Marion Township

All items listed are considered to be routine by the Board and will be enacted by one motion. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a Board member or Citizen so requests, in which event the item will be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered in its normal sequence on the agenda.

a.) Approval of June 12, 2008 Regular Meeting Minutes

3. Truth in Taxation Millage Rate (0.8216 ) (Public Hearing)

4. Review/Adoption of the 2008-2009 Budget (Public Hearing)

5. Set Township Salaries

6. Fire Hall Lease

7. 2008 Marion Township Road Projects/Norton Road Bids

8. Fox Fire/Crystal Wood Water Connection

Correspondence/ Updates

For the Good of the Township

Call to the Public

Adjournment

DRAFT MINUTES

MEMBERS PRESENT: Bob Hanvey, Paula Wyckoff, Dan Lowe, Dave Hamann, Tammy Beal, Les Andersen

and Travis Hodge

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Chris Arsenault, Pfeffer, Hanniford & Palka

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CALL TO ORDER

Bob Hanvey called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.

PLEDGE TO FLAG

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT

The board members introduced themselves.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

David Bittner, 213 E. Grand River , introduced himself as the attorney representing Vern Brockway. Mr. Brockway is going to lease Frank Lover’s property on Lucy Road . Bob Hanvey said the site plan issues are changes in the front and side yard setbacks. Mr. Hanvey said his opinion is that an 80’ front setback doesn’t serve a purpose. Mr. Brockway said he will have a three-year lease with Mr. Lover. He will be storing his own equipment, which fits with the definition of contractor storage yard. Dan Lowe said Mr. Brockway will have to go to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Planning Commission. The lawsuit pending with Mr. Lover should stay in place until Mr. Brockway receives the necessary approvals. Bob Hanvey said no Special Use Permit will be required, as it’s a use permitted by right. Mr. Hanvey asked Mr. Brockway to contact the zoning administrator on Monday morning to discuss the procedure. He also asked Mr. Brockway to get a letter from Frank Lover authorizing Mr. Brockway as his representative.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Dave Hamann motioned to approve the agenda as presented. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

CONSENT AGENDA

Les Andersen motioned to approve the consent agenda. Travis Hodge seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

PUBLIC HEARING—TRUTH IN TAXATION MILLAGE RATE (0.8216)

Bob Hanvey opened the public hearing. The millage rate is the same as last year, 0.8216. Scott Lloyd asked what the state requires, can the township go lower, and he feels it should be lowered. Bob Hanvey explained that the benefit to residents by reducing the millage rate is minimal.

Bob Hanvey closed the public hearing on the millage rate.

PUBLIC HEARING—2008-09 BUDGET

Bob Hanvey opened the public hearing for the 2008-09 budgets. Bruce Love said the administrative fee should be called a tax. He feels the township doesn’t need to collect an administrative fee.

Scott Lloyd said the township should consider a pay freeze instead of increases for everyone but the trustees. He feels a pay freeze would say a lot to the township residents.

Bruce Love said that Brighton Township trustees are taking a pay cut, and that Marion Township trustees are the highest paid in Livingston County .

Dan Lowe said the township shouldn’t have gotten two more trustees. He said that now that the community has voted to increase the number of trustees, it can never be reduced. He also said that he spends a lot of time outside of regularly-scheduled meetings working on behalf of the township.

The budget public hearing was closed.

APPROVAL OF AMENDED 2007-08 BUDGET

Bruce Love asked if the 8% for retirement is still in the budget. Bob Hanvey said yes.

Travis Hodge motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the amendments to the General Fund budget for fiscal year 2007-08. Dave Hamann seconded. Roll call vote: Hamann, Lowe, Beal, Hanvey, Wyckoff , Andersen, Hodge—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

APPROVAL OF MILLAGE RATE

Dave Hamann motioned to adopt a resolution to set the 2008-09 millage rate at 0.8216. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Roll call vote: Wyckoff , Hodge, Hanvey, Hamann, Beal, Andersen, Lowe—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

APPROVAL OF 2008-09 GENERAL FUND BUDGET

Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the General Fund Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2008-09 by activity. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Roll call vote: Beal, Hanvey, Hodge, Andersen, Lowe, Wyckoff , Hamann—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

APPROVAL OF 2008-09 MISCELLANEOUS BUDGETS

Water New User: Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the Water New User Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2008-09 by activity. Les Andersen seconded. Roll call vote: Hanvey, Lowe, Wyckoff , Beal, Hamann, Hodge, Andersen—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

Water Special Revenue Fund: Les Andersen motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the Water Special Revenue Fund Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2008-09 by activity. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Roll call vote: Hodge, Beal, Andersen, Lowe, Hanvey, Hamann, Wyckoff —all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

Sewer Fund: Les Andersen motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the Sewer Fund Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2008-09 by activity. Tammy Beal seconded. Roll call vote: Lowe, Wyckoff , Hamann, Hodge, Andersen, Beal, Hanvey—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

Recreation Fund: Paula Wyckoff motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the Recreation Fund Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2008-09 by activity. Tammy Beal seconded. Discussion: Dave Hamann asked if approving this budget authorizes members of the Recreation Committee to spend money, and what the audit controls are. It was discussed that any expenditure over $3,000 should be approved by the board. It was suggested that procedures should be written for the Recreation Committee. Roll call vote: Hamann, Lowe, Beal, Hanvey, Wyckoff , Andersen, Hodge—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

