City Council

Ross Township Board Meeting/Planning Commission Update November 10, 2015 Meeting Minutes The Regular Meeting of the Ross Township Board was called to order by Supervisor Dykstra at 6:30 P.M. Roll Call of Members showed as follows: Present: Paul Dykstra, Supervisor Cynthia Genung, Treasurer Monica Markillie, Clerk Diana Langshaw, Trustee Jon Scott, Trustee/PC Member Rob Blain, Trustee Absent: Sid Durham, Trustee Also Present: Jim Lauderdale, PC Chairman Jeff Price, PC Member Gregg Pierce, PC Member Victor Ezbenko, PC Member Melissa McKay, Parks Committee Member Approve Agenda: Motion by Langshaw to approve the Amended Agenda, which includes the postponement of item (C) under New Business, and the addition of the following items under New Business: i. Item (F) Planning Commission Member Term Renewals ii. Item (G) Ross Township Burning Ordinance iii. Item (H) Ross Township Group Pension Admin Change The Motion was seconded by Markillie and carried. Planning Commission-Annual Update to the Township Board: Planning Commission Chairman, Jim Lauderdale, and PC Members Jeff Price, Gregg Pierce and Victor Ezbenko were present for discussion regarding Planning Commission Business. Lauderdale submitted a report that included a summary of the progress related to the Planning Commission’s work plan for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. Reviewed topics included, the status of the Township Recreation Plan, the development of the Township Trail System, Special Land Use Permit/ Site Plan Review Requests, Zoning Ordinance Text changes and the Township Master Plan proposed for review during the 2016-2017 Fiscal Year. The Board praised Lauderdale and Planning Commission Members for providing exceptional leadership and service to the Township and Residents. It was the consensus of the Township Board that the method in which the Planning Commission operates is consistent with the goals of Ross Township and further expressed positive feedback regarding the work performed during the 2015-2016 fiscal year. LifeCare Ambulance Quarterly Report: Steve Frisbie, LifeCare Director of Operations, was present to review the Quarterly Report for emergency calls between June and September 2015 (see attached). Frisbie reported Life Care currently has 250 Members compared to 260 Members last year at this time. Additionally, Frisbie stated information regarding the Membership program can be located on their website at lifecareems.org. Dykstra added the information was included in the Fall Newsletter and is also available on the Ross Township Website Approve Consent Agenda: Motion by Langshaw to approve the Consent Agenda which includes the October, 2015 Treasurer’s Report, the bills paid and payable for October and November, 2015; plus the Township Board Meeting Minutes of October 13, 2015. The motion was seconded by Markillie and carried. Reports: Fire Dept.: Genung reported the Fire Dept.’s Annual Haunted House was a success and noted approximately 1,000 people attended the event. Additionally, Genung stated the candy for the event was purchased with the proceeds from the 2015 Car Show. Ordinance Enforcement: Dykstra reviewed the Ordinance Enforcement Report for October, 2015. Dykstra discussed the status of the Powell property on N. Sherman Lake Dr. and the Ordinance Violation located at 11654 E. DE Ave. Police Report: Dykstra reviewed the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Dept. Report consisting of police calls in the Township for October, 2015. Dykstra stated the majority of calls included in the report involved traffic stops. Parks Committee: Scott discussed the status of the KRVT proposed to extend from Galesburg to Ross Township. Additionally, Scott discussed the GLAT Resolution of Support proposed for consideration under Old Business (C). Ross Township Parks Committee Member, Melissa McKay, was present to discuss the KRVT and to express support for the GLAT Resolution. McKay presented a list of Residents who are in support of the Development of a non-motorized trail system within the Township. Public Comment: No public Comment Old Business: 2016 Road Projects-Discussion: Dykstra requested input from the Board regarding the process for selecting 2016 Road projects. Scott inquired about receiving a list of completed Road projects and traffic rates for proposed road projects prior to making a decision. It was the Consensus of the Board to revisit the issue in January prior to the Budget workshop. Proposed Approval of Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments-Ordinance No. 198: Motion by Scott to adopt Ordinance No. 198 which amends the following Sections of the Ross Township Zoning Ordinance: i. Article 8, sections 8.2C and 8.5 ii. Article 15, Schedule Lot, Yard and Area Requirements iii. Article 21, section 21.4T, Article 18, sections 18.4D.4 and 18.4C.1 iv. Article 13, section 13.5A v. Article 18, section 18.4C.1  The Motion