February 1, 2005
The regular board meeting of the Sylvan Township Board was held February 1, 2005 at 7PM at the Sylvan Township Hall, 18027 Old US 12, Chelsea, MI 48118.
The following board members were present: Supervisor Williams, Clerk Koch, Treasurer Grau, Trustees Merkel and Solo.
Also present: Paul Kalmbach, Paul Bollinger, Richard Bollinger, Reuben Lesser, Don Schoenberg, Earl Heller, David Brooks, Hector Gonzalez, Corinne Sikorski, Tom Caplis, Ray Steinbach, Jim Neiderheide, Jeff Gunnis, Tom and Teri Bareis, Loren Heller, Scott Cooper, Jim Uphaus, Trent and Barb Satterthwaite, Brian Koch, Jamie Bollinger.
Meeting was called to order and a moment of silence was observed in memory of Ken McCalla. The pledge was then recited.
Motion by Merkel, seconded by Grau to approve minutes as presented. Carried.
Motion by Grau, seconded by Merkel to pay bills as presented. Carried.
No public hearings.
Public Comment: Corinne Sikorski reported on WWRA.
Zoning Inspector Lange reported 7 zoning permits, 2 certificate of occupancy and 1 new address were issued in January.
Reports:
Supervisor Williams submitted his report in writing to the board and reported on WCRC meeting he attended today.
Clerk Koch reported on the Sylvan Township Sewer and Water Authority. Last month Supervisor Williams was critical of the Authority’s Finances, Operation and Organization and submitted a written report to the Board. Williams notes in his findings that the Authority had failed to obtain MDEQ certification to operate the water softening equipment. This was reported at the Sewer Authority meeting and requested Koch obtain a legal opinion. A legal opinion has now been obtained indicating it is the responsibility of the Township to complete the RO system to its permitted certification and then turn it over to the Authority to operate and maintain. Just to clear things us there is no violation on behalf of the Authority. Also the Authority has adopted a 2005 budget and has turned over its financial information to the Auditors to prepare the necessary first time audit. An audit for 2003 was not required. The Authority is also working on a procedure to submit reports on the Water Plant to the Township Board as requested by Williams.
Treasurer Grau reported on the collection of winter taxes.
Trustee Solo reported that he attended CAFA meeting, City Council and working hard on the Sylvan Township Website (www.twp-sylvan.org).
No Old Business.
New Business:
The board was presented a Hazardous Material Spill Recovery Ordinance from CAFA. The Washtenaw County Hazardous Plan requires all municipalities to have a Hazardous Material Ordinance in place. It was recommended by CAFA that the municipalities in this district adopt the same ordinance. CAFA Representative Lesser was instructed to report to CAFA that Sylvan Township would adopt the Lyndon Township Hazardous Ordinance if the rest of the district concurred.
Williams brought forth for appointment to Planning Commission of Hector Gonzalez and indicated since the Board had no information on Gonzalez that the appointment would be put off until the next board meeting. Motion by Solo, seconded by Willliams to initiate the 7-member planning commission process and send it to the Planning Commission to review. Motion was defeated.
Motino by Williams, seconded by Merke to appoint Patti Hutchinson to the ZBA to fill the remaining term of Mary Anne Mangelsen until June 2006. In discussion, Williams indicated he had interviewed Hutchinson and it was brought to the attention of the board by Koch that an “interview” shall only occur in an open meeting or it is in violation of the Open Meeting Act. It was suggested by Koch to address the interviewing process. Carried.
Motion by Grau, seconded by Solo to authorize Clerk Koch to sign the Chelsea School District, WCC, ISD Coordinating Committee Initial Report as requested by Washtenaw County Clerk. Carried.
Motion by Koch, seconded by Grau to amend budget as presented. Carried.
Motion by Koch, seconded by Grau to approve the Guidelines for Hardship Exemptions for 2005 as amended. Carried.
Motion by Koch, seconded by Merkel to approve the Salary Resolution as presented. Carried.
Motion by Merkel, seconded by Solo to accept the Confidential Legal Opinion from Wm. Fahey regarding the Operation and Maintenance Agreement Between the Sylvan Township and Sylvan Township Water and Sewer Authority dated 1-19-05. Carried.
Motion by Grau, seconded by Solo to set the public hearing date for the 2005-06 budget for March 1, 2005. Carried.
Motion by Solo, seconded by Koch to establish a Website Advisory Committee with 2 board members and 3 volunteers to discuss and draft a policy for the website and e-mail and make recommendations to the Board. Solo will serve as Chair. Carried.
Williams called for a final public participation session. Scott Cooper ask the Board if they are taking a position on the Washtenaw County Jail millage.
Motion by Merkel, seconded by Grau to adjourn.
LuAnn S. Koch
Sylvan Township Clerk
