APPROVED MINUTES

APPROVED MINUTES
GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
September 11, 2006
Grosse Ile Township Hall – Merle Solomon Board Room
9601 Groh Road

The Regular Meeting was called to order at 7:32 p.m. by Township Supervisor Kobiljak.

Present: Supervisor Kobiljak, Clerk O’Connor, Treasurer Raithel, Trustees Wojewodzic, Forrester, Pociask.
Absent: Will
Pledge of Allegiance

September 11th Remembrance: Supervisor Kobiljak reminded everyone of the importance of remembering and taking stock of the losses incurred 5 years ago on this date. A moment of silence was observed.

Presentation: DTE Energy Representatives Molly Luempert-Coy and Mark Stefanick spoke about the overall electrical system, 2006 Grosse Ile outages, Reliability/Capacity Projects and provided a project map showing the areas of Grosse Ile where updates and improvements are being done. Those residents in attendance who had additional questions or specific power problems were invited to speak with the DTE Representatives in the adjoining conference room following the presentation.

Additions/Deletions to Agenda:
Motion Raithel, second Forrester, to add Action Item # 10, Constitution Week Resolution.
All aye.

Motion Wojewodzic, second Pociask, to accept the agenda as amended. All aye. Motion carried.

Final Agenda

CONSENT AGENDA 06-080:
1. Minutes of August 14, 2006 Board Meeting
2. Minutes of August 28, 2006 Special Study Session
3. Cash Requirements List dated August 28, 2006
4. Cash Requirements List dated September 11, 2006
5. Purchase Order Summary dated August 28, 2006
6. Purchase Order Summary dated September 11, 2006
7. Authorization to Pay Bills through October 9, 2006
Clerk’s Report
1. Election Update

Treasurer’s Report
1. Introduction of Deputy Treasurer/Finance Assistant
2. Investment Report
Supervisor’s Report
1. Wayne County Bridge Update
2. Van Horn Road Closure Update
3. Police Auction – September 16, 2006
Township Manager’s Report
1. Water’s Edge
2. Township Golf Outing
3. Airport Volunteer Posting
ACTION ITEMS
1. Resolution Requesting Ancillary Improvements/2007 County Bridge Repair
2. Alliance of Downriver Watersheds
3. Crack Sealing Contract Addition
4. Bike Path Improvements-Meridian b/w Parkway & Groh and Anderson
5. Centennial Farm Drainage
6. 2006 Township Winter Tax Levy
7. Update Federal Surplus Assistance Program Authorizing Official
8. Appointment to Airport Advisory Committee
9. Fireworks Permit Approval-September 16th Lighthouse Celebration
10. Constitution Week Resolution

Discussion Items: Local Cable Franchise Fees & Agreements
Extended Public Comment: Limited to 5 minutes per person
Adjourn

Regular Meeting

Public Comment:
1. G. Jones, Inquired about any property sales or acquisitions or any legal fees contained on the consent agenda. The Finance Director indicated there were no property sales or acquisitions on the Consent Agenda; however, there were legal fees of $389.46 paid to Barlow& Derby for labor relations representation and $1330.00 to William Look for general legal counsel and approximately $12,000 in fees to Timothy Galligan, P.C. for legal costs of the sanitary sewer litigation.
2. W. Clark, Parke Lane, inquired if anything was being done about the deer population. The Police Department and Department of Natural Resources are monitoring the situation.
3. D. Ledbetter, 6th Street, Asked if the generator located at the middle school was ever used during peak usage times and commented that the deer population will be tough to control since they are good swimmers, are very mobile and will return if removed. Suggested more signage is needed for deer crossings and some underbrush should be cleared to improve visibility.

The following items will be adopted without discussion; however, at the request of any Board Member or Citizen, items may be removed for Board discussion or explanation.

