lanes on both roads.
Koopman stated that he
continuously receives compliments on the Virginia Park make over.
Everyone involved did a fantastic job.
Visser stated that closing on the Wendt property will take place Friday,
September 15 at 10:00 a.m. |
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ART 17 |
CLOSED SESSION: PURCHASE
OF REAL PROPERTY
MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION CARRIED: A motion was made by
Ebihara and Supported by Steggerda to go into closed session.
Roll
Call Vote: Unanimous.
The
Board returned to open session. |
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Art 18 |
ADJOURN
MOTION MADE; MOTION SUPPORTED; MOTION
CARRIED: A motion was made by Koopman and supported by Dreyer to
adjourn. |
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Julie Northrup
Recording Secretary
9/18/06 |
