Bingham Township Board
Special Meeting
Monday July 7, 2008 5:30 p.m.
Bingham Township Hall
1637 S. DeWitt Rd., St. Johns, MI 48879
MINUTES
The meeting was called and posted for the purpose of discussing: 1.
City – Township Agreement 2. Election Inspectors for August Primary
and November General Elections.
Supervisor Ostrowski called the meeting to order at 5:35 p.m. with the
Pledge to the Flag.
Trustee Harger gave the Invocation
Purpose
Members Present: Supervisor Ostrowski, Trustee Trebesh, Treasurer
Bond, Trustee Harger, Clerk Kus. Others attending: Jeanette Mehney,
Tony Hufnagel.
Roll Call
Clerk Kus presented the Election Inspectors for the August Primary
and November General Elections to the Election Committee which
consists of Board members Ostrowski, Bond and Kus.
Election
Inspectors
Invocation/
Pledge
Motion
Motion by Ostrowski, supported by Bond to accept the Election
Inspectors as presented. Motion carries
Supervisor Ostrowski forwarded the City/Township Sewer Agreement
to Bill Fahey the Township’s counsel for this project. Mr. Fahey
responded with his comments numbered 1-44. The Board went through
each comment and discussed changes that it would like made. The
board feels there are three points of concern. 1. The exclusivity has to
be rectified. We have to have an option. We do not want to get
ourselves into a corner. 2. The capacity issue. 3. Utility billing,
specifically relating to delinquent billing and the time line the
Township has to pay the City for delinquent bills.
InterGovernmental
Agreement for
Sanitary
Sewage
Service
between the
City of St
Johns and the
Township of
The intent of Supervisor Ostrowski and Trustee Harger is to present our Bingham
questions and concerns to the other two committee members as soon as
possible. If the changes requested by the Township are agreeable, the
changes would be made and a joint meeting between both boards
would be scheduled to finalize the agreement.
Motion by Trebesh, supported by Harger to adjourn. Motion carries
1
Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Kus, Clerk
Subject to approval at the Regular board meeting of July 14, 2008
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Bingham Township Board
Regular Meeting
Monday, July 14, 2008, 7:00p.m.
Clinton County RESA
4179 S. BR127, St. Johns, MI 48879
MINUTES
Call to Order
Deputy Clerk Mehney called roll: present were Supervisor Ostrowski, Roll Call
Trustee Trebesh, Treasurer Bond. Absent: Clerk Kus and Trustee
Harger. Others Present: Tony Hufnagel, Harold Rappuhn, Joe Thelen,
Don Potts, Leon Searles, Tom Wiersma, Chris Manning, Patricia
Horan, Dennis Koenigsknecht and Paul McNamara.
Supervisor Ostrowski led in the pledge to the flag. Treasurer Bond
gave the Invocation.
Invocation
Pledge
Adjustments to the Agenda. No.6 – Communications - ADD c) Trott
& Trott - bankruptcy, d) PA116-Earl Barks Jr., e) Tri-County
Electric, f) Mid Michigan Health Department annual report, g) Mahle
Permit. No. 8 – Old Business – ADD d) Auditor Status, DELETE a)
Invoice Payment Policy. Trebesh moved, supported by Bond to
approve the agenda as amended. motion carries.
Agenda
Minutes of June 9, 2008. Trebesh moved, supported by Bond to
approve the minutes of June 9, 2008 as written. motion carries.
Minutes of July 7, 2008-Special Meeting. Trebesh moved, supported
by Bond to approve the minutes of July 7, 2008 as written. motion
carries.
Minutes
The following Communications were presented:
a. A draft of the Proposed Clinton County Future Land Use Plan was
presented. It looks like a very good plan for Bingham Township.
b. The monthly Sherriff report was presented.
c. Correspondence received from the law firm of Trott & Trott
concerning a bankruptcy for a Mark Bruin. Bingham Township is
listed as a creditor. It was passed on to Treasurer Bond.
d. A PA 116 request was submitted by Earl Barks Jr., for land located
at the northeast corner of US 27 and M-21. It is farm land that is land
locked.
e. A letter was received from Tri-County Electric concerning a public
hearing scheduled for July 30, 2008 at 9:00a.m. They are going to
raise rates for the Avery Rd area which is serviced by Tri-County.
Communications
3
June 9, 2008
July 7, 2008
f. The Township received a copy of the Mid Michigan District Health
Department’s annual report. It will be placed at the hall for anyone
interested in reading it.
g. Supervisor Ostrowski received by e-mail a copy of the permit
issued for the Mahle expansion.
Public comment opened at 7:15 p.m., closed at 7:15 p.m.
Correspondence received from Leon Searles, manager of Searles
Development LLC relating to the land gifted by Searles to the
Township of Bingham in 1999. Additional real estate contiguous to
the donated land was purchased by the Township in an installment
purchase agreement. Searles Development LLC would like the gifted
land returned to them, as well as the Township deeding back to
Searles the contiguous real estate with the same terms as the original
installment purchase agreement when the Township purchased the
property from Searles. Searles believes that because Bingham
Township is now undertaking steps to tie its sewer system to the City
of St. Johns’ sanitary sewer system, that returning the donated land
and selling back to Searles, the purchased land is the fair and
appropriate thing to do. The warranty deed by which Searles
Investments donated the land to Bingham Township contains the
language “for so long as the land is used for municipal purposes, but
if ever ceases to be so used, the land shall revert to the Grantor and its
successors and assigns.” The fire hall is located on this land. Mr.
Searles feels the donated land was for a mechanical treatment plant.
He understands why we have gone in the direction we have
concerning hooking up to the City. The Myrtle Parker land was also
purchased by the Township as part of the plan. Mr. Searles has no
problem with the Township retaining some of the property for a
Township Hall; however the Township does not need thirty (30) acres
for a Township Hall. Motion by Trebesh, supported by Ostrowski to
contact the Township attorney, James Kiefer of Dykema Gossett for
review and comment on this matter.
Public
Comment
Old Business
Searles
Correspondence
Motion to
Contact
Township
Attorney.
The board held a special meeting on July 7, 2008 and discussed forty City/Township
four (44) comments that resulted from attorney Bill Fahey’s review of Sewer
the City/Township Sewer agreement. Four basic issues were
Agreement
discussed and the board agreed to pass these issues on to the
City/Township Committee for clarification. The issues were: 1.)
Collection of delinquent bills, 2.) Usage, 3.) Exclusivity and 4.)
Moving toward an Authority. It is the committee’s intention to meet
and finalize this agreement.
The Audit Process has been started.
Auditor
4
Commissioner McNamara presented a Tax Allocation Fact Sheet
concerning the Countywide Proposal that will be on the August 5,
2008 Primary ballot. The County has been very prudent in its
financial matters. Supervisor Ostrowski commented on the County
helping the Township financially in the appeal to the Michigan Tax
Tribunal concerning land at 2401 Ontario Drive.
County
Commissioner
Report
Invoice
Payment Policy
Supervisor Ostrowski heard from Steve Schafer concerning a check
approved by the board for purchase of Mr. Schafer’s computer that is
at the Township Hall. Mr. Schafer has not yet received his check that
was approved at the June 9, 2008 board meeting. Treasurer Bond is
holding the check pursuant to the return of alleged township records.
The records are available to us. Treasurer Bond will turn the check
over to Supervisor Ostrowski and he will get it to Schafer.
Steve Schafer
Check for
computer
purchased by
Township
Correspondence received from the Clinton County Chamber of
Commerce concerning membership. Table until the August meeting.
New Business
Chamber of
Commerce
Membership
A policy for Township Hall access needs to be discussed. Motion by
Bond, supported by Ostrowski to table until the August meeting.
Motion carries.
Township Hall
Access
Motion/Table
BS&A charges $25.00 a month to do a back up of the entire software
system. Motion by Bond, supported by Ostrowski to table until
August meeting.
Computer
Backup
CAFR received their audit for the year ending March 31, 2008. It
appeared to be a clean audit. There are some policy issues that our
representatives on the CAFR board are concerned with.
Reports
CAFR update
A search is under way for a new permanent director. Promising
candidates are being contacted to set up interviews.
The City who is the major contributor to the ambulance authority has
submitted a letter of withdrawal from the authority. The City can
rescind their withdrawal if major changes are made to the Authority.
Board members of Clinton Area Ambulance were invited to attend a
meeting tonight to hear alternative ideas for ambulance service.