Motion Forrester, second O’Connor to approve Consent Agenda 06-080 as presented.
All aye. Motion carried.
Consent Agenda # 06-080:
1. Minutes of August 14, 2006 Board Meeting
2. Minutes of August 28, 2006 Special Study Session
3. Cash Requirements List dated August 28, 2006
4. Cash Requirements List dated September 11, 2006
5. Purchase Order Summary dated August 28, 2006
6. Purchase Order Summary dated September 11, 2006
7. Authorization to Pay Bills through October 9, 2006
Clerk’s Report
1. Clerk O’Connor reported that training is ongoing for the General Election and the Clerk’s Office is recruiting Precinct Inspectors over 16 years of age for both part-time and full-time Election Day assignments.
Treasurer’s Report
1. Treasurer Raithel introduced Annette Wurtsmith, who will serve as the Deputy Treasurer and began work on September 5th as the Finance/Taxing Assistant.
2. Treasurer Raithel provided and Investment Report through June, 2006 showing a total of $16,127,928.51 invested at an average investment rate of 4.99%, earning $97,236.79.
Mr. Raithel also reminded residents that the deadline to pay property taxes without penalty is September 14th. To date, 4.7 million of the approximate 11.5 millions dollars in property taxes has been collected.
Supervisor’s Report
1. Wayne County Bridge renovations are still on track for April, 2007. Wayne County is expected to obtain Bids in January and begin construction in April.
Mr. Kobiljak reminded residents that the County Bridge will be closed on September 12 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for repairs.
2. Van Horn Road Update: There is no public hearing on schedule at the moment. Utility companies object to moving their lines, some of which service Grosse Ile. MDOT announced there is no easy fix for traffic flow problems on Vreeland Road and that any remedy would likely take 3 to 10 years to accomplish. The City of Trenton is waiting on a decision from Daimler Chrysler Corporation.
Township Manager’s Report
1. Manager Reaume reported that staff is reviewing the past season at Water’s Edge an will bring recommendations on Fee Schedules to the Board for the October Meeting. Mr. Reaume also announced a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at Sharkey’s on Friday, September 15th at 11:30 p.m.. The Public is invited to attend.
2. There will be an end-of-season Township Golf Outing at Water’s Edge on Saturday, October 14th. Fees will be reduced for township employees, committee and commission members, volunteers and residents. $25.00 cost per person includes breakfast rolls & coffee, lunch and

door prizes. Lunch only is available for non-golfers at a cost of $8.00. Deadline to register is October 11th.
3. Manager Reaume announced the availability of an unpaid Airport Volunteer Intern Job Posting and asked Airfield Manager, Derek Thiel to provide more information about the opportunity. Mr. Thiel explained that the opportunity is for 3rd or 4th year students of Public Administration or Aviation Education for this unpaid internship. Interested parties may check the airport website or call the airport office for more information.
ACTION ITEMS
1. 06-081 Motion Pociask, second Raithel, based upon the recommendation of the DPS Commission to approve the following Resolution requesting ancillary improvements with the County Bridge repairs:
Be It Resolved, that in anticipation of the several month 2007 spring / summer closure of the Wayne County bridge on Grosse Ile Parkway, the Grosse Ile Public Service Commission requests that Wayne County undertake the following ancillary improvements while the bridge is closed:

Whereas, repairing or reconstructing the intersection of Jefferson at Grosse Ile Parkway, including drainage; (for traffic from Van Horn the turning radius is in poor condition and often contains standing water and the whole intersection is in need of at least resurfacing);

Whereas, repairing / resurfacing all or failing sections of Grosse Ile Parkway between Jefferson and the bridge; (several longitudinal sections of pavement are badly deteriorated and require repair);

Whereas, removal of dead trees along Parkway and especially at the west and east approach areas to the bridge; (there are numerous dead trees and this is very unsightly);

Whereas, trimming and removal of unsightly and overgrown vegetation that has overtaken guard rails at approach ramps, sidewalks, and obscure signs, and plan for a permanent maintenance solution; (this is especially bad on the east side bridge approach);

Whereas, replacing any rusted or damaged traffic control signs:

Whereas, It is requested that these improvements be undertaken while the bridge is closed and traffic is reduced except for traffic access to Elizabeth Park.

Be it further resolved that the DPS Commission recommends to the Grosse Ile Township Board:

That the services of a professional landscape architect be acquired to develop a landscape plan for the approaches to the bridge;

Be it finally resolved that copies of the resolution be forwarded to the Township Board, Wayne County DPS Director James Jackson, Wayne County Roads Director Lorenzo Blount, Wayne County Commissioner Joseph Palamara, and Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, requesting their support and approval.
Motion carried 6-0.
2. 06-082 Motion Pociask, second Wojewodzic, based upon the recommendation of the DPS Commission a motion to accept membership and adoption of bylaws for the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds for a period of three years with an annual cost review.
Motion carried 6-0.

