07-06-2004
Regular Meeting
Charter Township of AuSable

Meeting called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Supervisor Lamrock.

PRESENT:
Lamrock, Schweickert, Kopko, Poland, Barnes and Gary.

ABSENT:
Beliveau.

PRESS COVERAGE:
Holly Nelson.

Pledge of Allegiance recited.

MEETING AGENDA:
Motion by Gary, seconded by Barnes to approve the meeting agenda with the addition of a letter from Della Schweickert added under Unfinished Business.  
All in favor, motion carried.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mrs. Svoboda commented that she hasn't been here for a while so she doesn't know what's going on with the Township Superintendent thing.  Will discuss this later, as it is on the agenda.

Larry Baldwin commented on mosquito control.

CONSENT AGENDA:
Motion by Gary, seconded by Schweickert to APPROVE Township Board Minutes of 06-21-04;
ACCEPT Iosco County Road Commission-FY2003-Financial Report, OWAA 03-18-04, WDC Minutes 05-06-04 & 05-20-04; AUTHORIZE PAYMENT of general, water and sewer fund bills.
Roll call, all yes, motion carried.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS (* - nothing new to report )

HOUSING STANDARDS/PROPERTY MAINTENANCE *
RETURNED PROPERTY *
SEWER-IPP ORDINANCE *
FINISH LINE PARK *
COST SAVING ALTERNATIVES *
INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION *
EMERGENCY SERVICES COST RECOVERY ORDINANCE *


                                                                              2.

LETTER FROM DELLA SCHWEICKERT:

Township Board Members:

Since our last meeting I asked our assessor which township in the county was closest to us in size.  He tells me the closest sized township is Baldwin.  They have a taxable value of 87,890,545 compared to our 83,010,560 and almost as many parcels of property. Plainfield is nearly twice as big as we are. Neither township has a superintendent.

What grants do we need that are worth sacrificing a long time employee?  Ron Gaskell, the employee you want to eliminate, has training in applying for grants and can help the new supervisor fill out any applications the board wants to apply for.

We can't afford a superintendent. I think a Deputy Supervisor would be a better idea.  You will probably have to raise taxes to pay for a superintendent, if not right away, within a year or two.

I am retiring and Bobbi is not running again.  If two members of this board are leaving, I think it's only fair to table this idea until the newly elected board takes office so they can have their say.  This is too important a decision to rush into.

Della Schweickert, Clerk
Charter Township of AuSable

TOWNSHIP MANAGEMENT ALTERNATIVES-SUPERINTENDENT'S JOB DESCRIPTION:
Motion by Gary, seconded by Poland to advertise in the appropriate places for the Township Superintendent.
Roll call, all yes, motion carried.

HOBART PROPERTY SPLIT *

NEW BUSINESS

BLUE CROSS-BLUE SHEILD INCREASE:
Motion by Kopko, seconded by Barnes to continue our current plan with BC/BS and absorb the increase.
Roll call, all yes, motion carried.

SENIOR CITIZEN'S MILLAGE REQUEST:
Motion by Lamrock, seconded by Schweickert that the AuSable Township Board is philosophically agreeable to the proposal and will seek our attorney's opinion on the language of the resolutions for the ballot and donation of the property and have it ready for the next meeting.
Roll call, all yes, motion carried.

                                                                              3.

U.S. CANOE NATIONALS ADVERTISEMENT:
Motion by Lamrock, seconded by Gary to take a full page ad in the USCA Nationals/Souvenir Program Book for $450.00.
Roll call, all yes, motion carried.

US-23/MILL STREET-SOUTHBOUND RIGHT-TURN LANE:
Motion by Poland,  seconded by Gary to allow the utility pole to be removed or relocated at a maximum cost of $1,000.00.
Roll call, all yes, motion carried.

BOARD COMMENTS:
None.

PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Mrs. Svoboda thanked us for the tree removal.
Janice Baldwin asked if new superintendent would be purchasing agent or if he would come back to the township board. The supervisor said the intend would be to come back to the township board.

ADJOURN:
Motion by Schweickert, seconded by Barnes to adjourn, 8:25 P.M.
All in favor, motion carried.




Della Schweickert, Clerk                                      Ron Lamrock, Supervisor
Charter Twp. of AuSable                                      Charter Twp. of AuSable