was seconded by Markillie. Roll Call Vote showed: Dykstra-aye, Markillie-aye, Genung-aye, Blain-aye, Scott-aye and Langshaw-aye. The Motion carried with all ayes. Proposed approval of the Resolution of Support for GLAT Partnership: Motion by Genung to approve the GLAT Resolution of Support. The motion was seconded by Markillie and carried. Fire Station/Office Building Update-Contractor Selection: Dykstra stated the RFP for the proposed fire station and office building project has been finalized. A list of proposed Contractors was provided to the Board for review. Durham who was absent from the meeting, submitted a request via email to add Contractor Brian DeLoof to the proposed list. Further, Dykstra requested approval to solicit installment purchase proposals from Chemical Bank, Mercantile Bank and Hastings Credit Union. Motion by Markillie to approve the proposed list of Contractors including the addition of Brian DeLoof for requesting Bid Proposals for the new fire station and office building project. The motion was seconded by Scott and carried. Motion by Genung to grant Dykstra the authority to request installment purchase proposals from the following Bank Depositories: Chemical Bank, Mercantile Bank and Hastings credit Union. The motion was seconded by Scott and Carried. New Business: 2016-Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Dept. (KCSD) Contract: Dykstra reported an amended 2016 KCSD contract has been submitted to the Board due to a date discrepancy. Dykstra reported the 2016 annual cost per Deputy is $112, 295. Blain expressed concern regarding the cost. Dykstra reported Richland Township currently does not have a contract with the KCSD for Deputy Coverage and relies on the General County Patrol for police Protection. The Board discussed the option of opting out of the KCSD Contract Agreement for one Deputy and alternatively rely on the General KCSD for police coverage. Genung expressed concern regarding eliminating this service prior to informing the Community. Further, Genung Suggested the Board approve the 2016 contract and seek input from the Community prior to making a decision regarding police protection for 2017. Scott offered to develop a survey to send to the Township Residents as a method for educating Township Constituents regarding Police Protection in the Township and as a way to receive input from the community. It was the consensus of the Board to consider the development of a survey with the plan to have it completed for inclusion with the Assessment Notices scheduled to be mailed to Residents in February, 2016. Motion by Genung to approve the annual Police protection Agreement as amended which authorizes the Township to contract with the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Dept. for one Deputy for 2016 at an annual cost of $112,295. The motion was seconded by Blain and carried. Discussion and Proposed Approval of Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division-Fire Dept.: Motion by Scott to approve the Mutual Aid Resolution to allow the Ross Township Fire Dept. to participate in the 3503 Mutual Aid Box Alarm System Division. The Motion was seconded by Langshaw and carried. Approval of the 2016 HSA Deposits for the Clerk, Treasurer and Supervisor: Motion by Scott to approve the 2016 Health Savings Account Deposits for the Clerk, Treasurer and Supervisor with the agreement the total amount for the three participants not to exceed $4000. The motion was seconded by Blain and carried. Discussion on Adding to the Annual Township Contribution for the Kalamazoo HHW Program: Postponed until the Budget Workshop scheduled for February 5, 2016. Northern Park Boundary Discrepancy Discussion-308 E. Gull Lake DR-Closed Session. Motion by Markillie to enter into a closed session at 8:03 P.M. The motion was seconded by Genung and carried. Motion by Blain to enter into an open session at 8:10 P.M. The motion was seconded by Markillie and carried. Motion by Scott to quick quit claim deed the property identified as Township Park Property (3808 E. Gull Lake Dr.-northern park boundary) to Kay Rackiewicz –Deed Holder of Parcel 3904-06-455-050 as recommended by Township Attorney Rob Thall. The motion was seconded by Markillie. Roll call vote showed: Scott-aye, Markillie-aye, Dykstra-aye, Genung-aye, Langshaw-aye and Blain-aye. The motion carried with all ayes. Planning Commission Members Term Renewals: Motion by Langshaw to renew the Planning Commission Member’s Terms scheduled to expire at the end of 2015 for Rusty Fry, Gregg Pierce and Sheri Snyder. Seconded by Scott and carried. Ross Township Group Pension Plan Admin Change: Motion by Scott to approve the proposed transfer of the Ross Township Pension Administrator from Ascensus to One America. The motion was seconded by Langshaw and carried. The Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:27 P.M. Respectfully submitted: Monica Markillie Ross Township Clerk