FRUITPORT CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
MEETING MINUTES OF OCTOBER 10, 2016

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30 p.m. on Monday, October 10, 2016, in the township board room.

Members Present: Brian Werschem, Supervisor; Carol Hulka, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Ron Becklin, Dave Markgraf, and Marjorie Nash. Members Absent: Trustee Chuck Whitlow

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

Also Present: 22 – residents, 0 – employees, 0 – guests, and Public Safety Director, Michelli

The meeting minutes of September 26, 2016, regular meeting, were approved as presented.

The meeting agenda for October 10, 2016, was approved as presented.

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1)Michigan Townships Association legislative updates
2)Fruitport Township Parks and Recreation meeting minutes dated August 23 and September 27, 2016
PUBLIC COMMENTS
Kristy and Steve Jones, 5703 Fairview Ct., spoke on the Kendra Road road problem. Many other residents of Stillwater Springs were also in attendance supporting the need to have Kendra Road repaired.

REPORTS—none received

 UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

16-087 Reclamation of Cemetery Plots
Clerk Carol Hulka gave a report on the reclaiming of cemetery burial spaces in Pine Hill Cemetery. After a thorough investigation of forfeiture of unused and neglected burial spaces, 249 sites are able to be reclaimed. In addition, 90 additional grave sites are being added to unoccupied land located behind the mausoleum in Pine Hill Cemetery.

16-088 Fruitport Soccer / Sheringer
Chris Belasco, from the Fruitport Soccer Club, spoke on making some changes to the current Fruitport Soccer Club License Agreement. There was discussion with no action taken.

16-089 Retail Fraud Ordinance – Second Reading and Adoption
Dave Markgraf moved, Carol Hulka supported, MOTION CARRIED, for the adoption of the Retail Fraud Ordinance #798 that will protect the public health, safety, and general welfare by prohibiting certain defined behavior in the Charter Township of Fruitport, and to provide for an effective date which is 30 days after its publication in the Muskegon Chronicle.

This constitutes the second and final reading.

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

 NEW BUSINESS

16-090 Payment of Bills
Dave Markgraf moved, Marjorie Nash seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills for payment in the following amounts: General Fund & Parks $8,384.14; Public Safety $17,955.99; Water $;85,240.86 and   Sewer $588.81.         Totaling:  $ 113,384.68

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

 REPORTS
Public Safety Director, Brian Michelli, reported that inquiries have been coming up regarding whether charitable organizations may solicit contributions in public roadways. In the past, the Township didn’t get involved in this issue. Director Michelli presented a ruling dated July 29, 2016, from Attorney General Bill Schuette, on this matter. The ruling was summed up stating that Rule 713, of the Uniform Traffic Code, prohibits a person in the improved portion of a roadway from soliciting contributions in support of a civic or charitable organization from the occupant of any vehicle.   Mich Admin Code, R 28.1713.

After discussion, the Board agreed to follow the Attorney General’s ruling.

Resident Chuck Larson, Stringer Road, presented a newspaper picture that appeared on the front page of the local Clipper newspaper dated February 11, 1970. The picture was of a Fruitport Township board meeting where officials exchanged views on various issues including combining water supply efforts with the Fruitport Village.

 PUBLIC COMMENTS: PART II –   None received

The motion by Ron Becklin, supported by Dave Markgraf, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 8:09 p.m.

_______________________________           ______________________________

CAROL HULKA, CLERK                              BRIAN WERSCHEM, SUPERVISOR