Board of Trustees Minutes - Special Meeting
August 29, 2006
Supervisor Reaume called the meeting to order at 7:11 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT:
Richard Reaume, Supervisor
Ron Edwards, Treasurer
Marilyn Massengill, Clerk
Kay Arnold, Trustee
Charles Curmi, Trustee
Robert Doroshewitz, Trustee
Steven Mann, Trustee
ABSENT: None
OTHERS PRESENT:
Randy Maycock, Fire Chief
Timothy Cronin, Township Attorney
Joe Bridgman, Deputy Clerk
Alice Geletzke, Recording Secretary
9 Members of the Public
D. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Special Meeting - Tuesday, August 29, 2006
Mrs. Massengill amended the agenda with the additions, under New Business, of
Item J3, Resolution to State for Additional Voting Equipment, and Item J.4,
Taking to Voters the Rescission of Public Act 78. She then moved to approve the
agenda for the Board of Trustees Special Meeting of August 29, 2006, as amended.
Seconded by Mr. Edwards.
AYES: Massengill, Edwards, Arnold, Doroshewitz, Reaume
NAYS: Curmi, Mann
Motion carried.
Mr. Curmi moved to take Public Comments and Questions prior to the Closed
Session. Seconded by Mr. Edwards.
AYES: Curmi, Edwards, Doroshewitz, Reaume, Mann
NAYS: Arnold, Massengill
F. PUBLIC COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS
Thomas Kato of Capital Acquisitions Development spoke regarding their
continuing interest in the Township property, the offer submitted to the Clerk
earlier, their readiness to close on the property, and the preliminary approvals
received from MDOT, Wayne County, and the Planning Commission.
Ms. Arnold indicated the Planning Commission preliminary site plan approval was
only for the bank area.
Mr. Mann noted the delay of several months caused by Mr. Kato’s dropping the
original bid of $4.25 million given during the competitive bid process,
resulting in the sale not being consummated. He appreciates their continuing to
show interest; however, he personally doesn’t see how a commitment could be
taken from Mr. Kato in the interests of the Township.
Richard Sharland was advised to bring up his questions regarding the audit and
the rezoning during the agenda items.
CLOSED SESSION
At 7:30 p.m., it was moved by Mrs. Massengill, and seconded by Ms. Arnold, that
a closed session be called for the purpose of:
RE: Discuss Sale of Township Hall Property
This is a permissible purpose under Michigan’s Open Meetings Act, Public Act No.
267, Article 15.268, Section 8, Paragraph (d). Ayes all on a roll call vote.
At 8:25 p.m., it was moved by Mrs. Massengill and seconded by Ms. Arnold to
return to open session.
Ayes all on a roll call vote.
E. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA – N/A
G. PUBLIC HEARING – N/A
H. COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT – N/A
I. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
I.1 Revised No Fault Insurance and Emergency Response
Cost Recovery Policy
Attorney Cronin reviewed the changes in the proposed policy which were
highlighted in the copy presented. Board members also requested the following
changes: Second page, first paragraph, last sentence to read, “Where permitted
by applicable law, the Treasurer may, subject to Board approval of any
write-offs, pursue recovery of the cost……” and the second page, last paragraph
to read, “at least annually” rather than “not less than annually”.
Mr. Doroshewitz moved to approve the revised No Fault Insurance and Emergency
Response Cost Recovery Policy including changes noted today. Supported by Mr.
Edwards.
Ayes all.
I.2 Reconsideration of Rezoning requested in Application 1928/0506.
Mr. Edwards brought the item back for reconsideration at Ms. Arnold’s request.
Mr.Reaume moved that the Board reconsider rezoning requested in Application
1928/0506. Supported by Mr. Doroshewitz.
Ayes all.
Mr. Doroshewitz moved to table reconsideration of the rezoning requested in
Application 1928/0506 and remand to the Planning Commission to answer this. Mr.
Doroshewitz withdrew his motion.
Mr. Doroshewitz moved to remand to the Planning Commission the rezoning
requested in Application 1928/0506 with direction to clarify questions as stated
in the previous meeting, as well as any additional questions a Board member
submits to the Planning Commission prior to reconsideration. Seconded by Mr.
Curmi. This motion was also withdrawn.
Mr. Mann felt the direction should be as a Board, rather than individual members
submitting questions to the Planning Commission.
Mr. Mann moved to table Application 1928/0506 until the Board of Trustees
meeting of September 12, at which time deliberation can be made on a list of
questions and direction to submit to the Planning Commission. Supported by Mr.
Edwards.
Ayes all.
J. NEW BUSINESS
J.1 2005 Audit – Joe Heffernan, Plante & Moran
Joe Heffernan and Pamela Barber of Plante & Moran discussed graphs pertaining to
General Fund Revenues and Expenditure Trends (including transfers), Historical
Trends in General Fund Revenues and Expenditures, General Fund Expenditure
Categories, Comparison of General Fund Revenue and Expenditures, Fund Balance
Trend Compared to Minimum Target – General Fund, and Water and Sewer and Solid
Waste Disposal Fund Activity.
Mr. Heffernan commented on the 20% minimum fund balance target which shows
Plymouth Township in a much better position than most other communities who are
only at 50% of their fund balance target.
He also reviewed items that need consideration for next year such as discussing
with state legislators the renewal of statuatory provisions of state shared
revenue which are sunsetting in September, 2007. Also, the single business tax
has now been eliminated, there are concerns with occupancy determining taxable
value on rental units, possible elimination of cable fees, and the new
accounting rule for the 2008 budget which mandates counting retiree health care
costs.
Mr. Heffernan answered Mr. Sharland’s earlier question regarding the additional
$1.9 million on the revenue side and a $1.9 million charge for services higher
than last year. On the expense side, there is about a $1.3 million charge for
public works. Both of those are because of the new Township Hall. On the revenue
side, the water and sewer fund which, for accounting purposes, is not a
governmental activity, had to contribute $1.9 million for their use of part of
the building. The $1.3 million on the expenditure side is the non-capitalizable
part of the building. The two of those net against each other for this one-time
transaction for the building.
The Board discussed at length internal accounting procedures with regard to the
issuance of checks.
Mr. Reaume moved to receive and file the 2005 Audit. Seconded by Ms. Arnold.
Ayes all.
J.2 SOS Constitutional Amendment – Mike McGee, Miller Canfield
Mr. McGee addressed the Board regarding the possibility of the SOS (Stop Over
Spending) amendment appearing on the November ballot and what the consequences
might be for local governmental units.
He indicated multi-year financial obligations would require a Township-wide
vote; for example, special assessment districts, and water and sewer rates.
Mr. Edwards thought rates should be reviewed and possibly revised in
anticipation of this possibility.
The Board recessed briefly at 10:15 p.m. and resumed the meeting at 10:25 p.m.
J.3 Approve Resolution to Obtain Additional Voting Machines
Mrs. Massengill informed the Board of the need for submission to this Resolution
to the state so that two or four additional machines can be requested.
Ms. Arnold moved to adopted Resolution No. 06-08-29-25, to apply to the
Secretary of State for a grant to purchase additional voting equipment. Seconded
by Mr. Edwards.
Ayes all.
The Resolution reads as follows:
WHEREAS, the Plymouth Township Board wishes to apply to the Secretary of State
for a grant to purchase an optical voting system and related Election Management
System (EMS) software to comply with the Help American Vote Act (HAVA).
WHEREAS, the Plymouth Township Board has chosen to submit a grant application
for a new optical scan voting system in 2006.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Plymouth Township Clerk is authorized to
submit this grant application on behalf of Plymouth Township, Wayne County, on
this day of August 29, 2006.
J.4 Taking to Voters the Rescission of Public Act 78
Fire Chief Maycock and Mr. Edwards discussed the possibility and reasons for
putting on the November ballot the rescission of Public Act 78, which creates
the Civil Service Commission. Township voters approved this in 1964. Chief
Maycock enumerated the difficulties in maintaining hiring lists and the
potential high costs of testing procedures with many upcoming vacancies. He also
noted several portions of the Act have been superceded by the labor contracts.
Mr. Mann was troubled that this discussion arose so close to the ballot deadline
and he felt that members of the Fire Department would be in attendance if they
knew this discussion was being held. He feels the Civil Service Commission takes
the hiring and disciplinary actions out of the political arena.
Mr. Cronin agreed to furnish copies of Public Act 78 and the Board agreed to
have the Supervisor contact the Civil Service Commission to set up a meeting
with them.
K. SUPERVISOR’S COMMENTS
Mr. Reaume discussed with Board members possible late September or early October
dates for an Open House for the new Town Hall.
He updated Board members on the Sheldon Road underpass and checking on whether
special payment terms have been extended by the County for the City of Plymouth.
L. TRUSTEE COMMENTS – There were none.
M. PUBLIC COMMENT
Mr. Don Schnetter felt that if Public Act 78 was law , it shouldn’t be changed
by labor agreements.
N. ADJOURN
Mrs. Massengill moved to adjourn the meeting. Seconded by Mr. Edwards.
Ayes all.
Meeting adjourned at 11:25 p.m.
Marilyn Massengill, Clerk
Charter Township of Plymouth
The Charter Township of Plymouth will provide necessary reasonable aids and
services, such as signers for the hearing impaired and audio tapes of printed
materials being considered at the meeting, to individuals with disabilities at
the meeting/hearing upon two weeks notice to the Charter Township of Plymouth.
Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids or services should
contact the Charter Township of Plymouth by writing or calling the Human
Resource Office, Charter Township of Plymouth, 9955 N. Haggerty Road, Plymouth,
Michigan, 48170, (734) 453-3202, TDD users: 1-800-649-3777 (Michigan Relay
Service)-
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