TORCH LAKE TOWNSHIP
ANTRIM COUNTY, MICHIGAN
DRAFT MINUTES TOWNSHIP BOARD
MAY 18, 2010
COMMUNITY SERVICE BUILDING
EASTPORT, MICHIGAN
Present: Parker, Schultz, Martel, Tomlinson and Windiate
Absent: None
Audience: 8
1. Meeting convened at 7:00 PM followed by the pledge to the flag.
2. Motion by Tomlinson to approve the minutes of April 20, 2010 with corrections is seconded and passed 5-0. In item 7 C. remove the words “of the 250 letters” and replace them with “in response to the March Newsletter”. In item 8 A. remove the last sentence “Parker agreed to draft a resolution to that effect.” Motion by Tomlinson to approve the minutes of Special Board Meeting May 6, 2010 as prepared is seconded and passed 5-0. Motion by Tomlinson to approve the minutes of Special Meeting May 13, 2010 with corrections is seconded and passed 5-0. In item 2 A. line 4, after “people of the township” add “under the residential section of the Torch Lake Township Land Use Plan (Master Plan)”; at the end of line 4, after “people of this township” add “as it does not protect the zoning integrity of the A-Ga-Ming Golf Resort nor the Birch Ridge Estates”. In last line of 4 A. after “find reasonable solutions.” add new sentence stating “The Clerk read into the record two emails received from Bruce Nogle in support of the recommendations being put forth by Alan Martel and from Shirley Klunzinger, opposed to the proposed PUD recommended by the Planning Commission.” In item 2 B. line 4 after “Sections 14.04” add “and 15.04 A”.
3. A letter was read into the record received from David & Karilyn Christenson regarding the condition of N.W. Torch Lake Drive. They had also sent a copy to the County Road Commission. Burt Thompson sent a reply, which Parker also reads into the record. Mr. Parker will send a letter of response to the Christenson’s from the Township. Parker also reminded the public of the June 23, 2010 Open House & Health Fair to be held by the Township EMS Department here at the Community Service Building.
4. Motion to approve the Agenda Content by Tomlinson was seconded and passed 5-0.
5. 1. Sheriff Bean presented the Board with the County 911 report. He also mentioned the Recreational Vehicle Ordinance which has been passed and will affect N. E. Torch Lake Drive from Alden to M 88. That section will be closed. Marine Patrols are up and moving; sub stations are going well; hours will be changing in mid June to 12 hour shifts; he also has handout on B & E’s, by Township, since the year 2006. In response to Martel's question about violence in our area, Bean stated there are more domestic violence and alcohol-related incidents and feels education is key in their reduction. Regarding the enforcement of the Medical Marijuana Law, Bean states that it is a mess. No one has a good grip on it yet. 2. Parker takes the opportunity to thank Dan Lidster for his landscaping work around the building. It looks great.
6. Motion by Tomlinson to approve the Consent Agenda is seconded and passed 5-0.
7. A. Martel has nothing to report from the County Planning Commission. B. Tomlinson reported the Planning Commission talked about the items to do for the Medical Marijuana Ordinance and the preliminaries on the Wind Ordinance. C. Parker reported that the County, through the DNR, will have money to help pay for phragmites treatment this year and will pull all permits.
8. A. The county is asking for a deposit on the paving of Erickson Road. Schultz suggests we leave some money in the Road Fund to keep that account open and take the rest from General Fund. Motion by Tomlinson to approve expenditure of $55,034 and authorize the Supervisor to sign is seconded and passed 5-0. B. Township has received one bid to repair the boat ramp at the day park and have a few more companies coming to look at it. We do have a sign to use at your own risk, but the condition is a concern. If we can get it done at a reasonable cost we should probably get it done. We need a Recreation Plan in place to apply for grant money, but in the mean time we need to do a fix. C. Parker, Tomlinson and Mortenson have been looking at options for the placement of the road in the new section of the cemetery but haven’t firmed it up yet. Once a location is determined, Ellison can finish with the seeding. D. Since we do not yet have a Recording Secretary for the Planning Commission or ZBA, the clerk has been doing the job. Motion by Schultz in the absence of Recording Secretary for ZBA and PC we continue to use township clerk in their absence and pay the clerical salary wage is seconded and passed 5-0. E. Schultz addresses spider control, stating applications have been done at the parks and the old township hall but not here at the Community Service Building. Motion by Schultz to accept the bid from Evergreen Services dated May 5, 2010 for fee of $399 is seconded and passed 4-1. Nay vote from Tomlinson who would like to see more than one bid. Schultz will contact Evergreen. F. After looking at the space at the Day Park, Parker feels that if no one objects we should accept the offer for a commemorative bench. Motion by Martel to approve the purchase and installation of commemorative bench is seconded and passed 5-0.
9. Board Commentary: Tomlinson suggests he, Parker and Lidster look at the memorial area at the cemetery.
10. From the audience 1. Tim Boyko introduces himself as Republican candidate for State house in the 105th District; 2. Dan Lidster informs the Board a five member committee has been established and will meet May 20th. There will be a Public Meeting at the Community Service Building on June 17th at 7 PM. Lidster is requesting the public attend to voice their views and opinions regarding a Veteran Memorial.
11. With no further business the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 PM.
These minutes are subject to approval at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
Kathy S. Windiate
Township Clerk