Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of April 22, 2019

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, April 22, 2019, in the township board room.

Members Present: Heidi Tice, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Greg Hulka, Terry Knoll, Denise Winebarger
Members Absent: Jeff Jacobs, excused

At 7:00pm, Heidi Tice opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance followed by a prayer.

Also Present: 3- residents; 1- employees; 2- guests; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli; Director of Public Utilities Ron Langlois; Attorney Ron Bultje.

The motion by Terry Knoll, supported by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of April 8, 2019 as presented.

The motion by Andrea Anderson, supported by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented.

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1. Heidi Tice shared on road projects throughout the County for 2019; There will be a group of people volunteering to clean up the areas around the Lakes Mall on Saturday, April 27th; The Lions Easter Egg Hunt went well.
2. Ron Langlois shared that D&J Sewer Cleaning has donated a Diaphragm Pump to the DPW; The West Michigan Regional Water Authority has contracted with H2O Towers to clean the Smiley water tower in May at the price of $4,365; The DPW will be contracting with Advanced Sealing and Paving to reseal their parking lot.
3. Rose Dillon shared that the Fruitport Youth Club’s opening day is this Saturday.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

19-059 Second Reading: Business Registration Ordinance
Rose Dillon moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to establish the charge for the registration fee at $35.00.
Ayes: Knoll, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None

Andrea Anderson moved, Terry Knoll seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the Business Registration Ordinance. Said ordinance will require any business establishment to obtain a certificate of registration within Fruitport Township.

This constitutes the second and final reading of Amendment Ordinance No. 809.

Ayes: Knoll, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None

NEW BUSINESS:

19-060 Approval to hire Director of Public Utilities
Current Director of Public Utilities, Ron Langlois, recently shared that he will be retiring this summer. The DPW committee recommends the hiring of Steve Biesiada and recommends offering him the presented contract.

The Board discussed adding additional verbiage to item #7-

Was: Vacation. Will receive 4 weeks vacation.
Amended: Vacation. Will receive 4 weeks vacation annually. Carry over as outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement with the SEIU.

Greg Hulka moved, supported by Terry Knoll, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the hiring of Steve Biesiada and approve the contract as presented with the above change as discussed.
Ayes: Hulka, Winebarger, Dillon, Tice, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: none

19-061 Approve reappointment of ZBA members: John Winskas and Joe DeMarco
John Winskas has not confirmed his willingness to serve, therefore his reappointment will be tabled.
Andrea Anderson moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the Supervisor’s reappoint of Joe DeMarco to a three year term on the Zoning Board of Appeals. His term will end January 1, 2022.
Ayes: Hulka, Winebarger, Dillon, Tice, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: none

19-062 Approval of water service material supplier
Andrea Anderson moved, supported by Denise Winebarger, MOTION CARRIED, to authorize the Public Utilities Director, Ron Langlois, to accept the low bid for brass service materials from Ferguson Waterworks and to continue to purchase iron materials from EJCO for the water & sewer department.
Ayes: Knoll, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None

19-063 AT&T Metro Act Right of Way Permit Extension
Rose Dillon moved, Heidi Tice seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve a 5 (five) year unilateral Metro Act Permit with AT&T. The purpose for the permit is for access to and on-going use of public rights-of-way within the Township of Fruitport for the purpose of providing telecommunication services to its customers.
Ayes: Hulka, Winebarger, Dillon, Tice, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: none

19-064 Police Special Assessment discussion
Ron Bultje shared that a recent amendment to the statute that the Township used in the creation of the Police Special Assessment District states that such assessments may not be assessed by usage. Ways of assessment must be uniform and may be calculated by percentage of taxable value, store frontage, square footage, etc. The Board would need to adopt a new resolution to establish a new formula.
It was requested that the Supervisor run the numbers based on square footage for the next meeting.

19-065 Discussion of foreclosure property
Discussion of a property on Hts Ravenna Rd. Final discussion will take place at the next meeting.

19-066 Payment of bills
Terry Knoll moved, Heidi Tice seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $11,578.54; Public Safety $80,048.10; Water $285,540.67; Sewer $299.71; T&A $648.00; Street Lights $15,093.73; Drug Forfeiture $2,500.00
Totaling: $395,708.75
Ayes: Hulka, Winebarger, Dillon, Tice, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: none

ADDITIONAL REPORTS: none

PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II:
1. Matt Peterson, Spruce St, inquired about the process of changing the roll for the Spruce St special assessment district.

The motion by Terry Knoll, supported by Heidi Tice, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 8:08pm.

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK

HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR