The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on December 13, 2011 at 7:33 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 Conforte, and John Brockway.
Public Comment: Commissioner Ray Steinke reported on the results of the County’s PRE (Principal Residence Exemptions) and the Mecosta County Animal Shelter.
Minutes: Unfinished Business #4 should read: “Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to pay the $195.25 warranty and maintenance fee”. #6 Jaws should read: “We would also use the approximately $600.00 the Fire Department has in savings towards the purchase of JAWS.” Moved by John Brockway, supported by John Conforte to accept the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: 78% of the taxes have been received. That is the highest percentage since 1977. One CD is set to expire in January. Carried subject to audit.
Payment of the Bills: Check #7634 needs to be split between the Treasurer and Assessor. Presented for payments Township check numbers 7628-7644 and Cemetery check numbers1433-1434, and for review Fire Department check numbers 4529-4558 and First Responders check number 1262. Moved by John Brockway and supported by Carolyn Towsley to pay the bills. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business:
1. Fire Dept. and First Resp. Report: VanManen will not furnish a new double wall tank. We need to have one in place before 2013 to meet the new safety standards. The wording on SOG#4 was changed, edited, and adopted. The Fire Board approved the purchase of lighting and vinyl lettering on the new 6x6. We will be taking the tanks from 3-21 for scrap. We have no bids to purchase the truck that we are able to accept. We will not accept less than $3750.00 for the truck. Physicals with hearing and pulmonary tests were authorized. Extrication and SCBA training have been completed. The Fire Department has received an application from Emily Terpstra. Linda Knapp left the department around December 1st. NIMS Training will be held at the Fire Hall on January 11th, February 8th, and March 14, 2012. The Fire Board held a Special Meeting on December 1, 2011. The Fire Board approved the purchase of the Genesis Jaws for $28, 033.95 plus $300.00-$500.00 shipping. Also $500.00 was approved to reimburse Weeks Junk Yard for the wrong vehicle being used for JAWS training.
2. Assessor/Supervisor Report: There were no corrections at the BOR meeting.
3. Treasurer’s Report: I have received the agreement from the Chippewa Hills School District to do their summer taxes at $3.00/parcel. The agreement is accepted.
4. Clerk’s Report: The invoice from Election Source for the Optech Insight Annual Preventative Maintenance Agreement was $235.00. Per the 2010 Census, our Senate District changed from #35 to #33. Also our County Commissioner district changed from District #4 to District #5. I will be getting some bids for an accountant to replace Kandy’s Accounting for the filing of the Austin Township taxes. There is clerk’s election training in Lansing. There is no charge for the training other than the gas money to get there and back. If there is still room in the class, I would like to take Cheryl Wensloff -Deputy Clerk to the training.
5. Unclaimed and Foreclosed Properties: 33 foreclosed parcels have been moved back to Austin Township. They are all undeveloped lots at Canadian Lakes. If we accept them back we would need to pay Association fees. If Canadian Lakes takes the properties back they would need to pay taxes. Otherwise we need to notify the State of Michigan that we are returning the properties to them. Canadian Lakes is interested in three of the lots as green space or for possible expansion near current buildings. We will only lose about .75 per lot, but the schools and county will lose significant more in revenue.
Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Brockway to give authority to Supervisor Kenn Vredenburg to reach an agreement with the Canadian Lakes Assoc. and to reject and return the rest of the parcels to the State of Michigan. Motion carried.
The State of Michigan would like a report on all the unclaimed properties. We have one possible property that is unclaimed. We will report to the State when we have determined the status of the property.
6. Jaws: The Mecosta Austin Fire Department researched three different models. They paid special attention to the balance, weight, cutting force, and the rating of the cutter/spreader. Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to pay Austin Township’s half of the $28, 033.95 for the Genesis Rescue Systems Jaws apparatus plus shipping minus the $600.00 the fire department has towards the purchase of Jaws. Motion carried.
7. Liquor License: Resolution 2011-3: Moved by Kenneth Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to approve - That the request from MCC Mecosta Food & Beverage, LLC to transfer membership interest in 2010 licensing year in a 2011 Class C, Resort B Hotel licensed business with Dance-Entertainment Permit, located at 12009 Tulleymore, Stanwood, MI, 49346, Austin Township, Mecosta County, wherein existing member, Ronald A. Marino transferred 33.3 membership interest each to new member, Richard P. Marino and Robert J. Marino. – be considered.
Kenneth Vredenburg-yes
Elizabeth G. Carr-no
Carolyn Towsley-no
John Conforte-no
John Brockway-no
Resolution disapproved.
Adjourned at 9:44 p.m.
Elizabeth G. Carr
Austin Township Clerk