LOCKE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES Draft 11-16-2023
November 14, 2023 Approved___________
The Locke Township Board met November 14, 2023, in the Locke Township Hall, 3805 Bell Oak Road.
Present: Hart, Turner, Rambo, Shepler, Davis. Also present: Duane and RaeDeane Pinckney, Vikki and Roger Blasey, Penny Dale
Call to order at 7:00 PM by Supervisor Hart followed by pledge to flag.
Additions to agenda/approval of agenda.
Action on October 10, 2023 meeting minutes. Motion Davis, second Shepler, to approve the minutes of October 10, 2023 Board of Trustees meeting. PASSED {5-0}.
Action on Accounts Payable checks. Motion Rambo, second Shepler to approve accounts payable checks #6052-#6086 in the amount of $26,275.23. PASSED {5-0}
Public Comment: Comment concerning State takeover of regulating renewable energy.
Unfinished Business:
*Ordinance 2023-?? Authorize and Regulate the Operation of ORV’s in Locke Township.
Attorney Hitch October 24th memorandum reviewed. Consensus to proceed with Ordinance.
Hart to contact Road Commission for input. Revised Ordinance will be available for review at
December Board meeting.
*Consideration of $875.00 quote from Briggs Mechanical for humidifier added to GEO system
discussed. No motion to proceed with HVAC proposal.
*Meeting dates in 2024. Motion Turner, second Davis to approve the meeting dates for the Locke Township Board of Trustees in 2024 as presented. PASSED {5-0}.
Reports:
*Clerk- October rev/exp report distributed; attended 10/18/2023 MTA webinar “Election Update”; completed MPP Survey MI local energy; 10/27/2023 attended Bureau of Elections Proposal 2022-02 Regional Training; submitted MPSC survey-Video Service competition in MI.
*Treasurer- Oct 31 Treasurers report distributed; completed qtr census report; resolved IT troubles w/help from VC3; e-mailed several State Representatives re: keeping renewable energy decision-making at local level.
*Trustee- Shepler Reported on Solar/Wind Ordinance/Public hearing. Shepler elected Member-at-Large of ICC/MTA.
*Supervisor-Attended October 12 NIESA Bd meeting; October NIESA report distributed; October 5 & 24 e-mail to Rep Brixie and Senator Singh re: retain local control; Oct 16 attend MTA webinar-Renewable Energy; Oct 25 attend ICC/MTA.
*Zoning Administrator- Sept report distributed, building permits update.
*Cemetery-additional work was needed at the Bell Oak Cemetery after the August 24th tornado. The neighboring tree stump did not allow our new fence installation. Jorgensen Excavating was called upon to remove stump/haul away at a cost of $900 which our insurance reimbursed.
New Business:
*Recommendation from Planning Commission for Township Board to adopt:
Ordinance 2023-03 Amend Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Wind Energy Systems.
Board discussion. Motion Shepler, second Davis to adopt Ordinance 2023-03 Amend Zoning
Ordinance to regulate Wind Energy Systems. Roll call vote; Yes-Davis, Shepler, Turner, Rambo.
No-Hart. Motion PASSED {4-1}.
*Recommendation from Planning Commission for Township Board to adopt:
Ordinance 2023-04 Amend Zoning Ordinance to Regulate Solar Energy Systems. Board
Discussion. Motion Shepler, second Rambo to amend Ordinance 2023-04 Amend Zoning
Ordinance to regulate Solar Energy systems with the following Amendments:
- Page 5, 4d-replace “by Planning Commission” with “Zoning Board of Appeals”.
- Page 6, 4f-replace “by Planning Commission” with “Zoning Administrator”. PASSED {5-0}.
Motion Rambo, second Shepler to adopt Ordinance 2023-04 Amend Zoning Ordinance to
regulate Solar Energy Systems as amended.
Roll call votes; Yes-Shepler, Turner, Rambo, Davis. No-Hart. Motion PASSED {4-1}.
*Board approval of $70 additional meeting wage to trustee Shepler for Oct 25, 2023 ICC/MTA
meeting. Motion Rambo, second Turner to approve $70 additional meeting wage to trustee
Shepler for Oct 25, 2023 ICC/MTA meeting. PASSED {5-0}.
*Approval of temporary sexton, Jim Benjamin, Jan-Apr, while sexton Ed Fuller is in Florida.
Motion Turner, second Davis to approve temporary sexton Jim Benjamin, Jan-Apr 2024.
PASSED {5-0}.
*20231005 MI Twp Part Plan Risk Control Review discussed, will be on future agenda.
*Salary comparison draft. Input/discussion from Board members.
Public Comment: Comment on adoption of Wind Energy Systems and Solar Energy Systems Ordinances.
Communications, seminars, etc.:
*Ingham Co Sheriff Dept Sgt Chad Doyle – 9 Oct calls-6 vehicle crashes (primarily car/deer); 2 people arrested on warrants, 1 suspicious situation.
*September 15, 2023 State of Michigan Assessment roll and practices audit results, stated ‘very good review’.
*Dec 6, MTA Twp Bd Roles & Relations/How Bds Make Decisions, Mt Pleasant, $178 by 11/15.
Motion Turner, second Davis to pay mileage and registration for December 6, 2023 MTA
Workshop. PASSED {5-0}.
Any Other Business/Board member comments: Davis shared information of December 12 Fahey & Schultz webinar and December 7 MTA workshop. Hart commented on article in Twp Focus regarding Twp Manager.
Adjournment: Motion Davis, second Shepler to adjourn meeting. PASSED {5-0}. Meeting adjourned at 8:45 by Supervisor Hart.
Glenda S Turner
Locke Township Clerk
