APPROVED
Minutes of a Regular Meeting
Pittsfield Charter Township Board of Trustees, August 27, 2002
E.A. Jackson Morris Hall, The Robert A. Lillie Service Center
6201 W. Michigan Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
Members Present: Brostrom,Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter
Members Absent: None.
Others Present: Judith Walter, Sharon Abel, Zella Polliey, Dennis Ward, Jim Shaeffer, Greg Elliot, Debra Talcott, Mark Spencer, Nathan Jones, Gita Pesselt, Mike Simpson, Al Szuch, Chuck Musill.
___________________________________________________________________________________
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 bySupervisor Walter.
3.0 Roll Call – all members present.
4.0 Open Meetings Act/Public Comment I
Chuck Musill, a resident of Fox Glen, said that the residents of Fox Glen were dissatisfied with the drainage in their subdivision. He said that there is a flood going through the common area, many of them have water against their foundations, and the curbs and gutters are in poor shape. He said that in December the residents will be taking over the homeowners association, and as of yet they have gotten nowhere with Sutton Development. He asked for help from the township on these issues.
Al Szuch, of 3837 Santa Fe Trail, said that the residents have voiced concerns about the improper drainage to the developer and have been told that they need to form an association board. He wanted to know what would happen to the developer once a board is established, and what the responsibilities were for either party. He said that the residents needed guidance on this matter.
Supervisor Walter suggested having some representatives from Fox Glen come in and meet with Mark Spencer, Senior Planner and Zoning Administrator, to go over the responsibilities of the developer. He added that it was his understanding that their roads were privately owned by the condominium association, so they did not have the usual protection from the Road Commission, but that there should be sufficient funds in escrow for the developer to do the roads correctly.
Mark Spencer, Senior Planner, said that he has been working with the developer and expects him to complete the work before he is relieved of his responsibilities. He said that not all of the Certificates of Occupancy have been finalized yet.
Dennis Ward, resident of 3100 Platt Place North and member of the Planning Commission, assured the residents of Fox Glen that the township would do everything it could to help. He went on to speak about the importance of the Comprehensive Plan, saying that it was not the end, but rather the beginning of a process. He urged the Board to approve it.
5.0 Public Hearings/Presentations
5.1 Presentations/Question & Answer Session with Jim Schaeffer regarding Administration Building Native Prairie Restorations.
Clerk Lirones said that this project had gotten off to a slow start and that the results had not been as expected. She said that there were many unanswered questions, and a discrepancy in the bill regarding the size of the area seeded. She said that she had invited Jim Shaeffer to answer questions and to explain the current standing of the project to the Board.
Jim Shaeffer, of Native Prairie Restorations, asked if there were any questions.
Clerk Lirones asked when the township could expect to see the native prairie established. She asked him what the next step was, what the obligation of the township was, and what his obligation was. She added that his measurement of the area had differed from that done by the township.
Mr.Shaeffer said that he had used the acre meter on his drill to determine the exact acreage that he had planted. He suggested having someone from the Natural Resource Conservation Service come out and do a site survey to settle the matter.
Clerk Lirones said that Planning Staff had measured it and come up with 3 acres, and that the township had also been billed for 3 acres from the McCallas, who had done the plowing.
Mr. Shaeffer asked what their measurement had been for the front.
Clerk Lirones told him that it was 19,540 sq. ft. in the front and 114,101 sq. ft. in the back. She said that there was a concern as to when results would be seen on the prairie, and that at the beginning of the project they had discussed getting something that could be seen early on, but at this point it is all ragweed.
Mr. Shaeffer said that he had answered that in his email reply to her. He said that patience is required and that there is ongoing maintenance that needs to be done. He said that his only job is to plant the prairie, and that this had been communicated from the beginning. He added that the mowing is part of an ongoing process that eventually leads to the native species overcoming the weeds.
Clerk Lirones asked if “establishing” a prairie meant just putting in the seeds.
Mr. Shaeffer said yes, that someone else would need to prepare the soil. He added that the first time that he had shown up to do the planting, the soil had been too rough.
Clerk Lirones said that the township had then asked him to work directly with George McCalla, who had done the soil preparation.
Mr. Shaeffer said that Mr. McCalla was unable to till the soil due to the wet conditions.
Trustee Conner asked if the seeds were still viable.
Mr. Shaeffer said yes, and that 80% of the flowers needed to go through a stratification process of being frozen and then thawed repeatedly during the winter so that they can germinate during the spring, and that some of them may not show up until the third year.
