MEMBERS
PRESENT: Trustee
Lantz, Treasurer Johnson, Supervisor Sherk, Trustee Ellis, and Clerk Olson.
MM/S Olson/Lantz to approve the agenda with the
following additions.
·
Solid Waste Special Use Permit under Supervisor’s
Correspondence.
·
Joel Tuoriniemi, Keweenaw County Road
Commissioner to speak about the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge under Supervisor’s
Remarks.
·
July 4th Celebration under
Supervisor’s Remarks.
The Agenda was approved 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
·
Approve minutes of June 14, 2004 regular meeting.
·
Approve minutes of July 5, 2004 special meeting.
·
Approve minutes of Election Commission meeting.
·
Accept Treasurer’s Report
·
Approve Payment of Bills
1. MM/S
Olson/Sherk to increase the prior approved $2500 for Volunteer Fire Fighter
Jackets by $194 to $2694 for account 44500 passed on a Roll Call Vote of 5-0.
MM/S Olson/Lantz to approve Consent Agenda 5
Ayes, 0 Nays – Consent Agenda approved.
1. Correspondence
·
Keweenaw County Board Minutes for June – Posted
at the Township Hall.
·
DEQ Permits – Supervisor Sherk summarized
permits.
·
Solid Waste Cable Utility Building Special
Use Permit – Supervisor Sherk indicated that the permit has initial approval
and final approval will be addressed at the July 14, 2004 meeting.
2. Remarks
·
Joel Tuoriniemi, Keweenaw County Road
Commissioner and the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge – The Road Commissioner summarized
the status of the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge and answered questions from the board
and public. He stressed that the goal
was to expand the lodge area uses and not just winterize it.
·
Long Lake Refuge 2(LLR2) Letter – Supervisor
Sherk indicated everything was proceeding and OK.
·
Marina Resolution Letters Sent – No change.
·
Water System Funding Update - Water Committee
Chairman John Wakeman summarized status of funding and cost sharing in present
Master Plan area on Supervisor Sherk’s request.
·
Beach Water testing - Supervisor Sherk commented
that water testing at the beach was satisfactory and is posted at the Township
Hall.
·
Lake Eliza/Eliza Creek – Supervisor Sherk
reported on his meeting with the local DNR representative and their tour of the
area. He highlighted that the lake at this
time is not suitable for restocking due to continued silting. Several solutions may be available to
address the silting problem in order to re-institute stocking the lake with
fish. He also commented that there is a
dispute on who owns the Dam.
·
July 4th Celebration – Supervisor
Sherk commended the Recreation Committee for their leadership in moving the
celebrations to July 5th due to rain and indicated it’s success.
·
Cemetery Committee – Ginny Schubert – Reported
the fence is painted and looks good.
Sexton Comments – Mike
Braman – No Report.
·
Community Building – Jeane Olson – No Report.
·
First Responders – Bruce Olson – Reported increase in calls.
·
Hazard Mitigation Committee – Kris Callog – No Report.
·
Hebard Plat Committee – Jeane Olson – No Report.
·
911 Committee – Doug Schubert – Confirmed that
Eagle Harbor may be used for our mailing address city within the 49950 zip
code.
·
Park Committee – George Hite – New Sign, MNA
Trail.
·
Recreation Committee – Barb Sickler – No Report.
·
Solid Waste Committee – Doug Schubert – New Signs
and July 25, 2004 9AM-5PM is scheduled as Junk Jettison Day. Appliances will be taken but there will be a
charge of $20 for refrigerators and $5 for others. Supervisor Sherk thanked the committee for providing this service
and also requested recommendations and input from Chairman Doug Schubert and
Solid Waste Facility Manager Mike Braman regarding placing the old cemetery
chain link fence across the back of the property to set off a clean non-trash,
Township use only, storage area for outside storage which is greatly needed by
the Township. This item will be put on the agenda under New Business for the
August meeting.
·
Volunteer Fire Department – Mike Radigan –
Reported everything is running smoothly.
Supervisor Sherk added that the County Engineer has determined that
there is not enough water for the 4th Street Dry Hydrant.
·
Water Committee – John Wakeman – Resolution on
agenda.
Water
Systems Operator – Reid Rastello – Reported everything is OK.
·
Wellhead Protection Committee – Reid Rastello –
No Report.
·
Zoning Advisory Committee – George Hite – No
Report.
·
Fire Truck Financing – The following public
comment started at 7:45pm and continued until 8:35pm. The following comments are paraphrased as accurately as possible.
1. Dave
Owens asked about the capabilities of the existing and proposed fire
truck. He also asked about how water
could be obtained and about accessibility to his location on Goodell Road. The Board replied that the fire trucks would
be similar and water would be obtained by shuttling between the two large water
capacity Super Tanker Pumper Trucks whenever local water supply is not
available from the shorelines of lakes and streams in order to serve the fire
fighting needs of as much of the Township as possible. However if any property owner has concerns
about fire truck access the Board strongly recommended that they should contact
the Eagle Harbor Volunteer Fire Department (EHVFD) for an evaluation.
