DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES - TUESDAY, DECEMBER 29, 1998
The Delhi Charter Township Board of Trustees met in a year-end meeting on Tuesday,
December 29, 1998, in the Multipurpose Room at the Community Services Center,
2074 Aurelius Road, Holt, Michigan. Meeting was called to order by Supervisor Ammon at
6:00 p.m.
ROLL CALL
Members Present: Supervisor Harry Ammon, Clerk Evan Hope, Treasurer Linda Clingersmith, Trustees Jerry Ketchum, Serge Leduc, Roy Sweet. Trustee Stuart Goodrich arrived at 6:07 p.m.
Others Present: John Elsinga, Twp. Mgr.
Wendy Thielen, Administrative Sec'y.
Robert Scheuerman, Twp. Engr./Dir. of Public Services
Robert Hudson, Fire Chief
Jim Felton, Dir. of Data Processing
Larry Woodard, Superintendent of Public Services
Amy Emery, Planner
Barbara Prater, Assistant Twp. Clerk
SET/ADJUST AGENDA
Add: Late Agenda Item No. 8 - Moratorium on Commercial Development in proposed overlay area.
BUSINESS
COMPENSATION FOR ON-CALL PARAMEDICS
The Board reviewed a memorandum dated December 3, 1998 from Fire Chief Hudson regarding compensation changes for On-Call Paramedics, General Response Ambulance Calls, and On-Call Fire Run Pay (ATTACHMENT I).
LEDUC MOVED, HOPE SUPPORTED, THAT THE CURRENT PAY RATE OF $10.00 PER RUN PLUS SHIFT STIPEND ($10 PER 6 HOUR ON-CALL SHIFT) BE INCREASED TO $12.50 PER RUN PLUS SHIFT STIPEND ($10 PER 6 HOUR ON-CALL SHIFT) EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1999.
A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Hope, Ketchum, Leduc, Sweet, Ammon, Clingersmith
Absent: Goodrich
MOTION CARRIED
COMPENSATION FOR GENERAL RESPONSE AMBULANCE CALLS
LEDUC MOVED, KETCHUM SUPPORTED, THAT THE CURRENT PAY RATE OF $10.00 PER HOUR FOR GENERAL RESPONSE AMBULANCE RUNS BE INCREASED TO $12.50 PER HOUR. RUNS EXTENDING BEYOND 1 HOUR BE PAID ON A QUARTER HOUR FRACTION OF THE $12.50 RATE.
A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Ketchum, Leduc, Sweet, Ammon, Clingersmith, Hope
Absent: Goodrich
MOTION CARRIED
COMPENSATION FOR ON-CALL FIRE RUN PAY
LEDUC MOVED, CLINGERSMITH SUPPORTED, THAT THE ON-CALL FIRE FIGHTER PAY BE INCREASED FROM THE CURRENT RATE OF $10.00 PER HOUR TO THE RATE OF $12.50 PER HOUR EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1999. RUNS EXTENDING BEYOND 1 HOUR WILL BE PAID ON A QUARTER HOUR FRACTION OF THE $12.50 RATE.
A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Leduc, Sweet, Ammon, Clingersmith, Hope, Ketchum
Absent: Goodrich
MOTION CARRIED
HIRING OF POTW PLANT SUPERVISOR
The Board reviewed a memorandum dated December 16, 1998 from Robert Scheuerman, Twp. Engr./Dir. of Public Services, and a letter dated November 29, 1998 from Sandra Diorka. Mr. Scheuerman reiterated comments from his memorandum. (ATTACHMENT II).
Trustee Goodrich arrived at 6:07 p.m.
KETCHUM MOVED, LEDUC SUPPORTED, TO HIRE SANDRA DIORKA AS THE POTW PLANT SUPERVISOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES - POTW DIVISION AT A PAY GRADE 10, STEP 3, $44,075.20 EFFECTIVE JANUARY 18, 1999.
Mr. Scheuerman spoke about Sandra Diorka's qualifications for the position of POTW Plant Supervisor, and he introduced Ms. Diorka to the Board.
Twp. Mgr. Elsinga commented that besides her position as Laboratory Supervisor, Ms. Diorka took the self-initiative to gain experience as a plant operator, which gives her a broader understanding of how the entire plant runs. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga further commented on her ability to relate to other plant operators.
