NEWKIRK TOWNSHIP REGULAR BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, JANUARY 18, 2010

The regular meeting of the Newkirk Township Board was held Monday, January 18, 2010 at the Township Hall. Supervisor Barb Stenger called the meeting to order at 7:00 PM and began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present: Supervisor B. Stenger, Treasurer V. Brazaski, Clerk S. Killingbeck, and Trustees L. Boes and G. Jurik; Also Present: J. Rockwell, Deputy Treasurer,L. Raymo, Deputy Clerk, and L. Monroe, Assessor

Under public comment, Assessor L. Monroe informed the Board of a new BSA program (.Net) which Lake County insists townships get at a cost of $2,600. She also advised that a new computer will be necessary since the existing one is six or seven years old. Consultation with R. Peel was suggested.

The December 21, 2009 corrected minutes and the Treasurer’s financial report were both approved.

The Treasurer reported the road fund CD was renewed for another 6 months ($19,509.58).

Correspondence was presented by Supervisor Stenger as follows: Fireboard minutes; the Lake County Commission minutes; December Library Board minutes and Treasurer’s report ; Planning Commission Jan. 10^th minutes; Regarding the L.C. ORV Committee meeting held 1/6 Supervisor Stenger reported that she and Trustee Boes attended it where it was requested that any suggested changes be submitted by 2/11/10 Lake County Economic Development Committee; MTA March Educational Programs were reviewed - not applicable to Newkirk; 12/17/09 notice from Republic Services, Inc. announcing merger with Allied Waste; notice from DNR regarding grant application workshops with Mrs. Stenger noting we must have a current DNR-approved community recreation plan on file to receive grants; Clerk Killingbeck read a thank you card from State Rep. candidate J. Drake for letting her address the Board;

Clerk Killingbeck presented the following expenses: WMIS - $39.95/each month of Dec - Jan.; R. Peel - 2 hrs/$20 for computer support for Clerk/1 hr. for Treasurer; L. Monroe $35.99 for envelopes for Assessor; Sage/Peachtree - Business Care/update - renewal $299 for 2010/2011; Postmaster $44 for postage stamps/Clerk and $44 for Assessor; LOSB - $25.00 for safe deposit box for 2010; Luther Newkirk Hall - $2,961.06 for Oct. ’09 & Jan. ’10 payments; $2,600 for BSA .Net for Assessor as discussed.

Moved by V. Brazaski, seconded by L. Boes

Motion: That the bills presented be approved for payment.

Roll Call Vote - All in Favor - Motion Carried.

Under Old Business, Supervisor Stenger reported on the fire hall land purchase that Keith Schuiteman spoke with the seller’s attorney about a quit claim deed. A quiet title will be processed through the courts and the matter will be cleared; Mr. Schuiteman will get an affidavit.

Moved by B. Stenger, seconded by S. Killingbeck

Motion: That Newkirk Township join Ellsworth Township and the Village of Luther for a Fire Hall Committee with Supervisors Stenger and Long serving as ex officio members with no vote.

All in Favor - Motion Carried.

Supervisor Stenger suggested all board members consider and suggest people to serve on the Fire Hall Committee. Discussion was held and concern expressed over the cost to get professional assistance which the committee will need to make its recommendation.

Moved by L. Boes, seconded by B. Stenger

Motion: That Old M-63 from Twin Creek Inn east (approx .8 mile) to the trail be opened for ORV traffic.

Ayes: Boes, Killingbeck, Brazaski, Stenger Nays: Jurik Motion Carried.

G. Jurik wished the record to reflect he voted no because of his concern about the bridges.

L. Boes advised he voted yes because he feels the line of vision is safe.

The Supervisor explained we have been told no money is available for the bridges. She will draft a letter per the Board’s recommendation. Continuing under New Business, the ORV meeting was again discussed. B. Stenger stated the attitude was very positive and explained the ORV traffic has been very good for businesses. She added that everyone is working together. It was reported that the majority of citations were written in Newkirk Township but she did advise the ORV Committee that Newkirk has more state land and so, more ORV traffic. She noted many were “no helmet” citations.

B. Stenger spoke of street lights on crossroads of Kings Hwy. She explained the cost would be approximately $14/mo. each. Great Lakes Energy will put a light up on wire @ $794.03 but for free they will mount a light on an arm off the pole.

Moved by B. Stenger, seconded by V. Brazaski

Motion: That an arm be mounted on a pole to support a light through Great Lakes Energy at Old M63- Kings Hwy. and 4 Mile and to approve a light at the intersection of Kings Hwy. and 5 Mile Rd. through Consumers’ Energy and that we automatically pay the bills when they come to avoid late charges.

Roll Call Vote - All in Favor - Motion Carried.

Street signs to Luther at 4 Mile and 5 Mile Roads were discussed. Supervisor Stenger will talk to the Village about the signs. Therefore, this will be tabled until next month. Treasurer Brazaski noted the costs would be charged to the Road Fund.

Regarding the MEMAC Resolution, the Supervisor will call to get more information. L. Boes suggests calling Mac McClellan at the County. This will also be tabled until next month.