2. Tom
Franks asked about the water carrying capacity of the proposed fire truck. The EHVFD confirmed for the Board that the
capacity was 2500 gallons.
3. Fritz
Kesanen informed the board that the EHVFD will be continuing ongoing site
evaluations and that he supported the proposed fire truck.
4. Marilyn
Marshall asked when the current debt for the last fire truck purchase would be
retired. Treasure Johnson replied that
the current truck debt would be retired this tax period.
5. Ed
Stoneman asked whether the equalized or taxable value would be used for the
millage on the proposed fire truck. The
Board replied that taxable value would be used.
6. Jim
Boggio inquired if the proposed fire truck would be put to a vote. The Board said that it had not made a
decision.
7. Janet
Avery commented to the board that since the last millage for a new truck was
voted down she did not believe it was legal for the board to be pursuing it
again.
8. Staci
Gibson-Kisiel addressed the board saying that she supported the proposed fire
truck and would vote in favor of it.
9. Bruce
Leblanc commented to the board that the new truck was needed to shuttle water
to effectively fight fires. He went on
to say that he supported the proposed fire truck.
10. Nancy
Wakeman indicated she would like to publicly thank the Citizens for a Better
Eagle Harbor for producing the recently distributed document. It helped clarify many of the issues.
11. Mike
Radigan spoke of his support of the proposed fire truck.
12. Joe
Monroe voiced his support of the proposed fire truck.
13. Patty
Rastello expressed support for the proposed fire truck and asked for volunteers
for the EHVFD.
14. Judy
Smith asked the board where the proposed fire truck would be kept. They responded that it would be kept in the
current Fire Hall.
15. Diana
Franks asked the board about her legal ability to vote in a ballot initiative
for the fire truck. The board replied
that since she was not a registered voter in the township she was not eligible
to vote on the issue. She went on to
express her concern in not being able to support the proposed fire truck by
voting.
16. Sandy
Siegmeir asked if the grant money would be lost if no action was taken. She also asked whether once the current
truck debt was retired and the proposed new millage passed, if there would be a
net increase or decrease in taxes. The
Board replied that the current grant expired in January of 2005 and that the
overall millage would be for 1 mill for the proposed truck resulting in a
slight net increase.
17. Bud
Avery wanted to know if there would be lower homeowners insurance in regard to
the proposed fire truck. The Board felt
and the EHVFD confirmed for the board that it most likely would not.
18. Art
Amolsch asked a rhetorical question about how much the volunteer fire fighters
get paid, to which the Board replied nothing except a small stipend for the
Fire Chief. Mr. Amolsch then made the
comment that the community should buy them a new truck.
19. Bruce
Olson made the statement that the board knew how he felt because of past
conversations and then voiced his support for the proposed fire truck.
20. Carolyn
Kesanen asked the rhetorical question about what price is to be put on the
Township’s property and lives.
21. Laura
Leaf wanted to know the time frame for the purchase of the proposed fire truck
and if a special assessment was used would the vote be open to the public. The Board responded that the current grant
expires in January 2005 and would need to be purchased prior to the
expiration. The Board also informed her
that if a Special Assessment was used for financing that public hearings would
be mandatory.
22. Bob
Masnado stated that the proposed fire truck was for the community not the EHVFD
and that he supported the truck.
23. Tom
Franks wanted to know what happens to the old truck. The Board replied to would be up to the EHVFD but most likely
would be sold.
24. Janet
Avery asked if the First Responders would be going away. The reply was no.
25. David
Owens wanted to know if a Special Assessment for the proposed fire truck would
be tax deductible. The Board didn’t
believe that a Special Assessment for a fire truck was tax deductible.
26. Patty
Rastello called for more Volunteer Fire Fighters.
27. Edward
Kisiel Highlighted the fundamental issue regarding the proposed fire truck as
one of protecting the property and lives of the citizens of the Township. He sighted the work of Nobel Prize winner
Milton Friedman’s 1962 book Capitalism and Freedom to support his
assertion that all governments are obligated to protect their citizens. He went on to say that all governments have
the right of taxation to provide infrastructure. The assertion was also made that the board was obligated to
purchase the proposed fire truck based on the sighted philosophical and
economic principles. He also brought
attention to the recently purchased property where the board spent $172,000
with little public or board comment. He
stated that even though he supported the board’s decision to purchase this
property for sewage processing, a choice of priorities was made that was pitted
against the choice of protecting the Township’s property and citizens. He went on to sight the basic principle of
our Free Market Society where individuals when left to their own accord will
act in their own self-interest. He used
this to support his assertion that the board was obligated to pass the proposed
fire truck not by popular vote but by special assessment. He asked that the Board set up the Special
Assessment now to purchase the proposed fire truck. The Board emphasized that it had been criticized in the past for
not seeking enough public input into the new Fire Truck funding issue and that
the Fire Truck funding issue plus Emergency Services funding issue had been
defeated by the voters in August of 2003.
