Marion Township - Livingston County Michigan

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 November 29, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes

b.) Approval of November 27, 2007 Special meeting Minutes

c.) November 27, 2007 Planning Commission Report

d.) Complaint Report

e.) DPW Report

f.) Treasurers Report

g.) Zoning Report

3. FEMA National Floodplain Explanation

4. Poverty Exemption Guidelines

5. P.A. 116 Application

6. Musson Hills Cemetery Property

7. Credit Card Use Policy

8. Harden Motion for Returning to ZBA

9. Development Synopsis Presentation

Correspondence/ Updates

Norton Road Bridge

Water Quality Monitor Grant for MiCOR

For the Good of the Township

Call to the Public

Adjournment

DRAFT MINUTES

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Phil Westmoreland , OHM

***********************************************************************************************************************************

CALL TO ORDER

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

PLEDGE TO FLAG

MEMBERS PRESENT/ABSENT

The members of the board introduced themselves.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

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

CONSENT AGENDA

Tammy Beal motioned to remove approval of the November 27 special meeting minutes from the consent agenda. Les Andersen seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

Les Andersen motioned to approve the consent agenda as amended. Dan Lowe seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

APPROVAL OF NOVEMBER 27, 2007 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

Les Andersen motioned to approve the November 27, 2007 special meeting minutes as presented. Tammy Beal seconded. Motion carried 6-0-1 (Hamann abstained.)

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

None.

FEMA NATIONAL FLOODPLAIN EXPLANATION

Bob Hanvey provided the board members and audience members with a handout in response to questions raised about FEMA participation. The information is also available on the township’s website, on paper maps at the township office, or on a CD that the township has created. He stressed that the township’s participation in NFIP is not related to whether parcels would be required to purchase flood insurance.

Bruce Lyons, 2588 Sexton: Mr. Lyons asked if the township is benefiting monetarily by participating. Mr. Hanvey said no. Mr. Lyons asked if participation is something that is renewed every year.

Dan Lowe said if the township does participate, residents have to deal with FEMA and get USGS elevations to have property removed. He has talked with Bruce Niemi from the MDEQ.

Mr. Hanvey said the NFIP map people said that whether or not a township participates has no effect on the appeal process. Dan Lowe said the maps are inaccurate, there’s no topography, the elevations are wrong.

Les Andersen reminded everyone that the maps are the driving factor, whether or not the township participates. Mr. Hanvey said there has been a lot of conflicting information. Dan Lowe said the email response that the clerk sent to the Triangle Lake residents was completely inaccurate.

Jack Lowe, chairman of the Planning Commission, said he has attended many meetings, talked with other townships and county agencies. The mapping that was done in Hamburg Township is different; they paid extra for the maps to be done properly, and that community has a reason to participate. He believes that lake property will be required to have insurance.

Charlie Musson, 333 Triangle Lake Road : Mr. Musson asked if the map he had received from the township is final. Mr. Hanvey said it’s tentative. Mr. Musson asked what map the township refers to when deciding what’s in a floodplain.

Mary Ellen Finch, 1733 Triangle Lake Road : Ms. Finch asked what the rush is and what is the benefit.

Phil Westmoreland, the township engineer, said he believes they will continue to map the entire township. From an engineering perspective, he would like to have the maps done.

Rita Hanson, 1450 Triangle Lake Road : Ms. Hanson suggested the township wait to join until after all of the maps are done.

Becky Mistretta, 2883 Rubbins: Mrs. Mistretta said if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it.

Tammy Surian, 758 Foxfire: Ms. Surian said that all residents of the township should be notified, and there are too many conflicts to make a decision. Ms. Surian said this item should be voted on by the residents. Mr. Hanvey said he wasn’t certain whether this is an issue that is permitted to be voted on by the residents. Ms. Surian volunteered to research this item to see what information she’s able to obtain.

Les Andersen again said that the maps are still going to be there whether or not the township participates. Dave Hamann asked if there would be liability if the township declines to participate. Jack Lowe said there are three parcels that are identified on the maps and those people should be notified. Dan Lowe said it’s his understanding that every house built in the township has to have elevations done by USGC at a cost of $500-1,000.

Mary Ellen Finch asked if this is still under discussion or is it a done deal. Tammy Beal said a resolution was passed on August 23 to join the program, and the intergovernmental agreement with the Livingston County Building Department was passed in November. The application just needs to be completed and sent. Ms. Beal will check to see if the application can be held. Mr. Hanvey said the application requires further review of the maps.

Dan Lowe said there are many people in the audience who are against participating and the board members should listen to them. Mr. Hanvey said he doesn’t know how many people may be in support of the plan because those people weren’t recruited to attend this meeting. He asked Mr. Lowe how many people it would take to convince Mr. Lowe. Mr. Lowe said none if it affects him.

