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RAVENNA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES – August 9, 2017
The August meeting of the Ravenna Township Board was called to order on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 6:08 p.m. at the Ravenna Township Hall by Supervisor Elmer Hoyle. Pledge to the Flag was led by Clerk Penny Sherman. Prayer was led by Supervisor Hoyle. Members present were: Elmer Hoyle, Supervisor; Sonja Patterson, Treasurer; Penny Sherman, Clerk; Bruce Yonker, Trustee and John Bonthuis, Trustee. Also present was Fire Chief Greg Crowley and one resident. Motion by Yonker, support by Bonthuis to approve the Agenda with one addition (Ravenna Historical Society Constitution and By-Laws). Motion carried. Motion by Patterson, support by Bonthuis to approve the Minutes from the July 13, 2017. Motion carried.
Citizens Comments: Muskegon County Road Commission has been brush hogging, mowing the ditches and were looking for a culvert on Cline Road.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Assessor: July Board of Review has been completed. There will be a joint meeting between our Assessor, Supervisor, the Village Zoning Administrator and the Village Council President on Tuesday, August 15th.
Fire Board: Call report: 21 Medicals, 1 Fire and 1 P.I. The recent Pig Roast that was held during Dog Daze was a success. Siren has been repaired and Bonthuis Enterprises will be reinstalling it. The Fire Department will be purchasing 2 AED Machines out of the Firemen Fund. People interested in a burn permit may go the web site: www.dnr.state.mi.us/burnpermits. Address signs are available to purchase for $20.00, if anyone is interested they should call the Township Hall at 231-853-6205.
Building Inspector: Eleven permits were issued: 6 Building, 2 Electrical, 1 Mechanical and 2 Plumbing. The 10% reimbursement check from MTS was $767.70 this month.
Museum/Library: Everything is going well. There will be a fundraiser at the Library on Saturday, August 19 which is being put on by Jonathon VenLet of Modern Woodsmen and the Friends of the Library. Modern Woodsmen will match up to $2500 of all profits made from this fundraiser.
Cemetery: The main road into the Cemetery is scheduled to be repaved in mid to late August.
Planning Commission: The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing and Meeting on Monday, July 17, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. This Hearing and Meeting was scheduled to decide on 3 Ordinances that will now be sent to the Township Board for approval. The Planning Commission will hold a Public Hearing and Meeting on Monday, August 21, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Zoning Administrator: Everything is going good.
Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber of Commerce held their August meeting at the Ravenna Township Office and it was attended by 19 members.
Ravenna Area Historical Society: The members of the RAHS would like to redo their by-laws to replace the existing ones. Motion by Patterson, support by Sherman to approve the new by-laws for the Ravenna Area Historical Society. Motion carried.
Road Commission: Mowing is taking place in the Township by the Muskegon County Road Commission.
New Business: Amendments to three Ordinances were presented to the Township Board on recommendation from the Planning Commission: Motion by Patterson, support by Bonthuis to approve Ordinance 17-02 An Ordinance To Amend The Zoning Ordinance Of The Township Of Ravenna (Special Land Use for Wind Energy Conversion Systems). Motion carried. Motion by Yonker, support by Bonthuis to approve Ordinance 17-03 An Ordinance To Amend The Zoning Ordinance Of The Township Of Ravenna (Solar Energy Conversion Systems). Motion carried. Motion by Patterson, support by Yonker to approve Ordinance 17-04 An Ordinance To Amend The Township Of Ravenna (Single Family Dwellings in the A-1 Prime Agricultural District). Motion carried. Medical marijuana regulations were discussed. Motion by Yonker, support by Bonthuis to table this issue until further information is received from the Township Attorney. Motion carried. Running electricity to the Caboose was discussed. Motion by Yonker, support by Bonthuis to table this issue until information is received from our insurance agency. Motion carried.
Unfinished Business: None.
Treasurer’s Report: Patterson presented the Treasurer’s report. A bill in the amount of $4500.00 was received for our new AVCB election equipment. Motion by Bonthuis, support by Sherman to pay bills and accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.
Public Comment: None.
Correspondence: A quote was received from Corporate Technologies regarding switching our computer maintenance. The Board has decided to stay with CCS at this time.
Meeting adjourned at 7:10 p.m. – Submitted by Penny Sherman, Ravenna Township Clerk
These minutes are considered proposed until approved at the next board meeting.
