Township Information, Forms & Ordinances
Homestead Township Board of Trustees
Regular Meeting
Homestead Township Hall
11508 Honor Highway
Honor, MI 49640
April 6, 2009 at 7:00P.M.
A regular meeting of the Homestead Township Board was called to order at 7:00 p.m., by Chair Cathy Demitroff.
Present: Cathy Demitroff, Shelley Rosa, Mary Geetings, Matt Miller and Carol Moore.
Also present: Bob Rosa, Frank Walterhouse, Dan Moore, Bill Hutchins, Dennis Rodzik, Bill Sholten, Todd Warren, Sherry Taylor, Lee Anton, Debra Donley, Devan DePauw, Kenneth Gokey, Denis Rokicki, Pamm Laing, Mark Wareham, Gary Anderson, Scott Anderson, Steven Ingleston, Renee DeWindt, and Cindra Moore.
The entire audience participated in the Pledge of Allegiance.
APPROVE AGENDA : Motion by Rosa to approve the agenda, with the addition of Table and Chairs, and the Clerk’s Office Furniture, under Old Business. Support Miller. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES : Motion by Miller to accept the March 2nd, 2009 minutes as presented. Support Moore. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT : The Treasurer explained the General Fund amount to the board and audience. Motion by Miller, support Moore to accept the Treasurer's Reports as presented. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
CLERK'S REPORT : Motion by Miller, support Rosa to accept the Clerk's Reports as presented. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
ZONING REPORT : Motion by Rosa, support Miller to accept the Zoning Administrator’s Report as presented. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
SUPERVISOR'S REPORT : Motion by Rosa, support Miller to accept the Supervisor’s Report as presented. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS :
General Fund: Motion by Miller, support Rosa to pay the General Fund Bills. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Fire Millage: Motion by Rosa, support Miller to pay the Fire Department Bills. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Almira Township - Letter informing all that Almira will no longer provide Primary Fire Service to Inland Township.
Benzie County Road Commission - Notifying the approval of Homestead Twp the use of their facility for Clean-up Day on June 6, 2009.
Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians - Letter that denied Homestead Township grant money requested for “Improvement to Homestead Township Park”.
Broad Bay Marketing - Offering Employee Benefits for Township Employees
Abonmarche - Cemetery Markers and Map Restoration
Four Bids requested by Cathy from the road commission for seal coating this summer were distributed for review and future discussion.
PUBLIC IN-PUT - Bill Sholten - Pioneer Rd - Undersheriff for Benzie County, made pamphlets available to the public and spoke in support of the up coming Jail Millage Renewal.
Cindra Moore - Covey Road - This has been the 5 th request to the Township Board that I have made regarding Green Cemeteries. She presented to the board information regarding Green Burial, along with 5 pieces of property she has researched that could be purchased by the township for this use.
Denis Rodzik - Riverside Drive - He has attended other township meetings, where an open style meeting, or interaction with the public has taken place. He would like to see us consider this style of meeting, especially when it comes to budgets. The residents should have a say and understand where their tax dollars are going.
PUBLIC IN-PUT - Closed
Scott Anderson - Seeking an Eagle Scout Badge - Scott reviewed with the board the improvements he will conduct to Champion Hill Cemetery. Motion by Rosa to allow the Supervisor to sign for Scott's Eagle Scout Project. Support Miller. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Renee DeWindt - Food Director for Frankfort Benzie Schools - The School System in Benzie County has a high needs for reduced lunches, and the concern is what happens in the summer for those little ones, who families can't afford to feed them. A Federal Grant has been received to run a program this summer to supply food to any youth up to the age of 18. Renee is requesting the use of the Township Hall to service this need. The days request are Monday - thru Thursday from 8:30 until 3:00pm., mid June through Labor Day. If the hall is needed by someone else, they would find another location. The food will be cooked at Frankfort schools, and transported to the different locations for distribution. Motion by Rosa to allow Ranee DeWindt the use of the Township hall Monday thru Thursday 8:30 until 3:00 p.m. mid June through Labor Day. Support Geetings. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Denis Rokicki - Chairman Park and Recreation Committee - Presented 4 recommendations to the Twp Board
1 - Install a 4 foot fence behind the home plate at the main ball field, to prevent children from falling off the wall.
2 - Eliminate some trash cans and purchase cover.
3 - Ask the Board to consider matching funds with the money we have already colleted.
4 - The Friends of the Skate Park have had two Skate Park Ramps donated. The donator would like these removed from his premises as soon as he could. Todd Warren asked if there is a place at the park that we could store them, until a pad could be constructed.
A plan was distributed to the board to review for the Restrooms. The Park and Rec will provide a proposal to the board with a cost for the next meeting.
The trash cans will be coordinated with the new Park and Rec Person.
NEW BUSINESS - Park and Rec Bids - 5 Bids
Happy Harry's Maintenance - Bid for complete Maintenance and Fertilizing with Liability Insurance - Bid for $6,000
Devan M Depauw - Average time invested would be about 40 hours per week - Bid for $14,000
Frank Walterhouse - Asking for a 4 year contract - Bid for $6,500
Steve Ingleston - Park Maintenance Person - Bid for $18,000
Kenneth Mark Gokey - Park Maintenance Position - Bid for $12,000
Motion by Rosa to appoint Happy Harry's Maintenance bid for $6,000 (six thousand). Support Geetings.
