At 6:25 p.m. the Oath of Office was administered to the newly elected Genoa Township Board by Township Clerk Paulette Skolarus:

Supervisor McCririe called the regular meeting of the Genoa Township Board to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Genoa Township Hall. The Pledge of Allegiance was then said.

The following board members were present constituting a quorum for the transaction of business: Gary McCririe, Paulette Skolarus, Robin Hunt, Steve Wildman, Jim Mortensen and Todd Smith. Also present were Township Manager Michael Archinal, Township Attorney Rick Heikkinen and five persons in the audience.

A Call to the Public was made with the following response: Linda Dixon – With regard to the Preserve of Genoa, how do you plan to connect to water? McCririe – The connection may go down Glenway or through the state land. Dixon – Where will the pipe run? McCririe – It will run over the hill – underground. If it is on private property we may need to obtain an easement. Dixon – Is the developer allowed to destroy all the trees? McCririe – That developer has gone through the site plan process and there are a number of trees that will be preserved and they are described on the site plan. Dixon – Is the state contemplating the sale of those parcels? McCririe – The state will auction the land and whoever purchases the property will then need to apply for approval through a public hearing of the Planning Commission.

Moved by Hunt, supported by Smith, to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

1. Payment of Bills

2. Approval of Minutes: Nov. 1, 2004

3. Request for approval of appointments and re-appointments to township boards.

4. Request for approval of a contract with Custom Electric Service Co. for control of outdoor lighting with a photocell.

5. Request for approval to add refuse and collection fees to tax bills for December 2004 as requested by the Treasurer.

Approval of Regular Agenda.

Moved by Hunt, supported by Smith, to approve the regular agenda as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Action Items for Discussion:

6. Review of the audited financial statements for Genoa Township, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2004 by Township Auditors Pfeffer, Hanniford and Palka.

Palka advised the board that the audit was complete and the township is in excellent financial condition. He had four recommendations that were outlined in their letter dated Nov. 1, 2004.

Moved by Mortensen, supported by Smith, to receive the audit as presented. The motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Skolarus, supported by Smith, to increase the refuse fee from $80.00 a year to $90.00 a year with the increase to be reflected in the December 2005 tax bill. The motion carried unanimously.

7. Request for approval of the environmental impact assessment, corresponding to site plan for approximately 308.39 acres in Sections 8 and 17 (11-08-400-001, 008, 017, 018; 11-17-200-004, 005, 006; 11-17-300-004 and 11-17-400-015), located south of I-96, west of Nixon Road and north of Crooked Lake Road petitioned by Genoa Township from AG (Agricultural) to CE (Country Estates), as discussed by the Planning Commission 10/12/04.

Moved by Hunt, supported by Skolarus, to approve the rezoning request with the following conditions and understanding:

1. It is consistent with the Master Plan and Future Land Use Map.
2. It is consistent with the goals of the Master Plan with respect to land use.
3. Five-acre lots would not require capacity increases in infrastructure as well as it being able to be serviced by gravel roads.
4. It is compatible with the environmental features in the area and would preserve the unique natural features.
5. Some permitted and Special Land Uses are the same for both zoning districts, with the only difference being the minimum lot size.
6. All surrounding properties are currently zoned Country Estates so it would be consistent with the surrounding area.
The motion carried unanimously.

8. Request for approval to hire an appraiser for the following cases to be held before the tax tribunal: Westbury Apartments, Rolling Ridge Apartments and Great Lakes Housing as requested by Township Assessor Debra Rojewski.

Moved by Mortensen, supported by Hunt, to approve the hiring of an appraiser allowing the Administrative Committee to determine and approve the salary. The motion carried unanimously.

9. Request for approval of Resolutions:

Moved by Smith, supported by Skolarus, to authorize the agreement as requested. The motion carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Smith, Hunt, Wildman, Mortensen, Skolarus and McCririe. Nays – None. Absent – Ledford.

Moved by Hunt, supported by Mortensen, to authorize the application of the grant as requested, noting that the cost of a single optical scan computer is approximately $5,000.00. The motion carried unanimously.

Moved by Smith, supported by Mortensen, to support the grant proposal as requested under the terms of the letter dated 12/02/04 from the Howell City Manager Shea Charles. The motion carried unanimously.

A letter from Glenn Nelson concerning Comcast Cable rates was discussed. Comcast Cable was contacted asking for a change to the contract asking for the senior citizen discount. Comcast refused stating that the discount was only allowed for those communities who have had the clause included in their contract for the past twenty or so years.

A concern by Sue Roseborough concerning a $3.00 monthly fee on her cable bill was discussed. McCririe advised the board that the public right-of-way fee was in place for other utilities and was included in their billings and it would not be appropriate to make any change.

The regular meeting of the Genoa Township Board was adjourned at 7:10 p.m.

Paulette A. Skolarus
Genoa Township Clerk

(PA 12/15/04)