APPROVED MINUTES
GROSSE ILE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Grosse Ile Township Hall – Merle Solomon Board Room
The Regular
Meeting was called to order at
Present:
Supervisor Kobiljak, Clerk O’Connor (arrived at
Absent: Forrester
Pledge of Allegiance
1. Mr. & Mrs. DiClaudio,
2. Resident at 10225
3. G. Jones, 7738
Presentations
1. Motion Pociask, second Wojewodzic, to add as Action # 13, Supplemental Priority Winter Road Maintenance. All aye.
2. Motion O’Connor, second Will, to delete Action Item #1, Festival Commission Appointments. All aye.
3. Motion Will, second Pociask,
add Discussion of West River Road Ramp to
4. Motion O’Connor, second Raithel, to add Authorization to Pay Bills to the Consent Agenda.
All aye.
Motion Raithel, second Wojewodzic, to accept the agenda as amended. All aye. Motion carried.
Final Agenda
CONSENT
AGENDA 06-098:
1. Minutes of
2. Minutes of Special Meeting
3. Cash Requirements List dated
4. Cash Requirements List dated
5. Purchase Order Summary dated
6. Purchase Order Summary dated
7.
Authorization to Pay Bills through
1. Election Report
2.
1. September Investment Report
1.
2. Downtown Development Authority Update
3. Emergency/Evacuation Plan Update
4. Planning Commission Appointment
Township
Manager’s Report
1.
2. Sanitary Sewer Project
3. Thanksgiving Holiday Hours
ACTION ITEMS
1. Deleted
2. Downtown
Development Authority (DDA) Appointments
3. 2007 Water’s
Edge Rates
4. Native American Week Resolution
5. 33rd District Court 2007 Budget
6. Coast Guard Waterway Regulation
7. Authorization to Seek Bids for Fire Department SCBA
Equipment
8. Fire Department Computer Hardware/Software State
Upgrades
9. Amendment to Township Zoning Ordinance:
10.Design & Engineering for Rehab of Lift Station
Control Panels
11.Authorization to prepare engineering and design
drawings for Rehabilitation of Commerce Park Roads
12.Contractual Part-time Building Inspector
13.Supplemental Priority Winter Road Maintenance
Regular Meeting
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.
Consent Agenda # 06-098:
Motion Will, second Wojewodzic,
to approve the Consent Agenda as amended.
All aye.
1. Minutes of
2. Minutes of Special Meeting
3. Cash Requirements List dated
4. Cash Requirements List dated
5. Purchase Order Summary dated
6. Purchase Order Summary dated
7.
Authorization to Pay Bills through
Clerk’s Report:
1. Clerk O’Connor reported that the General Election went well despite a few minor glitches. The tabulator at Precinct 4, VFW Hall, malfunctioned in mid-afternoon. Precinct Inspectors followed the state’s protocol to handle the problem. The spare tabulator was put into service and the transition from one tabulator to another worked flawlessly. The integrity of the results remained intact.
The biggest local “political” issue was the handling of the ID requirement.
Three voters complained about being asked for identification, and one took his complaint to the State Bureau of Elections. The Bureau of Elections and the County Clerk’s Office contacted Clerk’s Office staff to inform that although a law requiring voter identification has been on the books since 1996, there is also an Attorney General’s opinion from 1997 contesting the identification requirement. This AG opinion is not notated in the election law manual. It has put the identification requirement law on “hold”. We promptly informed our precinct inspectors to stop asking for identification, except under certain specified legal circumstances, such as when a voter’s name does not appear on the Qualified Voter List.
We were pleased and amazed that the majority of voters continued to insist on showing their identification and voiced their concerns about identity fraud.
Clerk O’Connor thanked the large turnout of registered voters for their patience and the Township’s Election Inspectors for their hard work and diligence.
2. Clerk O’Connor reminded residents about
Island Glow festivities beginning at
Treasurer’s Report:
1. September Investment Report: Treasurer Raithel reported a total investment of $19,402,456.57 at an average rate of 5.14%, earning interest totaling $41,960.12 for the month of September. The Treasurer also reminded residents that 2007Animal Licenses will be available in December.
Supervisor’s Report:
1.
