Monthly Archives: June 2020

Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of June 15, 2020

This meeting was held virtually via Webex due to COVID-19.

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

At 7:03pm, Heidi Tice opened the SPECIAL MEETING.

Also Present: 0- residents; 1- employees; 0- guests; Director of Public Utilities, Steve Biesiada; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli.

The motion by Heidi Tice, supported by Denise Winebarger, was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

20-048 Staffing change in Police Department
Officer Josh Karafa has requested that he be transferred to a part-time officer due to personal needs.
Rose Dillon moved, supported by Terry Knoll, MOTION CARRIED, to accept the transfer of Officer Josh Karafa from full-time to part-time officer.
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Hulka
Nays: None

Jeff Jacobs moved, supported by Terry Knoll, MOTION CARRIED, to give the Public Safety Director authorization to begin the process of hiring a full-time Police Officer.
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Hulka
Nays: None

PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none

The motion by Terry Knoll, supported by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 7:11pm.

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK

HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR

Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of June 8, 2020

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, June 8, 2020, in the township board room.

Members Present: Heidi Tice, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Greg Hulka, Jeff Jacobs, Terry Knoll, Denise Winebarger
Members Absent: none

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

Also Present: 6- residents; 1- employees; 1- guests; Director of Public Utilities, Steve Biesiada; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli.

The motion by Rose Dillon, supported by Heidi Tice, was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of May 11, 2020 as presented.

The motion by Heidi Tice, supported by Denise Winebarger, was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented.

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1. Brian Michelli reported a slight decrease in responses to COVID related calls; the speed trailer was put on Sheridan Rd in response to speeding/drag racing complaints and received reasonable results showing that speed is not an issue.
2. Steve Biesiada reported that the DPW has seen a surge in water service requests since construction has resumed; the Smiley water tower valve work is due to resume this week; preparation for clean-up days is underway; the water main supplying water from Lake Michigan appears to be stable.
3. Heidi Tice shared that there was no Fruitport Old Fashioned days festivities due to COVID, however there was a small show of support in the form of a short and unexpected parade through the village; there will be no acceptance of hazardous materials (other than oil) during clean-up days; it is unknown at this time if there will be a tire event this year.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

20-044 Second Reading: Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance
Jeff Jacobs moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt ordinance #816 to amend the Township’s zoning map by changing the zoning classification from R-6 Single Family Residential District to R-1 Medium Density Residential for parcel number 61-15-126-100-0005-00 or 6025 Walker Rd., Fruitport, MI 49415 as recommended by the Planning Commission.

At a public hearing on April 21, 2020, the Planning Commission gave the following reason supporting the zone change:
1. The requested rezoning will not result in spot zoning
2. The requested rezoning will not be inconsistent with the surrounding property
3. The property does not have to be rezoned in order to be reasonably used
4. The requested rezoning would have the following effect on surrounding property values: positive
5. The requested rezoning would have the following effect on the market value of the property in question: positive
6. The requested rezoning would be consistent with the general trend of future building and population growth in the area
7. The requested rezoning would be consistent with the Master Plan

This constitutes the second and final reading of Amendment Ordinance No. 816.

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

20-045 Cooley Road street light request
The minimum estimate from Consumers Energy to place a street light at the requested location is $7,800. The board choose not to move forward.

NEW BUSINESS:

20-046 Fire Department parking lot repaving
The parking lots at both fire stations are in poor condition. The repair for each location was planned for in the current budget. Bids from four companies were presented.

The Public Safety Committee recommends contracting Asphalt Paving, Inc. to repave station #2 at a cost of $21,700.00; Pittman Asphalt Maintenance to fill cracks, repair damaged areas, seal, and stripe station #1 at a cost of $6,275.00; Pittman Asphalt Maintenance to fill cracks, seal, and stripe station #2 at a cost of $3,947.00.

Terry Knoll moved, supported by Jeff Jacobs, MOTION CARRIED, to complete the Fire Department parking lot projects as proposed.
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: None

20-047 Payment of bills
Terry Knoll moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $22,555.99; Public Safety $32,422.49; Water $38,717.74; Sewer $17,303.67; Street Lights $14,518.61; Trust & Agency $639.00
Totaling: $126,157.50
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: none

ADDITIONAL REPORTS:
1. Heidi Tice shared an online educational program offered by Michigan Township Association and would like the board to decide at the next meeting whether to participate or not.

PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II:
1. Craig Sturtevant and another neighbor from Medema St. shared ongoing troubles they have had with a neighbor who consistently has loud parties causing a neighborhood disturbance.

The motion by Denise Winebarger, supported by Heidi Tice, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 7:56pm.

