(DRAFT)

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

11 NOVEMBER 2007

 

 

Supervisor Raymond called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.

Welcome to Lori J. Russelburg as the Township’s new Clerk and Trustee Bernard Pelc.

 

PRESENT:  Trustee E. Sue Terhune, Trustee Bernard Pelc, Clerk Lori J. Russelburg, Treasurer Dian Courtney, Supervisor Thomas Raymond.

ABSENT:  None.

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF OCTOBER 3, 2007:

 

Motion by Trustee Terhune to accept the October 3, 2007, Board Meeting Minutes with corrections as stated.  Supported by Trustee Pelc.

Following corrections to the Minutes:

● Page 1, under Approval of minutes:  2nd sentence after motion to approve.  Change the wording within the quote to:  “Supported by Trustee Terhune.”

● End of the 1st page:  comment by Fred Deilus: amend the comment to read as follows:  “Comment regarding addressing people informally by their surname.”

● Page 2, under New Business:  3rd motion amended as follows:

“Motion by Trustee Terhune to place the unpaid water and sewer bills that are over $75.00 on the 2007 Tax Bills.”

Vote on the motion:  Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

APPROVAL OF SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES:

 

Motion by Trustee Courtney to accept the October 25, 2007, Special Meeting Minutes for the Bid Opening for Water District 2-A as written.  Supported by Supervisor Raymond. 

Vote on the motion:  Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

TREASURER’S REPORT:

 

Treasurer Courtney made a clarification to the August 1 through the August 31 report, after having the audit report done there were corrections made to it, interest income not previously recorded per the auditor, increase total funds by $1,873.36.

 

Motion by Supervisor Raymond to accept the Financial Report from September 1 through September 30, 2007 as presented by Treasurer Courtney.  Supported by Trustee E. Sue Terhune. 

Vote on the motion:  Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP MINUTES – NOVEMBER 11, 2007

Page 2

 

Supervisor Raymond asked if there were any new additions to the agenda:

 

Treasurer Courtney requested an agenda item under New Business: 

#16.  Re-evaluating the Deputies’ responsibilities in the office i.e. salaries.

 

APPROVAL OF CHECKS WRITTEN:

 

No checks were written.

 

OPEN SESSION – ANYONE WISHING TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:

 

Dennis Figlak, 7281 River Road:  Opposed to the Administration fee percentage charged to our property tax bill, escalating cost, and that it is not truly representative of what it cost to produce the tax bill.  Would like this request be addressed by the Board.

Supervisor Raymond:  We will look into it.

 

Dave DeNeel, 7289 Broadbridge Road:  Questioned where the bidders for Water District 2-A are from?

 

Jimmy Williams, McKinley Road:  $4,000 will be charged per 113 parcels, where will this money be spent?

 

Supervisor Raymond:  Legal fees, engineering costs, bonding costs, lots of other fees that go along with it.  Construction costs are all that was bid on.

 

Broadbridge Road resident:  When pipe goes through who actually will do the inspecting?

 

Supervisor Raymond:  Engineering company that will sign off and watch for all the workmanship, it is in the bid.

 

Don Armstrong, 8129 River Road:  Suggested that we have a communications meeting with one or more of the township officials available and he would help to arrange, excellent idea for this township to communicate.

 

CORRESPONDENCE:

 

Trustee Terhune:  MTA Newsletter article on absentee applications.

 

OLD BUSINESS:  None discussed.

 

 

 

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP MINUTES – NOVEMBER 11, 2007

Page 3

 

NEW BUSINESS:

 

1.  REVISED ZONING ORDINANCES:

 

Richard Smith from Montgomery & Associates was present and reviewed

the steps required for rezoning or text amendment as the Planning Commission has been reviewing, holding public hearings, forwarded the whole package to the St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Commission for their review.  He reviewed all the text amendments and rezoning with the Board.  Final stage is now with the Cottrellville Township Board for their decision.

 

Motion by Trustee Pelc to amend the proposed zoning ordinance update by editing the text as recommended by Montgomery & Associates, Inc., in their letter of October 16, 2007, and by editing the zoning map note regarding airport hazard areas to make it clear these are under the authority of the Michigan Bureau of Aeronautics and are being shown on the map for information purposes only.  Supported by Treasurer Courtney. 

Vote on the motion:  Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Motion by Supervisor Raymond to approve the proposed zoning ordinance update for which a public hearing was held by the Township Planning Commission on July 25, 2007, and as revised by the Township Board this date.  Supported by Trustee Pelc.

Vote on the motion:  Ayes:  Trustee Terhune, Trustee Pelc, Treasurer Courtney, Supervisor Raymond.  Nays:  None.  Abstained:  Clerk Russelburg.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

2.  ANCHOR BAY WATER SHED:

Per the Water Board meeting in Ira Township and Cottrellville Township, per the DEQ, has approved the termination of Cottrellville Township under Phase II status.

No Motion required.

 

3.  AUDIT REPORT FOR 2006-2007

 

Letter from Township Auditor Berthiaume & Company for the year ending March 31, 2007, and have issued our report thereon dated August 20, 2007.  

