The Austin Township Board Meeting was called to order on December 14, 2010 at 7:40 p.m. by Supervisor Kenneth Vredenburg at the Township Hall at 14132 Pierce Rd, Stanwood, MI, 49346.
Present were Kenneth Vredenburg, Carolyn Towsley, Elizabeth G. Carr, John Conforte, and John Brockway. There were two guests present.
There was no Public Comment.
Minutes: Corrections to the November 9, 2010-Unfinished Business #1 should read: ‘The new sign donated by Trans Canada/ANR will be discussed.’ #4 should read: ‘We have received our new insurance policy statement and policy booklet.’ Moved by Carolyn Towsley, supported by John Conforte to approve the minutes with corrections. Motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: We have received $16,000.00 in State Shared Revenue since the November Board Meeting. The $6,000.00 donated by ANR for the new Fire Department Sign was deposited in their account on November 30, 2010. Moved by John Conforte, supported by John Brockway to approve the Treasurer’s Report. Carried subject to audit.
Payment of the bills: Moved by John Brockway, supported by John Conforte to pay the bills. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business:
1. Fire Department and First Responder Report: The ISO Report was not in at the time of the Fire Board Meeting. It has arrived since then. We received a 7/10 split rating. If you live within 5 miles of the Fire Department you received a 7 rating. If you live outside the 5 mile range, you received a 10 rating. The Fire Department is still trying to get high-speed internet service. Tucker was going to require a 70 foot tower. Hughes Net is too expensive with a business account. A private account is cheaper. The Fire Board voted to pay for three months of Net Port while they search for a solution. The First Responder Rescue vehicle is all done except for the generator. Marv Bell is still working on getting a refurbished truck from the DNR. There have been eighteen more calls this year than last year. They are about $4,500.00 over in their wages and payroll taxes. The air compressor at the Fire Department is not working. They are borrowing one for the time being. Kenn Vredenburg suggested that they take some money from their Independent Band Capital Outlay account to repair that one or purchase a new air compressor.
2. Supervisor and Assessor Report: Resolution 2010-02 Resolved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to have the Board of Review meet on an alternate date this week.
Kenn Vredenburg-yes John Brockway-yes
John Conforte-yes Carolyn Towsley-yes
Elizabeth G. Carr-yes Motion carried.
The Austin Township tax bills were sent out yesterday by the county for 1 mil instead of 1.25 mils. I received an email today that the legislature was going to move on this tomorrow and that we were first on the agenda. When I checked I didn’t find us on the agenda. Whatever, we can absorb the extra $13,000.00 - $15,000.00 loss and give the taxpayer a break. My only regret is that we didn’t make this decision sooner.
3. Treasurer’s Report: We had Independent Bank CD #21045 for $39,600.00 mature on December 10th. What are your suggestions for renewal? Leave it to roll over for another fourteen months at 1%.
4. Clerk’s Report: We received brochures from the Michigan Municipal League about insurance and from the Michigan Township Association about Worker’s Compensation Self-Insurance Fund. Carolyn will take them and compare them to what we currently have. We need to have a NIMS Resolution to cover the training certificates that Kenn Vredenburg, Carolyn Towsley, and Elizabeth G. Carr received. Kenn will talk to the Equalization Department and see what is necessary.
5. Recycle Agreement: We have received our copy of the Recycle Agreement with Morton Township. We will begin monthly payments in January and continue them until March.
New Business:
1. 2011 Road Projects: In order of priority-Gravel 180th from Johnson Rd to 11 Mile Rd, gravel Polk Rd from Northland Dr to 160th Ave, and in the future gravel 9 Mile from east of 180th to 150th Ave, and work with Colfax Township to gravel and cut down the hills on12 Mile Rd from 150th Ave to 175th Ave. Repairs to Buchanan Rd would be sometime in the future as a safety and cost share project with Federal Funds.
2. Board of Review Appointments: Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by John Brockway to nominate Russ Hopkins, Ron Jensen, and Gloria Parker as the Austin Township Board of Review. Motion carried.
3. AT&T Metro Act Right-of-way Agreement: Moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Carolyn Towsley to give the Austin Township Supervisor authority to sign the AT&T Right-of-way Agreement. Motion carried.
4. Resolution to Adopt the Pre-Approved Volume Submitter Plan: Resolution 2010-03 moved by Kenn Vredenburg, supported by Elizabeth G. Carr to adopt the Pre-Approved Volume Submitter Governmental Non-ERISA Pension Plan sponsored by Burnham & Flower Agency, Inc.
Kenn Vredenburg-yes John Brockway-yes
John Conforte-yes Carolyn Towsley-yes
Elizabeth G. Carr-yes Motion carried.
5. FYI: With the 1 mil in taxes we will collect $59, 859.00. We budgeted for $65,000.00. We will take the funds for the Recycle Agreement with Morton Township out of 750-751 Parks and Recreation.
Adjourned at 9:10 p.m.
Elizabeth G. Carr
Austin Township Clerk