MACKINAW TOWNSHIP

September 20, 2005 Regular Board Meeting

The regular meeting of the Mackinaw Township Board was held on Tuesday, September 20, 2005 at 10595 Wallick Road, Mackinaw City, Michigan. Supervisor Dean called meeting to order at 7:30 P.M. followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Roll Call: Present: Dean, Bertchinger, Rogala, Keck, Davis

Absent: None

Guests: James Conboy

Approval of Agenda - Motion by Dean, seconded by Davis that the order of the Agenda be revised to allow Mr. Conboy to make his presentation at the start of the meeting. All in favor, motion carried.

Mr. Conboy thanked the Board for their understanding when he was unable to attend the July Board meeting as originally scheduled. Mr. Conboy spoke on behalf of the Top of Michigan Trails Council. This is a 62-mile trail from Mackinaw City to Gaylord. This trail is owned by the State of Michigan. A federal grant has been received toward the improvement of this trail and pledges are now being sought for the local funds needed to complete this project. Mr. Conboy reviewed the pledges received thus far and the type of improvements planned.

Minutes of July 19,2005 approved as presented.

Dean reported on the 425 Agreement and the fact that the Village of Mackinaw has turned down the offer made by the township and will only accept an agreement, which duplicates the one for the Shores Condos. After discussion, it was agreed that this issue would be dropped from the agenda.

Report on donation of property to the township and the legality of owners receiving a tax deduction. This is legal but the value of the deduction would have to be determined by the tax code. Discussion centered on the possibility of trading property within the township that the State may own. Rogala will contact the DNR concerning this action.

Report on possible purchase of automatic feed copy machine. Keck recommended that this be further studied with the aim of including funds in next year's budget.

Keck reviewed his progress with obtaining procedures for sending out a bulk mailing to all township residents informing them of the web site. He compared the cost of doing the mail locally or having it done by Maple River Direct Mail. Motion by Rogala, second by Davis to use Maple River Direct Mail to send a letter to all township property owners. All aye, motion carried.

Current township policy on listing persons who attend the meeting was the next item on the agenda.

Motion to amend the Mackinaw Township Board Policy to require minutes to show date, time, place and members present and members absent, and any decisions made at meetings open to the public.

Motion by Rogala, second by Bertchinger

Roll Call: Yes: Davis, Keck, Rogala, Bertchinger, and Dean - Motion carried.

Dean reported on meeting he and Davis had with Sam Staffan concerning Memorial Plaque. Davis took the floor and reviewed the content. Dean said it would be approx. $3.00 per square inch. Staffan felt it would best to mount the plaque on a free standing structure rather than a bench. Davis passed out verbiage possibilities and it was agreed that the plaque should include date property was donated.

Discussion item included information that the auditor will attend next month's meeting to answer any questions the members may have concerning the audit they were given at the meeting.

Treasurer's Report for both August and September as follows:

August:
General Fund  106,173.65
Road Fund  41,619.76
Memorial Garden  287.55
Liquor  1,692.46
Improv. Revolving  60,410.77

Treasurer's Report for August accepted as presented.

September:
General Fund  101,457.73
Road Fund  41,684.32
Memorial Garden  288.00
Liquor  1,695.07
Improv. Revolving  60,411.41

Treasurer's Report for September accepted as presented.

A letter received concerning Liquor Control funds was discussed and Keck will review this letter and answer as requested..

Bills for August, which were prepaid, were reviewed.

Motion by Dean, second Davis to accept bills as presented - all aye motion carried.

September bills as were presented:

Motion by Rogala, second by Davis - All aye, motion carried.

Committee Reports:

Roads - Mrs. Vincent had complained about Hebron Mail Route - The County was called and they took care of the problem. Stimson Road also needs attention. Rogala suggested we not rush to pave any roads unless specifically requested.

Jacobson briefly reported on preliminary assessment figures for the coming year. He also will be attending a meeting concerning scanning of property documents.

Meeting adjourned to the call of the chair at 9:15 P.M

Jack A. Keck, Clerk

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