A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, August 28, 2017, in the township board room.
Members Present: Heidi Tice, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Ron Becklin, Jeff Jacobs, Denise Winebarger, and Greg Hulka
Members Absent: none
At 7:05pm, Heidi Tice opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer.
Also Present: 15– residents; 6 – employees; 2- guests; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli; and Attorney, Ron Bultje.
The motion by Rose Dillon, supported by Ron Becklin, was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of August 14, 2017 as presented.
The motion by Rose Dillon, supported by Greg Hulka, was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented with the following additions:
1. Ron Becklin requested that discussion of the Kuis Drain be added as item G under Unfinished Business
2. Heidi Tice requested that the topic of a wage increase for part-time Police Officers be added as item C under New Business.
CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1. Heidi Tice shared an update for Mt. Garfield chip sealing. The portion approved by the board to be paid for the Township came in under the original bid.
2. Heidi Tice gave report that boarder roads have been chip sealed by the Muskegon County Road Commission at no cost to the township.
3. Heidi Tice shared a correspondence from a resident on Pleasantwood Dr.
4. Notice of Hearing for Michigan Gas Utilities Corporation.
5. Brian Michelli reported that a resident perished in a house fire last week. Although a strong response from the fire department was made, the fire was too involved to enter. Another resident perished in a bike vs. car accident.
6. Brian Michelli shared that the Fruitport Lion’s Club is donating $7,500 to equip two additional med trucks, one for each fire station. Lion Russ Stressman presented the check to the board. A big thank you to the Fruitport Lion’s Club for their generous donation.
7. New WEX fuel cards are being used throughout the township providing a discount on fuel.
8. Service requests for hook-up to the new water main on Vandenberg and Summit continue.
9. The cost to replace the culvert on Farr Rd came in less than expected.
PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none received
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
17-126 Adoption- Rental Registration Restatement Ordinance
Ron Becklin moved, Denise Winebarger seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the Rental Registration Restatement Ordinance. Said ordinance will update the current ordinance requiring rental units be registered and maintain a certificate of compliance in the Charter Township of Fruitport.
This constitutes the second and final reading of Amendment Ordinance No. 802.
Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
17-127 Adoption of the Articles of Incorporation for the Greater Muskegon Recreation Partnership
Ron Becklin moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the resolution adopting the Articles of Incorporation of the Greater Muskegon Recreational Partnership.
Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
17-128 Downtown Development Authority (DDA)
Ryan Kilpatrick was present to give a presentation on the development and function of DDA’s. During and after the presentation there was discussion amongst the board, Mr. Kilpatrick, and residents.
It was requested that the supervisor speak with Muskegon County to discuss if they would have interest in refraining from taking the opt-out option.
The topic of a DDA will return to the September 11, 2017 meeting.
17-129 Public Safety Special Assessment District
Ron Bultje has received data on the usage of the areas in question. Before the next board meeting on September 11, 2017, Ron Bultje and Brian Michelli will meet to develop a resolution which will establish a date for a public hearing. Approval of said resolution will come to the board on September 11, 2017. Public hearing is anticipated to be held at a regular meeting on September 25, 2017.
17-130 Approve Mychal VanAllsburg’s Eagle Scout landscape project
The motion by Ron Becklin, supported by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to approve Mychal VanAllsburg’s Eagle Scout landscape project as presented with the ability to make minor changes.
17-131 Discussion of Wesco’s on-site aggregate processing request
A motion to approve an on-site aggregate processing operation was not supported and therefore dropped.
17-132 Kuis Drain discussion
The township will be obligated to pay a portion of the project cost. More information on cost will be available after bids are opened by the Drain Commission. This topic will return to the September 11, 2017 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS:
17-133 Approve township attorney
Current township attorney, Ron Bultje, has relocated from the office of Scholten Fant to the office of Dickinson Wright.
Jeff Jacobs moved, Ron Becklin seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to continue to be represented by Ron Bultje at Dickinson Wright.
The clerk will respond to Scholten Fant informing them of the decision.
Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
17-134 Approve purchase of Tasers
Ron Beckiln moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the purchase of 4 Tasers for Fruitport Police Department. Forfeiture funds and capital outlay will be used to make the purchase.
Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
17-135 Approve increase of part-time police wage
It was requested by the Public Safety Director that the wage of part-time police officers be increased from $12.75 to $15.00 per hour. The increase comes in efforts to recruit and retain part-time officers. It was also suggested that a contract be drafted requiring a part-time officer to remain employed for a particular length of time after being certified and put through FTO.
Greg Hulka moved, Ron Becklin seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to increase the part-time police officer wage to $15.00 an hour and to receive a report from Brian Michelli in one year.
Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
Jeff Jacobs moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to have Brian Michelli draft a contract to have approved by Ron Bultje.
Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
17-136 Payment of Bills
Ron Becklin moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented, with the addition of payment for the Vandenberg/Summit road project in the amount of $165,604.69 from the general fund, for payment in the following amounts: General Fund & Parks $192,238.67; Public Safety $38,900.67; Water $116,553.60; Sewer $16,193.91; Trust & Agency $1,981.00
Totaling: $365,867.85
Ayes: Becklin, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None
ADDITIONAL REPORTS: none received
PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none received
The motion by Ron Becklin, supported by Greg Hulka was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 9:13pm.
ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK
HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR