A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, February 22, 2016, in the township board room.

Members Present: Brian Werschem; Carol Hulka, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Ron Becklin, Dave Markgraf, and Marjorie Nash

Member Absent: Trustee Chuck Whitlow–excused

Also Present: many residents; Public Safety Director, Michelli and DPW Director, Farrar

At 7:00 p.m., Supervisor Werschem opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed with a prayer.

The meeting minutes of February 8, 2016, regular meeting, were approved as presented.

The motion by Rose Dillon, seconded by Carol Hulka, was carried unanimously, to amend the meeting agenda of February 22, 2016, by adding Public Comments after Badge Presentations.

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1) Michigan Townships Association legislative updates
2) Planning Commission minutes dated February 16, 2016
3) Muskegon County Chapter of Michigan Townships Association quarterly meeting will be held at Fruitport Township on February 29th
4) Bike Time is scheduled for July 16 – 18

16-023  Badge Presentations
Badges were presented to three Township employees in their new positions during a badge presentation.  Brian Michelli, Public Safety Director, was presented his badge from Supervisor Werschem; David Mayette, Battalion Chief, was presented his badge from Public Safety Director, Brian Michelli; and Adam Morse, full time fire fighter, was presented his badge from Public Safety Director, Brian Michelli.

PUBLIC COMMENTS  –  PART 1
The following residents voiced their opinions concerning the township superintendent issue-

Linda Corinti, Oak Street

Mac McKenna, Silver Birch

Ron Cooper, E. Pontaluna

Greg Dillon, Josephine

Marty Hulka, East Broadway who also gave an overview of a legal opinion on this issue of a township superintendent written by resident and Attorney James Waters

Mariann Cooper, E. Pontaluna

Laura Oldt, 1st Street

Sandra Engle, E. Ellis

Greg Hulka, Romedius

Mark Carmean, E. Fruitport

Kim West, N. Point Drive

Ruth Vanderstelt, 6th. Street

Julie Wright, Vandenberg

Bruce DeVries, Pontaluna

County Commissioner, Marv Engle, Sheridan, handed out statutory duties of Township Supervisor, Township Clerk, Township Treasurer, and Township Board

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
16-024  Consideration of Township Superintendent
(a.)  Marjorie Nash moved, Dave Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to un-table the consideration of a township superintendent.

Ayes: Nash, Markgraf, Becklin, Dillon, Hulka, Werschem
Nays: None

(b.)  Marjorie Nash moved, Dave Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to remove the topic of township superintendent from the agenda for good with no further discussion.

Ayes: Nash, Markgraf, Becklin, Dillon, Hulka  Werschem
Nays: None

16-025  2016-2017 Budget
Further discussion took place concerning the 2016-2017 budget with adjustments added including new voting machines and a new cemetery map.

NEW BUSINESS:
16-026   Fruitport Lions OFD Event Agreement
Rose Dillon moved, seconded by Dave Markgraf, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the Fruitport Lions Old Fashioned Days agreement as presented.

Ayes: Dillon, Markgraf, Hulka, Nash, Becklin, Werschem
Nays: None

16-027   Truth in Taxation Public Hearing
(a.) Rose Dillon moved, seconded by Dave Markgraf, MOTION CARRIED, to open the Truth in Taxation hearing at 7:57 p.m.

Ayes: Dillon, Markgraf, Hulka, Nash, Becklin, Werschem
Nays: None

(b.)  Public Hearing: The Supervisor announced the proposed millage rates as follows: General Fund at the millage rate of .9965, Public Safety at 1.50 mills, Police at 1.00 mills and street lighting at .45 mills. Supervisor Werschem added that the rates are the lowest in Muskegon County.

Sandra Engle, E. Ellis, questioned the police and fire percentages on the budget.

Marty Hulka, East Broadway, commented on the street lights.

The Board discussed the police and fire renewal millage and the police renewal millage that will be on the May ballot.

No further discussion was heard. Budget adoption of the 2016-2017 townships budgets will be done at the next meeting on March 14, 2016.

(c.)  The motion by Dave Markgraf, supported by Ron Becklin, was Carried Unanimously, to close the public hearing at 8:05 p.m. and return to open session.

16-028  Liquor License Application West Star Management LLC
Brian Werschem moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to deny the application from West Star Management, LLC for a Class C and Specially Designated Merchant license to be located at 1720 E. Sternberg Road, Suite 80, Muskegon, MI 49444. It was recommended that the business owner further talk with officials regarding potential building and fire code violations.

16-029  Payoff of Fire Truck 562
The motion by Ron Becklin, seconded by Marjorie Nash, was Carried Unanimously, to table this issue until the next board meeting.

16-030  New Fire Truck to Replace Outgoing Truck
The motion by Ron Becklin, seconded by Marjorie Nash, was Carried Unanimously, to table this issue until the next board meeting.

16-031   Payment of Bills
Dave Markgraf moved, seconded by Carol Hulka, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills for payment in the following amounts: General Fund & Parks $15,995,73; Public Safety $24,939.12; Totaling: 40,934.85

Ayes: Markgraf, Hulka, Dillon, Nash, Becklin, Werschem
Nays:  None

REPORTS – None

PUBLIC COMMENTS – PART II
Ruth Vanderstelt, 6th Street, expressed the desire to have a Citizens Committee in Fruitport Township.  Resident Chuck Larson agreed and offered to be on the committee.

Laura Oldt, 1st Street, commented on a use for the township marquee located in front of the township hall, would be to post when meetings are held.

ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

CAROL HULKA, CLERK
BRIAN WERSCHEM, SUPERVISOR