This meeting was held virtually via Zoom.com due to COVID-19.
A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, November 23, 2020, via Zoom electronic meeting.
Members Present: Todd Dunham, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Jim Fichtel, Greg Hulka, Terry Knoll, David Markgraf (All members participating remotely from Fruitport, Michigan)
Members Absent: none
At 7:00pm, Todd Dunham opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Also Present: 6- residents; 5- employees; 0- guests; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli; Director of Public Utilities, Steve Biesiada; Attorney, Ron Bultje.
Rose Dillon moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the minutes of November 9, 2020 as presented.
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None
Andrea Anderson moved, Jim Fichtel seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the agenda as presented with the following addition:
Item 8-G: Resolution for Temporary Emergency Measures
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None
CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS
1. Brian Michelli COVID has caused issues with staffing the Public Safety departments; the departments are following current COVID policies and directives; new Police Officer Zandi is on the road now, helping to reduce overtime.
2. Steve Biesiada shared that the DPW is finishing the annual valve turning program; construction will be happening on Airline Rd. for the new Nesson Cable building.
PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS:
1. Travis Nadeau from the Parks Commission shared why he would like to recommend Karen Johnson to fill the Parks Commission vacancy.
2. Rick Tice shared that he is interested in the Parks Commission seat.
3. Karen Johnson shared that she would like to be appointed back onto the Parks Commission and she believes consistency and the knowledge of the parks history would be beneficial.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none
NEW BUSINESS:
20-121 Committee Appointments
Todd Dunham: Public Safety, DPW
Andrea Anderson: Cemetery, Elections
Rose Dillon: Public Safety
Jim Fichtel: Cemetery, Elections
Greg Hulka: DPW, Elections
Terry Knoll: Public Safety, Cemetery
David Markgraf: DPW, Planning Commission Liaison
Terry Knoll moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the appointments to the Public Safety, DPW, Cemetery, Elections, and Planning Commission committees.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None
20-122 Open Parks Seat Discussion
The Township Board has 45 days after the election to appoint a member to fill the open seat.
Todd Dunham moved, Terry Knoll seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to TABLE the appointment until the next meeting.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None
20-123 Anti-Blight and Junk Vehicles Ordinance Discussion
This would be an enforcement ordinance, therefore there is no option to be grandfathered. Our current ordinance pertaining to junk vehicles is within a zoning ordinance and would be better suited as an enforcement ordinance.
20-124 Quarterline Rd. Cell Tower Lease Agreement Changes
American Tower Corporation proposed changes pertaining to term length, non-compete, and the tax section.
Terry Knoll moved, Rose Dillon seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to not accept any changes to the current lease agreement.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None
20-125 Public Safety Director Evaluation and Contract Renewal
Supervisor Tice gave Brian Michelli a review before her term ended and that review was shared. Brian requested a 2% salary increase and an additional year be added to the length of the contract.
Terry Knoll moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to increase the salary of the Public Safety Director, Brian Michelli, 2% to $98,851.00, and approve the requested changes, and extend his contract with changes as presented for one year.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None
20-126 Defined Contribution Plan Agreement Addendum
The Township’s pension program is through MERS. The update is to include that part-time Fire Fighters shall receive 5% pension after 4 years of continual service.
Rose Dillon moved, Andrea Anderson seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the resolution to complete the Defined Contribution Plan Adoption Agreement Addendum.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None
20-127 Resolution for Temporary Emergency Measures
The resolution would allow the Supervisor, Clerk, and Treasurer together to make decisions regarding the cancellations of meetings, the issuance of checks in payment of invoices, office hours or closures, etc in accordance with public safety and emergency directives that surround the COVID-19 virus.
Andrea Anderson moved, Davis Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the Resolution for Temporary Emergency Measures as presented with an expiration date of May 1, 2021.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None
20-128 Payment of bills
Terry Knoll moved, Andrea Anderson seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $57,277.37; Public Safety $23,440.50; Water $14,371.44; Sewer $1,792.26; Trust & Agency $651.00; Street Lights $14,249.39
Totaling: $111,781.96
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None
ADDITIONAL REPORTS:
1. A letter from the Muskegon County Drain Commissioner that was distributed to residents along the Kuis Drain was shared.
2. Todd Dunham thanked Heidi Tice for a smooth transition in the Supervisor’s office.
3. Travis Nadeau would like closure with a decision on the open Parks Commissioner seat and asked what the Parks Commission could bring to the Board.
PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none
Terry Knoll moved, David Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adjourn the meeting at 8:12pm.
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None
ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK
HEIDI TICE, SUPERVISOR