He will use Township equipment, unless it is broken and needs repairs, he will then use his own. He will use round up and fertilizer on the fields, applying 4 times per year. Roll Call. Geetings - Yes, Demitroff - Yes, Miller - Yes, Moore - Yes and Rosa - Yes.
Mass Gathering Amendment Ordinance - Motion by Rosa to approve the Mass Gathering Ordinance for Homestead and Inland Township - Amendment #08-01. Support Moore. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Concession Stand - Motion by Rosa to approve the Concession Stand Ad with changes, that included the minimum bid starting at $215.00, which is the cost for the water test and the License from the Health Department. The Ad will run in the paper for 2 weeks. Support Moore. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Fertilizer and Weed Control - Park Maintenance Person will Fertilize the Fields - So there is no need to run an ad in the paper.
Blight Ordinance - Roger Williams has agreed to enforce the Blight Ordinance, but it needs to be approved by legal council. Motion by Rosa to send the Ordinance to our Attorney for legal approval. Support Miller. Roll Call. Motion Approved.
Tables - Twp Hall - An estimate to purchase 4 tables for the Township Hall at the cost per table of 139.95, or 123.95 along with shipping of $180.00 was distributed for review. Lee Anton has agreed to go to Sam's Club and get an estimate to purchase tables from there. Table until next meeting.
Office Furniture - Clerk's Office - A bid for $738.00 to purchase a new desk and binder bin from Integrity Business Solution for the Clerk Office was reviewed. Motion by Rosa to accept the bid from Integrity Solution for the Clerk's Furniture. Support Miller. Roll Call. Miller - Yes. Moore - Yes. Demitroff - Yes. Rosa - Yes. Geetings - Abstain.
OLD BUSINESS
General Roll Over Money - The Cemetery Account was over drawn by $12.42 for Fiscal Year 2008/09. (The result from a the tree damage this summer). Motion by Rosa to move $100.00 from the Contingency Account to the Cemetery Account. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Demitroff to Roll Over $198,445.32 from Fiscal year 2008 / 2009 to Fiscal Year 2009 / 2010. Support Rosa. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Rosa to transfer $24,640.34 from the Fire Millage Account to the Fire Equipment Fund. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Rosa to amend the beginning balance for the Park and Rect to $7,548.27. Support Demitroff. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Fire Department - 8 runs for March.
Information was distributed to the board on purchasing a new Tank-Pumper Truck. The current truck in a 1986 GMC, 25 years old, with a steel tank. Current vehicles have a Fiberglass tank with a warranty for life. The goal is to apply for a grant from Homeland Security. Review for the May meeting.
The Fire Department is applying for a grant for extricating equipment, Jaws of Life. They are requesting a letter of support and the boards approval to apply. Motion by Rosa to allow the Fire Dept to seek a grant, along with a letter of support for Jaws of Life equipment. Support Miller. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
The Fire Department wishes to purchase new pants and coats. They are asking the boards permission to seek bids. Motion by Demitroff to allow the Fire Dept to seek bids for pants and coats. Support Miller. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Joint Planning - A public hearing took place at Inland Twp regarding an application By Presidium Antrim West LC to amend the zoning district map. The Joint Planning has approved the re-zoning of the property, and final votes will come to both boards in May.
Newsletter - A post card regarding the townships feeling on the ORV needs to go with the newsletter. Motion by Rosa to print a post card to go in the newsletter, and to approve the newsletter for print. Support Miller. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Motion by Rosa to give Cathy an allowance of $1,500 for postage to mail the newsletter. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
ORV - Suggested by Cathy to set up an committee regarding the use of ORV in the Township. This thought will be postponed until after the post cards are returned from the residents.
PUBLIC IN-PUT - Denis Rodzik - Reminder - April 15 tax meeting in Lansing. I will make copies of this budget summary for the board to review.
Bob Rosa - Is the young man going to put a light up at Champion Hill Cemetery. I suggest the board have a licensed electrician on hand when this takes place. I also suggest a galvanized black fence to be placed above the cement wall at the park, as this would be easier to look through.
Cathy - Homestead Township is hosting the next MTA meeting on Wednesday April 15, at 7:00 p.m.
Bill Hutchins - Informational meeting April 18, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Cathy - I would like to boards permission to order the Dumpster for the summer months. Motion by Rosa to allow Cathy or order the dumpster for the months of May through August. Roll Call. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Any other business to come before the board - Frank and Cathy, have you gotten back with Gary Trobeck from Burnham and Flower regarding information on Risk management. Yes, SS# and Driver licenses have been forwarded for Risk Management.
Adjourn: Motion by Rosa to Adjourn. Support Miller. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
Respectfully submitted
Mary Geetings, Clerk Shelley Rosa - Acting Chair - March 3 rd Meeting
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