Trustee Conner asked if this was meant as a demonstration prairie for residents of the township.
Mr. Shaeffer said that was correct.
Supervisor Walter asked if township had been given a list of maintenance items that needed to be done over the next few years.
Mr. Shaeffer said that information was in the email that he had sent. He said that it is about time for the first mowing.
Trustee Conner asked Mr. Shaeffer if he was going to continue to be a consultant to the township for this prairie.
Mr. Shaeffer said that he would like to help keep it healthy, but that he will not do the mowing.
Trustee Brostrom asked if there was any guarantee that if the township followed the proper maintenance schedule it would get the desired results. He asked if Mr. Shaeffer had ever failed in an attempt to establish a prairie.
Mr. Shaeffer said that there is no guarantee in farming. He said that once he puts the seed in the ground he cannot ensure that there will be enough sunshine and moisture for it to thrive. He added that to his knowledge he had never had a failed prairie. He said that this year it has been so dry that the proper growing season necessary to establish a prairie has not occurred, and that it often takes about two years to determine if a prairie needs to be reseeded.
Trustee Burhop asked who had authorized this project.
Clerk Lirones said that it had been planned for as part of the grounds maintenance. She said that she and Deputy Clerk Jan BenDor had worked on it as part of the phase two storm water project.
Trustee Burhop asked what kind of storm water there was on the building grounds.
Clerk Lirones said runoff and pooling water. She said that the township wanted deep rooted native plants that did not need to be mowed.
Trustee Burhop said that it was an ill-advised project to begin with. She said that if a meadow was desired, all the township needed to do was leave it alone. She said that in about 3 years there would be all sorts of goldenrod and asters.
Mr. Shaeffer pointed out that goldenrod is a noxious invasive weed.
Trustee Burhop said that was not so because she had done it in her own yard and knew of others that had done the same. She said that the project on the administration building grounds had been an ugly mess for about 6 months. She said if she were going to do it, she would smooth the whole thing out and leave it, and do that in the back as well, because it looks terrible. She said that if this was not going to be accomplished in two years or so, that was a lot of ugliness to look at for some time. She said that she did not feel that the Board should pour good money after bad of the taxpayers’ money, for something that has not been accomplished. She said that she did not like the idea of burning and that it was a big expense to bring a fire truck over to control it, and that the Township did not want another Arizona, Colorado, or New Mexico. She also felt the smoke pollution defeated the whole purpose of the project. She said this was not a good idea, and she did not think it was authorized, and she did not believe that Kurt Weiland, Building Official, had been involved in this.
Clerk Lirones said that he had been.
Trustee Burhop said that it was Clerk Lirones’s name on everything, and the Clerk had made all the arrangements, and it was not a wise idea. She said she had never heard anyone who said they thought that it was a good idea.
Trustee Marine said that he realized that there had been some unforeseen problems, but it was his understanding that everything was planted and, if all the maintenance was followed correctly, in 3-4 years there should be a native grasses prairie.
Mr. Shaeffer said that was accurate.
Clerk Lirones said that she had contacted Mike Score at the MSU Extension service to consult with the township on this at no charge.
Mr. Shaeffer suggested that the township contact Steve Olds, from the Natural Resource Conservation Service, who has about 20 years of experience with native prairies.
Clerk Lirones said the township specifically wanted to consult with someone who had experience with people whose native prairies had gotten off to a bad start.
Trustee Burhop asked why only grass had been planted and not flowers.
Mr. Shaeffer said that 7 species of wildflowers had been planted, but that they needed to pass through a stratification cycle in order to germinate.
Trustee Marine asked Mr. Shaeffer what his most reasonable estimate was on the acreage of the area planted.
Mr. Shaeffer said that some overlap was possible because it was an odd-shaped area.
Trustee Conner asked if he would accept the township’s estimate of the area.
Mr. Shaeffer said that he knew that he had planted more than 3 acres and offered to pay for the USDA to come out and measure the land.
Supervisor Walter asked him to make arrangements with the Clerk for that.
6.0 Approval of Minutes
6.1 Request to Approve the Minutes of the Regular Board Meeting held on August 13, 2002.
Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on August 13, 2002.
Trustee Burhop said that it was omitted that she said that the writing of the Comprehensive Plan was amateurish and very uneven, and that she had commented that Brad Strader should ask for his money back for the proofreading, because it certainly was not proofread. She said that she should not have been giving comments to Mark Spencer, Senior Planner, today on misspellings, grammatical errors, and obscure sentences if this had been proofread correctly from the start. She also wished to add that if she ever got something like this before her again, she would send it back.
Supervisor Walter asked if she wanted her extended comments included in the minutes.
Trustee Burhop said yes.
Clerk Lirones said that the section would be transcribed.
Trustee Brostrom said that on the first page, regarding John Griffin’s statement, he suggested rewriting it to read: “… and its conditional approval of the Comprehensive Plan was motivated by the removal of these properties.”
Supervisor Walter suggested that the approval was based on the condition that those properties be restored to the sewer service area. He questioned whether the use of the word “motivated” would mean the same thing.
Trustee Brostrom said that what was said was ambiguous.
Clerk Lirones suggested transcribing that section as well. She said that Mr. Griffin had made this statement, but that it was true that his statement was false. She said his statement was inaccurate, but it would be transcribed accurately.
Supervisor Walter said that the Board was dealing with someone else’s statement here.
Trustee Brostrom said that on page 9, the last two words are “he said” but that it does not continue. He said that on page 10, in the second paragraph, there is an extra “was”. On page 13, second paragraph, he suggested changing Trustee Marine’s comment to: “Clerk Lirones made a motion and, not because there was lack of support…”.
Trustee Marine said that on page 9, the very last paragraph, he had said that Planning Commission members should be informed, since he didn’t know they would be informed.
Clerk Lirones repeated that the whole section would be transcribed.
Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to postpone the approval of the minutes of the regular Board meeting held on August 13, 2002, until the next meeting.
MOTION TO POSTPONE CARRIED.
6.2 Request to Approve the Minutes of the Work Session held on August 19, 2002.
Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Treasurer Skrobola, to approve the minutes of the work session held on August 19, 2002.
Trustee Burhop commented that Trustee Brostrom deserved much credit for his clarification of many issues.
MOTION CARRIED.
7.0 Consent Agenda
8.0 Items from the Treasurer
9.0 Items from the Clerk
9.1 Receive Control Account Report for month of July 2002.
Motion by Trustee
Burhop, supported by Trustee Marine, to receive the control account report for
the month of July 2002.
MOTION CARRIED.
9.2 Request Approval for Payment of the Payables, checks 39793-39934 in the amount of $434,054.56.
Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Clerk Lirones, to approve payment of the payables, checks 39793-39934 in the amount of $434,054.56.
Trustee Burhop asked who Adam Kurtinaitis was.
Supervisor Walter replied that he is the electrical inspector.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
10.0 Items from the Supervisor/Assessor
11.0 Items from the Office of Public Safety
11.1 Request to Approve Enrollment in classes: “Schools in a Multicultural Society” and “Studies in Literature & Culture” for Officer Michael McVicker, beginning September 9, 2002 and ending December 23, 2002, at a cost of $362.25 (50%).
Motion by
Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Marine, to approve enrollment in classes:
“Schools in a Multicultural Society” and “Studies in Literature & Culture”
for Officer Michael McVicker, beginning September 9, 2002 and ending December
23, 2002, at a cost of $362.25 (50%).
MOTION CARRIED.
11.2 Request to Approve Tuition Reimbursement for Officer Michael McVicker in the amount of $181.13 (50%).
Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Clerk Lirones, to approve
tuition reimbursement for Officer Michael McVicker in the amount of $181.13
(50%).
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
11.3 Receive Resignation from P.O.C. Firefighter Randy Wilt.
Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Conner, to receive resignation from P.O.C. Firefighter Randy Wilt.
Trustee Conner asked if the written test was required to be a firefighter in Pittsfield Township.
Supervisor Walter said that he did not know and suggested telephoning the Fire Marshal for the answer.
MOTION CARRIED.
11.4 Motion to Approve Request to Replace Tires (Rescue 3) – Fire Department, to be purchased from Shrader Tire and Oil (State Contract) for a total cost of $1,255.00 (includes tires and labor), to be charged to account #336-863 Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs.
Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to approve the request to replace tires (Rescue 3) – Fire Department, to be purchased from Shrader Tire and Oil (State Contract) for a total cost of $1,255.00 (includes tires and labor), to be charged to account #336-863 Vehicle Maintenance and Repairs.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
11.5 Motion to Approve Request to Purchase Supplies – Fire Department, to be purchased from the following:
W.S. Darley & Co. $650.00
Grainger Co. $835.00
Moor Medical $800.00
West Shore Sales & Service $2,050.00
Total Cost $4,335.00
To be charged to account #336-777 (Fire Equipment Supplies).
Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Marine, to approve the request to purchase supplies – Fire Department, to be purchased from the following:
W.S. Darley & Co. $650.00
Grainger Co. $835.00
Moor Medical $800.00
West Shore Sales & Service $2,050.00
Total Cost $4,335.00
To be charged to account #336-777 (Fire Equipment Supplies).
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
11.6 Motion to Approve Request to Purchase Condenser Unit – Fire Department, to be purchased from H&H Heating and Cooling at a total cost of $1,965.00 to be charged to account # 336-778 Building Maintenance Supplies.
Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported
by Clerk Lirones, to approve the request to purchase a condenser unit – Fire
Department, to be purchased from H&H Heating and Cooling at a total cost of
$1,965.00 to be charged to account # 336-778 Building Maintenance Supplies.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
12.0 Items from the Office of Municipal Services/Planning and Zoning
12.1 Request Approval of the Updated Comprehensive Plan.
Motion by Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to adopt the resolution approving the Comprehensive Plan for Pittsfield Charter Township. (See attachment #1)
Trustee Burhop said that she assumed that all of the corrections that she had added today had been incorporated.
Mark Spencer said that they and any other changes could easily be added before printing.
Trustee Brostrom asked when it would be printed.
Mr. Spencer said tomorrow. He added that the master copy will always be in the administration building for future updates and corrections.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
Supervisor Walter thanked everyone all for their hard work on the Comprehensive Plan.
Mr. Spencer said that it would be great if the Board would consider a resolution of appreciation for the consultants.
Supervisor Walter said that was a good idea and that it could be drawn up for the next meeting and perhaps include a certificate.
Trustee Marine said that Langworthy, Strader, and Leblanc had done a great job. He added that what Planning Commissioner Dennis Ward had said was true, that this is the beginning of a process, not the end of a process. He said that this is a living document that needed to be revisited and kept current.
Trustee Burhop said that, because this is a legal document representing the township, it should be as error-free as possible.
Supervisor Walter said that the Comprehensive Plan is a tool that the township can use to get things done right.
12.2 Request Approval to enter into a Development Agreement with Pittsfield Development Group, LLC for Wellesley Gardens CSPA 99-37.
Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve entering into a development agreement with Pittsfield Development Group, LLC for Wellesley Gardens CSPA 99-37.
Clerk Lirones asked if there would be any changes to the document or if it could be authorized tonight.
Mark Spencer said the document regarding Wellesley Gardens was complete, but that there may be one word changed.
Trustee Conner asked if this was to be used as a standard document.
Mr. Spencer said yes, but that there may also be some cases in which the Planning Commission would opt to use something different.
Supervisor Walter said that the township wanted to make sure that everyone lived up to their obligations.
Mr. Spencer said that this was a contractual agreement and was more binding than just the Planning Commission’s approval of the site plan.
Supervisor Walter said that it would also give more leverage in court.
Trustee Conner asked if there was one in place for Fox Glen.
Mr. Spencer said no.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
12.3 Request Approval to enter into a Development Agreement with Trimount for Ashford Village Phase VI SP 97-4.
Mark Spencer asked the Board to authorize the Clerk and Supervisor to enter into a development agreement on behalf of the township. He said that the basic outline is there but that some numbers still need to be adjusted. He said that these have been reviewed by the township attorneys and that there had been no problems.
Trustee Conner asked if specific requirements for the developments would be added.
Mr. Spencer said yes.
Greg Elliott, attorney for Lake Forest Partners 2, said that the version of the agreement for Centennial Park was the same as the standard agreement, only with the memorandum of understanding incorporated into it.
Mr. Spencer said that an appeal process had also been added to the contingency clause. He added that the phase numbers for Centennial Park should be IIIa-IIIb, not III-V.
Supervisor Walter asked the Board members if they were comfortable authorizing this agreement based on the advice of the Planning Staff, and if so whether the Board wanted to approve the signing of both agreements at once.
Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Treasurer Skrobola, to authorize the Clerk and Supervisor to sign the development agreements with Trimount for Ashford Village Phase VI, and with Lake Forest Partners 2 for Centennial Park Phases IIIa-IIIb.
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
12.4 Request Approval to enter into a Development Agreement with Lake Forest Partners 2 for Centennial Park Phase III-V SP 00-01.
