Regular Meeting of the Lovells Township Board
December 12 2023
PRESENT: Cheryl Hopp, Heather Lovell, Ken Ball, Tamara Kengel and Gary A. Neumann.
Invitee of the Board: Chief Gary Lewicki
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Dave Soderquist, Jo Johnson, Kevin Kunkleman, Ann C Duby, Jack Plants, Sally Brand.
Supervisor Neumann called the Board Meeting to order at 10:00AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Reading and approval of the minutes of our Regular Board Meeting November 14, 2023. No Questions/Comments. Neumann moved to accept the minutes from November 14 as provided, Hopp supported. Voice Vote: All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED
PRE-PAID VOUCHERS: Neumann moved, Hopp supported a motion to approve pre-paid vouchers From November 10, 2023 through December 7, 2023 as presented: General Fund totaling $10,227.48 Direct Deposit Checks totaling $6,5000.72 ; Fire Fund totaling $4,670.18; Landfill Fund totaling $3041.18; and Liquor Fund totaling $82.20. First payment to 360 Landscaping and Property Services for snow plowing was noted. In a roll call vote: All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s November Report Received and Accepted as Presented.
CORRESPONDENCE: None Noted
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Assessing- None Noted
Fire/EMS Department – 5 Fire Runs (1 mutual aid), 4 Medical Runs for November, Two Carbon Monoxide (CO) calls were made, with one confirmed case of a CO leak which was detected and the source located so that repairs could be affected. Chief Lewicki reminded that a CO Alarm is a 911 call so that the incident can be appropriately investigated and documented. A camper fire involving multiple units during Deer Season was responded to as a Mutual Aid run to Grayling Charter Township. Chief also reminds us that trees near power lines that appear to need trimming should be reported to the electric utility and not be handled by property owners.
Cemetery Sexton- No Activity
Liquor Inspector- 3 Inspections, no issues noted
Zoning Administrator – No Permits Issued
Zoning Enforcement Officer- No Report
COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS:
Parks and Rec- No meeting was held in November; December meeting will not be held due to Chairmen’s schedule. Next meeting will be January 2024
Board of Review – A December 2023 BOR is not necessary and is cancelled.
Historical Society – Activities are in the “quiet” season.
Crawford County Planning Commission (CCPC)– No Report
Lovells Township Planning Commission (LTPC) – The Planning Commission has continued to work gathering input on the proposed STR Stand-alone ordinance. One STR Review meeting was held and the application for9950 Ski Hill Rd was approved
Zoning Board of Appeals – An application is still pending due to lack of fee payment.
Lovells Media and Reading Center –Book Boxes are remaining popular. Door seals and latches were affixed to the boxes to help prevent water incursion. New donations to the library of a series of books was noted.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
- STR Licensing Ordinance Supervisor Neumann went over some of the current inputs to customize the model STR ordinance to the Lovells Community. This included a discussion on the impact that the Natural Rivers Act (NRA) Zoning has on our administration of activities in the “Green Belt” area. Since Lovells Township, along with most other municipalities have chosen to be the enforcement entity for NRA rather than the DNR, there can and will be slight differences in interpretation of these precepts. Lovells Township interpretations shall prevail. Key elements in an STR Ordinance based on community input Lovells is moving forward with include but are not limited to:
- Occupancy Restriction of NMT 2 per Bedroom, 10 total.
- Lengthy “Suspension and Revocation” clause designed to affect a high degree of compliance with the provisions of the license.
- Substantial financial penalties for classing as “Municipal Civil Infractions” violations, in addition to the aspect of potential license suspension
- The license is per owner-property and not transferable
- One STR per owner and no “hiding” behind corporate structures to have multiple STRs
- Restrictions on signage, advertising, large events, and lighting (nuisance items), etc
- Noise issues are already covered under an existing ordinance.
It was suggested by an audience member to consider “quiet time” for STRs akin to what is common practice in other hostelries and campgrounds. The Board found favor with this suggestion and adopted the Michigan DNR Standard for State Campgrounds of 10PM to 8AM. This will be incorporated into the ordinance. Next steps are to assign Board members (including the Planning Commission liaison Kengel) to meet with the Township Attorney to craft these concepts in proper legal form as an Ordinance.
NEW BUSINESS:
- New Business:
- Board approval to utilize KCI for printing and mailing assessment notices in February and prepayment of postage for same is required. KCI is a proven entity for this function and has provided the best price. Neumann moved, Lovell supported, to employ KCI for mailing of assessment notices and prepay postage for this activity, Voice Vote all Ayes Motion Carried. The Assessor will inform us of the postage bill.
- Discuss and decision replacement of all Fire/EMS portable and mobile radios and pagers. Supervisor Neumann and Chief Lewicki presented the quotes for 15 Portable Radios (person carried) 5 Mobile Radios (vehicle mounted), needed accessories and 15 pagers. The pagers are required as we are required to have two separate means of communication with Central Dispatch. The equipment and associated (non-optional) programming and connection fees amount to $98,788.75. The pricing includes our MiDeal State of Michigan purchase discount on the hardware. This represents a long-term investment as the current radios served the township for over 15 years but are now obsolete and can no longer be maintained. Funding includes $52,000 provided by the Friends of the Lovells Township Fire and EMS and Fire Fund balance carryover. After purchase we will still have an estimated carryover balance of $11,900 at the end of FY ’23-‘24. Neumann moved, Lovell supported, to go forward with the purchase as described. In a Roll Call vote, all Ayes, Motion Carried.
- Discussed and potentially adopt our 2024 Resolution regarding income guidelines and asset tests for Poverty Exemptions to property taxes as required by the Michigan State Tax Commission. State guidelines as provided by the Assessor were followed. This is a perfunctory obligation and a Board Vote is required. Neumann moved, Hopp supported, to adopt the Poverty Property Tax Exemption Resolution as presented. In a voice vote all Ayes, Motion Carried.
- Distribution of the draft FY 2024-2025 township General and Liquor Funds that will be adjudicated at the January Board Meeting, and Adopted at the February Board Meeting. NO ACTION REQUIRED AT THIS MEETING.
- Citizen request (M. Duby) to allow a portable firepit to be used at Crossroads Park for a Winter Solstice Event. The board appreciates the ask and the request was approved.
- Informational Items
- Lovells Township 112th Birthday is 1/8/2024.
- New Camera System is up and running including remote access.
- Lovells Township needs Election Inspectors, please consider serving your township in this capacity. We have a particular need for inspectors who express a preference for the Democrat Party. Please contact the Clerk if you are willing and able.
- Toys for Tots drive was very successful. Our Box is full!
Regular Business closed at 11:06
PUBLIC COMMENTS:
- Jo Johnson inquired if “Covid Bucks” could be used to support the Radio Purchase. While this falls into the realm of acceptable uses of these funds, we are comfortable with the funding mechanism we have chosen. The Parks and Rec Committee’s recommendations for use of these funds is not likely to meet the $60,000 balance we have; we will find other public benefit projects to use the balance on by end of 2024 as prescribed.
- It was suggested that the new Township Flag be displayed in the Township Hall or at the Fire Hall
- There was a question regarding the RADAR speed signs and their absence from our roads. It was explained that given the County Plow Drivers penchant for damaging the “Welcome to Lovells” signs and various mailboxes, that we would protect our investment during the winter by not deploying them during plow season.
Motion to Adjourn by Neumann, Support by Lovell, Motion Carried by Voice Vote
Meeting Adjourned at 11:13
Next Regular Meeting of Lovells Township Board will be held Tuesday, January 9, 2023 at 10:00 AM at this location.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kenneth F. Ball
Lovells Township Clerk