The Delhi Charter Township Board of Trustees met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, August 1, 2006 in the Multipurpose Room at the Community Services Center, 2074 Aurelius Road, Holt, Michigan. Supervisor Goodrich called the meeting to order at 7:31 p.m.

Members Present: Supervisor Stuart Goodrich, Treasurer Harry Ammon, Clerk Evan Hope, Trustees John Hayhoe, Jerry Ketchum, Paul Krepps, Roy Sweet

Others Present:
John Elsinga, Twp. Mgr.
Jim Felton, Dir. of Information Technology
Tracy Carney-Miller, Dir. of Community Development
James Lenon, POTW Maintenance Supervisor
Pat Brown, Fire Marshal/Safety Officer
Wendy Thielen, Assist. Twp. Mgr. of Human Resources
Tricia Vander Ploeg, Admin. Assistant/Dep. Supervisor
Amy Finch, Assistant Twp. Clerk/Deputy Clerk
 

Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development, gave the Community Development 2005 Annual Report (ATTACHMENT I).

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated July 27, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT II).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Hayhoe, Hope, Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Goodrich
MOTION CARRIED

The Board reviewed memorandums dated July 24, 2006 from Jim Felton, Dir. of Information Technology and July 20, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT III).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Hope, Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe
MOTION CARRIED
 

The Board reviewed memorandums dated July 12, 2006 from Rick Royston, Fire Chief and July 24, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT IV).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe, Hope
MOTION CARRIED

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated July 25, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT V).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe, Hope
MOTION CARRIED

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated July 11, 2006 from Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development (ATTACHMENT VI).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe, Hope
Nays: Krepps, Sweet, Ketchum
MOTION CARRIED

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated July 11, 2006 from Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development (ATTACHMENT VII).

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Sweet, Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe, Hope, Ketchum, Krepps
MOTION CARRIED

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated July 26, 2006 from Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development (ATTACHMENT VIII).

Trustee Krepps questioned if Condition No. 3 would prohibit the placement of a vehicle on the lot while deciding the next step of the vehicle. Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development, stated that if there was no intent of selling the vehicle in the retail inventory, this condition would prohibit the placement of the vehicle beyond a 24-hour period.

Trustee Krepps asked if the applicant had a chance to review these conditions. Ms. Miller stated that North Clark, Rose City Motors, went through all of the conditions before they were presented to the Planning Commission and Mr. Clark stated that he could comply with the conditions.

Regarding Condition No. 4, Supervisor Goodrich questioned car window signs. Ms. Miller stated that the window sign would state the year of the vehicle only.

Trustee Hayhoe asked who developed these conditions? Ms. Miller stated that she drafted the initial condition list and the Delhi Downtown Development Authority provided her with their conditions. Input was received from the Planning Commission during their July 10, 2006 meeting.

Trustee Ketchum questioned if advertising signs or signs showing the price of the vehicle were allowed on the vehicles. Mr. Clark stated that these types of signs would not be allowed. The only signs that will be on the vehicles will be the vehicle information sheet (required by State law to be placed on the side window of the vehicle) and a sign showing the year of the vehicle. Ms. Miller stated that twelve business events are allowed each year that would give Mr. Clark the opportunity to advertise a sale. Mr. Clark stated that he assumes that balloons, banners, etc. are not allowed during sales. Ms. Miller answered in the affirmative.

Supervisor Goodrich stated that he has concerns with Condition No. 5, questioning why the back of the building was not required to conform to this requirement. Ms. Miller stated that there is a good likelihood that an addition will be added to this building. When this happens, an amendment to the Special Use Permit will be required and the building facade can be reviewed again at that time.

In reference to Condition No. 6, Ms. Miller stated that most buildings in this area have a roof pitch of 8/12. Trustee Ketchum stated that an 8/12 pitch is rather steep but allows for a more attractive building. Ms. Miller stated that Mr. Clark’s architectural drawings have an 8/12 pitch.

Condition No. 7 states that the shingles shall be asphalt. Trustee Ketchum stated that asphalt shingles are no longer a standard, that fiberglass shingles are now being used. Ms. Miller stated that the word asphalt could be removed from this condition. The intent is to require dimensional shingles.

Supervisor Goodrich stated that he understands that lighting would be addressed during the site plan review. Ms. Miller answered in the affirmative stating that all normal requirements would be complied with.

Supervisor Goodrich asked Mr. Clark if he would be using an intercom (Condition No. 18). Mr. Clark answered in the affirmative and stated he understands that the sound can not extend past his property.

Supervisor Goodrich stated that he has a concern with Condition No. 20 in regards to semi-trucks unloading vehicles in the road. Mr. Clark stated that he uses individual drivers, not trucks to deliver his vehicles. Ms. Miller stated that the condition would prohibit semi-truck parking off site, which includes any road right-of-way. Mr. Clark stated that any vehicles loaded or unloaded would be done on his property.

Trustee Krepps questioned if local residential streets were defined in regards to Condition No. 21. Ms. Miller stated that the intent of this condition is to minimize the traffic from dealership employee’s test driving vehicles on residential streets. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that another way to word this condition could be to use the words "shall be discouraged".

In regards to Condition No. 23, Supervisor Goodrich asked why the permitted hours were different than other businesses in the area. Ms. Miller stated that when she originally drafted her staff report, she provided information on the three dealerships in the vicinity, which vary slightly; however, Ms. Miller stated that if you look outside the immediate borders of the Township you would see a wide variation in the hours. The Planning Commission felt that it was unreasonably restrictive to limit the hours of operation to be consistent with those of existing businesses. The Planning Commission instructed Ms. Miller to loosen the hours up a bit to accommodate reasonable hours of operation and allow the hours to be those of most retail businesses. Mr. Clark expressed that 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. would be fine for his business. Ms. Miller stated that the business could stay open longer in the evening during a scheduled special event.

Mr. Clark asked if the Board could change the condition regarding balloons. Ms. Miller stated that balloons are specifically prohibited by the Township Zoning Ordinance. The Board cannot, through a Special Use Permit, waive an ordinance requirement.

Ayes: Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe, Hope, Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet
MOTION CARRIED

Ayes: Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe, Hope, Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet
MOTION CARRIED

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated July 26, 2006 from Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development (ATTACHMENT IX).

Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development, stated that in 1998, Lansing Christian Schools obtained a Special Use Permit to permit the construction of the school. In 1999, the Special Use Permit was amended to permit 19 temporary modular classrooms on the property. When the expansion of the school was completed, the classrooms were removed. A few years ago, through a misunderstanding on the school’s part, two temporary classrooms were located on the site. Just recently, the school inquired on the process that would allow the placement of four additional temporary classrooms. Approval of this Special Use Permit would allow for four additional classrooms in addition to bringing the two existing classrooms into compliance.

Ron Roskamp, Operations Manager for Lansing Christian Schools, stated that each classroom would not exceed 25 students.

Trustee Ketchum was concerned with the length of time the temporary classrooms were allowed to remain on the property. Mr. Roskamp stated that because Lansing Christian Schools is not a public school and cannot issue bonds for the expansion, construction could not begin until the current debt is paid and money is raised for the expansion.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Goodrich, Hayhoe, Hope, Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon
MOTION CARRIED

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated July 26, 2006 from Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development (ATTACHMENT X).

Lokesh Kumar, Eisen Electric, questioned Condition No. 2 regarding the opaque surface of the building front. Mr. Kumar stated that similar buildings in the vicinity have approximately 8’ high block.

Tracy Miller, Director of Community Development, stated that a survey was conducted on the buildings in the vicinity and 50% of the opaque surface is consistent with buildings in that area.

