Draft Helena Township Board Meeting August 8th, 2024

Meeting called to order at 7:03 PM by Supervisor Peeples.  Members present were Butch Peeples, Cathy Rice, David Peterson, Butch Bartz and Bonnie Robbins.   Motion by Robbins to approve the agenda with communications added under fire chief, supported by Bartz and approved.  Motion by Bartz to approve the July 11th township board meeting minutes with the addition of “The township board voted and approved that the Planning Commission revisit deleted 2010 waterfront property ordinance.”  and supported by Robbins and approved. 

Conflict of Interest: None

Public Comment: (3 minute limit): Paul Sak stated a correction for an addition to the July 11^th township board meeting minutes.  “The township board voted and approved that the Planning Commission revisit deleted 2010 waterfront property ordinance.”

Bridget DeWald and Laura Wilcox noted that their names were not mentioned as giving public comment in the July 11^th minutes.

Julie Schlecker noted that the total of the expenses from July 1-31 and August 1-8 presented by the clerk did not match the treasurer’s report.

 Treasurer’s Report: beginning balance July 1st, 2024 is $736,194.22

                                     Total receipts: $10,046.39 and total disbursements: $160,392.78

                                     Ending balance July 31, 2024 is $585,847.83

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report by Robbins, supported by Bartz and approved.

Presentation of Bills: July 1-31; $148,280.78 and August 1-8; $7,322.21.

Fire Chief/Sheriff Report:  Reviewed South Torch Lake Fire & Rescue report from Chief Paul Fabiano.  Blood drive; walk ins Friday, August 16, from 9:00am to 1:30pm at STLFD station.  Call 866 642-5663 or Versiti.org/mi.  Smoke and carbon dioxide detectors are available to the public.

County Commissioner report reviewed from Terry VanAlstine and provided public safety center handouts.  Bellaire village to write language for short term rental ordinance.

Township Ambulance Authority report; 12 ambulance runs and 1 mutual aid runs, and a total of 208 EMS runs for the 9 township service area reported by Rick Teague.

All reports are linked with the minutes on the township website, www.helenatownship.com.

Communications: Received letter and an email from Laura Wilcox with her concerns about the planning commission.

Speaker: Representative John Roth spoke about the proposed short term rental bill; bill #5438 at the state legislature shows no movement.

 Septic tank inspection bill with possible 5 year, 7 to 10 year inspection and point of sale inspection is also showing no movement.

Mentioned revenue sharing for road millages.

Spoke about small business tip wage workers and paid sick leave.

Spoke about wake boarding bill.

Speaker: Deana Jerdee spoke about protecting water quality and nonmotorized water sports along the chain of lakes water trail and the 84 access sites.  There are signs at public accesses with digital map.  Paddle Antrim intends to increase parking and add restrooms, increase accessibility to the designated public access sites, and wash stations to remove invasive species from boats.

Committee Reports:

Zoning: Reviewed Bob Logee’s zoning report.

Parks & Rec:  Jim Gurr spoke and Gordy Shafer was added as a new member.  Awaiting approval of the master plan by the DNR.  Patron will pay for the design and purchase and installation of new toddler equipment for development of motor skills for children at the Tennis Court Park.  Robbins mentioned possibility of forming  a committee; Friends of the Ball Park.

Planning Commission: Jim Gurr spoke about the public request to revisit deleted 2010 waterfront property ordinance.  Formed committee for shoreline issues.  Reviewing request from FEMA for flood plain project insurance rates.

 Roads:  Bartz reported that chip and seal work to be done at Alden meadows and some local roads and ends of Paige and Cemetery roads.  Bartz requested to revisit file on adjacent public access to Rokentenz property.

New Business:  Suggestion to install security cameras at the Ball Park and the Depot Park.  Suggestion to add AIRTAG to buoys at the Ball Park.

Old Business:  None

Announcements:  Village center in Alden construction is progressing.  August 11^th; foreign car show at Tennis Court Park.  August 24^th car show at Tennis Court park.

Motion to pay bills:  Robbins made the motion to pay the bills, supported by Bartz.  All present voted yes, motion carried.

Speakers: None

Public Comment:  Bob Mack suggested planning commission look at short term rentals, RV’s and trailers, funneling and shore line protection.  Paul Sak commented on House bill 5438 short term rentals and that Helena Township’s Planning Commission get something on the books for short term rentals.  Sak also suggested rewriting the by-laws for the Planning Commission.  Laura Wilcox reminded board of the letter and email sent to the township board for their review and comment.  Rewrite conflict of interest section of bylaws for the Planning Commission.

Adjournment by call of the chair at 8:34 PM.

Prepared by Helena Township Clerk: David Peterson