The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on February 12, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. by Supervisor Kenneth Vredenburg at the Township Hall at 14132 Pierce Road, Stanwood, MI, 49346.

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

There was one guest present.

Minutes: Moved by John Conforte, supported by Carolyn Towsley to accept the minutes as presented. Motion carried.

Finance Report: We received our next Revenue Sharing check. There is one more check to come. We also received the Independent Bank year end interest. Moved by Elizabeth G. Carr, supported by John Conforte to accept the Finance Report as presented. Carried subject to audit.

Payment of the Bills: Moved by John Brockway, supported by John Conforte to pay the Township Bills-check #’s 7915-7929 and the Cemetery check # 1461, and to present for review Fire Department check #’s 4709-4724 and First Responder check #’s 1329-1343. Motion carried.

Unfinished Business:

1. Fire Department and First Responder Report: Michelle Graham, Susan Sikkema, and John Boyd to the Fire Board. The new Fire Board Officers are John Boyd-Fire Board Chairman, Michelle Graham-Vice Chairman, Carolyn Towsley-Secretary, and Elizabeth Carr-Treasurer. Greg Babbitt and Susan Sikkema are trustees. There were 79 Fire Department runs in 2012 and144 First Responder runs. 23% of the First Responder runs were in Austin Township, 75% in Morton Township, 2% were out of area, and 3% were on the expressway. The Fire Board approved the purchase of the items on the short term needs list. The Fire Board also recommends a $66,000.00 Budget for the 2013-2014 Budget Year to help cover the costs of site visits.

2. Assessor/Supervisor Report: Board of Review training will be February 16, 2013 at Chippewa Hills. The Board of Review will be having their organizational meeting on March 5, 2013.The Board of Review meeting dates are March 11, 2013 from 9-12 am and 1-4 pm, and on March 13, 2013 from 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm. Our taxable value is up from $55.6 million to $55.9 million. Morton Township is anticipating passing the same road ordinance as we did concerning Buchanan Road.

3. Clerk’s Report: There are new posting requirements added to the Open Meetings Act. The Michigan Secretary of State’s Office will begin issuing Michigan driver’s licenses and ID cards to participants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. This will also apply to limited term customers who are verified to be here legally with employment cards, student visas and other temporary visas. More information can be found at: www.michigan.gov/sos.

4. Roads: We will not be laying any blacktop this year. We have received the 2013 Road Commission estimate and will be in conversation with them about the stump removal on 9 Mile. As of this date they have not finished cutting the trees along the road.

 

5. Fire Department Budget: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by John Brockway to keep the keep the Fire Department Budget share for Austin Township at $30,000.00. Austin Township is willing to add to Wages at the end of the year if needed to cover the extra expense of site visits. 3-yeas, 1-nay, 1-abstain. Motion carried.

6. Banks: Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Brockway to propose to move the Austin Township funds from Chemical Bank to Isabella Bank as our primary depositor and to have the total transfer of funds to be complete at the start of our new 2013-2014 Fiscal Year. Motion carried. Signees on the account will be the Treasurer, Deputy Treasurer, Clerk, and Deputy Clerk.

7. Resolution 2013-1:

RESOLUTION 2013-1

RESOLUTION TO CHANGE BANKING FACILITIES

WHEREAS: The Board of the Township of Austin, Mecosta County has moved to adopt Isabella Bank as its primary depositor

WHEREAS: To comply with MCL41.77 and MCL129.91

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of the Township of Austin, Mecosta County resolves to move the Austin Township funds from Chemical Bank to Isabella Bank and to designate Isabella Bank as our primary depositor and to have the total transfer of funds to be complete at the start of our new 2013-2014 Fiscal Year.

The foregoing resolution offered by Board Member Carolyn Towsley and supported by Board Member John Brockway

On the Twelfth day of February, 2013

Roll Call Vote:

Carolyn Towsley-yes

John Conforte-yes

John Brockway-yes

Elizabeth G. Carr-yes

Kenneth Vredenburg-yes

Resolution adopted.

_____________________ Clerk

I, Elizabeth G. Carr, the duly elected and acting Clerk of Austin Township, hereby certify that the foregoing resolution was adopted by the Township Board of Austin Township at the

regular meeting of said Board held on February 12, 2013, at which meeting a quorum was present, by a roll call vote of said members as hereinbefore set forth; that said resolution was ordered to take immediate effect.

___________________________ Clerk

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Elizabeth G. Carr

Austin Township Clerk