Pittsfield Charter Twp, Michigan

APPROVED

Minutes of a Regular Meeting
Pittsfield Charter Township Board of Trustees, August 26, 2003
E.A. Jackson Morris Hall, The Robert A. Lillie Service Center
6201 W. Michigan Avenue, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108

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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 bySupervisor Walter.

3.0 Roll Call – all members present, except for Treasurer Skrobola.

4.0 Open Meetings Act/Public Comment I

Supervisor Walter added item 15.2 and moved it and item 10.3 to the beginning of the agenda, as a courtesy to Mr. Webb and Mr. Barrett. He noted that Treasurer Skrobola was unable to attend the meeting due to a death in his family.

5.0 Public Hearings/Presentations

5.1 Public Hearing to Receive Comments for Street Lighting Special Assessment District, Avis Farms South (Units 1-14).

Supervisor Walter opened the public hearing.

There were no comments.

Motion by Trustee Burhop, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to close the public hearing.

MOTION CARRIED.

6.0 Approval of Minutes

6.1 Request to Approve Minutes of the Regular Meeting held on August 12, 2003.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve minutes of the regular meeting held on August 12, 2003, as corrected.

Trustee Brostrom said that on page 4, in the 4^th line from the end of the 3^rd paragraph from the bottom, the word “refer” should be changed to “refers”. He said that on the very last line on page 7 it appeared that something had been left out.

Clerk Lirones said that it had been read directly from the ordinance but that it was a fragment, which made it somewhat unclear. She said she would review the tape and make changes if needed.

Trustee Brostrom said that the third line in the 2^nd paragraph in section 15.2 on page 16 should read “howmuch the township will be liable for”.

MOTION CARRIED.

7.0 Consent Agenda

8.0 Items from the Treasurer

9.0 Items from the Clerk

9.1 Request to Approve Resolution #03-47, Establish 911 Service Fund, Special Revenue Fund 261.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve Resolution #03-47, to establish the 911 Service Fund, Special Revenue Fund 261 (see Attachment #1).

Clerk Lirones commented that Trustee Burhop had noticed that in the 2^nd “whereas” the word “authorizes” should be in the past tense. Also, regarding the “pooled cash and investment” in the 4^th “whereas”, she said that she had spoken to Accounting Manager Tracy Watkins who referred her to the state statute which reads exactly the same, though it does not seem to be a complete sentence. She pointed out that the language is identical to what the township’s Building Fund resolution reads, and that perhaps the word “fund” could be added to the end.

Trustee Burhop agreed.

Trustee Brostrom also agreed and pointed out that in the 3^rd “whereas” the words “by” and “the” needed a space between them.

Trustee Marine asked if someone would explain the resolution to him.

Clerk Lirones said that it had been written by the Accounting Manager for the establishment of a specific fund for 911 revenue. She said that perhaps he should call during the day and speak to the Accounting Manager for a more detailed explanation.

Supervisor Walter explained that this was another example of money that has to be accounted for separately, but that can co-mingle with other funds for 911 purposes.

Trustee Marine asked if this was money that the township had budgeted for 911 services.

Supervisor Walter said that it was money that comes into the township for 911 services, which he believed were received, at least partially, from a fee charged by the telephone companies.

Trustee Marine asked Supervisor Walter if anyone on the Board could explain to him what it meant to put the money into a “pooled cash and investment fund”, and if it comes into a special budget line item just like the building fund does.

Trustee Burhop explained that the cash funds could be considered liquid and could be invested and physically co-mingle with other funds, but in the accounting sense must be kept separate.

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

9.2 Receive Revenue/Expenditure Report for the month of July 2003.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Burhop, to receive the revenue/expenditure report for the month of July 2003.

MOTION CARRIED.

9.3 Request to Approve Resolution #03-46, Avis Farms South (Units 1-14), Street Lighting Special Assessment District.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve Resolution #03-46, Avis Farms South (Units 1-14), Street Lighting Special Assessment District (see Attachment #2).

