June 13, 2024 board meeting

 Accessvision: https://www.accessvision.tv/telvue/881627

Agenda: https://emmett.civicweb.net/Portal/MeetingInformation.aspx?Org=Cal&Id=217

Public Comments -
    [01:25] Heather Rocho - love the cleanup, talks about planning and zoning report. "...I think it's vitally important for everybody to attend, participate... If you don't attend, how can anyone know what your desire of the use of your tax dollars is and how the township moves forward... July 3rd"
    [2:35] Denise Brodock - Signs are disappearing, what's going on? "we don't need to agree w each other, that's what makes us unique... let's stop this childish nonsense and start acting like adults."
    [3:45] Tommy Miller - "...farmed my whole life, 20yr experience in drainage... worked at the road commission for 15 years in the public sector... I'm running for resource commission, I'm asking your support, thank you."
    [4:40] Lonnie Root - "think you did a good job w the garbage and stuff, appreciate it. Thank you."
    [4:50]  Ron Smith - "The current resource commissioner, running again for reelection. I enjoy what I do, I'm a farmer. I've been farming for 50 years, and I got originally involved in the problem I was having with one of the former resource commissioners on my own farm... I've been doing drainage in my own place for my whole life... a lot of you might know Fred Heaton? He took me under his wing and told me what I needed to do to run... I read the drain code like 3 times before I even ran for office... Running for reelection, thank you for your support."
    [6:45] Miles Weaver - "currently serving as the chairperson for the planning commission for the township... First of all thank you for supporting [the master plan]... Secondly, there will be opportunities for public comment... so we're gonna try to push for notice in many different forms... to try to get the message out there that there's opportunity to provide your input for what we all kinda want the township to look like in 20, 30 years.

Secondly, during our last meeting this wasn't able to be put in the zoning update but there's state legislation regarding solar to encourage companies to install renewable energy so we currently have a solar ordinance in the books... some things to keep in mind... the state legislation depending on the size of these projects may preempt any ordinance that the township has which means they have the option to build through the state and the project gets done. So there's very little input depending if it goes that route... Just wanted to bring that up... but it seems like the companies want to go through the township rather than work with the state."

[10:00] approval of agenda  

[11:30] verbal reports - Supervisor:

Heather Rocho - comes up to talk about the cemeteries of our township, thanks Deb for the chance to come up and talk about it.  "I've spent a lot of time a lot of time in the office over the last month, looking at cemetery records, and Deb would pop through... Just a "hi how are you?" she'd go on about her business... finally I had to come into Pam's office one day and Deb said "what're you doing here all the time?" "so this is what's going on..." she said "well I don't know much about the cemeteries and she admitted that maybe she should know more, so she said hey lets have a conversation... I said you know I'm concerned the residents don't know enough about the cemeteries... I've always thought if someone can't respect a cemetery that says a lot about a person... I just wanted to briefly share w you, about the cemeteries...

Let's start with Sandstone cemetery, it's the oldest in the township. It was created in 1835, most of you know that it's at the corner of 11mile Mich ave and... 94. You probably drive by it and don't think much bc it's just a little patch of grass... The earliest pioneers of Emmett Township are IN Sandstone cemetery...

 Ceresco Cemetery, although I can't tell you it was the second one to be developed, I can' tell you that it's the closest to my heart... Laid out in 1860, by a Ceresco cemetery association, pretty unusual, but Ceresco was a very large, thriving community....

The third cemetery is Newbre, which I think all of you know, located on B drive, or the old spaulding road where 9mile T's into it. Strangely most of us know more about where Newbre is, but it's the least documented. I literally could find nothing... originally plotted on just one acre, which I think is called the old cemetery. We now have an additional 2acres... there are no known records for the original 1acre.So if anybody in here has a family member, it would have to be great great great, catch me after bc it would be great to put some sort of documentation to this." 

[18:25]
Whew another month has flown by! 