 

4.  AUDIT PROPOSAL:

 

Supervisor Raymond:  Berthiaume & Co. has submitted a proposal to extend their contract for another three-year contract.  Discussion by the Board.

 

 

 

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP MINUTES – NOVEMBER 11, 2007

Page 4

 

Motion by Trustee Pelc to approve advertising for bid proposals from interested Certified Public Accountants that would want to submit a proposal.  Supported by Treasurer Courtney.  Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

5.  WATER & SEWER FUND:   

 

Lengthy discussion regarding adjusting the rates.  Water fund is under funded and the sewer fund is over funded.

 

Motion by Treasurer Courtney to recommend the Board adopt the $27.00 for the sewer fund per quarter be applied and $20.00 for the water base fee, a per unit rate of $7.75 will go into effect with the quarterly read beginning November 1, 2007, with the first bill to reflect the rate increase will be for the water read from 11/01/07 to 1/31/08.  Supported by Trustee Terhune.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

6.  CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AND GARBAGE BILLS:

 

Motion by Supervisor Raymond to approve as a requirement when requesting a Certificate Of Occupancy must, at that time, pay in advance for their garbage bill for the remainder of the year before they can receive their C of O.  Supported by Treasurer Courtney. 

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

7.  APPROVE CALENDAR FOR 2008:

 

Motion by Trustee Terhune to approve the calendar for 2008 Park & Recreation Committee, Planning Commission, Cottrellville Township Board and the Holiday Schedule.  Supported by Supervisor Raymond.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

 

 

 

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP MINUTES – NOVEMBER 11, 2007

Page 5

 

8.  EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT MEETING:

 

Motion by Trustee Terhune to approve the St. Clair County Emergency Management’s use of the Cottrellville Township Hall on Thursday, November 8, 2007, at 2:00 p.m.  Supported by Clerk Russelburg. 

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

9.  ST. CLAIR COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION & DPW USE OF TWP HALL:

 

Motion by Supervisor Raymond to approve the St. Clair County Road Commission and DPW’s use of the Township meeting room on July 15, 2008, at 7:00 p.m.

Supported by Trustee Pelc.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

10.   PLANNING COMMISSION APPOINTMENT:   

 

Motion by Trustee Terhune to appoint Bernard Pelc as the Board representative on the Planning Commission.   Supported by Supervisor Raymond.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

Motion by Trustee Terhune to appoint William Jenuwine to the Planning Commission with the term expiring 04/01/08.  Supported by Clerk Russelburg.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

11.  HEAT/AIR MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT:

 

Motion by Trustee Terhune to request three (3) local quotes within 20 miles for a heating/cooling maintenance agreement.  Supported by Treasurer Courtney.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

 

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP MINUTES – NOVEMBER 11, 2007

Page 6

 

12.  SET THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR WATER DISTRICT NO. 2-A:

 

Motion by Trustee Pelc to set the 2nd Public Hearing for Water District No. 2-A for Wednesday, December 5, 2007, during the regular business meeting for the purpose of hearing objections from citizens wishing to appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal, the location will be determined.  Supported by Trustee Terhune.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  Four (4)  Nay:  One (1).  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

13.  WALL SIGN:

 

Update by Supervisor Raymond on a township sign ordered through Elite Sign Outlet.

 

14.  WEB SITE:    

 

Motion by Trustee Pelc to table the Web Site discussion.  Supported by Clerk Russelburg.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

15.  WATER ORDINANCES:

 

Supervisor Raymond:  Sixteen pages regarding the Water Ordinances, explained what these ordinances cover.  Stack available if anyone wants to take one home.

 

16.  INCREASE DEPUTY’S WAGES:

 

Motion by Supervisor Raymond to increase the Deputy Clerk and Deputy Treasurer’s pay from $11.75 to $13.50, effective as of November 1, 2007.  Supported by Pelc.

Vote on the motion.

Ayes:  All.  Nays:  None.  Absent:  None.

MOTION CARRIED.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COTTRELLVILLE TOWNSHIP MINUTES – NOVEMBER 11, 2007

Page 7

 

PUBLIC COMMENTS:

 

Dennis Figlak:  Why when the bid was put out for the waterlines was it by invitation only? 

Supervisor Raymond:  No it was not, there were thirteen bidders on that project, all qualified bidders. 

Dennis Figlak:  Did local contractors get preference?

Supervisor Raymond:  No preference, it starts at the low bid, if he qualifies, he probably will be a successful contractor.  Don’t have any contractors within Cottrellville Township that are bidding on that project.

 

ADJOURNMENT:

 

Motion by Trustee Terhune to adjourn the regular meeting at 9:15 p.m.  Supported by Treasurer Courtney.  All in favor. 

Motion Carried.

 

 

_______________________________                      ___________________________

Lori J. Russelburg, Clerk                                              Thomas H. Raymond, Supervisor

Cottrellville Township                                       Cottrellville Township

 

Starts at the low bid.