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK

HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR

Village of Fruitport Council Meeting Minutes – 05/18/20

VILLAGE OF FRUITPORT
COUNCIL MEETING
MAY 18TH, 2020

1. Call to Order
President Roger Vanderstelt called the meeting to order at 7pm.

2. Roll Call
Present: Roger Vanderstelt, Amy Haack, Jeff Guiles, Carl Rothenberger, Jay Bolt and Ann LaCroix
Absent: Donna Pope, Bill Overkamp (excused)

3. Approval of May 18th Council Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Amy to approve the agenda, supported by Carl. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

4. Approval of April 29th Special council meeting minutes
Motion made by Amy to approve the meeting minutes, supported by Carl. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

5. Public Comment
Denise Kelly, 157 8th Avenue questioned the road pavement near her home. She said it causes run off to the east. Roger agreed to check into it for her.

6. Correspondence
Ann read the Declaration of State of Emergency for Muskegon County. Amy suggested the protocol going forward is to share the information with residents. All agreed.

7. Reports from Officers
Amy will report under agenda items.
Carl – nothing to report.
Jeff – nothing to report.
Jay – will report under agenda items.
Roger – nothing to report.

8. 2020 3rd Avenue Project
Jay gave an update on the 2020 3rd Avenue Project. Jay advised that on May 12th that the obligated federal funding was approved. The bidding will take place in July. The project will be scheduled for August through October 2020.

9. Bridge Street Grant
Jay gave an update on the grant process. Frank Brechting, Brechting Bridge is working on the grant applications and it will be submitted by June 1st.

10. Kayak Launch
Amy gave an update on the kayak launch project. Prein & Newhof will survey the area this week. Once that is completed, Prein & Newhof will start developing construction plans.

11. Senior Millage
Amy advised there has been no update since the Letter of Intent and Senior Millage Municipal portion applications were submitted. She will follow up on them if no word prior to the next council meeting.

12. Boat Launch
Roger gave a report of boat launch earnings for the weekend. Roger advised the buoys will be going in soon.

13. 2019-2020 Fiscal Year Audit
Ann advised that the audit took place remotely this year. Copies of the audit will be available from our CPA in the next month. All 3 fund balances have increased this year leaving us in a good position for funding the 2020 3rd Avenue Project, Kayak Launch, and other budget items.
Ann also advised that our State Revenue Sharing payments have been decreased for the upcoming year due to COVID-19. The decrease is approximately 25%.

14. Garbage rate fee for 2020-2021
Ann advised that the garbage rates will be $132.89 this year if paid by July 31st. The delinquent fee will be $166.11 if paid after July 31st. The increase is due to increased costs billed by RMS Disposal. Motion made by Carl to approve the rates as presented, supported by Jeff.
Roll Call AYES: Haack, Rothenberger, Bolt, Guiles and Vanderstelt.
NAYS: None
Absent: Pope and Overkamp.

15. Public Comment
None

16. Warrants
Ann advised two additional bills have been received since emailing the bills to council. Prein & Newhof Engineering fee of $2900.00 out of the Major Street Fund and MML Workers Compensation payment of $2361.00 out of the General Fund. Motion made by Amy to approve the bills including the two additional bills, supported by Roger.
Roll Call AYES: Haack, Rothenberger, Bolt, Guiles and Vanderstelt.
NAYS: None
Absent: Pope and Overkamp.

17. Adjournment
Motion made by Amy to adjourn at 7:53pm, supported by Jeff. With a unanimous vote, the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted by,

Ann LaCroix
Clerk

Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of May 11, 2020

This meeting was held virtually via Webex due to COVID-19.

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, May 11, 2020, via Webex electronic meeting.

Members Present: Heidi Tice, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Greg Hulka, Jeff Jacobs, Terry Knoll, Denise Winebarger
Members Absent: none

At 7:04pm, Heidi Tice opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Also present via web: 0- residents; 1- employees; 3- guests; Director of Public Utilities, Steve Biesiada; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli.

The motion by Greg Hulka, supported by Terry Knoll, was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of March 23, 2020 as presented.
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: none

The motion by Andrea Anderson, supported by Heidi Tice, was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented.
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: none

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1. Brian Michelli shared local COVID-19 statistics; reported all Public Safety staff to be healthy and working.
2. Steve Biesiada reported that the smiley water tower valve project was postponed due to COVID-19; a brass and copper water service supplies purchase was made; a grand option is being explored for the erosion problem at the water filtration plant; the DPW crew will being working full staff on May 18th with precautions in place.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

20-044 First Reading: Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance
On April 21, 2020, the Planning Commission made a recommendation to the Township Board to approve the zone change from R-6 Single Family Residential District to the R-1 Medium Density Residential District for parcel number #61-15-126-100-0005-00 or 6205 Walker Rd, Fruitport, MI 49415. The change would be consistent with the Master Plan. This constitutes the first reading. Final action will take place at the next regular scheduled board meeting on June 8, 2020.