3. 06-083 Motion Pociask, second Forrester, based upon the recommendation of the DPS Commission to approve an additional $40,000 for the 2006 Joint and Crack Sealing Program. Roads to be determined by the DPS Commission. Motion carried 6-0
4. 06-084 Motion Pociask, second Forrester, to approve to advertise for bids for bike path improvements on Meridian between Parkway and Groh and on the Anderson Road right-of way. (The wooded area from the end of the road on the Thorofare side to the end of the road on the Meridian side); based upon the recommendation of the DPS Commission.
Motion carried 6-0.
5. 06-085 Motion Pociask, second Raithel, based upon the recommendation of the DPS Commission to advertise for bids for paddocks drainage east of the Recreation Building; estimated cost $41,019.30, Centennial Farm will contribute $10,000; balance will come from the Drainage Fund. The fencing is to be paid by the Recreation Department.
Motion carried 6-0.
6. 06-086 Motion Raithel, second O’Connor, Resolved by the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees that there be levied on the taxable value of said Township for the year 2006, winter billing, a tax of 9.6267 mills on the Taxable Value thereof, said value being $640,589,637.
Motion carried 6-0.
7. 06-087 Motion Raithel, second O’Connor, WHERAS, Grosse Ile Municipal Airport, State of Michigan has met all other State and Federal requirements for participation in the Federal Property Assistance Program under Public Law 94-519.
WHEREAS, it is a requirement that a resolution be adopted by the governing body specifically designated as coordinator as Surplus Property Donee and Custodian, to be responsible for the acceptance and accountability and authorized to sign for surplus property.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the Governing Body for Grosse Ile Municipal Airport, State of Michigan, herby designates Derek M. Thiel who is the authorized coordinator as the person responsible for accepting Federal Surplus Property, with the power and full authority to sign for such surplus property.
2. The coordinator named above is to be held responsible for the accountability and will
maintain the necessary records for all surplus property obtained for public purposes until relieved from accountability by State and/or Federal authorities.
3. That money is available to pay service charges for surplus property obtained.
4. That the coordinator is further hereby authorized to direct payment of service charges for surplus property to complete all transactions.
Resolution adopted 6-0.
8. 06-088 Motion Raithel, second O’Connor, to appoint Ms. Pamela M. Broomall to the Grosse Ile Municipal Airport Advisory Committee, based upon a recommendation by the Airport Advisory Committee for the term length of September 11, 2006 to January 22, 2009.
Motion carried 6-0.
9. 06-089 Motion Wojewodzic, second Pociask, based on the recommendation of the Grosse Ile Township Fire Marshal to grant a Fireworks Permit to Ace Pyro (Dr. Ronald Morris) to provide a public fireworks display on Saturday, September 16, 2006 with a rain date of Sunday, September 17, 2006. Motion carried 6-0.

10. 06-090 Whereas, September 17, 2006 marks the two hundred and nineteenth anniversary of the drafting of the Constitution of the United States of America by the Constitutional Convention; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper to officially recognize this magnificent document and the anniversary of its creation; and
Whereas, it is fitting and proper to officially recognize the patriotic celebrations which will commemorate the occasion; and
Whereas, Public Law 915 guarantees the issuing of a proclamation each year by the President of the United States of America designating September 17 through 23 as Constitution Week;
Now THEREFORE; I, Kurt M. Kobiljak, Supervisor of the Township of Grosse Ile do hereby proclaim September 17 through 23, 2006 to be CONSTITUTION WEEK in Grosse Ile Township and ask our citizens to reaffirm the ideals the framers of the Constitution had in 1787.
Motion carried 6-0.
Discussion Items:
1. Trustee Forrester and Clerk O’Connor provided information regarding proposed legislation being supported by AT&T, Verizon and other local cable companies in an attempt to break their local agreements and institute a statewide license that would potentially eliminate a large portion of the franchise fees now being received by local communities to fund their local programming. If passed, it could eliminate approximately $179,000 from the Grosse Ile Cable budget and impact cable access locally.

Extended Public Comment:
1. D. Ledbetter, 6th Street, reported that he asked DTE about the generator at the Middle School and was informed it is used during normal operation, not in an emergency.

Mr. Ledbetter mentioned a GIYRA fundraiser selling special Toll Bridge Passes which provide $5.00 for each one sold to GIYRA.

Mr. Ledbetter mentioned Open Space drainage concerns and would like to see an action plan implemented and also asked the Board to consider additional signage on Grosse Ile Parkway to prevent accidents and encourages the proposed new community sign board at Four Corners and some traffic plan improvements at Parkway and Meridian.
Supervisor Kobiljak suggested Mr. Ledbetter work with Chief Barron on the Public Safety issues and with DPS Director Sedlock on the Public Service issues.

Adjourn
Motion Pociask, second Forrester, to adjourn the Regular Meeting.
Meeting adjourned at 9:06 p.m.

Ute O’Connor, Township Clerk

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