Flowerfield Township Meeting Minutes

 FLOWERFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
July 6, 2009

Supervisor Carroll Parmeter called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.  Teresa Ives, Carroll Parmeter, Jim Griffith, Ron Shaver and Pam Altimus attended the meeting. There were five visitors present.

Board Member Additions

Jim Griffith requested that we add the dry hydrants at Howardsville Christian School under New Business.

AGENDA

Approval of Agenda for July 6, 2009- Pam Altimus made the motion to accept the agenda as read, seconded by Carroll Parmeter, motion carried.

Board Member Comments

No comments were made.

MINUTES

Approval of Minutes from June 1, 2009-Pam Altimus made the motion to accept the Minutes, seconded by Ron Shaver, motion carried.

SPECIAL GUESTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS

No comments were made.

CORRESPONDENCE

Teresa Ives read a letter received from St. Joseph County MSU Extension office it is offered through the Michigan Assoc. of Planning regarding a workshop for “Planning & Zoning Essentials” at Glen Oaks Comm. College on July 30, 2009 from 4-9pm.

She also stated that Sue Parker from Siegfried Crandall (our auditing firm) would be meeting with her again this Friday, July 10, 2009 to help prepare for the Township Audit.  The audit is scheduled for July 28th and 29th, 2009 at the Flowerfield Township Hall.

REPORTS

Assessor: Shalice Northrop was not present.  There will be a BOR meeting for correcting clerical errors on July 21, 2009 at 8:30am.

Rural Inspection:  Tony Vaickus was not present. 

Planning Commission: Greg Hamelink, PCB Chairman was present and provided the following update.

• He stated that Tony Vaickus, Zoning Administrator, had attended the last PC meeting. He supports what we have so far, and stated that he was going to send a letter with his comments and recommendations to the board regarding the Master Plan.
• Bob Toland had contacted Greg in mid June to offer a ½ off printing/binding cost for the month of June.  The board’s next meeting is July 6,2009, so the time frame given for this discount was not able to be beneficial.  Therefore it was stated by the township treasurer, that she and her deputy would print the copies for the Master Plan.
• He also stated that Bob Toland had asked if the township was interested in an electronic version of the maps that were purchased and used in the Master Plan for future use.  The estimated cost for this is about $100.00
• Bob Toland’s retainer fee was questioned again.  Greg, stated that Mr. Toland had discussed that he could probably have the Zoning Plan completed in about six months.  Teresa Ives had received a letter from Mr. Toland in his July 2009 billing, that he will reduce his retainer fee, starting in September 2009.  Greg, stated that he would ask Mr. Toland what services are included in his retainer charge, and what the hourly cost would be if we used on a need-to need basis.

Sexton: Bill Kruger was present, and he reported that there was one burial and he also had to cut two trees at the Flowerfield Cemetery after the last storm.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Marcellus Fire Department- The Clerk requested a new fire and ambulance contract but still hasn’t received anything from them yet.  We did receive a copy of the June 8, 2009 Meeting Minutes that stated that the director reported to the board our request for a new contract.

Cemetery Ordinance Committee- The first meeting was on June 29, 2009 and progress is being made.

Zoning Board of Appeals- Vacancy of two seats are still available.

NEW BUSINESS

Business Cards and a new stamp for Pam Altimus with her new phone # listed-
Carroll Parmeter made the motion to approve up to $100.00 for Pam to get business cards & a new stamp, seconded by Ron Shaver, with a roll call vote: Jim Griffith-yes, Carroll-yes, Pam Altimus-yes, Ron Shaver-yes and Teresa Ives-yes. 

LUG Account (Local Units of Govmt.)- Pam Altimus is going to move this money to another bank that pays a higher interest rate. We are currently getting only .05 % on this account at Sturgis Bank & Trust.  She will advise us at the next meeting of her action taken.

Dry hydrants at Howardsville Christian School- Jim Griffith stated that the Marcellus Fire Dept. could apply for a grant to help pay for this.

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES

Jim Griffith made the motion to approve payment of expenditures 3325 thru 3357, seconded, by Pam Altimus, motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Jim Griffith to adjourn, seconded by Teresa Ives, motion carried with the meeting adjourning at 8:00p.m.

Next Meeting Date: August 3, 2009 at 7pm