20-043 Payment of bills
Terry Knoll moved, Heidi Tice seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $102,667.40; Public Safety $173,574.23; Water $415,599.50; Sewer $88,971.51; Street Lights $14,652.90; Trust & Agency $4,428.78
Totaling: $799,894.32
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: none

ADDITIONAL REPORTS:
1. Andrea Anderson reported that burials have proceeded as needed at the cemetery.

PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none

The motion by Andrea Anderson, supported by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 7:33pm.
Ayes: Knoll, Jacobs, Anderson, Tice, Dillon, Winebarger, Hulka
Nays: none

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK
HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR

FCS – Business and Finance Committee Meeting Minutes – 06/22/20

Business and Finance Committee
Monday, June 22, 2020
11:30 a.m., Board Room
Meeting Minutes

Attendance: Dave Hazekamp, Elroy Buckner, Kris Cole, Bob Szymoniak, and Mark Mesbergen

1. Budget
Mark presented the 2020 final budget amendments for the General Fund and the Special Revenue Funds. The General Fund is projected to finish with a $2,6,73,701 fund balance (8.65% of expenses). The Special Revenue Funds are all seeing big changes to their bottom line due to COVID-19. Mark presented the proposed 2021 original budget for the General Fund and the Special Revenue Funds. The General Fund is projected to have a $1,117,302 deficit and end with a $1,556,399 fund balance (5.15% of expenses).

2. Cashflow Resolution
Mark gave an update on Fruitport’s cash flow. Mark recommends the board take action on a resolution giving Bob and Mark the authority to borrow money for cash flow. Mark is not sure if the district would need to borrow due to the State budget situation but Mark felt this is something that could be done ahead of time to save time if there was a need to borrow.

3. Chartwells’ Renewal
Based on our contract with Chartwells, management fees are adjusted annually in accordance with the cpi. Management fees are adjusted to increase by 1% for the 2020-21 school year. Pre the State of Michigan, Fruitport needs to approve the contract renewal agreement which will be attached with the resolution. An addendum was included due to MDE guidance regarding summer food service programs.

4. 2020-21 Food Service Prices
Every year, our food service director has to complete a report for MDE to determine if Fruitport Community Schools has to increase our food service prices. The USDA has guidance that if a district has a positive fund balance, the district could freeze meal prices for the 2020-21 school year. The recommendation is to freeze meal prices.

5. Operating Millage Resolution
Fruitport’s Operating Millage is expiring this year. Mark recommended that we renew our millage of 18.5 mills (max to levy is 18 mills) for 4 years. If the district experiences a couple of rollbacks in that timeframe, the district could go back to the public. The election will be this November.

6. COVID -19 Update
Bob gave an update regarding COVID-19.

7. High School Gym Audio Bid
Over the past year, the current sound system in the main gym has been having some issues. During events, the system has been going in and out and sometimes the system has to be shut off and turned back on to work. The system is roughly 20 years old. Our technology consultant created an RFP to get a price to update the system. Daktronics was the lowest qualified bidder when the mandatory alternative was added to the bid amount.

8. Other – L-4029
The L-4029 is the report that Fruitport submits to the local townships to tell the township when and how much mills to levy the public. Every year, the board of education has to approve the report. The report states that summer taxes will be levied for Fruitport and Spring Lake Townships.

 

Meeting adjourned at 12:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by Mark Mesbergen

FCS – Personnel Committee Meeting Minutes – 06/22/20

Personnel Committee
Monday, June 22, 2020
6:00 p.m. ~ Board Room
MEETING MINUTES

Attendance: Dave Hazekamp, Tim Burgess, Bob Szymoniak

1. A personnel report was given which focused on staffing implications of the budget development process.

2. It was reported that planning on the return to school in light of the coronavirus has been put on hold until the requirements are made known from the governor on June 30.

3. An update on changes to the alternative education program was given.

Meeting adjourned at 6:40 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Bob Szymoniak

FCS – Student Affairs Committee Meeting Minutes – 06/18/20

Student Affairs Committee
Thursday, June 18, 2020
12:00 p.m. ~ Board Room
MEETING MINUTES

Attendance: Amy Upham, Allison Camp, Jill Brott, Susan Franklin, Dave Hazekamp, Bob Szymoniak

1. A recommendation was made and supported by the committee to place the “Willing to Wait” resource on the Board agenda for approval. This resource received an endorsement from the Reproductive Health Committee.

2. A recap was given regarding how academics went during the mandated school closure.

3. A change to the middle school handbook was shared.

4. It was reported that any further planning on what school will look like this fall in light of the coronavirus would be placed on hold until the governor released her plan for schools on June 30.

5. Preliminary plans for restructuring alternative education were given.

Meeting adjourned at 1:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted by Bob Szymoniak

Ask Dr. Universe – Parachutes

How do parachutes work? -Lucas, 11, Alberta, Canada

Dear Lucas,

Have you ever blown on a puffy white dandelion? Your breath sends dozens of seeds scattering, gliding to a soft landing somewhere new.

Look closely at one of those seeds, and you’ll see a familiar shape. The tiny passenger (the seed) has a wispy, circular top, which helps it float to its next destination.

Parachutes work a lot like dandelion seeds—using the same invisible forces all around us. Nicholas Cerruti, a physics professor at Washington State University, helped me learn how.

The air around you is packed with tiny things called molecules. You can’t see them, but you’re constantly bumping into them. This is true for you, and for every object in motion on Earth.

“As an object moves through air, it needs to move the air around it,” Cerruti explained.

Imagine you drop a piece of paper. As the paper falls, it strikes air molecules. Molecules bounce off the paper and each other. Bumping together, they produce a force. As the paper falls, air molecules push against it in the opposite direction. This force slows the paper’s motion.

Scientists call this “air resistance” or “drag.” Gravity pulls everything down on Earth: whether it’s a person jumping from a plane or a paper falling from your hand. But drag works against that pull, slowing it down.

Some objects fall faster than others because they produce less drag. “A classic example is a penny and feather,” Cerruti said. “If you drop a penny and feather at the same time, the feather will drop at a slower rate.”

A feather takes up more space than a penny, just like a person takes up more space with a parachute. With more surface to work against, the air gives a bigger push against gravity’s pull. That’s why someone with a parachute falls more slowly than someone without one.

Parachutes work by creating lots of drag. The same idea appears in nature: in dandelion seeds, bird wings, and more. “Flying squirrels have a skin between their legs that develops like a parachute,” Cerutti said. “Instead of the squirrel dropping out of a tree, they can glide.”

Every year, Cerruti and the Physics and Astronomy Club test these ideas by dropping pumpkins from the top of a tall building.

“Usually we use parachutes on pumpkins as a joke,” he said. “We’ll put a very small parachute on, and it doesn’t slow it down very much. But we’ve been doing an egg drop the past couple of years. Using parachutes really does slow down the egg, and it can land safely.”

You can try this out yourself at home. Ask an adult to help you find a coffee filter or plastic bag and some string.

Try attaching your “parachute” to different small objects: an action figure, pencil, or penny.
When you drop them, do they slow down? Can you help your passenger fall to a soft landing? Try it and see what works!

Happy experimenting,
Dr. Universe

docKnow a kid with a science question?
With help from my friends at Washington State University, we’re investigating tough and smart questions from curious kids around the world.

Submit a question!

FCS – Truth and Taxation Public Hearing Special Board Meeting Agenda – 06/29/20

Fruitport Community Schools
TRUTH AND TAXATION
PUBLIC HEARING
SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
Monday, June 29, 2020 – 6:30 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting Room

AGENDA

I. CALL to ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

IV. BUDGET HEARING PRESENTATION

V. REMARKS FROM THE PUBLIC*

VI. OTHER

VII. ADJOURNMENT

~

*Time is provided for members of the audience to address the Board of Education regarding any topic including items on the agenda. The board is providing two opportunities for the public to comment during the meeting. The first is for people who wish to bring issues to the Board of Education for board consideration. At the end of the meeting the board will provide a brief opportunity for community members to comment on activities and/or discussion that took place during the board meeting. Time limits may be placed if a large number of individuals would like to address the board.

Fruitport Board of Education Annual Organizational Meeting Agenda – 06/29/20

Fruitport Board of Education
Annual Organizational Meeting
June 29, 2020 – 7:00 p.m.
Board of Education Meeting Room

I. Call to Order
II. Pledge of Allegiance
III. Roll Call
IV. Approval of Agenda
V. Re-adoption of all Existing Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Education (attachment #1)
VI. Designation of Banking Institution (attachment #2)
VII. Resolution for Investment Authority (attachment #3)
VIII. Designation of Legal Firms (attachment #4)
IX. Establishment of Board Compensation (attachment #5)
X. Approval of District Memberships and Affiliations (attachment #6)
XI. Designation of Board Member Liaison to MASB (attachment #7)
XII. Adoption of Schedule of Regular Monthly Meetings (attachment #8)
XIII. Designation of Authorized Signatures (attachment #9)
XIV. Administration Designation of Treasurer Responsibilities (attachment #10)
XV. Safe Deposit Box Authority (attachment #11)
XVI. Fee for Board Meeting Request (attachment #12)
XVII. Approval of Courses Contained in the District Course Catalog (attachment #13)
XVIII. Adjournment

– Recess –

Fruitport Board of Education Meeting Agenda – 06/29/20

Fruitport Community Schools
BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING
Board Room
3255 E. Pontaluna Rd, Fruitport, MI 49415
Monday, June 29, 2020 – 7:00 p.m.

I. CALL to ORDER

II. ROLL CALL

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

IV. PRESENTATIONS

V. COMMUNICATIONS

VI. REMARKS FROM THE PUBLIC*

VII. SUPERINTENDENT/ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS

VIII. CONSENT AGENDA
1. Approval of Workshop Meeting Minutes of June 23, 2020 (attachment VIII-1)
2. Approval of Bills (attachment VIII-2)
General Fund                           $35,048.20
Other Funds:
Early Childhood Center              2,094.49
Food Service                                 3,460.66
Coop Ed (ISD) Tech Millage        3,312.50
Capital Projects (Bond)             21,471.98
Total Bill List                          $65,387.83

3. Acceptance of Monthly Financial Report and ACH Transactions (attachment VIII-3)
4. Acceptance of Student Activity Summary Report (attachment VIII-4)
5. Acceptance of Credit Card and Utilities Report (attachment VIII-5)
6. Approval of Capital Projects Progress Report (attachment VIII-6)
7. Approval of Personnel Report (includes confirmation of new hires, resignations, retirees, and transfers) (attachment VIII-7)

IX. GENERAL BOARD BUSINESS
1. MHSAA 2020-21 Membership (attachment IX-1)
2. Shared Services with North Muskegon Public Schools (attachment IX-2)

X. BUSINESS & FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Elroy Buckner, Chairperson
1. Report of Committee Meeting held June 22, 2020 (attachment X-1)
2. School Service Fund Amendment (attachment X-2)
3. General Fund Budget Amendment (attachment X-3)
4. School Service Fund 2020-21 (attachment X-4)
5. Budget Appropriations Act of the 2020-21 General Fund (attachment X-5)
6. Operating Millage (attachment X-6)
7. Authority for Fruitport Community Schools to Borrow Funds (attachment X-7)
8. Main Gym Sound System (attachment X-8)
9. 2020-21 Chartwells’ Renewal (attachment X-9)
10. L-4029 Property Tax Levy (attachment X-10)
11. Food Service Prices for the 2020-21 School Year (attachment X-11)

XI. PERSONNEL COMMITTEE REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Steve Kelly, Chairperson
1. Report of Committee Meeting held June 22, 2020 (attachment XI-1)

XII. STUDENT AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS
Jill Brott, Chairperson
1. Report of Committee Meeting held June 18, 2020 (attachment XII-1)
2. Reproductive Health Resource (attachment XII-2)
3. Middle School Student Handbook (attachment XII-3)
4. Overnight Trip Requests (attachment XII-4)

XIII. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS AND DISCUSSIONS

XIV. AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS & SCHEDULING OF SPECIAL MEETINGS
1. Schedule Business & Finance Committee Meeting
2. Schedule Personnel Committee Meeting
3. Schedule Student Affairs Committee Meeting

XV. REMARKS FROM THE PUBLIC*

XVI. ADJOURNMENT

~

*Time is provided for members of the audience to address the Board of Education regarding any topic including items on the agenda. The board is providing two opportunities for the public to comment during the meeting. The first is for people who wish to bring issues to the Board of Education for board consideration. At the end of the meeting the board will provide a brief opportunity for community members to comment on activities and/or discussion that took place during the board meeting. Time limits may be placed if a large number of individuals would like to address the board.

Village of Fruitport Special Council Meeting Agenda – 06/22/20

VILLAGE OF FRUITPORT
AGENDA
JUNE 22nd, 2020
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING 

1. Call to Order
2. Roll Call
3. Approval of June 22nd Council Meeting Agenda
4. Public Comments (limited to 3 minutes each)

New Business
5. 2020 3rd Avenue Resolution
6. Boat Launch
–a. Fines
–b. Extra boat launch attendant hours

7. Public Comment (Limited to 3 minutes each)
8. Adjournment

Fruitport Township Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda – 06/22/20

AGENDA
FRUITPORT CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP HALL
5865 AIRLINE ROAD, FRUITPORT, MI 49415

JUNE 22, 2020

6:30 P.M. WORK SESSION
7:00 P.M. BOARD MEETING

01. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States
02. Roll call
03. Approval of board minutes: 6/8/20 and 6/15/20
04. Approve / amend agenda
05. Correspondence / reports
06. Public comments regarding agenda items

07. Unfinished Business
A. Kris Collee, Agewell Services, to present senior services plan

08. New Business
A. Donna VanderVries with an update from Muskegon County Equalization
B. Disturbing the peace ordinance discussion
C. MTA online training membership
D. Blue Care Network COVID relief medical insurance adjustment
E. Water shut-offs and penalties
F. City of Muskegon beach parking pass

09. Approval of Bills
10. Reports
11. Public Comments
12. Adjournment

~

The Township will provide necessary reasonable aids and services for this meeting to individuals with disabilities by writing or telephoning the following Township Clerk: Andrea Anderson, Fruitport Township Hall, 5865 Airline Road, Fruitport, MI 49415    (231) 865-3151

Ask Dr. Universe – What Tornadoes are Made Of

What is a tornado made of? – Alice, 6, Ames, Iowa

Dear Alice,

Have you ever felt a warm wind blow by you, followed by a cold gust of air? You can’t see it, but you can sense it on your skin. Invisible to you, winds mix together.

Usually, these winds are harmless. But under the right conditions, they can also be the main ingredients for a tornado.

To learn more, I chatted with Jon Contezac, Craig Oswald, and Joe Zagrodnik, a team of Washington State University scientists who are very curious about the weather.

To make a tornado, they explained, you need two big things: rising air and rotating air.

“When you have the right amount of both, a storm is more likely to produce a tornado,” Zagrodnik said. “That’s no guarantee—you’re just more likely to have a tornado under those conditions.”

A special storm called a “supercell” often has those ingredients. Supercells form as a rotating mass, with air rising quickly within.

Different temperature winds can cause rising and rotation. Warm air rises, but cool air sinks. Warm air trapped near the surface can rise fast if there’s much cooler wind above it. When these winds cross paths from different directions, they may spin skyward.

Rising, rotating air can form a funnel cloud: the first visible sign of a potential tornado. Funnel clouds look like an ice cream cone pulling down from the sky. They’re usually dark gray, made of condensed water like other clouds.

Tornadoes get their color from moisture, plus things picked up along the way. “It’s like a cloud at some point,” Oswald explained. “If it reaches the ground and starts to stir up dirt, it will lift that dirt up into the funnel and turn it dark.”

If a funnel cloud’s rotation touches the ground, it becomes a tornado. But many funnel clouds never do. Their rotation fades, and they disappear without causing damage.

Tornadoes aren’t the only weather patterns to form from twirling wind. Where I live in Washington, I sometimes see dust devils: spirals of swirling dirt. But they’re different from tornadoes.

“Tornadoes’ rotation comes from the cloud and goes down to the surface,” Contezac said. “But dust devils have pockets of intense hot air at the surface, and air spins rapidly around those pockets. They’re generated from the surface upward.”

Not all rotating storms cause tornadoes. But it’s important to know how to stay safe if a tornado happens near you. A watch means the ingredients to produce a tornado exist. A warning means a tornado has actually been created.

During a tornado watch, you should be on the lookout for storms in your area. A tornado warning is when you should go to a safe location, like a basement or bathroom. Talk to grown-ups you live with about where to go.

Although scientists know tornadoes’ general recipe, they still hold a lot of mystery. We’re still trying to learn why some storms make tornadoes and others don’t. Maybe someday you can help uncover the answer.

Sincerely,
Dr. Universe

Instructions for Participating in the June 15th Fruitport Village Council Meeting

The Village Council meeting will be held on Monday June 15th at 7pm. It will be held as a teleconference call. To participate you will need to call 1-844-474-0925 and use a passcode of 57182580 followed by the # sign. The meeting will start at 7pm but the phone line will be open at 6:45pm to allow for you to join prior to the opening of the council meeting. Just like a regular meeting the public will be given an opportunity to talk during the Public Comment portion of the meeting. If possible, please mute your phone if you participate and only unmute if you make a public comment. Thank you.

Ask Dr. Universe – How Bees Fly

How can bees fly? – Christopher, Kansas

Dear Christopher,

Bees fly like a blur, with wings too fast to see. Often, you hear them before you see them. They’re small, but their sound is unmistakable. Bees hover with a telltale buzz.

And that buzz offers a big clue. It comes from very fast vibrations—the secret to bees’ flight.

That’s what I learned from Steve Sheppard, an entomologist at Washington State University who studies bees.

Look closely at a bee, and you’ll see their bodies have three major parts: a head, a middle bundle, and a large, striped rear. That middle part is called the thorax, home to all six legs and four wings. It’s also the anchor for the bee’s movement.

Bees’ wings attach to muscles in the thorax. They work sort of like spoons inside a shoebox, Sheppard explained.

“Think of a shoebox with the lid slightly smaller than the box,” Sheppard said. “Then you have the wings—let’s say they’re like wooden spoons sticking out through that gap. So you can imagine that if the lid goes up and down, then the wings go up and down.”

Bees’ wings work similarly. They’re hinged to the thorax. When the bee moves its thorax up and down, its wings move too.

But the wings don’t exactly flap up and down. They actually twist in a special figure-8 pattern. Combining short, choppy rotations with incredible speed, bees’ wings can beat over 200 times each second!

When bees churn their wings like this, they spin the air around them. Twisting wings create a vortex, a sort of small tornado. Rotating the air around them, bees can lift their body up, down, forward, and backward. They can even hover in mid-air.

But there’s another very special thing about bee flight. Like birds, bees direct their wings through signals from their brain. When the brain sends instructions to the flight muscles, the wings move.

For most birds, one brain signal equals one wing flap. “When you think of a bird, it sends an electrical signal to the muscle and it says, ‘Boom, contract,’” Sheppard said. The muscle tightens and relaxes, flapping the wing.

But bees’ wings work differently. They rely on something called resonance frequency: very fast vibrations, started by one initial movement. Their brains don’t send signals for every single rotation. Instead, their wings beat by vibrating.

“They just send a signal every now and then, and that’s enough to keep the muscle bouncing,” Sheppard said.

Using this combination of rotation and vibration, bees can move their wings very fast with each brain signal. That’s what helps them beat their wings at such incredible speed.

Bees aren’t the only insects who use this method. Flies and beetles fly like this, too. Even hummingbirds beat their wings with vibration—a very unusual style for a bird.

The next time you meet a bee, you probably won’t see its wings beating within the blur. But you’ll know there’s a lot going on beneath its buzz.

Sincerely,
Dr. Universe

Know a kid with a science question?

With help from my friends at Washington State University, we’re investigating tough and smart questions from curious kids around the world.

Submit a question!

FCS – Special Board Meeting Minutes – 06/01/20

Fruitport Board of Education
Special Board Meeting
June 1, 2020
Virtual Meeting via Zoom

I. The Special Meeting of the Board of Education was called to order at 6:08 p.m. by Board President, Dave Hazekamp.

II. ROLL CALL: Present – Jill Brott, Elroy Buckner, Susan Franklin, Kris Cole, Dave Hazekamp, and Steve Kelly.
Absent – Tim Burgess

III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Item 20-041. MOTION by Brott, SECOND by Cole to approve the agenda as presented.
Roll Call Vote: Buckner, Yes; Brott, Yes; Burgess, Yes; Cole, Yes; Franklin, Yes; Hazekamp, Yes; Kelly, Yes. Absent – Burgess.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0

IV. GENERAL BOARD BUSINESS
1. Approval of Regular Meeting Minutes.
Item 20-042. MOTION by Buckner, SECOND by Brott to approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of May 18, 2020.
Roll Call Vote: Buckner, Yes; Brott, Yes; Burgess, Yes; Cole, Yes; Franklin, Yes; Hazekamp, Yes; Kelly, Yes. Absent – Burgess.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0

2. Construction Change Order.
Item 20-043. MOTION by Buckner, SECOND by Brott to approve the change order to regrade and repave the parking lot located between the High School and Edgewood Elementary as presented.
Roll Call Vote: Buckner, Yes; Brott, Yes; Burgess, Yes; Cole, Yes; Franklin, Yes; Hazekamp, Yes; Kelly, Yes. Absent – Burgess.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0

3. Federal Funding Resolution.
Item 20-044. MOTION by Brott, SECOND by Franklin to adopt the resolution in support of Federal Funding of Public Education in light of the COVID-19 pandemic as presented.
Roll Call Vote: Buckner, Yes; Brott, Yes; Burgess, Yes; Cole, Yes; Franklin, Yes; Hazekamp, Yes; Kelly, Yes. Absent – Burgess.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0

V. REMARKS FROM THE PUBLIC
None.

VI. OTHER
None.

VII. ADJOURNMENT
Item 20-045. MOTION by Buckner, SECOND by Brott to adjourn.
MOTION CARRIED 6-0

The meeting adjourned at 6:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Maribeth Clarke, recording secretary for the Board of Education

Village of Fruitport Special Council Meeting Minutes – 04/29/20

VILLAGE OF FRUITPORT
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
APRIL 29, 2020

1. Call to Order
President Roger Vanderstelt called the meeting to order at 6:04pm.

2. Roll Call
Present: Roger Vanderstelt, Bill Overkamp, Amy Haack, Jeff Guiles, Carl Rothenberger, Jay Bolt and Ann LaCroix
Absent: Donna Pope (excused)

3. Approval of April 29th Council Meeting Agenda
Motion made by Amy to approve the agenda, supported by Jeff. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

4. Approval of April 20th council meeting minutes
Motion made by Bill to approve the meeting minutes, supported by Amy. With a unanimous vote the motion carried.

