Helena Township Board Meeting – 07/13/2017

Meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Supervisor Rick Teague. Present: Rick Teague, David Peterson, Butch Bartz, Catherine Rice and Bonnie Robbins absent. Motion to approve agenda by Bartz; supported by Rice and motion carried.

Approval of Minutes: Motion by Rice, supported by Bartz and motion carried.

Conflict of Interest: None

Public Comment: Sheriff Dan Bean gave report for June and commented on the Torch Fest at the Torch Lake sandbar. $22,000.00 was spent for Sheriff Dept. personnel at the sandbar over a four day period of the 4^th of July holiday. Sheriff informed the board the need to install an additional sign at the Alden Safe Harbor indicating the Antrim County Marine Patrol Boat slip.

John Ferguson asked the township board to maintain the alley behind his house which connects Smalley with First Street.

Grant Yukins commented on the number of docks, boats and jet skies at Cedar Shores and asked if there are any zoning restrictions. Jim Gurr from the Planning Commision commented that there was previous language that had been removed regarding the number of docks and boats permitted upon review and recommendation by the township lawyer.

Butch Bartz presented board with copy of the platted alley connecting Smalley with First Street. No one has accepted ownership of the alley since it was platted and the Antrim County Road Commission does not have funding to maintain the alley.

Treasurer’s Report: Beginning balance as of June 1, 2017: $506,950.48

                                                                                 Receipts: $62,410.72

                                                                           Disbursed: $148,948.73

                                                                   Ending Balance: $420,412.47 as of 06/30/2017

Motion to approve Treasurer’s report by Teague, supported by Bartz and motion carried.

Presentation of Bills: June 1-30th: $138,105.55 and July 1-13th; $4,298.34.

Speakers: None

Communications: Received letter from Friend’s of the Alden District Library requesting improvements to the community center.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Zoning: No report. Molby absent.

Planning Commission: Jim Gurr reported a public hearing was held for a special use permit for a new digital sign. Planning Commission recommends approving the special use permit for use during hours of operation, electronic changes occurring four times a minute and static image after operating hours.

PC reviewing possible language changes for the green belt buffer with oversight from Antrim County Conservation Soil and Erosion for possible land alterations in the green belt buffer with goal of a stabilized shore line.

Ambulance Authority: No update.

Parks & Rec: Ruth Smith reported that 81 surveys have been returned and the deadline for submitting surveys is the 31^st of July. P&R expressed concerns over condition of concession stand at the Ball Park.

Roads: Repair of one mile of SE Torch Lake Drive starting at the Clam River Bridge going South was completed. Bartz and Teague attended meeting of the Antrim County Road Commission and there is a reported shortfall of $47 million dollars for road maintenance for the roads in Antrim County.

Old Business: None

New Business: None

Announcements: None

Additional Public Comment: Jim Gurr commented.

Motion to pay bills: Teague made the motion to pay the bills; supported by Bartz and motion carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM.   Helena Township Clerk; David G. Peterson Jr.

David G. Peterson Jr.