LOCKE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES Draft 09-14-2023
September 12, 2023 Approved___________
The Locke Township Board met September 12, 2023, in the Locke Township Hall, 3805 Bell Oak Road.
Present: Hart, Turner, Rambo, Shepler, Davis. Also present: Duane and RaeDeane Pinckney, Deanna Davis, Cheryl Schotter, Bruce Jennings, Dane Porter (Maner Costerisan), Rich Witgen, Penny Dale.
Absent: None.
Call to order at 7:00 PM by Supervisor Hart followed by pledge to flag.
Additions to agenda/approval of agenda: Addition of Rowley and Bell Oak cemetery repairs to be added to New Business.
Action on August 8, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion Shepler, second Rambo to approve the minutes of August 8, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting. PASSED {5-0}.
Action on Accounts Payable checks. Motion Rambo, second Shepler to approve accounts payable checks #5990-#6020 in the amount of $23,939.73. PASSED {5-0}.
Public Presentation-Dane Porter from Maner Costerisan presented Locke Township 2022-23 audit overview.
Public Comment: Comments concerning rental property on Bell Oak Rd and results of audit.
Leave Dane Porter at 7:25 PM.
Unfinished Business:
*Resolution 2023-05 Acceptance of Payments by Financial Transaction Device. Twp has been
surveying residents and a majority of the surveying residents oppose. No action.
New Business
*Review of Hall Rental agreement re: reoccurring rentals, price reduction, water testing. No
action.
*Discussion of where PC is at with the Foster Swift solar/wind Ordinances. PC reviewing
Information received from Foster Swift before preparation of Final Draft and Public Hearing.
*Resolution 2023-09 Glen Dor Street Lighting District Special Assessment. Will place on
October agenda, need verification of ability to collect penalty and interest on Special
Assessment.
*Resolution 2023-10 Poverty Guidelines and Income/Asset Test [clarify Res 2023-01][green].
Motion Turner, second Davis to adopt Resolution 2023-10 Poverty Guidelines and
Income/Asset Test [Addition/Clarification of Resolution 2023-01]. Roll call vote; Yes-Shepler,
Davis, Rambo, Turner, Hart. No-None. PASSED {5-0}.
*Early Voting Plan-includes site option for 9 days of early voting for February 27, 2024
Presidential Primary Election only. Motion Hart, second Rambo to approve Locke Township
Early Voting Plan for the February 27, 2024 Presidential Primary Election only. PASSED {5-0}.
*Declare 1 stacking chair/1 folding chair & 3 8’ tables of no value and dispose of thru
recycling/trash. Motion Hart, second Turner to declare stated items of no value and dispose
of thru recycling/trash. PASSED {5-0}.
*Ordinance 2023-?? Authorize and Regulate the Operation of ORV’s in Locke Township.
Suggestion to add “UTV” to definitions, correct Section 4 to read “Township of Locke”,
correct Section 8 to read “such a holding shall not be construed”. Consensus to send to Twp
Attorney for written input.
*Cemetery tree damage in Bell Oak and Rowley cemeteries due to recent storm. Estimates obtained from TC tree service and Spartan Fence. Motion Hart, second Davis to authorize $3500 for cemetery tree and fence work. Roll call vote: Yes-Rambo, Turner, Shepler, Hart, Davis. No-None. PASSED {5-0}.
Reports:
*Treasurer- Corrected 7/31 Treasurers report distributed. Aug 31 Treasurers report distributed. 8/9 attended MTA Now You Know-Spending Public Money. Received May/June Rev Sharing $30,714. 8/24 met w/assessor & Ing Co Drain Commission. Treasurer has collected 77% of property taxes to date.
*Clerk- Aug Rev/Exp report distributed. Aug 8 Morrice School Board Election passed, 13% turnout of Locke Twp Morrice School District voters. 8/23 Early voting meeting w/Williamstown & Wheatfield Twp Clerks; 8/31 Clerk meeting @ Aleidon Twp Hall. 9/6 scheduled maintenance completed on election equipment @ County. 9/14 attending BS & A user group.
*Trustee- Davis: Reported on barn fire on Corey Road.
*Shepler: Reported on Solar/Wind Ordinance update.
*Supervisor-Attended 08/10/23 NIESA meeting & Aug 24 special NIESA Bd meeting. Aug NIESA report distributed. September 12 attended MTA workshop-Emerging Issues in Emergency Services in Frankenmuth. Completed MTA survey as State legislation expected to be introduced shortly eliminating ALL local authority over where wind/solar facilities can build and move control to the MI Public Service Comm.
*Zoning Administrator- Aug report distributed, building permits update.
Public Comment
Communications, seminars, etc.:
Ingham Co Sheriff Dept Sgt Chad Doyle – Aug calls-2 vehicle crashes; 1 fraud report.
Tiffany Johnson, P.E., Lansing EGLE-“Appreciate the opportunity to speak with the board and citizens of Locke Township. Please let us know if we can help with anything else in the future”.
Fleis & Vandenbrink, Parks & Recreation Master Plan flyer, 2023 Qtr 3.
MTA Professional Development Retreats, Harbor Springs, Sept and Oct, $365 + housing + mileage.
Any Other Business/Board member comments: Turner reported that EGLE was offering free water testing for those residents who have a private well.
Adjournment: Motion Davis, second Rambo to adjourn meeting. PASSED {5-0}. Meeting adjourned at 8:26 by Supervisor Hart.
Glenda S Turner
Locke Township Clerk
