Supervisor Koshar called the meeting to order at 6:00pm and led the pledge of allegiance. Roll Call: Koshar, Schick, Hess, Mroz, and Plummer
Motion by Schick, second by Hess, to approve the agenda – All Ayes – motion carried
Motion by Hess, second by Schick, to approve the minutes from the March 19, 2024 with the change of the date of the November 2024 election and the information on the Red Run Road variance lawsuit. All ayes – motion carried.
Motion by Koshar, support by Mroz, to pay the bills as presented. Roll Call: Ayes: Koshar, Mroz, Schick, Hess, and Plummer. Motion Carried
Motion by Schick, support by Hess, to accept treasurer’s report as presented. All Ayes – motion carried.
Public Comments:
Village President Dennis Irwin inquired about the issues regarding ambulance service shortage in the County. There is concern that calls were coming from the Dowagiac area and our Ambulance Service was not getting paid for runs. Commissioner Locke indicated that she attended meetings of other townships, and they are in the process of signing a contract with SMCAS. The consensus was to work together to make sure that the needs were met.
REPORTS:
• Cass County Sheriff’s Department Report – Two new deputies have completed the training and will be on the road soon. Another two will begin in about 16 weeks.
• Sexton Kruger – 1 burial in last two months. Cremations have been scheduled for coming months. Water has been turned on at Cemetery.
• Commissioner Locke – None
• MAESA – Schick presented report for MAESA board and discussion followed. Hess moved, with a second by Plummer, to approve the definition of Capitalized Equipment, per dictionary, includes all tangible, non- expendable, moveable assets having a useful life of more than one year and a value of $5,000 or greater or are plated vehicles, trailers, or boats. All Ayes. Motion Carried
• Zoning Report – None
• Planning Commission – Meeting was scheduled for May 8, 2024.
• Blight Report – None
• Supervisor’s Report:
o Supervisor Koshar shared information on tiny homes. Motion by Koshar, seconded by Hess, to investigate, and possibly draft, a potential tiny homes/special use amendment. All Ayes. Motion Carried.
o Update on road repairs – Elm Drive was inadvertently missed. Motion by Koshar, seconded by Schick, to move forward with road projects for 2024, adding an additional $27,094.44 for Elm Drive, and taking $30,000 from restricted Licensing and Permits fund. The amount coming out of the general fund would be $114,452.79. Roll call vote: Ayes: Koshar, Hess, Mroz, Schick, and Plummer: Nays: N/A. Motion Carried
o The issue of people occupying the laundromat and cooking there. Zoning Administrator Pompey visited the property and will speak with owner.
o A grant, called The Bead Program, is available for rural internet. Cass County, per the State, is being served.
o Supervisor Koshar shared information with the board regarding FEMA.
New Business
o Clerk Plummer asked the Board regarding upgrading our Office 365 package. We currently pay $8 per user, just for Outlook. The upgrade would include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc. and would be $15 per user. She requests that the Board consider the upgrade. Motion by Hess, seconded by Mroz, to approve the upgrade to $15 per person. Roll call: Ayes: Koshar, Hess, Mroz, Schick, and Plummer Nays: N/A Motion Carried
o The Cass County Road Commission is offering to do dust control $24,847.20. Motion by Koshar, seconded by Plummer to accept the quote from the Cass County Road Commission in the amount of
$24,847.20. Roll Call vote: Ayes: Koshar, Plummer, Hess, Schick, and Mroz. Nays: N/A Motion Carried.
o Amended Moratorium Resolution: The Township created an amended resolution for resolution on accepting applications for outdoor grows and further stacking under medical and/or adult-use marihuana ordinances. Motion by Koshar, seconded by Hess, to approve the amended resolution.
All Ayes, motion carried. Schick moved, seconded by Mroz, to rescind the original motion. All Ayes, motion carried. Motion by Koshar, seconded by Plummer, to approve the submitted amended resolution for moratorium with correction to be placed allowing transfers of approved present licenses with proper verbiage to be submitted. All Ayes, motion carried.
o Checking Account for Solar Project: Treasurer Mroz indicated that a new checking account is needed for the Solar Project. Motion by Schick, seconded by Hess, to create a checking account for this project. All Ayes, motion carried.
o Board of Review pay: We have a joint board of review for Decatur, Newberg, and Marcellus Townships. It is requested that each township pay the board members. Motion by Plummer, seconded by Mroz, to pay the Board of Review Members $15/hour for the two-day period. Roll call vote: Ayes: Koshar, Mroz, Plummer, Hess, and Schick. Nays: N/A Motion Carried
Old Business
o Supervisor Koshar spoke with Electrical Inspector Hackenberg and Building Inspector McGrew regarding the late checks. McGrew has agreed to work with Hackenberg and has asked that he receive a copy of the paperwork that Hackenberg submits. Motion by Hess, seconded by Plummer, to revisit Hackenberg’s progress at the July Board Meeting.
o New Accountant Discussion: Clerk Plummer was in contact with Steve from Siegried, Crandal. She then contacted Ben from SeberTans, who would be passing the message along to the client services team. In the meantime, Treasurer Mroz, would be speaking with Sandy Bauer. More information to follow in May.
Public Comments
o Sexton Kruger spoke regarding monuments that are leaning at the cemetery. He will bring the number of monuments that need to be repaired.
Motion by Hess, support by Koshar, to adjourn at 7:45pm. All Ayes – Motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Darcie L Plummer
Township Clerk
Edward Koshar
Township Supervisor
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