Les Andersen motioned that any expenditure over $3,000 by the Recreation Committee should be approved by the township board. Dave Hamann seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

Cemetery Fund: Bruce Love asked if Lakeside Cemetery was full. Tammy Beal said that approximately 70% of the plots have been sold. Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the Cemetery Fund Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2008-09 by activity. Travis Hodge seconded. Roll call vote: Beal, Hanvey, Hodge, Andersen, Lowe, Wyckoff , Hamann—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

Road Fund: Bob Hanvey said the road fund was established to finance private road maintenance situations. Les Andersen motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the Road Fund Proposed Budget for fiscal year 2008-09 by activity. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Roll call vote: Hanvey, Lowe, Wyckoff , Beal, Hamann, Hodge, Andersen—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

TOWNSHIP SALARIES

Dan Lowe said that salaries shouldn’t be increased, and employees’ hours should be cut because there are too many people in the office. Mr. Lowe also wants the Assessing Department to give reports on the number of site visits that are made. Bob Hanvey suggested the report be done on a monthly basis. Dan Lowe motioned to request a monthly report from the Assessment Department. Dave Hamann seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

Bob Hanvey motioned to adopt a resolution to increase the non-elected officials and employees by 2.3%. Travis Hodge seconded. Roll call vote: Hodge—yes; Beal—yes; Andersen—yes; Lowe—no; Hanvey—yes; Hamann—no; Wyckoff —yes. Resolution passed 5-2.

Dan Lowe motioned to adopt a resolution approving an annual salary of $7,416 for each of the four trustees. Tammy Beal seconded. Roll call vote: Hamann, Lowe, Beal, Hanvey, Wyckoff , Andersen, Hodge—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution to increase the Treasurer’s salary by 2.3% to $33,300. Les Andersen seconded. Roll call vote: Wyckoff —yes; Hodge—yes; Hanvey—yes; Hamann—no; Beal—yes; Andersen—yes; Lowe—no. Resolution passed 5-2.

Paula Wyckoff motioned to adopt a resolution to increase the Clerk’s salary by 2.3% to $33,300. Les Andersen seconded. Roll call vote: Beal—yes; Hanvey—yes; Hodge—yes; Andersen—yes; Lowe—no; Wyckoff —yes; Hamann—no. Resolution passed 5-2.

Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution to increase the Supervisor’s salary by 2.3% to $33,300. Travis Hodge seconded. Roll call vote: Hanvey—yes; Lowe—yes; Wyckoff —yes; Beal—yes; Hamann—no; Hodge—yes; Andersen—yes. Resolution passed 6-1.

Les Andersen said that last year, township representatives researched the salary rates and compared them to similar communities. Oceola Township was the closest to Marion Township in terms of SEV , number of parcels, etc., and Marion Township salaries were less than Oceola Township .

2008-09 FIRE STATION LEASE

Tammy Beal motioned to adopt a resolution to allow the clerk and supervisor to sign the fire station lease at $19,658 for 2008-09. Travis Hodge seconded. Roll call vote: Hodge, Beal, Andersen, Lowe, Hanvey, Hamann, Wyckoff —all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

2008 TOWNSHIP ROAD PROJECTS/ NORTON ROAD BIDS

An estimate from OHM for the Norton Road repairs is included in the board packet. Bob Hanvey will contact Jodie Tedesco from the Livingston County Road Commission on Monday morning to request an estimate (AI #1.) Tammy Beal motioned to table this item for more information. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

Bruce Love said the Road Commission did a good job on Cedar Lake Road .

Tammy Beal said the next dust control application is scheduled to begin Monday, June 30, weather permitting.

FOXFIRE/CRYSTALWOOD WATER CONNECTION

Bob Hanvey reported that Mr. Doyen did give permission for the township to look at his property. Phil Westmoreland will have a survey done on the west side. Some progress has been made on this project.

CORRESPONDENCE/UPDATES

Paula Wyckoff said there is an invitation in the packet from Parks & Recreation to the Inaugural Kick-off Party on Tuesday, July 1 at 6:00 p.m. If any board members are interested, they should let her know. Information regarding the Senior Center is also included in the packet. The first bill has been received from HAPRA for $59,314.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE TOWNSHIP

Tammy Beal said the board packets will be ready for pick-up on Monday, July 7 at 3:00 p.m.

Charlie Musson asked if Heritage Days was profitable for the township. Tammy Beal said there was a small profit. Scott Lloyd suggested that fencing should be put around the saw mill for safety reasons. Tammy Beal invited anyone who is interested to attend a planning meeting for next year’s event on Monday, July 21 at 7:00 p.m.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Barney Cole asked if someone from the township has talked to anyone regarding the last dust control application. Tammy Beal said she spoke with Tim Johnson from the LCRC. Mr. Johnson checked Francis Road out and said it looked fine. Mr. Cole said that, at one time, the developer of Copperfield had mentioned paving the road from D-19 to the entrance of Copperfield. Dave Hamann said that was discussed when the developer requested a rezoning of the property, which was denied.

Bruce Love said that Cohoctah Township has a website with salary information. Mr. Love also said the township needs a road millage. Bob Hanvey responded that Marion Township now has its checkbook and budget available on the website.

ADJOURNMENT

Dave Hamann motioned to adjourn at 9:25 p.m. Les Andersen seconded. Motion carried 7-0.