Minutes of the Baroda Township Board Meeting

March 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 eight audience members.

LIBRARY REPORT Dave Bailey director of the Lincoln Township Library presented a history of the relationship between Baroda Township and the Library. He presented a proposed 4 year contract to be paid on a per capita basis. It was mentioned that the Township Board is planning to put funding toward the Library on the August primary ballot as a millage proposition. Board members said that the Township Board could consider only a one year contract.

DEPARTMENT REPORTS Officer Shawn Martin 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 John Hopkins does 16 hours of training per month with the Drug Dog Elmo.

Richard Herrman reported that the Fire Department had five fire calls so far this year. He said that the Fire Department has a full roster and Christian Nitz is taking the Fire Training Classes in high school. He reported that the new lightweight suits for fighting grass fires have arrived. One half of the price of the suits is to be paid for by a grant.

TREASURER’S REPORT - Checking Account Balances

General Fund – $101,074 Baroda Police Fund – $31,285

Rubbish Fund - $42,233 Fire Maintenance Fund – $52,637

Trust and Agency Fund $467 Fire Equipment Fund – $39,446

Water Fund – $48,420 Baroda-Lake Police Fund – $12,217

Baroda-Lake Drug Forfeiture Fund – $94,082

Susan Newcomer discussed the checks and balance procedures Baroda Township staff follows in order to avoid possible occurrence of fraud in the handling of the Township’s monies. She mentioned that the Treasure and Clerk each balance to the checking account monthly statements, and the requirement for two signatures on a check, and the reporting to the Township Board of checks disbursed each month, as well as a monthly detailed accounting of the Township’s finances. She then gave the Treasurer’s report.

CLERK’S and PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT – Wendie Shafer read a letter from the Village of Baroda speaking about looking forward to working with the Township Planning Commission to work toward goals listed in the updated Baroda Township Master Plan. She reported that the Planning Commission has been unable to reach a consensus on what the minimum setbacks should be for Agricultural lots having animals.

The Clerk recommended to amend the Building Fund budget by changing the line for building Inspector’s salary to $3500, changing the line for Electrical Inspector’s salary to $2500, changing the line for Mechanical Inspector’s salary to $1000, and changing the line for the Plumbing Inspector’s Salary to $600 as a means of creating a balanced budget. Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to amend the Building fund as presented. Vote - All Yes. Motion Carried.

Supervisor Jim Brow Opened the Public Hearing for a re-application of the Grant application to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund for improvements to the Park. He noted that in order to improve our chances from the last application it had been recommended by Jaime Harmon of Wightman and Associates that the Board could adopt a new policy of opening the reservation of the Park to the general public instead of only to Township residents. And that the Township could work with community organizations such as Gateway to improve our standing. Jim Brow and Jaime Harmon met with the Gateway director on Monday, March 8, 2010. The director said that Gateway is continually looking for activities for their residents to do. She suggested that they come to the Park weekly to pick up trash on the park grounds and nature walk and wipe the picnic tables after their lunch. There was no public comment. Jim Brow closed the Public hearing for the Grant Re-application.

Jim Brow opened the Public Hearing for the adoption of the Baroda Township Budget.

Richard Herrman reported an error on the Fire Maintenance Fund Salaries for the Chief and Assistant Chief. The correction was made.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS - Discussion was held concerning the charges for rubbish pick up at the 24 units at the Hickory Creek Apartments on Cleveland Ave. David Wolf reported that he had spoken with Henry Valkema and was confident that the situation would be worked out to the satisfaction of all the parties.

NEW BUSINESS – Supervisor, Jim Brow reported that a Fire Chief needed to be appointed. It was suggested that the current Chief Larry Klug be re-appointed for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to re-appoint Larry Klug as fire Chief. Vote – All Yes. Motion Carried

Wendie Shafer presented contracts from RESA for the collection of Summer Taxes for 2010. Susan Newcomer moved seconded by David Wolf to adopt a resolution to collect summer taxes for the area schools for which we have had contracts in the past at the same rates as previously negotiated.

By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

Wendie Shafer presented an application to hold Fireworks at the Lakeshore School “Legion” field on July 3, 2010 from Melrose Pyrotechnics. Jim Brow moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to adopt a resolution to approve the fireworks application from Melrose Pyrotechnics. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

Jim Brow presented a contract from Gerbel & Company to perform the Baroda Township Audit for the 2009-2010 Fiscal Year for not more than $15,000. David Wolf moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to adopt a resolution to approve the contract with Gerbel & Company to perform the Baroda Township audit for the 2009 – 2010 fiscal year at a rate not to exceed $15,000. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

Salary resolutions for each of the offices of the Baroda Township Board were passed as follows: Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to adopt a resolution for the Supervisor’s salary to remain at $23,800 for the fiscal year 2010-2011. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted

David Wolf moved, seconded by Jim Brow to adopt a resolution for the Treasurer’s salary to remain at $18,000 for the fiscal year 2010 – 2011. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes.

Resolution Adopted.

Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Amy Hemphill to adopt a resolution for the Clerk’s salary to remain at $25,350 for the fiscal year 2010 – 2011. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

Jim Brow moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to adopt a resolution for the Trustees salary to remain at $3,250 plus $40 per meeting for the fiscal year 2010 – 2011. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by David Wolf to adopt a resolution to re-apply for a grant, previously developed by Wightman and Associates, to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Trust Fund to improve the Baroda Township Park at Hess Lake according to the terms listed on the application.

By Roll Call Vote – All Yes – Resolution Adopted.

Amy Hemphill moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to adopt a resolution to approve the proposed Baroda Township General Appropriations Act Budget for fiscal year 2010 – 2011 as amended.

By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by David Wolf to adopt a resolution to develop Ballot language and to place Funding for the Library services on the 2010 August Primary Ballot. By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

David Wolf moved, seconded by Susan Newcomer to adopt a resolution to place a proposition for the renewal of the Police millage for the next four years on the 2010 August Primary Ballot.

By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

Amy Hemphill, seconded by Susan Newcomer moved to adopt a resolution to place a proposal for the renewal of the Fire Equipment millage for the next four years on the 2010 August Primary ballot.

By Roll Call Vote – All Yes. Resolution Adopted.

CONSENT AGENDA - Copies of the minutes of he February 15, 2010 Baroda Township Board meeting and Baroda Township Bills for the month were distributed. After discussion, Susan Newcomer moved, seconded by Jim Brow, 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 spoken at length with Mr. William Fahey, a specialist in intergovernmental agreements, about the Police agreement between Baroda and Lake Townships which in the process of being updated.

PUBLIC COMMENT- An audience member asked how zoning of property works between the State and local governments. Staff from Lincoln Township Library offered to meet with member(s) of the Township Board to develop ballot language for the August Primary.

ADJOURNMENT - The meeting was adjourned by Supervisor Jim Brow at 9:05 p.m. The next regularly scheduled Township board meeting is Monday, April 19, 2010.

Submitted by,

Wendie Shafer, Baroda Township Clerk