Fruitport Charter Township Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes of December 13, 2021

At 6:04pm, Todd Dunham opened the special meeting in the township board room.

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

Also Present: 0- residents; 0- employees; 0- guests; Attorney Ron Bultje; Attorney Amanda Zdarsky.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none

Todd Dunham moved, seconded by Terry Knoll, MOTION CARRIED, to go into closed session at 6:05pm per Section 8(e) of the Open Meetings Act, to consult with the Township’s attorney in connection with pending litigation Aamodt v. Fruitport Charter Township because an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the litigation or settlement position of the Township, and to consider material exempt from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, which exempts from public disclosure information or records subjected to the attorney-client privilege.
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: None

The motion by Andrea Anderson, seconded by Terry Knoll, was carried unanimously, to return to open session at 6:29pm.

The motion by Todd Dunham, seconded by Jim Fichtel, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the special meeting at 6:29pm.

A work session of the Fruitport Charter Township Board began at 6:30pm on Monday, December 13, 2021, in the township board room.

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

Jason Kennedy introduced himself as the new Superintendent for Fruitport Community Schools and gave the board an update on the recent school safety concerns during work session.

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

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

The motion by Terry Knoll, seconded by Greg Hulka was carried unanimously, to approve the minutes of November 22, 2021 as presented.

The motion by Andrea Anderson, seconded by Terry Knoll was carried unanimously, to approve the agenda as presented with the following addition requested by the Supervisor:
Add item 8-E: Approval to Retain an Engineer to Provide Recommendations on Storm Water Management System at Sheriger Park.

CORRESPONDENCE / REPORTS:

  1. Steve Biesiada reported that the Harmony Lake development is expected to break ground this week; Odeno phase 2 is in full swing with infrastructure; if the current Ordinance is not amended, the fee schedule for availability will increase from $1/ft to $2/ft and it is Steve’s recommendation to not amend the ordinance due to rising costs in materials and reevaluate in one year.
  2. Brian Michelli shared that both Fire and Police have been very busy; there are supply chain issues causing delayed repairs to cruisers, however all apparatus are functioning; the Santa Open house at the fire department was very slow this weekend.

PUBLIC COMMENTS REGARDING AGENDA ITEMS: none

UNFINISHED BUSINESS:

21-103 Second Reading: Consumers Energy Company Revocable Electric Franchise Ordinance
This ordinance would be for granting Consumers Energy Company, its successors and assigns, the right, power, and authority to construct, maintain, and commercially use electric lines consisting of towers, masts, poles, crossarms, guys, braces, feeders, transmission and distribution wires, transformers, and other electrical appliances on, under, along, and across the highways, streets, alleys, bridges, waterways, and other public places, and to do a local electric business in the Charter Township of Fruitport, Muskegon County, Michigan, for a period of 30 years.

Andrea Anderson moved, Todd Dunham seconded, MOTION CARRIED to adopt the Consumers Energy Company Revocable Electric Franchise Ordinance.

This constitutes the second and final reading of Ordinance No. 827.

Ayes: Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

NEW BUSINESS:

21-104 Approval of Annual Health Insurance Renewal
Options were presented for employee healthcare for 2022.
Andrea Anderson moved, Greg Hulka seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to offer option 3 that includes the Blue Care Network PCP Focus plan and to continue the employee’s contribution of $55.00 per pay period.
Option 3 will continue the employees on the current plan with the same out of pocket bi-weekly contribution.
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: None

21-105 Health Insurance for Dependents
Under current law children may remain on their parents’ health insurance plan until their 26th birthday regardless of their residency or dependency. The Board would like to have a policy that states the township will pay insurance premiums in-full for children between the ages of 18-26 who are enrolled in an education program for 12 or more credits, pay half of the insurance premiums for children enrolled less than 12 credits, and offer no payment for children who are not enrolled in an educational program.
Andrea Anderson moved, seconded by Greg Hulka, MOTION CARRIED, to draft a policy reflecting the wishes of the board to the next meeting.
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: None

21-106 Appointment of Brandon Mendendorp to Planning Commission
The motion by Todd Dunham, seconded by Greg Hulka, was carried unanimously, to accept Matt Farrar’s resignation from the Planning Commission.
The motion by Todd Dunham, seconded by Greg Hulka, was carried unanimously, to appoint Brandon Mendendorp to the Planning Commission for a 3 year term ending January 1, 2025.

21-107 Senior Services Funds Allocation
The Muskegon County Board of Commissioners has approved $45,911 in senior millage funding to be allocated to Fruitport Township. The board would like to continue with a similar plan as last year allocating the following amounts:
$15,000 for Age Well Services
$15,000 for Safe Seniors
$15,911 to Living Word Lawn and Snow Program

If allocated funds are not exhausted for snow removal due to a light winter, funds may be given to Senior Power of Produce.

Todd Dunham moved, Terry Knoll seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to commit the senior services funds for Fruitport Township as discussed; $15,000 for Age Well Services, $15,000 for Safe Seniors, $15,911 to Living Word Lawn and Snow Program, and any remaining to Senior Power of Produce.
Ayes: Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

21-108 Approval to Retain an Engineer to Provide Recommendations on Storm Water Management System at Sheringer Park
Andrea Anderson moved, seconded by Todd Dunham, MOTION CARRIED, to approve the township to retain an engineer to provide recommendations on the storm water management system at Sheringer Park.
Ayes: Fichtel, Hulka, Dunham, Anderson, Knoll
Nays: None

21-109 Payment of Bills
Jim Fichtel moved, Andrea Anderson seconded, MOTION CARRIED, to approve bills as presented for payment in the following amounts: General Fund $12,872.01; Public Safety $20,391.39; Water $90,797.35; Sewer $16,922.55; Trust & Agency $1,945.00; Street Lights $15,001.45
Totaling: $157,929.75
Ayes: Knoll, Anderson, Dunham, Hulka, Fichtel
Nays: None

ADDITIONAL REPORTS: none

PUBLIC COMMENTS PART II: none

The motion by Terry Knoll, seconded by Greg Hulka, was carried unanimously, to adjourn the meeting at 7:25pm.

ANDREA ANDERSON, CLERK

TODD DUNHAM, SUPERVISOR