Flowerfield Township Meeting Minutes

 FLOWERFIELD TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
December 1, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 7:00pm by Supervisor Carroll Parmeter.  All five board members were present, Carroll Parmeter, Pam Altimus, Jim Griffith, Ron Shaver and Teresa Ives.  There were also nine visitors present.

ADDITIONS

• Jim Griffith attended the St. Joseph County Road Commission meeting on 11/13/08.
• Proposal from Elton Hackenberg for the upcoming contract of township Sexton.
• Carroll Parmeter had information from ZCSS regarding having the cemetery plots on the township website.
• Pam Altimus made the motion to accept the Additions stated, seconded by Jim Griffith, motion carried.

AGENDA

Approval of Agenda for December 1, 2008: Jim Griffith made the motion to accept the Minutes as read, seconded by Pam Altimus, motion carried.

MINUTES

Approval of Minutes of November 10, 2008: Jim Griffith made the motion to accept the Agenda, seconded by Pam Altimus, motion carried.

SPECIAL GUESTS

• Eric Shafer, County Commissioner came to say good-bye and thank you to the board. His term limit ends this month and Rick Shaffer will be replacing him.
• Doug Kuhlman of Gold Key Investigations & Security was present.
• Becky Sanders from the Three Rivers Commercial- News was present.

CORRESPONDENCE

It was noted that there would be a FEMA meeting at Three Rivers City Hall on 12/3/08 from 1-3pm for officials and from 4-7pm for the public.

REPORTS

Assessor: Shalice Northrop was not present.  Carroll Parmeter spoke to her before the meeting and stated that the winter taxes have been sent out.  Also the Assessed Value dropped 12%, and the Taxable Value is at 4.4%.

Rural Inspection:  Tony Vaickus was not present. No business this month.

Planning Commission: Ron Shaver stated that there wasn’t a meeting in November, due to Thanksgiving.  The next meeting is this Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 6:30pm.  Jim Griffith will post this meeting on the sign out front.

Sexton: Bill Kruger stated that he had a baby burial at the Lower Flatbush Cemetery and will have another burial tomorrow.  He stated that he has fixed some of the vandalized head stones and is looking at fixing some of the cracked and broken stones.

Elton Hackenberg presented the board with a bid for the Sexton contract.  He asked if any one had any questions or concerns.  It was stated that the current contract ends on March 31, 2009.  The Clerk will look this up and verify that the date is correct.

Jim Griffith stated that he went to the St. Joseph County Road Commission Meeting that was on 11/13/08, but it had been cancelled.  Bruce Jones met with him and stated that everything with the township will stay the same.  Mr. Jones, also stated the there is plenty of salt for this winter and the bridge on Floating Bridge Road is scheduled for an update.

Doug Kuhlman of Gold Key Investigations & Security:  Doug presented his report to the board.
            RE: One Open Case- He stated that he sent an e-mail today and the e-mail was responded back to with a request for an extension.  He stated that this case is taking longer than he expected, but progress is being made.  He stated that while he and Roxanne were in court they ran into Judge, Jeff Middleton.  He stated to them that he wants to work with them on enforcing the township ordinances.  He is looking into cutting down the time spent in the courts.  Doug stated that at this time there are no Flowerfield residents in the court system.

Ron Shaver stated to the board, that the township hasn’t had any real bad cases and the ones they have had have been quick to resolve.  He also, stated that at least sixty properties have been cleaned up with only a letter sent to them.  Ron stated that the survey that had been sent out came back with around 76% strongly agreeing and 14-15% somewhat agreeing that they liked the idea of the township being cleaned up.

Jim Griffith stated that he thinks talking to the property owners about any issues, would be better that sending them a letter.

OLD BUSINESS

Master Plan Update- Ron Shaver requested to approve the resolution. He asked the board if they had any questions.  Pam Altimus and Jim Griffith both had questions.  Ron then asked the board to document in writing all questions and concerns and to bring them to the Planning Commission Meeting this Thursday, December 4, 2008.

NEW BUSINESS

Office Equipment for the new clerk- Teresa Ives requested to have the board purchase a two drawer filing cabinet and office supplies to get her started.  Ron Shaver made the motion to approve up to $300.00 for office equipment and supplies, Pam Altimus seconded, motion carried.

Teresa Ives, Clerk- Requested that the board purchase the Peachtree Update for the 2009 Payroll System.  Carroll Parmeter made a motion to approve up to $275.00 for the update, Jim Griffith seconded, motion carried.

Teresa Ives, Clerk- Requested that the board purchase business cards for her.  Ron Shaver made a motion to approve the business cards, Carroll Parmeter seconded, motion carried.

Teresa Ives, Clerk- Requested that the board approve for her and her deputy to attend the Michigan Township Association Educational Conference in Detroit that will be held in January 2009.  Ron Shaver mad a motion that two board members attend the conference with all expenses paid, seconded by Carroll Parmeter, motion carried.

Carroll Parmeter, Supervisor- Stated that he has some information from ZCSS a company from Three Rivers.  They have been listing the cemeteries that are in the townships for St. Joseph County on the townships’ web sites.  Carroll Parmeter stated that if there is any interest to this then he could have the gentleman come and speak to the board.  Teresa Ives, clerk will put this on the agenda for next month.  There is an issue with our web site that needs to be addressed on updating information.

APPROVAL OF EXPENDITURES

Jim Griffith made a motion to approve the expenditures for the month, Pam Altimus seconded, motion carried.

ADJOURNMENT

Jim Griffith made the motion to adjourn, Pam Altimus, seconded, motion carried, with the meeting adjourning at 8:33pm

Next Meeting Date:  January 5, 2009 at 7pm