Draft Helena Township Board Meeting June 11th, 2020

Meeting called to order at 7:00 PM. Members present were Rick Teague, David Peterson, Bonnie Robbins, Cathy Rice and Butch Bartz. Motion by Robbins to approve the agenda with additions and supported by Bartz and approved.   Motion by Robbins to approve the minutes from March and the special meeting held May 11^th and supported by Bartz and approved.

Conflict of Interest: None

Public Comment:

Treasurer’s Report: beginning balance May 1^st, 2020 is $666,659.16

Total receipts: $154,805.62 and total disbursements: $180,524.19

Ending balance as of 05/31/2020 is $640,940.59

Motion to approve the treasurer’s report by Teague and supported by Robbins and approved. Presentation of Bills: March 13^th – May 31; $186,582.02and June1st -11th; $56,790.10

Speakers: DNR Conservation Officer Andrea Albert requested a resolution for slow no wake – clam river from Torch Lake to Clam Lake into Torch Lake to meet – R281.705.1 – Slow –no wake speed. Rice made the motion for the proposal of Resolution 06112020 establishing slow no wake zone – clam river from Torch lake to Clam Lake with support by Robbins. Roll call vote – five (5) yes votes and motion carried.

Communications: received Antrim County Sheriff’s report for May, 2020. Received request for filling cracks on road at Alden Meadows. Helena Township budget meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 23^rd, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Helena Township Community Center.

Zoning: Reviewed zoning report for May, 2020.

Planning Commission. Teague appointed Sue Moglovkin an alternate to the planning commission (PC). PC recommends approval of a special use permit for Josh Loeb for a building in an environmental district zoned residential with condition of no exterior lights after sundown and condition of screening along East Torch Lake Drive. Teague made the motion to approve this special use permit with two conditions for Josh Loeb with support by Bartz and the motion carried. Held ZBA training session by conference call. Special meeting of ZBA and public hearing to be held by ZOOM June 15^{th at 7:00 P.M.} on Walker Shores storage buildings variance request.

Ambulance Authority: No update.

Parks: Ruth Smith reported a parking plan for the area near Valeau Landing and the Alden Safe Harbor was submitted by Burt Thompsom, Antrim County Road Commission. Signage at Coy Mountain Preserve has gone to the printer. Paul DeLange presented a project to pave area East of the Depot historical museum and in front of the Veteran’s Memorial for under $10,000.00. Township had agreed previously to contribute $5,000.00. DeLange spoke about another project that would add a box car and cost would be covered by the Historical Society. Museum to open July 6^th. By consensus the township board agrees the two projects should move forward. Barry Snyder listed issues to be addressed at the ball park.

Roads: Paving of one mile of Helena Road has been completed.

Old Business: None

New Business: Fireworks south end of Torch Lake scheduled for July 3^rd with backup date of July 5^th. Reviewed permit, insurance application. Bartz made the motion to approve loading fireworks at the Helena Township Ball Park with support by Robbins and the motion carried.

Teague signed millage rates and TBA for Mancelona Schools.

Robbins recommended township purchase MTA on line training videos for $1900.00. Robbins made the motion to purchase MTA on line training videos for $1900.00 with support by Bartz and the motion carried.

Peterson recommended that election workers and chairperson receive an increase of $2.00/hour. Election workers will now receive $14.00/hour and chairperson $16.00/hour. Rice made the motion to increase compensation for election workers and chairperson by additional $2.00/hour with support by Robbins and the motion carried.

Discussion of reopening the community center. Board consensus was that there would not be any rentals for large gatherings, no pickleball, basketball or sports. The water fountains would be turned off and covered with plastic and signs placed on restroom doors indicating that the restrooms are cleaned and disinfected daily. Entry into the community center and using the community center requires facial covering and respecting social distancing of six feet. Robbins made the motion for no rentals until the Michigan State guidelines are lifted with support by Rice and the motion carried.

Announcements: None

Additional Public Comment: None

Teague made the motion to pay the bills and supported by Robbins and approved.

Adjournment by call of the chair at 9:09 PM.

Prepared by Helena Township Clerk: David Peterson