JAMESTOWN CHARTER TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING

September 20, 2010  7:00 p.m.

 

 

 

 

09-20-01    The meeting was called to order by Miedema at 7:00 p.m.

 

09-20-02    Invocation was given by Gary Boverhof.

 

09-20-03    Members present: Gary Boverhof, Scott Brouwer, Dan Jensen, Jim Miedema, Ruth Pruis, Tim Tacoma and Norma Shaarda.  Absent: None.

 

09-20-04    Motion by Boverhof seconded by Shaarda to approve the agenda with the addition of approving the minutes of the August 18, 2010 special board meeting and deleting appointing new firefighter.  Carried.

 

09-20-05    Motion by Boverhof seconded by Shaarda to change the minutes of the regular board meeting of August 16, 2010.  The request was for item 08-16-10 to read “alleged” instead of “the fact” and to approve the special meeting held August 18, 2010 as presented.  Carried.

 

09-20-06    Public comment:  Citizen Ted Woltjer asked that all Township expenditures be posted online.  He also spoke against making the purchasing policy change retroactive and requested that the sewer committee not be dissolved because the work isn’t finished and has had good results to date.  (Copy attached.)  

 

Taxpayer Ben Schreiber spoke regarding the Fire Department Ordinance and he requested rationale for the fire department to use general funds for “incidental items” since they collect two millages, which the voters have  renewed.  “Business has proceeded as usual with the millage money and the department just purchased a new truck for ½ million dollars.”

 

County Commissioner Bob Karsten spoke on behalf of the County Commission giving an update of the financial situation there.

 

09-20-07    Motion by Jensen seconded by Shaarda to approve the consent agenda.  Carried.

09-20-08    Reports were received for information.

 

09-20-09    The supervisor asked if any board member had correspondence they would like to share.  Trustee Gary Boverhof read a letter he had written criticizing fellow trustee Tim Tacoma.  (Letter attached.)

 

09-20-10    Motion by Shaarda seconded by Boverhof to adopt the fire department  ordinance.  Fire department liaison Tacoma questioned Article 6 regarding the appointment of citizens at large.  He asked for a procedure to solicit people to serve on the committee.  The supervisor felt he had the right to choose, because he is the supervisor.  It was decided the openings would be advertised.  Fire Chief Saladino addressed the use of general funds and said that was only meant for a creation of a fire department.  Pruis was uncomfortable with the term “incidental” and wished to have a dollar amount attached to avoid abuse in the future.  Atty. Sullivan suggested changing it to read “debts incurred to support continued operation”.  Carried with changes.

 

09-20-11    Motion by Jensen seconded by Shaarda to table appointment of citizens to the fire department liaison committee until the positions have been posted and opened to the public.  Carried.

 

09-20-12    Motion by Shaarda seconded by Jensen to adopt the street light resolution for Phase B of Rolling Meadows.  Carried.

 

09-20-13    Motion by Shaarda seconded by Jensen to make purchasing policy amendment of August 16, 2010 retroactive to March 15, 2010, when the initial policy was adopted.  Atty. Sullivan stated that making it retroactive could not  pre-empt the unanimous decision of the board of July 19, 2010 to bid out the “abandonment” of the sewer pump station on 32nd Ave.  That motion stands.  Roll call vote:  Carried.  YES: Miedema, Shaarda, Boverhof and Jensen.  NO: Brouwer, Tacoma and Pruis. (See attached memo.)

 

09-20-14    Motion by Miedema seconded by Boverhof to dissolve the Utilities Committee.  Shaarda stated that there should have been board members on the committee.  Pruis pointed out that Miedema was on as supervisor and Pruis served on the committee since she is the board liaison to the utilities and that both are board members.  Shaarda said the board never appointed a committee.  Miedema chose to withdraw his motion stating that a committee that doesn’t exist can’t be dissolved.

 

09-20-15    Motion by Brouwer seconded by Boverhof to contract with BS&A for online services of assessing, taxes and utilities at a cost not to exceed $9,000 per year..  Brouwer wishes to have taxes and utilities with an update frequency in Real-Time/Daily and the assessing department feels quarterly is sufficient.  The cost for Real-Time/Daily cost is $3,000 each per year and quarterly is $1,500 per year for each application..  Brouwer will work with BS&A regarding this matter.  Roll call vote:  Carried. (Proposal attached.) 

 

09-20-16    Motion by Jensen seconded by Boverhof to rejoin the GVMC.  Boverhof feels Jamestown should spend the money to join with them because “there is power in numbers”.  Brouwer stated that we have had no negative results in the township since we have not been members and that the public has affirmed that it was the correct decision to withdraw.  Pruis asked why this is brought up for the third time in six months and wondered why when something is a no vote, it keeps coming back.  She questioned if we would be revisiting this issue if the vote had been yes.  Roll call vote:  Carried.  YES: Miedema, Shaarda, Jensen and Boverhof.  NO:  Brouwer, Tacoma and Pruis.

 

09-20-17    Motion by Boverhof seconded by Brouwer to present the bills. Carried.

 

09-20-18    Motion by Miedema seconded by Brouwer to pay the bills.  Roll call vote: Carried.

 

09-20-19    Hearing no objections the meeting adjourned at 8:18 p.m.                            .

 

 

 

Ruth Pruis

Jamestown Township Clerk