Pittsfield Charter Twp, Michigan

APPROVED

Minutes of a Regular Meeting
Pittsfield Charter Township Board of Trustees, May 28, 2002
E.A. Jackson Morris Hall, The Robert A. Lillie Service Center
6201 W. Michigan Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

Members Present: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.

Members Absent: Conner.

Others Present: Arianne Garza (Recording Clerk), Judith Walter, Debra Talcott.

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1.0 Call Meeting to Order
Supervisor Walter called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m., a quorum was present.

2.0 Pledge of Allegiance led by Supervisor Walter.

3.0 Roll Call – Trustee Conner was not present.

4.0 Open Meetings Act/Public Comment I

5.0 Public Hearings/Presentations

6.0 Approval of Minutes

6.1       Motion to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting of May 14, 2002.

Trustee Burhop said that item 11.2 needed a semi-colon after the words “Fire Department”, and item 11.13 should read “replacement of a fire hose”.

Trustee Marine said that in section 15.1 it should be specified whether Barry Lonik is a consultant for or from the Ecology Center. He also said that when he congratulated Mr. Lonik it had been for his assistance with the Braun’s PDR application, not with the program itself. He added that on p.13 he had said that a moratorium on approval of developments should have been instituted at the beginning of the update of the master plan.

Trustee Brostrom said that on p.12, 2nd paragraph, the second line should be “have” instead of “has”.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting of May 14, 2002, as corrected.
MOTION CARRIED.

7.0 Consent Agenda

8.0 Items from the Treasurer

8.1       Motion to Approve Request from Ms. Laura Robinson, Department Assistant II – Treasurer’s Office, for a prolonged illness leave for the period of June 17, 2002 through June 26, 2002, unpaid.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve the request from Ms. Laura Robinson, Department Assistant II – Treasurer’s Office, for a prolonged illness leave for the period of June 17, 2002 through June 26, 2002, unpaid.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

9.0 Items from the Clerk

9.1       Motion to Receive Control Account Report for Month of April 2002.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to receive the control account report for the month of April 2002.
MOTION CARRIED.

9.2       Request Approval for payment of Payables, check numbers 38824 through 38999, in the amount of $433,097.08, for May 17, 2002.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Clerk Lirones, to approve payment of the Payables, check numbers 38824 through 38999, in the amount of $433,097.08, for May 17, 2002.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

9.3       Motion to Adopt Resolution #02-21 Setting Brookside Subdivision Water User Rates.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to adopt resolution #02-21 setting Brookside subdivision water user rates (see attachment #1).
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

9.4       Request for action: Resolution for Liquor License from Johnny Lee, Dynasty Restaurant, 4675 Washtenaw Ave.Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Clerk Lirones commented that the Planning Commission only looks at the requirements for a CUP when dealing with Liquor Licenses, so it is up to the Board to review this request. She said that in the past the Township had only 2 liquor licenses to give out. Recently that number has increased to about 8. She said these need to last for the next 10 years, so some criteria will have to be used to review applications.

Trustee Brostrom commented that Dynasty Restaurant has had success without a liquor license.

Clerk Lirones said that they have been a good corporate citizen, but that the Township has so few liquor licenses that the Board should try to spread them out a bit more and perhaps use them to attract businesses that will serve as an asset.

Trustee Marine agreed that criteria for review should be in place.

Clerk Lirones added that if Mr. Lee’s request is denied, it will not prevent him from transferring a liquor license to this establishment.

Supervisor Walter said that guidelines could be adopted by resolution. He said that he felt concern about the fairness of this denial due to the fact that the Board gave a license to a small restaurant nearby.

Trustee Brostrom suggested that the quality of the restaurant be mentioned in the guidelines.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to deny the request for a liquor license to Johnny Lee, Dynasty Restaurant, 4675 Washtenaw Ave.Ann Arbor, Michigan.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

9.1       Receive Report from Deputy Clerk regarding Township Representation in the HuronRiver Watershed Council, River Raisin Watershed Council, and the new Stony Creek Steering Committee.

Trustee Brostrom asked if the Deputy Clerk and others had been scouting the HuronRiver area looking for potential sources of contamination to assist in the summer’s water quality sampling project.

Deputy Clerk Jan BenDor said that she had worked on one of the tributary teams which sought out sampling sites in an attempt to identify the source of the e coli contamination. She said that a report was then made to the DEQ, which prioritized the recommendations of the tributary teams to develop a schedule for the sampling contractor.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Burhop, to receive the report from the Deputy Clerk regarding Township Representation in the Huron River Watershed Council, River Raisin Watershed Council, and the new Stony Creek Steering Committee.
MOTION CARRIED.

10.0 Items from the Supervisor/Assessor

11.0 Items from the Office of Public Safety

11.1     Motion to Approve the Purchase of Replacement Fire Fighting Foam - Fire Department, from Apollo Fire Equipment, 100 gallons of foam concentrate at a cost of $2,603.00 to be charged to account #336-977 – Fire Equipment Supplies.

Supervisor Walter said that the motion should read “fire fighting foam.”

