PLATTE TOWNSHIP

BENZIE COUNTY

11935 FOWLER ROAD

HONOR, MICHIGAN 49640

PLATTE TOWNSHIP QUARTERLY MEETING

JANUARY 8, 2018 7 P.M.

2018-2019 Fiscal Year

3rd Quarter

October, November, December

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Supervisor Solem called the meeting to order at 7 p.m., followed by the Pledge of

Allegiance

Supervisor Solem, Clerk Michalak, Treasurer Gottschalk, Trustees Wieber and Laman all present.

Public Present: Lauren Michalak, Ruth Hovland, Dan Haswell, Christopher Hovland, Ray Franks, Bob Michalak, Paul Gerhart, Jim and Terry Duntley, Paula Figura, Sairy Franks, Matt Kern, and Robin Talsma

Special Guests Present: Art Jeannot, County Commissioner

Clerk Michalak read the minutes from the 2nd quarter meeting, held on October 2, 2018 at 7 p.m. A motion was entertained by Supervisor Solem to accept the minutes as read. The motion was made by Trustee Laman, and supported by Treasurer Gottschalk. All ayes, motion carried.

Commissioner Art Jeannot provided an overview of the current projects and efforts the BOC is working on. For interested citizens, the BOC meeting dates are the 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays of each month at 9 a.m. The Committee of the Whole meets every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesdays at 1:30 p.m. His informative report is on file at the Township Hall.

COMMUNICATIONS:

1. Sheriff’s Department Letter- Supervisor Solem read a letter stating that the sheriff’s department will not be asking for assistance in supporting the snowmobile safety program.

2. DNR/ORV Notification- Supervisor Solem read a letter regarding ORV access to state forest roads on state owned land. Decisions regarding which roads to open and which to keep closed, have been made based on need, as determined by DNR research and public comment. Maps and further information about ORV access on state forest roads can be found at www.michigangov/forestroads

REPORTS:

1. Building Inspection Insurance/Boiler Inspection- Supervisor Solem met with a State Inspector at the Morgan School for an inspection which must be done every three years. There will be an additional inspection made by a local contractor. At that time, all information will be submitted to the State.

NEW BUSINESS:

1. Insurance Claim- Clerk Michalak explained the damage caused to various pieces of township office equipment due to a power surge after Consumers Energy hooked up new service. She contacted the township’s underwriters. After the $500.00 deductible, they will be covering the costs of the furnace repair and equipment replacement.

2. FOIA Letter- Clerk Michalak explained that every Clerk in Michigan received an Emily FOIA, which requested all absentee votes and envelopes from 2016 election be collected and provided. Clerk Michalak sent a tally tape from the voting machine, showing results of the 2016 election. She then invited the group issuing the FOIA, to come and inspect the election paperwork personally. There has been no additional follow up. A legislative bill was presented at the state level to give clerks guidelines on how to respond to FOIA requests relating to public information. It also requires that money compensation for any request of information from a Clerk, should be paid prior to providing any information. The purpose of the legislation is to create a assistance to Clerks on how to proceed in situations such as the Emily FOIA. The proposed law is called Public Act 523 of 2018.

3. Road Commission Update- Supervisor Solem shared the Road Commission’s 2019 projects, which are: Fowler Road west of Almira to Valley, and Esch Road from the Morgan School to M-22. There is a meeting on January 14^th at the road commission. The local road committee consists of local supervisors who will discuss local projects.

4. Medical Marihuana Ordinance- Clerk Michalak discussed passage of the recreational marijuana proposal that was on the fall 2018 election ballot. The state will now allow 12 plants per person, 21 years of age and older, per household. Clerk Michalak read an ordinance to prohibit commercial grows or dispensaries from establishing within the township. This would protect against any future challenges for commercial activity. A motion was entertained by Supervisor Solem. Clerk Michalak made the motion, with support from Treasurer Gottschalk. Roll call vote: Solem aye, Michalak aye, Gottschalk aye, Laman aye, Wieber aye. Motion carried.

5. Ironman (August 25, 2019)- Supervisor Solem shared that the running portion of the Ironman Triathalon will be coming through Platte Township. Supervisor Solem and Clerk Michalak attended an informational meeting in Grand Traverse County. The triathalon has its own clean-up crew. The event will force some temporary road closures in the township on the day of the competition.

OLD BUSINESS:

1. Morgan School- Supervisor Solem shared that the Grange, formerly located in the Morgan School, dissolved approximately 1 ½ years ago. The understanding has been that the ownership of building and property would come back to the township at the Grange’s dissolution. By going to the Register of Deeds, Clerk Michalak discovered that in 1991, the Plate Township Board of Trustees (Supervisor Clarence Davis), sold the property and building to the state for $1.00. At this time, the township will continue with finalizing the inspection of the boiler and repairs needed. They will retain legal counsel on the next steps. Ruth Hovland will provide all pertinent contact information for the state grange to the township officials.

2. Contract Renewals- Sexton services provided by Joe Harriger, snow removal provided by Dan Haswell, custodial and lawn service provided by Cindy Gottschalk will be renewed at current rates.

3. Township Pines- Clerk Michalak read the information regarding the Township Pines cutting. A total of $29,470.62 was earned for the township. Forester Gerhart believes there are a few future cuts left in the stand.

BOARD ROUNDTABLE- Items of concern or off agenda

1. Clerk Michalak mentioned the earlier ZBA meeting and formally appointing Paul Gerhart to the ZBA along with Bob Michalak and Matt Wieber. A motion was entertained by Clerk Michalak, and made by Trustee Laman to accept the appointments. The motion was supported by Treasurer Gottschalk. All ayes, motion carried.

CLERK’S OPERATING STATEMENT:

Clerk Michalak read the Clerk’s operating statement. We are currently under budget and will stay under budget this fiscal year.

TREASURER’S OPERATING STATEMENT:

Treasurer Gottschalk read the Treasurer’s operating statement through December 31, 2018.

A motion to accept the Clerk’s Operating statement was made by Treasurer Gottschalk, with support by Trustee Laman. All ayes, motion carried.

Supervisor Solem entertained a motion to accept the Treasurer’s Operating Statement. A motion was made by Treasurer Gottschalk and supported by Clerk Michalak. All ayes, motion carried.

The budget meeting will be on Tuesday, February 5th at 6 p.m. This is a work session regarding decisions to be made in the coming fiscal year. The public is welcome.

APPROVAL OF BILLS:

A MOTION by Michalak with SUPPORT by Gottschalk to approve payment of 3^rd quarter expenditures; motion carried, all ayes.

PUBLIC INPUT:

Dan Haswell proposed that the east entry roof line be changed to avoid ice shedding at the entry door. It is a danger to the public. This discussion will be continued at the budget meeting as a potential future project. Any necessary construction would go out for bid.

Supervisor Solem made a motion to adjourn the meeting, with support by Treasurer Gottschalk. The meeting was adjourned at 8:26 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Molly Franks

Deputy Clerk