Unadilla Township Special Meeting Minutes
April 9, 2009
Meeting called to order at 10:30 a.m. Present: Walker, Topping, Mahler, Cowan, Weiland. Absent: None. Also present: Attorney’s Paul Burns and Brad Maynes. Call to Public: None: Motion Walker support Mahler we enter into closed session at 10: 38 a.m. for the purpose of discussing ongoing litigation pursuant to MCL 15.268 (E). Roll Vote: Ayes: Cowan, Mahler, Walker, Weiland, Topping. Nays: None. Absent; None. Returned to open session at 11:40 a.m. No further business conducted. Motion Mahler support Topping to adjourn at 11:43 a.m. Carried.
Linda Topping, Clerk
Unadilla Township Regular Meeting Minutes
Meeting called to order at 7:01 p.m. Pledge to flag. Present: Walker, Topping, Mahler, Cowan, Weiland. Absent: None. Motion Walker support Cowan to approve the agenda as amended. Carried. Motion Topping support Walker to approve consent agenda items, including minutes of March and payment of bills as presented. Carried. Call to Public: Mr. Borg expressed concern and anger at neighbor being allowed to Live in illegal trailer, junk, illegal septic system, etc. Karen Weaver also present upset that Mr. Lewis be allowed to have trailer and no permits, they all had to get permits. Walker stated that he was to be reviewed in May and give Township update on his cleanup and building a home situation. Topping stated we need to take action and get County Building, Health and Drain departments involved. Walker stated she will contact Mr. Lewis to get update on situation. Update on Escher building, Carol Escher was present to try to explain their perspective on the building and legal fees. She offered to agree to pay half of the Township’s legal fees based on payment terms previously agreed upon in a meeting with the Township Supervisor. She was told the board would be going into closed session later in the meeting to discuss legal strategy. Police Report by Chief Cook, he reports the 2006 car needed starter repairs. He also reports that Pub owner Mr. Taylor thanked Ryan Hamlin for his efforts in thwarting a break-in at the Pub. The Chief requested permission to apply for a COPS grant, after much discussion and his explanation that it is now very different motion by Walker support by Cowan to authorized Chief Cook to apply for grant and if received we can decide if we accept it. Carried. Chief Cook also requests permission for Hamlin to apply for grant for additional camera in downtown area. Motion Topping support Mahler to approve grant request. Carried. Fire Report by Asst. Chief Curtis, he reports they applied for turn-out-gear grant which would help their budget if received. He also is requesting the fire department change their policies and procedures manual to update the pay scale to a pay grade based policy. Motion Topping support Walker to approve new policy as presented. Carried. Curtis also requests approval of fire officers, no change from previous year. Motion Mahler support Walker to approve fire officers with no changes. Carried. Curtis also requesting permission to allow Unadilla Presbyterian Church use of the building for bake sale fundraiser. Motion Topping support Walker to approve of Church use on 5/23/09. Carried. Curtis also explained tanker task force and requested permission to join. It was explained that this is similar to our mutual aid program but now will only require one call and a dispatcher will dispatch any mutual aid needs for tanker. Motion Walker support Cowan to approve joining task force. Carried. Recreation Report by Cowan, she reports they met with planner and hope to complete recreation plan within 3 months. Waste Management County meeting was held and they are coordinating an electronics drop off day May 2nd at the County. They plan to remove the backstop at the Unadilla Park and hold an open house at the park and get input on the recreation plan on June 3, 2009 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Clean up day has been set for May 30th, fliers to come. Correspondence: Walker reports that Mr. Pease has left some property in Unadilla Township to Georgia University, she is talking to representatives to see if they may donate to the land conservancy. Unfinished Business: Recreation Contract with DNR discussed. G. Topping and James Peterson report that there are some major bad spots on trail and that contract should clarify that they will continue to repair these major areas. Motion Cowan support Weiland that we approve DNR lease with insertion that pre-existing drainage issues we are not responsible for repairs. Carried. New Business: Recreation Plan contract was presented, Motion Cowan support Walker to approve of contract with Carlisle Wortman. Carried. Mahler requests Walker contact Multi-Lakes Sewer authority regarding adding Fresh Air Camp into sewer district and what they would require to do so. Motion Walker support Cowan to enter into closed session for the purpose of discussing ongoing litigation pursuant to MCL 15.268(E) at 8:40 p.m. Roll Vote: Ayes: Cowan, Mahler, Walker, Weiland, Topping. Nays: None. Absent: None. Carried. Returned to open session at 8:48 p.m. Motion Walker support Mahler to accept Escher proposal of half attorney fees with $1,000.00 down and payment of $200.00 per month till paid. Topping opposed. Motion Carried. Final Call to the Public: Peterson expressed frustration at settlement of attorney fees. Monica from Sun Times questioned attorney fees also. Walker explained that with visiting judge you take your chances on any attorney fees being given, half better than none. Weiland wanted to thank Jim Peterson and Linda Walker for their time spent in court on behalf of the township in a lawsuit we won. Motion Mahler support Cowan to adjourn at 8:58 p.m. Carried.
Linda Topping, Clerk