Scott Lloyd, 5717 Pingree: Mr. Lloyd said the board member should listen to the public.

Les Andersen thanked everyone for attending the meeting and voicing their opinions.

Bruce Lyons suggested having someone from FEMA make a presentation.

POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES

Bob Hanvey provided the board members with a sample asset test policy. Les Andersen motioned to use the suggested formula to be used by the Board of Review for poverty exemptions. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Roll call vote: Hamann, Lowe, Beal, Hanvey, Wyckoff , Andersen, Hodge—all yes. Motion carried 7-0.

PA 116 APPLICATION

Bob Hanvey said the PA 116 application from Thomas and Alison Bauer appears to meet the qualifications. Les Andersen motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the PA 116 application from Thomas and Alison Bauer and forward to the appropriate agencies. Tammy Beal seconded. Roll call vote: Wyckoff , Hodge, Hanvey, Hamann, Beal, Andersen, Lowe—all yes. Resolution passed 7-0.

MUSSON HILLS CEMETERY PROPERTY

The board members discussed Mr. Musson’s property adjacent to Harger Cemetery . The engineer has looked at the property, and made some suggestions regarding the driveway. The property would require minor grading and tree removal, and the parking lot would be best in the front. Mr. Westmoreland will provide the board with a preliminary plan on the number of plots that would be available on the property (AI #1.)

CREDIT CARD USE POLICY

Tammy Beal reported the township currently has credit cards from Staples, Wal-Mart and National City . The auditor has suggested a more well-defined credit card use policy, and provided a sample for the board members to review. Les Andersen motioned to adopt a resolution to approve the sample credit card policy. Tammy Beal seconded. Discussion: Dave Hamann said he would like the sample policy rewritten specifically for the township before approval. Les Andersen withdrew his motion, and Tammy Beal seconded. Dave Hamann motioned to table this item. Travis Hodge seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

HARDEN MOTION FOR RETURNING TO ZBA

Dave Hamann motioned to have the Harden variance request returned to the Zoning Board of Appeals for another hearing. Paula Wyckoff seconded. Motion carried 7-0.

DEVELOPMENT SYNOPSIS PRESENTATION

Phil Westmoreland provided the board members with a private development project status update. The board members reviewed the various projects, and discussed what “complete” means. Jack Lowe said he believes it means monuments are in, landscaping is done, and all agencies have signed off. A punch list could be made and the township could set a bond for the top lift of asphalt. Mr. Westmoreland is asking the board for direction on what developments to continue working on.

CORRESPONDENCE/UPDATES

Norton Road Bridge : Jack Lowe said the bridge is done; cleanup and seeding needs to be done and there are punch list items.

Water Quality Monitor Grant for MiCOR: Bob Hanvey provided the board members with a copy of a letter of support he sent to the Livingston County Drain Commissioner’s Office regarding a grant application.

Darakjian: A two-page handout is included with the board packets.

Highland : Bob Hanvey said a date has been set for a conference call at the tribunal with the attorneys.

NPDES: Bob Hanvey said the five-year permit is up for renewal. The board members discussed the benefits of participation. Dan Lowe said he thinks the township should get out of the program.

Verizon: The lease paperwork is complete and work is being done to co-locate.

LCRC: Tim Johnson from the Road Commission has asked the board members to keep projects in mind for the coming year.

Chestnut: Bob Hanvey provided an update.

FOR THE GOOD OF THE TOWNSHIP

Charlie Musson, 333 Triangle Lake : Mr. Musson said he attended the last Road Commission meeting, and they are taking an in-depth look at the overlay program. The budget meeting is next month. Les Andersen said he will try to attend the upcoming meeting.

Tammy Beal said the next board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 3, and the packets will be ready by Thursday, December 27 at 3:00 p.m.

CALL TO THE PUBLIC

Jack Lowe suggested the township board send a thank-you letter to the Road Commission for the work done on County Farm . Tammy Beal will check to see if something has been sent and, if not, will send a letter (AI #2.)

Charlie Musson had questions on how the billing is done for projects. Jack Lowe asked Phil Westmoreland what the cost would be to make the billing statement more detailed. Mr. Westmoreland asked the township to let him know what should appear on the statements (AI #3.)

Linda Myers, Sharma Lane : Ms. Myers asked about progress on the Jewell Road bridge. Bob Hanvey said the project probably wouldn’t be complete for 3-10 years.

ADJOURNMENT

Dave Hamann motioned to adjourn the meeting at 10:25 p.m. Travis Hodge seconded. Motion carried 7-0.