DUNDEE TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING
MARCH 9, 2010
The regular meeting of the Dundee Township Board was held Tuesday March 9, 2010 at the Dundee Township Hall. Supervisor Uhl called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Present were Supervisor Uhl, Clerk O'Lone, Treasurer Sontag and Trustees: Lazette, Larson, Juckette and Winkelman. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
Motion by Trustee Larson and supported by Treasurer Sontag to accept the agenda as printed. Motion carried.
Motion by Trustee Larson and supported by Trustee Winkelman to approve the minutes of the budget workshop and regular meeting held February 23, 2010 and the special meeting held February 25, 2010 and waive the reading of such. Trustee Juckette abstained due to his absence at the meetings. Motion carried.
Motion by Trustee Winkelman and supported by Clerk O'Lone to accept the treasurer's report for January 2010. Motion carried.
CORRESPONDENCE
- 1. Ordinance Officer's report January-February 2010
- 2. River Raisin Institute film series
- 3. 2010 Annual Heroes for the Homeless Breakfast
- 4. Monroe County Road Commission contracting and bidding local road work with townships
There were several board comments regarding Monroe County Road Commission correspondence line item. The road commission began a private contracting bid policy effective June 8, 2009 but did not inform any of the townships. By the time the townships discovered the policy it was too late for them to submit bids before the winter season began. At their meeting on February 22nd board commissioners decided to sunset the policy prior to the 2010 construction season thus leaving the policy useless for all townships. Supervisor Uhl will meet with Frenchtown Supervisor McDivitt to see if the other supervisors would like to respond to this decision.
Motion by Trustee Juckette and supported by Treasurer Sontag to accept the correspondence and place on file.
PUBLIC COMMENT
The head librarian stated that usage of the library branch continues to rise. The phone line added specifically for a fax machine has been a huge asset to the community.
OFFICIAL REPORTSSupervisor Uhl
All of the taxing entities are going to be sent an invitation to attend a meeting with the township assessor. He will present a detailed explanation as to the impact each of them will face if the Holcim tax appeal is not addressed.
The road commission is holding approximately $60,000.00 in an escrow account from an auto accident settlement regarding the Kimpton Road Bridge. According to Steve Bowes from the road commission it will take over $200,000.00 to replace the bridge. For $15,000.00 the road commission can assess the area and determine what kind of material would be best suited for replacement. Supervisor Uhl will contact a wooden bridge company for an estimate and this information will be presented at the next board meeting.
Assessing Department
A full appointment schedule is underway for March Board of Review. The board met last Monday and will be meeting on Wednesday and Thursday of this week. Friday the board will spend the day acting on petitions.
Trustee Larson
A county MTA meeting was held with the 2010 Census as the main topic.
Trustee Lazette
The next planning commission meeting will be held on Wednesday March 17th. A meeting was held with a grant writer. They will present information to the board at the April 13th.
Trustee Winkelman
The firemen will be hosting two fundraisers to raise funds for their participation in the Dundee Relay for Life. A bowling night and a boot drive will occur prior to the Relay for Life event. Estimates are still being gathered for an overall cost to build the new fire station.
Treasurer Sontag
All delinquent taxes have been sent to the county. Collection in Monroe will begin on March 10th or 11th.
Clerk O'Lone
A DEQ meeting was held at the township hall on March 2, 2010. The topic of the meeting was discussion of the removal of material placed on the embankment that per DEQ regulations must be removed.
NEW BUSINESS
A letter of resignation effective Friday March 12, 2010 was presented to the board by Plumbing and Mechanical Inspector Richard Bressler. A job posting will be put in the paper and a committee will need to be formed for interviewing potential inspectors. Motion by Trustee Lazette and supported by Clerk O'Lone to advertise for a new plumbing and mechanical inspector. Motion carried. Motion by Clerk O'Lone and supported by Trustee Lazette to form a committee to interview inspectors consisting of Building Inspector Robert Madaski, Trustee Lazette and Supervisor Uhl. Motion carried.
