Township Board Minutes

MINUTES

CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, May 11, 2005

7:00 P.M.

Article 1. Supervisor Julien called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Carpenter, Goodyke, Beahan, Koessel, Currier and Julien.
Absent: Parrish
Others Present: Manager Cravens, Planning Director Peterson, Deputy Clerk Biegalle, Attorney Dick Wendt, Attorney Dave Otis and Attorney Jim Wurnstrum.

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

Article 3. The agenda was approved on motion by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Koessel. Correction to Agenda included changing Article 9 Case # 041-2005 to read Ordinance instead of Resolution. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 4. Approval of Consent Agenda
a. Receive and File Various Meeting Minutes
1. Planning Commission Meeting Minutes of 4/18/05
2. Grand Valley Metro Council Meeting Minutes of 2/3/05 and 3/3/05.
b. Receive and File Communications
1. Resolution from Caledonia Area Schools - re: Summer Property tax levy in 2005.
2. Letter from Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Kent - re:Act 50 of 1999 reporting
3. Letter from West Michigan Strategic Alliance - re: New Strategic Objectives to be achieved over the next three years.
4. E-mail from Diane Cutler at Cascade Library - re: Silver Townie Award.
c. Receive and File Various Reports
1. Building Department April 2005 Report
2. Treasurer's Dept. Bank Balance Report for March, 2005
3. Treasurer's Dept. Analysis of Invested Funds as of March, 2005.
4. Update on Building & Grounds Facility Alternatives.
5. East Precinct's 1st Quarter Report January - March 2005.
d. Education Requests
1. Mary Carpenter - re: Annual Conference Fee for APT US&C 2005, July 30th - August 3rd in Chicago, Ill.
The consent agenda was approved on motion by Trustee Koessel and supported by Trustee Beahan. Discussion followed. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 5. Financial Actions
a. Consider Approval of Bills, Transfers, and Payroll for April 2005.
Motion to approve Bills, Transfers, and Payroll for April 2005 was made by Treasurer Carpenter and supported by Clerk Goodyke. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Consider Approval of Public Utilities Financial Reports for April 2005.
Motion to approve Public Utilities Financial Reports for April 2005 was made by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Beahan. Discussion followed. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Consider Approval of General/Special Funds Financial Reports for April 2005.
Motion to approve the General/Special Funds Financial Reports for April 2005 was made by Treasurer Carpenter and supported by Trustee Koessel. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 6 Public Actions
a. Public Hearing - Request to Amend the Maximum Height for Phase 5 of the Waterfall Shoppes PUD.
Motion by Trustee Koessel and supported by Trustee Beahan to open the public hearing at 7:15 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Planning Director Peterson reviewed the request by the developer regarding the height of the buildings in Phase 5 of this project. Phase 5 was always planned for a hotel but the developer did not know it would be taller than 35 feet. According to the elevation plan the eave height of the building is 31 feet tall and the peak is 47 feet tall with the midpoint at 39.5 feet tall. The Building and Zoning Codes measure building height to the midpoint of a sloped roof building. Peterson also stated that other buildings or projects have been allowed to exceed the 35-height limit.
No Public Comments. Discussion followed within the Board. Supervisor Julien asked if everyone within 300 feet of the property were notified. Director Peterson stated that they were.
Motion by Trustee Beahan and supported by Trustee Koessel to close the public hearing at 7:30 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 7. Public Comments
Supervisor Julien welcomed a student from South Christian High School Government Class.

Article 8. Unfinished Business (None)

Article 9. New Business
041-2005 Consider Approval of an Ordinance Amendment for the Request to Amend the Maximum Height for Phase 5 of the Waterfall Shoppes PUD.
Motion by Trustee Koessel and supported by Clerk Goodyke to approve the Ordinance to Amend Ordinance #8 of 2004 to allow the Maximum building height of 40 feet. Discussion followed. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

042-2005 Consider Approval of Request from Jeff Coffey to Utilize Township Property along the Thornapple River at 5923 Tannon Ct.
Planning Director Peterson reviewed the request by Mr. Coffey. Mr. Coffey was requesting permission to construct a dock and to clear some small trees at 5923 Tannon Ct. Planning Director Peterson stated that Mr. Coffey's request was not out of line as other requests have been granted and his dock and tree clearing would result in a situation consistent with his neighbors. Discussion followed. A concern was how much tree removal would occur.
Motion by Trustee Koessel and supported by Clerk Goodyke to approve the request for Jeff Coffey to build a dock long Thornapple River at 5923 Tannon Ct. Motion carried unanimously.

043-2005 Consider Approval of First Reading of Sewer Use Ordinance.
Manager Cravens presented the Sewer Use Ordinance to the Board. Manager Cravens introduced Attorney Dick Wendt who is the author of the proposed ordinance. Attorney Wendt represents the City of Grand Rapids on utility and bonding matters. Attorney Wendt reviewed some of the major changes in the Ordinance. He stated the form was modified to more closely mirror and complement the Storm Water Ordinance. Some of the revisions included changes and additions to local limits for toxics, upper limits for compatible pollutants and municipal civil infractions. Manager Cravens stated that the overall goal was to have the Sewer Use Ordinance adopted by all communities by June. Discussion followed. Supervisor Julien asked if revenues would increase in Grand Rapids because of this new ordinance. Attorney Wendt stated that they would not. Clerk Goodyke inquired about the new regulation of requiring grease traps.
Motion by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Beahan to approve the First Reading of the Sewer Use Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.

044-2005 Consider Approval of First Reading of Ordinance to Amend the Cascade Charter Township Civil Infraction Ordinance.
Attorney Dick Wendt reviewed the Ordinance. He stated the purpose of the Ordinance was that it identified all infractions that are civil, based on severity.
Motion by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Treasurer Carpenter to approve the first reading of the Ordinance to Amend the Cascade Charter Township Civil Infraction Ordinance. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 10. Closed Session
a. Velting Lawsuit Update
Motion by Trustee Beahan and supported by Clerk Goodyke to adjourn into closed session to discuss the Velting Lawsuit at 8:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Trustee Beahan and supported by Trustee Koessel to reconvene into regular session. Motion carried unanimously.
Regular session reconvened at 8:30 p.m.

Article 11. Manager's Comments
Manager Cravens reported on the following:
" The Utility subcommittee met and they will be bringing to the Board the issue of the Burton St. sewer line. Manager Cravens stated that a Public Hearing would be scheduled the Boards first meeting in June. He thought the Board might need to go to a different venue for this particular public hearing.

Article 12. Board Member Comments
Clerk Goodyke presented the Board with a draft of standards for approving gaming licenses.
Treasurer Carpenter informed the Board that D&W was having Non-Profit Group Days, May 23rd thru May 25th.
Trustee Koessel relayed that his appointment to the Utility subcommittee has been a very good experience. Discussion followed regarding the Burton St. Sewer project.
Trustee Beahan mentioned that he had been up north at an American Legion Hall and had been entertained by the Scottville Clown Band. He stated they were a big hit with the audience and was anxious for them to perform in Cascade Township at our Summer Concert Series.

Article 13. Adjournment
Motion by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Beahan to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 8:45p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Denise M. Biegalle
Deputy Clerk

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