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve the purchase of replacement fire fighting foam – Fire Department, from Apollo Fire Equipment, 100 gallons of foam concentrate at a cost of $2,603.00 to be charged to account #336-977 – Fire Equipment Supplies.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

11.2     Motion to Approve Request to Renovate Police Interview Room – Station One, from Homerun Services, Ann Arbor, MI for amount of $2,015.00 to be charged to account # 301-970 – Capital Expenditure Account.

Motion by Trustee Burhop, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve the request to renovate police interview room – Station One, from Homerun Services, Ann Arbor, MI for the amount of $2,015.00 to be charged to account #301-970 – Capital Expenditure Account.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None
MOTION CARRIED.

11.3     Motion to Approve Purchase of Computer Equipment from Global Computer Supplies in the amount of $3,381.00 (includes shipping) to be charged to account #301-970 – Law Enforcement Capital Expenditure Account.

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve purchase of computer equipment from Global Computer Supplies in the amount of $3,381.00 (includes shipping) to be charged to account #301-970 – Law Enforcement Capital Expenditure Account.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

11.4     Request Approval to accept invitation to attend FBINationalAcademy for Lieutenant Donald O’Farrell and to approve $1,500.00 prior to his leaving for Quantico, VA to help defray expenses for uniforms, student assessments, and incidental expenses.

Also to provide funds for one (1) Round Trip ticket home during Lieutenant O’Farrell’s 11 week stay in Virginia.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve acceptance of invitation to attend FBINationalAcademy for Lieutenant Donald O’Farrell and to approve $1,500.00 prior to his leaving for Quantico, VA to help defray expenses for uniforms, student assessments, and incidental expenses. Also to provide funds for one (1) round trip ticket home during Lieutenant O’Farrell’s 11 week stay in Virginia.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

11.5     Motion to Approve Reimbursement for Sergeant John Belknap, for class in GESC 108 Earth Science, in the amount of $241.50.

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve reimbursement for Sergeant John Belknap, for class in GESC 108 Earth Science, in the amount of $241.50.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

11.6     Motion to Approve Enrollment in Modern Public Administration course at Eastern Michigan University for Lieutenant Raymond Hagen with class starting September 9, 2002 and ending November 18, 2002 at a cost of $645.00.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Skrobola, to approve enrollment in Modern Public Administration course at Eastern Michigan University for Lieutenant Raymond Hagen with class starting September 9, 2002 and ending November 18, 2002 at a cost of $645.00.
MOTION CARRIED.

11.7     Motion to Approve Reimbursement for Officer James Wickman, for classes in Public Organization Theory and Microcomputer Applications in Research & Administration, in the amount of $1,290.00.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Marine, to approve reimbursement for Officer James Wickman, for classes in Public Organization Theory and Microcomputer Applications in Research & Administration, in the amount of $1,290.00.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

11.8     Motion to Approve Enrollment in Arts for Elementary, Medieval & Revolutionary Europe and Classroom Physical Education at Madonna University for Dispatcher Lois Brassow with classes starting June 14, 2002 and ending July 12, 2002 at a cost of $1,375.00.

Trustee Burhop commented that $1,375.00 was quite high for less than a month of classes.

Supervisor Walter said that he did not want to discourage education, but that the differences in tuition costs at different educational institutions could be extreme at times, and that it may be a good idea to put a cap on the amount of reimbursement in the next contract.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Clerk Lirones, to approve enrollment in Arts for Elementary, Medieval & Revolutionary Europe and Classroom Physical Education at Madonna University for Dispatcher Lois Brassow with classes starting June 14, 2002 and ending July 12, 2002 at a cost of $1,375.00.
MOTION CARRIED.

11.9     Motion to Approve Enrollment in ASL II, Fingerspelling II, Word War I, Early Modern Europe and EDU 3 120 Phy(Physical Education) at Madonna University for Dispatcher Lois Brassow with classes starting September 3, 2002 and ending December 13, 2002 at a cost of $2,612.50.

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve enrollment in ASL II, Fingerspelling II, World War I, Early Modern Europe and EDU 3 120 Phy(Physical Education) at Madonna University for Dispatcher Lois Brassow with classes starting September 3, 2002 and ending December 13, 2002 at a cost of $2,612.50.
MOTION CARRIED.

12.0 Items from the Office of Municipal Services/Planning and Zoning

12.1     Motion to Adopt Resolution of Approval for 1^st Reading, Ordinance RZ # 02-02 Praedium Group, Inc.

Clerk Lirones added that this ordinance is dated May 15, 2002.

Trustee Burhop asked why it said “low-density” on the first page, while the rest of it said “medium-density”.

Supervisor Walter said that this rezoning request is for what the Township considers low-density multiple-family housing, which conforms to the county standards of moderate-density housing.

Trustee Marine said that the suggestion from the county was that this should be a PUD, but that this would instead be a straight rezoning. He said that if 13 of the 18 acres were wetlands, then only 30 units could be built on the remaining acreage, whereas a PUD would potentially allow them more.