See item 12.3.
12.5 Request Final Approval of preliminary plat for Centennial Park Phases III-V SP 00-01.
Mark Spencer said that on June 20, 2002 the township had received a preliminary plat for this project and the Planning Commission had recommended that the Board grant final approval with conditions. He said that he had drafted a resolution for this and that the words “…, before proprietor applies for final plat” should be added to condition #6.
Motion by
Treasurer Skrobola, supported by Trustee Burhop, to adopt the resolution to
grant final approval to the preliminary plat for SP 00-01 Centennial Park
Phases III, IV, & V. (See attachment #2)
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
12.6 Request Tentative Approval of preliminary plat for Rolling Meadows Phase 3 & 4 SP 02-01.
Mark Spencer went over the history of this project in Pittsfield Township and said that the Planning Commission has recommended tentative approval of the preliminary plat.
Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Treasurer Skrobola, to adopt
the resolution to grant tentative approval to the preliminary plat for SP 02-01
Rolling Meadows Phase III & IV.
(See attachment #3)
ROLL CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
13.0 Items from the Parks & Recreation Department
13.0 Request Approval to hire Play Environments, Inc. (Little Tikes) for play structures for the Lillie Park South and East DNR Development Project in the amount of $40,000.00. This includes site preparation, drainage system, equipment, installation and safety surface, to be charged to account # 208-977.003.
Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Treasurer Skrobola, to approve hiring Play Environments, Inc. (Little Tikes) for play structures for the Lillie Park South and East DNR Development Project in the amount of $40,000.00. This includes site preparation, drainage system, equipment, installation and safety surface, to be charged to account #208-977.003.
Trustee Marine asked about the item on the bid calculation that said “add alternate 1: impervious safety surface” with a dollar amount next to it. He asked if that was in addition to the $40,000.00 amount or if it was included.
Supervisor Walter said that it was an alternative to the shredded safety surface.
Clerk Lirones read a portion of Director Cooperrider’s memo which explained that the safety surface was included in the $40,000.00 amount.
Trustee Conner asked how long site preparation and installation would take.
Clerk Lirones conveyed Director Cooperrider’s apology that he could not attend tonight’s meeting. She said that he had indicated that it would take 5 weeks to deliver and 2 weeks to install the play structure, with completion expected by the end of October.
ROLL
CALL VOTE:
AYES: Brostrom, Burhop, Conner, Lirones, Marine, Skrobola, Walter.
NAYS:
None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
MOTION CARRIED.
14.0 Unfinished Business
Trustee Burhop asked what the black thing was doing in front of the building.
Supervisor Walter said that it was a compost machine that was composting the yard waste generated by the gardener who has been fixing up the entrance space.
Trustee Burhop asked if it was common to keep a trash container in the front of the building. She said that it was ugly and asked that it be put somewhere else.
Supervisor Walter pointed out that it was a composter, not a trash container and said that moving it could be looked into.
Trustee Burhop said that it was a trash container because compost is yard trash.
Clerk Lirones said that the composter was put in the front of the building to demonstrate good things that people can do with their landscapes in the township. She added that a plaque could be put up explaining that the Earth Machine is available from the township, and that it was an educational feature.
Trustee Burhop stated Clerk Lirones had to be kidding.
Clerk Lirones explained that she was not kidding, and that it was not a trash container.
Trustee Burhop said that of course it is a trash container and it is ugly. She suggested putting it in front of the employee entrance instead of the entrance that the township taxpayers and guests use.
Supervisor Walter moved on to Public Comment.
Trustee Burhop asked if Unfinished Business had been finished.
Supervisor Walter said there was no Unfinished Business.
Trustee Burhop said she thought there was Unfinished Business. She said that she had asked two or three times about the profitability of the Metron-Farnier water meters. She wanted to know if there had been any contact with Ducks Unlimited, and if there was anything being done to put the Pittsfield Preserve into the hands of an entity where it would be conserved in perpetuity.
Trustee Conner said that he also had a list of things that the Board had promised to revisit. He suggested e-mailing them to Supervisor Walter and putting them on the next agenda.
Supervisor Walter said that would be fine, and added that nobody had contacted him with any items when the agenda was set last Wednesday. He invited Board members to call to put items on the agenda.
Trustee Conner suggested carrying a list as a reminder from week to week.
Trustee Burhop suggested adding the profitability of the Metron-Farnier meters and Ducks Unlimited to the list.
