The Delhi Charter Township Board met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 16, 2004 in the Multipurpose Room at the Community Services Center, 2074 Aurelius Road, Holt, Michigan. Supervisor Stuart Goodrich called the meeting to order at 7:37 p.m.

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

Others Present:

Robert Scheuerman, P. E., Twp. Engineer
Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent
Rick Royston, Fire Chief
Al McFadyen, DDA Exec. Dir./ Community Development Dir.
Wendy Thielen, Assist. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources
Tricia Vander Ploeg, Administrative Secretary/Deputy Supervisor
Barbara Prater, Assistant Twp. Clerk/Recording Secretary

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Supervisor Goodrich commented that he informed the recording secretary about a correction to the minutes of the March 9^th Joint School Board meeting. The correction is on Page #7912 under the title "CATA Bus Transportation, Paragraph #1, Sentence #1. The word CATA was stricken from the last part of that sentence and replaced with the words "the school’s". The last part of that sentence now reads "…that the Trolley was not meant to take the place of "the school’s" regular bus service.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

Includes the following to be reimbursed from separate bank accounts:

Trustee Anderson asked about the number of name badges and lapel pins that were purchased from Blue Pencil Creative Group at a cost of about $1,700. Tricia Vander Ploeg, Admin. Secretary/Deputy Supervisor, responded that 500 pins and 79 badges were purchased.

Trustee Anderson asked about the $20,000+ for the termination of the contract with SBC. Wendy Thielen, Assist. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources, responded that the Township severed its contract with SBC and it now has a contract with TDS. TDS gave the Township a check in the amount of $21,000 to cover the cost to terminate SBC, which the Township deposited to pay the SBC bill.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

Supervisor Goodrich recognized two MSU journalism students in the audience.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 11, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and January 23, 2004 from Robert Scheuerman, P. E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT I).

Trustee Bowers asked if the cost of the XP-SWMM software is in addition to the cost of the proposed Sanitary Sewer System Flow Monitoring Services, and Trustee Anderson asked if the software is a permanent monitoring system. Robert Scheuerman, P. E. Twp. Engineer, responded that the XP-SWMM software is needed for the computer modeling portion of the proposed Sanitary Sewer Model and System Analysis Project. The software is necessary in order to determine the capacities of the sewers, the flow calculations, etc. The Township would be using this computer model indefinitely. Mr. Scheuerman further commented that there would be an annual license fee of $2,000 or less, which includes the maintenance and enhancements to the software. The first year license is included in the $11,000, which has been budgeted.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 11, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT II).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 11, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT III).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 11, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and March 4, 2004 from Dennis Larner, Code Enforcement Officer (ATTACHMENT IV).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 11, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and March 1, 2004 from Fire Chief Royston (ATTACHMENT V).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 11 & February 13, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and February 5, 2004 from Fire Chief Rick Royston (ATTACHMENT VI).

Fire Chief Royston commented that after checking with the Insurance Services Office (ISO) it was discovered that the mutual aid agreements and automatic aid agreement now in place with other agencies offset the credit that the Fire Dept. would get to leave the 1986 Pierce Arrow Pumper in reserve. Chief Royston recommended selling the 1986 Pierce Arrow Pumper, which is valued at $40,000 - $50,000.

Trustee Krepps asked why the Township is limiting the sale of the 1986 Pierce Arrow Pumper to a qualified vehicle dealer or municipality. Tricia Vander Ploeg, Admin. Secretary/Deputy Supervisor, commented that in the past the Board used the language "accepting the highest bid by a qualified vehicle dealer or municipality" in previous motions relative to the sale of fire apparatus.

Trustee Krepps commented that he would like the language after "highest bid" be deleted, because the Township’s interest is to get the most money out of the sale of the vehicle, and there may be a business person who is not a vehicle dealer who may want to purchase it for whatever reason. Trustee Ammon expressed concern about liability if the language is deleted.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

Ayes: Goodrich, Hope, Krepps, Anderson

Nays: Sweet, Ammon, Bowers

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 12, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Treasurer Harry Ammon (ATTACHMENT VII).

