Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

April 19, 2010

The regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board was called to order at 7:30 p.m. by Supervisor Jim Brow in the meeting room of the Baroda Township Municipal Building. Those present: Jim Brow, Amy Hemphill, Susan Newcomer, Wendie Shafer, and David Wolf, along with eleven audience members.

Paul Livernois, Manager of Community Relations for Michigan Gas Utilities spoke briefly to the Board.

He answered questions from the Board and audience.

State Representative Sharon Tyler spoke briefly to update the Board and residents on the work she is doing on several committees within the State government.

ANNUAL DEPARTMENT REPORTS

Chief Gary Ruhl reported on the activities of the Baroda-Lake Police Department for the 2009-2010 fiscal year. He reported that of the 1,789 calls made by the department, 408 were in Baroda Township (excluding the Village). He also reported that the Police Department has hired a fourth full time officer effective May 1, 2010. The department plans to auction unneeded equipment and recovered unclaimed items including several bicycles on May 13, 2010 at Glassman’s in Eau Claire. The annual report accompanies the minutes.

Griffin Ott reported that the Fire department had gone on 35 calls in the past year. He said they had given 6 mutual aid calls and had received 2. He reported that Doug deBest had written a grant for a 50% match to purchase light weight flame resistant firefighter suits . He had one of the suits on display. He reported that the average response time is 6.31 minutes. The report accompanies the minutes.

Wendie Shafer reported that the Planning Commission had completed work on the Master Plan update and had approved three Special Land use permits and had worked on adding a Campground Ordinance to the Zoning Ordinance. The report accompanies the minutes.

There were no building officials present to give reports. The reports accompany the minutes

TREASURER’S REPORT - Checking Account Balances

General Fund – $146,106 Baroda Police Fund – $154.899

Rubbish Fund - $114,202 Fire Maintenance Fund – $113,658

Trust and Agency Fund $292 Fire Equipment Fund – $125,736

Water Fund – $50,186 Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $89,995

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $79,672

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer noted that the monthly bills report show the bills for the previous month rather that to the date of the meeting. This will closer reflect the amounts given on the Treasurer’s report. The Planning Commission report was given as part of the Annual report noted above.

Wendie Shafer presented the Community Promotion requests for 2010-2011. David Wolf moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to pay out the community promotion contract requests from the Baroda 5KRun/Walk - $500, Baroda& Community Seniors - $600, Barodafest - $1000, Baroda Firemen’s Assoc (Fireworks)- $1000, Baroda Blossom Time Committee and Float Committee - $1100, Baroda American Legion - $350. These requests are unchanged from the preceding year.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Discussion was held concerning the charges for rubbish pick up at the 24 units at the Hickory Creek Apartments on Cleveland Ave. It was agreed that the Board needs to meet with Henry Valkema to resolve the issue.

A meeting is scheduled with Ben Schwartz to finalize language for a ballot proposal for funding for the contract with Lincoln Twp. Library.

NEW BUSINESS – After a brief discussion, David Wolf moved, seconded by Jim Brow to approve a change in the matching percentage for the Park Grant Application from 25% to 26% due to the decrease in construction costs. By roll call vote- All Yes. Resolution adopted

Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to approve granting the Fire Department the use of the Municipal building garage after the Police Department moves into the new Lake Township Public Safety building. Vote all yes. Motion Carried.

The draft of a new police agreement was distributed, but discussion was tabled with a recommendation that a joint meeting be held between the Lake and Baroda Townships on the subject.

Supervisor, Jim Brow nominated Jason Steffes to fill the vacant position on the Planning Commission.

David Wolf moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to appoint Jason Steffes to the Baroda Township Planning Commission. Vote – All Yes. Motion carried.

Jim Brow presented the 2009 – 2010 budget report.

Gaye Blind from Prism Science & Technology spoke briefly about wishing to work on conservation plans for Singer and Hess Lakes. She noted that Singer Lake is one of the few cold water Trout lakes in the Country. Due to its unique nature she feels that Singer Lake, in particular, should be watched closely for signs of environmental impact of residential activities. She said she would like to contact the residents association on the Lake to begin developing a conservation plan

CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of the March 15, 2010 Baroda Township Board meeting and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed. After discussion, Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer, to approve the Minutes of the last Board meeting, the Treasurers' Report and the Township Bills. Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried.

SUPERVISORS COMMENTS – Jim Brow reported that Electrical Inspector, Ed Steinke is in the hospital and will be unable to do any inspections for some time. He said that Ken Simpson will fill in for him until he is able to return to work.

Jim reported that Ron Ellsworth is making progress on cleaning up his property. He said that several tons of scrap had been removed.

PUBLIC COMMENT- Mrs. Terry Freehling spoke about the costs and issues associated with drain work done along Cleveland Avenue on the Fowler Drain. She is concerned that the drain was not properly excavated because the banks of the drain are already beginning to slide toward the bottom and is wondering if their assessment will be increased again when the drain has to be redone. She also asked if it would be possible to have the Park Plan available for view at the next Board meeting.

Another resident would like the Township Board to do something about his neighbors burning large amounts of brush in their back yard, flooding the neighborhood with smoke causing allergy problems for some residents. He was encouraged to call the Fire Department to put out the fire.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor Jim Brow at 9:20 p.m. The next regularly scheduled Township board meeting is Monday, May 17, 2010.

Submitted by,

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk