The Delhi Charter Township Board met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, February 4, 2003 in the Multipurpose Room at the Community Services Center, 2074 Aurelius Road, Holt, Michigan. Supervisor Stuart Goodrich called the meeting to order at 7:35 p.m.

Supervisor Goodrich called for a moment of silence in memory of the seven astronauts who died in the February 1, 2003 space shuttle Columbia disaster.

Members Present: Supervisor Stuart Goodrich, Clerk Evan Hope, Treasurer Harry Ammon, Trustees Steve Anderson, Marsha Bowers, Paul Krepps, Roy Sweet

Also Present:

John Elsinga, Twp. Mgr.
Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent
Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer
Jim Sturdevant, Dir. of Community Development/Planner
Lt. Cindy Martin, Delhi Div., Ingham County Sheriff’s Office
Al McFadyen, Interim Delhi Downtown Development Authority Dir.
Wendy Thielen, Assistant Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources
Barbara Prater, Assist. Twp. Clerk/Recording Secretary

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Ammon, Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon

Art Nott, 1290 Grovenburg Rd., Holt – spoke about the disrepair of the welcome/service organization signs at the (four) main entrances into Delhi Township. Mr. Nott recommended that a meeting be held with some of the service organizations, i.e. Lions Club, Kiwanis Club, and Rotary to see if something could be done about replacing these signs. Supervisor Goodrich responded that there has been a lot of discussion in the past about the condition of these welcome/service organization signs. Supervisor Goodrich commented that the Delhi Downtown Development Authority (DDA) could be involved in this project after a new DDA Director is hired, because three of the entrances are in the DDA District. Mr. Nott commented that he would serve on a committee, if one were created, to work on this sign project. Trustee Bowers commented that the DDA indicated in the past that they would be very cooperative in assisting with the replacement of these signs.

Remove Agenda Item No. 12. a) Fire Department Staffing.

Supervisor Goodrich presented Certificates of Recognition to Barry Nelson, John Drolett, and Michael Donth for their involvement with the apprehension of the Dart Bank robbery suspects on December 27, 2002. Gertrude Barry was unable to attend tonight’s Board meeting to receive her Certificate of Recognition due to a prior commitment.

Rollin Dart, Chairman of the Board, Dark Bank; Ron Rhoades, President, Dart Bank; and Lt. Cindy Martin, Delhi Div., Ingham County Sheriff’s Office, also acknowledged these citizens for their involvement with these apprehensions.

John Drolett commented that he was just doing his duty as a citizen, which is what the community is all about.

Supervisor Goodrich commented that over 21 telephone calls were made to 9-1-1 on December 27^th relative to the Dart Bank robbery, and he acknowledged these citizens for their involvement.

Supervisor Goodrich presented Michael Malone with a Certificate of Appreciation for his 12 years of service on the Delhi Charter Township Zoning Board of Appeals.

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated January 29, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT I).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Anderson

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated January 29, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT II).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Anderson, Bowers

The Board reviewed memorandums dated January 22, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT III).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope

The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Sweet, Ammon, Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps

The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer, spoke about the costs for proposed Streetlight District No. SL005, Woodland Estates Subdivision.

Trustee Bowers referred to Lot No. 10, with a proposed annual cost of $294.00, and she asked if this lot was previously billed at $90 per year. Mr. Scheuerman responded that it was previously billed at $270 per yr., and that it appears that, at some point in time, this lot may be able to be split into three separate lots.

There were no written or verbal comments received from the public regarding Streetlight District No. SL005.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Al McFadyen, Interim DDA Director, used Power Point, with the Assistance of John Otwell, to give his 2002 Delhi Downtown Development Authority and Brownfield Redevelopment Authority annual report.

Mr. McFadyen spoke about the DDA goals for 2003, which includes the development of a substation for the Delhi Division of the Ingham County Sheriff’s Office. In November 2002, the DDA executed a purchase agreement with the Eagles (Mason-Holt No. 3734 Fraternal Order of Eagles) for the purchase of their property (2045 Cedar St.). That purchase agreement was contingent on two items: an environment item and the ability of the DDA to economically and feasibly remodel the existing building. Therefore, an architectural and engineering analysis was necessary and completed. The Site Selection Committee is scheduled to meet with Barry Wood, Architect, on February 5, 2003 for the purpose of reviewing the preliminary cost estimates for remodeling the existing building to determine whether or not this is a feasible project. If it is a feasible project in terms of the DDA’s ability to move through the process of remodeling the facility to meet the needs of the Sheriff’s Office, the DDA’s next step would be to close on the property. The closing on the property may occur before the end of February 2003 or possibly into the month of March 2003.

Mr. McFadyen reported that the application process has been closed for the position of DDA Executive Director. The applications have been sent to the Search Consultant from the Michigan Municipal League who is assisting the DDA and the Search Committee, and the Consultant will be reporting on the results of his review.

Mr. McFadyen reported that the DDA has a rendering of a proposed new welcome sign for the main entrances to the Township, and he commented that a committee or service club coordinating council could be established to oversee this sign project.

Mr. McFadyen answered various questions relative to his 2002 annual report.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer, spoke about the costs for proposed Streetlight District No. SL047, Loch Woode Estates Subdivision.

John Drolett, 2386 Anchor Ct. – asked if the increase in cost for these proposed streetlights were due to the increase in the cost of electricity. Mr. Scheuerman responded in the affirmative, and he explained that each year the Lansing Board of Water and Light establishes the costs. Mr. Drolett asked if it is correct that a public hearing will not have to be held every time the rate is increased (for Loch Woode Estates) due to utility costs. Mr. Scheuerman responded in the affirmative, and he explained the Streetlight Special Assessment District process.

There were no written comments received from the public regarding Streetlight District No. SL047.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer, spoke about the costs for proposed Streetlight District No. SL051, Houghton Heights Subdivision.

There were no verbal or written comments received from the public regarding Streetlight District No. SL051.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated January 29, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and a Fee Schedule Comparison dated February 4, 2003 (ATTACHMENT IV).

Jim Sturdevant, Dir. of Community Development/Planner, commented that at the

January 21, 2003 Committee of the Whole – Public Safety Committee meeting, staff was directed to revise the proposed resolution (Res. No. 2003-024) to incorporate a more uniform fee schedule based upon a flat fee of $50 for each property parcel and $20 for each dwelling unit. The proposed fees would allow the Township to recover the cost of providing the registration and inspection program. Mr. Sturdevant gave a historical review of previous discussions relative to the proposed fee schedule for the registration and inspection of residential rental property.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga commented that the Township has been providing residential rental inspections for the last two years without any associated fees. The reason that the Township established the ordinance for the registration and inspection of residential rental property (Twp. Ord. No. 102.3), is to provide the Township the ability to register any and all residential rental property and; thereby, protecting the renter’s welfare and the Township’s housing stock. The Township also needs to be reimbursed for its direct cost in providing the residential rental inspection program.

Trustee Bowers asked whether or not the proposed resolution (Res. 2003-024) should include language to include subsequent reinspection fees. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga responded that each and every subsequent reinspection would be $50 and every no show would be $50.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga read a memorandum into record dated January 30, 2003 from Benjamin Amber, Amber Apartments/South Square Apartments (part of Attachment IV), requesting that the Board delay voting on any fee structure for rental housing inspections and move to a discussion item, and that voting be delayed until after there is an opportunity to present additional information. Apartment owners and developers represented in this memorandum include: Ron Gunsberg, Old Orchard; Richard Peffley, Whispering Pine; Ben Amber, South Square; Tom Bondarenko, Cricket Ridge; Tom Eckhardt, Woodland Lakes; Tom Kufchinski, Aspen Lakes.

Tom Van Acker, 2121 Phillips - spoke in favor of the proposed fees of $50 per parcel plus $20 per unit for the registration and inspection of residential rental property, and the following people spoke in opposition to these proposed fees: Benjamin Amber, South Square Apartments; Ron Gunsberg, Old Orchard Apartments; Patrick Lind, 6085 Bishop Rd.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Hope, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Bowers, Goodrich

Nays: Anderson

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer, spoke about the costs for proposed Streetlight District No. SL052, Chisholm Hills Estates Subdivision.

Gerald Howley, 2559 Sanibel Hollow – asked why the proposed assessment for Chisholm Hills Estates Subdivision is about $24.00 different from the proposed assessment for Loch Woode Subdivision, because the lots are virtually the same. Mr. Scheuerman responded that he is calculating the number of streetlights and cost per streetlight and then dividing it by the number of lots. Mr. Scheuerman commented that there are some differences in some of the lot sizes. In earlier phases of development, the streetlights were installed closer together. Mr. Scheuerman also commented that he would meet with Mr. Howley to go over the number of lots and homes in each of the subdivisions.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer, spoke about the costs for proposed Streetlight District No. SL065, Autumnwood Condominiums.

Tom Kent, 2415 Aurelius Rd., #53 – asked for clarification on the cost of the proposed streetlights. Mr. Scheuerman responded that each of the 12 streetlights is $156 and the two lights that light the entrance signs are now at $143, and when these lights were initiated it was $144 and $131 respectively. Mr. Kent referred to a letter dated November 8, 2000 from Treasurer Harry Ammon informing the Autumnwood Condominium Association that they would be receiving a credit on their 2000 tax bill of $10.42 due to the fact that the new streetlights were not installed, and that they would be billed $36.85 on the 2000 tax bill in anticipation of installation of the streetlights in 2001. Mr. Kent commented that the remaining three streetlights were not installed until July 2001 and one of the entrance signs was not installed until October 2002. Mr. Kent further commented that he calculates that they have paid an additional amount of $6.24 per unit, therefore, he believes that this proposed assessment should be delayed for about two years. Mr. Kent submitted the letter from Treasurer Ammon into record (ATTACHMENT V). Mr. Scheuerman explained the special assessment process, and he commented that he would have to research this matter further.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga commented that there is no hurry to move forward with these proposed streetlights; and that the purpose of this public hearing is to receive information and comments; therefore, the Township Board could delay acting on this proposed streetlight special assessment district and roll until a future meeting date and the Board concurred.

George Hine, Autumnwood Condominium #32 – commented that the streetlights and lights for the entrance sign were not installed as originally stated and he reiterated some of the comments that Mr. Kent made. Mr. Hine further commented that they are looking for an adjustment.

Supervisor Goodrich commented that the Township would review this matter further, and that the Township would notify Mr. Kent and Mr. Hine of their findings.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

The Board reviewed memorandums dated January 22, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT VI).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Sweet, Ammon, Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps

The Board reviewed memorandums dated January 22, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT VII).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon

The Board reviewed memorandums dated January 22, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT VIII).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Anderson, Bowers

The Board reviewed memorandums dated January 22, 2003 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Robert Scheuerman, P.E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT IX).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope

During the 9:00 p.m. public hearing held earlier in this meeting, the Board concurred to delay action on the proposed Streetlight Special Assessment District SL065 and Special Assessment Roll for Autumnwood Condominiums (see Page #7595).

The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

Jim Sturdevant, Dir. of Community Development/Planner, commented that the subject property includes about eight acres (8.39 acres) located south of the Cedar Park Shopping Center adjacent to the Holt Manor Mobile Home Park. The proposal is for senior housing, which would be a good transitional use between commercial and single-family residential uses. The developer has reached a workable agreement with the owner of the Holt Manor Mobile Home Park to provide an access driveway to Cedar Street. Mr. Sturdevant further commented that there would be a potential for a traffic signal at the Cedar Street/Delhi Commerce Drive intersection with a pedestrian crossing. Mr. Sturdevant also commented that he has received information from the attorney representing L & L Food Centers, and they are opposed to any placement of a traffic signal at the proposed Cedar St./Delhi Commerce Dr. intersection. Mr. Sturdevant commented that the proposed traffic signal would be under the jurisdiction of the Ingham County Road Commission and not Delhi Township.

Trustee Krepps spoke about the need for additional senior housing in Delhi Township.

