Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of July 12, 2021

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, July 12, 2021, in the township board room.

Members Present: Todd Dunham, Supervisor; Andrea Anderson, Clerk; Rose Dillon, Treasurer; Trustees Jim Fichtel, Greg Hulka, Terry Knoll, David Markgraf
Members Absent: none

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

Also Present: 1- residents; 2- employees; 0- guests; Director of Public Safety, Brian Michelli; Director of Public Utilities, Steve Biesiada.

The motion by Terry Knoll, seconded by Rose Dillon was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of June 14, 2021 as presented.

The motion by Rose Dillon, seconded by Greg Hulka was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented with the following additions:
Item 8-E: Approval to purchase food for Community Day
Item 8-F: Approval to fill part-time Police Department front desk position

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS:

  1. Steve Biesiada shared that there have been 17 applicants for the DPW Administrative Assistant position.
  2. Brian Michelli asked that residents vote for the public safety renewals on August 3rd; the Community Day slip & slide will be July 17th; the Police Department had a successful LEIN audit; the new breathing air system is working well for the Fire Department; the Police Department had a large bust related to recent thefts; the 800 MHz radio system goes live July 13th.
  3. Todd Dunham shared that the Fruitport Eagles Women’s auxiliary donated $250, the Eagles donated $500, Golls Welding donated $100, and Todd raised $310 for the Flag Fund; the IIAF union contract negotiations will begin soon.
  4. Karen Johnson from the Parks Commission shared a preliminary draft of their 5 year Rec Plan that includes a hopeful list of connecting the soccer park to municipal water, improving parking, and changing the name of South Fruitport Park.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none

UNFINISHED BUSINESS: none

NEW BUSINESS:

21-054 Purchase of Foreclosure Property
A vacant, landlocked parcel in Fruitport Township is up for foreclosure. The township has first right of refusal and may acquire the property from tax foreclosure for property taxes due. Treasurer Dillon has requested that the township purchase the property for back taxes of $4,797.61 plus $30.00 Register of Deeds fee and then sell the property to the owners of the property that shares the same boundary. The buyer will pay the cost of the back taxes, all register of deeds fees, and be responsible for combining their property with the landlocked vacant property.
Dave Markgraf moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the purchase and resale of the proposed foreclosure property.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

21-055 Board of Review Appointment
Martin Mieras is to be removed and Lela Miller is to be appointed to serve the remaining term on the Board of Review. Term to end January 1, 2023.
The motion by Andrea Anderson, seconded by Terry Knoll was carried unanimously, to remove Martin Mieras and appoint Lela Miller to fill the term ending January 1, 2023.

21-056 Purchase of New Police Cruiser
The cruiser to be replaced is 5 years old and will be retired to fleet vehicle status. The total cost for the new vehicle, equipment, and installation will be $44,814.00. This was a budgeted expense and was recommended by the Public Safety Committee.
Terry Knoll moved, Todd Dunham seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the purchase of a new police cruiser as recommended by the Public Safety Committee and to authorize the treasurer and public safety director to execute the necessary paperwork regarding the financial transaction with Shelby Bank.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

21-057 Purchase of New Medical Response Apparatus
The Public Safety Committee approves a request to purchase a medical response apparatus for a total cost of $41,675.10. This was a budgeted expense. The current response vehicle that has been in service since 2007 will be rotated to a secondary response and utility vehicle.
Terry Knoll moved, Todd Dunham seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the purchase of a new medical response vehicle as recommended by the Public Safety Committee and to authorize the treasurer and public safety director to execute the necessary paperwork regarding the financial transaction with Shelby Bank.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

21-058 Approval to Purchase Food for Community Day
The Supervisor is seeking approval to purchase the food items needed for the Community Day Slip & Slide where hot dogs and chips are usually provide.
Rose Dillon moved, Andrea Anderson seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the purchase of food for the July 17th Community Day.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

21-059 Approval to Fill Part-Time Police Department Front Desk Position
The Public Safety Director has requested permission to fill the part-time Police Department front desk position. The action is recommended by the Public Safety Committee.
Rose Dillon moved, David Markgraf seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to authorize the Public Safety Director to fill the part-time Police Department front desk position as recommended by the Public Safety Committee.
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

21-060 Payment of Bills
Terry Knoll moved, Todd Dunham seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $27,658.18; Public Safety $46,716.70; Water $38,168.60; Sewer $20,605.01; Street Lights $57.22; Trust & Agency $3,011.00
Totaling: $136,216.71
Ayes: Markgraf, Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Dillon, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

ADDITIONAL REPORTS:

  1. Rose Dillon reported that the Township’s ARPA application is in progress.

PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none

The motion by Terry Knoll, seconded by Jim Fichtel, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 7:21pm.

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK

TODD DUNHAM, SUPERVISOR