2. Downtown Development Authority Update: Supervisor
Kobiljak reports that work on the Kroger expansion is progressing well and will
contain a Starbucks Coffee Café, the Island Restaurant expects to open in late
December and the Island Dollar Store expects to open in January, 2007. There is a new Farm Bureau Insurance office
on
3. Emergency/Evacuation Plan Update: Supervisor
Kobiljak announced that there have been meetings held with the Coast Guard and
the Police and Fire Chiefs will present a report at the December Board Meeting.
The Supervisor also announced that the DTE conveyer site fire damage has been
repaired and they are planning a progress update for the December meeting.
4. Planning Commission
Appointment:
06-099 Motion Will, second Raithel to approve the Supervisor’s appointment of Jody Charlson to the Planning commission for the term length of
Supervisor Kobiljak announced
that one of the Open Space Signs had been heavily vandalized over the weekend
and asked anyone who may have witnessed anything to contact the Police
Department.
Township Manager’s Report
1. Round
2. Sanitary Sewer Project: The sewer project is nearing completion and
the Beautification Committee under the guidance of Pamela Frucci
has nominated the Wastewater Treatment Plant for a State Beautification Award
for their landscaping at the site.
3. Thanksgiving Holiday Hours: Township offices will be closed on Thursday, November 23rd and Friday, November 24th in observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday. Payments may be deposited in the Drop Box located at the driveway near the side entrance.
ACTION ITEMS:
1.
Deleted
2. 06-100 Motion Will, second Raithel, to
approve the Supervisor’s reappointment of Susan Harrison, Brooke MacNee and Eric Anderson to the Downtown Development
Authority (DDA) from
3. 06-101 Motion
Pociask, second Raithel, to
establish an operational rate structure for Water’s Edge Membership, Golf Course,
Pool and Marina for 2007 as proposed by the Grosse Ile Community
Recreation Commission. All aye. Motion adopted.
Public Comment
Motion # 06-101: Several tenants of the marina voiced concerns over rate
increases considering the poor condition of the docks and seawalls at the
marina; which present some safety issues and need immediate attention. The group suggested the rate increases be
used to make the necessary improvements and asked if security could be
improved. Supervisor Kobiljak indicated that the Community Recreation
Commission is aware of the problems at the marina and will be addressing
remedies in the upcoming year.
4. 06-102 Motion
O’Connor, second Will, Whereas, the history and culture of our great
nation have been significantly influenced
by American Indians and indigenous peoples; and
Whereas, the contributions of
American Indians have enhanced the freedom, prosperity, and greatness of
Whereas, their customs and
traditions are respected and celebrated as part of a rich legacy throughout the
Whereas, Native American
Awareness Week began in 1976 and recognition was expanded by Congress and
approved by President George Bush in August 1990, designating the month of
November as National American Indian Heritage Month; and
Whereas, in honor of National
American Indian Heritage Month, community celebrations as well as numerous
cultural, artistic, educational and historical activities have been planned;
Now THEREFORE, WE, The Township
of Grosse Ile Board of Trustees, do hereby proclaim November 2006 as the
National American Indian Heritage Month in the
5. 06-103 Motion Will, second Wojewodzic, to adopt a
Resolution to approve 33rd Judicial Court Budget for
WHEREAS, the governing body for the
NOW THEREFORE, the
6. 06-104 Motion Pociask, second O’Connor, Whereas,
the
Whereas, the Township of Grosse Ile has been informed by Wayne County that the public bridge located on the southern end of the Island will be closed beginning in April 2007 for a period of up to eight (8) months for the purposes of reconstruction thereby leaving the 12,000 residents of Grosse Ile with only one method of access via the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge; and
Whereas, the United States Coast Guard regulates the
Whereas, the Trenton Channel is traversed by the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge; and
Whereas, the opening and closing of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge will severely impede the flow of traffic for the residents of Grosse Ile; and
Whereas, impeded traffic flow will have a negative impact on the public safety, specifically the general health and welfare, of the community; and
Whereas, the Grosse Ile Fire Department makes on average five (5) emergency runs off island per day; and
Whereas, the opening and closing of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge during the re-construction period of the Wayne County public bridge will be detrimental to the residents of the Township of Grosse Ile; and
NOW, THERFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees request the United States Coast Guard prohibit the opening and closing of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge during the reconstruction period of the Wayne County public bridge; and
NOW, THERFORE FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED, in the event the United States Coast Guard refuses to prohibit the opening and closing of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge during the reconstruction period of the Wayne County public bridge the Grosse Ile Township Board of Trustees request that the United States Coast Guard prohibit the opening and closing of the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge during the reconstruction period of the Wayne County public bridge during the peak rush hours of 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution as a solicitation of support shall be forwarded to the Unites States Coast Guard, United States Senator Debbie Stabenow, United States Senator Carl Levin, United States Representative John D. Dingell, United States Representative John Conyers, Governor Jennifer Granholm, State Senator Bruce Patterson, State Representative Kathleen Law, Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano, Wayne County Emergency Management Director Mark Sparks, Wayne County Director of Roads Lorenzo A. Blount, City of Trenton Mayor Gerald Brown, and City of Riverview Mayor Timothy Durand.