Moved by B. Stenger, seconded by S. Killingbeck

Motion: To approve the following budget amendment:

General Fund - Expenditures

Activity Center - Township Board

Line Item - Miscellaneous - Increase budget by $6000 to $8500

Decrease fund balance by $6000

Roll Call Vote - All in Favor - Motion Carried.

Moved by V. Brazaski seconded by G. Jurik

Motion: That R. Peel be consulted and his approval given regarding the right computer for the Assessor

Roll Call Vote - All in Favor - Motion Carried

Trustee Boes inquired about a letter he has from the new rubbish company, if it is a contract.

Moved by V. Brazaski, seconded by L. Boes

Motion: That the meeting be adjourned.

All Present in Favor - Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM

______________________________________________

Sandra Killingbeck, Township Clerk

sk/January 25, 2010

MONDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2009

The regular meeting of the Newkirk Township Board was held Monday, December 21, 2009 at the Township Hall. Supervisor Barb Stenger called the meeting to order at 7:02 PM and began with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Present: Supervisor B. Stenger, Treasurer V. Brazaski, Clerk S. Killingbeck, and Trustees L. Boes and G. Jurik; Also Present: J. Rockwell, Deputy Treasurer and L. Raymo, Deputy Clerk

No visitors/no public comment. The November 16, 2009 minutes and the Treasurer’s financial report were both approved.

Correspondence was presented by Supervisor Stenger as follows: Fireboard minutes; the Lake County Commission minutes; November Library Board minutes and Treasurer’s report with Mrs. Stenger advising that a contractor from Houghton Lake was awarded the library addition work because his bid was $18,000 less than any local bid and progress is underway with a completion date targeted for Feb 1st; She also added the Library Open House was very successful; Lake County Economic Development Committee November minutes; An ORV meeting will be held 1/6/2010 at the Lake County Courthouse to review ORV Ordinance/road changes

Moved by B. Stenger, seconded by L. Boes

Motion: To approve Loan/Transfers to the Fire Pumper Truck Account 1) $13,100 from General Fund and $33,000 from Fire Truck Fund; 2) $3,325 from General Fund.

Roll Call Vote - All in Favor - Motion Carried.

Clerk Killingbeck presented the following expenses: Allied Waste - $56.81 trash service @ North Park Cemetery; FIA - $206.23 for Clerk’s toner @ $45.49 and Treasurer’s envelopes & paper @ $160.74; WMIS - $39.95 for each month of November & December; AT&T - $48.69 telephone service mid- Nov/mid-Dec and $49.25 for mid-Dec/mid-Jan; Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones - $5,494.93 for bond attorney’s consultation/Fire Hall; K. Schuiteman $1,120 total for two invoices $455 and $665/attorney fees; Board of Review members Creech, Miltner and Gilstrap for 1 hour each; H. Johnson - 8 hrs. and 140 miles ($80 + $77 mileage); Apex Software - Annual Maintenance Renewal/$304 for township assessing software and $215 for Assessor’s laptop; R. Peel - $10 for computer technology support to Treasurer; from the Fire Pumper Truck Account 1) CSI Emergency Apparatus - $93,534 for fire pumper chassis and 2) $3,323.15/Bond Attorney fees/Mika Meyers Beckett & Jones

Moved by G. Jurik, seconded by V. Brazaski

Motion: That the bills presented be approved for payment.

Roll Call Vote - All in Favor - Motion Carried.

Supervisor Stenger gave an update on successful ordinance enforcement activities on A Avenue and May Road.

Under Old Business, Supervisor Stenger reported on the fire hall land purchase that a word change from and to to affected lots 6 and 7 which remains to be corrected; the related letter from Attorney K. Schuiteman was also presented and read. She also presented a determination letter from USDA stating they will give a $512,000 loan, a $75,000 grant, with an applicant contribution of $50,000 to construct a new fire hall. Discussion followed with the need expressed to meet with Ellsworth Township before January 18^th.

Regarding the ‘Trash Day’, the Supervisor expressed thanks to Mike Dempkey for the informative letter he submitted for the 2010 trash day designated as August 21. Details will be provided in the summer newsletter.

Treasurer Brazaski reported an 80 acre parcel was going off the tax roll and being classified as commercial forest. Mrs. Stenger also noted another parcel in the same area was being designated by the DNR in the same way. The Treasurer also reported on tax collections to date.

Clerk Killingbeck advised an option that Election Source has offered to buy the extra Optech Vote Tabulator for $800 or give $1,000 credit with them. In checking with the Bureau of Elections, it is believed per our contract that we own the tabulator even though purchased by grant funds. Dave from that Bureau will advise if we can sell it. Following discussion, the board agreed to keep the extra tabulator as a back-up.

Trustee Jurik inquired about street lighting at two crossroads on Kings Hwy. Discussion followed.

Moved by B. Stenger, seconded by V. Brazaski

Motion: That the meeting be adjourned.

All Present in Favor - Motion Carried.

Meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM

Sandra Killingbeck, Township Clerk

sk/December 27, 2009

December 29, 2009/corrected