The 4th Annual Cleanup Day event was a success!  We managed to fill two, 40 cubic yard dumpsters and one compactor truck which equals a 40 cubic yard dumpster, for a grand total of 120 cubic yards of trash and junk.  This also was our second year collecting tires.  This year, the total collected was 287 tires.  This was an increase from last year's 128.  I am glad that people are taking advantage of this opportunity.  It gives us a two fold benefit: one, it helps with our blight officers' cases, and two, it helps to keep our township free of bulk items that are hard to get rid of.  I have received great feedback from this event as people are happy it is offered.  I want to give a huge Thank You to the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy for all their hard work. 

 

I have been working with Lt. Keys on the Sergeant promotions.  Lt. Geigle was one of the interviewers on the panel along with Sheriff Hinkley and a State Police officer.  After the panels discussed all the findings, three were offered the promotions.  I am proud to announce that Officer Rich Mackey is the new Detective Sergeant and Officer's Mark Beach and Matt Skaggs were offered the Sergeant spots.  With Officer Mackey's promotion, it leaves an opening at School Resource Officer within the schools. I have now posted the position, in hopes to fill that before the next school year. 

 

I was honored to have attended the police academy graduation ceremony with Lt. Keys to watch our newest officer Darian Brown get pinned.  Congratulations to Darian!  He will now be joining the force and starting his field training.  This is the first time the Township has put someone through the academy, and again, we were awarded a grant to cover the academy costs.

 

We purchased a "new to us" Pierce fire truck.  It is a 2021 with only 1500 miles. We are replacing the former Rescue 7.  We will be putting it up for sale soon.  For a little background on the new truck. Lake Charter Township purchased this truck in 2021.  The build started it in 2022.  Lake Township received it in 2023.  They had some issues with the size and decided to sell this for two smaller models.  Their misfortune is our gain.  A truck like this brand new today would have cost over a million dollars, but we were able to purchase it for $734,529.  Lt. Geigle is now hoping to outfit the truck with missing equipment which is a part of new business later in the agenda.

 

While helping a resident on one particular issue this month involving a dog attack at a residents house, I found that there seems to be some disconnect with the Calhoun County Animal Control procedures versus what our public safety department responsibilities are. I am working on ways to close the gap to have a clearer expectations and better results.  

 

Chris Dopp, Road Consultant,  and I met with Fleis & Vandenbrink to discuss the Michigan Ave Sewer Study draft details.  They will be critiquing it and getting back with us.

 

Our Township continues to grow and add new businesses. We have a new nail salon going in next to Maurices. Also, a new hair salon on Columbia Ave. The new Amico station on Beadle Lake Road is now hiring and are hoping to open in July.

 

Happy Fathers Day to all the fathers out there. 

 [23:00] 8.2 Clerk-

Cemeteries:

June 14, 2024 is National Flag Day. This holiday commemorates the date in 1777 that the United States approved the design for its first National Flag.

We had help in Ceresco, Newbre, and Sandstone Cemeteries placing veteran flags this year. We are grateful for the help and I will turn it over to Heather Rocho.

Heather Rocho - Comes up to talk more about her experience working in the cemeteries w Clerk Tracy... 99% certain every veteran at all of the cemeteries have gotten flags for Flag Day. We've begun a restoration project...

 

[28:20] Elections:

Our clerk’s department have been working with 18 other municipalities and the County to offer the nine-days of early voting to Calhoun County Registered voters. Early voting for Emmett Township registered voters will be held at the County Building in Marshall at 315 Green Street starting Saturday July 27 until the Sunday prior to Election Day; Sunday August 4.

Absentee Applications are out in the Mail for the August primary that will take place on August 6, 2024.

Please also be aware that you will no longer receive applications because of Prop 2-2022, on the application that went out there is a checkbox to be added to the permanent ballot list. Please check this box if you wish to receive your ballot via mail for all future elections.

August ballots have been proofed, and as soon as we receive ballots from the vendor they will be out in the mail to voters. If you do not receive your ballot by the end of the first week in July, please give the office a call so that we can help!

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 new and improved Township Website.

-Agendas & Minutes can be found on iCompass, /Portal/

 

Battle Creek Enquirer Willard Library

Flag Day

[29:45] 8.3 Treasurer- "Taxes are going out July 1st... They will be green (no reason, just so they stick out)."

We have continued to collect delinquent personal property bringing our total up to $ 8,051.69. Summer taxes are right around the corner, so I have began preparing the new database for the 2024 tax season. Mortgage code information from the mortgage companies has been coming in slowly so I have begun inputting that information into the 2024 tax database as that comes in. 

8.4 Planning and zoning
[31:50] 8.5 Public Safety Report

https://emmett.civicweb.net/document/85702/PS%20June%20_24%20Board%20Report.pdf?handle=C1E2CDA1D1E2457DB95824ECEF392F75

"Everybody wants accountability... sometimes [that] comes with criticism... but accountability has another component to it and it's praise. if all you hear is criticism then it ceases to become meaningful, so you've got to give praise where it's due... that preapproval is the difference between us having it or another district... you could say we saved ourselves close to half a million dollars on that rig."

[36:15] Unfinished business
9.1 Firing range ordinance - all yes
9.2 First read of ordinance, indoor recreation ordinance - all yes
 Public comments 

[37:20] 11.1 Budget amendment to outfit truck - all yes

11.2 chip seal agreement - Brown and Myers vote no

[40:20] 11.3 FOIA appeal - Brown votes no

11.4 Demolition of 52 W. Alden "several neighbor complaints... been under the works for like 3 years, given the man ample time to repair..." All Yes.

[43:00] Public Comments

somebody "just had a question" about... the FOIA appeal? I can't hear him at all. "...'kay well we can discuss that after the meeting bc it's not a conversation thing, here." 

[43:30] Dave Sunsky - "I've just experienced a situation in the township and I'd like to ask the current lieutenant a question, if I may... sir what is your process... in the event of an attack by a dog..." a discussion w lt. ensues. There's no information about a bite from a dog who has no vet records. The animal hasn't been checked on, Deb interjects "Mr sunsky this is the public comment... not supposed to be a question/answer so if you could direct your question to the board." "...I was attacked by a pitbull..." has some complaints about the officer who showed up, seemed far too cavalier for the situation.

[47:00] Denise Brodock - "...I'd just like to remind everybody this is not a populartiy contest. We're not in high school anymore, we need ppl in these positions to represent us. We need ppl who can weigh all the facts and not be persuaded... ppl who have the best interest for the Township. So please, get to know your candidates, ask some questions... What do you see that you'd like in this township to do?" She also gives a shout out to Steve Titus and Jim Juhnke for their ability to make decisions and not be persuaded by others. 

[49:00] Miles Weaver - "during the clerks presentation, the comment was made about the corridor between 11mi and Marshall. That project is going to be huge, they're talking about redoing that whole intersection... there was a, MDOT hosted a public comment thing in Marshall 2 or 3 weeks ago? It's gonna have significant impact, just wanted to bring that up."

[49:45] Joe Harris - "This is just gonna be a general statement... we as in the country, are in a heated political season and what you're going to see is that there are some people of this world who have made bad decisions, who have done wrong things. They will do a lot of really good things so as to cover up for the wrongs and bad decisions they have done. Just keep that in the back of your head... " quotes II chronicles 7:14

[51:15] Ron Smith -  the corridor we talked about thru Mich ave, I went to MDOT thing, too. There are several county drains impacted by that, too. They didn't even have them on their maps, I pointed out where those drains were and said you will not do any work there until you contact me... Thru the state they're trying to take over people's rights, as townships and things. They pass that legislation, it isn't a done deal, it's in court... I believe in local govt... Solar, gravel pits, battery plants... they're trying to say 3 people can make better decisions than county citizens."