A Voice Poll was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Sweet, Ammon, Clingersmith, Goodrich, Hope, Ketchum, Leduc
MOTION CARRIED
COMPUTER HARDWARE/SOFTWARE PURCHASE
The Board reviewed a memorandum dated December 21, 1998 (ATTACHMENT III).
HOPE MOVED, SWEET SUPPORTED, TO PURCHASE TEN (10) DELL WORK-PERSONAL COMPUTERS PLUS TWO (2) NOTEBOOK COMPUTERS FROM E.D.S. THROUGH THE STATE OF MICHIGAN EXTENDED PURCHASING PLAN FOR A TOTAL COST NOT TO EXCEED $26,000.
Various questions were asked and comments made about the proposed computer purchase.
A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Ammon, Clingersmith, Goodrich, Hope, Ketchum, Leduc, Sweet
MOTION CARRIED
DISCUSSION RE: SPARTAN SPEEDWAY - PROPOSED AMENDED STIPULATION AND AGREEMENT, ARTICLE I AND PROPOSED 1999 RACING SCHEDULE
The Board reviewed the proposed Amended Stipulation and Agreement, Article I and the proposed 1999 Racing Schedule (ATTACHMENT IV).
Supervisor Ammon commented that the highlighted areas of the proposed amended Stipulation and Agreement, Article I, are the proposed changes to the Stipulation and Agreement.
Supervisor Ammon commented that Article X of the proposed Stipulation and Agreement leaves room open for non-racing events; such as the Corvette Club.
Supervisor Ammon referred to Article III, and he commented that the time designated that the club events must terminate has been changed to 11:45 p.m.
Treasurer Clingersmith asked why the Attorney did not change Article III, "No race (heat, sprint, or any similar event) or club event shall begin after 11:00 p.m.," since the representatives of Spartan Speedway requested that this time be changed to 11:15 p.m.
Supervisor Ammon responded that he is not sure why the Attorney did not change the time, and Twp. Mgr. Elsinga commented that the 11:00 p.m. could be a typographical error, because the Attorney does not have a problem with terminating the racing events by 11:45 p.m.
Gary Parr, General Manager of Spartan Speedway, commented that to the best of his knowledge, during the past 18 years, there has only been one time that the cutoff time has been violated, and that was due to a bomb scare.
Mr. Parr further commented that 18 years ago when the Court Stipulation and Agreement was written, there were between 50 - 60 race cars. Now there are between 105 - 120 race cars per night. Mr. Parr explained why Spartan would like to start the last racing event at 11:15 p.m. instead of 11:00 p.m. Mr. Parr said that if this cutoff time is allowed, he will self-impose that there will be no motors run after 11:45 p.m.
Supervisor Ammon commented that the Township may be able to get the final amended Stipulation completed by the Township Board's January 5, 1999 meeting.
Mr. Parr was given a draft copy of the proposed amended Stipulation and Agreement, so that he and the owner, Paul Zimmerman, could review it to make certain that all of their concerns are being addressed.
Supervisor Ammon asked Mr. Parr and Mr. Zimmerman to bring all of their concerns to the Township no later than January 4, 1999 in order to expedite the finalization of the amended Stipulation.
Trustee Leduc recommended that Mr. Parr contact the Ingham County Road Commission about the traffic signal at the Cedar St./College Rd. intersection to make sure that it is operating at an appropriate sequence at the end of the racing events.
Mr. Parr asked about Spartan's 1999 Racing Schedule, and the Board concurred that they do not have any objections to this racing schedule.
Trustee Ketchum asked about rainout dates, and Mr. Parr responded that the original court order allowed for two rainout dates. Mr. Parr explained why it is impossible to put rainout dates on the 1999 racing schedule at this time. He said that they would like to be able to insert rainout dates at a later date.
Supervisor Ammon responded that Mr. Parr needs to inform the Township as soon as the
rainout dates have been determined.
Paul Zimmerman, owner of Spartan Speedway, commented that they are more concerned about
special event dates than they are with rainout dates.
RESOLUTION NO. 98-064 TO ADOPT A FLEXIBLE HEALTH BENEFITS
PLAN
The Board reviewed Resolution No. 98-064 and the proposed Flexible Health Benefits Plan (ATTACHMENT V).
HOPE MOVED, SWEET SUPPORTED, TO ADOPT RESOLUTION NO. 98-064 TO ADOPT A FLEXIBLE HEALTH BENEFITS PLAN EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 1999.