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

9.4 Request Approval of Payment of Payables, checks #43283-43409, in the amount of $487,398.19.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve payment of the payables, checks #43283-43409, in the amount of $487,398.19.

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

9.5 Receive Memorandum and Adopt Resolution Regarding Freedom of Information Act Appeal of Terri Kowal.

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Conner, to receive memorandum and adopt resolution regarding Freedom of Information Act appeal of Terri Kowal (see Attachment #3).

Trustee Marine said that he did not fully understand what was going on. He said that if someone has requested information under a FOIA, then they should receive that information. He said that he knew that there was a debate as to whether that information was received or not, but it seemed to him that would be easy to fix by simply saying “What information is it that you want?” He added that the idea that not every clerk had received this resolution needed to be addressed.

Clerk Lirones said that particular item was not a part of either the FOIA or the appeal of the purported denial, which had not occurred, but rather had to do with one of Ms. Kowal’s side comments in her letter. She said that she did not know what Ms. Kowal’s comment means nor why she made it, and that she may have been referring to village and city clerks, who were not sent the information.

Trustee Marine said the he had called Ms. Kowal’s office and had been assured that neither Ms. Kowal nor the 3 township clerks that she had spoken to had received this resolution. He asked if one was sent to every township clerk.

Clerk Lirones said yes, and that certainly Ms. Kowal had been sent one as well.

Trustee Marine asked when those had been sent.

Clerk Lirones said that they had been sent sometime throughout the month of August. She said that she had sent Ms. Kowal a letter asking for the names of those who had not received the letter, as well as a copy of the resolution for her to copy and distribute, if she so wished. She said that surely those clerks who had not received the resolution should have received it by now.

Trustee Marine said that it had been approved on July 8^th and asked if there had been any changes made to it, which caused it to take so long to mail.

Clerk Lirones said that a list of all of the township clerks in Michigan, roughly 1242, had needed to be typed up and that took a considerable amount of time to do.

Trustee Marine said that perhaps that was why it took longer than it seemed like it should have.

Trustee Brostrom asked if charging for information was standard.

Clerk Lirones said yes, as per the FOIA act.

Trustee Marine asked if this resolution was simply stating that we will conform to Ms. Kowal’s FOIA request and make sure that she gets any relevant FOIA information.

Clerk Lirones said yes.

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

10.0 Items from the Supervisor/Assessor

10.1 Resolution #03-39 to Set Utility Rates.

Supervisor Walter said that this is basically a 15% increase in water and sewer rates.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve Resolution #03-39 to set utility rates (see Attachment #4).

Supervisor Walter said that if you compare this to last year’s June 25^th resolution, some language had been included which said that it would be effective for billings on or after the effective date. He explained that there had been one resident that had wanted to be charged a lower rate for the first month and a half and a higher rate for the rest due to the confusion over the language in last year’s resolution.

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

10.2 Request to Approve Resolution Recommending Continuous Funding for Federal Transportation Programs.

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve the resolution recommending continuous funding for federal transportation programs (see Attachment #5).

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

10.3 Motion to concur with the determination that the proposed preferred alternative presented August 20, 2003 for the US-12 improvement will have no significant impact on the Pittsfield Preserve, and to Authorize the Supervisor to send the attached letter to Ms. Ann M. Lawrie.

Supervisor Walter said that after receiving feedback from some of the Trustees he had handed out a revised letter, which was before the Trustees tonight.

Motion by Clerk Lirones, supported by Trustee Conner, to concur with the determination that the proposed preferred alternative presented August 20, 2003 for the US-12 improvement will have no significant impact on the Pittsfield Preserve, and to authorize the Supervisor to send the attached letter to Ms. Ann M. Lawrie.

Matt Webb, of the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), thanked the Board for inviting him and gave a brief synopsis of the preferred alternative to the proposed US-12 improvements. He went over a flow chart of the progress on the project since last November and said that based on all of the comments received and all of the traffic, engineering, social, and economic analyses, an environmental assessment was currently being developed. He said that beginning on September 8 a document will be available for public review for 45 days and that there will be a public hearing held on September 24. He said that just because this is the preferred alternative, does not mean that it is the final alternative. He said that responses will be prepared for the comments received, and at that time it will be determined if any modifications need to be made to the preferred alternative.

