GRANT TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Held at the Grant Township Hall

230 Gratiot Street

Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918

Minutes for Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Call to Order

Supervisor Ken Stigers called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. and led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance. 

Roll Call

Present were Supervisor Ken Stigers, Treasurer Karen Karl, Clerk Kelly Coltas, Trustee Ned Huwatschek and Trustee Art Davis.

• Motion to adopt Agenda put forth by Coltas/Huwatschek, all were in favor 5-0 motion carried.

• Motion to approve Minutes of Regular Board Meeting of 10/13/09, and work session of 11/05/09, put forth by Coltas/Karl, all were in favor, motion carried 5-0.

Supervisor’s Remarks

Tomorrow is Veteran’s Day and the Board would like to extend thanks to all of our Veteran’s for their services to our Country.

Apportionment;  Joan Nelson the County’s Equalization Director spoke at a recent meeting, explaining that for the first time that for most taxable values will be dropping.  This will adversely affect the Townships revenue and with the State being in the in the precarious financial position we are still not sure of what will happen with PILT and other revenue sharing, we could be looking at a short fall in the Townships Budget.  This in addition the Headly Roll back failing last year really will make Budget time challenging.

The Census committee has asked to be able to use the Community Center to train its workers.  The Dates needed, will be November 16^th, 18^th, and 20^th.  The Calendar is open so no problems are foreseen.

Monthly Reports

Treasurer’s Report

• Motion to accept Treasurers report as given, put forth by Coltas/Davis.   All were in favor and motion carried 5-0.

Utility Board

Supervisor Ken Stigers, Deputy Supervisor Richard Powers and Traverse Engineering representative Richard Supina all met to discuss the Well field expansion.  They believe they are on the right track to pursue a grant for the project.  The focus of the grant will be repairs of our system and economic growth. 

DDA

Discussions on the Band shell possibly being donated to the Township and also all the park improvements from the summer.

Hunter’s Point

The Hunter’s Point Kiosk Panels have been removed and stored and the rest room closed and the vault pumped out.  Sam Raymond has completed 90% of the requested maintenance on the Hunter’s Point trails.  Bothe the north beach and the south beach trails have been brushed, chain-sawed and raked to the parking lot trail.  Weather and time permitting he may do some more on the trail from the Marina to the first N/S trail leading to the Hunter’s Point parking lot.

A summary of needed trail repairs in priority order, the work would include steps to halt the erosion on beach trails near the viewing deck and the construction of boardwalks over wet areas.  The boardwalks will help keep the trails from widening out over wet areas.  Aaron Rogers has estimated the prioritized work at $1,820.  There is money in this year’s budget to cover this work, however it does not appear that w would be able to complete any part of the work this fall.   Mr. Powers would like permission to order the needed cedar, three addition trail sign bases and no more than 5 trail signs in order to take the charges in the current year.  He expects the total for all this material not to exceed $1,500.  The rest of the trail work would have to be included in next year’s budget.

Ned Huwatschek has offered to donate 20 cedar logs 10 ft long X 10 inches in diameter for the project.  If they are good logs Mr. Powers will find a way to get them to Copper Harbor.

The process of finalizing the 122 acre purchase of Hunter’s Point 2 has been initiated.  Mr. Powers have requested a same day closing for December 8^th or 15^th.

• Motion to allow Mr. Powers, to order materials for signage for Hunter’s Point, for fall improvement up to $1,500. Put forth by Coltas/Davis, all were in favor, motion carried 5-0.

911

Sheriff Lahti has obtained four 800 MHz portable radios for the North End First Responders.  Two have been assigned to Eagle Harbor and two to Copper Harbor.  At the October 911 meeting it was agreed to reprogram 800 MHz radios used by First Responders so they can talk directly with Mercy Ambulance.  The process of designing the templates has begun.  At the same time other changes may be made to the 800 MHz mobiles that were received last year.  The 911 Committee discussed preparations for the wide band/narrowband conversion of the VHF radios.  Keweenaw County Emergency Coordinator Jack Dueweke is in the process of applying for a Grant to assist in replacing radios and pagers which cannot be adapted for narrow band operation.  A letter has been sent to all Keweenaw Fire Chiefs and First Responder Groups asking for an inventory of their communications equipment to be taken and sent to Dick Powers by December 1^st, 2009.  The Keweenaw Fire Chiefs and First Responders have also been asked to use their 800 MHz radios more, such as during practice, so that more usage is recorded and the departments become more familiar with the radios.

Public Safety 

CH Fire Dept:

The regular monthly meeting for the CHFD was held November 4^th 09 with 5 members present.  All trucks were exercised, truck #4’s water tank was drained for the winter, truck #1&2 had winter panels placed under each pump area and the boat was flipped and will be put away for the winter when dry.  The snowmobile was tuned up, rescue sled checked, and the ice rescue suits were placed in truck #4, along with rescue sling and rope pail.

At the mid month meeting in October there was 2 members present due to an important snow board meeting at the KML the same night.

All of the steel SCBA tanks have been returned.  Two were found to be defective and were condemned.  The valve mechanism can still be saved for possible future use.  All tanks were refilled from the cascade tank.

Page outs for October: 3 1^st responder calls, 0 fire calls.

LLB Fire Dept:

No report

Old Business

The time line for the Grant for the new Boiler came and went, the minimum Grant was for $50,000 and we only needed $15,000 to replace out boiler.  If there is a second round of Grants we will address it then.

Community Center in Lac La Belle; Supervisor Stigers met with the Rural Development Guy today and they have to do an environmental inspection of the site before they can move forward.  A Committee is being formed, Rheta Wolfe has a team in place and Supervisor Stigers has asked for the list of names.  Trustee Ned Huwatschek would like to be on the committee as well.

New Business

The MTA annual Conference will be held on January 27^th, 28^th, and 29^th 2010.  As they are having seminars on assessing and other items affecting the Township at this time, Supervisor Stigers is asking for approval to attend. 

• Motion to approve Supervisor Stigers to attend the MTA annual conference in January, put forth by Huwatschek/ Coltas, all were in favor, motion carried 5-0.

Public Comment

Aaron Rogers at the request of a number of voters has asked the Board to draft a letter to our County Commissioner Joe Langdon, asking for support of the proposed Terrain Park at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.

• Trustee Art Davis moves to send a letter to our Commissioner and the entire County Board urging support of the proposed Terrain Park at the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.  The motion was seconded by Coltas and all were in favor, motion carried 5-0.

• Motion to pay audited bills for November in the amount of $32,209.16 and adjourn Davis/Coltas all were in favor, motion carried 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Ken Stigers                                         Kelly Coltas

Grant Township Supervisor               Grant Township Clerk