DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP

BOARD OF TRUSTEES
REGULAR MEETING MINUTES
TUESDAY, MARCH 21, 2006


The Delhi Charter Township Board of Trustees met in a regular meeting on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 in the Multipurpose Room at the Community Services Center, 2074 Aurelius Road, Holt, Michigan. Supervisor Goodrich called the meeting to order at 7:30 p.m.


PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

ROLL CALL

Members Present: Supervisor Stuart Goodrich, Clerk Evan Hope, Trustees John Hayhoe, Paul Krepps, Roy Sweet

Members Absent: Treasurer Harry Ammon, Trustee Jerry Ketchum

Others Present:

John Elsinga, Twp. Mgr.
Al McFadyen, DDA Executive Dir.
Marian Frane, Director of Accounting
Mark Jenks, Dir. of Parks & Recreation
Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent
Pat Brown, Fire Marshal/Safety Officer
Terry Powers, Maintenance Supervisor
Karin Tebeau, Assistant Treasurer/Deputy Treasurer
Tricia Vander Ploeg, Admin. Assistant/Dep. Supervisor
Amy Finch, Assistant Twp. Clerk/Deputy Clerk


2005 ANNUAL REPORT – DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY/ BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Al McFadyen, DDA Executive Director, gave the 2005 Annual Downtown Development Authority/Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Report (ATTACHMENT I).


NEW BUSINESS

APPOINTMENT TO DELHI TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSION – JOHN MULVANEY

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 14, 2006 from Supervisor Goodrich (ATTACHMENT II).

KREPPS MOVED TO APPOINT JOHN MULVANEY TO DELHI TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSION, EFFECTIVE MARCH 22, 2006 AND EXPIRING NOVEMBER 20, 2006 WITH THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

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


APPOINTMENT TO DELHI TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSION – PHILLIP KNAPMAN

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 14, 2006 from Supervisor Goodrich (ATTACHMENT III).

HOPE MOVED TO APPOINT PHILLIP KNAPMAN TO THE DELHI TOWNSHIP PARK COMMISSION, EFFECTIVE MARCH 22, 2006 AND EXPIRING NOVEMBER 20, 2006 WITH THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION.

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

Clerk Hope administered the Oath of Office to Phillip Knapman for the office of Park Commission.


 

PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (POTW) LABORATORY SUPPLY AND EQUIPMENT ORDER

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 15, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent (ATTACHMENT IV).

HAYHOE MOVED TO APPROVE THE PUBLICLY OWNED TREATMENT WORKS (POTW) EXPENDITURE FOR LABORATORY SUPPLIES FROM FISHER SCIENTIFIC COMPANY IN THE AMOUNT OF $20,306.92.

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


 

DISPOSAL OF FIXED ASSETS - AMBULANCE

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 14, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and March 13, 2006 from Fire Chief Rick Royston (ATTACHMENT V)

SWEET MOVED TO SELL THE 1995 FORD NATIONAL AMBULANCE (VIN #1FDKF37F7SNB40759) TO LESLIE FIRE DEPARTMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $4,000 WITH SAID TRANSACTION OCCURRING AFTER THE RECEIPT OF THE 2006 FORD E-450 SUPERLINER AMBULANCE CURRENTLY ON ORDER.

Pat Brown, Fire Marshal/Safety Officer, stated that this ambulance would be kept until the order of the new ambulance is in place.

Trustee Sweet questioned how bids are solicited and wondered if the bid from Leslie was the only one received. Fire Marshal Pat Brown stated that the process started out by word of mouth. Lifeline, the company that the Fire Department is purchasing the new ambulance from, indicated that they could probably receive approximately $5,000 for this vehicle; however, it would go to an out-of-state agency. It was decided to keep the ambulance in the area to help a neighboring agency which would continue our support of regional cooperation and mutual aid. Fire Marshal Pat Brown stated that sometimes the vehicles are taken to the State auction to sell.

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


 

PHP PLUS BENEFIT PLAN RENEWAL

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 7, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT VI).

HAYHOE MOVED TO APPROVE THE “PHP PLUS” BENEFIT PLAN RENEWAL, OPTION 3, FOR THE APRIL 1, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2007 PLAN YEAR, FOR EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE, WITH A CHANGE IN PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE ONLY, WHICH INCLUDES A DEDUCTIBLE.