Clerk Lirones asked where the Environmental Assessment document will be available.

Mr. Webb said sections of the document will most likely be posted on the MDOT website, but that a hard copy will be available at the township hall and at various locations throughout the county, such as public libraries.

Supervisor Walter asked if it will be available on a CD for purchase.

Mr. Webb said that was probably not possible. He went on to describe the slight modification of the route and the proposed widening of US-12 around the Pittsfield Preserve property. He said that starting on the west end and moving east, a 5 lane section with no shoulders that will tie into the existing 5 lane section in the City of Saline is proposed. He said this widens out to a 5 lane cross-section with shoulders in some areas. He said that just east of Saline Flowerland, the proposed design is for a 4 lane boulevard section continuing through the State/Moon intersection and Fosdick Rd., after which it transitions back to a 5 lane cross section with both shoulders.

Trustee Conner asked if Mr. Webb could show this on the map he had displayed.

Mr. Webb pointed out the preferred alignment on the map. He said that the curve just to the east of Campbell road would be straightened out, which would push US-12 slightly further north, minimizing some of the noise and air quality impacts on the residences to the south. The realignment would end just east of Sauk Trail. He said that at the US-23/US-12 interchange the north and south bound ramps would be aligned.

Trustee Conner asked if the bridge over US-23 would be widened.

Mr. Webb said yes, that it will be a 5 lane cross-section with full shoulders across the bridge to provide for pedestrian crossings as well.

Trustee Conner asked if US-12 will be widened all the way to I-94.

Mr. Webb said yes, that it will tie in to the existing 5 lane section to the east of Munger Rd.

Clerk Lirones pointed out that the Harwood family’s house is scheduled to be preserved by moving it back, which will give them more distance from US-12.

Mr. Webb said that was correct. He added that MDOT will preserve enough right-of-way at the US-23 interchange to accommodate a future eastbound US-12 to northbound US-23 loop-ramp. He said that the 2025 projections have determined that a loop-ramp is not necessary at this time; however it is better to secure enough right of way now to avoid the need to purchase more later. He further noted that to the east end of the corridor there will be a proposed re-alignment of Morgan Rd. to tie it in directly across from Crane Rd., and Crane Rd. will be re-aligned to become a standard 90° intersection. He said that the main issue tonight is in regard to the status of the Pittsfield Preserve as park land. He said that federal law requires that if park land that will potentially be used for transportation, MDOT must demonstrate that there is no prudent and feasible alternative to the use of that land, and that planning efforts be made to minimize the impact on park land.

Trustee Conner asked if the analysis that will be available on September 8 will include a narrative of the logic used to obtain support for the preferred alternative.

Mr. Webb said yes. He said that the township had received a letter from MDOT asking for agreement in writing that the use of a small portion of the Pittsfield Preserve by MDOT does not significantly impair the use of the remaining land for its intended purpose. He said the document also asks that the township concur with the impact summary, and with the proposed mitigation, in principle. He said that the two areas of park land that will be impacted consist of the western parcel, where 60 feet of frontage will be required regardless of which alternative is chosen, and the eastern parcel, where 125-130 ft. of right-of-way will be required.

Trustee Brostrom asked if these decisions were justified by the concern for safety.

Mr. Webb said that the need for safety and minimizing impact to adjacent residences were the primary factors involved. He said that MDOT has coordinated with Pittsfield throughout the development of the preferred alternative and had reviewed the township’s comprehensive plan. Regarding the proposed mitigation, he said on the western parcel, MDOT proposes to mitigate any existing vegetation that is removed, and on the eastern parcel, a vegetated earthen berm will replace the existing buffer and help minimize some of the visual impact of US-12 on the park.

Trustee Conner asked what mitigation standards would be used.

Mr. Webb said that it depended on what the township wanted to see out there.

