The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order by Supervisor Kenneth Vredenburg at the Township Hall at 14132 Pierce Road, Stanwood, Michigan, 49346 on July 14, 2015 at 7:38 p.m.

Present were: Kenneth Vredenburg, Elizabeth G Carr, Carolyn Towsley, Sandra Mayo, and John Brockway.

Public Comment: There will be an open house for the new Mecosta County Morgue on July 27^th.

Minutes: Moved by Sandra Mayo, supported by John Brockway to accept the minutes with a correction to RESOLUTION 2015-02: “The foregoing resolution was moved by Carolyn Towsley, and supported by John Brockway. Elizabeth G Carr was absent.” Motion carried.

Financial Report: The F-65 Audit will be Thursday, July 16^th. We have received the Charter Franchise fees and land division fees. The Fire Department transferred $1,623.00 left over from their budget last year from Isabella Bank to Independent Bank. Beth printed the First Responder Quarterly payment to the State of Michigan and the First Responder checks for the second quarter because Clerk is not set up to do payroll yet at Mecosta Township. The Cemetery has bought back Betty Schmidt’s plot. The Property Tax Account has a balance of $77.59 as of June 30^th.

Payment of the Bills: Moved by John Brockway, supported by Sandra Mayo to approve for payment Township check #’s 8518-8536 and Cemetery check#’s1533-1536 , and to present for review, Fire Department checks #’s 5057-5061 and First Responder check #’s 1511-1521. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

1.       Fire Department and First Responder Report: The Fire Department and First Responder Financial Books have been moved to Mecosta Township as of June 30^th. As mentioned previously, the Austin Township Clerk printed the checks for the second quarter payroll checks and the second quarter State of Michigan tax check for Mecosta Township because they didn’t have payroll set up yet. However, the checks were signed by the Clerk and Treasurer of Mecosta Township because all of the accounts are now in their name. Mecosta County has switched all their radios over to 800 MHz. This has caused some problems with communication amongst the Fire and Rescue personnel who still have vhf radios. They are only able to communicate for updates through Central Dispatch. New radios will cost approximately $1,600.00 apiece.

2.       Assessor and Supervisor Report: The Board of Review will meet Tuesday, July 21^st for corrections and PRE’s.

3.       Treasurer’s Report: 13% of taxpayers have paid 5% of the summer taxes so far. The MCTA meeting will be July 27^th at Fork Township at 7:00 p.m. Our Senator and Representative will speak about Highway proposals. MTA will also have an information sheet available at the meeting also. I attended the Economic Development Meeting. The guest speaker discussed the energy situation and resources in Michigan. The Federal Government will be closing nine coal plants. The theater will not be upgraded this year. The Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Offices would like to relocate from their current premises, office space and parking being very limited. Ferris will be offering a nine-week-class on heavy manufacturing.

4.       Clerk’s Report: We have received our refund check from Michigan Municipal League.

New Business:

1.       FOIA: We must have a resolution that establishes cost and a form to be filled out by the applicant. The information can be displayed on our website. Sandy will follow up on the particulars for next month’s agenda.

2.       Township Hall Cleaning: Lori Brockway will assume the cleaning duties for the Township Hall.

Adjourned at 8:37 p.m.

Elizabeth G Carr

Austin Township Clerk