Summary
The Bingham Township Board held its regular meeting on March 18, 2024, with a full quorum present. Key actions included approving the agenda with two additions (blight ordinance discussion and concrete bids for park work), approving February minutes, accepting a clean-up day contract with GFL, approving final payment to A. Rink Architects for the Township Hall addition, authorizing purchase of a new election computer, and rescheduling the June Annual and Regular Board meetings to June 24, 2024. The Leelanau County Road Commission presented its annual report on road conditions and funding. No public comments were made during the meeting.
Public Comments
No public comments were recorded under either the Public Comment agenda item or the closing Public Comments and Announcements item.
Parks and Recreation Matters
Under Old Business, Steve Patmore reviewed a concrete bid for a Port-a-Potty pad at the Parks. The work will require a soil erosion permit, which the contractor can obtain. It was suggested that Buzz Long of the Leelanau Conservation District be contacted about permit requirements, and Kurtis Graham was mentioned as a possible contact for staking the site. Todd Stone agreed to serve as the contact person and to go to the site with the contractor. The Board agreed that Stone should proceed with obtaining proposals.
Under Committee Reports, Todd Stone reported that the Parks and Recreation Committee did not meet in the last month.
Infrastructure Projects
Brendan Mullane presented the Leelanau County Road Commission's (RC) annual report via PowerPoint. Highlights included:
- Several culverts in the Glen Arbor area were converted to bridges at a cost of approximately $6 million, funded by 7-8 different entities, to improve river/stream flow for aquatic wildlife.
- The PASER rating system was explained, showing Bingham Township's primary roads are in good condition relative to other townships (green = good, yellow = needs attention, red = poor/expensive to repair).
- State law restricts the RC to spending only 50% of the cost to repair local (non-primary) roads; current budget constraints mean the RC is focused on primary roads and cannot fund local road work at this time.
- The RC is developing a long-term road repair plan.
- A fleet asset management plan was formalized in 2022; new emission control laws taking effect in 2027 requiring zero emissions for large vehicles will significantly impact the RC.
- Maintenance processes, work on M-22, and TART trail crossings were discussed in response to Board questions.
No votes were taken on this report; it was informational.
Other Business
- Blight Ordinance: Todd Stone discussed a draft blight/junk ordinance building on a 2016 draft that was never approved. The Township attorney has reviewed it. Violations would be treated as a Municipal Civil Infraction (MCI) and would not require a citizen complaint. Concerns were raised about subjectivity in determining violations. A process involving a 30-day cleanup window and a possible "help packet" with cleanup/disposal resources was discussed. Sandra Grant expressed concern that the sample ordinance is stricter than what should be enforced and wants to limit regulation to extreme cases without infringing on property owner rights. Stone will draft language defining junk, blight, or health hazard for further discussion.
- Clean-up Day: The Board approved (Morio/Stone) the GFL contract for the May 18, 2024 Clean-up Day and authorized the Supervisor to sign. Motion carried.
- Township Hall Addition: Final payment of $2,800 to A. Rink Architects, Inc. was approved (Grant/Morio), pending receipt of the certificate of occupancy. Motion carried.
- Building and Grounds: New rooms will be painted; office area painting scheduled. Soundproofing the women's restroom (estimated under $500) was approved by consensus. A new toilet for the women's restroom was discussed; Werner will follow up with Kurtis. The Board approved (Grant/Stone) letting Morio and Werner decide on carpet type/color for flooring, opting for carpet over wood/laminate for warmth and sound absorption. Motion carried.
- Cemetery Committee: Werner hopes to hold a meeting next month to discuss a previously proposed walkway and a needed flag standard for veterans' graves; newly purchased flag holders are not sturdy enough and flags flip out in wind. Werner will raise this with the committee.
- Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator: Steve Patmore submitted a written report. The ZBA will meet on a variance. Over 70 STR registrations have been received, generating many questions. A solar array permit was issued in Whispering Hills; solar arrays are treated as accessory structures, and roof-mounted (flush) arrays do not need a Township permit but do need a county permit.
- Planning Commission: No report; meeting cancelled due to lack of quorum.
- Fire Authority: No report (documents emailed).
- Assessor's Report: No report. No replacement has been found yet for Angela Friske. A dinner for Angela will be held prior to the April 15 meeting.
- Treasurer: The Township has settled with the county (no further detail given). The Board approved (Werner/Layman) moving the June 17, 2024 Annual and Regular meetings to June 24, 2024. Motion carried.
- Clerk/Election Computer: The Township's election computer needs upgrading to meet election requirements before the May 7 election. The Board approved (Grant/Layman) having Morio contact Netlink to purchase a new computer. Motion carried.
- Supervisor: The office will be closed March 20-21 for painting. The MTA conference is April 23-24 at the Resort in Acme; Township funds are available for anyone wishing to attend.
Financial Summary
- Final payment of $2,800 approved for A. Rink Architects, Inc., pending certificate of occupancy.
- Payroll balance of $17,832.65 and vendor balance of $16,657.96 approved (Grant/Stone).
- Soundproofing the women's restroom estimated at under $500.
- Road Commission report noted approximately $6 million spent on culvert-to-bridge conversions in Glen Arbor, funded by 7-8 entities; state law limits RC to spending 50% of costs on local road repairs, restricting current local road funding.
- Purchase of a new election computer from Netlink was authorized, though no cost figure was specified in the minutes.
- Township funds are available to cover MTA conference attendance costs.
Action Items
- Todd Stone to draft specific language defining "junk," blight, or health hazard for the proposed blight ordinance.
- Todd Stone to obtain proposals/bids for the concrete work on the Parks Port-a-Potty pad and to visit the site with the contractor; confirm soil erosion permit requirements (possibly via Buzz Long of the Leelanau Conservation District).
- Werner to follow up with Kurtis Graham regarding installing a new toilet in the women's restroom.
- Werner and Morio to obtain flooring/carpet samples and select carpet type and color.
- Werner to discuss flag standard and flag holder issues with the Cemetery Committee.
- Morio to contact Netlink to purchase a new election computer before the May 7 election.
- Township to hold a dinner for Angela Friske prior to the April 15, 2024 meeting; assessor replacement still needed.
- Next regular Board meeting scheduled for April 15, 2024; Annual and Regular June meetings rescheduled to June 24, 2024.