Ravenna Township

RAVENNA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES

July 9, 2015

The July meeting of the Ravenna Township Board was called to order on Thursday, July 9, 2015 at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Ken Punter. Pledge to the Flag was led by Marlene Curtis. Prayer was led by Clerk Penny Sherman. Members present were: Ken Punter, Supervisor; Sonja Patterson, Treasurer; Penny Sherman, Clerk; and Bruce Yonker, Trustee.   Trustee Elmer Hoyle was absent due to having to attend a funeral. Also present were Fire Chief Greg Crowley and 4 guests. Motion by Sherman, support by Yonker to approve Agenda. Motion carried. Motion by Yonker, support by Sherman to approve the minutes from the June 25, 2015 Public Hearing and Special Meeting. Motion carried.

Citizens Comments: Marlene Curtis wanted to thank the Ravenna Area Fire Department for providing free CPR training for the Girl Scout leaders.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Assessor: No report.

Fire Board: Call report: 6 Medicals and 2 Fires (1 assist to Moorland). The Fire Station mortgage has been paid in full – 2 years ahead of schedule!! Fire Department will be hosting their Annual Pig Roast Dinner at Dog Daze, July 17, 2015 beginning at 5:30 p.m. Small trucks have been serviced. Larger trucks will be serviced in August. Turn-out gear has been ordered. 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: 4 permits were issued (1 building, 1 electrical and 2 mechanical).

Museum/Library: The Director of MADL and a few members of the board will be coming out to meet with the Township Board to discuss various issues and also explain the ballot language for the upcoming November Election.

Cemetery: Everything is going fine.

Planning Commission: Planning Commission met on June 15, 2015 and approved a Property Line Adjustment.

Zoning Administrator: Tony Zaidel has resigned and his last day will be July 14, 2015.

Chamber of Commerce: The Chamber of Commerce will not meet in July.

Ravenna Area Historical Society: The Caboose has arrived.

Road Commission: Supervisor Punter called Ken Hulka from the MCRC and thanked him for the work the MCRC has done on Blackmer Road and also on Cline Road. Brine has been completed.

New Business: We received 5 applications for the position of Zoning Administrator. After interviewing all 5 applicants it has been recommended to the Township Board that we contract with Anne Lewis to be the new Zoning Administrator. Motion by Patterson, support by Sherman to contract with Anne Lewis for the position of Zoning Administrator. Motion carried. The Township would like to thank Tony Zaidel for his service. The work being done on the Washburn Drain was discussed. Punter will contact the Drain Commissioner inquiring how much she thinks the completion of the drain work will cost. Motion by Sherman, support by Yonker to approve Ravenna Township using the following: Choice One Bank for tax collection; Mika, Meyers, Beckett and Jones for legal council; Audit firm of Brickley DeLong. Motion carried. The office will be closed the following Holidays: New Year’s Day, President’s Day, Good Friday, Friday before Memorial Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Friday before Labor Day, Labor Day, Veteran’s Day, Thanksgiving, Friday after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve.

Unfinished Business: Motion by Patterson, support by Yonker to revisit the resolution that was tabled at the Ravenna Township Board Meeting held on June 11, 2015 regarding the property located at 12991 Harrisburg Road. Motion carried. It has been determined that work has begun on the above mentioned property without the proper permits being issued. Motion by Yonker, support by Patterson to proceed to Circuit Court and ask for an order to show cause. Motion carried. Street lights were discussed. A contract with Consumer’s Energy will be entered into and we will be billed directly from Consumer’s Energy.

Treasurer’s Report: Patterson presented Treasurer’s report. Motion by Yonker, support by Sherman to pay bills which includes our brine bill from D & B in the amount of $11,550.00 and accept the Treasurer’s Report. Motion carried.

Public Comment: Citizen commented that the noise is very bad at MTI and continues to get worse. Also, the Township needs to contact MTS regarding permits pulled for a property on Adams Road. Maryde Housler of the RAHS thanked every for the support regarding the Caboose. This Caboose was used on the train that use to run through Ravenna!

Our website address is www.ravennatwp.com.

Ravenna Township will once again participate in the FREE DISPOSAL OF SCRAP TIRES EVENT along with Egelston, Moorland and Sullivan Townships. These events will be held on the following Saturdays: July 25^th and August 22^nd from 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at 4970 E. Apple Avenue, Muskegon.

Meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.

– Submitted by: Penny Sherman, Clerk

These minutes are considered proposed until approved at the next board meeting.