Trustee Bowers commented that it was previously indicated to her that there was not sufficient traffic, based on the developer’s study, to warrant a traffic signal. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga responded that he has invited representatives of the Ingham County Road Commission to attend the February 11, 2003 Committee of the Whole – Public Services meeting at 7:30 a.m. to have further conversation on the proposed traffic signal at the proposed Cedar St./Delhi Commerce Dr. intersection. The ICRC previously indicated that a traffic signal was not warranted at Fay and Cedar St.

Atty. John Fifarek, Lasky, Fifarek & Hogan, P.C., – commented that unless there are some other engineering alternatives that would allow the Cedar St. ingress and egress to L & L Food Center to remain open or to have traffic that stacks at the proposed traffic signal not block the ingress/egress, they are opposed to that traffic signal. Atty. Fifarek further commented that there would be some adverse or detrimental impact on properties in the area, in particular, the L & L Food Center. He further commented that since he attended the Planning Commission meeting, he has received a number of documents from the Ingham County Road Commission (ICRC), and that he has spoken with ICRC staff, and he discovered that the whole concept of this proposed traffic signal originated from Delhi Township and is being moved along exclusively by the Township.

Trustee Krepps asked about Atty. Fifarek’s comment about a detrimental impact on the properties in the area, and Atty. Fifarek responded that he was referring to the roadway that is going to be realigned, which may result in the traffic signal. Atty. Fifarek commented that when the Twp. Board goes through the rezoning, special use permit, and site plan review process, it has the authority to condition a special use permit to avoid detrimental consequences.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Trustee Bowers commented that the issues relative to the ingress/egress and the traffic signal are issues that should be addressed during the request for a special use permit.

Kim Visscher, 4786 Furney, spoke in favor of this rezoning request.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Ammon, Anderson, Bowers, Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Sweet

Supervisor Goodrich commented that the MTA’s Annual Conference that he attended in Detroit the week of January 27, 2003 was a great meeting.

Treasurer Ammon reported that the Treasurer’s Office received $550.00 in liquor license fees.

Treasurer Ammon commented that he learned quite a few things at the January 2003 MTA Annual Conference.

Trustee Anderson reported that he would be out-of-town the week of February 10, 2003.

Clerk Hope encouraged Board members to attend the Ingham County Chapter of the MTA meeting on Wednesday, February 5, 2003 at 7:00 p.m. at the Williamstown Twp. Hall.

Al McFadyen, Interim DDA Dir., previous reported on this agenda item under the DDA Annual Report.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga commented that 41 applications have been submitted for the Director of Accounting Position. The Twp. Mgr.’s staff will be reviewing these applications along with Clerk Hope and Treasurer Ammon.

Al McFadyen, Interim DDA Dir., previous reported on this agenda item under the DDA Annual Report.

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated January 21, 2003 from Lt. Cindy Martin, Delhi Div., Ingham County Sheriff’s Office (ATTACHMENT X).

Wendy Thielen, Asst. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources, commented that the Twp. Board may want to consider reconvening the Liquor License Task Force Committee that was created over a year ago. This Task Force was specifically created to establish guidelines for future use of available liquor licenses. The Task Force accomplished its goals (Ord. 87.2 adopted 3/19/2002).

Ms. Thielen further commented that the Twp. Board previously discussed, at Committee level, reviewing the annual liquor license renewals as they come forth. Liquor license renewals are reviewed by the MI Liquor Control Commission annually on April 30^th. Therefore, if the Township wants to recommend anything to the MI Liquor Control Commission regarding the renewals of current on-premise liquor licenses, it would need to be done by March 30, 2003.

Ms. Thielen also commented that in November 2002, she sent a list of all the businesses in Delhi Township that has an on-premise liquor license to Lt. Martin for her comments on any activities that have occurred at any of these establishments. Lt. Martin responded with her memorandum dated January 21, 2003 (Attachment X). Ms. Thielen explained that if a recommendation is made not to renew a liquor license, the Township must allow the liquor license holder due process, which would mean that notification would be made to the license holder and a public hearing would be scheduled. Then the state could put the liquor license in escrow for a determined amount of time. If the Twp. Board approved revoking a liquor license, then the state could take the liquor license away from the license holder.

Supervisor Goodrich commented that this matter would be discussed at the next Committee of the Whole - Public Safety meeting on February 18, 2003.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All ayes

Meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m.