PLATTE TOWNSHIP
11935 FOWLER ROAD
HONOR, MICHIGN 49640
ANNUAL MEETING
BUDGET MEETING
FY 2018-2019
MARCH 17, 2018
2 P.M.
ANNUAL MEETING
The Annual Meeting was called to order by Supervisor Solem at 2:02 p.m. and followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Solem introduced the Elected Board and the appointed Deputy Clerk-Supervisor Solem, Treasurer Gottschalk, Clerk Michalak, Trustee Laman and Trustee Wieber, Deputy Clerk Franks
Public Present-35
Supervisor Solem introduced the special guests in attendance. They included:
County Commissioner for District 2- Art Jeannot
Homestead Township Fire Chief- Tim Markey
Platte Township Assessors- Kit Wilson and Christy Brow
Benzie County Road Commission Manager- Matt Skeels
85th District Court Judge- Honorable John Mead
The minutes from the 2017 Annual Meeting and were read by Clerk Michalak. A MOTION by Treasurer Gottschalk with SUPPORT by Trustee Wieber to accept the minutes as read. All ayes; motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT:
Scott Vannorwick, a resident for twenty years, brought his concerns about rural preservation of Platte Township. He has logged thousands of miles by foot across the township. He has witnessed the destruction of the forests. He focused on clear cutting, which causes soil degradation and damage, loss of wind protection, and flooding on roads due to the failure of root systems. Major logging operations leave slash and prevent passage in many areas. He wondered if the slash left behind could be chipped? He voiced concern about loss of shade, loss of habitat for many species, invasion of more wild animals into residential areas, carbon sequestering. Trees are vital for filtering our breathing air as polluted air from Chicago-travel along the shoreline and end up in our region. He mentioned petroleum spills that may have been the result of the logging machinery. He suggests the formation or organization of local constituents to create a protection plan and voice to protect our wild places. Scott asked all present to drive around and view the logging that has taken place across the township this last year.
Colin Bohash commented on his concern about the number of trees that are dead and dying in the National Park and the potential fire hazard that creates. A fire had started in a winnowing pile on Trail’s End. Could we make a township ordinance stating that winnowing is not allowed and slash has to be chipped?
Supervisor stated that the township has zero input on forest maintenance on any lands owned by the state or federal government. Paul Gerhart, our township forester, spoke about the state’s criteria, trying to create larger canopy gaps- (stimulates wildlife and encourages new growth).
Clerk Michalak stated that the DNR is at the end of a 20-year cut in Benzie County. Three years ago, a selective cut was done on the township property. Another thinning of red pine is planned in the coming year. Forester Gerhart states that the Township plantations was planted as a source of revenue, with the intent that it be harvested periodically.
Barbara McBride said that cutting is happening again near her property near Fortine and Ely Roads, after it was also cut not that long ago.
Clerk Michalak invited all to our next quarterly meeting on April 3rd, to discuss this further.
Ruth Hovland spoke regarding the Morgan School on Esch Road. The school, built in 1868 as a log house, became a wooden structure in 1884. In 1923, the Platte Grange took over the premises and kept it until 2016, when the grange membership dissolved. The building has reverted back to Township ownership. It is in pretty good condition and is functional. The heating system needs to be repaired. She would like to see the building restored and used for the benefit of the township community. She suggested using the building for a place to exercise and noted the benefit it would provide, especially for the older citizens. Exercise would be low-impact in nature. This could result in the improved health of the township residents. Her vision is that the building would eventually support itself. She suggested a 10.00 per month membership for township residents, a higher fee for non-township residents. Maybe the Township can help until the group gets on its feet. She wants to see the building preserved for future generations to enjoy.
Gary Gielczyk wonders if there will be time to comment on individual items yet on the agenda.
Mike Taillard supports the idea that an exercised older resident may reduce the cost of emergency services.
Rob Bollenberg proposes to form a committee to evaluate the idea of preserving the Morgan School. Supervisor Solem states that the first step would be to come and talk to the board members, to place it on the agenda of a future meeting for further discussion and perhaps create a committee at that point.
Tom Mountz asked if there is a copy of the proposed Morgan School questionaaire, which is due to go out with the summer tax bills. Supervisor Solem said that the survey is slated to be sent with this summer’s tax mailing.
Jeanne Strathman mentioned that it is very hard to hear in the back. She encouraged people to stand, or perhaps a p.a. system in the future.
SUPERVISOR REPORT:
Clean Up Day 2017- American Waste was paid $3,700.00 for two trucks
Metal scrapper was paid $300.00 for tires
$240.00 was paid to Benzie Recycling
48 residents participated in the biannual clean- up day
Elections 2018-
A primary will be held on August 7th, for gubernatorial, State and United States Representatives and Senators. November 6th is general election. She put out the call for more election inspectors. It is an excellent opportunity to meet your neighbors and provide a service for your township.