Trustee Conner said that the Natural Resources Commission is currently working on a mitigation standard for wetlands for the township.

Trustee Brostrom asked how high the berm would be.

Mr. Webb said that it will depend on the township’s preferences.

Supervisor Walter said that there has been a small group of citizens pushing for what was commonly referred to as the “Northern Route,” which would have placed US-12 much further north, onto Textile Rd. He asked if this is a dead subject or if there is still a chance for people to voice their opinions.

Mr. Webb said that is the purpose of the public hearing, and that all sides should definitely express their concerns.

Supervisor Walter said that that at the Stakeholders meeting the phasing that had been presented had placed the Munger Rd/US-23 interchange phase last, and there had been some very strong objections to that due to safety concerns. He asked if this had been changed.

Mr. Webb said yes, that it had been switched with the segment from Carpenter Rd. to the east.

Trustee Marine said that this was the first he had heard of this and that he had not known about either of the meetings last week. He asked that he be notified of any future meetings for elected officials or stakeholders, as he belongs to both of those groups. He asked if this alternative was basically a 5 lane highway from Saline to I-94 with about a mile and a half of parkway, and asked what the expected speed limits will be.

Mr. Webb said that at this time the roadway is being designed around the existing speed limits.

Trustee Marine asked what the current speed limits are.

Mr. Webb said that they range between 45 mph on the eastern and western ends to 55 mph through the middle of the study corridor. He said that MDOT is required to design the alternative for the existing speed limits, which are based on what the 85^th percentile of actual driving speeds, as established by the State Police. He added that once MDOT moves into the next phase, which is design and right-of-way, they will conduct a speed study to see if those limits could possibly be lowered.

Trustee Marine said that the speed limit issue is a catch 22 because the traffic will move faster on a 5 lane highway and if police are setting the limit based on the 85^th percentile, then the limit will go up as well. He said that he had hoped that an alternative would have been devised that would not involve a 5 lane super highway going through Pittsfield Township. He said that he wanted to make it clear that it is neither safe for the people that live around here, nor for those passing through, nor is it pedestrian friendly, which he believes are some of the goals of this township. He asked if the objective was that the trustees sign off on this letter suggesting that this road, as designed, will have minimal to no ecological impact on the required lands.

Mr. Webb said that it is strictly for the park land property, and only for the alternative in the applicable section of the road. He said that Trustee Marine is welcome to submit any concerns for any of the other sections at the Public Hearing. He said that MDOT is required to provide documentation that the township has concurred with the preferred alternative through the Pittsfield Preserve property, and that it does not significantly detract from the use of the overall park land, that it agrees with the assessment of impacts, and that it concurs with the proposed mitigation.

Trustee Marine asked if the Trustees had seen the assessment of impact yet.

Mr. Webb said that it was in the letter.

Trustee Marine said that there is a huge difference in impact resulting from building a 3 lane vs. a 5 lane road in the same amount of space, based on the speed, amount of traffic, and the presence of trucks. He asked on what the MDOT assessment had been based on.

Mr. Webb said that the MDOT assessment had been based on regional growth models that forecast traffic for the next 20 years. He said that the forecasted average daily traffic through this area in the year 2025 was between 30,000-35,000 vehicles, and the facility necessary to accommodate that level of traffic would be a 5-lane facility, which is what had been recommended.

Trustee Marine said that he was an advocate of the idea of induced demand - if you build a bigger road you will bring more traffic. He asked if the traffic assessment had been based on there being a 5 lane road, or if it was based on current traffic and the need for a bigger road.

Mr. Webb said that the future forecast had been based using the existing configuration.

Trustee Marine said that he is not a traffic planner, but he believes that this will add more traffic, so the impact may actually be greater than what has been assessed already.

Trustee Conner asked if the projections had taken into account the fact that the Preserve land has been taken out of the mix for population growth, and asked what will happen to US-12 on the other side of Saline.

Mr. Webb said yes, the park land had been taken into consideration, and that there are no definite plans for Saline.

Trustee Conner asked if this will then cause a bottleneck with a 5 lane highway dumping into the 2 lanes that flow out of the city of Saline.

Mr. Webb said that as part of the study MDOT had done an origin and destination study to try to determine where traffic is coming from and going to. He said that video cameras set up on the Carpenter Rd., State Rd., and Industrial Rd. intersections with US-12 had determined that almost 90% of the traffic is locally generated.

Trustee Conner asked if the widening of the road will just accommodate the traffic flow to and from the freeway and Saline.

Mr. Webb said yes, or to points north and south, along Carpenter Rd., Moon Rd., and State Rd., etc.

Trustee Conner asked if those feeder roads will also be subject to widening.

Mr. Webb said that was outside of his jurisdiction, but that he knew that the Road Commission has a project scheduled for Carpenter Rd. to widen it in 2005-2006, and there has been talk about some of the other feeder roads as well.

Clerk Lirones said that she is very favorably inclined towards this realignment. She said that she has lived in this area her whole life and has known this to be a very deadly curve, with at least one fatal accident since her term in office began. She said that it is a nearly blind curve and the realignment of this curve will be a good safety move.

Trustee Brostrom asked if any cameras for the traffic volume study had been set on the west side of Saline to see if there was much through traffic.

Mr. Webb said no, that the study parameters only stretched as far as Carpenter Rd. and Industrial Rd.

Trustee Conner said he sensed that this will take a while to implement. He asked what the containment plans are to make the Campbell Rd. curve safer in the interim.

Mr. Webb said that there is nothing planned for the curve itself in the interim. He said that MDOT has an annual call for safety projects and that he can point this intersection out. As for the corridor itself, he said that there are 2 upcoming projects involving the addition of a continuous center left turn lane, and a resurfacing project between Carpenter and Munger Rd. He added that they were also looking at the feasibility of adding a left turn lane at Crane Rd. as well, and that these projects were scheduled for the years 2004-2005.

Trustee Conner said that he wanted to go on the record and say that he is stringently opposed to giving up 20 or 30 acres of park land for the “Northern Route.”

Supervisor Walter noted that, and reminded the Board members that the issue before them is whether or not they like the proposed alignment and whether it will have minimal or no serious impact on the park. He said that most of the other questions can be handled at the public hearing.

Trustee Marine thanked Mr. Webb for coming tonight and asked if any of the aforementioned interim projects to increase the safety in the area were dependent on the Board’s support of this letter tonight.

Mr. Webb said no.

Trustee Marine said that he had trouble separating out details about what this alignment means. He said that because there is no current plan for the park land, he doesn’t know what impact those 3 or 4 acres might have on the park. He said that he does not approve of the plan for the road, and he has no park plan to think about, so he’s not sure how he can say that this will have no impact.

Trustee Burhop said that the realignment looks fine on paper and that once it is constructed it will alleviate the traffic problem; however, she wants to see if MDOT could put some pressure on the State police to lower the speed limit in the interim.

Trustee Conner said that something needed to be done immediately on the Campbell Rd. curve if people are getting killed there, and that it should be a high priority.

Clerk Lirones added that the Platt Rd. intersection has also been very dangerous.

Trustee Marine asked if the Environmental Assessment had been included in the letter.

Mr. Webb said no, what was included in the letter was the summary of the impacts to the Pittsfield Preserve property and the Environmental Assessment will not be available for public review until September 8 at the earliest. He said that the letter from the township concurring with the use of this land will hopefully be included with the Environmental Assessment to present to federal highway administrators for their approval.

Trustee Conner asked what kinds of things could possibly change this plan.

Mr. Webb said that public comment plays a large role, and changes could be made due to comments regarding phasing strategies, concerns about traffic flow, speed issues, etc. He said that they may not be major changes, but simply slight modifications to minimize impact.

Trustee Brostrom asked to what degree the alignment site will be improved by this particular plan, and if there was a set of standards used to calculate the change in that curve.

Mr. Webb said that there are standards, but that is not his area of expertise. He said that there will be people present at the public hearing that will be able to answer those questions.

