Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

August 17, 2009

The regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board was called to order at 7:31 p.m. by Supervisor Jim Brow in the meeting room of the Baroda Township Municipal Building. Those present: Jim Brow, Susan Newcomer, Wendie Shafer, and David Wolf, along with 18 audience members. Amy Hemphill was absent

Kim Fowler reported that Ron Ellsworth has made substantial progress toward cleaning up his property. Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Wendie Shafer to table the public hearing and to ask Ron Ellsworth to grant Kim Fowler access to visit Mr. Ellsworth’s property to check progress, and take photographs and report to the Township Board at each monthly meeting through December, 2009. Vote – All Yes. M. C.

Jim Brow opened the TRUTH-IN-TAXATION PUBLIC HEARING. Susan Newcomer explained the by having the hearing the Township is allowed to decrease the amount of the Headlee Rollback for collecting tax millage. The Township can collect $16,639 more by having the hearing, than if the hearing were not held. Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Jim Brow to adopt a resolution to levy the taxes allowed according to the Truth-in-Taxation hearing. Roll Call Vote – Jim Brow-Yes; David Wolf – Yes; Susan Newcomer – Yes; Wendie Shafer – Yes. Resolution Adopted.

LIBRARY REPORT Dina Reilly from the Lincoln Township Library reported that over 1,000 people had participated in the summer reading program and had read over 14,000 items. She said that the Library has changed their policy on charges for making copies. The fee will now be .10 per copy for everyone.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS Chief Gary Ruhl reported that there had been no problems during the August 1, 2009 NIMBY Pond race. He reported that about $7,700 has been raised for the purchase of a drug enforcement dog and training. He said that the Police Board voted to make up for the short-fall in fund raising using monies available in the Baroda-Lake Police Drug Fund. He reported that John Hopkins would be training with the dog for 5 weeks.

Rich Herrman, Secretary of the Baroda Fire Department reported that there had been three fire calls in the past month. One call was a mutual assistance call to Weko Beach involving a grass fire. Another call was for a transformer fire, and the third was to take care of downed wires in the road.

TREASURER’S REPORT

Checking Account Totals:

General Fund – $112,674 Trust & Agency – $291

Baroda Police Fund – $118,286 Rubbish Fund - $33,407

Fire Maintenance Fund – $93,208 Trust and Agency Fund $291

Fire Equipment Fund – $107,122 Water Fund – $44,815

Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $33,212 Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $6,674

Susan Newcomer distributed and reported on a detailed Treasurers report.

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT Wendie Shafer presented a monthly budget comparison report and said that there did not appear to be a need for any budget amendments. She presented a recommendation from the Baroda Township Planning Commission to adopt an amendment to the Baroda Township Zoning Ordinance adding provisions for campgrounds, including recreational vehicle condominium projects.

Wendy Dant-Chesser spoke about the need to encourage business development in the Township as a means to increase the creation of jobs, the tax base, and consumer spending. It was noted that the setback recommended in the ordinance amendment would make a proposed RV Condominium Resort project unfeasible. After discussion, Jim Brow moved, seconded by David Wolf to send the amendment back to the Planning Commission to address decreasing the setback so that a proposed RV Resort project would be able to locate in Baroda Township. Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried

UNFINISHED

David Wolf presented an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Baroda and Baroda Township for Rubbish Collection. This is in conjunction with the Rubbish Ordinance Adopted by Baroda Township in July, 2009. David Wolf moved, seconded by Jim Brow to approve and adopt the Intergovernmental Agreement for Administration and Enforcement of Village of Baroda’s and the Township of Baroda’s Garbage Collection and Disposal Ordinances under Act 35 of 1952, as amended. Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Agreement Adopted.

A vote on the drain work at Cleveland Village was tabled until Roger Zilke addresses the Township Board to explain the work done.

NEW BUSINESS -Acceptance of the Audit report was tabled until September when Bob Gerbel will give his final audit report.

CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of the July 15, 2009 Baroda Township Board meeting, August 10, 2009 Planning Commission; and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed. After discussing, Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by David Wolf, to approve the Minutes of the last Board meetings, the Treasurers' Report and the Township Bills. Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried.

SUPERVISORS COMMENTS – None

AUDIENCE COMMENT Several residents living on Landon Road raised concerns with drain work proposed on Landon Rd.

ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor, Jim Brow at 9:23 p.m.

The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is Monday, September 21, 2009 in the Baroda Township Municipal Building meeting room at 7:30 p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk