Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of March 13, 2017

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:00 pm on Monday, March 13, 2017, in the township board room.

Members Present: Heidi Tice, Supervisor; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Ron Becklin, Greg Hulka, Jeff Jacobs, and Denise Winebarger.
Members Absent: Andrea Anderson, excused.

At 8:50pm, Supervisor Tice opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed with a prayer.

Also Present: 1– residents, 2 – employees, 1- guests, Public Safety Director, Brian Michelli; and Director of Public Utilities, Ron Langlois.

The motion by Ron Becklin, supported by Greg Hulka, was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of February 27, 2017 as presented.

The motion by Ron Becklin, supported by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda for March 13, 2017 with the following change: Removal of item B (Public Safety Director evaluation and contract renewal) that needs to be discussed with the Public Safety Committee before coming to the Board.

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1) Michigan Townships Association legislative updates of March 3 & 10, 2017
2) Heidi Tice Announced that the tire clean up event would be held on May 13, 2017
3) Brian Michelli reported that energy saving LED lights were installed at Fire Station #2 resulting in $125 savings on the first month’s electric bill. The fire budget will also be receiving a $1,200 rebate for the new radiant heating system that was recently installed.
4) Brian Michelli also reported that the Police Department has been busy with increased drug busts.
5) Ron Langlois announced that 2 new DPW trucks were ordered in February and will be arriving in May. Cost for both trucks is $66,000.
6) Heidi Tice shared Clean-Up Days will be May 5 & 6, 2017

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS – none received

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

17-033 Discussion of proposed 2017-2018 budget
Proposed budgets were discussed in detail. Continued discussion, budget public hearing, and adoption will take place at the next meeting on March 27, 2017.

17-034 Discussion of May 5 & 6, 2017 Clean Up Days
As Heidi Tice reported earlier in the meeting, Clean-Up Days will take place May 5 & 6, 2017. The City of Muskegon and the Village of Fruitport will donate use of front end loaders; Fruitport Township DPW will provide a backhoe.

17-035 Approve Supervisor to seek RFP’s for internet service
The motion by Rose Dillon, supported by Ron Becklin, carried unanimously, to approve Supervisor Tice to go out for bids for Township internet services. It was asked that any recommendations for IT would be brought to her.

17-036 Approve water rate increase
Greg Hulka, supported by Ron Becklin, MOTION CARRIED, to approve a water rate increase of $0.30 per 1,000 gallons to begin April 1, 2017. This includes $0.27 for Regional Water Authority infrastructure and system improvements and $0.03 increase from the City of Muskegon. The infrastructure and system improvements are covered 80% by the City of Norton Shores and 20% by Fruitport Township. The last increase in Fruitport Township’s water rate occurred in 2009. Upon completion of a water/sewer rate study being performed by Prein & Newhof Engineering results could potentially require another rate increase in the fall.

Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None

17-037 Approve REU (Residential Equivalent Unit) transfer to Shoreline Promenade
Greg Hulka, supported by Ron Becklin, MOTION CARRIED, to approve DPW’s recommendation to reduce Shoreline Promenade’s water and sewer REU’s from 9.309 to 6.5 leaving a transferable balance of 2.809 water REU’s and 2.247 sewer REU’s. A three year average was used when determining what REU’s should be reduced to.

Ayes: Becklin, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
Abstain: Jeff Jacobs (due to his brother’s ownership of Shoreline Promenade) 

17-038 Payment of bills
Ron Becklin moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund & Parks $6,263.34; Public Safety $17,931.28; Water $55,754.73; Sewer $20,378.29
Totaling: $100,327.64

Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None

PUBLIC COMMENTS: PART II – None received

ADDITIONAL REPORTS: 1) Ron Becklin gave report of no new happenings with the Muskegon Recreation Partnership.

The motion by Ron Becklin, supported by Denise Winebarger, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 9:21pm.

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK
HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR