City Council

Watson Township Board Meeting 1895 118th Ave. Allegan, MI 49010 August 3, 2023 Call to Order: 7:01 P.M. Present: Kevin Travis, Tera Davis, John Caras, Michelle Harris, and Kelli Morris. Absent: None. Agenda: Trustee Caras made a motion to add door control device to “old business” (d.) and network upgrade to “new business (c.) and ordinance re-publication (e.), Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. Treasurer Davis made a motion to approve the agenda as amended, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. Minutes: Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the minutes from July, with the changes made to the planning commission report, Trustee Caras supported, all in favor, motion carried. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Davis gave the Treasurer’s report of account balances. Trustee Caras made a motion to approve the report as given, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. Bills: The board discussed the cost of the phone bill. Trustee Harris made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $16,737.13, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. PUBLIC COMMENT: Open- 7:13 P.M. None. Closed 7:13 P.M. REPORTS: A. County Commissioner Report: Gale Dugan gave the board a report from the County Commissioner’s meeting on July 27th. Topics from that meeting included: facilities master plan, sustainable business park, budget update, employee recognition of Phillip Armstrong, adopted a transportation plan, and a tire recycling event coming up in the city of Otsego. B. Planning Commission: Trustee Caras reported there was not a planning commission meeting last month. C. Martin Fire Department: None. D. Hopkins Fire Department: Tim McKinnon is currently working on a grant for the installation of a hydrant to fill trucks. This would be a 50/50 grant. E. Libraries: Reports were emailed. F. Sexton: Mark Simpson reported that the shed at Miner has been removed, grass is re-seeded, and signage has been taken down and replaced. There was also one burial in Miner last month. G. Code Enforcement: Ordinance Code Enforcement Officer Jim Davis gave the board a written and oral report of current cases in the township. He noted that “trash” burning has still been an issue with some neighbors in the township. The state has also handed down some instructions to counties with regard to assessing undo fines or expenses on less fortunate residents. Old Business: A. Park Committee: Trustee Caras reported that he, Jay Roberts-Eveland, and Alice Galloway (grant coordinator) met and did a walkthrough of the park. Scores for the grant application are due to come out in September. There  have been no applicants for park committee members as of this time. Lastly, the trails will be brush hogged at the park soon. B. Internet: Starlink has been hooked up and the board is waiting for additional hardware to finalize the connection and complete integration. C. Website: The new website is complete and up and running. The site will have two years of running minutes, a rental calendar, and many other new features. Members of the board will receive training on use of the site and get training for adding data to the site as a contributor (mostly for the purpose of uploading minutes and notices). D. Door Access Control: The door Access Control installation is finished and set to have doors open. Board members will be given Access devices and then it will be fully functional after board approval. Clerk Morris made a motion to go live with the door module control, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. New Business: A. Contractor for sight clearing at dump for Phase II: Supervisor Travis explained that there are to be test wells placed and small areas will need to be cleared. The township has several companies within the township that could potentially perform these duties. The next “zoom” meeting concerning the dump is August 8th. B. Hall Maintenance: Supervisor Travis made a motion to authorize Trustee Harris to spend no more than $500 on two trash cans for the bathrooms, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. Supervisor Travis made a motion Trustee Caras to get a quote for replacement of the door in the hall entryway as well as window repair in the entryway, Treasurer Davis support, all in favor, motion carried. C. Network Upgrade: Trustee Caras explained the current system and explains the quote submitted for upgrading the system, which would include organized central hardware and locations. He went on to explain network storage and other aspects of the new upgrade. Clerk Morris made a motion to authorize $10,000.00 to Anax Control to begin the upgrade to the network and infrastructure for internet access though out the township offices, fire department, and hall; with $5,000.00 up front and the remainder upon completion, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. D. Ordinance Republication: Trustee Caras made a suggestion to do a republication of the township ordinance book. Supervisor Travis made a motion to table until the next meeting, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. Adjourn: Supervisor Travis made a motion to adjourn, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. Adjourn: 8:51PM ___________________________________________________ Kelli Morris