Lansing Mercy and Lansing Mason presented their options on what
they could do to provide Ambulance service. Lansing Mercy is
already in Southern Clinton County. Both services said they would
have units stationed here.
CAASA update
5
Deputy Mehney presented the invoices for approval. Question
concerning mowing service done by Robert Newman. Newman will
be asked to submit a contract to the Township. Motion by Ostrowski,
supported by Trebesh to approve invoices in the amount of
$63,592.01 with clarification on check #5517 in the amount of
$1,104.30. motion carries.
Clerks Report
Treasurer Bond presented receipts for June. A quarterly report and
monthly report were presented. The June 1, 2008 beginning balance
in the general checking was $217,018.86 and the beginning balance
in the Debt retirement account is $161,221.04. The ending balance as
of June 30, 2008 in the General fund is $150,224.86 and the ending
balance in the debt retirement is $161,414.50. Motion by Ostrowski,
supported by Trebesh to accept the monthly and quarterly report as
presented. Motion carries.
Treasurer’s
Report
Correspondence received from MDEQ concerning the sewer proposal
has been very positive. The time table of how things need to be
submitted as we move forward: Comments from MDEQ would be
received by October 9, 2008. We would know the approval of the
MDEQ project plan no later than February 26, 2009; however we will
probably get it quicker than that.
The format for the Townhall Meeting of July 28, 2008 would roughly
have the CAFR fire chief and assistant present. Sue Lounds of the
Clinton County News will be contacted to run an article about the
Townhall meeting and the Township proposals. Supervisor
Ostrowski will contact Sara Morrison of Briggs Public Library and
ask her to be present to address any questions. The director or project
director from the Road Commission will be invited to discuss
questions concerning the renewal of the road millage. The Townhall
meeting will take place on Monday, July 28, 2008 at 7:00 p.m. at
Clinton County RESA.
Supervisor’s
Report
Sewer Proposal
MDEQ
Motion
Townhall
Meeting Format
Adjournment
Trebesh moved, supported by Bond to adjourn the meeting. Motion
carries. The meeting adjourned at 8:47p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Kus, Clerk
Subject to approval at the Regular Board meeting of August 11, 2008
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Bingham Township
Townhall Meeting
Monday July 28, 2008 7: 00 p.m.
Clinton County RESA
1479 S. BR 127, St. Johns, MI 48879
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 7: 03 p.m. with a welcome to all
present.
Supervisor Ostrowski led in the pledge to the flag. Trustee Harger gave
the Invocation
Welcome
Pledge
/Invocation
Supervisor Ostrowski introduced himself, followed by Treasurer Bond,
Clerk Kus, Trustee Harger and Trustee Trebesh.
Introduction
of Bingham
Township
Board
The meeting was called and posted as a Townhall Meeting to be
Purpose
informational to residents of the Township concerning the millage
proposals on the Primary Election ballot of August 5, 2008. Residents
were also encouraged to ask questions or offer comments relating to the
City/Township Sewer Agreement and any other questions concerning
Bingham Township. Sample Ballots for the August 5, 2008 Primary
Election were displayed.
Sara Morrison of Briggs Public Library and Sandy Steffen the Library
Board Representative from Bingham Township were introduced.
Joe Pulver, managing director of the Clinton County Road Commission
was presented.
Chief Gary Rosekrans, Dan Jorae, Cheryl Parks and numerous other
personnel were present to represent CAFR.
Jim Fyvie of Central Dispatch/911 was introduced.
Paul McNamara, Clinton County Commissioner representing residents
who live north of Parks Road in the Township was introduced.
Introduction
of Guests
Paul McNamara discussed the Countywide Proposal. This proposal will Countywide
raise an additional 1 mill for the township.
Proposal
The Library Millage is asking for a renewal of .497 mills.
Library
Approximately 54% of the Township residents utilize the Briggs Public Millage
Library. There are roughly 1,372 active patrons from Bingham
Renewal
Township. Bingham Township and the City are the only jurisdictions
who dedicate a millage to the Library.
7
The Road and Bridge Millage is asking for a renewal of 1 mill, a
reduction of ½ mills from the previous millage. All of the dedicated
millage money for this proposal stays here in the township and is used
on township roads. Many projects and repairs have taken place this
spring and summer with the money that was paid back to the Road &
Bridge Fund. Joe Pulver stated that a Road Millage is a very solid way
for the township to get a payback for the buck. The money is all used
locally on Township Roads. Everyone benefits from this millage and it
is a wise use of a good tax. An additional 35% of money is received
from the County.
