Township Board Minutes – May 13, 2010
Helena Township Board Meeting
May 13, 2010
The meeting was called to order at 7pm by Supervisor Wagner, pledge of allegiance was said. Present: Rice, Peterson, Wagner, Gurr, Teague. Audience: 6. Motion to approve agenda by Rice, support Teague, motion carried.
Public Comment: Marna Robertson from Meadow Brook Medical Care Facility reviewed the handout outlining seven points for the renovation and a 20-bed addition project. The operating millage of up to 1 mil will remain the same as it has for the past 8 years. The cost of renovation and additional 20 beds will be approximately $15 million dollars with Meadow Brook contributing $3 million dollars and the total bond request will be $12 million dollars. Project timeline will be about 2 ½ to 3 years.
Approval of minutes: Wagner made motion to approve the minutes as written, Support from Gurr and motion carried.
Treasurer’s Report: Library beginning balance as of April.1, 2010 $87,622.01
Receipts $296.23
Disbursements $11,786.88
Bank balance as of 04/30/10 $76,131.3
C.D’s $46,417.12 (12 month) & 15,525.72 (3 month)
As of April 30th, 2010 Total Assets $138,074.20 Total 2009 millage is $105,813.56
Township beginning balance as April 1, 2010 $345,955.37
Receipts $40,271.00
General Fund Disbursements $15,868.29
Cemetery $1,982.38
Building $3,705.89
Total Disbursements $21,556.56
Ending balance as of 04/30/10 $364,669.81
Motion to approve treasurer’s report by Teague, support Gurr, motion carried.
Presentation of bills: Township April 1-30, 2010 $21,317.17 which includes $10.337.36 in payroll. May 1-13, 2010 $6,254.72 . Fire $7,815.17 includes $6,000 in truck repairs. Library no report
Speakers: Wes Schuster representing the Rapid City/Alden Little League requested 15 yards of diamond dust for the Helena Township ball diamond. Cost of dust and spreading is $850.00. In addition a first aid kit was requested which would be secured at the ball field. Rice made motion to approve purchase and spreading of 15 yards of diamond dust from Larry Mac Barber in Rapid City and a first aid kit up to $100.00 for a total of $950.00. Support by Wagner and motion carried. Wes Schuster is also seeking $30.00 scholarships for Little Leaguers for uniforms and related expenses.
Communications: Sheriff’s report. Sheriff sees no problem with potential traffic at proposed car wash.
Question arose concerning permits (yearly?) for swimming buoys for Helena Township. Sheriff Bean to contact Wagner with information.
Wagner received communication from Tom Comfort about transferring money from tennis court fund to Helena Township for tennis court maintenance.
Jones Pest Control submitted contract for 2010 spraying at the community center. Additional spraying to be done at the Depot for $275.00. Total of $550.00 for both the community center and Depot. Consensus was to have only the Depot done at this time.
Discussion followed on lattice work erected at Valleau Landing to help hide two port a jons that will be there temporarily for the summer until grant money comes for new docks and landscaping. Complaints received at Township that lattice work interfered with view of lake form adjacent business. Consensus of board is that port-a-jons are necessary, lattice work is temporary and view impact is minimal.
Committee reports: Zoning administrator Molby reported 4 land use permits.
Planning Commission: Jim Gurr reported that at the end of the public hearing on the proposed car wash that there would be a special meeting held May 26th. This special meeting would be for review of additional information for discussion by the planning commission. Planning Commission needs members. Township to advertise in newspaper.
Ambulance authority: Rick Teague updated; mortgage paid off for Bellaire Ambulance Authority. Former Mancelona fire hall being considered for acquisition and renovation for housing ambulances.
Old business: None
New Business: Peterson presented information on a 2007 Chevy ¾ ton 4×4 pickup with less than 35,000 miles. It is a V-8 automatic with bench seat and 8′ box. Discussion followed with motion by Gurr to purchase used truck to replace 1992 township pickup truck and not to exceed $18,000.00 with down payment and financing through Alden State Bank, support by Teague and motion carried Peterson and Alpers to negotiate with dealer and Rice and Wagner to arrange financing through Alden State Bank.
Reviewed bid from Great Lakes Striping & Sealing for resealing parking lot and striping parking spaces in front of the library and bids from Tri-County Sand and Stone and Active Excavating for new driveway along the new recycle bins West side of community center.
Board gave approval to obtain two port-a-jons each for Valleau Landing, the Depot park and the ball park using At Your Service Plus for the summer. Second port-a-jon for Alden Days, 4th of July and possible Labor Day weekend.
Review energy audit next meeting for action plan.
Need updated proposal (ARNDT Electric) and additional bid for repair of Alden downtown street lighting.
Obtain clarification on “jurisdiction” for road end public accesses and ownership of land from lawyer.
Request for reserving tennis court park pavilion – discussion followed and there are no reservations but first come/first serve.
Peterson suggested using “memorandum of understanding” for future projects between township and other groups. Motion made by Rice, support by Teague and motion carried.
Water sampling to be done for ball park, Depot Park, Tennis Court Park, and the community center bu Jerry Alpers.
Announcements: Regional MTA meeting at Shanty Creek May 20th.
Additional public comment: None
Motion to pay bills by Rice, support Wagner, and motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 8:55 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
David G. Peterson Jr.
Helena Township Clerk