Township Board Minutes

MINUTES

CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, March 24, 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 and Timmons
Absent: None
Others Present: Manager Cravens, Fire Chief Sigg, Planning Director Peterson, Building Official Visser, Building & Grounds Director McSorley, Reporter 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 Clerk Kleinheksel and supported by Trustee Jones. The motion carried.

Article 4. Approval of Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Township Board Minutes
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of 3/10/04
b. Receive and File Minutes Various Meetings
1. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of 3/1/04
2. Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting Minutes of 2/10/04
c. Receive and File Various Reports
1. Treasurer's Department Bank Balances for January 2004
d. Receive and File Various Communications
1. Article from Thornapple Gram
2. Thank you note from Barb Breen
3. Thank you note from the Kelly family
4. Kent County Road Commission Five-Year Road
Improvement Plan
5. Request for support from Forest Hills Schools Senior
Center
6. Letter from City of Grand Rapids regarding executing first
extension of retail sewer and water agreement
7. Memo from Chief Sigg regarding 2004 Fire Grant
8. Memo from Assistant Manager Otey regarding
Neighborhood Associations Township Survey
e. Education Requests
1. Gabe Vlasma - Tuition reimbursement for Michigan
Certified Nurseryman Class
Motion to approve the consent agenda carried.

Article 5. Financial Actions (None)

Article 6. Public Actions
Treasurer Carpenter supported by Trustee Parrish moved to open the
public hearing at 7:15 p.m. The motion carried.

a. Public Hearing - Request for Planned Unit Development Amendment
to East Imports PUD (6025 28th Street)
Peterson explained the applicant request to modify the sign section of the
PUD Ordinance to include an additional wall sign. The applicant is
proposing a smaller pole sign in exchange for the additional wall sign.
No comments were heard from the public.

Trustee Goodyke supported by Trustee Parrish moved to close the public
hearing at 7:25 p.m. The motion carried.

Article 7. Public Comments (None)

Article 8. Unfinished Business (None)

Article 9. New Business
34-2004 Consider Approval of Request for Planned Unit Development
Amendment to East Imports PUD
Trustee Timmons supported by Clerk Kleinheksel moved to approve. The
motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

35-2004 Consider Approval of The Parks Committee Recommendations for
Proposed Construction of Restroom Facility at Recreation Park
The Parks Committee reviewed the blueprint from the facility at Tassell Park and made seven recommendations to modify the plan. Modifications will include changing stations in both bathrooms, situate the entrance toward the playground rather than the parking lot, and include in-floor heating and insulation to allow the building to be used all year.
Visser would like to negotiate with some contractors to keep construction costs around $75,000.

36-2004 Consider Hiring Gartner & Associates for Market Research Related
To Fire Department Millage Options
Gartner & Associates is a marketing research firm that helps clients
prioritze program and facility needs. During the past 3 months Chief Sigg,
along with 2 other firefighters, have met with 8 - 12 residents to discuss
the needs of the Fire Department. This group has some ideas but has no
way of knowing what residents would support. Gartner & Associates
would establish 7 focus group meetings to measure support and
opposition with Fire and Township services. Cost of Gartner services
would be $3,600.
Clerk Kleinheksel questioned if hiring this service is permitted. She is
concerned that everything regarding a millage question on the ballot is
done correctly.
Manager Cravens related he has had some conversation with Attorney
John Huff and was assured it is only a way to gather information from the
residents. Gartner will not be taking any position regarding a millage
request.
Trustee Timmons related it will be the Fire Department subcommittee who
will make recommendations to the Board if the time is right to ask for a
millage increase and how much. A focus group can be very useful to find
out exactly what the citizens really want.
Treasurer Carpenter related the District Library recently held focus group
meetings that worked quite well. This is an opportunity to educate the
voters as to where the tax dollars go.
Clerk Kleinheksel supported by Trustee Parrish moved to approve. The
motion carried by roll call vote with Trustee Jones casting a "no" vote.

Article 10. Manager's Comments
The Township's website will be featured in an upcoming Michigan Townships Association news magazine article. Supervisor Julien suggested inviting a representative from MTA out for a site visit.
The East Precinct still has not opened due to delays in furniture and
computer installations.

Article 11. Board Member Comments
Clerk Kleinheksel offered congratulations to Gabe Vlasma on
passing the Michigan Certified Nurseryman exam.
Treasurer Carpenter commented tax collections were almost $42 million.
Trustee Goodyke questioned if there was something to be done about the
large stones on the pathway at the Manchester Woods project.

Article 13. Adjournment
Trustee Parrish supported by Trustee Jones moved to adjourn. The motion carried and the meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Jeanie Neve
Deputy Clerk

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