The 2010-2011 appointments were presented to the board for the fiscal year April 1st deadline. Motion by Clerk O'Lone and supported by Treasurer Sontag to approve the following one year appointments effective April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011: Dan Motylinski as Fire Chief and EMD representative, Trustee Winkelman as Fire Department Liaison, Robert Madaski as Building Inspector, Frances Dean as Mineral Extraction Pond Inspector and Louis Galloro as Ordinance Officer. Motion carried. Discussion occurred regarding the Cemetery Sexton appointment. This will remain an agenda item for the next regular meeting. Motion by Clerk O'Lone and supported by Trustee Larson to approve the following one year appointments effective April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011: Trustee Larson as Cemetery Liaison/Fence Viewer, Trustee Lazette as River Raisin Watershed Council Representative, Trustee Juckette as Drainage Task Force Delegate, Supervisor Uhl as MTA County Chapter Delegate, Cooley, Hehl, Wohgamuth and Carleton as Township Auditors, the bank depositors to be determined by the treasurer's discretion, Louis Galloro as Liquor Inspector and the mileage rate set at the governmental rate of $.50 per mile. Motion carried. The township could possibly require numerous specialized attorneys pending the building of a new fire hall. The township is not required to appoint a specific attorney. Motion by Trustee Juckette and supported by Trustee Winkelman to form a committee consisting of Clerk O'Lone, Supervisor Uhl and Trustee Lazette to investigate alternative legal council. Motion carried. This will remain an agenda item. Motion by Trustee Juckette and supported by Trustee Winkelman to approve the following two year appointments effective April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011: Art Bronson, David Sedlar, George Horkey and Chuck Ruehs to the Planning Commission, Larry Houpt to the Board of Appeals and Keith Pilbeam as building and Jerry Henry as mechanical for the Construction Board of Appeals. Motion carried. Janitorial and cemetery contracts are due for renewal. One bid was submitted by Wendy Schuyler. Motion by Trustee Larson and supported by Clerk O'Lone to accept the janitorial bid of $200.00 per month for the cleaning of the library and $200.00 per month for the cleaning of the township hall and $20.00 per hour for any additional cleaning. Motion carried. There were two bids received for the cemetery maintenance contract. Motion by Trustee Juckette and supported by Trustee Winkelman in the best interest of tax payers dollars to accept the low bid submitted by Lawn-Tech Services. Roll call vote as follows: Treasurer Sontag no, Trustee Lazette no, Clerk O'Lone no, Trustee Juckette abstain, Trustee Larson no, Trustee Winkelman yes and Supervisor Uhl no. Motion denied. A lengthy discussion regarding previous contracts occurred among board members. Clerk O'Lone stated that R & R Lawn Care has maintained Maple Grove and Oak Grove for many years and have performed many extra duties at no additional cost to the township. Lawn-Tech has maintained Leib Cemetery for many years and has also done an excellent job. The cemeteries are a sensitive and emotional area for visitors and residents and low bidding is not always the best option. Motion by Clerk O'Lone and supported by Treasurer Sontag to accept the R & R Lawn Care bid for Oak Grove and Maple Grove Cemeteries and the Lawn-Tech bid for Leib Cemetery. Five board members in favor of the motion, Trustee Winkelman voted no and Trustee Juckette abstained. Motion carried.
Motion by Clerk O'Lone and supported by Trustee Winkelman to appoint Gary Lazette as Electrical Inspector from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2011. Five board members in favor upon a voice vote with Trustee Lazette abstaining. Motion carried.
Motion by Supervisor Uhl and supported by Trustee Winkelman to appoint Rollo Juckette to serve as a member of the Board of Appeals for a term from April 1, 2010 through March 31, 2012. Six board members in favor upon a voice vote with Trustee Juckette abstaining. Motion carried.
Motion by Trustee Winkelman and supported by Trustee Lazette to accept the meeting schedule of every second and fourth Tuesday of each month excluding the fourth meeting in December for township board meetings to begin at 7:00 p.m. unless otherwise posted. Motion carried.
Two versions of the ditch side mowing contracts were presented to the board. A contract totaling $19,990.00 divides the township's mowing over a three plan and a $17,500.00 contract would encompass a four year span. The opinion of bidder Dan Wyse who has mowed the ditches in the township for many years is that one year should not greatly impact the flow of the ditches. Motion by Trustee Winkelman and supported by Trustee Larson to approve the four year contract for the 2010-2013 season for ditch side mowing with D & D Wyse Ditch Mowing. Motion carried.
A resolution to remove the final segment of the tax abatement issued to Holcim (US), Inc. was presented to the board. Motion by Clerk O'Lone and supported by Trustee Larson to approve Resolution 2010-1 Revoking Industrial Tax Abatement Granted to Holcim (US), Inc. Roll call vote as follows: Trustee Winkelman yea, Trustee Juckette yea, Treasurer Sontag yea, Trustee Lazette yea, Trustee Larson yea, Clerk O'Lone yea and Supervisor Uhl yea. Motion carried.
Motion by Treasurer Sontag and supported by Trustee Lazette to pay the bills in the amount of $6,981.15. Motion carried.
Motion by Trustee Larson and supported by Trustee Lazette to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried. Time of adjournment was 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Tira J. O'Lone
Township Clerk
ATTEST:
Joanna C. Uhl
Township Supervisor
