Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

February 15, 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 one audience member.

 

DEPARTMENT REPORTS   Chief Gary Ruhl reported that there is an ongoing investigation of the two incidences of vehicles being shot on Snow and Landon Roads that were reported last month.  He reported that the new Public Safety Building being built in Lake Township is ahead of schedule and is about 75% complete.  The projected moving date for the Police department is in Mid June.  Chief Ruhl reported that another Drug stop had been made by John Hopkins netting $8,600 in seized money. 

 

TREASURER’S REPORT  - Checking Account Totals:          

General Fund – $91,229.00                              Baroda Police Fund – $31,278

Rubbish Fund - $27,194.00                              Fire Maintenance Fund – $56,194.00  

Trust and Agency Fund $352                            Fire Equipment Fund – $39,437          

Water Fund – $48,409.00                                Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $29,014.00

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $7,257.00

           

Susan Newcomer distributed the Treasurers report.

 

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Clerk Shafer brought two bills to the Township Board for discussion.  A bill from Troff Petzke and Ammeson for a phone call from a Baroda resident was charged to the Township.  It was the consensus of the Township Board the bill should be paid by the resident since no permission was given by the Board for the contact.  A bill for $500 from the Village of Baroda for snow plowing at the Municipal buildings was presented for discussion.  It was decided that Jim Brow will speak with Bob Getz about it. 

 

Wendie Shafer reported that the Planning Commission had recommended amending the Township Zoning Ordinance changing the minimum lot size in the agricultural zone to two (2) acres, with out having the five (5) acre minimum needed for livestock and horses as is now required. Discussion followed.  It was agreed that the Planning Commission should proceed with the amendment process. Shafer reported that Madeleine Carroll has moved out of Michigan and has become ineligible to continue serving on the Planning Commission.

 

UNFINISHED BUSINESS -   Supervisor, Jim Brow presented a contract from            

Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, and Rhodes PLC. for developing an intergovernmental agreement for police protection for Baroda and Lake Townships.  He said that the cost of the project was quoted for $5,700 to be shared equally by Lake and Baroda Townships.

It was discussed and recommended that each of the Board members list requirements and questions be submitted to the company to aid in the creation of the agreement.  Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer, to agree to the terms of the contract to hire the firm Fahey, Schultz, Burzych, and Rhodes PLC to assist Baroda and Lake Charter Townships in creating an intergovernmental agreement for the police department. Vote - All Yes.  Motion Carried

 

NEW BUSINESS – Supervisor, Jim Brow brought up an issue concerning the funding of the rubbish pick up at the Hickory Creek Apartment building complex.  Julie Nitz, manager of the apartments reported that Hickory Creek apartments has never used roll carts and has always used two large dumpsters for their rubbish collection.  She said that she feels it is not fair that they should have to pay for roll cart service, which they are not using, as well as paying for the dumpsters.  After discussion, it was decided that Jim will talk with Henry Valkema from Michiana to see what can be done to solve the problem.

 

CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of the January 18, 2010 Baroda Township Board meeting and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed.  After discussion, Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by David Wolf, 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 he had received a quote from the Berrien County Road Commission for $24,750 to gravel Keehn Road at each end where houses are present.  Jim reported that even if the roadway was graveled, the adjacent fields would still be above the road and there would still be problems with flooding and washing out of the road.  It was decided not to spend that money on Keehn road at this time. 

 

Jim reported that he had attended a meeting hosted by the Southwestern Michigan Planning Commission concerning connecting the area by bicycle and pedestrian trails.  He presented a map showing the trails that already exist saying that the meeting was meant to focus on where more trails should be constructed.

 

Jim proposed that the Board members think about the possibility of selling 10 acres of undeveloped Park land to fund improvements to the present park facilities.  He said that a local realtor has offered to sell the property for us and will charge no commission.  Susan mentioned that there is a family activity called geo catching that can be done at parks. 

 

Susan Newcomer mentioned that she had learned at the MTA conference that the Assessor must be treated as an employee, but that inspectors can either be considered employees or independent contractors.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT- None

 

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor Jim Brow at 8:24 p.m.

The next meeting of the Baroda Township Board is a budget meeting scheduled for Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 7:p.m. in the Municipal Building.  The next regularly scheduled Township board meeting is Monday, March 15, 2010.

 

Submitted by,

 

 

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk