GRANT TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Held at the Grant Township Hall

230 Gratiot Street

Copper Harbor, Michigan 49918

Minutes for Tuesday, December 14^th, 2010

Call to Order

Supervisor Ken Stigers called the meeting to order at 6:01 p.m. and led the assembly in the pledge of allegiance.   

Roll Call

Present were Supervisor Ken Stigers, Treasurer Karen Karl, Clerk Kelly Coltas, and Trustees Ned Huwatschek and 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 11/09/10, and work session of 12/09/10, put forth by Coltas/Davis, all were in favor, motion carried 5-0.

Supervisor’s Remarks

The Supervisor, Ken Stigers is all set to go to the MTA annual conference at the end of January.  On the last night of the conference there is a dinner, which is included in the cost of the conference.  Ken will be bringing his daughter with him and has reimbursed the Township for the $65.00 for the cost of the dinner.

Clyde Wescoat the Postal Contractor for Copper Harbor will be giving up his contract, his last day will be January 13^th, 2011.  Grant Township and CHIA are pursuing the possibility to have the Post Office located in the Visitor Center.  The idea behind this is the hopes of retaining the 49918 Copper Harbor designations. 

The Township Board wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Monthly Reports

Treasurer’s Report

The Treasurer has received the tax roll from the Assessor and it has been put on her computer and she open for business.

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

Utility Board

The CHUB has approach two individuals to consider sitting on the board of CHUB.  They will be voted on at the next CHUB meeting and they will bring their recommendations to the Township next month.

DDA

The DDA has been approached for two projects.  One is the proposed bike path from Fort Wilkins to Hunter’s Point and the other is to help construct the partitions for the proposed location for the propose Post Office.  We have no dollar amounts at this time.

Hunter’s Point

No Report

911

There was no November meeting of the Keweenaw County 911 Committee.  The repairs on the Eagle Harbor Repeater have been completed.  The December pager test by Station 42 indicated a problem has been identified and will be addressed.

Public Safety          

CH Fire Dept:

The regular monthly meeting of the CHFD was held on Wednesday December 1^st, 2010, with 5 members present.

They had a general discussion for the winter months.   All air packs were checked, some tanks needed refills or top offs, communication units were also checked.

The mid month meeting was held on November 17^th, 2010.  The sheriff’s snowmobile and rescue sled were run and equipment checked for the up-coming winter season.  Trucks 1, 2 & 3 were exercised; generators, portable pumps, chain saws and associated equipment were run and checked before the winter season.  There was on medical page-out for the month.

            The fire department was paged to watch a controlled burn across from the KML.  A three year pile of logs, branches and wood debris needed to be burnt.  No spread of fire to surrounding areas.

LLB Fire Dept:

No report.

Dick Schaefer asked to be acknowledged to speak before the Board.  He wanted to know about increasing the amount for the Fire Chiefs wages, which at the moment is $400.00 a year for both Chiefs.  Ned Huwatschek put forward a motion to increase the wages of the Chiefs to $1000.00 a year.  There was no second so the motion died.

Art Davis felt that some research should be done on wages of Fire Chiefs in similar situations and population and SEV, for a comparison.  Ken Stigers said that he will check with MTA for comparable numbers of other Townships.  He would then like each of the Departments to have input on the possible increase for the two Chiefs.

Old Business

Reassessment of the Township

The Township will be putting out a bid package for the upcoming reassessment of the Township.  The bid package will be put into several newspapers around the UP within the next few weeks.

Cell Tower

The location of the propose Cell Tower for Copper Harbor will probably mover from the water plant to a position higher up on Brockway Mountain.  It will still be in Grant Township but will be located on County property.  Two engineers will be in town tomorrow to examine the proposed sites to test their suitability.

Small Harbor Coalition

Bob Meyers from Lac La Belle has been working on the no wake zone and dredging of Lac La Belle and has found and organization that deals with the problems facing small harbors in Michigan and potential funding for small harbor projects.  Upon investigation the Board thinks it would be a prudent move to join the Coalition.

·  Motion to adopt Resolution #25-2010 supporting the Michigan Small Harbors Coalition.  The motion was put forth by Coltas and seconded by Huwatschek.  A roll call was conducted, Ken Stigers – yes, Karen Karl – yes, Kelly Coltas – yes, Ned Huwatschek- yes and Art Davis – yes.   5 – Ayes, 0 – nays.  Motion to adopt Resolution # 25-2010 is carried.

Clyde Westcoat has held the contract to remove snow from around the fire hydrants in the village of Copper Harbor.  The equipment (frontend loader) is no longer in service, so he is giving up the contract.  The Supervisor has posted the position and contacted several organizations.  The KCRC will do it but would have to charge drive time from Mohawk at a cost of 100.00 an hour.  Fort Wilkins Park Manager also was contacted and he needs to speak with his superiors and the possibility of needing additional insurance for the State is a possibility.  KML also has equipment but to date has not been able to connect with anyone.

BOR members

Joe Langdon has resigned from the BOR and the Supervisor has found two new members, one to be used as an alternate.  Marty Faassen and Richard Schaefer have both agreed to come on board and be trained for the position.

·  Motion to approve Marty Faassen and Richard Schaefer as members of the Board of Review, was put forth by Coltas/Huwatschek.  All were in favor, motion carried. 

Welcome on board Marty and Richard.

New Business

Mark Ament, his wife and other co-applicants have submitted an application to the State of Michigan to repair a break wall structure in Betsy.  As part of the application the MI – DNRE would like a Resolution from the local unit of Government approving the Conveyance Application.

·  Motion to adopt Resolution #26-2010 approve the Conveyance Application of Mark Ament, was put forth by Coltas and seconded by Davis, a poll was conducted.  Ken Stigers- yes, Karen Karl – yes, Kelly Coltas – yes, Ned Huwatschek – yes, and Art Davis – yes.  Ayes – 5, nays – 0.   All being in favor, motion carried and Resolution #26-2010 is adopted.

Public Comment

Ken Stigers opened the floor to public comment. 

Alex Protzel was curious about the Post Office situation.  He hopes that the Township and CHIA are successful in the positioning of the Post Office in the Visitors Center.

·  Motion to pay audited bills for December in the amount of $16,450.42 and adjourn Coltas/Stigers, all were in favor, motion carried 5-0.

Meeting adjourned at 7:53 p.m.

Ken Stigers                                                                   Kelly Coltas

Grant Township Supervisor                          Grant Township Clerk