April 11th board meeting + special board meeting
Special board meeting: https://www.accessvision.tv/telvue/867712
Special agenda: https://emmett.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=1295
[1:55] Jeremy Kanaga
[14:00] Denise Brodock
[19:20] John Harris
[28:10] Toni Gore
[32:00] Ryan Leonard
[42:00] Mike Voss
[46:20] Gavin Powell
Regular board meeting: https://www.accessvision.tv/telvue/867737
Agenda: https://emmett.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=215
Public comments:
Heather Rocho - More concerned about the special board meeting, didn't read the agenda. "I'm discouraged still that we the people... do not have the right, apparently, or the ability to make the decision as to who will fill this position," in regards to the special election for the trustee position. Talks about the corruption in Marshall township.
[3:55] Bishop Richard Bailey - Doesn't want weed shop across from the church, "if this wasn't a liquor store, I wouldn't even be here... but this is a new adventure for all of us... a lot of my members live in Post Addition... we truly feel that building could be better used for something else..."
[5:30] Kathy Jhar - "I strongly object when someone gets up to the microphone and resurrects all the past mistakes... I do not know this pastor and his wife but I hope you listen to what he is saying..."
[9:20] Check Register, Trustee Jim Juhnke has a question "I'll support it, but I wanna discuss it... Jim correctly pointed out many times, and voted agaisnt many times bc of the fact that we were paying, we are approving bills that we have already paid... what we need to have..." Proposes a list or a way of marking items on the bills which are within the spending limit which don't need to be approved. "It's a housecleaning thing." all vote yes.
[10:45] verbal reports
8.1. Supervisor-
With all the recent storm damage, please make sure to pull all the required permits. Securing the proper permits insures the contractors are licensed with the State to perform the work. This helps give you a leg to stand on if you were to have an issue with the work performed by a contractor.
Our fourth annual Cleanup Day event will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2024 from 8:30am to 12:30pm. It's a first come, first serve basis. We will provide two 40-yard dumpsters and one compact truck that holds 40 yards. We will also have a tire collection running at the same time. Tires are expensive and hard to dispose of and they are just lying in peoples' yard. This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of them. The limit for tires is 10 per resident, however, if the trailer isn't full by 11:30am you can bring another load up here.
The Grand Loop continues. Recently, I was contacted about a unique option at a point of interception for putting in a couple of valves at Ackerson Drive to be proactive in case of future contamination occurring in water. I was able to get this taken care of under the grand loop project at no cost to the Township because otherwise, it would literally cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to tear Michigan Ave and put these valves in.
A citizen called in to give kudos to our officer Rob Schipper for going above and beyond. This person hit a barricade when sliding on the ice on Westbound I-94 during a recent snow storm. This citizen made mention how Rob was really good to work with even handling an hysterical girlfriend. He stated that this was one of the better people he has met in a police uniform. Way to go Rob!!! These type of compliments come few and far between so I like to share them when they come across my desk.
The Calhoun County Parks Committee approved the fourth year allocation of our millage portion.
A FY2024 Fourth Quarter Budget Report is attached. Bear in mind, the Township is to accrue (backdate) invoices for FY2024 until the end of May. Final activity will be reported in the audit.
Marihuana report attached.
[14:55] Trustee Dick Brown - I've a question, this isn't on the report but in your office you have a set of binoculars that the township paid for, $800... I make a motion that we donate them to the public safety and fires for their investigations and stuff." Juhnke says you don't need a motion to do that, and there's no support for the motion.
Clerk Myers "are we going to give them to public safety or does he need support?.. we're just asking if that's where it can go."
[16:20] Supervisor Belles- "I wanted to address some rumors today and comments from the last board meeting..." Describes helping her daughter establish credit among other things. "As for the Ethics ordinance, I do agree that it is needed, but just know that it was not my idea, like several other things that get put on this agenda by me is not necessarily from me... when I started this job I had no idea I would have stalkers, but I had stalkers at my former job. They're a little different there... Here stalkers are a little opposite... I've had death threats, threats on my family over issues that are out of my control... you get people attending meetings trying to ruin my reputation with one sided stories, you don't know a thing about me... When someone cannot complain on merit they run on slander, speculation and rumors. I was told that as an elected official I have to take the abuse, and I do, but I will always defend my reputation and refute the lies and half truths that are continually spread."
[21:10] 8.2. Clerk-
Ballots for the May 7 Special Election are out! We have already received over 16% of ballots sent back!
As of Monday 4/8/2024, - 1,269 ballots have been issued with 207 returned. This new system from proposal 2, Permanent Ballots with prepaid returned postage is really going to be an increase in voter turnout!
Public Accuracy Testing will be Tuesday April 16, 2024 at 10AM for the May 7, 2024 Special Election for the Harper Creek School Millage.
Election Office Hours: We will be open Sunday May 5 from 7AM-3PM. The Monday (May 6) before the election the Clerks department will close at 4PM for election day preparation.
Tuesday May 7 is Election Day- The Polls are open from 7AM – 8PM.
Precinct#1 is right here in the Township Board Room, 621 Cliff Street.
Precinct #2, 3, and 4 is at Victory Life Church on D drive South. Special Thank you to Victory Life Church for hosting Emmett Township at their beautiful facility.
Please remember that if you do decide to vote In-person there may be a line and to please be respectful of your peers and the poll workers.
As always if you need anything please call the Office. We can look up where you are registered to vote.
