MEETING OF OWOSSO CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD
State of Michigan
County of Shiawassee
Charter Township of Owosso
December 12, 2011
Be it known that the Owosso Charter Township Board of Trustees met in regular session on Monday, December 12, 2011, at 7:00 PM, in the Township Board Room located at 2998 W. M-21, Owosso, Michigan 48867.
1. CALL TO ORDER: Supervisor Miller led the Pledge of Allegiance.
2. ROLL CALL: Trustee Schultz-Yes, Trustee Krajcovic-Yes, Clerk Delaney-Yes, Supervisor Miller (Chair)-Yes, Treasurer Cudney-Yes, Trustee Campbell-Yes, Trustee Archer-Yes
OTHERS PRESENT: Attorney Lynn Bowne, Township Assessor Steve Schweikert, Building/Zoning Administrator Robert Delaney, MMR Representative.
3. AGENDA: Supervisor Miller requested that item A. under New Business - Demis & Wenzlick P.C. - Presentation of 2011 Audit be moved to after the fi rst Public Comments item. Motion by Trustee Schultz seconded by Treasurer Cudney to approve the Agenda with requested change. No discussion. Motion passed unanimously.
4. MINUTES-PREVIOUS MEETING: Moved by Trustee Archer seconded by Trustee Krajcovic to accept the minutes of November 14, 2011. Motion passed unanimously.
5. TREASURER’S REPORT: Moved by Trustee Schultz and seconded by Trustee Campbell to approve the Treasurer’s Report as presented. Roll call taken with motion passing unanimously.
6. PUBLIC COMMENTS: Mr. Jeff Sines requested a time line as to when his concerns about his neighbor’s property would be taken care of.
7. SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT REPORT/COUNTY/STATE REP. COMMENTS
Copies of the Sheriff’s report were made available to the public.
Mr. Ron Elder, County Commissioner representing District 2, gave an update on the animal control issue, the county’s approval of the Aerotropolis Project, announced that informal meetings with the public will be held the third Monday of each month at the Ponderosa restaurant beginning on January 17, 2012 at 7:00, and that the county’s operational budget will be operating at over a $400,000.00 cut during 2012.
8. CEMETERY REPORT: Report indicated one nonresident burial which generated $775.00 Submitted report is on file at the township hall.
9. ASSESSOR’S REPORT: Steve Schweikert stated that the Board of Review for corrections will be held December 13, 2011.
10. FIRE REPORT: Chief Johnson reported: Tanker #1 was taken to Northville for repair and a DNR Assistance Grant for $3,750 to purchase Wild Land Firefighting Clothing had been approved. Complete report is on fi le at the township hall.
11. AMBULANCE REPORT: 37 transports were reported. Submitted report is on fi le at the township hall.
12. BUILDING INSPECTOR/CODE ENFORCER: Robert Delaney reported a total monthly income of $7,550.00 in permit fees. Complete report on file at the township hall.
13. UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
A. Petty Cash Account
Supervisor Miller expressed a need for a petty cash fund for general offi ce expenses and moved to establish an account.
With no second the motion died due to lack of support.
B. Rails to Trails - Donation
Mr. Avery Weaver presented a history of the Rails to Trails project, explained its goals, and requested a donation from the township. Moved by Trustee Archer and seconded by Trustee Schultz to donate $5,000 in 2 year increments to the Rails to Trails Project. Roll call: Trustee Archer-Yes, Trustee Campbell- No, Treasurer Cudney-Yes, Supervisor Miller-Yes, Trustee Krajcovic-No, Trustee Schultz-Yes, Clerk Delaney-No. Motion passed.
C. Resolution - Baker College Diesel Project on South M-52 Supervisor Miller gave an update on the Baker College project.
D. MTA Conference - Detroit January 2012
Treasurer Cudney made a motion seconded by Trustee Schultz for anyone who would like to attend the MTA Conference to go including Lawyer Bowne to attend for one day. Motion passed unanimously.
14. NEW BUSINESS:
A. Demis and Wenzlick P.C. - Presentation of 2011 Audit
Jim Demis presented the fi ndings of the 2011 audit. Moved by Trustee Schultz and seconded by Treasurer Cudney to accept the audit and internal controls. Motion passed unanimously. After the presentation of further information which showed that the township is in solid financial standing with a more than adequate fund balance, Trustee Schultz moved and Treasurer Cudney seconded to accept the audit report as presented. Motion passed unanimously.
B . On Line Account - Treasurer Cudney
Treasurer Cudney explained that there is a $2 fee for entities other than property owners to access on line tax data. A discussion was held concerning the township assuming the fee at a cost of approximately $3,000. Roll call was taken with a unanimous decision of the board that the policy will not change.
C. Aerotropolis - Discussion & consideration joining interlocal agreement Mr. Brent Jones, a representative of the SEDP, gave a presentation explaining the Aerotropolis Project.
Attorney Bowne had several questions and expressed concern about the township entering into this agreement.
The board decided to study and investigate the project further.
D. Special Meeting - Dec. 15, 2011 to consider resolution of SewerProject Plan
Background information concerning the sewer situation was presented. A public hearing is to be held at the Caledonia Township Hall on December 15, 2011 at 7:00 PM for a presentation of the Sewer Project Plan. After which the Owosso Township Board will hold a special meeting and make a decision concerning the project.
Motion by Treasurer Cudney and seconded by Trustee Archer to pay the total cost of $44,787.90 to the Utility Authority to reimburse them for the cost of the engineering study and maintenance. Roll call vote taken and motion passed unanimously.
15. PAYMENT OF BILLS:
Motion to approve the payment of bills was made by Trustee Krajcovic and seconded by Treasurer Cudney. Roll call taken and motion passed unanimously.
Moved by Treasurer Cudney and seconded by Trustee Schultz to have members of the Board of Review attend advanced training on February 9, 2012 in Frankenmuth at a cost of $79 per attendee. Motion passed unanimously.
16. PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Lee Wing inquired about the Environmental Plumbers working in the township.
Pat McCarthy inquired about MDOT’s plan to reduce N. M-52 to a 3 lane highway.
17. COMMUNICATIONS/BOARD COMMENTS/REPORTS:
A. Trustee Archer commented on the state’s plan to eliminate road commissions and expressed concern that the township make their position on that topic known.
B. Supervisor Miller pointed out the need for the township to begin consideration for the remodeling, expansion, or constructing of a new township hall.
Several township residents in attendance voiced approval of the Supervisor’s suggestion.
C. Various board members commented on the holiday decorations and extended happy holiday wishes to everyone.
18. ADJOURNMENT: Motion made by Trustee Schultz and seconded by Trustee Krajcovic to adjourn the meeting. Motion passed.
Meeting adjourned at 9:45 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Bonnie Delaney
Township Clerk
Danny Miller
Township Supervisor
