GRANT TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Held at the Grant Township Hall

230 Gratiot Street

Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918

Minutes for Tuesday, March 11^th, 2008

Call to Order

Supervisor Meg Vivian called the meeting to order at 6:05 p.m. and led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance. 

Roll Call

Present were Supervisor Meg Vivian, Treasurer Karen Karl, and Clerk Kelly Coltas, Trustee Gary Barker. Absent was Roxann Smith. 

• Motion to adopt Agenda put forth by Coltas/Barker all were in favor 4-0 motion carried.
• Motion to approve Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of 02/12/08, and work session of 03/06/08, put forth by Coltas/Barker, motion carried 4-0.

Supervisor’s Remarks and Correspondence

• Remarks

March Budget and Truth in Taxation Meetings on March 29^th, at 10:00 am

March Board of Review reconvenes Wednesday 3/12/08 at 3:00 pm

Monthly Reports

Treasurer’s Report

        Treasurer read the report and noted that Savings 1 and Savings 2 have 

        being combined to receive a higher interest yield.                                               

• Motion to accept the Treasurers report as given, put forth by Coltas/Barker.  All were in favor, motion carried 4-0.

Utility Board

   Met on 2/19/08, sludge removal was discussed.  When it will be removed either          

   Spring or fall, depending on weight restrictions for the roads.

DDA No report

. Public Safety 

CH Fire Dept.: One mutual aid fire call to Lac LaBelle on 2/17/08.

The new fire Truck is in and set up and formally lettered as Truck # 2.  The old Fire Truck was moved to Fort Wilkins and will be sold.

Several members went to ice rescue training.

LLB Fire Dept: One call out on 2/17/08.  Structure fire with Copper Harbor and Eagle Harbor providing mutual aid.

LLB hoping to submit a FEMA grant for new SCBA’s and tanks.

Annual Pancake Breakfast will be on April 27^th 2008, in Copper City at 7:00 am to 1:00 pm.

1^st Responders: No call out

911

There was a presentation at Eagle Harbor for the first Responders.  It covered the Keweenaw radio system, operating protocols and working with Ahmeek off road rescue,

On March 3^{rd there} was a power outage, which resulted in the usual Copper Harbor area Phone service loss.  A teleconference between MPCS , AT&T and representatives of Keweenaw 911 was held on March 10^th.  At& T reported that they have been unable to pinpoint the problem with the SLC.  As of last Thursday, the batteries in the CH SLC have been changed and replaced with batteries from a different vendor.  The old batteries will be sent to Chicago for testing.  New battery chargers have been ordered and will be installed in the near future.  Part of the problem is that there are three systems in the CH SLC and they cannot tell if all three are giving the problem.  The phone numbers of various residents who lost service was provide to AT&T to see if they could determine what the problem was.  AT&T also indicated that the Sheriff’s SLC would be wired into the Eagle River Court House system to take advantage of the County’s backup generator.

Park and Rec Planning

The Grant Twp Parks & Rec planning committee met and all members were present.  They reviewed section 2, changed and rewrote parts; they will work on section 3 at next meeting.

Old Business

Hunter’s Point: We have received approval of the plans and specifications for the Hunter’s point Boardwalk.  UP engineering is being asked to supply a list of the services they intend to provide from now until the completion of the job.  This includes how they intend to establish the grade at the kiosk area, how they intend to comply with the owner’s request for guard poles to prevent ORV’s from using the Boardwalk and how they will control the area of the walk and bridge near the parking so that it is level. The Kiosk panel design is progressing. The Material for the Phase 2 Grant request will be delivered to Bill Olsen on Monday, so he may begin to work on the submission. 

Mr. Powers asked the Board for a dedicated account for the remainder of the Hunter’s Point Donations after the project is completed.  The idea for the account would be for the interest to be used for perpetual maintenance of the park.

• Motion to allow Mr. Powers to contact the Twp attorney on how to set up a dedicated /restricted account for the balance of the Hunter’s Point donations after the acquisition of Phase 2.  The interest of said account to be used in the maintenance of Hunter’s Point Park.  Put forth by Coltas/Barker, all were in favor, motion carried 4-0.

NOAA Weather Station is now functioning and the Board was treated to a demonstration of the coverage.

New Business

Keweenaw County Land Acquisition: The Keweenaw County Board is applying for a MNRTF grant to purchase land in Eagle Harbor Twp, and Grant Twp for the purpose of trail access.  The trails will be predominantly non-motorized except for a small section that will allow ATV access to the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.  This acquisition would be good for several reasons; the non-motorized section is over our Wellhead protection area, which would have double impact for Grant Twp.  It also creates a trail corridor, between Eagle Harbor Twp and Grant Twp.  The property owners have agreed to put of 12.5% of the match and the Copper Harbor Trails Committee will spearhead a fundraiser for the remainder.  There is “NO” financial requirement of Grant Twp but we are being asked to support the project.

• Motion to support the County in their pursuit and application for and MNRTF grant to purchase property for trails, with the understanding that Grant Twp will not be able to contribute financially, was put forth by Coltas / Karl.   All were in favor, motion carried 4-0.

Spring Clean up: will be held on June 14 & 15^th this year. The hours both days will be 8 am to 4 pm.   Same rules will apply and there will be two dumpsters at both locations.  The Board will look into the possibility of a third dumpster for recyclable metal products.  The LLB fire department tried that last year with great success.  The proceeds if this works out will go to the two fire departments, as they provide the manpower needed to make this possible.

Haven Park:  Ned Hewatschek deeded over a section of land adjacent to Haven Park to Grant Twp., it was then improved with a picnic shelter built by a co-operation between Grant Twp and the Lac LaBelle people.  It will now be deeded over to the Keweenaw Road Commission who will maintain it along with Haven Park.  Grant Township will pay $1000 per year for maintenance.

• Motion to deed over the Haven Park Pavilion and property to the Keweenaw County Road Commission and pledge to pay the monies agreed upon for maintained of $1000, put forth by Coltas/Barker.  All were in favor, motion carried 4-0.

ZBA At the February 13^th meeting Mr. Powers discussed several items that he felt should be studied as a result of the Tom Poynter hearing:

Parking count should be allowed on Copper Harbor side streets.  Mark Wycoff informed him that the restriction was intended for interstates.  Janet Shea will take the issue to the Planning Commission.

The 20ft set back at rear5 of a commercial lot did not make a lot of sense, could 10 ft be considered. Janet Shea will take that to the Planning Commission.

Also discussed was Mr. Poynters plan to construct a metal-sided building in Copper Harbor.  The consensus was that if Grant Township had a problem with that they should direct their concerns to the Planning Commission for resolution.

Then lastly the unfenced wading pool that Mr. Poynter has set up in front of his building, the feeling was this is the building departments responsibility and Grant Twp should contact the building inspector if they feel it is a safety hazard.

• Motion to pay audited bills and adjourn Coltas/Karl all were in favor, motion carried 4-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.  
 
 

Meg Vivian                                     Kelly Coltas

Grant Township Supervisor          Grant Township Clerk