LOCKE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING MINUTES Draft 02-14-2024
February 13, 2024 Approved___________
The Locke Township Board met February 13, 2024, in the Locke Township Hall, 3805 Bell Oak Road.
Present: Hart, Turner, Rambo, Shepler, Davis. Also present: Ty Hull and Duane Pinckney.
Absent: None.
Call to order at 7:00 PM by Supervisor Hart followed by pledge to flag.
Additions to agenda/approval of agenda.
Action on January 9, 2024 meeting minutes. Motion Shepler, second Rambo, to approve the minutes of January 9, 2024 Board of Trustees meeting. PASSED {5-0}.
Action on Accounts Payable checks. Motion Hart, second Davis to amend accounts payable checks to add payroll ck# 6142- Bob Davis, for February meeting . PASSED {5-0}.
Motion Shepler, second Rambo to approve amended accounts payable checks #6140-#6175 as amended in the amount of $18000.16. PASSED {5-0}.
Public Comment. Comment from Duane Pinckney-interest in PC vacancy.
Unfinished Business:
*Quotes summary for security cameras for new ballot drop box & installation of ballot drop box. MI Twp Part Plan Risk Reduction Program grants opportunity.
The following Questions/concerns from Board members were discussed:
- Motion activated
- Days of recording
- Stand alone unit (Not connected to server)
- Warranty
- NDAA compliance.
Twp Board to revisit in April when information on these concerns are available.
New Business:
*2024-25 Wages. Motion Shepler, second Rambo to approve the 2024-25 Locke Township
wages (effective 04/01/2024) as presented. PASSED {5-0}.
*Resolution #2024-03 Poverty Guidelines and Income/Asset Test. Motion Turner, second
Shepler to adopt Resolution #2024-03 Poverty Guidelines and income/Asset Test. Roll call
vote; Yes-Davis, Rambo, Hart, Shepler, Turner. No-None. PASSED {5-0}.
*2024 Locke Township Lawn Maintenance.
Cemeteries: Strongs Lawn Service $850.00 per mow [same company/price as last year].
Motion Davis, second Turner to accept Strongs Lawn Service for cemetery mowing for 2024.
PASSED {5-0}.
Twp Hall: Nick’s Lawn Service $80 per mow [same company/price as last year].
Motion Davis, second Rambo to accept Nick’s Lawn Service for Twp Hall mowing for 2024.
PASSED {5-0}.
*Resignation of Deputy Treasurer Julia Keyes 1-15-24. Motion Turner, second Davis to accept resignation from Deputy Treasurer Julia Keyes effective 1-15-24. PASSED {5-0}.
*Treasurer appointment of Deputy Treasurer Michelle Soliz on 1-25-24. Motion Turner, second Shepler to accept appointment of Deputy Treasurer Michelle Soliz effective 1-25-24. PASSED {5-0}.
*Authorization of Michelle Soliz to be a signer at Independent Bank. Motion Turner, second Shepler to authorize Michelle Soliz to be a signer at Independent Bank. PASSED {5-0}.
*2024 Local Road Program discussed.
*Hall Rentals monthly/annual summary. Rambo would like to revisit the issue of low humidity at the hall.
*Draft 2024-2025 General Budget Worksheet discussed.
*Schedule Budget Public Hearing. Motion Turner, second Shepler to schedule the General Budget Public Hearing for March 12, 2024 @ 7 PM. PASSED {5-0}.
*2024 Local Road Program. Motion Rambo, second Turner to accept the Milton Road project at project cost of $55,055 and request the remainder Road Dept matching funds to be rolled over to 2025. PASSED {5-0}.
*Received $107.51 dividend return from our workers compensation insurance-Accident fund Ins Co.
*Renewable Energy discussion, including ballot initiative and options for local government.
*$1000.00 quote from TC Tree Service to remove leaning pine tree in Bell Oak Cemetery. Motion Turner, second Shepler to approve removal of leaning pine tree at a cost of $1000, in Bell Oak Cemetery by TC Tree Service. PASSED {5-0}.
*Volunteer for Bell Oak Cemetery-remove 2 stumps/clean-up. Motion Shepler, second Rambo to authorize the volunteer to remove 2 stumps/clean up. PASSED {5-0}.
Reports:
*Clerk- Jan rev/exp report review; mailed 705 postcards notifying households of early voting; received & tested new election equipment; prepare/distribute W-2/1099’s employee tax reports-submit to IRS and State; 01/30 held Election Commission meeting; 02/01 attend Clerks Early Voting training @ Vevay Twp hall-East Lansing Clerk facilitator; 2/02 performed Preliminary Accuracy Test w/Dep Clerk; 02/07 BOE Early Voting E-Pollbook Training; 2/08 performed Public Accuracy Test w/Spvsr & Treas; 2/12 Election Inspector Training-Ingham County.
*Treasurer- Jan 31 Treasurers report review; attend 01/17 MTA Renewable Energy Siting; What’s next? Webinar; attend 01/30 Election Commission meeting; will meet 03/14 w/Decker Ins-review renewal policy
*Trustee- Shepler Reported the Planning Commission has started the update on the Master Plan; attend 01/17 MTA Renewable Energy Siting; What’s next? Webinar.
*Supervisor-Attended 01/11 NIESA Bd meeting; Jan NIESA report distributed; Sun 01/14 work on back-up generator; 01/18 met w/ICRD re; 2024 road improvements; complete Census Boundary & Annexation Survey; 01/30 attend Election Commission meeting; attend 2/08 NIESA Bd meeting.
*Zoning Administrator- Jan report distributed, building permits update. Registered MI Assoc of Planning Mar 6 & 7 Zoning Administrators zoom workshop.
Public Comment: Comment on camera storage capacity.
Communications, seminars, etc.:
*MTA 2024 Educational Conference & Expo, April 22-25, Grand Traverse Resort.
Any Other Business/Board member comments: None
Adjournment: Motion Davis, second Rambo to adjourn meeting. PASSED {5-0}. Meeting adjourned at 8:40 by Supervisor Hart.
Glenda S Turner
Locke Township Clerk
