Synopsis
Glen Arbor Town Board
Regular Meeting

March 18, 2008
Supervisor Soderholm called the regular meeting of the Township Board to order at 7:30 PM, in the Glen Arbor Town hall meeting room. All Board members present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The agenda was presented and approved as amended by motion. Minutes of regular meeting 02/19/2008 were approved by motion. Deputy Rocky Cadieux gave report. Treasurer’s report was given with cash on hand of $4,714,372.15. To a packed crowd, Supervisor Soderholm introduced members of the public doing work on the Public Restroom project. The Glen Arbor Chamber is represented by David Marshall. Sara Litch, from the Glen Lake Garden Club made a presentation. An 8-person sub-committee of the Garden Club has been formulating ideas for the proposed bathroom/garden area located at the Old Fire hall property. “lunch in the park”, small events, two championship trees, a starting point for garden walking tours, a meeting point and resting place for shoppers, are among their ideas for the park area. A kiosk for the Chamber and a bathroom are in the plan as well. The Petersons presented a 4’ x 6’, 3-dimentional layout. Soderholm said the Board is concerned with several issues; development costs, on-going maintenance, well water and drain field. Soderholm presented a financial projection: Costs $183,135., Revenue Sources $37,000 (other than township). The Township Capital Contribution is estimated $143,435. Annual maintenance expense of $5,000 will be offset with Chamber pledge $1,800/year and less porta-potties rental of $1,800. Soderholm suggests an amendment to Park Recreation plan to include bathroom so that a Brownfield Waterfront Redevelopment Grant could be applied for (deadline March 26, 2008). Resolution #5-2008 to amend GA Township Community Park to include installation of public restrooms at the Old Fire Hall site. Motion carried 3-2. Sewer Feasibility Study presented summary. 300 properties, many still undeveloped, were identified. Collecting wastewater would be a high-pressure system with grinder pumps. Two treatment sites are identified and an estimated cost for hookup is $15,000 - $25,000. Soderholm summarized progress between Empire and Glen Arbor Emergency Services/Fire Fighting services. The process is moving forward and costs savings for capital equipment is estimated at $50,000. Cost sharing based on a formula/ration of 53% Glen Arbor/47% Empire. Bills for the General Fund for $34,208.58 and Emergency Services for $89,435.42 were approved by motion. Bills reflect a once a year insurance cost of $21,900 for Emergency Service trucks. Fire Chief John Dodson not present. Emergency Services Advisory Commission reports 4 new members hired 3 from outside the area. By motion the Board agreed to hire Matt Scheanowalt, Shane holly, Jonathon Marchel, and Adam Sevensma to Glen Arbor Emergency Services staff. Department reports are available on www.glenarborfire.com. Three permits issued per Zoning Admin. Hawley. Correspondence received: several in support of the restrooms and park, M-DEQ permit denied, and other periodicals were reviewed. Leelanau County Planning Commission reviewed Glen Arbor’s plan and had some comments. Motion carried to approve changes as noted by the County Board, except verbiage regarding rental signs in residential areas. There were several public comments regarding the public restrooms proposal. Road end issues and shoveling of sidewalks also discussed. Public asked for clarification on the 3-2 vote on restroom issue. Soderholm clarified that the vote was to amend, by Resolution, the Community Park Recreation plan to include an amendment to include a public restroom on the old Fire Hall site. A fund raising “thermometer” was recommended, with efforts to receive donations from the public. No further comments from the Board. Supervisor reported 24 in person and 79 letters to the Board of Review held earlier in the month. Meeting adjourned at 9:40 PM. Copies of Township minutes are available at the Township office and on the websites www.glenarbortownship.com
Respectfully submitted,
Dana Roman, Deputy Clerk