Road &
Bridge
Millage
Renewal
The Fire Protection Services and Equipment Millage is asking for 1
mill. This is a new request. This would help fund our participation in
CAFR. Chief Rosekrans will answer any questions.
Fire
Protection
Services &
Equipment
Millage
Public Comment opened at 7:20 p.m.
Public
Comment
Questions and concerns were raised about fire run billing, the recent
fire in Bingham Farms, fire fighter response times and other questions
concerning fire service. The ISO rating was discussed and what benefit
it would have on Homeowners Insurance.
The City/Township Sanitary Sewer Agreement was discussed.
Supervisor Ostrowski explained the ACO from MDEQ concerning the
lagoon.
Clinton Area Ambulance service was discussed.
Approximately 49 persons attended this meeting.
The meeting ended at 8:20 p.m. with cookies and punch.
Bingham Township
Special Meeting
Monday August 18, 2008 7: 00 p.m.
Clinton County RESA
1479 S. BR 127, St. Johns, MI 48879
MINUTES
The meeting was called to order at 7: 00 p.m. with a welcome to all
present.
Call to Order
Roll Call
Clerk Kus called roll: present were Trustee Trebesh, Treasurer Bond,
Supervisor Ostrowski, Clerk Kus, Trustee Harger arrived at 7:07 p.m.
8
Others present: 65 members of the public. Sign in sheet on file.
Pledge
/Invocation
Supervisor Ostrowski led in the pledge to the flag. Treasurer Bond
gave the Invocation
The meeting was called and posted as a Special Meeting to discuss Fire Purpose
Service for the Township. The Fire Service and Equipment Millage
Proposal on the August 5, 2008 Primary Election Ballot failed. Items to
be discussed are as follows: Overall Fire Protection Services in the
Township. The Township’s involvement in Clinton Area Fire &
Rescue. The funding options that could be available to Bingham
Township and a course of action to fund the Fire Service. The deadline
to submit a proposal to go on the November ballot is August 28, 2008.
The Township Board is committed to listening to what the public has to
say. A decision will be made this evening on whether or not to place a
millage proposal for Fire Service on the November Ballot.
Supervisor Ostrowski introduced board members: Trustee Harger,
Trustee Trebesh, Clerk Kus, Treasurer Bond.
Introduction
of Board
The board members outlined the following options: Do Nothing, which
was found unacceptable because of the pressure put on the General
Fund budget. We can not afford to support Fire Service out of the
General Fund. The other option was to ask for another millage or a
variation of the previously proposed millage. Depending on the results
of the opinions of the public, a decision would be made on the future of
Fire Protection Service in the Township.
Options
A Power Point presentation was given by Chief Rosekrans and Bob
Parks of CAFR. It outlined services and equipment of Clinton Area
Fire & Rescue. 85 % of CAFR calls are Medical First Responder calls.
Bingham Township is one of three partners in CAFR. Greenbush and
Victor Townships are the other partners. The CAFR agreement was
signed in June of 2001 and is for a period of ten years. The formula
used to fund CAFR is: 1/3 SEV, 1/3 population and 1/3 previous year
fire runs. Each partner pays their share according to this formula. Chief
Roskrans stated that CAFR is out there to serve and protect the
Townships.
Public Comment opened at 7:17 p.m.
The following members of the public offered comments and opinions:
Chief Rosekarans, Bob Parks, Doug Weir, Julie Jandernoa, Lieutenant
Sullivan, Martha Andrews, Alan Harr, Frank Pauli, Tim Smith, Patricia
Horan, Jeff Silm, Joyce Crosby, Jennifer Johnson, Harold Rappuhn,
Dale Jury, Neil Barnhart, Glenn Jandernoa, Gary Van Orsdol, Bob
Crosby, Dan Jorae, James Johnson, Dick Plowman, Larry Love, Cheryl
9
Power Point
presentation
by CAFR
Public
Comment
Parks.
Discussions concerning the best service for the least amount of money.