Matt Wieber has been appointed to fill the balance of Julie’s Mountz’s term. April 24th is the last day to submit paperwork if a resident is interested in running for this position.
Road Improvements- Supervisor Solem spoke of signage improvement at the intersections of Fowler Road, at Indian Hill and Valley Road. The goal is to have this done by the end of this year.
The Salary Resolution was read by Trustee Laman. Supervisor Solem and Clerk Michalak would be the only elected officials to see an increase during this fiscal year.
Clerk Michalak is currently receiving $9,375.00. With the proposed increase, the Clerk’s annual compensation would be $11,875.00
Supervisor Solem is receiving $7,250.00. With the proposed increase, the Supervisor’s annual compensation would be $11,350.00
Treasurer Gottschalk is being paid $11,250.00.
Trustees earn and annual compensation of $1,050.00.
Gary Gielczyk opposes the raise and would like a compensation commission to review all aspects of granting raises before moving ahead.
Tom Mountz, a forty-two-year resident, opposes the raises. He wants transparency and an accounting of each board member’s time performing their duties.
Scott Vannorwick queried if adjusting the board compensation would affect his property taxes.
Kristy Laman suggested that there was an option to modify the raises being proposed, if people present did not agree with the amounts in the resolution. The first step would be to vote on the resolution as written and if it did not pass, consider modifying the raises.
Ruth Hovland believes the proposal is being made too complicated and that it will delay their raise further. She suggested that if township citizens do not trust the elected board, then why were they elected? She feels board members are doing a good job and are always available to the township residents.
Bob Schutt believes that the board is always available and will respond outside of their official hours. He believes committees have their place, but a committee is unnecessary for this decision.
Jeanne Strathman discussed what happened last year to cause the board to lose the opportunity to receive a raise.
Deputy Clerk Franks made note that even with a raise, the Supervisor would earn roughly $13.00 an hour. Without the raise, it drops below $9.00 an hour.
Trustee Laman spoke about the survey he completed. With the intent to study and compare the pay scale of other Michigan township officials of similar demographics, he discovered that 79% of township supervisors earn more than Supervisor Solem. He stated that even with the proposed raise, Supervisor Solem would move only into the 50th percentile.
Gary Gielzyck mention that the majority of our township’s revenue comes from the state and he predicts that we will not be able to rely on that revenue in the future, believing it will be coming to an end. For that reason, the township must be frugal with their funds.
A MOTION to accept the Salary Resolution as written was made by Dan Haswell and supported by Jeanne Strathman. Those in favor-21 ayes, those opposed- 4 nays. Motion carried.
GUESTS
Commissioner- Art Jeannot is the County Commissioner for District 2. He brought us up to date on several county issues.
* All five board openings on the Building Authority have been filled. He believes each
member has a special talent to bring to the effort.
* All eleven seats of the Planning Commission have been filled.
* Benzie County Board of Commissioners approved entering into the Opioid Law Suit at
a January meeting. This lawsuit will target multiple manufacturers of opioid drugs to
recoup funds spent for treatment of opioid addicts and public safety.
* The BOC has a job posting for a Financial Manager until March 23rd. This is a position
that would delve into an analysis of the county’s finances and improve long term
budgeting. Commissioner Jeannot sees this as a minimum two-year trial to determine
if this position is beneficial, before the possibility of becoming official.
* The BOC has been reviewing the county’s technology needs over the last twelve months.
They have contracted with a new IT firm to assist in improving service and reducing
costs. There are various projects underway to upgrade their use of technology and
develop a long-range plan.
* The BOC has made the decision to re-organize their standing committees and begin
meeting as an entire group, known as the “committee of the whole.” Their first meeting
was February 1. This will streamline the decision-making process and shorten approval
waiting periods by half.
* The BOC approved resolution 2018-004 in opposition to Michigan House Bills 5096-5098,
as presented, and requests that the State reconsiders its language that governs internet
and cell providers being considered the same as other utility providers.
Homestead Township Fire Chief- Tim Markey shared several points of information with us. He stated that every year they see an increase in runs to Platte Township.
* So far this year, there have been ten runs- nine were medical and one was a car accident
* The 1976 Ford rescue truck is no longer in service. A 2018 Ford 250 medical truck has
been purchased at the price of about $60,000.00. It holds the jaws of life and other
equipment.
* Benzie County Firefighter Association is still holding classes and providing annual
trainings
* They are still practicing county wide ice water rescues every year
* Grant that the county received from FEMA was $650,000.00. One hundred and fifty radios were purchased. With new radios they can communicate directly with every type of emergency responder that is called in an emergency.