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

 

DELTA DENTAL PLAN RENEWAL

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 15, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT VII).

HOPE MOVED TO APPROVE THE INSURANCE RENEWAL WITH DELTA DENTAL PLAN OF MICHIGAN FOR THE APRIL 1, 2006 THROUGH MARCH 31, 2007 PLAN YEAR, WITH NO CHANGE IN BENEFIT COVERAGE FOR EMPLOYEE DENTAL CARE.

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


AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO RESOLUTION NO. 2005-052 – FY 2006 SEWER FUND BUDGET

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 15, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT VIII).

SWEET MOVED TO ADOPT AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO RESOLUTION NO. 2005-052 – FY 2006 SEWER FUND BUDGET.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated there are five (5) elements to this budget. The first amendment is for $60,000 for capital outlay, which will provide for three (3) of the five (5) new vehicles to be purchased this spring.

The second amendment includes reducing the Solids Handling Upgrade line item from $4,500,000 to $750,000 for the engineering, financial and legal components for the two (2) new digesters at the POTW.

The third capital improvement amendment is $250,000 for the design and construction of the recycling center at the POTW.

The fourth amendment is $241,000 for engineering services for the design of the Onondaga/Gunn Road sewage lift station and discharge force main.

The fifth amendment is $115,000 for engineering services for the design of 2,200 feet of gravity sewer along College Road, south of Holt Road.

The total change in the Sewer Fund Expense Budget is a $3,084,000 reduction in expenses representing an increase of $660,000 in new projects and a decrease of $3,750,000 for the rescheduled construction project.

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



PURCHASE OF TOWNSHIP VEHICLES FROM BERGER CHEVROLET

The Board reviewed memorandums dated March 15, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent/Terry Powers, Maintenance Supervisor (ATTACHMENT IX).

HAYHOE MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF THREE (3) 2006 CHEVY SILVERADO 4 X 4 ľ TON PICKUP TRUCKS FROM BERGER CHEVROLET IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,169 EACH FOR A TOTAL AMOUNT OF $57,507.

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


PURCHASE OF TOWNSHIP VEHICLE FROM SNETHKAMP DODGE

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 15, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent/Terry Powers, Maintenance Supervisor (ATTACHMENT X).

HOPE MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A 2006 DODGE DAKOTA
4 X 4 CREW CAB PICKUP TRUCK FROM SNETHKAMP DODGE IN THE AMOUNT OF $19,200.01.

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


PURCHASE OF TOWNSHIP VEHICLE FROM GORNOR FORD

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 15, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga and Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent/Terry Powers, Maintenance Supervisor (ATTACHMENT XI).

SWEET MOVED TO APPROVE THE PURCHASE OF A 2006 FORD RANGER 4 X 4 PICKUP TRUCK FROM GORNOR FORD IN THE AMOUNT OF $15,401.

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


CONSENT AGENDA

A. Approval of Minutes – Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 7, 2006

B. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting of March 7, 2006

C. Approval of Claims – March 14, 2006 (ATTACHMENT XII)

D. Approval of Payroll – March 9, 2006 (ATTACHMENT XIII)

E. Authorization to Balance Water District #70 2006 Debt Service Budget (ATTACHMENT XIV)

F. Authorization to Balance Water District #71 2006 Debt Service Budget (ATTACHMENT XV)

G. Authorization to Balance Water District #72 2006 Debt Service Budget
(ATTACHMENT XVI)

H. Authorization to Balance Section 2 Sewer Special Assessment District
(ATTACHMENT XVII)

HAYHOE MOVED TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.

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


LATE AGENDA ITEMS

21ST CENTURY FUND/MICHIGAN JOBS INITIATIVE GRANT

The Board reviewed a memorandum dated March 20, 2006 from Twp. Mgr. Elsinga (ATTACHMENT XVIII).

HOPE MOVED TO AUTHORIZE THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER TO DEVELOP AND SIGN A LETTER OF SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP TO APPLY FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN 21ST CENTURY FUND/MICHIGAN JOBS INITIATIVE GRANT.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that the Township produces approximately 30,000 cubic feet of methane a day, which is flared off. With the increase in energy costs, Hubbell, Roth and Clark (HRC) were asked if any energy grants were available to give consideration to buying a generator based on an energy recovery system.