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

11.0 Items from the Office of Public Safety

11.1 Receive Fire Department Incident Summary Report for the month of July 2003.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Burhop, to receive the Fire Department incident summary report for the month of July 2003,

MOTION CARRIED.

11.2 Request Approval to Enroll in Intermediate English Composition (50%) and Reading of Literature (50%), for Dispatcher Charles Bartenslager, with classes beginning September 2003 and ending December 2003, for a total cost of $459.45.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to enroll in Intermediate English Composition (50%) and Reading of Literature (50%), for Dispatcher Charles Bartenslager, with classes beginning September 2003 and ending December 2003, for a total cost of $459.45.

MOTION CARRIED.

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

12.1 Request Approval to Authorize Supervisor of Pittsfield Township to Sign Development Agreement CSPA 02-04 Sam’s Club.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Brostrom, to authorize Supervisor of Pittsfield Township to sign the development agreement for CSPA 02-04 Sam’s Club.

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

13.0 Items from the Parks & Recreation Department

13.1 Request to Approve to Change work status of Brad Kwiatkowski, from full time seasonal maintenance employee to casual employee, starting September 2, 2003, at the current pay rate of $9.00 per hour, less than 21 hours per week, per week, no benefits, charged to account #751-709.000.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve the change in work status of Brad Kwiatkowski, from full time seasonal maintenance employee to casual employee, starting September 2, 2003, at the current pay rate of $9.00 per hour, less than 21 hours per week, per week, no benefits, charged to account #751-709.000.

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

13.2 Request to Approve Change of work status of Rick Mull, from salaried interim recreation coordinator to hourly casual employee, starting September 2, 2003, at the current pay rate of $12.00 per hour, less than 21 hours per week, no benefits, charged to account #751-706.000.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Burhop, to approve the change in work status of Rick Mull, from salaried interim recreation coordinator to hourly casual employee, starting September 2, 2003, at the current pay rate of $12.00 per hour, less than 21 hours per week, no benefits, charged to account #751-706.000.

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

13.3 Request Approval to Purchase six 6’ permanent PlayArmour vinyl coated steel park benches from Michigan Playgrounds, Holland, MI, for Lillie Park in the amount of $1,610.00 total and charged to account #751-970.000.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Clerk Lirones, to approve the purchase of six 6 foot permanent PlayArmour vinyl coated steel park benches from Michigan Playgrounds, Holland, MI, for Lillie Park in the amount of $1,610.00 total and charged to account #751-970.000.

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

Trustee Burhop asked if there had been 3 bids obtained for this.

Clerk Lirones said that Director Cooperrider had included 3 sources in the supporting memorandum.

14.0 Unfinished Business

15.0 New Business

15.1 Request to Approve Resolution Authorizing a Gardening & Odd Jobs Assistant to be filled by Ms. Laura Kearns, for Phase II DEQ Compliance Projects, effective August 27, 2003, in a part time position, until the season ends.

Clerk Lirones pointed out the great article on the native planting in the Ann Arbor News and said that it had generated a tremendous amount of support. She said that she had gotten many positive calls on this, and that the public seems very interested. She said that Ms. Kearns was very qualified to map out the planting area, and also pull out the ragweed. She added that the job will not be for a very long duration.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Clerk Lirones, to approve resolution authorizing a Gardening & Odd Jobs Assistant to be filled by Ms. Laura Kearns, for Phase II DEQ Compliance Projects, effective August 27, 2003, in a part time position, until the season ends.

WHEREAS, the Pittsfield Charter Township Board of Trustees would like to authorize the hiring of Ms. Laura Kearns, for the position of Gardening & Odd Jobs Assistant, and

WHEREAS, Ms. Laura Kearns would serve in the position of Gardening and Odd Jobs Assistant, for up to 20 hours per week at a pay rate of $10.00 per hour,

NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Pittsfield Charter Township Board of Trustees authorizes the hire of Ms. Laura Kearns to serve as the Gardening and Odd Jobs Assistant, effective Wednesday, August 27, 2003, at a pay rate of $10.00 per hr., for up to 20 hrs. per week.