Frank Post wrote the grant and submitted it.
* Benzie County EMS offers first-aid classes. One could be held at Platte Township hall, if desired.
* CPR classes are provided at all high schools in the state of Michigan, but certification is
not given.
* Grants are available to obtain AED units. Supervisor Solem will look into getting an AED for the township hall. There are AED units in two firetrucks.
Assessor- Kit Wilson &
Christy Brow.
Kit Wilson is part of a small family owned business. They
work in Benzie and Leelanau Counties. Kit Wilson has been assessing for over 35 years
and Christy has been assessing for over 23 years. They are new to Platte Township and
are, taking over for Shelly Rosa. They are becoming familiar with the region. Christy Brow, our new assessor, just finished her first Board of Review in Platte Township. There
were eight protests this year.
* There are 433 real properties in Platte Township
* There have been eleven building permits issues in 2017
* There have been thirty inspections
* There were six PREs (Principal Residential Exemptions) in 2017 and three so far in 2018
* All property addresses have been entered into the database, sales have been entered,
sketches, photos, deeds scanned, PREs and TAs.
* There is one pending land division
Road Commissioner Manager- Matt Skeels
* Mileage money funded sixty-two miles of road improvements in Benzie County and
funded improvements to 2 local bridges- one in Colfax Township and one in Weldon
Township
* Requesting mileage to be renewed on August ballot.
* Mileage money is dedicated to primary and county road maintenance.
* Mileage money is paying for new paving- wedge and overly on Fowler Road, east from township line to Valley, and a portion of Hooker Road.
* A culvert on Gudemoos near Skinner will be replaced, largely through the funding of
Conservation Resource Alliance and other funding entities.
The Road Commission will pick up the rest of the cost.
* There is an overnight crew to plow or patch potholes.
* Transportation revenue tax increase passed by the state of Michigan in 2017 resulted in
higher gas taxes and license taxes. Benzie County receives a portion of that. In 2017,
our revenue was 3.2 million dollars.
* MDOT is planning to repair US 31 from Benzonia to Betsie River Crossing in 2020, and Benzonia to Honor to Benzonia in 2022.
* A new road grader has been leased starting in April. They are too costly to purchase.
* Commissioner Phil Hoyt (deceased) has been replaced with Jim Bowers, a retired Benzie road commission superintendent.
County Judge- Honorable John Mead:
* Ten years ago, there were three separate judges; District Court, Family Division Circuit
Court, Probate Judge. These are now all under one judgeship.
* Benzie County has one of the few Sobriety Courts in northern Michigan.
* The Michigan Supreme Court appointed Honorable John Mead as Chief Judge in 2015
ADJOURNMENT
Supervisor Solem entertained a motion to adjourn at 4:40 pm.the annual meeting and take a 20-minute break.
Supervisor Solem spoke about Julie Mountz and the service she has provided to our Township.
Clerk Michalak motioned to break for 20 minutes, Trustee Laman supported the motion, all ayes; motion carried.
PUBLIC HEARING- BUDGET
Supervisor Solem called the meeting to order at 5:03 p.m.
Supervisor Solem introduced Mike Taillard who will be running for the Michigan State Senate in 2018 for the 35th District. Mike explained his background and how he came to run to the Senate. He is from Benzie County. He is a conservative Democrat.
1. Budget for fiscal year 2018-2019: Treasurer Gottschalk read through the proposed budget for
the current fiscal year, each liability and source of revenue. She noted that
April 1 to March 31 is the typical fiscal year for townships.
* Nina Bonderenko asked about the assessor fee and it was explained that it is a contract.
She asked what the state of Michigan requires for a carryover balance at the township
level. Trustee Laman stated that the board will be looking into ways to reduce the
carryover in the future. Supervisor Solem says having a fund balance puts the
township in a good position.
Clerk Michalak said when she came on 14 years ago, there was talk about State
funding and Federal funding. The mindset has been that the township needs to be
able to cover itself in the event revenue from the State falls in the future. Since the
SWAMP tax is based on a portion of the sales tax, (65%) of land is state or federally owned. That is why the township has held reserves.
* Nina would like to see more information about the carryover fund in the newsletter.
Art Jeannot says it is a general fund balance, not a contingency fund. In the townships
he represents, it is standard that they keep at least a 100% fund balance.
Laman made a MOTION to accept 2018-19 budget for Platte Township as read with SUPPORT by
Supervisor Solem. All ayes, motion carried.
PUBLIC INPUT
- There was no public input
ADJOURNMENT
A MOTION to adjourn by Supervisor Solem at 5:41, with SUPPORTby Treasurer Gottschalk.
All ayes; motion carried.
Respectfully Submitted by,
Molly Franks, Deputy Clerk