Treasurer Ammon commented that this Water District was established in 1989, which was a 15-year bond issue with the average interest rate of 7.0%. Due to early payoffs, and low interest earnings on these payoffs, this fund is in a deficit of $1,800. Therefore, a transfer of $1,800 from the Water Improvement Fund to this debt service budget is needed to balance the same for 2004 payments.

Trustee Sweet asked if the same explanation is true for the next three agenda items, and Treasurer Ammon responded that the explanation is basically the same, but they have a little longer life to them.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 8, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT VIII).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 12, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT IX).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 8, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT X).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 11, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and March 9, 2004 from Robert Scheuerman, P. E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT XI).

Robert Scheuerman, P. E., Twp. Engineer, commented that the Ingham County Road Commission (ICRC) has indicated that Delhi Township’s total share for road improvements in 2004, including the $20,606.38 of carryover from 2003, is $83,606.38. Therefore, the combined total available for road improvements, including both the Township’s and the ICRC’s funds and the 2003 carryover is $167,212.76. The total estimated cost for the eight streets is $142,000. Some crack sealing will be done, which will cost $15,000.

Mr. Scheuerman also commented that he spoke with the Engineer at the ICRC who believes that the Township would be able to include a portion of the streets in the Fay/Tolland area so the Township could maximize its $167,212.76. If the Township moves forward with a portion of the streets in the Fay/Tolland area, then the Township would pay 50% of the $167,212.76, which would be $83,500. The streets that would be included for resurfacing in the Fay/Tolland area are those that were used as major haul routes: West from Furney to Tolland, and Tolland from West to Main, Krental, and Wemple from Krental to Tolland. Therefore, the Township can meet its budget and resurface all eight streets using the estimates provided by the ICRC.

Based on the ICRC’s estimated costs, the following assessment costs are for individual owners of a single lot:

Mr. Scheuerman answered various questions relative to the 2004 Road Improvement Project.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 11, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT XII).

Robert Scheuerman, P. E. Twp. Engineer, commented that his memorandum dated March 9, 2004 (part of Attachment XI) constitutes the filing of the road improvements Special Assessment District’s estimates and plans with the Township Clerk.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

Clerk Hope commented that the property is located in the Holt Rd., College Rd. and Holloway Dr. area, and that the rezoning request is appropriate for this area. Trustee Bowers commented that the 2002-2020 Comprehensive Development Plan designation for the subject site is warehousing.

Roger Dean, 1216 Jolly Rd., Okemos, Evergreen Land Enterprises, commented that he intends to keep the existing house for rental purposes at this point in time. Treasurer Ammon asked if the entrance to the property would be off from Holloway Dr. Mr. Dean responded that the entrance to the house is currently off from College Rd., but the property being considered for rezoning is off from Holloway Dr.

Robert Scheuerman, P. E., Twp. Engineer, commented that when Holloway Dr. was constructed, the Township restricted large truck traffic so that Holloway Dr. could not exit onto College Rd. The exit had to be onto Holloway Dr. and out to Holt Rd. This was an agreement that the Township had with the neighboring residents. Mr. Dean commented that he would have no need for large trucks traveling to his property, and that he agrees with the truck route.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed the recommendation of the Planning Commission.

Clerk Hope commented that this is a vacant lot between residential homes that is currently zoned A-1. The applicant owns the home to the west and he wants to combine his parcel with the vacant land and make the zoning the same at R-1B.

Trustee Krepps asked about the advantage to the property owner to have the property rezoned. Treasurer Ammon responded that the purpose would not stop it from being rezoned (to R-1B). The issue is whether or not the rezoning is appropriate. Treasurer Ammon referred to staff comments in a letter dated February 18, 2004 from Darrell Fecho and Donna Krips of McKenna Associates (on file in Clerk’s Dept.), which states that "As stated in the CDP, the Township is encouraging land uses consistent with the request for this site." Trustee Bowers referred to Page #2 of the same letter, which states that the CDP designation for the subject site is Parkland/Open Space. Treasurer Ammon commented that the property currently is open space.