No duplication costs. Separate Fire and Rescue so there is not double
coverage for ambulance and MFR. Can we join with the City for fire
service? Is an effort being made for a joint venture with the city? The
township has ownership in CAFR. Fire Service with other entities
would be for service only. Is Regionalization an option? No one is
disputing the dedication and ability of the members of CAFR. The
quality of service is not in question. The City provided good fire
service when we used them before. This entire issue is about financing.
Fire Service can no longer be funded out of the general fund.
Supervisor Ostrowski had information received for Jim Fyvie of
Central Dispatch. In 2005 Bingham township had 40 fire runs, 36 in
2006 and 49 in 2007. Resuce runs in 2005 were 69, 2006 also 69 and
88 in 2007. EMS runs for 2005 were 102, 2006 – 108 and 2007 – 139.
Rescue runs are MFR (Medical First Responder) and EMS. Chief
Rosekrans had figures for 2008 with 62 fire runs of which 60% were
for car fires, 38 medical runs and 14 mutual aid runs.
Time is of the essence. The budget is set through March of 2009. We
do not want the cost of a special election. We need to make a decision
tonight. Until a person is waiting for emergency service to save or help
a loved one, people are unaware of the value of these services. Has
CAFR looked at their budget and made cuts and reductions? The
Bingham Township representatives on the CAFR board voted to not
accept the budget because it was felt by the Township board the cuts
need to be made. What are the options available for a millage proposal
for the November Election? The millage proposal could be for one half
mill for two years or one half mill for four years. The proposal could
also be for one mill for two years or four years. Our agreement with
CAFR is through 2011. What would it cost to get out of the agreement?
How long is the loan extension for? The township needs to fulfill their
loan agreement even if we are no longer a part of CAFR. We do not
have an amount for contracted services from any other authority. The
City has asked us to join them put have not put a proposal in writing to
us. The City option would be for Fire Service only. The Township left
the City because they felt the City was not willing to invest in
equipment that best served the townships. The cost to stay with CAFR
would be about the same next year as this year. The township needs to
come up with a solution on what to do about fire service. Numerous
recommendations to go back to the people and ask for millage for two
years to get us through the agreement with CAFR. That would also
give the board time to look at all options. The turnout was very poor at
the Primary and we would get a lot more voters for the General in
November. A larger voice would be heard from the township residents.
The proposal is not about CAFR versus the City. It should be about
Fire Protection Services. We need to be more creative in what we ask
10
Fire
Runs/MFR &
EMS
Public
Comment
continues
for. Our agreement with CAFR is up in 2011, but we must continue to
pay the loan debt until 2013. People are basing their decisions on things
that happened many years ago. The climate has changed and people
need to be educated on the services and equipment provided by CAFR.
Question raised on cost per capita. According to the City of St Johns
study their cost per capita was $31.52 with an annual budget for their
area and half of Bengal Township of $252,277.00. CAFR is
$401,812.00 for three townships. The difference in population is 8000
for the City and 7863 for CAFR. The cost per capita for CAFR is
$51.10 which reflects the budget. The cost per call for the City of St
Johns is $4069.00 and the cost per call for CAFR is $1362.00. Dewitt
Area Fire has 9500 people with a budget of $273,150.00 with cost per
capita of $28.75 and cost per call is $986.00. The distinction is that
CAFR is a new Fire Station. City of St Johns does not provide Medical
First Responder.
Go back to the voters and ask for a two year millage. Majority is
supposed to rule. The voters spoke in August and turned down the
millage. Why are we asking again? Approximately 17% of the
township voted.
Trustee Harger is a member of CAFR and urges anyone having
questions or comments concerning CAFR or any matter related to the
Township to call him.
Board Discussion on the number of years and amount of mills.
Motion by Bond, supported by Kus to place on the ballot of November
4, 2008 a millage proposal for one mill for a period of two years for
Fire Protection Services. Discussion follows. More public comment
allowed. The people voted once and said no. The voters should not be
asked again. There is a new proposal being asked for. It is different
from the previous proposal. It is not the board’s responsibility to
educate the public on this matter. Information needs to be put out there
on the importance of this millage.
.
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Kus, Clerk
Subject to approval at the Regular board meeting of September 8, 2008.
11
Cost per
Capita
Public
comment
continues
12
Respectfully submitted,
Helen Kus, Clerk
Subject to approval at the Regular board meeting of July 14, 2008
13