BERRIEN TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES

APRIL 13, 2010 MINUTES

Berrien Township Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. at the township hall.  Supervisor Paul Bixby called the meeting to order and opened with the pledge to the flag. 

Roll call:  Supervisor Paul Bixby, Treasurer Paul Sprung, Trustees Ross Rogien, Harold Bishop, Julie Burke and Clerk Mary Jane Dean were present.  Trustee Kevin Klug arrived late.

Also present:  Building Inspector Jim Hoover, Fire Chief Tom Stiles, Deputy Supervisor Julius Grau, Medic I Rep. Jason Russell and four residents.

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Ross Rogien to approve the agenda with Medic I report and Union Church request added.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.    

Medic I report – There were 177 calls in the Township for the month of March.

Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Paul Sprung to approve the March 16, 2010 minutes.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to approve the March 30, 2010 minutes.  All aye, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to approve the township bills in the amount of $22,819.25 for payment.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

Township Roads – Ross reported that he should have some estimates for next meeting.  What roads does the Road Commission have scheduled to do this year?  Julius had spoken to Brian from Emmet County Road Commission; they chose their worst roads for the application of Omega Paving and have had no problems.  MDOT will probably approve the Omega Paving for the entire State.

Hall addition – we should have enough funds to be able to operate for six months.  The finance committee reported we could use $525,000.00 of which $200,000.00 would come out of the general fund and borrow the remaining amount.  It was decided to change the April 27^th meeting to April 20, 2010.

Bobs Lawn Care – The Board received a request from Bobs Lawn Care to extend his original contract for mowing the township cemeteries, hall, twp. park and the DNR park at no increase or changes.  The contract would run from 2011-2013.  The contract has been the same amount since 1999.  Julie felt that it should be put out for bids.  The Board has the right to waive the bid process.  Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Harold Bishop to continue the service with Bobs Lawn Care at the same fee per month from May thru November:

            $1,782.41 cemeteries & hall grounds

                 722.70 Twp. Park

                 340.00 DNR park

Six yes votes, one no vote, none absent.  MOTION CARRIED.     

Union Church – The Union Church Historical & Preservation Society received a request to use Union Church for a wedding in June.  Because of liability it had been previously decided not to allow the Church to be rented.  Treasurer Sprung had checked with Township insurance the individual would need to put the Township and the Township Board of Trustees on his policy and sign a Hold Harmless clause.  Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Ross Rogien to allow the request for one time, all future requests need to come before the Board and for safety reasons need to put a limit of 60 people and no candles allowed as requested by the Fire Chief with the Township and Board named on the policy and a Hold Harmless clause signed.    A sign should be posted on the capacity of the church limited to 60 people.   Six yes votes, one opposed, none absent.  MOTION CARRIED.

Fire report – the Dept had 28 calls for a total cost of $2,698.00 for March.

Cemetery – need to keep progressing on laying out the grave sites at Franklin Cemetery addition.  Bob Albert will brush chop the addition.

Planning Commission received the Zoning draft of April 2010 to review.

Building Inspector Jim Hoover issued (11) building permits that included (1) new home for an estimated building amount of $175,972.00 for March.  Electrical Inspector Ken Simpson issued (3) permits for a fee of $533.00.

Financial report – the total income for 2009-2010 fiscal year was $500,426.43 with expenses at $527,412.99.  The following cost centers needed to be amended:  Assessor – 44,674.37; Tax Administration/Assessment – 27,483.99; Clerk – 20,939.40; Treasurer – 19,380.00; Township hall – 43,625.99 and Highways & Streets – 16,309.97.  Mary Jane Dean made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to adjust the cost centers as presented.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.      

Julie Burke made a motion seconded by Kevin Klug to approve the Treasurers report.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

The need for code enforcement was discussed just to check on complaints received.  Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Paul Sprung to pursue an on call person for code enforcement rather than full time.  Six yes votes, one no vote, none absent.  MOTION CARRIED.

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Mary Jane Dean to pay the registration fee for the Supervisor to attend the workshop for code enforcement.

Paul Sprung made a motion seconded by Julie Burke to amend the main motion to include any Board member to attend the workshop.

Question was called for the amendment to main motion.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIE.D

Question was called for the main motion as amended.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIE.D

Ross Rogien made a motion seconded by Paul Sprung to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m.  All ayes, none opposed.  MOTION CARRIED.

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MARY JANE DEAN BERRIEN TOWNSHIP CLERK

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PAUL B. BIXBY BERRIEN TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR