Ravenna Township

RAVENNA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING MINUTES – September 14, 2017

The September meeting of the Ravenna Township Board was called to order on Thursday, September 14, 2017 at 7:00 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 Treasurer Sonja Patterson.  Members present were:  Elmer Hoyle, Supervisor; Sonja Patterson, Treasurer; Penny Sherman, Clerk; Bruce Yonker, Trustee and John Bonthuis, Trustee.  Also present were Fire Chief Greg Crowley, Jason Colella representing the Countywide Millage Proposal and one resident.  Motion by Yonker, support by Bonthuis to approve the Agenda with one addition (Information for November 7, 2017 Countywide Millage Proposal).  Motion carried.   Motion by Bonthuis, support by Yonker to approve the Minutes from the August 9, 2017.  Motion carried.

Citizens Comments: None.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Assessor: No report.

Fire Board:  Call report:  9 Medicals, 2 P.I.’s and 4 Fires (1 assist to Moorland).   Two AED Machines have been purchased and have arrived.  These AED Machines were purchased from the funds that the Fire Department has earned through their fundraisers (Fish Fry, Pig Roast and Bowling Tournament).  The Fire Department Open House will be held on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 from 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Smokey the Bear will be at the Open House to meet and greet everyone!  The siren is up and working once again.  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: 4 Building, 6 Electrical and 1 Mechanical.  The 10% reimbursement check from MTS was $298.95 this month.

Museum/Library: The Space Maker Fundraiser put on by the Woodmen’s Group was a success! They raised enough money to receive the $2500.00 matching funds.  $860.00 was donated to the fundraiser out of the Library donated money.  The Ravenna Public School STEM Program will be partnering with our Library this year.  The Friends of the Library and the Ravenna United Methodist Church partnered this year and provided sack lunches 4 days a week and a hot lunch every Thursday throughout the summer.  310 sack lunches were served this summer and an average of 30 people were served every Thursday.  They will do the lunches again next summer during the months of July and August.

Cemetery:  The cemetery drive has been resurfaced.  We would like to thank the Ravenna High School football program for recently painting the cemetery fence and also for helping with some landscaping.  All ornamentation needs to be removed from the Cemetery by October 1, 2017.

Planning Commission:  The Planning Commission held a Public Hearing and Meeting on Monday, August 21, 2017.  Two Special Use applications were presented.  No action was taken on either of these Special Use Applications due to the fact that they both need to request a Variance from the Zoning Board of Appeals.  The Planning Commission will not meet in September because they have nothing on their agenda.

Zoning Administrator:  Things have been very busy.

Chamber of Commerce:  Hoyle, Patterson and Sherman attended the Chamber meeting.

Ravenna Area Historical Society:  No Report.

Road Commission: Hoyle attended. Hoyle will check with the MCRC and ask if safety strips can be installed at the Township’s expense.

New Business: A proposal from Wilde Signs was presented to replace 24 street signs in the Township.  The cost estimate for these signs and hardware is $2,597.30.  Motion by Patterson, support by Bonthuis to approve the bid from Wilde Signs in the about of $2,597.30 plus installation costs from the Village.  Motion carried.  Two street lights have been ordered from Consumers Energy and will be placed at the intersection of Cline Rd & Ravenna Rd and Wilson Rd & Blackmer Road.  A street light has also been ordered from Great Lakes Energy for the corner of Seba Road & Ellis Road.  Sherman presented a Ravenna Township Budget Update and everything looks good.  Jason Colella representing the November 7, 2017 Countywide Millage Proposal was present to explain what the millage would be used for.  This is a new millage request and is for a Youth, Family & Community Millage question requesting 1.5 mills which will be an enhancement of existing youth programs, youth prevention and treatment programs and family based programs.  If passed this millage will raise 6.2 million dollars a year for 10 years.  The question was approved to be placed on the ballot by the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners.

Unfinished Business:  Medical Marijuana was discussed.  Motion by Yonker, support by Bonthuis to deny all 5 types of medical marijuana facilities.  Motion carried.  Electricity for the Caboose was discussed.  Hoyle will meet with Bruce Jones to discuss this matter further.

Treasurer’s Report: Patterson presented the Treasurer’s report.  A bill in the amount of $4,453.95 was received from 5 Alarm for 2 sets of Turnout gear for the Fire Department.  Motion by Sherman, support by Yonker to pay all bills and accept the Treasurer’s Report.  Motion carried.

Public Comment: None.

Correspondence: A thank you note was received from the Hoyle family.

Sherman stated that the Election on November 7, 2017 will debut our new Election equipment that has been issued from the State of Michigan.

Meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. – Submitted by Penny Sherman, Ravenna Township Clerk

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