Mr. Kumar stated that 8’ high is the normal height of block in the area and he is questioning the appearance of a building with 12’ high block. Ms. Miller asked Mr. Kumar how tall the front elevation of his building was? Mr. Kumar stated he was not sure but thought it was either 24 or 30 feet. Ms. Miller stated that the 50% figure was based on architectural renderings that were submitted by the applicant that represented a 12’ height on the front elevation. Ms. Miller stated that this would not restrict the height of blocks but rather would allow 50% of the facade to be covered in block.

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Hayhoe, Hope, Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Goodrich
MOTION CARRIED

A) Approval of Minutes – Committee of the Whole Meeting of July 18, 2006

B) Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting of July 18, 2006

C) Approval of Claims – July 18, 2006 (ATTACHMENT XI)

D) Approval of Payroll – July 27, 2006 (ATTACHMENT XII)

E) Authorization to Transfer Balance from Water District #70 (Pine Tree Acres) to Water Improvement Fund (ATTACHMENT XIII)

F) Authorization to Transfer Balance from Water District #71 (Pine Dell) to Water Improvement Fund (ATTACHMENT XIV)

G) Authorization to Transfer Balance from Water District #72 (Washington/Holt/Gunn) to Water Improvement Fund (ATTACHMENT XV)

H) Authorization to Transfer Balance from Section 2 Sewer Special Assessment District to Sewer Surplus Fund (ATTACHMENT XVI)

A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Hope, Ketchum, Krepps, Sweet, Ammon, Goodrich, Hayhoe
MOTION CARRIED

Supervisor Goodrich reminded the Board of the Joint Ingham County Road Commission meeting to be held on Thursday, August 3, 2006 at 6:00 p.m.

Supervisor Goodrich stated that the Delhi Downtown Development Authority (DDA) has asked that a committee be formed to review the Sam Corey property for a possible Farmer’s Market/Senior Citizen Center. Supervisor Goodrich, Treasurer Ammon, Mark Jenks, Director of Parks and Recreation, a Parks and Recreation Commission member and three DDA members will serve on the committee.

Treasurer Ammon stated that he attended the annual American Public Treasurer’s Association Conference held in Memphis, Tennessee where he was awarded the certification of Public Finance Administrator.

Treasurer Ammon reported on the income and expenditures from the motor vehicle code. Treasurer Ammon stated that the income received was $9,600 and the expenses, through June 2006, were $4,772. This leaves a positive cash flow of $4,828.

Clerk Hope reported on the new ADA voting equipment. Clerk Hope stated that this equipment would enable a disabled person to vote their ballot in secrecy. Clerk Hope stated that the State requires at least one of these AutoMark systems to be placed at each polling location.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that the Department of Environmental Quality approved the S2 Grant for the POTW digesters in the amount of $501,000.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that the construction cost of the recycling center project has risen from $260,00 to $380,000 due to the larger vehicles, containers, etc. Granger Landfill will cover the operational expenses of this project.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that Attorney J. Richard Robinson filed the appeal to the Order of Determination regarding the Cook and Thorburn Drain/Cedar Lake on July 20, 2006.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that DTN has asked if the Township would consider moving forward with the pump station if they (DTN) were to begin their development (to be located south of Holt Road). Twp. Mgr. Elsinga informed DTN that the Township would still require the $300,000 up front agreement before moving forward. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that this would require Board approval.

The Board reviewed a handout titled "An Analysis of Stop OverSpending Ballot Proposal" (ATTACHMENT XVII).

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that he received an e-mail and has spoken to Supervisor Goodrich regarding the Stop OverSpending Ballot Proposal. Trustee Krepps stated that he would like a resolution endorsing this proposal. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that a resolution would be drafted to that effect for consideration at the next Board meeting (August 15, 2006).

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that he has received feedback from some of the Board members regarding the meeting dates of the budget workshops (discussed at the July 18, 2006 Board meeting). The meeting dates will be kept as posted for this year. If requested, the topic can be revisited next year.

Meeting adjourned at 9:49 p.m.