Supervisor McCririe called the regular meeting of the Genoa Charter Township Board to order at 6:30 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was then said. The following persons were present constituting a quorum for the transaction of business: Gary McCririe, Paulette Skolarus, Robin Hunt, Todd Smith, Jean Ledford, Steve Wildman and Jim Mortensen. Also present were Township Manager Michael Archinal and approximately twenty-five persons in the audience.

A Call to the Public was made with no response.

Approval of Consent Agenda:
Moved by Smith, supported by Wildman, to approve all items included on the consent agenda with the addition of a request for approval of a bid from Irish Construction for the installation of an elevator in the Township Hall at a cost of $57,800.00 with a $4,000.00 contingency for engineering. The amended agenda was voted and carried unanimously.

Approval of Regular Agenda:
Moved by Smith, supported by Hunt, to approve the regular agenda items for action, with the addition of a closed session of the board to discuss the purchase of real estate. The amended agenda was voted and carried unanimously.

A call to property owners was made with the following response: Philip Poma – Will vacant property be assessed? McCririe – Yes. Poma – They will not provide weed control on vacant property. Jim French (President of the Pardee Lake Association) – The DNR limits the amount of weed control on the lake shore to within 30’ of any dock. We do treat the whole lake. Poma – I cannot get a boat on that lake from my vacant property. Jack Lovejoy – According to the DEQ, Mr. Poma needs to identify the area he would place a dock and then that vacant parcel could be treated.

Michele Santoni – How many bids were accepted? French – Three. Santoni – Who keeps track of the money and how long is this district established for? McCririe – The district is established for five years. Skolarus – The Township collects the money through the treasurer’s office. The funds are then distributed to your homeowner’s association when your association receives a bill. The bill is submitted to my office and a check is made payable to your association and the service provider. Should all of the funds not be used within the five years, then what is left could be used for the sixth year of weed control. Byron Rogers – I will provide copies of all the bids. The lake needs two or three applications a year.

Lyle Albrant – I have two parcels on the lake and I am willing to pay it. I want to thank the township for its willingness to collect for us. Also, I want to thank Mr. Rogers for all his hard work. The lake needs a lot of care and the previous contracts have been insufficient. We need better chemical treatment. Debbie Hall – I also have two parcels and I am being taxed twice. I think that it is a wonderful thing that this board is doing.

Jim Hoerle – How is this SAD divided? McCririe – On a benefit basis with each parcel being charged the same amount. French – This petition was not just the trustees making a decision. We had a general meeting with more than 25 persons present and they all wanted better treatment for the lake.

Al Hendra – In order to combine property, I am assuming that the parcels need to be contiguous. McCririe – Yes.

Rogers – Our general membership meeting was May 11, 2006 when we discussed the $20,000.00 contract. McCririe – Contact Mr. Lavanture if you have other concerns or wish to make changes in the application. Hall – Harvesting is done to the whole lake. If you want weeds in front of your property taken care of the cost to the shore line is $100.00 and this is done through the association.

Bob Nowacki – What about Marion Township? Will they be included in the district? McCririe – No. Rogers – We will contact Marion residents and ask for a contribution.

Moved by Skolarus, supported by Smith, to confirm the special assessment roll with 43 parcels in the district. Further, it is noted that two letters of objection were received – one from John and Joyce Trudel and one from Philip Poma, Jr. The motion carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Ledford, Smith, Hunt, Wildman, Mortensen, Skolarus and McCririe. Nays – None. Absent – None.

Moved by Smith, supported by Wildman, to approve Resolution No. 1 noting that the assessment will be included on the winter 2007 tax roll. The motion carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Ledford, Smith, Hunt, Wildman, Mortensen, Skolarus and McCririe. Nays – None. Absent – None.

Moved by Ledford, supported by Smith, to adjourn to closed session at 7:30 p.m. to discuss the purchase of real estate. The motion carried by roll call vote as follows: Ayes – Ledford, Smith. Hunt, Wildman, Mortensen, Skolarus and McCririe. Nays – None. Absent – None.

The regular board meeting was again opened.

Smith advised the board that he would bring a resolution to the board at the next regular meeting concerning participation in Howell Parks and Recreation.

The board discussed a request from residents of Baetcke Lake asking for the establishment of a special assessment district for energy consumption in the operation of the pump for the lake. It was the consensus of the board to limit special assessment districts to road improvement, sewer and water treatment, weed control and lighting.

The regular meeting of the board was adjourned at 8:50 p.m.

Paulette A. Skolarus
Genoa Township Clerk

(Press/Argus 09/27/06)