Township Board Minutes

MINUTES OF THE CASCADE CHARTER TOWNSHIP
REGULAR BOARD MEETING
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
6:45 P.M.
Cascade Branch of the Kent District Library, Wisner Center

Article 1. Supervisor Julien called the meeting to order at 6:45 p.m.
Present: Supervisor Julien, Trustees Goldberg, Fox, Koessel, Beahan, Treasurer Carpenter and Clerk Goodyke.
Also Present: Manager Cousins, Deputy Clerk Biegalle and those listed on Supplement #1.

Article 2. Supervisor Julien led the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.

Article 3. Motion was made by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Koessel to approve the agenda as submitted. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 4. Approval of Consent Agenda
a. Receive and File Various Meeting Minutes
1. Planning Commission Minutes of 03/17/08.
2. Zoning Board of Appeals of 02/12/08.
3. Grand Valley Metro Council Transportation Division Meeting Minutes of 3/19/08.
b. Receive and File Various Reports
1. Fire Department Month End Report - March 2008.
2. Kent County Sheriff Department East Precinct Quarterly Report - January 1 - March 31, 2008.
c. Receive and File Communications
1. Letter from Kent County Road Commission - re: "Lunch on the Grill"
2. Letter from the Thompson Family - re: Firefighters Albright and Korhorn.
3. Letter from Rebecca Somsel - re: 2007 Delinquent Taxes.
4. Letter from Ann and Clara Cunningham - re: Tassell Property.
d. Education Requests
1. Request for Oxana Sourine for BS&A training in Tax Module -
Bath, Michigan.
Motion was made by Trustee Fox and supported by Trustee Beahan to approve the Consent Agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

Article 5. Financial Actions
a. Consider Approval of March 2008 Payables, Payroll, and Transfers.
Motion was made by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Koessel to approve the March 2008 Payables, Payroll and Transfers. Motion carried unanimously.
b. Consider Approval of January 2008 Public Utilities Funds.
Motion was made by Trustee Goldberg and supported by Clerk Goodyke to approve the January 2008 Public Utilities Funds. Motion carried unanimously.
c. Consider Approval of January 2008 General/Special Funds.
Motion was made by Trustee Beahan and supported by Trustee Koessel to approve the January 2008 General/Special Funds. Motion carried unanimously.
Article 6. Public Actions (None)

Article 7. Public Comments
Supervisor Julien opened the floor to Public Comments regarding the Tassell Property Development. Some of the issues brought before the Board included the following:
" Water run-off
" Traffic/Traffic Study
" Clear cutting the property
" Erosion control
" Adequate time & opportunity for residents address issues regarding the development
" Letters (all) written to Board requested to be listed in consent agenda
" Open Space

Article 8. Unfinished Business
026-2008 Consider Approval of Proposed Buttrick Avenue Repairs. (Tabled)
Motion was made by Trustee Koessel and supported by Trustee Goldberg to remove the item from the table. Motion carried unanimously.
Supervisor Julien reviewed the project costs $305,787.00 including the left turn lane. Supervisor Julien stated that if we accept this revised cost, our share would be fifty-five percent of it. Motion was made by Trustee Koessel and supported by Treasurer Carpenter to accept the Kent County Road Commissions bid of $305,787 with the Township paying 55% for the improvements on Buttrick Ave. Motion carried.

Ayes - 6 (Beahan, Koessel, Carpenter, Julien, Fox, Goldberg) Nays - 1 (Goodyke)

Article 9. New Business
034-2008 Consider Request to allow Cascade Community Foundation the use of Tassell Park.
Motion was made by Trustee Koessel and Trustee Goldberg to approve the request of the Cascade Community Foundation to use Tassell Park for a one-day event on Saturday August 16th. Motion carried unanimously.

035-2008 Consider Approval of Resolution to Submit a Renewal Fire Protection Ballot Proposal to the Electors for the August 2008 Primary Election.
Supervisor Julien announced that a lot of effort was spent in 2007 regarding Fire Department Consolidation. A Press Release was distributed to the Board. At the last meeting with the Township Supervisors of Ada, Grand Rapids and Cascade Townships, it was agreed that a formal consolidation of the Fire Departments will not take place. Supervisor Julien emphasized that when he states this it doesn't mean that it could never take place, but the point is that at this time the Township's do not have the intention of merging these fire departments.
Motion was made by Trustee Koessel and supported by Trustee Beahan to approve the Resolution to Submit a Renewal Fire Protection Ballot Proposal to the Electors for the August 2008 Primary Election. Discussion followed. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
036-2008 Consider Adoption of Proposed Language for Renewal of Fire Protection Ballot Proposal for the August 2008 Primary Election.
Motion was made by Trustee Beahan and supported by Trustee Koessel to Adopt the Proposed Language for Renewal of Fire Protection Ballot Proposal for the August 2008 Primary Election. Motion carried unanimously.

037-2008 Consider Approval of Resolution to Submit a Renewal Police Protection Ballot Proposal to the Electors for the August 2008 Primary Election.
Motion was made by Trustee Goldberg and supported by Trustee Fox to approve the Resolution to Submit a Renewal Police Protection Ballot Proposal to the Electors for the August 2008 Primary Election. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

038-2008 Consider Adoption of Proposed Language for Renewal of Police Protection Ballot Proposal for the August 2008 Primary Election.
Motion was made by Trustee Fox and supported by Clerk Goodyke to adopt the Proposed Language for Renewal of Police Protection Ballot Proposal for the August 2008 Primary Election. Motion carried unanimously.

Treasurer Carpenter was excused from the meeting.

Article 10. Interim Township Treasurer Candidate #1 Interview.
Interview of Jeff Cassetta conducted by Board for the Interim Treasurer's position.

Article 11. Interim Township Treasurer Candidate #2 Interview.
Interview of Marjorie Dood conducted by Board for the Interim Treasurer's position.

Article 12. Interim Township Treasurer Candidate #3 Interview.
Interview of Ray James conducted by Board for the Interim Treasurer's position.

Supervisor Julien stated that a decision needed to be made on the Treasurer's position pretty quick. Consensus among the Board members was to discuss the appointment at this time. Discussion followed.
Motion was made by Trustee Goldberg and supported by Trustee Fox to offer the appointment of Interim Township Treasurer to Marjorie Dood. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.

Article 13. Manager Comments
Manager Cousins offered the following comments:
" Interviews will be conducted next week for the Account Clerk position.
" Toured the Township today with the Road Commission to work up a plan for local road improvements this year within our budget and will have a report for the Board shortly.

Article 14. Board Member Comments
Trustee Fox offered the following comments:
" Just for the media, both millage proposals will result in no increase in the millage rate. As a matter of fact, Police is a decrease.
Trustee Beahan offered the following comments:
" Wanted to bring up something about the possibility of the Open Space Committee and bringing a tax increase for Open Space.
Supervisor Julien offered the following comments:
" Thanked Trustee Koessel for moderating the interviews of the Interim Treasurer.

Article 15. Adjournment
Motion was made by Clerk Goodyke and supported by Trustee Fox to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

Meeting adjourned at 10:30 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Denise M. Biegalle
Deputy Clerk

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