[53:25] Chris  Kerry - Thanks to Mr. Juhnke for getting the firetrucks bought. "I think as a group you need to come together a little bit more...How many ppl in this room are a mother in laws?... What was said at the last meeting about Deb's not-daughter-in-law was kinda disturbing to me... 'so it was announced through the office that my future daughter in law submitted a packet for trustee, full disclosure, she is not my future daughter in law... She does have 3 of my grandchildren, but she is not my daughter-in-law..." to me that's not somebody I want running my township."

[55:50] Heather Rocho - I've got no more cemetery. We can dance... it was said that maybe the legion had some information on cemeteries, so I went in there. I'm shamelessly plugging The Legion, oops sorry... I was beyond impressed w a gal named Penny... she is an auxiliary member... her son is in the service, I didn't ask the branch. She could tell me everything about The Legion, they're in Emmett Township across from the admin. office. If you've got some extra money... sloppy joes, they were fabulous!.." Talks about the MDOT meeting, wishes all of the board members best of luck.

[59:15] Gavin Powell - I didn't do this last meeting, I'm introducing myself I'm also running for trustee. Uh, anxiety issues so sometimes I don't do it on time. I'm interested-- I like hearing about the investing, there's a lot of stuff going on in finance and the stock market rn, I'm big into that, so I'm interested to see what you guys do with that I'm sorry he didn't show up today."

 [59:45] Jacob Gore - My name is Jacob Gore I live in Emmett Township. That man has defended antifa on many occasions on the Facebook online. Not ok on any level, we don't want you around. Just bc you're playing volunteer secretary doesn't mean you're doing good things for the township. Kick rocks, buddy." 

 [1:00:15] Kristine O'neal - I definitely will vouch for Gavin, he is a wonderful person, no matter what and he would be a good representative for the township bc he does 

"Again Jacob Gore it's very very different from what many ppl in this community want to see happen, as a response."

 [1:00:45] Bob Coward - "We heard about John Harper earlier... John Harper, served in the war of 1812. After the war of 1812 the federal govt couldn't afford to pay the soldiers so they gave them a land grant... John Harper got approx 160 acres on what is now... where the creek passes under B drive just past Harper Creek School. He came there from New York state and actually in the span of 2 years he diverted Harper Creek... there was only 7k ppl in the county at the time. They dug out a 6-7 acre mill pond... built a sawmill... the waterfall is still there to this day, they built this sawmill and basically all the trees that are now gone... those were all sent to Muskegon and used to rebuild Chicago after one of the many fires they had there..."

 [1:02:25] Board comments

 Ryan Leonard - Good meeting, I just want to talk a bit about the solar fields... I'm totally against the solar fields in our township... our township rn has very little allowable zoning for solar panels, I think rn it's just in the industrial park areas, however this legislation from the state can override the will of... the township...  I do plan on talking to Jim Haadsma firsthand... just to let him know that I personally, and I feel like our township doesn't want those solar panels." 

 [1:04:45] Dick Brown - still mad about the binoculars in Deb's office. McGoos, "I've talked to Mike he said he signed the papers and gave them to you, what is the holdup over getting that building torn down?"

 Mike Bye interrupts, even after being told to wait until after the meeting "I don't care" 

[1:06:55] Tracy Myers - talks about seeing the new truck, "It's a pretty cool experience to go ride in a firetruck..." doing a meet and greet that was featured in the shopper. 

[1:07:30] Tyler Sobeski - "Not a big history guy, but it was cool hearing Heather's story."

 [1:07:45]  Stephen Titus - "to our last special meeting, did the applicant receive their FOIA

[1:08:30] James Juhnke - our forefathers created a constitution to protect us from the govt they did that bc of what the British tried to do to us.. if you stop and look around right now you're going to see a whole lot of govt telling us what to do.That's absolutely adverse to what that constitution stands for."

[1:09:45] Deb Belles - holding a meet n greet for all candidates on the 26th, at the American Legion...I just hope that tyler understands the importance of helping other municipalities, w the flyers. Happy Father's Day