Township Board Minutes

MINUTES

CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, February 11, 2004
7:00 PM

Article 1. Supervisor Julien called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Carpenter, Goodyke, Jones, Julien, Kleinheksel, Parrish, Timmons
Absent: none
Others Present: Manager Cravens, Planning Director Peterson, Assistant to Manager Otey, Attorney Huff, Reporters Wilson and Beller, Deputy Clerk Neve and those listed on Supplement #1.

Article 2. Supervisor Julien led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag

Article 3. The agenda was approved on motion by Trustee Goodyke and supported by Trustee Timmons. The motion carried.

Article 4. Approval of Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Township Board Minutes
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of 1/28/04
b. Receive and File Minutes Various Meetings
1. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of 1/20/04
2. Grand Valley Metro Council Meeting Minutes of 1/12/04
3. Kent County Road Commission Meeting Minutes of 11/25/03
c. Receive and File Various Reports
1. Report of Fire Calls Dispatched by Kent County Sheriff Department
2. General Fund Budget Summary Percentage Analysis for December 2003 and January 2004 (Preaudit)
e. Receive and File Various Communications
1. 2003 Michigan Department of Natural Resources - Land and Water Conservation Fund Grant Memo
Motion to approve the consent agenda carried.

Article 5. Financial Actions
a. Consider Approval of Public Utilities Report for December 2003 (Preaudit)
b. Consider Approval of General / Special Funds Report for December 2003 (Preaudit)
c. Consider Approval of Public Utilities Report for January 2004 (Preaudit)
d. Consider Approval of General / Special Funds Report for
January 2004 (Preaudit)
e. Consider Approval of Bills, Transfers, and Payroll for January
2004

Article 6. Public Actions
Motion carried to open the public hearing at 7:05 p.m.
a. Public Hearing - Betten Auto PUD Text Changes
Planning Director Peterson reviewed the 6 amendment changes requested and the Planning Commission recommendations.
The Planning Commission recommended approval of adding grass to display peninsulas, allowing a fence along the adjacent site to remain but require a bond for future development, and accept a surety bond for sidewalk. Disapproval was recommended for a temporary sign, concrete display pad on west side of entrance and allowing a rotating car pedestal.
Kathleen Stahl, 2642 Knightsbridge SE, Treasurer for Chatwick Hills Association, commented she has no issues with Betten Auto.
Mark Harmsen, Kraft St. Partners, LLC, addressed the road easement issues involved with accessing the two acres north of the Betten property.

b. Public Hearing - Community Development Block Grant money.
Assistant to Manager Otey explained that notice for a public hearing had already been published when it was found that the program for the Senior Center would not happen this year. Tom Tilma, Community Development Department, indicated that bankrolling the funds until next year would be acceptable.
Motion to close the public hearing carried at 7:30 p.m.

Article 7. Public Comments (None)

Article 8. Unfinished Business (None)

Article 9. New Business
14-2004 Consider Approval of Betten Auto PUD Text Changes
Trustee Timmons questioned why the rotating car cannot be allowed. Is it a sign or not?
Trustee Jones commented the Planning Commission felt strongly enough about it to vote against it. This Board has to decide where to draw the line. Is it appropriate for the site?
Trustee Jones supported by Trustee Parrish moved to approve the PUD text changes with the Planning Commission recommendations.
Trustee Timmons supported by Trustee Goodyke moved to amend the motion to allow the request for the rotating car on the basis that it is not a sign and some diversity in the Township is a good thing.
The amended motion failed by roll call vote with Carpenter, Jones, Julien, Kleinheksel, and Parrish casting no votes and Goodyke and Timmons voting yes.
The original motion to approve the PUD text changes carried unanimously by roll call vote.

15-2004 Discussion of a Township Employee Pension Program Alternative
with the Municipal Employees' Retirement System of Michigan (MERS)
Pamala Bardon, MERS, presented information on their defined benefit pension program.
Board agreed to move forward in offering employees a choice in pension programs. A resolution to join MERS will be made at the February 25th meeting.

16-2004 Discussion of Cascade Thornapple River Association's Purchase / Lease Request for Property Located at 3020 Thornapple River Drive (Cascade Dam Powerhouse Access Property)
Concerns were expressed in opening up river access to the public. The site at 3020 Thornapple River Drive is very close to the dam powerhouse
and has parking and zoning issues.
Eric Neitzel, Secretary of the River Association, related the Association is in agreement there are too many problems with this parcel. The best action for all is to end this proposal immediately and search for another solution.

17-2004 Consider Approval of Cascade Dam Lease to STS Hydropower LTD
The proposed lease will extend from April 1, 2004 to December 31, 2018. Base rent payments will increase to $60,000 per year.
Trustee Parrish supported by Trustee Jones moved to approve the lease. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

18-2004 Consider Resolution Providing Caledonia Cablevision / Charter Communications a 2nd Six-Month Franchise Agreement Extension
Clerk Kleinheksel supported by Trustee Parrish moved to approve. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

19-2004 Consider Resolution Setting Meeting Dates for 2004 Board of Review
Trustee Parrish supported by Treasurer Carpenter moved to set March 8 and 9, 2004 as Board of Review meeting dates.
Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

20-2004 Consider Approval of Petition of Township Treasurer to Strike Personal Property Taxes from the Rolls
Treasurer Carpenter supported by Trustee Goodyke moved to strike delinquent personal property taxes from the rolls. The motion carried.

21-2004 Consider Contracts for 4th of July Celebration
The total contract amount is $28,675 with $2,000 donated for the Trackless Train and Sand/Spin Art.
Treasurer Carpenter supported by Trustee Parrish moved to approve. The motion carried.

22-2004 Consider Approval of 2004 Goal Statements
Trustee Parrish supported by Clerk Kleinheksel moved to approve all eight goals as presented. The motion carried.

Article 10. Manager's Comments (none)

Article 11. Board Member Comments
Trustee Goodyke suggested the possibility of holding a band concert in Tassell Park.

Article 12. Adjournment
Trustee Parrish supported by Trustee Jones moved to adjourn. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 9:35 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanie Neve
Deputy Clerk

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