HRC discovered that Michigan State University, in co-operation with HESCO Sustainable Energy and Coffman Electrical, is applying for a grant under the 21st Century Fund, also called the Michigan Jobs Initiative. This grant would provide the Township with the requested equipment, which will include an upgrade to a digester to produce Class A sludge (the current proposal is for a digester to produce Class B sludge). A digester that produces Class A sludge will produce more gas, which will produce more energy to the generators. Heat will be produced to offset the heat requirements to the generators. This will utilize energy in a more cost-effective manner by using the methane. Waste heat will be used to heat the digesters and sludge will be produced that can be used commercially or residentially, along with the current agricultural market.

Sandra Diorka, POTW Superintendent, stated that she has been looking at this for approximately five (5) years. In her opinion, the current practice of flaring the methane gas is wasting a resource. Through the current digester, enough gas is generated to produce approximately 15% of the electricity used at the Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Curt Christeson of Hubbell, Roth & Clark, stated that this is a benefit to the community. The reason these companies are interested in working with the Township is because the Waste Water Treatment Plant has the reputation of being in the forefront of treatment and doing a good job at it.

Trustee Krepps questioned if this falls under the Commercialization component of the 21st Century Jobs Fund. Ms. Diorka stated that she believed that it did.

Trustee Sweet questioned if this would eliminate the sludge hauling. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that the hauling could be reduced with less product made.
Ms. Diorka stated that through this coalition and in conjunction with this grant, which is worth approximately $300,000, the Township may be able to qualify for 0% interest financing on the rest of the project through Federal Renewable Energy funds.

Trustee Sweet questioned the timeline of the grant process. Trustee Krepps stated that they are planning to make award announcements in early July.

Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that they would continue with the State Revolving Fund program in addition to applying for this grant.

Trustee Krepps stated that as an employee of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which is responsible for administrating the 21st Century Jobs Fund, and for partially making recommendations to the Commercialization Board, he would abstain from voting on this motion.

HOPE MOVED THAT WE (THE TOWNSHIP BOARD) ALLOW TRUSTEE KREPPS TO ABSTAIN ON VOTING ON THIS ISSUE DUE TO A POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

A Voice Poll Vote was recorded as follows: All Ayes
Absent: Ammon, Ketchum
MOTION CARRIED

Roll Call Vote on the Main Motion:
A Roll Call Vote was recorded as follows:
Ayes: Hayhoe, Hope, Sweet, Goodrich
Abstained: Krepps
Absent: Ammon, Ketchum
MOTION CARRIED


 

REPORTS

SUPERVISOR

INGHAM COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION 2006 LOCAL ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM

The Board reviewed a letter dated March 8, 2006 from John W. Midgley P.E., Managing Director, Ingham County Road Commission (ATTACHMENT XIX).


SCHEDULE JOINT TOWNSHIP BOARD/DDA BOARD MEETING

Supervisor Goodrich stated that a joint meeting with the DDA Board and the Board of Trustees needs to be scheduled at a time other than the regularly scheduled Board of Trustees or DDA Board’s regularly scheduled meeting dates. The Board decided on either April 17th or April 20th, 2006. The DDA will discuss these possible dates at their next meeting.


TREASURER

WINTER TAXES

Karin Tebeau, Assistant Treasurer, stated that their office is finishing the final distributions for tax pay outs for this year. Their office will soon be getting ready for the Summer Tax collection.



CLERK

SPECIAL GENERAL ELECTION – MARCH 14, 2006


Clerk Hope stated that another election was held since the March 7, 2006 Board of Trustees meeting. The election results were posted on the Township website and sent to the Ingham County Clerk’s Office by 9:15 p.m.


TRUSTEES

TRUSTEE SWEET

MARCH BOARD OF REVIEW

Trustee Sweet questioned if the Board of Review is completed. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that he has spoken with Steve Hudson, Assessor. The Board of Review has some consideration of the appeals and some relief was provided, which will make the roll a little less than what the initial roll was. Twp. Mgr. Elsinga stated that there were approximately 240-250 appeals submitted, which includes commercial as well as residential properties.


ADJOURNMENT

Meeting Adjourned at 8:45 p.m.


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