Wendy Thielen, Administrative Secretary -Twp. Mgr.'s Office, commented that the Flexible Health Benefits Plan is a Cafeteria Plan that has rules and guidelines put into place by the IRS. The Cafeteria Plan is mandatory in order to offer any type of flexible benefits to Township employees. Nothing is changing from what the Township has been offering their employees in the past. Adopting this Plan will not change any of the benefits that are being offered to Township employees. The Township offeres a cash option instead of the health care benefit. This also applies to the Delta Dental Plan, and Ms. Thielen explained how this option works. In order for the Township to legally offer this cash option to their employees, the Township must adopt the Cafeteria Plan. If the Plan is not adopted, then if an employee elects the medical expense and does not take cash, then that employee would have to be taxed for the same amount of money that is being given to the employee who chooses the cash option.
Various questions were asked and comments made about the proposed Flexible Health Benefits Plan.
A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Clingersmith, Goodrich, Hope, Ketchum, Leduc, Sweet, Ammon
MOTION CARRIED
90-DAY MORATORIUM ON THE APPROVAL OF SITE PLANS ON COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT IN OVERLAY AREA
The Board reviewed a memorandum dated December 29, 1998 from Amy Emery, Planner (ATTACHMENT VI).
KETCHUM MOVED, GOODRICH SUPPORTED, THAT THE DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES ACCEPTS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION TO ISSUE A MORATORIUM ON THE APPROVAL OF SITE PLANS IN THE PROPOSED OVERLAY DISTRICT AND THE TOWN CENTER DISTRICT DEFINED AS:
1.) BOTH SIDES OF CEDAR STREET, SOUTH OF THE INTERSECTION OF HOLT ROAD AND CEDAR STREET
TO COLLEGE ROAD.
2.) THE NORTH SIDE OF HOLT ROAD BETWEEN COLLEGE AND THORBURN.
3.) THE SOUTH SIDE OF HOLT ROAD BETWEEN COLLEGE AND MICHAEL.
4.) THE TOWN CENTER DISTRICT AS DEFINED IN SECTION 5.13 OF ORDINANCE 39.
FOR A PERIOD OF 90 DAYS, PENDING THE ADOPTION OF SECTION 5.22 (OVERLAY) AND THE AMENDMENTS TO SECTIONS 5.13 (AMENDMENTS TO THE TOWN CENTER DISTRICT) AND 6.9 (SUPPLEMENTARY RIDER AMENDMENTS TO THE SIGN ORDINANCE AS A RESULT OF THE OVERLAY) OF DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP ZONING ORDINANCE 39.
Amy Emery, Planner, explained why a 90-day moratorium on commercial development in the proposed overlay area (described in the motion above) is being recommended. Ms. Emery commented that an overlay ordinance has been set to a public hearing in February 1999. This ordinance will ensure that new commercial development is of a type and character that will support the vision of the Comprehensive Development Plan and South Cedar Street Corridor Study. Until the overlay ordinance is adopted, the Township runs the risk of facing additional development proposals; therefore, it is recommended that this 90-day moratorium be approved.
Trustee Leduc asked about Section 5.22, amendments to Sections 5.13 and 6.9 of Ordinance No. 39, and Ms. Emery responded that 5.22 is the proposed overlay, 5.13 is the amendments to the Town Center District, and 6.9 is supplementary rider amendments to the sign ordinance as a result of the overlay. It is expected that these amendments will be adopted within the 90-day moratorium period.
Various questions were asked and comments made about the proposed 90-day moratorium.
Ms. Emery commented that there are a couple of proposals pending. One is a Special Use Permit for Victory Oil Change that has already been set to a public hearing. Ms. Emery spoke with Twp. Atty. J. Richard Robinson about this, and it has been determined that the Township will move forward on the Special Use Permit. The proposed moratorium will only affect site plan approvals. The other proposal is from Brady Lawn Equipment, who has already gone through the preliminary Site Plan Review Committee, and it is expected that the Site Plan will be submitted on December 30, 1998. If the moratorium is approved, it would hold up Brady Lawn Equipment's plans for 90 days, and they would have to meet some of the design requirements as a result of the overlay ordinance.
Trustee Goodrich expressed concern about late agenda items coming before the Board, and Supervisor Ammon commented that the Township needs to be cautious about using late agenda items.
A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Hope, Ketchum, Leduc, Sweet, Ammon, Clingersmith, Goodrich
MOTION CARRIED
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 6:48 p.m.