CALL TO ORDER

By: Chris Marko Time: 7:30 p.m.

ROLL CALL

Present: Mary Agnes Simons, Georgia Phelan, Isla Boskee, Bernie Pelc, Chris Marko, Bill Jenuwine

Excused Absence: George Kunnath

Absent: Debbie Hayes, Bill Drake,

Others Present

Dick Smith, township planning consultant, John McNamee twp. attorney

MINUTES APPROVAL

Minutes of Oct. 22, 2008

Corrections: Section D: should read “..has concerns about shadows and noise…”

Motion to approve: Isla Boskee w/correction

Second: Bill Jenuwine

Minutes approved

AGENDA CHANGES

Add under Communications-b. and under Old Business-c.

Motion to approve: Mary Agnes

Second: Isla

Motion approved

Add under New Business: Election of Officers

Motion to approve: Isla

Second: Bernie

Motion approved

COMMUNICATIONS

1. Message from St. Clair County Metro Planning Commission

We have received a draft copy of new county Master Plan. We can view at: cics.stclaircounty.org. Chris will request the deputy clerk to make a hard copy for Isla.

2. Correspondence re: windmills, from Montgomery and Associates

Bernie has this info about ordinances for wind generation which he will share with anyone interested. No one is attending the upcoming MSUE workshops on this. MTA will also be having a workshop in January.

OLD BUSINESS

1. Joint gathering with neighboring townships (letter enclosed)

Chris will be extending this invitation to all Township Planning Commission chairs of Algonac, China Twp., Clay Twp., Ira Twp., and Marine City. As this is not a meeting, change “meeting” to “gathering” in the invitation.

2. Ordinance enforcement ordinances

Mr. McNamee discussed application of these; they work better in theory than in practice.

-Application of these is not as effective as one would think and is enforcement is cumbersome to township. He sighted examples.

-Civil infractions do not work locally; could be better making them violations misdemeanors instead.

-There are other options, which were discussed.

-Need an enforcement officer; ordinances need to be proactively enforced so as to not be selectively enforced.

-Any violation of building codes are already enforceable under state statute

Mr. McNamee will meet with our building inspector to discuss current township violations and approaches to correct them

Keep this item on our agenda

3. Review of new ordinance book

Set up workshops for review: Wednesdays- in January 14, 7:00-9:00 p.m. and January 28 (after the regular Planning Commission meeting) 7:30-9:00 p.m.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Changes to Planning Commission There are no changes

2. Election of Officers

Motion by Isla to table this item until January

Second: Bernie

Motion Approved

NOTES

2009 Planning Commission meetings have been approved by

the Township Board: fourth Wednesday of each month with the exception of a combined November/December meeting on December 9.

PUBLIC COMMENTS

None

ADJOURNMENT

Time: 9:25 p.m.

Prepared by:

Georgia Phelan, Secretary