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The regular monthly meeting of the Ann Arbor Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order by Supervisor Moran at 7:30 p.m. at the Township Hall, 3792 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 48105 Present: Supervisor Michael Moran, Treasurer Virginia Forshee, Clerk Rena Basch, Trustees Della DiPietro, Gene Ragland and Richard Dieterle. Also present, Attorney Sandra Sorini Elser and Fire Chief Rick Ericson. Absent: Trustee John Allison Citizen Participation: Karen Kress: 2442 Blueberry Lane. Ms. Kress spoke of her concerns with the annexation at M-14 and Maple Road. Her biggest concern is the traffic and safety issue that will arise with the additional amount of people accessing the high school on Maple Road. Another concern is who is going to pay for the widening of Maple Road. Ms. Kress asks the Board to consider tabling the release of annexation until all the traffic and safety reports are concluded. Denise Heberle: 2580 Craig Road. Ms. Heberle, although she is not a resident of Ann Arbor Township, comes before the board as a neighbor to express her concerns regarding traffic and safety issues on Maple Road. Ms. Heberle and a group of citizens have a website, www.proposedhighschool.org, which outlines the research that has been done regarding the new high school. She asks the board to use whatever power they have to slow the process down so that the appropriate people can look at the plan and shape it into a more reasonable plan. Richard Zillich: Danbury Lane. Dr. Zillich also has problems with traffic and safety. One of the two concerns he has is that the school will only have one entrance. The other concern is the congestion that will occur and the safety of the staff and students. Dr. Zillich comes to the board asking to delay the annexation until the school board asks for release. Esther Kirshenbaum: 2559 Blueberry Lane. Ms. Kirshenbaum has concerns over the environment and the protection of the wetlands. Ms. Kirshenbaum is concerned specifically with an area that she calls “The Pond.” She is asking the board to protect The Pond for whatever amount of time possible. Allen Pagliary: 2959 Blueberry Lane. Mr. Pagliary has concerns on many fronts regarding the proposed site for the new high school. He feels that the main concern of the traffic plan is that the flow is not safe, does not take into account student drivers, bad weather and any unforeseen accidents. Environmentally, he feels that it isn’t a great plan. Ann Arbor City Planning Commission couldn’t get enough votes for annexation. Mr. Pagliary asks the board to table the release of annexation until further information regarding the traffic studies. James VanCoppenolle: 2540 Craig Road. Mr. VanCoppenolle has attended over 25 meetings with the school district and is actively helping plan for the site. He feels that there are some holes that school district is avoiding. These issues revolve around health, safety and welfare. Again, he stresses that Washtenaw Country Road Commission and M-DOT reports are not back. Approval of Minutes: A typographical error on page 2 needs to be corrected, under the heading Public Safety – Fire Department. The second to last sentence should read “for” and not “or.” Also on page 2, under the heading Supervisor’s Report, a wording change regarding the Fire Department Contracts should be changed to “reached” and not “met.” With those corrections Ms. DiPietro made a motion to approve the minutes form January 17, 2005 and Dr. Dieterle seconded the motion. The Board adopted unanimously. Annexations, Ordinances, Conditional Uses, Zoning Silverman – Northbrooke: Steve Robinson called Supervisor Moran asking that this matter be tabled until the next meeting. Ms. DiPietro moved to table the matter at the request of the developer and Dr. Dieterle seconded the motion. The board adopted unanimously. AZ-1-05: Parcel I-09-34-250-008. Request by owners John and Vnona Miller annexation release of one parcel totaling approximately 0.7 acres located at 2600 Geddes Avenue for purpose of hooking up to city utilities for development. Ms. DiPietro moved to release the parcel for annexation. Ms. Basch seconded the motion which the board adopted unanimously. AZ-2-05: Parcel I-09-18-300-003. Supervisor Moran informs the board that the Township can enforce its environmental regulations. Attorney Sandy Sorini Elser feels that the case may be viable. She stated that the case law has not been fully researched. Supervisor Moran also spoke with Don Tilton; the expert hired by the school board, and asked him what his plans were for the pond. Mr. Tilton indicated that it was their desire and plan to move the pond to another appropriate location. Dr. Dieterle expressed his sympathy with the citizens regarding the concern over the traffic congestion issues. Dr. Ragland made the motion to table the release of annexation. Ms. DiPietro seconded the motion which the board adopted unanimously. Appointments, Resolutions, Reports, Discussions Appointment to Planning Commission: Supervisor Moran recommends the appointment of Peter Kotila to fill the vacancy left by the election of Rena Basch as Clerk. Dr. Ragland and Ms. DiPietro both acknowledge Mr. Kotila’s impressive resume. Ms. Basch made the motion to appointment Mr. Peter Kotila to the Planning Commission and Dr. Dieterle supported the motion. The board adopted the motion unanimously. Appointment to Board of Review: Supervisor Moran recommends the appointment of John Talbot to fill the vacancy on the Board of Review. Ms. DiPietro moves to appoint John Talbot to the Board of Review. Dr. Dieterle seconded the motion which was adopted unanimously. Resolution to participate in the Election Coordination Committee: Clerk Rena Basch reports that in 2004 the state legislature passed bills known as Elections Consolidation. Part of the legislation states that elections can only be held on 4 dates within the year: the third Tuesday in February, the first Tuesday after the first Monday in May, November and August. Also, the legislature took away the responsibility of the school districts to conduct school board elections. These elections will take