PLATTE TOWNSHIP
BENZIE COUNTY
11935 FOWLER ROAD
HONOR, MICHIGAN 49640
PLATTE TOWNSHIP QUARTERLY MEETING
JANUARY 7, 2020 7 P.M.
2019-2020 FISCAL YEAR
3RD QUARTER
OCTOBER, NOVEMBER, DECEMBER
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Supervisor Solem called the meeting to order at 7:05 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Solem, Clerk Michalak, Deputy Clerk Molly Franks; Trustees Laman and Wieber were present. Treasurer Gottschalk: excused.
Public Present: Raymond Franks, Paula Figura, Mike Burguard
Special Guests Present: Art Jeannot, County Commissioner
Clerk Michalak read the minutes from the 2nd quarter meeting, held on October 1, 2019. Supervisor Solem entertained a motion to approve the minutes as read. A motion was made by Trustee Laman and supported by Clerk Michalak. All ayes, motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT
Commissioner Jeannot provided his quarterly update of recent activities of the County Commission. Commissioner Jeannot has left a report of all information covered at the Township Hall.
Supervisor Solem questioned Commissioner Jeannot about the efforts to find more space for growth at the County level. Commissioner Jeannot said they are looking, not just at the Government Center, but countywide at all properties owned by Benzie County. Probation and parole services are a high priority as currently there is not a secure, private environment for meetings between probationers/parolees with officers. Court and Government security also need improving. Commissioner Jeannot stated that an option is to digitize old records, which consume a great deal of space at the Government Center.
Mike Burguard asked Commissioner Jeannot about the empty elementary school in Honor, and Commissioner Jeannot explained that the building is owned by the school and not the county.
The Platte Township Board appreciates the work Commissioner Jeannot accomplishes on our behalf.
COMMUNICATIONS
1. Inland Township Master Plan:
Platte Township received a draft of Inland Township’s Master Plan draft. Inland and Homestead Townships have terminated their joint planning commission. Inland Township will be required to submit their master plan to every township. There will be a public hearing before it is approved.
REPORTS
1. Special Meetings: There were two special Township Board meetings held in October. The first, on 10/15, was to pass a resolution to prohibit the establishment of recreational Marihuana facilities and electronic signage in Platte Township.
The second meeting was held on 10/24. The purposed of this meeting was to pass a resolution to terminate the township relationship with Michigan Assessing Services. During this meeting, a motion was also passed to hire Jill Brown as the Township Assessor beginning the date of the meeting to April 2020.
2. Health/Land Transfers/Building Permits: There were no new permits issued or transfers for the third quarter period.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Morgan School Acquisition Update: Township Attorney, Dick Figura, has drafted
a quit claim deed and sent it to the president of the State Grange Association. The State Grange has agreed to turn the property back over to the ownership of Platte Township. Zoning for that area is R20, but since the parcel was grandfathered in, it could be sold even though it is under one acre.
NEW BUSINESS
1. Election Update: Clerk Michalak invoiced BCCS the cost of the school election, in the amount of $1,152.00. BCCS paid promptly.
The Presidential Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 10th. This is a reimbursable election, meaning the Township will be reimbursed for all costs related to holding the election. A millage for the continuing operation of the Benzie Bus will also be on this ballot.
The Michigan State Primary will be held on Tuesday, August 4th. All Township Board positions are open for election. If residents are interested in running for an office, they can declare their candidacy by the deadline on April 21, 2020. The Clerk has the appropriate filing forms for any interested residents.
The General Election will be held on November 3, 2020.
The Township is always looking for election inspectors and workers. A certification training will be held in the summer and we urge interested resident to become certified so they can assist with elections.
2. WBJPC: Jim Sheets has been recommended by WBJPC as an appointee to the County Planning Commission. The Planning Commission approved this recommendation and has appointed Jim Sheets to be the WBJPC representative at the County level.
BOARD ROUND TABLE- Items of Concern on or off agenda
Trustee Laman requested a change of date for the February 4 scheduled Budget Meeting due to a conflict. Supervisor Solem entertained a motion to move the February 4 meeting to February 11th at the same time of 6 p.m. A motion was made by Trustee Wieber, supported by Clerk Michalak. All ayes, motion carried.
Clerk Michalak said in order to stay compliant with the State, the new assessor hired will cost about $3,000.00 more per year than the contract terminated with Michigan Assessing Services.
The Clerk suggested the board pass a motion to increase the 2019-2020 budget to accommodate this increase. Trustee Laman made a motion to increase the budget by $2,400.00, as an assessor line item, to cover the increased cost of hiring Jill Brown to replace MAS thru contract period expiring March 31, 2020. The motion was supported by Supervisor Solem. All ayes, motion carried.
Fire contract renewal will be part of the budgeting process at the February 11th meeting. Clerk Michalak will contact Homestead Fire Chief to confirm our agreement and prepare proper documents.
Trustee Laman suggests looking at other propane providers. Mike Burguard comments that it takes a long time to make back the savings of owning tank and maintenance of tank.
CLERK’S OPERATING STATEMENT
Clerk Michalak read the Clerk’s Operating Statement for the 3rd quarter of the 2019-2020 budget year. A Motion was made by Supervisor Solem and supported by Trustee Wieber to accept the Operating Statement. All ayes, motion carried.
TREASURER’S OPERATING STATEMENT
Clerk Michalak read the Treasurer’s Operating Statement for the 3rd quarter of the 2019-2020 budget year. A Motion was made by Clerk Michalak, and supported by Supervisor Solem to accept the Operating Statement. All ayes, motion carried.
APPROVAL OF BILLS
A motion was made by Trustee Laman to approve bills as presented, and supported by Clerk Michalak. All ayes, motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT
none
A motion to adjourn the meeting was entertained by Supervisor Solem. A motion was made by Trustee Laman to adjourn the meeting, with support by Clerk Michalak. All ayes, motion carried.
Meeting was adjourned at 8:34 p.m.
Respectfully submitted by
Molly Franks
Deputy Clerk