City Council

Watson Township Board Meeting 1895 118th Ave. Allegan, MI 49010 April 6, 2023 Budget Public Hearing: Opened 7:04 P.M. Present: John Caras, Michelle Harris, and Kelli Morris. Absent: Kevin Travis and Stephanie Caulder. Clerk Morris made an announcement of a Scribner’s error in the notice of the Public Hearing by the newspaper. Public Comment: Public comment was opened at 7:06 P.M. There was no public comment. Public comment was closed at 7:07 P.M. Resolution # 2023-2024 Budget for General fund, Road 1 fund, Road 2 fund, and Fire/EMS fund was read and resolved by Michelle Harrus, supported by John Caras. Roll call vote: Caras: yes; Harris: yes; Morris; yes; Travis-absent; Caulder: absent. Resolution passed by a vote of 3 yes, 0-no and 2 absent. Trustee Harris made a motion to close the Budget Public Hearing, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. Public Hearing closed at 7:11 P.M. Regular meeting opened at 7:11 P.M. Present: John Caras, Michelle Harris, and Kelli Morris. Absent: Kevin Travis, and Stephanie Caulder. Agenda: Clerk Morris made a motion to approve the agenda, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. Minutes: Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the minutes from March 2nd and March 27th with changes noted, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. Bills: Trustee Harris made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $13,375.69, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. Treasurer’s Report: None. REPORTS: A. Supervisor: None. B. Planning Commission: Trustee Caras reported that the Recreational Passport and DNR grant applications were both submitted before April 1st. Trustee Caras also explained in more detail the plan for the park. The plan at this point includes an open pavilion, a cress county course, parking area, benches, and a pathway adjacent to M-222 that would end overlooking the creek. Another member of the planning commission, Jay Robert-Eveland also added that there is currently a deer blind in the Southwest corner for the board to consider. She also added that the grants were submitted in partnership with the Gun Lake Casino and Martin Public Schools. Trustee Caras also reported the approval of a gravel mine and explained that it will be done in around 5 phases and will have restricted hours. C. Martin Fire Department: Martin Fire Department gave the board a written and oral report for the month.  D. Libraries: Reports were emailed. E. Sexton: Mark Simpson reported 1 upcoming funeral and 2 foundations placed at Hicks Cemetery. He also sold 2 plots at Miner. Mr. Simpson also indicated that within the next couple of years he will be in need of a replacement. But, for now he will continue to do the best job he can and get assistance when necessary. F. Code Enforcement: Jim Davis reported that he has been driving the township to identify potential problems. He has also made contact with the court and there has been a change in the court system that will affect the time frame in which a complaint/citation is handled. The change for days to comply has been changed from seven days to three weeks. a complaint of junk cars he is looking into at 2163 114th Avenue. G. County Commissioner: Gale Dugan gave the township a report on the events of the county commissioners meetings for the past month. A full account of the commissioner’s meetings can be found on the Allegan County Government website. PUBLIC COMMENT: Open- 7:32 P.M. Jay Roberts-Eveland wanted to thank the board for all their efforts in the many different areas. The board also wanted to express gratitude toward her for all her dedication to the township and her extended efforts toward the recent grant submissions, as well as many other projects where she lends her expertise and time. Public Comment Closed 7:34 P.M. Old Business: A. Spring Clean Up Day: The board discussed the fact that the hall was rented out on the first two Saturdays in May. Clerk Morris made a motion to move the Spring Clean Up date to May 20th, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. B. New Website Development Update: Trustee Caras gave a report on website development, noting that the structure is set. He will continue to add forms and items as they are available. He indicated that he is shooting for the end of May to be completely changed over to the new web address. C. Seven Generation Park: This update was given under the Planning Commission report. New Business: A. Resignation of Treasurer: Trustee Harris expressed gratitude to Treasurer Caulder for her service to the township and her willingness to become familiar with all the new software and programs, and other things. The other members of the board echo those thoughts. The board received letters of interest from two individuals. After discussion of the resumes of each individual. One of the individuals was in attendance and let the board know that she has a background in accounting and appreciates the board considering her for the position. Clerk Morris made a motion to accept the resignation of Treasurer Caulder with her last day being the 14th of April, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. It is noted that the Code Enforcement Officer will still be in the office on Monday evenings until further notice. Trustee Harris made a motion to appoint Tera Davis to the position of Treasurer to fill the vacancy until the position will be up for election in August of 2024, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. B. Township Email Resolution: Trustee Caras read and presented for adoption Resolution #04062023-1 Adopting Watson Township Email Addresses for Official Business, Trustee Harris supported. Roll Call Vote: Harris-yes; Caras- yes; Morris-yes; Travis-absent; Caulder-absent. Resolution #04062023-1 passed by a vote of 3 yes; 0-no and 2 absent.  C. FOIA Resolution: Trustee Caras read and presented for adoption Resolution # 04062023-1 Adopting the Watson Township Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Policy, Trustee Harris supported. Roll Call Vote: Harris- yes; Caras-yes; Morris-yes; Travis-absent; Caulder-absent. Resolution #04062023-2 passed by a vote of 3 yes; 0-no and 2 absent. Trustee Harris made a motion to add item E to the agenda, a resolution for township attorney, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. D. Mowing Bids: Clerk Morris reported that one bid was received. Trustee Harris read the bid from M n S Lawncare as follows: Mowing will be done roughly from April 4th through Oct. 3rd, 2023, at a cost of $1,275.00 for the township hall location; $6,070.00 for Hicks Cemetery; and $4,661.00 for Miner Cemetery. Trustee Harris made a motion to contract with M n S Lawncare for the 2023 season for a total amount of $12,006.00; Clerk Morris supported, all in favor, motion carried. made a motion to put an ad out in the paper and on our webpage for mowing bids for the 2023 mowing season, Stephanie supported, all in favor, motion carried. E. Township Attorney: Trustee Harris made a motion to adopt Resolution #04062023-3 to approve replacing the current township attorney with the firm of Villar Law Office, Trustee Caras supported. Roll Call Vote: Harris- yes; Caras-yes; Morris-yes; Travis-absent; Caulder-absent. Resolution #04062023-3 passed by a vote of 3 yes; 0-no and 2 absent. Adjourn: Supervisor Travis made a motion to adjourn, Treasurer Caulder supported, all in favor, motion carried. Adjourn: 8:21PM ___________________________________________________ Kelli Morris