Supervisor Walter said that may not be the case due to changes in the ordinances, and that Praedium Group, Inc. may only want to market the land, not develop it. He said that with a PUD the site plan is part of the rezoning, which adds a greater expense of time and money. He said that this may be something that could be suggested to a future developer. He said this rezoning conformed to the comprehensive plan.

Trustee Marine said he was concerned about what will actually be built there as well as its size and the impact it will have on traffic.

Clerk Lirones said that there were many studies that needed to be performed during the site planning process to analyze those issues, but the current issue before the Board is only the actual zoning.

Supervisor Walter said that by doing this the Board would be ensuring the lowest level of density for multiple-family housing, without being subject to a court challenge.

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Skrobola, to adopt resolution of approval for 1^st reading , ordinance RZ #02-02 Praedium Group, Inc., dated May 15, 2002.

WHEREAS, the Pittsfield Township Planning Commission, after public hearing and study of the above petition, recommends that the Pittsfield Township Board approve RZ #02-02 Praedium Group, Inc.; and

WHEREAS, the Washtenaw County Metropolitan Planning Commission recommended approval with the condition that the petitioner and Township consider a PUD district for this site; and

WHEREAS, the applicant did not want to apply for a PUD district for this site,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pittsfield Township Board approves the first reading of RZ #02-02 an ordinance to amend the Pittsfield Township Zoning Map for property located at tax parcel #L12-26-200-006 from Agricultural (AG) to Low Density Multi Family Residential (R-2B) (see attachment #2).

ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

12.2     Motion to Extend the final approval of the Preliminary Plat for the BestechCenter Subdivision.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Skrobola, to extend the final approval of the Preliminary Plat for the BestechCenter subdivision until June 8, 2003.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

13.0 Items from the Parks & Recreation Department

13.1     Motion to Approve the hire of Stephen Sweeney as a full-time seasonal Parks Maintenance employee, 40 hours per week at $8.00 per hour with no benefits, effective May 29, 2002, to be charged to account # 751-709.000.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve the hire of Stephen Sweeney as a full-time seasonal Parks Maintenance employee, 40 hours per week at $8.00 per hour with no benefits, effective May 29, 2002, to be charged to account # 751-709.000.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

14.0 Unfinished Business

14.1     Motion to Approve Second Reading, Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance #252 for PittsfieldCharterTownship.

Supervisor Walter said that the Township Attorney Bruce Laidlaw had made several editorial changes and that under “definitions”, #5 had been crossed out and the ones below that should be re-numbered accordingly.

Trustee Burhop said that on the 1^st page, line 39, there need not be an “=” sign, and on p.12, lines 15-16, it should read “…parcels in which he or she has…”

Trustee Brostrom commented that Mr. Laidlaw hade made some general comments at the end of his memo regarding his editing and the “wordiness” of the ordinance. He asked how the Board might respond to those suggestions.

Clerk Lirones said that Mr. Laidlaw generally prefers things to be more concise, but that the declarations of purpose can be helpful. She said that the Natural Features Commission was also part of two other ordinances. She added praise for Mr. Laidlaw’s change on p.12 to say that removal of members shall be “in the discretion” of the Board of Trustees.

Trustee Marine asked if the Board would consider setting qualifications to serve on this commission, as well as specific reasons as to why someone would be removed. He said that “the discretion” of the Township Board means that a person would not have to do anything wrong to be removed.

Clerk Lirones disagreed.

Trustee Burhop said that she believed that it should be left to the discretion of the Board because it is such a broad subject. She said a Board would not knowingly approve an unqualified person.

Clerk Lirones said any administration should have the discretion to select a group of people that they can work well with and not be burdened with the policies of a former administration. She said that anyone on any commission should graciously tender his or her resignation when asked, and it should not be seen as a negative action.

Trustee Marine said that under that condition a political commission is created. He said that specific qualifications should be set up in order to avoid this.

Trustee Brostrom said that it should be assumed that any Board will have the intelligence to decide who will or will not serve well. He said that it would also be presumptuous of this Board to put limitations on future Boards.

Treasurer Skrobola agreed.

Trustee Marine said that this ordinance, like any other, can be modified and amended by future Boards. He stressed his concerns about creating a political Board.

Trustee Burhop said that it would not necessarily be a political board.

Clerk Lirones mentioned that it had been clear in the previous administration that a supposedly non-political group of people thought that they could continue to run a political agenda without the say of the new administration. She said that putting in rules for removal of members would allow that to occur again.

Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve the second reading, Purchase of Development Rights Ordinance #252 for PittsfieldCharterTownship (see attachment #3).
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS: None.
ABSENT: Conner.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.

15.0 New Business

16.0 Public Comment II-none.

17.0 Adjournment by Supervisor Walter at 8:35 p.m.

_______________________________
Arianne Garza, RecordingClerk
PittsfieldCharterTownship

______________________________
Christina L. Lirones, Clerk
PittsfieldCharterTownship

_____________________
James R. Walter, Supervisor
PittsfieldCharterTownship

MINUTES APPROVED AS CORRECTED AT THE PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING HELD ON JUNE 11, 2002.