A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, October 22, 2018, in the township board room.
Members Present: Heidi Tice, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Jeff Jacobs, and Denise Winebarger
Members Absent: Greg Hulka, Todd Dunham, excused
At 7:02pm, Heidi Tice opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer.
Also Present: 6- residents; 8- employees; 3- guests; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli; Director of Public Utilities; Attorney Ron Bultje.
The motion by Jeff Jacobs, supported by Denise Winebarger, was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of October 8, 2018 as presented.
The motion by Rose Dillon, supported by Andrea Anderson, was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented.
CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1. Ron Langlois shared that there is no need to be concerned with the PFOS levels in Fruitport’s drinking water, the water supplied by the City of Muskegon contains 2 PPT (parts per trillion) when the maximum allowed is 70 PPT.
2. Brian Michelli reported that the School Resource Officer is doing very well in the schools, Superintendent Bob Szymoniak was present, and he agreed and shared his thankfulness for the positive impact being created.
3. Heidi Tice shared that there will be an open house to view the progress of the high school bond project on Saturday from 9:00am-11:00am; the American Legion will be holding a Veteran’s service on November 11th at 11:00am at the Veteran’s Memorial Park; on Monday, November 5th the Village of Fruitport will be hosting a community information session regarding the 2020 project.
4. Rose Dillon shared a reminder that the Fruitport District Library millage will be on the November 6th ballot and that it is not a new millage, rather it is a replacement- .75 mills for 10 years.
PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
18-132 Employee Health Insurance
Options were presented for employee healthcare for 2019.
Jeff Jacobs moved, Andrea Anderson seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to offer option 3 that included the Blue Care Network PCP Focus plan; to apply the rebate amount to the premium to bring it down to $432,874.28; and to reduce the employee’s contribution to $55.00 per pay period.
Ayes: Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: none
18-133 Administer Oath to Officer Robert Norris
The Clerk administered the Oath of Office to new full-time Officer, Robert Norris. He was pinned with his badge by his wife. Congratulations, Officer Norris!
NEW BUSINESS:
18-134 Public Hearing: Police Special Assessment Roll
(a.) The motion by Andrea Anderson, supported by Rose Dillon was carried unanimously, to open the Public Hearing at 7:47pm.
(b.) Public Hearing: The Supervisor announced that this hearing is to hear public comment and accept written objections regarding the roll of a special assessment for Police services in the business corridors on Sherman and Harvey.
The district includes the business corridor on Sherman Blvd from Lowes to US-31 and on Harvey Street from Independence Drive to Mount Garfield Rd.
There were no written objections received by the board.
Public comments: none
(c.) The motion by Rose Dillon, supported by Denise Winebarger, was carried unanimously to close the Public Hearing at 8:52pm and return to open session.
Andrea Anderson moved, Heidi Tice seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the First Annual Resolution #3 to ratify, confirm, and adopt the special assessment roll for the Police Special Assessment for the Sherman Blvd and Harvey St Corridors. The assessment is to be billed December 1, 2018 and shall be payable on or before February 14, 2019.
Ayes: Winebarger, Dillon, Tice, Anderson, Jacobs
Nays: none
Full text of said resolution can be found on file in the Clerk’s office. Filed with documentation on SAD 2017-2.
18-135 Safe Routes to School
With the help of Michigan State University, grants are available to build/improve sidewalks or bike paths within close proximity to schools. Currently the concentration would be on Fruitport Middle School, Edgewood Elementary, and Shettler Elementary. A walking audit will take place on Thursday, followed by a kick-off meeting as the first steps of the process.
Jeff Jacobs moved, Denise Winebarger seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to have the Township enter into an agreement with Safe Routes to School.
Ayes: Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: none
18-136 Part-time Fire contract
The current part-time Fire contract expired in 2014. The last pay increase was in 2015. The Public Safety Committee recommended the approval of the presented contract.
Jeff Jacobs moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the proposed part-time Fire contract with corrected dates.
Ayes: Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: none
18-137 Vig Drive case
The owners of a piece of property at the end of Vig Drive wish to have a small piece of property that falls within their property vacated.
Jeff Jacobs moved, Heidi Tice seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to answer to the case by sending a letter stating that the Township does not object to the vacation of the property in question.
Ayes: Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: none
18-138 Calendar fundraiser
The Supervisor has proposed a calendar sales fundraiser in order to raise funds to purchase Class A uniforms for Public Safety and a turnout gear dryer for the Fire Department. She wishes to order 2,000 calendars.
Denise Winebarger moved, Heidi Tice seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to fund the purchase of 2,000 calendars from last year’s fund balance surplus, replacing the funds with proceeds from the sale of the calendars.
Ayes: Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: Jacobs
18-139 YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program classes
YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program classes will be held at Town Hall on Monday’s during business hours.
Heidi Tice moved, Denise Winebarger seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to enter into the presented agreement with the YMCA for Diabetes Prevention Program classes.
Ayes: Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: none
18-140 November 12th meeting cancellation
The Township offices will be closed on November 12th in observance of Veterans Day.
Heidi Tice moved, Denise Winebarger seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to cancel the November 12th meeting due to the offices being closed.
Ayes: Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: none
18-141 Payment of bills
Jeff Jacobs moved, Denise Winebarger seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $12,695.36; Public Safety $5,754.91; Water $8,839.63; Sewer $776.62; T&A $651.00; Street Lights $14,294.03
Totaling: $43,011.55
Ayes: Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger
Nays: none
ADDITIONAL REPORTS:
1. Brian Michelli shared that Fire Station #2 has been repainted.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none
The motion by Denise Winebarger, supported by Heidi Tice was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 8:55pm.
ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK
HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR