MINUTES for REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Held on March 12, 2024

The meeting was called to order by Supervisor, Donald Becker at 7:00pm.
Present: Anderson, Gehris, Zimmermann, Becker, McAlindon
Absent: None

Minutes:
Moved by McAlindon, Seconded by Zimmermann, CARRIED 4 yes and 1 no, to approve the minutes from February 13, 2024 meeting, as printed.

Treasurer’s Report:
Gehris went over fund sheets for the General Fund and Water Department.
February 2024
General Fund
Income $ 60038.17 Disbursements $32159.44
Balance on Hand $170174.60
Water Department
Income $19908.73 Disbursements $21062.02
Balance on Hand $120705.36
Moved by Anderson, Seconded by Zimmermann, CARRIED to receive the Treasurer’s Report, subject to audit.

Zoning Report:
Vinson was out of town for training.
He is working on issues as they arise.

Assessor’s Report:
Landry was at one of her other Township’s doing a Board of Review meeting.

Fire Authority Report:
There isn’t much going on right now. There was an actual fire at the marijuana place in town, not just another false alarm.

Sims-Whitney Utilities Authority Report:
There is a special meeting tomorrow night with both Township Boards attending to go over proposed changes to the Joint Water Agreement. It is here at Whitney Township Hall at 7pm.

Sims Whitney Cemetery/Transfer Station Report:
The sign with the new hours has been put up at the Transfer Station.

Public Comment:
*R. Collier came to discuss Delano Rd ditching project near his property. He wanted to let the Township know that he had talked to the Road Commission and the Manager at the Road Commission told him they may not need EGLE permits for the project. He wants the Board to reconsider our decision again, because he feels that we should be taking care of the issue. He stated that they need relief from the water problem.
*L. Davis said that there are falsehoods in the minutes about the Dime Drain District. The Dime Drain needs to be re-dug out there oA Delano Rd. He says that it’s not just people that vote for the Board that need help with the water problem.
*S. Gingerich said that the ditch does not need to be dug, because he and other farmers would be flooded out if it is dug. There were a lot of threats of lawsuit flung around during this discussion. S. Gingerich has said numerous times over the last couple of months that there is a dam on his property, but that it has been there since way before he purchased the property.
*J. Gehris stated that he doesn’t feel that the Township should be spending money on road ditching. The person that owns the property next to R. Collier says that he would like to see the Township fix the water issue on Delano Rd.
*R. Collier wants the Board to talk to the Road Commission when we have our annual meeting with them at the end of the month about the ditching project on Delano Rd. He also feels that he shouldn’t have to apply for permits for the project that the Township should be applying for.
*L Davis thinks that there should not be a permit needed to do the ditching on Delano Rd.
*There were other people in attendance that agreed with S. Gingerich that the ditching project on Delano Rd should not be done, because they don’t want to be flooded out either.
*There were a lot of threats about getting attorneys involved in this whole issue.
*The Board said that they would talk about the project with the Road Commission at their meeting on March 27th.

Old Business:
None

New Business:
Ballot Language and Resolution for Road Millage Renewal- The Board needs to approve the ballot language and pass a resolution for the millage to be placed on the August ballot.
Moved by McAlindon, Seconded by Anderson, CARRIED with a roll call vote to approve the ballot language and resolution for the Road Millage Renewal. Results are as follows:
Zimmermann- Yes McAlindon- Yes Gehris- Yes Becker- Yes Anderson- Yes

Roads For This Years List- A list of roads was given to the Board Members with the roads that we have worked on in the past and the ones that are remaining on the 5 Year Road Plan for this year.
The roads for this year are:
Van Horn Rd- Whitman Rd to dead end
Noble Rd- Turner Rd to Dyer Rd
Hammel Beach Rd- Bessinger Rd- Andrews Rd to Van Horn Rd
Edmonds Rd- Swartz Rd to Twining Rd
Hammel Beach Rd- Mackinaw Rd to Dixie Drain
There are two sections of road that Turner Township has expressed an interest in doing with us jointly: Mackinaw Rd- north of Turner Rd 1/8 mile and Mackinaw Rd- Twining to Bessinger Rd 2 miles. They would like to do a joint 2% grant for these roads with Whitney Township. Anderson will contact the Road Commission and get the quotes on all the listed projects. The Road Commission is replacing a bunch of culverts on Tonkey Road this year.

Budget Amendments- A list of budget amendments was given to the Board for review and approval.
Moved by McAlindon, Seconded by Zimmermann, CARRIED to approve the budget amendments, as printed.

Budget Review- The budget was given to the Board Members to review and ask questions about, if needed. There were no questions raised at the meeting.

2% Grant- Grants are due March 31st and we are going to apply for a joint grant with Turner Township for Mackinaw Road projects mentioned earlier in the meeting.

Pay the Bills:
Moved by Becker, Seconded by McAlindon, CARRIED to pay the bills and any that come in later.

Adjournment:
Moved by Anderson, Seconded by Gehris, CARRIED to adjourn the meeting at 8:10pm.

Kimberly Anderson
Whitney Township Clerk