Regular Meeting of the Lovells Township Board
November 12, 2024
PRESENT: Cheryl Hopp, Heather Lovell, Ken Ball, Tamara Kengel, Gary Neumann
INVITED GUEST OF THE BOARD: Bryan Graham Esq, Township Attorney
ABSENT: None
ALSO PRESENT: Ann C Duby, Sally Brand, Chief Lewicki, Dave Soderquist, Rick Wright, Peggy Orr, Janet Dunning, Barbara, Jo Johnson, Mike Mosser, Jennifer Mosser, Randy Long, Bonnie Maricic, Jack Plants, Pam Plants, Suzi Moore, Carol Brand, Pam Ball, Joan Petroff, Frank Lohr.
Supervisor Neumann called the Board Meeting to order at 10:00AM, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.
Supervisor Neumann moved to alter the agenda to begin with Unfinished Business out of deference to the presence of our Attorney. Supported by Lovell and affirmed by voice vote.
Neumann moved to enter a Closed Session of the Board, pursuant to Section 8 of the Open Meetings Act, Supported by Kengel to discuss with our Attorney his memo of October 15, 2024. Roll Call Vote, all Ayes. The Board retired to the Media Room for Attorney/Client confidential discussion. Minutes are kept for this session under separate cover.
The Closed Session was completed at 10:50 and the Public Regular Board Meeting Resumed.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
Supervisor Neumann moved, supported by Kengel to table further action on the STR Ordinance Adoption until the next board convenes in December. Voice Vote, Three Ayes, One Nay, One Abstention. The action is tabled.
MINUTES FROM OCTOBER 8, 2024:
Reading and approval of the minutes of our Regular Board Meeting October 8, 2024. One typo was noted and the Clerk will correct Neumann moved to accept the minutes from the October meeting as corrected, Lovell supported. Voice Vote: All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED
PRE-PAID VOUCHERS: Presented were pre-paid vouchers From October 5, 2024 through November 7, 2024 as presented: General Fund totaling $17,364.28 (includes Election Pay), Direct Deposit Checks totaling $5,033.10; Fire Fund totaling $6,836.36; Landfill Fund totaling $6,457.15 and Liquor Fund totaling $12.08. Notable bills were for material for the Crossroads Parks Pavillion. Neumann moved and Lovell Supported to accept the pre-Paids as presented. In a roll call vote: All Ayes. MOTION CARRIED.
Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s October Report was received. It was noted that the Treasurer’s Report balanced with the Clerk’s ledgers. Included in the Treasurer’s Report was the payment of Interest from our short-term CD $4,323.88. Treasurer Kengel reported that the new rate offered by Huntington on renewal of the CD was a paltry figure so she declined and moved the monies back into our general banking account. Neumann moved to accept the report, in a voice vote the report was Accepted as Presented.
CORRESPONDENCE: None noted
DEPARTMENT REPORTS:
Crawford County Planning Commission (CCPC)– No Report
Lovells Township Planning Commission (LTPC) –A hearing was held November 1, at 5 PM at the Township Hall regarding a Township Wind Ordinance. The resulting ordinance is being prepared for the legally required publishing before being enancted. An organizational meeting of the reconstituted Planning Commission will be held in January.
Assessing- Focused on preparing the rolls for the Winter Tax Bill preparations. Delinquent tax bills are being processed.
Fire/EMS Department –8 runs, 3Fire and 5 Medical. Chris Angelhoff has resigned from his position as Fire Captain as he is unable to make the time commitment to Lovells any longer. A replacement is being sought.
Cemetery Sexton- 1 Full Body Burial.
Liquor Inspector- Three acceptable inspections noted.
Zoning Administrator –3 Permits issued, to wit: ` 2 auxiliary buildings and one “lean-to” addition to an existing pole barn.
Zoning Enforcement Officer- No activity
COMMISSIONS AND BOARDS:
Parks and Rec- Focus is now on finishing projects in process at CR Park while weather permits. Volunteers are needed to make this happen. A 26 Brick order from Polar Engraving is due in-bound at any time.