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

15.2 Request to Authorize Township Supervisor to Sign a Letter of Intent for the Potential Development of a Waste Wood Receiving Yard in Cooperation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Emerald Ash Response Program.

Supervisor Walter said that it was his understanding that Mid-Michigan Recycling had applied for emergency funds to help with the emerald ash borer problem and the plan was to use 5 acres of Ann Arbor’s landfill site for the purpose of collecting wood that may be infected, chipping it, and hauling it away, as part of an attempt to control the ash borer.

Ted Barrett, of Mid-Michigan Recycling, said that his company is owned by the same company that owns a recycling burn unit in Flint. He said that there has been a general request by the State Department of Agriculture for proposals to establish waste wood receiving yards for infected wood around the core section of the quarantined area. He said that all of the surrounding areas will be able to bring their infected trees to these sites and have them ground up and taken to the burn unit in Flint, free of charge. He said that there will be an effort to recycle a certain percentage of this wood, and there is some exploration around trying to use it to build railroad ties. He said that the emerald ash borer has a 100% fatality rate on every ash tree it comes in contact with and that thus far all attempts to impede the beetles have been unsuccessful; however, if they are burned at 2000° they do not survive. He said that there will be 6 to 8 receiving yards around the perimeter of the core, and that right now there were sites in Macomb, Plymouth Twp., Pontiac, and Westland.

Supervisor Walter said that this agreement has a 3 year term with a 2 year possible extension, and would require 5 acres at the landfill site. He said that there will be no zoning issues at this site, which already contains materials recovery and composting facilities.

Trustee Conner surmised that Mr. Barrett had made the proposal but was not guaranteed to get the business.

Mr. Barrett said that was correct, that the bids would go out this coming Friday and will be awarded 30 days subsequent to that, and implemented by the first of October.

Trustee Conner asked if this area was the epicenter of the epidemic.

Mr. Barrett said yes, but that Canton is the absolute epicenter. He said that the emerald ash borer originated in China, and is thought to have been brought over in packaging materials.

Trustee Brostrom asked if people who have dying ash trees will need to find a way to deliver the entire tree to the site, or just the heavy branches and trunk.

Mr. Barrett said that the borer will go into anything greater than 2” in diameter, with only a few found in branches smaller than 1 inch, all the way down to the roots. He added that when ash trees start to die their limbs begin to fall off, causing a safety hazard.

Trustee Conner asked if the tree has to be transported to the site.

Mr. Barrett said yes, and that the State has defined a “fire-break” zone around the quarantine area where they, in concert with the federal government, are going into those areas and removing the trees free of expense.

Trustee Conner asked if the lumber could be made into railroad ties.

Mr. Barrett said yes, because the beetle only bores in about ¼ inch, so any wood below that point is still good. He said that any redeployment of that lumber would require oversight by the Department of Agriculture. He said that the State DNR is proposing that they at least look at those alternatives.

Trustee Brostrom asked if using the lumber as firewood was acceptable.

Mr. Barrett said absolutely, as long as it was kept within the quarantine area.

Motion by Trustee Conner, supported by Trustee Burhop, to authorize the Township Supervisor to sign a letter of intent for the potential development of a waste wood receiving yard in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Agriculture’s (MDA) Emerald Ash Response Program.

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

Supervisor Walter signed the letter and gave it to Mr. Barrett.

15.3 Request to Approve Purchase of Ten 8’ Heavy Duty Galvanized Steel Frame with Wood Picnic Tables From Midwest Creations Products, Inc., Jackson, MI, for Lillie Park, Total Cost $3,140.00.

Motion by Trustee Brostrom, supported by Trustee Conner, to approve the purchase of ten 8’ heavy duty galvanized steel frame with wood picnic tables from Midwest Creations Products, Inc., Jackson, MI, for Lillie Park, total cost $3,140.00.

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

Trustee Conner said that he wanted to know what the balances were on these accounts.

16.0 Public Comment II-none.

17.0 Adjournment by Supervisor Walter at 9:15 p.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 9, 2003.