Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of March 22, 2021

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, March 22, 2021, in the township board room.

Members Present: Todd Dunham, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Greg Hulka, Terry Knoll, David Markgraf
Members Absent: Jim Fichtel, excused

At 7:00pm, Todd Dunham opened the regular meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Also Present: 2- residents; 3- employees; 0- guests; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli; Director of Public Utilities, Steve Biesiada; Attorney, Ron Bultje.

The motion by Terry Knoll, seconded by David Markgraf was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of March 8, 2021 as presented.

The motion by Terry Knoll, seconded by Andrea Anderson was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented with the following additions:
Item 8-J: First Reading: Zone Change Vacant Land on Hts. Ravenna
Item 8-K: 2021 MCRC Brine Program
Item 8-L: Enforcement of Noise Ordinance

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS:

  1. Steve Biesiada reported that a contractor bored through a water line that caused low water pressure to that area, repairs have been made and pressure is back to normal.
  2. Brian Michelli warned against burning as there have been many grass fires.
  3. Heidi Tice shared that certain Old Fashioned Days events, such as the fireworks, have been cancelled, however the Lion’s Club is attempting to proceed with many of the events, such as the carnival, should gathering restrictions be lifted enough to allow for it. Heidi also had comments on the budget and the question of a road millage.
  4. Andrea Anderson shared that the township Clean-Up Days event will be held on April 30th and May 1st. The tire event will likely be held on May 8th.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS:

  1. Dave Henry had comments regarding budget and part-time Police Officer pay.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

21-022 2021/2022 Budget Discussion
Discussion took place. Changes were made to the water/sewer budgets as requested during the last discussion.

NEW BUSINESS:

21-023 Approval of POLC Collective Bargaining Agreement
There were discrepancies found and changes are being made.
The motion by Terry Knoll, seconded by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to TABLE the POLC agreement until the next meeting.

21-024 Resolution to Commit Public Safety Fund Balance
The Public Safety Departments have the need for large capital improvement expenditures over the next several years, including, but not limited to a new fire truck and police vehicles. They have requested that the Board commit any remaining Public Safety Fund Balance for future capital expenses.
Rose Dillon moved, Terry Knoll seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the resolution to commit any remaining Public Safety Fund Balance for future capital expenses.
Ayes: Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None

21-025 Resolution to Commit Water and Sewer Funds
The Water & Sewer Departments have the need for large capital improvement expenditures over the next several years, including, but not limited to a new backhoe. The have requested that the Board commit any remaining balance of Water and Sewer capital outlay for future capital expenses.
Rose Dillon moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the resolution to commit any remaining balance of Water and Sewer capital outlay for future capital expenses.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka
Nays: None

21-026 Resolution to Commit Cemetery Funds
The Cemetery Department has the need for large capital improvement expenditures over the next several years, including, but not limited to a new roof on the mausoleum. They have requested that the Board commit the balance of Cemetery Capital Outlay for future capital expenses.
Rose Dillon moved, Todd Dunham seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the resolution to commit the balance of Cemetery Capital Outlay for future capital expenses.
Ayes: Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None

21-027 Resolution to Roll-Over Parks and Recreation Budget Balance
The Parks Commission has requested that remaining funds in their budget be rolled to the new fiscal year in order to complete or begin a necessary project.
Terry Knoll moved, David Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the resolution to roll over the balance of unused funds in the Parks budget to the new fiscal year.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka
Nays: None

21-028 Budget Amendments
Terry Knoll moved, David Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the Treasurer to make end of fiscal year April 1, 2020-March 31, 2021 final budget amendments. The amendments will ensure that all department budgets have zero impact on the total of each budget.
Ayes: Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None

21-029 Budget Public Hearing
(a.) The motion by Andrea Anderson, seconded by Rose Dillon, was carried unanimously, to open the Budget Public Hearing at 7:34pm.
(b.) Public Hearing: The Supervisor announced the proposed millage rates as follows: General Fund at the millage rate of .9962 mills, Public Safety at 1.50 mills, Police at 1.00 mills, and Street Lights at .40 mills.

Comments:

  1. Karen Johnson and Heidi Tice commented on the Parks budget. It was mentioned that the 2021/22 proposed budget was drafted by the Parks Director.

(c.) The motion by Andrea Anderson, supported by David Markgraf, was carried unanimously to close the Public Hearing at 7:36pm and return to open session.

21-030 Adopt 2021/2022 Budget
The budget was agreed upon as presented.
Rose Dillon moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED to adopt the April 1, 2021- March 31, 2022 budget as presented and to approve the millage rate and millage levies. Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees shall cause the listed millages to be levied and collected on all real and personal property within the township upon the 2021 general property tax roll an amount equal to the above shown mills as authorized under state law and approved by the electorate.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka
Nays: None

21-031 Banking and Investing Resolution
TCF Bank will be transitioning to Huntington Bank within the coming fiscal year. Investment opportunities are not limited to those presented, but must comply with the township’s investment policy.
Rose Dillon moved, supported by Todd Dunham, MOTION CARRIED, to adopt the resolution approving the use of financial institutions and investments for the 2021-2022 FY.
Ayes: Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None

21-032 First Reading: Zone Change Amendment Ordinance- Hts. Ravenna
On March 16, 2021, the Planning Commission made a recommendation to the Township Board to approve the zone change from B-2 General Business District to the R-2 Single Family Residential/Duplex District for parcel number #61-15-101-300-0013-60 or vacant land on Hts. Ravenna Rd., Muskegon, MI 49444. 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 April 12, 2021.

21-033 2021 MCRC Brine Program
The cost for the local roads will be $19,536.66 and the cost for additional roads (Cline, Wolf Lake, and Mt Garfield) will be $1,437.48.
The total cost for the program will be $20,974.14 for 2021.
Rose Dillon moved, Terry Knoll seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to participate in the 2021 local road brine program with the Muskegon County Road Commission and authorize the Supervisor to submit the agreement on behalf of the township.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka
Nays: None

21-034 Noise Ordinance Enforcement
Complaints have been received over the last year regarding dirt bikes being ridden in a residential area near the corner of Sheridan and Shettler causing disturbances for hours at a time.
Terry Knoll moved, Andrea Anderson seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to direct the Public Safety Director to enforce the current noise ordinance.
Ayes: Hulka, Dillon, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll, Markgraf
Nays: None
The township attorney agrees that the current ordinance allows the township to stop this disturbance.

21-035 Payment of bills
Terry Knoll moved, David Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $15,625.37; Public Safety $2,448.45; Water $3,504.50; Sewer $1,779.81; Trust & Agency $657.00; Street Lights $15,213.54
Totaling: $39,228.67
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka
Nays: None

ADDITIONAL REPORTS:

  1. Rose Dillon reported that federal officials have approved a large stimulus package that will provide Fruitport Township with 1.4 million, however criteria on utilizing those funds is forthcoming.

PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none

The motion by Andrea Anderson, seconded by David Markgraf, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 7:55pm.

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK
TODD DUNHAM, SUPERVISOR