Fire Chief Royston commented that the Petitioner may be asking for this rezoning because of tax purposes, and he further commented that the property on both sides of the property being considered for rezoning are zoned R-1B.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 16, 2004 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Robert Scheuerman, P. E., Twp. Engineer (ATTACHMENT XIII).

Supervisor Goodrich commented that the proposed flow monitoring services would only be for six weeks, and he asked about the services that would be provided during those six weeks.

Robert Scheuerman, P. E., Twp. Engineer, commented that the five flow meters would go directly into the sanitary sewer and continually measure the flow over a 24 hour period. From the computer readout, staff would be able to see the affects of any rainfall induced infiltration and inflow on the sanitary sewer system. The five flow meters were meant to be temporary for the purpose of calibrating the sanitary sewer model.

Mr. Scheuerman spoke about all the items that the flow monitoring service would provide (part of Attachment XIII), and he commented that the proposed flow monitor services would be extremely beneficial to the Township’s sanitary sewer model, which will be used for many years.

Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent, commented that the sanitary sewer model would help the POTW by predicting flows, staffing and equipment needs. The sanitary sewer model does not work unless it is calibrated properly. Without putting a flow meter in a sanitary sewer that collects a given area, Township staff cannot assess how much infiltration and inflow is coming from each of the areas. Ms. Diorka further commented that the POTW does have a flow meter for its Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) sampling; however, it is not sophisticated enough to provide the necessary monitoring for the sanitary sewer model. The Township has no data on the areas that are served by gravity sewers. Ms. Diorka also commented that it would not be cost effective for the Township to purchase five flow meters.

Supervisor Goodrich asked about the cost to extend the flow monitoring services if there is no rain during the six week period. Mr. Scheuerman responded that it would cost about $2,800 per week to extend the monitoring services. Trustee Anderson asked if there is enough rainfall during the first four weeks, if the monitoring service could be stopped early, and Mr. Scheuerman responded that they may be able to quit in four weeks if there is sufficient rainfall.

Ms. Diorka spoke about the proposed national Capacity Management Operation and Maintenance (CMOM) Program and how it would affect the Township’s collection system.

Trustee Bowers asked if the cost for the flow monitoring service would come from the sewer fund, and Supervisor Goodrich responded in the affirmative.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:

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

Supervisor Goodrich asked for tentative dates in April 2004 for the Township Board’s Departmental Goals and Objectives Workshop. Following discussion, April 19, 20, & 21 will be considered for the workshop.

(Note: Based on Board feedback the Departmental Goals and Objectives workshop will be held on Wed., April 21, 2004 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Supervisor Goodrich reported that the joint meeting with the Holt Public Schools Board of Education went very well, and he commented that John Malatinsky, President of the School Board, would like to have more than one joint meeting with the Township Board. Therefore, additional joint meetings may be considered. Supervisor Goodrich also reported that there may be some ad hoc committees created as a result of discussions at the joint meeting with the Holt Public Schools Board of Education. One of these committees may include a committee to discuss CATA transportation.

Treasurer Ammon spoke about the March 2, 2004 Administrative Review Committee meeting regarding the request from Richard A. Handziak, 4800 Holt Rd., to adjust his February 2004 sewer bill due to a water line break. The Administrative Review Committee approved adjusting Mr. Handziak’s sewer bill from $103.30 to $29.40. The $29.40 represents a three-month average prior to the water line break.

The Treasurer’s Office is no longer collecting Winter 2003 Taxes for real property (after March 1^st the tax roll is transferred to the county for collection).

Treasurer Ammon commented that recently there have been newspaper articles relative to IFT and TIFA Plans that have not been paying money correctly. An audit of the Township’s account has been completed through 2000 and the Township is in good stead.

The Board reviewed Standard & Poor’s publication "Public Finance" dated 2/17/2004 (ATTACHMENT XIV), and Treasurer Ammon spoke about the Township’s Standard and Poor’s A+ bond rating.