The special comment period was closed as the allotted time had expired.
MM/S Sherk/Lantz to
hold a Special Fire Truck Public Comment Period of up to 25 minutes during the August Board Meeting passed
5-0.
·
Traffic Signs – Reviewed alternative’s and based
upon the report provided to the Supervisor by the Keweenaw County Road
Engineer, which indicated it may be more dangerous to make any changes. MM/S by
Trustees Lantz/Ellis to remove from the agenda passed 5-0.
·
Private Road Ordinance – Tabled/waiting for
advice from attorney, no update.
·
Conservation Easement – Supervisor Sherk reviewed
the Redwyn Dunes Trail extensions to Eagle Harbor’s Dunes Marshes Trail system. Changes to
the Draft document dealing with hunting and animal use were presented by
Supervisor Sherk. MM/S by Treasure
Johnson/Ellis to accept draft passed unanimously.
·
Insurance Risk Control – Tabled awaiting further
information, no update.
·
Water Electrical Ground Ordinance – Tabled, no
update.
·
Assessor Contract – Tabled, no update.
·
UPS Backup for Pump House – Tabled, no change.
·
Results of Election Commission Meeting – Clerk
Olson summarized the minutes of the meeting.
·
Solid Waste Special Assessment Resolution – There
was one (1) written objection, four (4) verbal objections made and no
suggestions for change to the special assessment roll during the Solid Waste
Hearing. MM/S by Supervisor Sherk/Lantz
to accept the Resolution was passed by a 5-0 Roll Call Vote.
·
Storage Shed for Tractor – Bruce Olson summarized
the handout of available sizes and cost.
MM/S by Trustee Lantz/Olson passed unanimously to table until a budget
review could be conducted.
·
New Water Connections – The following proposed
motion was presented by the Supervisor “If services are not available within
the Master Plan area of the Eagle Harbor Water System and a new or replacement
main is necessary and approved for a new hookup, then the new customer’s share
of the new construction would be a $3000 base cost adjusted annually from the
year 2000 level by a construction inflation index if available from out Water
Engineer, otherwise by the annual inflation increase, for each tap in addition
to the regular hookup fee and personal line costs incurred by the
customer”. MM/S by Sherk/Ellis to
accept the new motion for new Eagle Harbor Water System hookups in the Master Plan
area passed unanimously by a Roll Call Vote.
·
Drain field Placement Ordinance – MM/S by Trustee
Lantz/Ellis to Table for further information passed 5-0.
·
Silver River Loop Resurfacing Cost – MM/S by
Treasure Johnson/Lantz to Table for cost estimates from the County Engineer
passed 5-0.
·
911 Street Signage Changes – MM/S by Supervisor
Sherk/Johnson to spend up to $500 for Signage changes and Township 911Address
Books passed 5-0 on a Roll Call Vote. Ginnie and Doug Schubert will work with
our Public Works crew, Our Maintenance person Bruce Olson and the County
engineer to get this signage change done in accordance with 911 needs.
·
Resolution re: Lake Superior Day – MM/S by
Supervisor Sherk/Lantz to proclaim the 3rd Sunday in July as Lake
Superior Day passed unanimously.
·
Pig Roast – Letter from William Smith requesting
the use of the Fire Hall for a private party on August 7, 2004 was read. MM/S by Trustee Ellis/Lantz to allow the use
passed unanimously.
Policy/Rule for public comment: 3 minutes per person – up to 20 minutes total during meeting and 3 minutes per person – up to 20 minutes total under public comment section of agenda.
This policy will be stated on all agendas
Several
Citizens were recognized for the following public comments:
·
Rebecca Markee
commented that Pine Street is in need of resurfacing. Supervisor Sherk commented that the Board has recognized the need
here and in other areas but that until the timeline for the Water project was
determined, new paving should wait.
·
Bruce Olson
commented that any shed for the tractor over 200 square feet would need a
building permit and possibly a licensed builder for installation.
·
The question
was asked whether anyone considering a new hookup to the Eagle Harbor Water
System could drill a well. Supervisor
Sherk that as he understood it they could up until the new water main
extensions were installed.
·
MM/S Olson/Lantz to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. Meeting
adjourned at 9:25 p.m.
__________________________________
Jeane Olson, Clerk
Eagle Harbor Township
-
CERTIFICATION –
I, the undersigned,
Jeane Olson, the duly qualified and elected Clerk for the Township of Eagle
Harbor, Keweenaw County, Michigan, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing is a
true and complete copy of certain proceedings taken by the Township Board of
said Township at a regular board meeting held on the 12th day of July, 2004.
__________________________
Jeane Olson, Clerk
Eagle Harbor Township