Historical Society
- Most activities are winding down for the season
- Hot Stove dates and speakers are being scheduled
- Updating the windows and porch on the Kellogg School is a desired project. Estimates have been received for the windows and some combination of grants and fundraising will be required to further these projects.
- LTHS is looking for board members. If you would like a rewarding activity and help in preserving the rich heritage of Lovells Township please contact a current board member for info.
Board of Review-No December BOR looks to be needed at this time
Zoning Board of Appeals –A Public Hearing on a Greenbelt side lot variance was held and yielded an approval. Again, this is a case where the “impacted abutter” was favorably disposed to the variance sought. One application was withdrawn and the fee refunded.
Lovells Media and Reading Center –The book boxes are being used and the South Side is no longer leaking.
NEW BUSINESS:
- Snow Plowing Bids were received and opened prior to the meeting by the Supervisor and Clerk. One bid was withdrawn by phone prior to the meeting as the bidder has sufficient other business this season. The remaining bid was proffered by Dave Mullins, for the sum of $3,000. Neumann moved, supported by Hopp to accept the bid as presented. In a Roll Call Vote, all ayes. A contract with Mr. Mullins will be drawn-up and signed.
- Supervisor Neumann suggested per-hourly transition assistance rates for the Supervisor and Clerk Emeriti to assist with the incoming officers. Supervisor rates would be $21.60 per hour and Clerk at $22.80 per hour which are based on the monthly salary for each office. In a voice vote, unanimous agreement was made for the proposed rates.
- Clerk Ball presented a revised draft of a new facilities rental agreement to cover renting/use of the Township Hall, Pavilion, and new shelter. He had been asked to write in a provision that community groups with long standing “free” use expectations (example: Loose Threads) would yield to paying renter or official Township needs (example: Elections, Committees etc.). This was integrated into the document. Neumann moved, Lovell supported to adopt the new agreement as amended. In a voice vote, all Ayes, the new agreement is adopted to all rentals commencing after 11/12/2024.
- Ex-officio positions for the PC and ZBA were discussed. For now, Kengel (PC) and Neumann (ZBA) will remain as ex-officio until organizational meeting of the PC take place and new leadership elected. It was also noted that the LTHS will need a new board liaison as well.
- Informational Items
- Annual Federal COLA has been released and is 2.5%. It will apply to Township Wages, Salaries and Per-diems effective 4/1/2025
- Draft Liquor and General Fund Budgets to be passed to the board at December ’25 meeting. Deliberation and Discussion at the Jan ’25 meeting and potential adoption at the Feb ’25 meeting/ public hearing.
- Election Results discussion: Lovells once again crushed voter participation numbers for Crawford County with above 78%. 433 Ballots were processed in precinct, and 61 for Early Voting. Kudos to the team for a long busy day with very few issues and persevering through those with cheer and devotion to the community.
- SAAB Plant CEO meeting summary. Neumann and Ball attended a meeting with the SAAB Land System CEO. It was an informative session with several rumors about the facility and hiring being dispelled. Expect more information to be shared now that the contracts are signed. Range 41 (west end of LT) will be the acceptance testing site for the AT4 munitions assembled at the plant.
- Big Creek Impoundment Permit was approved by EGLE for the drawdown of the Impoundment for inspection of the dam and outlet riser. There is concern regarding stress cracks in the riser assembly. Interestingly, the permit does not authorize the refilling of the impoundment. It is unclear if this means that another ‘refill’ permit will be needed or if the impoundment will not be refilled in any case.
Regular Business closed at 11:50
PUBLIC COMMENTS: None
End of Public Comment @ 11:51
- Motion to Adjourn by Neumann, Support by Lovell, Motion Carried by Voice Vote
Meeting Adjourned at 11:52
Next Regular Meeting of Lovells Township Board will be held Tuesday, December 10, 2024 at 10:00 AM at this location.
Respectfully Submitted,
Kenneth F. Ball
Lovells Township Clerk