Clerk Hope reported on the results of the March 15, 2004 Ingham Intermediate School District and Holt Public Schools Special Election. Delhi Township had nearly a 19% voter turnout, which is a very good turnout for this type of an election. The Ingham Intermediate School District regional enhancement millage proposal was defeated by about a 56% margin in the Ingham Intermediate School District, and the Holt School District defeated that proposal by a 70% margin. The Holt Public Schools operating millage was defeated by a 64% margin.

Trustee Bowers asked about the DDA’s Community Workshop that was held this morning (3/16/04) relative to the Cedar Street Corridor Project. Al McFadyen, DDA Exec. Dir./Community Development Dir., responded that the workshop went well. There were about 30 citizens present and there was a lot of citizen participation. Mr. McFadyen also reported that about 40 people attended the March 16^th evening workshop on the same topic.

Trustee Bowers asked about the second letter that was mailed out regarding the National Citizens Survey. Treasurer Ammon responded that the second letter was a follow-up mailing to the first letter.

Supervisor Goodrich asked Trustee Krepps about the E-mail (dated 3/4/04) that he sent to the Township Board regarding recyling interest. Trustee Krepps commented that the E-mail was relative to a statewide poll indicating how many people are interested in paying for recycling services. The E-mail was sent to the Board as an FYI.

Trustee Bowers referred to the POTW’s household grease disposal program and she asked about the status of the Beast of Grease containers. Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent, responded that the containers are in the process of being distributed.

Clerk Hope commented that the main Post Office on Collins Road has a lot of recycling information available to the public. The Post Office has a drop off center for household batteries, cell phone batteries, and eyeglasses. They also have postage paid plastic mailing bags available to the public to mail inkjet printer cartridges to a recycling center. Clerk Hope further commented that he spoke with the Township Manager about the possibility of creating a recycling drop-off area at the Community Services Center. Clerk Hope is creating a recycling information page on the Township’s Web Site.

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 9, 2004 from Al McFadyen, Community Development Dir. (ATTACHMENT XV).

In the absence of Twp. Mgr. Elsinga, Wendy Thielen, Assist. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources, reported that all violations relative to 1235 Onondaga Road have been corrected.

Wendy Thielen, Assist. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources, commented that there is one available ticket left for the Holt Education Foundation Tenth Annual Community Recognition Dinner on March 23, 2004 at the Holiday Inn South. Supervisor Goodrich commented that the Township could get additional tickets if necessary.

Wendy Thielen, Assist. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources, commented that the Delhi Township full-time Firefighters petitioned to organize a union and held an election conducted by the state by secret ballot. The Township just received the results of that election. The state sent 12 people a secret ballot. There were 11 yes votes, zero no votes, and one spoiled ballot. It takes about ten days for the certification process, and then a meeting will be held to discuss contract proposals. Twp. Atty. John McGlinchey of Cohl, Stoker, Toskey & McGlinchey, P.C., Fire Chief Royston, Ms. Thielen and a union representative will be working together on the negotiations. Ms. Thielen commented that Twp. Atty. McGlinchey would be invited to a Twp. Board meeting to answer any questions that the Board may have regarding the negotiation process.

Trustee Krepps asked if the negotiation meetings between Township Officials and union representatives would be public meetings. Ms. Thielen responded that the negotiation sessions would not be public meetings.

Trustee Bowers commented that she received comments from citizens that contacted the Township about unleashed dogs and they were told to contact the Ingham County Animal Control. Supervisor Goodrich commented that there would be an article in the "Community News" as a result of a letter that he recently received from a concerned citizen regarding unleashed dogs.

Frank Badalamente, 1900 Persimmon Path – asked about the total cost of the PHP Benefit Plan. Wendy Thielen, Assist. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources, responded that the total cost is $519,000.

Mr. Badalamente asked about the R-1B, One-family Low Density Residential Zoning District. Supervisor Goodrich asked Mr. Badalamente to meet with the Township’s Planning Department relative to his questions about R-1B zoning.

A Voice Poll was recorded as follows: All Ayes

Meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m.