Township Board Minutes

MINUTES CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP

REGULAR BOARD MEETING

Wednesday, June 28, 2006

7:00 P.M.

Article 1. Supervisor Julien called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Supervisor Julien, Clerk Goodyke, Trustees Parrish, Currier, Beahan and Koessel.
Absent: Treasurer Carpenter
Also Present: Manager Cravens, Deputy Clerk Biegalle, Planning Director Peterson, Planner Deem, Attorney Huff, Reporter Wilson and those listed on Supplement #1,

Article 2. Supervisor Julien led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Article 3. The agenda was approved on a motion by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Parrish. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 4. Approval of Consent Agenda
a. Approval of Township Board Minutes
1. Regular Meeting Minutes of 06/14/06.
b. Receive and File Various Reports
1. Treasurer's Department Bank Balances May, 2006
The consent agenda was approved on a motion by Trustee Beahan and supported by Trustee Parrish. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 5. Financial Actions (None)

Article 6. Public Actions
a. Public Hearing - Final Plan Review for a PUD Amendment/addition to the Kraft St. Partners PUD (#8 of 2005).
Motion to open the Public Hearing was made by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Koessel. Motion carried unanimously. Planning Director Peterson reviewed the PUD amendment/addition to the Kraft St. Partners PUD. Discussion followed. Motion by Trustee Koessel and supported by Trustee Parrish to close the public hearing. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 7. Public Comments
Supervisor Julien acknowledged William Byl a candidate for County Drain Commissioner. Mr. Byl addressed the Board on his candidacy.

Article 8. Unfinished Business
052-2006 Discussion of Firearm Discharge within the Township
Supervisor Julien reviewed the background of the request.
Township Attorney John Huff was present to discuss the regulation of firearms within the Township. Attorney Huff gave a brief summary of what their law firm found regarding State Ordinance and the Townships authority to regulate the discharge of firearms.
Deputy Coil from the Kent County Sheriffs Department was present to go back over the events regarding his visit to the Gundersons. Deputy Coil also explained exactly what was being shot at and how they were shooting. Deputy Coil's observation was everything being done safely. Discussion followed. Supervisor Julien asked if the property owners were present to explain from their perspective what type of firearm discharge was going on with their property. Ms. Gunderson introduced her son Jason to address Supervisor Julien's question. Supervisor Julien opened the discussion to the residents in attendance. Some of the issues/concerns relayed to the Board include the following:
" Sound is disturbing
" Shooting in residential areas
" War Zone
" Explosions
" Safety
" Accidental Discharge
" Fear of the unknown
Supervisor Julien addressed Jason Gunderson on whether or not a compromise could be worked out regarding hours of operation and other miscellaneous issues. Jason stated that he would be interested in coming to some kind of compromise. Supervisor Julien asked Manager Cravens to put together a meeting with neighbors, board members and staff to talk about an acceptable compromise.

Article 9. New Business
053-2006 Consider Approval of the Final Plan Review for a PUD Amendment/addition to the Kraft St. Partners PUD (#8 of 2005).
Motion was made by Trustee Koessel and supported by Clerk Goodyke to approve the Final Plan Review for a PUD Amendment/addition to the Kraft St. Partners PUD (#8 of 2005). Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

054-2006 Consider Approval to purchase vinyl picnic tables for Recreation Park.
Planning Director Peterson reviewed the approval of the donation of the Kessler Estate to buy picnic tables. Research of different picnic tables has been done and a recommendation of purchasing 43 vinyl picnic tables for the Cascade Recreation Park is before the Board. Because the pricing was so good, Planning Director Peterson recommended replacing all of the wooden tables with new vinyl ones. A check was received for a little bit over $32,000. Planning Director Petersen stated that he spoke with the Kessler family regarding the excess dollars and recommended putting the excess dollars towards the Homeyer Open Space Program. The Kessler family was thrilled that there was such a thing. Motion was made by Trustee Beahan and supported by Trustee Parrish to approve the purchase of the 43 vinyl picnic tables for Cascade Recreation Park. Motion carried unanimously.
A motion was made by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Koessel to put the excess dollars from the Kessler family donation towards the Homeyer Open Space Fund. Motion carried unanimously.

055-2006 Discussion of the Recent Discovery of an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation in Centennial Park.
Manager Cravens reviewed the recent discovery of an Emerald Ash Borer Infestation in Centennial Park. Mr. Vic Forester, Chairman of the Michigan Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council was present to address any questions/concerns regarding treatment of the EAB. Discussion followed. Supervisor Julien stated that we should protect our own (public) trees and show the community the way. Address this issue in the next Cascade Newsletter.

Article 10. Manager's Comments
Township Manager Cravens submitted the following:
" Road closures: Spaulding Ave., Patterson Ave., and 36th St.
" Reminded everyone of the Street Fair at Thornbrook & Jacksmith on Tuesday, July 4th.

Article 11. Board Member Comments
Trustee Beahan reported on the following:
" On Father's Day a neighbor had a heart attack and wanted to relay an accommodation regarding firefighters Dan Lucas and Doug Poolman.
" One of our fellow trustees from Lowell, Leonard DenHouter passed away on Monday.
Trustee Parrish submitted the following:
" Love the technology

Article 12. Adjournment
Motion was made by Trustee Beahan and supported by Trustee Parrish to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 9:45 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Denise M. Biegalle
Deputy Clerk

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