City Council

Watson Township Board Meeting 1895 118th Ave. Allegan, MI 49010 January 5, 2023 Called to order: 7:00 P.M. Present: Kevin Travis, Stephanie Caulder, John Caras, Michelle Harris, and Kelli Morris. Absent: None. Agenda: Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the agenda, Treasurer Caulder supported, all in favor, motion carried. Minutes: Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the minutes from December 1, 2022, with clerical corrections, Treasurer Caulder supported, all in favor, motion carried. Bills: Treasurer Caulder made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $25,265.21; Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. Supervisor Budget Amendments: Supervisor Travis made a motion to make the following budget amendments: 1. $3,000.00 from 101-000-999 to Website 2. $8,843.17 from 101-000-999 to Fire (for SCBA Equipment) Treasurer Caulder supported, all in favor, motion carried. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Caulder read the Treasurer’s report. Clerk Morris made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. REPORTS: A. Supervisor: Supervisor Travis reported on the annual County Road Commission meeting for paving projects. He shared that 124th will be paved from Butternut Creek to 15th St. B. Planning Commission: Trustee Caras reported on a December 7th meeting that included public hearings for the “Parks Plan” and the “Master Plan”. Other topics of discussion for that meeting included property splits, with most of the discussion being on the A-2 district. The discussion possibilities included increasing the road frontage from 300 ft. to 600 ft. and the parcel size from 5 acres to 10 acres. The next planning commission meeting is Jan. 25th. C. Martin Fire Department: Chief Knight attended and gave the board a written and oral report for the month including fire calls, (2) medical calls in Watson Township, and 1 person starting the Fire Academy. D. Hopkins Fire Department: None. E. Libraries: Reports were emailed. E. Sexton: Mark Simpson reported 11 burial plots sold this month. No funerals or burials. F. Code Enforcement: Supervisor Travis reported that Officer Stuart will be stepping down due to a change in work schedule. The supervisor has a possible candidate. The board also discussed listing the position on the website. G. County Commissioner: Gale Dugan reported several commissioner meetings-topics included a third Judge for 2024 for Allegan and Kalamazoo County; the possibilities surrounding making Allegan Township a county seat by a vote of the people; and the different options of making the space needed for the new offices coming to the county. He also let the board know that the county road commission will be “chip sealing” 16th Street from the township line to Timber Ridge Bay Dr. this season. The commission also discussed proposed projects for 2024. PUBLIC COMMENT: Open- 7:21 P.M. One resident did want to thank the board and others serving the township for their service. Public Comment Closed 7:22 P.M. Old Business: A. Parks Plan Resolution: Trustee Caras made a motion to adopt Resolution 1-5-2023 “A Resolution adopting the 2023-2028 Watson Township Parks and Recreation Plan”; Trustee Harris supported. Roll Call Vote taken by Supervisor Travis: Morris-yes; Caulder- yes; Caras-yes; Harris-yes and Travis-yes. Supervisor Travis declared the resolution adopted by a vote of 5-yes and 0-no votes. Trustee Caras also wanted to give the Planning Commission members “Kudos” for doing a great job in getting this plan done in time to apply for a grant they are attempting to obtain. New Business: A. Shipping Containers: Supervisor Travis explained a question concerning the legality of the use of “shipping containers” as a unit of storage on a property in Watson Township. After some research as the current Ordinances are written, these units would fall under the townships “junk car” ordinance and would not be allowed. The supervisor and board discuss this subject matter further and what (if any) specific regulations should be put in place to allow them in certain situations. Trustee Harris made a motion to ask the planning commission to discuss a possible zoning ordinance concerning the use of a shipping container as a storage unit, Trustee Caras supports, all in favor, motion carried. Adjourn: Supervisor Travis made a motion to adjourn, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. Adjourn: 7:51 PM ___________________________________________________ >>signed<< Kelli Morris