place within the jurisdictions. On the proposed Resolution to Participate in Election Coordinating Committee for School District Elections, dated February 23, 2005, under the Recitals, Recital C needs to be removed. Also, Recital D should read “The Township recognizes the convenience such participation will provide to Township voters.” On the second page of the Resolution, the wording should read as follows, “The Township opts to conduct the School District elections.” Ms. Basch moves to adopt the resolution and Dr. Ragland supports the motion. The resolution is adopted unanimously on a role call vote. Resolution to apply for grant to purchase optical scan vote tabulator: Clerk Rena Basch reports that with the Federal “Help America Vote” Act, federal money became available to help upgrade voting equipment used throughout the state. Ms. Basch made the motion to adopt the resolution that the Township Clerk is designated as a grant manager for Ann Arbor Charter Township for the purpose of the attached grant application and that the Clerk would be authorized to submit the grant to purchase two optical scan vote tabulators at no cost to the Township. Ms. DiPietro seconded the motion which was adopted unanimously on a role call vote. Water and Sewer Service Agreements: Dr. Ragland moves approval of the Water Supply Agreement and the Wastewater Treatment Capacity and Service Agreement contingent on city approval. Ms. DiPietro supported the motion which was adopted unanimously. Ms. DiPietro made the motion to approve the Authorization to sign Waiver and Release Agreement which Dr. Dieterle supported. The board adopted the motion unanimously. Washtenaw Metro Alliance: Dr. Ragland presented information regarding the Washtenaw Metro Alliance. He discussed the current conditions and goal assessments. Dr. Ragland also stated some of the tasks that the WMA hoped to accomplish including, mapping, defining how to acquire or connect land, and holding public workshops. Dr. Ragland also asked the board to approve a contribution to the WMA in the amount of $4,500. Ms. DiPietro made the motion to approve $4,500 to contribute to the WMA and Dr. Dieterle seconded the motion. The board adopted the motion unanimously. Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board: Dr. Ragland reports to the board information on the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Committee. Currently the Farmland and Open Space Preservation Board is investigating private fundraising. After review, Attorney Sandy Sorini Elser concludes that the donations will be able to be considered tax deductible funds. More research and possibly a purchase or two may be needed before this committee will actually ask for private funds. Supervisor’s Report: Supervisor Moran reports on the MTA Annual Conference and Seminars including millage, special assessment, and installment contracts. Toyota Technical Center will continue to conduct business in Ann Arbor Township. Washtenaw County Road Commission Board has appointed replacements for the previous vacancies. Both appointees have township experience. The Emerald Ash Borer State program includes a system that the township would have to elicit volunteers to implement. The Phase II Educational Costs amount to $1.70 per household. The Fire Contract Discussions are going well and an agreement is hoped to be reached next month. Planning Commission: Supervisor Moran reports that the Planning Commission is working on the definition of a child care center and redefining current conditional uses in agricultural areas. Public Safety – Fire Department: Fire Chief Rick Ericson proposes enlargement of Station 2 Meeting Room. Currently, the meeting room holds 27 people. With the proposed enlargement, the meeting room could hold 36-38 people. Basically the plan includes the removal of a wall and a raise in the ceiling in the hallway. The plan has been approved by Gary Dresselhouse. Chief Ericson has received 2 bids for the construction and another bid for raising the sprinkler system. The money used for this project is from the interest on the Capital Improvement Plan and will not take away from other funds. Dr. Dieterle made the motion to approve enlargement of the meeting room, costs not to exceed $6,500. Dr. Ragland seconded the motion which was adopted unanimously. Chief Ericson also reviewed information regarding the National Incident Management System. In September 2005 every entity will need to adopt the NIMS in order to receive grant funding. Public Safety – Sheriff Department: A report from the Sheriff’s Department was provided in the briefing packet. Building Department: The report from the building department was reviewed. Personnel Committee: Supervisor Moran reports that the Personnel Committee recommended that full time employees have a 3% increase in pay; a one time bonus of $750.00 to Marcie Scaturo; and Jane Duey to receive an increase in pay by 3%. Ms. DiPietro moved approval of the Personnel Committees recommendations and Ms. Basch seconded the motion. The board adopted unanimously. Approval of Claims Listings: Ms. DiPietro moved approval of the claims listings for February 2, 2005 in the amount of $27, 799.94. Dr. Dieterle seconded the motion which the Board adopted unanimously. Dr. Ragland moved approval of the claims listings for February 17, 2005 in the amount of $38, 007.38. Dr. Dieterle seconded the motion which was adopted unanimously.
Information Planning and Zoning News: Were included in the packet for information only. MTA Legislative Updates: Were included in the packet for information only. Recent Legal Issues: Copy of materials received at annual MTA convention was included in the packet for information only. Non-Agenda Items: There were no non-agenda items brought forth for discussion. Public Comment: There was no public comment. Adjournment: At approximately 10:00 p.m., Supervisor Moran moved that the meeting be adjourned. Dr. Ragland seconded the motion, the motion was adopted unanimously and the meeting was adjourned. _________________________ _________________________ Michael Moran, Supervisor Rena Basch, Clerk
Minutes prepared by Mary Volger
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