REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHIPPEWA TOWNSHIP BOARD
February 6, 2023
Supervisor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m.
Present: Rob Smith, Fran Ash, Kathy VanderKolk, Bob Wetherbee
Absent: Gail Huber
PREVIOUS MINUTES
Motion by Ash, supported by Smith, to approve meeting minutes of January 2, 2023.
Motion carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to approve the treasurer’s report of Feb. 6, 2023, balance of $2,321,224.86 and overall balance of $3,186,860.86 $3,187,860.86.
Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, VanderKolk, Ash, Wetherbee; No: None.
Motion unanimously carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT (AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION)
Public comment was held.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
FIREHALL ELECTRICAL UPGRADE
Supervisor Smith received three quotes to upgrade the firehall’s electrical service to 200-amp, install a new furnace, A/C and generator: Mr. Electric $21,218. 21; C&R Electric $18,975.00 and Valley Electric $12,265.00.
Motion by Ash, supported by Wetherbee, to pay Valley Electric $12,265.00 to upgrade the firehall’s electrical service to 200-amp, install a new furnace, A/C and a 26KW generator.
Roll call vote—Yes: VanderKolk, Smith, Wetherbee, Ash; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
NEW BUSINESS
ZONING ADMINISTRATOR TIM BEBEE
Bebee was not in attendance.
CRC BOARD APPOINTMENT
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to re-appoint Beverly Cashen to the CRC Board for a 6-year term and pay per diem and mileage for attending the quarterly meetings.
Roll call vote—Yes: Wetherbee, VanderKolk, Ash, Smith; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
EAST COUNTY LINE RD CULVERTS
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to approve the Isabella County Road Commission’s estimated cost of $30,719.79 to clean out the ditch and replace driveway culverts on East County Line Rd.
Roll call vote—Yes: Ash, VanderKolk, Smith, Wetherbee; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
SHEPHERD RD
The township received $123,497.04 from the SCIT Fall 2% to overlay Shepherd Rd. from River Rd. to Baseline Rd. Isabella Co. Rd. Commission will pay $25,000.00.
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to approve a 2” overlay on Shepherd Rd. from River Rd. to Baseline Rd. for a township cost of $173,497.04, which includes the 2% SCIT grant.
Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, Ash, VanderKolk; No: Wetherbee.
Motion approved.
BOARD OF REVIEW RESIGNATION
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to appoint Jeffrey Steffens to the vacancy on the Board of Review and pay him per diem and mileage to attend Board of Review training at the Comfort Inn on Feb. 22nd.
Roll call vote—Yes: Ash, VanderKolk, Smith, Wetherbee; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
BOARD OF REVIEW RESOLUTION
Motion by Smith, supported by Ash, to approve Resolution 2023-4 to set dates for the March Board of Review.
Motion carried.
AUDITOR
Clerk Ash received a letter from the township’s auditors, Maner Costerisan, that they could no longer serve some of their clients and asked the township to engage another accounting firm to provide audit services. Coe Township uses Klackiewicz, out of Saginaw and Fremont Township uses Gaudette, out of Traverse City.
Motion by Smith, supported by Ash, for Ash to contact Klackiewicz and Gaudette for audit proposals.
Motion carried.
PAY THE BILLS
Clerk Ash stated that pay the bills was omitted from January’s meeting agenda.
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to pay January and February’s bills.
Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, Wetherbee, Ash, VanderKolk; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
OTHER
VanderKolk stated the new attorney purchased a webcam for the township.
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to purchase a 55” monitor and a rolling stand from Amazon for $500.00.
Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, Ash, Wetherbee, VanderKolk; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
VanderKolk gave the board job descriptions for code enforcement officer, zoning administrator & ordinance enforcement officer, and assessor.
Motion by VanderKolk to approve the job descriptions. Motion not supported.
Motion by Smith, supported by Ash, to table the job descriptions until next month to give the board time to review them.
Motion carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to adjourn.
Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned at 7:23 pm.
Fran Ash
Chippewa Township Clerk
