Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

July 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 eight audience members.

Jim Brow introduced Greta Hurst who presented a resolution asking the Township Board to support the production of a video highlighting the agricultural history and produce of the area culminating in a community feast to be held in the Fall of 2011. David Wolf moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to approve the resolution for Harvest Feast as presented. Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried.

LIBRARY REPORT – Dave Bailey from the Lincoln Township Public Library reported that nearly 1,000 people have signed up for the summer reading program. Of that number 875 are children, 175 of which are Baroda Township residents. He reported that there is a Base Ball game planned for August 5^th between the House of David and the Berrien County Judges. Mr. Bailey reported that the NASA exhibit will be on display at the Library this summer through September 10th. He reported that a person can go to the Library website, click on library card, and then click on Library value to see what their library usage is worth in monetary terms.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS Chief Gary Ruhl was unable to attend the meeting due to a call. He reported that the Fire Works had gone well and the NIMBY Pond Snowmobile Race event also went well. Susan Newcomer reported that the Baroda-Lake Police had realized about $600 from the auction of unclaimed property collected by the Police Department.

Rich Herrman reported that the money collected for the 3rd of July Fireworks event was not enough to cover the cost of the fireworks this year. He suggested the need for more volunteers to collect donations during the event. Susan Newcomer said that there are plans to block off Placid Drive and to hold the hay wagons at the fireworks grounds until the grounds are cleared of vehicles after the fireworks. Rich Herrman reported that the Fire Department had been called to several grass fires in the past month. Susan reported that the Fire Department is holding a recruitment open house/meeting on August 2^nd at 7pm.

TREASURER’S REPORT - Checking Account Totals:

General Fund – $129,263.00 Baroda Police Fund – $110,803.00

Rubbish Fund - $58,189.00 Fire Maintenance Fund – $79,272.00

Trust and Agency Fund $292.00 Fire Equipment Fund – $117,278.00

Water Fund – $51,974.00 Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $87,336.00

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $37,651

Susan Newcomer distributed and presented the Treasurers report.

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer reported that she is preparing for the August 3^rd Primary election and that a new computer program is being implemented. The E Poll Book should take the place of two precinct workers. It is a computer program that records voters, ballot numbers, and voter history. It does not record how a person voted. The ballots are still marked by the voter and counted by the tabulator.

She reported that the Planning Commission is beginning to gather information toward developing a Wind Energy Ordinance to be included in the Zoning Ordinance. She said that personnel from Citizens Wind Co. will come to present a short program to the Planning Commission at their next meeting

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Jim Brow presented bids from two painting contractors for repairing and painting to be done in the vacated Police Department. The Bids were

1,665.00 and 1,650.00. After discussion, Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to approve the bid by Sun Coast painting. Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried

Jim Brow reported that the court had made a ruling in favor of D’Agostino in the case involving the gravel boat ramp at Singer Lake.

Jim reported that the Township has decided to stay with the law firm Troff, Petzke and Ammeson and will retain Charlie Ammeson for out legal services.

The preliminary Audit report was discussed briefly. A meeting for August 10 with the Township Board and Gerbel staff is to be requested.

NEW BUSINESS – Jim Brow presented a resolution for an update of the Berrien County Hazard Mitigation Plan. After discussion Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by David Wolf to approve the resolution to accept the updated Hazard Mitigation Plan. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried

Jim Brow reported that a meeting is to be held on Tuesday July 20, 2010 with Jewel Stafford from the DNR who is involved in the issuing of Grants for Parks and recreation. Jim invited any Board members who wish to attend.

Wendie Shafer presented a bill submitted by the Village of Baroda for legal services they had incurred pertaining to the Rubbish agreement. It was decided that Jim would tell the Village President that according to the intergovernmental agreement, the Township would be responsible for taking care of the legal matters dealing with the Rubbish Ordinance. There was no vote to reimburse the village for the bill pending receiving a report from the Village on the outcome of the serviced rendered.

Jim Brow reported that according to the new Police Department agreement, Bob Getz will no longer be qualified to serve on the Police Board since he is a reserve police officer. Bob had suggested that Milt Sluder be nominated to the position. Jim had spoken with Milt prior to the meeting and Milt is willing to serve on the Police Board. Susan suggested that a resume or something in writing from Milt should be requested for reference purposes. Jim moved to nominate Milt Sluder to be a member of the Baroda-Lake Police Board, seconded by David Wolf. Vote - All Yes. Motion Carried.

Wendie Shafer reported that Doug deBest is now qualified to teach the ICS 300 and ICS 400 Homeland Security Incident Management courses. He has scheduled classes and has offered them to anyone on the Board or in the Township that wishes to take the courses.

Jim Brow reported that a ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Baroda Tap & Grille is being sponsored by the Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce to be held this Tuesday from 5 - 7:30 p.m.

CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of the June 21, 2010 Baroda Township Board meeting and Baroda Township Bills for June 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 Kim Fowler had sent John Day a notice to prosecute letter concerning the junk trucks on his property. Two vehicle haves been removed. One truck is licensed and a second truck belonging to Mr. Day’s wife is in the process of being repaired.

Jim reported that Ron Ellsworth has not held an auction as was agreed upon last year. It was noted that some of the equipment causing the nuisance has been removed, but no progress has been evident lately. Jim said that Kim Fowler will issue a notice to prosecute letter to him in the near future.

PUBLIC COMMENT- Teri Freehling reminded the Board that Mr. Ellsworth works full time for a farming operation and suggested that the Board should not be too harsh in expecting him to get things cleaned up quickly. Mrs. Freehling also cautioned the Board about the possibility that too much publicity surrounding the Baroda Feast could have an adverse effect on our “casual country charm”.

Tom Lippert asked if there were any plans to resurface Miller Road. He also asked if there had been any complaints about the NIMBY Pond Snowmobile races. Jim reported that a neighbor of the event had called the week prior to the event complaining that snowmobiles were heard running on the pond prior to the event.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor Jim Brow at 8:28 p.m.

The next regular meeting of the Baroda Township Board is scheduled for Monday August 16, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. in the Baroda Municipal Building.

Submitted by Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk