Cottrellville Township, Michigan
Planning Commission
Meeting Minutes
22 October 2008
DRAFT
Call to Order: Chairperson, Chris Marko called the meeting to order at 19:37.
Roll Call: Present: Chris Marko, Bernie Pelc, George Kunnath, Isla Boskee, Debbie Hayes
Excused: Georgia Phelan, Bill Drake, Bill Jenuwine, Mary Agnes Simons
Guests: Mike Harrington, Anderson Eckstein & Westrick; Richard Smith, Montgomery & Assoc.
Minutes: There was discussion on the joint meetings with neighboring townships. Kunnath suggested the motion to table be changed to January 2009. Pelc preferred it be left as is. Kunnath (Boskee) moved to approve the minutes from 24 September 2008 with Pelc’s correction to add the date in the header. Carried
Agenda Changes: No changes made. Boskee (Kunnath) moved to accept the agenda. Carried
Communications: St. Clair County Metropolitan Planning Department’s Fall Workshop will be held next week. Phelan has expressed interest and been approved by the Township Board to attend.
Old Business: A. More discussion was held on joint meetings. Pelc suggested planning for January 2009 now because our Planning Commission could change significantly after the elections. It was decided to have a more formal meeting with several neighbors and an agenda. The primary agenda item will be comparison of zoning maps on adjacent borders. Each party will be invited to bring an item of concern to discuss. Boskee reminded the group the December meeting date needs to be set. Boskee (Kunnath) moved to set 10 December 2008 for our November/December meeting. Carried Marko will draft a letter for our next meeting with a sample agenda for the joint meeting invitation.
Pelc had concern over need for backflow preventer for home connections to public water line. Harrington stated it wouldn’t be necessary because the existing well lines had to be kept separate. Other possible back flow situations were addressed in the text as they were delineated. (i.e. sprinkler lines) Pelc questioned requirement for one (1) inch ID on p 35; section G2 because this is not what is being installed on the current job. Kunnath (Hayes) moved to approve the Engineering Ordinance as presented. Carried unanimously. Boskee inquired if a public hearing was going to be necessary. Marko stated the Township Board would approve & follow the publication process.
The “Municipal Civil Infraction Ordinance Violations Bureau” draft was reviewed and commented on. Good discussion on the Bureau Clerk position and fine collection. Pelc was concerned that the $50 fine was too low. Marko suggested having the attorney address multiple violations and logical progression to a nuisance status. Smith stated this was just an example of an ordinance to submit to the attorney. The first page wording on officials and employees was changed to match the description in Section 6. The intent is to have this be a municipal civil infraction therefore the notice doesn’t have to be served personally. Next, discussion held on the “Ordinance Enforcement Officer” draft. It was decided the last bullet in Section 4 shall have the last six words deleted: “or assigned by the Township Attorney”. Smith cautioned about the Township Constable position because it’s antiquated and allows for more liability than help for the Township. Marko affirmed this was the first step in the process to get this issue addressed. Kunnath (Boskee) moved to forward the “Municipal Civil Infraction Ordinance” and “Violation Bureau and Ordinance Enforcement Officer” drafts to the Twp Bd. Carried. Marko requested an electronic copy from Smith for Twp Bd.
Smith opened discussion on wind generator ordinance examples that were mailed to commission members. He felt the current ordinance is old language. The examples were for personal use and commercial use. Smith remarked that state law doesn’t supersede township ordinances on wind generator ordinances. There was discussion on our intent and need to update the recently approved ordinance. Pelc expressed his concern because of recent energy generation requirements passed by the State and wants to be proactive. He has concern about shadows and noise from the devices, too. The current ordinance did cover most of the points stressed in the examples. Kunnath (Hayes) moved to take no action on this. Carried. Marko suggested this would be a good topic for the joint meetings.
New Business: There was no new business on the agenda.
Public Comments: No public in attendance.
Adjournment: Kunnath (Pelc) moved to adjourn at 20:59. Carried
Respectfully submitted,
Debbie Hayes,
Planning Commission