Supervisor Walter said that Phil Maly, Interim Utilities Director, could prepare a memo on the current standing of the Metron-Farnier project. Regarding Ducks Unlimited, he said their idea of looking at some areas for restoration was just one idea of many that had been offered regarding the Central Area, and that the township was a long way from actually doing anything until a park planner started working on putting the pieces together for the Central Area. He noted that this idea had the same status as other ideas offered, such as Frisbee golf or an observatory. He said he was unclear about what Trustee Burhop’s question was.
Trustee Burhop wanted to know what contact had been made between Mr. Brakhage of Ducks Unlimited and Clerk Lirones. Trustee Burhop said that it had been turned over to the Clerk by the Supervisor. She asked whether Clerk Lirones had contacted him or if he had contacted her.
Clerk Lirones said she was sorry, but that she did not believe that this was turned over to her. She said she was not even familiar with what Trustee Burhop was talking about. She said there had been a meeting with Mr. Brakhage when she and Trustee Burhop and Supervisor Walter went on the tour of native plantings.
Trustee Burhop said that this was a meeting at Country Creek.
Cl;erk Lirones apologized again, but said she did not believe that this had been turned over to her. She said she did not want to accept responsibility or authority for it. She said she would be happy to have anyone else do it.
Trustee Burhop said that was what had been said to her.
Supervisor Walter said the Clerk had been informed of the meeting, but that he was a little mystified as to what the point was. He repeated that this was one more idea for the Central Area, and that a committee had been working on putting ideas in the hopper, but this was not something that was likely to be done soon, until the area had been laid out in order to decide where things like paths and bikeways were going, where there would be active recreation, and so forth. He said it was not his understanding that this would be done immediately.
Trustee Burhop asked if it wouldn’t be a good idea to have someone come in and observe the raw land before planning paths over it.
Supervisor Walter said yes, that an assessment was part of planning process before any large scale changes were made. He said that the Ducks Unlimited idea was definitely being considered, but that it will not be acted on until there is an overall assessment.
Trustee Burhop said that Mr. Brakhage was going to give an overall assessment for free.
Supervisor Walter said that Mr. Brakhage was going to assess particular areas for their appropriateness for wetlands restoration. He said that that other people will look at those areas for their appropriateness for other activities. He said that he did not want to place Ducks Unlimited first in line above everyone else because that decision was not his to make.
Trustee Burhop said that it was her understanding that Ducks Unlimited was going to make an unbiased evaluation of the land, and she wanted to know why that couldn’t be done right now.
Trustee Marine asked if there had been any further contact with Ducks Unlimited.
Supervisor Walter said no. He clarified that he did not want to pre-judge some of the ideas and exclude others. He said that right now there was a lot of good public input and he didn’t want that to stop because people get the idea that a decision has already been made.
Clerk Lirones commented that the clean up day for the Central Area Rural Preserve had been a great success. She said volunteers had worked very hard hauling out old mattresses and washing machines and other junk, filling a 30 foot dumpster. She said that this effort was funded in part by a small clean up grant. She said the Parks staff had also worked hard mowing and preparing the area for the volunteers. She thanked Deputy Clerk Jan BenDor and all those had worked so hard on this effort.
Supervisor Walter agreed that it was successful and asked how many volunteers there had been.
Deputy Clerk BenDor said that 35 people had volunteered.
15.0 New Business
16.0 Public Comment II
Trustee Conner said that there had been a commentator a few weeks ago that had said that she wanted to see the public officials take the lead on water conservation issues. He pointed out that Supervisor Walter had been on the front page of the Ann Arbor News supporting the conservation of water and the township’s odd-even watering system before anyone else was doing it in southeastern Michigan. He said that this prompted the News to investigate the issue and talk to YCUA and to the rest of the communities about why they weren’t doing the same thing. He said that it turned out that they all subsequently developed the same plan as Pittsfield. He said that this is the kind of measured and appropriate leadership that Pittsfield has shown on the water conservation issue.
17.0 Adjournment by Supervisor Walter at 8:55p.m.
_____________________________
Arianne Garza, Department Assistant
Recording Clerk
Pittsfield Charter Township
_____________________________
Christina L. Lirones, ClerkPittsfield Charter Township
___________________
James R. Walter, Supervisor
Pittsfield Charter Township
MINUTES APPROVED, AS CORRECTED, AT THE PITTSFIELD CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING HELD SEPTEMBER 1O, 2002.