5. Public Comment
None

6. 2020 3rd Avenue Project
Jay advised that he and Roger attended a virtual meeting with MDOT and Prein & Newhof. The design phase for the project will be complete this week and out for bidding no later than June. The bids should be received in July and obligated by August. Jay and Roger requested that the project be completed August – October 2020 instead of the new projected time frame of June-August 31, 2021. The timeframe will be determined after the bidding process is completed. Ann confirmed that the village contribution for the project is in the budget. Jay will continue to update the council on the status of the project.

7. Boat Launch
A discussion took place on when to start selling daily and annual passes for the Boat Launch. Due to the Stay Home order it was determined that the boat launch will continue to be free until May 16th. At that point user will need to purchase an annual pass or daily use pass. Ann will check with the Pharmacy and Waypoint regarding their willingness to sell the annual passes again this year.

8. Public Comment
None

9. Adjournment
Motion made by Amy to adjourn the meeting at 6:48pm, supported by Jeff. With a unanimous vote, the motion carried.

Respectfully submitted by,

Ann LaCroix
Clerk

Fruitport Township Board of Trustees Meeting Agenda – 06/08/20

AGENDA
FRUITPORT CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
FRUITPORT TOWNSHIP HALL
5865 AIRLINE ROAD, FRUITPORT, MI 49415

JUNE 8, 2020

6:30 P.M. WORK SESSION
7:00 P.M. BOARD MEETING

01. Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States
02. Roll call
03. Approval of board minutes: 5/11/20
04. Approve / amend agenda
05. Correspondence / reports
06. Public comments regarding agenda items

07. Unfinished Business
A. Second reading: Zoning Map Amendment Ordinance
B. Cooley Rd. street light request

08. New Business
A. Fire Department parking lot repaving

09. Approval of Bills
10. Reports
11. Public Comments
12. Adjournment

The Township will provide necessary reasonable aids and services for this meeting to individuals with disabilities by writing or telephoning the following Township Clerk: Andrea Anderson, Fruitport Township Hall, 5865 Airline Road, Fruitport, MI 49415    (231) 865-3151

Ask Dr. Universe – The Internet

How does the Internet actually work? I know you can type in most anything and it just pops up and all that, but how? – Eden, age 8, Oregon

Dear Eden,

If you wrote me a physical letter, it would take a few days to reach me. You put the letter in your mailbox. A postal worker picks it up. Then it travels between different post offices on its journey from you to me.

But within seconds of you sending this question over the Internet, it was sitting in my inbox. How can this be?

The whole Internet works like the mail system—but much faster. That’s what I learned from Adam Hahn, an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at Washington State University.

You can think of the Internet as one big network connecting different devices. They’re all able to “talk” to each other because they follow the same rules, called protocols. Computers all have their own address, called an “IP address.” An IP address is a long combination of letters and numbers.

The Internet carries information through electronic signals, invisible to you. But it needs physical things to carry these signals. Special devices called “routers” pick them up and push them to their destination, using wires and cables.

Some computers play a special role as “servers.” Servers are like filing cabinets, keeping all the information of a particular website. They receive your request for information, find the right file, and send it back to you.

When you search for something, your request goes from your IP address to the nearest router. That router bounces it to another router, and so on, until it reaches the server. The server sends information back to your IP address the same way, through the router network.

But what are those electronic signals made of? All the information on the Internet travels in the form of “packets.” Packets are broken-up pieces of a file. They’re written in a language of 1s and 0s, which computers can read. Everything you send or receive is made of packets—whether it’s this question, a Google search, or even a video call with family far away.

“You can think of a packet like an envelope, and your IP address as like a zip code or mailing address,” Hahn explained. If you wrote me a letter, you’d send it in a single envelope. But on the Internet, your message travels as lots of packets.

Imagine writing a letter, cutting it into tiny pieces, and sending them in their own individual envelopes. When the letter arrives, it would have to be taped back together!

But on the Internet, information travels faster sliced into pieces. Packets take different routes to arrive at the same place. When all the packets arrive, your computer puts them all back together like a puzzle. This all happens in under a second.

I’m glad the Internet does this work for us. There’s nothing more exciting to me than reading your curious questions. Thanks to the Internet, I don’t have to wait long to see them.

Sincerely,
Dr. Universe