Yeas: Kobiljak, O’Connor, Raithel, Will, Pociask, Wojewodzic. Absent: Forrester
Resolution Adopted 6-0.
Public Comment Motion 06-104: T. Burkhart and R. Janowski, agreed that the
township must petition the Coast Guard to limit boat traffic during county
bridge construction.
G. Jones, suggested the township notify DTE
Energy of the resolution.
7. 06-105 Motion
Wojewodzic, second Pociask,
to allow the Grosse Ile Fire Department to seek qualified bidders for the
purchase of a new S.C.B.A. (Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus). All aye. Motion adopted.
8. 06-106 Motion Wojewodzic, second Pociask,
to allow the Grosse Ile Fire Department to enter into a contract with AccuMed Billing and Cyngus
Systems, for the upgrading of both ambulances with lap-top computers. All aye. Motion Adopted.
9. 06-107 Motion Will, second Raithel, to approve and
adopt the proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance to comply with changes in
the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act,
(PA 110 of 2006); based on
the recommendation of the Grosse Ile Township Planning Commission. ROLL CALL. Yes: Will, Wojewodzic, Pociask, Raithel, O’Connor, Kobiljak.
Absent: Forrester. Motion adopted 6-0.
10.
06-108 Motion Will, second Wojewodzic,
to approve that the Charles E. Raines Company be authorized to prepare
engineering and design drawings and to seek bids for the rehabilitation of the
lift station control panels, estimated cost $30,000; based on the recommendation
of the DPS Commission. All aye. Motion adopted 6-0.
11.06-109 Motion Raithel, second O’Connor, based on a
resolution by the Grosse Ile
12.06-110 Motion
O’Connor, second Will, to approve the hiring of Tim Thompson for contractual
part-time Building Inspector for
All aye.
Motion adopted 6-0.
Public
Comment Motion 06-110:
1. Peg
Bailey, East River, wants to see
this project.
2. Jack
Delphy,
objects to using road millage funds for
3. Tom
Burkhart, believes first concern is to maintain
current tenants and preserve recreation access. The
scope of the project is too broad.
4. G.
Jones, inquired how many members from the old Roads Committee are on the DPS
Commission?
(Nine
members, three from the former Roads Committee)
5. Board Members spoke
on the need to fund the design phase for the well being of all residents, not
just
13.06-111
Motion Pociask,
second Will, based upon recommendation of the DPS Wayne County Roads Liaison,
to enter into an agreement with
Ferry
Road (
South
Pointe (Groh to Elbamar)
The Township’s share in cost for the 2006-07
season is $28,974.20 for 10.81 miles of
roadway at
$2,680.31 per mile.
Motion adopted 5-1. Supervisor Kobiljak cast
the opposing vote.
Discussion Items:
Trustee Will, commented that the
Clerk O’Connor, asked the Board to try some other methods, such as signage or re-routing traffic, before looking to construction.
Supervisor Kobiljak, indicated that discussions with Vicki Holland, Wayne County Roads Department, suggested that a third party independent traffic study be conducted to determine all scenarios.
Treasurer Raithel, agreed that something must be done and that there weren’t enough facts presented at the last discussion; however, doesn’t want to create yet another issue.
Trustee Wojewodzic, agreed that other solutions need to be considered.
T.
Burkhart, agreed with the suggestion that it is time to create a traffic study.
Mr. Burkhart complimented the township on hiring Tim Thompson as the Building
Official and asked the Board about plans for the
as outlined by the county to date.
Motion Treasurer Raithel, second O’Connor, to adjourn the Regular Meeting. All aye.
Meeting
adjourned at
___________________________________
Ute O’Connor. Township Clerk