Please see the Elections Page on the Emmett Township Website for Updates!
The Clerk’s department is working on some educational content videos that we will share to the Township Website.
Partisan Packets for the August Primary for local office are available. They are due back by April 23 by 4PM to the Clerk’s Office.
-Agendas & Minutes can be found on iCompass, /Portal/
[23:00] 8.3.Treasurer-
Treasurer's office has slowed down, but we have been steadily receiving
payments for building permits now that the weather has somewhat warmed
up. I am finalizing land bank disbursements and will get that all done
in the next week.
[23:40] planning and zoning, public safety
[25:20] Lt is on vacation, Belles reads the public safety report: Increase in call volume in March, was to be expected bc of warmer weather..
[28:20] 9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS---ACTION ITEM
9.1.Consumers Energy Ordinance No. 1 of 2024
[29:00]9.2. 1399 E. Michigan Ave.Ongoing situation, but there is a court date (the 17th). Want the township to pay for the demolition and give them the lot next door for 5k.
| All vote yes except Supervisor Belles. |
[38:00] new business
-11.1 Motion to appoint Ryan Leonard as new trustee, all yes
11.2 Motion to fill vacancy? Rebecca Lehman.
All yes.
Public comments
[39:30] John Harris - "how long are we gonna have a messed up front door, I think somebody outta get it fixed."
[40:00] Joe Harris - Defends his talking points.
[43:11] Jim Juhnke responds "I think the time for eating crow is over with, I think it's time to go the straight way. The individuals named were given documentation that they were being sued for discrimination. What they chose to do and not to do as far as getting an attorney or representing themselves and the action was totally up to them. It had nothing to do with the township at all, had they done that maybe they would've had a different outcome. Maybe they would not. All I can tell you is that six attorneys, in voice, said that the violations alleged which were very much backed up by facts were in fact true, and they were violations of the law. Now it's time to forget that and let it go because it was not a happy time for us. We did not enjoy it, it was not fun... in any way shape or form... It's gone, it's over with. Get on with it."
[44:20] Bishop - Juhnke says "I think we've taken care of your problem" before he can begin. "I will be back, because you said that." Claims the people who wanted to buy the building never came over to talk to him or introduce themselves.
[47:10] Heather Rocho - "Not even gonna give my name, I don't think I can follow that... I came in here a year ago, disappointed, angry wanting to know, understand what you knew about the megasite. I don't believe that the board knew anything about [it]... This bishop behind me, why are we still doing this? I have a sister of mixed race, I don't understand any of this, I'm not black... my heart breaks." congratulated Ryan Leonard for being chosen.
[50:10] Lonnie Root - "kinda interested about the donut shop down there... here on Columbia, where they bought it for a dope shop? Seems to get worse all the time. What's going on?..." They tell him it's not under their control, he'll have to address the owner about it.
[51:40] Esther Leonard - "...I would like some clarity, at some point, I know it's not necessarily a back and forth time, but I would like some clarity on the rules for who's allowed to speak at the meetings. What I would like to see is if you are a resident or business owner, or a pastor with constituents, parishioners... that you're freely allowed to speak. I worry that perhaps those of us who are residents are being disenfranchised by those who are not residents. Just food for thought..." ("I told you, Ryan!")
[52:30] Chris Cary - "I just wanna say something to the reverend, just... I guess nobody told him that marijuana shop isn't going in there anymore, so it's done? 'Cause we don't reach out and tell him? So he doesn't have to come here again if he doesn't feel like it... I don't see how that one is getting banned from being there... but there's one right next door. How many feet is that one from the church that's behind the gas station? It's no different. it's everywhere in our township. I'm sick of smelling it, tbh..."
[53:45] Lee - "lets quit this racism, God created us all equal. Anybody who talks about race, they're not a friend of mine. I'm just no southern boy, I appreciate everybody. God pleases all."
[54:25] Kathy Jhar- "I would encourage those ppl sitting behind me, if you have an issue w somebody, or a question. Come to somebody on the board instead of doing a FOIA. FOIAs cost us a lot of money and we have somebody whose done a lot of that, and the reason it costs us money is that the attorney has to look at it and make sure that it's nothing confidential that gets out... Please be considerate of quit wasting the taxpayers money by submitting FOIAs
[55:45] closed session
[1:21:20] Closed session ends
[1:19:50] Trustee Titus makes a motion to allow the supervisor to make all decisions regarding firing of the marijuana. Dick and Myers vote no, everybody else votes yes.
[1:24:35] Trustee Brown wants to make a motion to get body cams on marijuana personnel
Questions about needing a warrant to go into certain places w a camera
[1:27:30]Brown: "the Tahoe was bought for marijuana use but you are using it more than anybody else..."
[1:28:20] Clerk Tracy - makes a comment about FOIAs not being very expensive,
[1:28:45] Trustee Juhnke - "Only one comment I would kinda encourage ppl to start paying an awful lot of attn to property taxes... the cost to the individuals is very very bad. Take your annual tax and divide by 12, that's how mucha month you're paying, and it doesn't all come here." For the ppl mad about not voting in Ryan, says that there will be an election in August.
supervisor Belles - Address FOIA comment, agreeing w Tracy's remark
[1:31:50] Trustee Titus - Welcomes Ryan, excited about all of the ppl who wanted to be involved. Glad for a resolution on the 1399 issue.
[1:33:50] Trustee Leonard - Thank the board for allowing him to serve, he plans on running in august. excited to do good things for the township.
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