City Council

Watson Township Board Meeting 1895 118th Ave. Allegan, MI 49010 September 7, 2023 Call to Order: 7:01 P.M. Present: Kevin Travis, Tera Davis, Michelle Harris, and Kelli Morris. Present by Phone: John Caras (not eligible to vote). Absent: None. Agenda: Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the agenda, Clerk Morris supported, all in favor, motion carried. Minutes: Trustee Harris made a motion to approve the minutes from August, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer Davis gave the Treasurer’s report of account balances. Supervisor Travis made a motion to approve the report as given, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. Bills: Treasurer Davis made a motion to pay the bills in the amount of $13,418.39, Clerk Morris supported, all in favor, motion carried. New Business: A. Marcus Ritsema: Marcus Ritsema of i3 Business Solutions gave the board a presentation of network support to replace VC3. Supervisor Travis made a motion to table the subject until next month, Trustee Harris 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 that included a capital improvement plan and budget, an administrative update of the former Rock- Tenn., and the 2024 elected officials’ salaries. The road commission longevity proposal was not approved but sent back with recommendations. The county commissioners also worked on a comprehensive recycling program and plan. B. Planning Commission: Trustee Caras reported that the planning commission is interested in keeping more green space in the township. There were some great ideas and discussion between Kevin Kutscher and the planning commission. The “Container” ordinance was also discussed as an accessory building. C. Martin Fire Department: Brian DeMann attended the meeting and gave the board an oral and written report of fire/ emergency calls over the past month, as well as totals for the year. D. Hopkins Fire Department: Lieutenant Bielby gave the board a report, with one highlight being the Hopkins Area Fire Department is going to be helping staff at the Allegan County Fair. The fire fighters also finished the landscaping at the township hall. The board expresses their appreciation for the landscaping and the nice new look of the township hall, offices, and fire department. E. Libraries: Reports were emailed. F. Sexton: Mark Simpson reported there was one burial at Hicks Cemetery and there is clean up going on from the recent storm. The board also sends concern and wishes for a speedy recovery for Mr. Simpson’s mother. G. Code Enforcement: Ordinance Code Enforcement Officer Jim Davis gave the board a written and oral report of current cases in the township. Old Business: A. Review/approve proposal for ordinance re-publication with Civic Plus: Supervisor Travis made a motion to table, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. B. Website: Schedule training for uploading and announcements. Treasurer Davis made a motion to table, Trustee Harris supported, all in favor, motion carried. C. Review/Approval quote for Vestibule Improvements: Trustee Harris made a motion to approve using ARPA funds to cover the cost of doing updates on the township hall vestibule, and also to accept and approve a quote from Reurink Home Improvement in the amount of $5,200.00 to do the renovations, Clerk Morris supported, all in favor, motion carried. New Business: A. Approve Cancellation of AT&T: Trustee Harris made a motion to cancel the AT&T internet, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. The board will send back the router and ask the township attorney to draft and send a letter as well. B. VOIP Phone System and Cancel AT&T lines: Trustee Caras explained the VOIP line system. Trustee Harris made a motion to approve changing to VOIP for phone service at the township and keep AT&T for 1 more month and no later than September 24th, Clerk Morris supported, all in favor, motion carried. C. Review/Approve Final Network Upgrade: This has been completed. D. Review/Approve Installation of 65” Smart TV: Trustee Caras explained the addition of the television screen and cabinet. Trustee Harris made a motion to approve Anax Control to purchase a TV and access to hire custom cabinet doors in the amount of $4,333.41 with the funds coming out of the ARPA funds, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. E. Review/Approval to Migrate FLIR Camera System: Trustee Harris made a motion to table the FLIR camera system discussion, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. F. BS & A Cloud Migration Proposal: Trustee Caras explained the benefits of transitioning to a “cloud” based program. Treasurer Davis also explained it would make is more accessible to use and answer questions when not at the township office. Supervisor Travis made a motion to proceed with the BS & A migration for $14,000 and annual services of $8,010.00, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. G. Container Ordinance: Supervisor Travis read the “Container Ordinance” # 09142023. The board had some discussion on the “container” ordinance. Treasurer Davis made a motion to approve the adoption of ordinance #09142023 as written, Trustee Harris supported, roll call vote: Harris-yes; Davis-yes; Travis-yes; Morris- no; and Caras- no vote. The supervisor declared Ordinance #09142023 passed by a vote of 3-yes and 1- no vote. Adjourn: Trustee Harris made a motion to adjourn, Treasurer Davis supported, all in favor, motion carried. Adjourn: 8:41PM ___________________________________________________ Kelli Morris