REGULAR MEETING OF THE CHIPPEWA TOWNSHIP BOARD
MEETING HELD VIRTUALLY THROUGH ZOOM
February 1, 2021
Supervisor Smith called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Present: Rob Smith, Fran Ash, Kathy VanderKolk, Michelle Quakenbush, Gail Huber
PREVIOUS MINUTES
Motion by Quakenbush, supported by VanderKolk, to approve minutes of Jan. 4, 2021.
Motion carried.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Motion by Ash, supported by Huber, to approve the treasurer’s report of Feb. 1, 2021 balance of $2,092,689.54 and overall balance of $2,507,270.89.
Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, Quakenbush, Ash, VanderKolk, Huber; No: None.
Motion unanimously carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT (AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION)
County Commissioner, Jim Horton, gave an update on the county.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
BLIGHT OFFICER
Huber stated that the person who was interested still hasn’t been cleared by doctor since his surgery. One of the Planning Commission members was going to check with the Isabella County Sheriff to see if he knew of someone that might be interested.
NEW BUSINESS
ZONING ADMINSTRATOR – TIM BEBEE
Bebee stated he has been working on a wind ordinance in Midland County and had the opportunity to go over their wind tower ordinance. Mt. Haley Township had the best ordinance which could be modified for Chippewa Township. He is trying to get it done before the next Planning Commission meeting. He also has had some inquires if the township was going to change its marijuana ordinance.
Attorney Bloem stated that Bebee has been dealing with the blight situation. He said it is at a point that if the board wants to clean up the township they will need to file civil nuisance claims. He wants it to go on record that if the board wants him to do these kind of cases, it will cost the township. Years ago, when the Mathewson property was cleaned up he told the board it was going to cost more that the property was worth and it turned out to be true. Some township residents filed a complaint about him to the Attorney Grievance Committee.
LORI BEBEE INVESTMENT PROPOSAL
Lori Bebee presented the board with three different investment proposals. Currently, the township’s funds are making 1% interest or less. Attorney Bloem will look over the township’s investment policy.
RESOLUTION TO PROTEST IN WRITING
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to adopt Resolution 2021-1 To Protest in Writing.
Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, Quakenbush, VanderKolk, Huber, Ash; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
POVERTY EXEMPTION GUIDELINES
Motion by Ash, supported by Huber, to adopt Resolution 2021-2 Poverty Exemption Guidelines.
Roll call vote—Yes: Quakenbush, Ash Huber, VanderKolk, Smith; No: None.
Motion unanimously approved.
ISABELLA COUNTY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR COUNTY ASSESSOR
Motion by VanderKolk, supported by Quakenbush, to approve the Isabella County Interlocal Agreement for County Assessor.
Roll call vote—Yes: VanderKolk, Ash, Quakenbush, Huber Smith; No: None.
Motion unanimously carried.
BUDGET MEETING
Motion by Ash, supported by Quakenbush, to hold the 2021-2022 budget meeting immediately following the March 1, 2021 regular board meeting.
Motion carried.
BUDGET AMENDMENTS
Motion by Ash, supported by Quakenbush, to approve the following budget amendments:
Attorney fees: $3000.00, Deputy Clerk: $300.00, Zoning computer and software: $2500.00, Township offices contracted services: $2500.00, Cemetery contracted services: $400.00.
Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, Huber, Ash, Quakenbush, VanderKolk; No: None.
Motion unanimously carried.
Clerk Ash stated that she made a mistake on a previous budget amendment entry. She had entered the $300.00 budget amendment for election postage into the wrong line item so therefore, the second amendment wasn’t necessary.
Motion by Ash, supported by VanderKolk, to reverse the $300.00 election postage amendment. Roll call vote—Yes: Smith, Ash, Huber, Quakenbush, VanderKolk; No: None.
Motion unanimously carried.
PAY THE BILLS
Motion by Huber, supported by Quakenbush, to pay the bills.
Roll call vote—Yes: Huber, Ash, Quakenbush, VanderKolk, Smith; No: None.
Motion unanimously carried.
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Huber, supported byQuakenbush, to adjourn.
Motion carried.
Meeting adjourned 8:35 pm.
Fran Ash
Chippewa Township Clerk
