Summary
The Bingham Township Board met on January 15, 2024, with Supervisor Midge Werner presiding and Trustee Jeff Layman absent (excused). The Board approved the December 18, 2023 minutes, accepted a $11,000 bid for the Township Hall roof, approved a $1,500 plan to reroof the Maple Grove Cemetery pumphouse, discussed ongoing interior construction at the Township building, and tabled a decision on the Gosling Czubak parking lot proposal for Boughey Park. The Board also amended the Parks and Recreation Committee by-laws, reviewed a draft township website presented by Brian Kindt, accepted the Assessor's resignation, and approved several vendor and payroll expenditures.
Public Comments
Brian Kindt, a Parks and Recreation Committee member, presented a draft township website during the first public comment period. He described the hosting and licensing process, a Google workspace for Parks and Rec, and the site's capabilities, including gathering demographic data on visitors and collecting public feedback on the 5-year park plan. Supervisor Midge Werner questioned whether the website's purpose was informational for residents or aimed at encouraging tourism; she stated a preference for it to serve as an informational tool for residents. Kindt responded that both purposes were considered in the draft text, and that the Board would have the opportunity to approve or edit content, including planned historical information about the parks. The Board discussed how Kindt would be compensated for his work, noting the Township does not have a credit card, and agreed to explore other payment methods.
During the later public comment period, Cindy Kacin (Recording Secretary) offered comments about park paving and the enforcement of rules in the parks. No Board response is recorded.
Parks and Recreation Matters
The Board discussed prior concerns about park stewards enforcing rules or speaking on behalf of the Township. Supervisor Werner had consulted Township attorney Thomas Grier, who advised in a letter that this issue should be addressed in the Parks and Rec ordinance rather than the by-laws, and that the existing ordinance (which designates the Sheriff's Department for rule enforcement) is adequately written. The Board discussed the continued need for a similar ordinance addressing blight.
Todd Stone moved, Kathy Morio supported, to amend the Parks and Rec Committee by-laws to increase membership from 7 to 11 members and to allow the secretary to post relevant information to the Parks and Rec website with approval. Motion carried.
Midge Werner moved, Sandra Grant supported, to authorize Todd Stone to repair two grills at a cost of up to $200. Motion carried.
The Gosling Czubak proposal for repaving the Boughey Park parking lot was reviewed under Old Business. The bid was divided into two phases: Phase 1 at $3,400 and Phase 2 at $3,850. The Board discussed budget constraints, noting that a specific affordable spending figure had not yet been set with Gosling Czubak. Alternatives, including having the Road Commission perform the work, were discussed. Treasurer Sandra Grant expressed a preference for full paving at approximately $70,000. Trustee Todd Stone agreed to review a previous paving plan. Public perception of the project was also discussed. The topic was tabled for further discussion.
Supervisor Werner reported she had spoken with a planner who may assist the Parks and Rec Committee with the 5-year plan and grant writing; discussion continued but no action was taken.
Infrastructure Projects
The Board reviewed a bid from Kurtis Graham to reroof the old portion of the Township building for $11,000. Midge Werner moved, Sandra Grant supported, to accept the $11,000 bid for roofing the entire Township building. Motion carried.
Kurtis Graham also proposed stripping and replacing the pumphouse roof at Maple Grove Cemetery with industrial-type shingles, with possible additional repairs, for $1,500, to be completed in spring. Midge Werner moved, Sandra Grant supported, to approve the $1,500 plan and acknowledge that additional repair costs may be needed. Motion carried.
An update was given on ongoing Township building construction. Most exterior work is complete. The Board discussed interior design choices, including replacing a planned double pocket door with a single pocket door for more wall space, removing windows in that area, using lighter wall paint colors, and flooring options (tile for the entryway and carpet or carpet tiles elsewhere, with rental rugs during elections to reduce noise and dirt). The Board agreed to continue exploring appropriate solutions; no final vote was recorded on these interior details.
Other Business
Zoning Administrator/STR Administrator Steve Patmore reported that registered short-term rentals (STRs) have increased to 45, and the Board received a list of current applications. Patmore also noted new state legislation on renewable energy that would reduce local governments' regulatory authority over large projects while preserving authority over small projects; the recommendation is for townships to approve the new legislation. Patmore also attended a traffic conference.
The Planning Commission did not meet in January.
The Fire Authority reported business as usual, with a get-together planned for February and recent training on fires involving electric vehicles.
The Board accepted the Assessor's Quarterly Report (Sandra Grant moved, Midge Werner supported; motion carried). Assessor Angela Friske announced her retirement effective April 14, 2024. Sandra Grant moved, Midge Werner supported, to accept Friske's resignation with regrets; motion carried. Midge Werner proposed forming a committee to recruit a new Assessor.
Treasurer Sandra Grant reported taxes are coming in. Clerk Kathy Morio reported that 1,080 absentee ballot applications were mailed on January 12.
Financial Summary
- Township Hall roof project: $11,000 bid from Kurtis Graham, approved.
- Maple Grove Cemetery pumphouse roof: $1,500 approved, with possible additional repair costs.
- Gosling Czubak parking lot proposal: Phase 1 $3,400; Phase 2 $3,850 (not approved, tabled). Sandra Grant suggested a full paving estimate of approximately $70,000.
- Grill repairs: up to $200 authorized for Todd Stone.
- Leelanau Enterprise renewal: $47 for one year or $83 for two years; two-year renewal at $83 approved.
- Virginia Schultz's Board of Review training registration: $100 approved.
- Late payments approved: KCI assessment notices, $1,026.87; Todd Stone reimbursement for two picnic tables, $2,085.35.
- Resulting balances: vendor balance $36,475.62; payroll balance $10,618.97.
Action Items
- Explore alternative payment methods for Brian Kindt's website development work, since the Township lacks a credit card.
- Continue exploring interior finish options (flooring, paint, door configuration) for the Township building construction project.
- Todd Stone to review the previous paving plan for the Boughey Park parking lot; Gosling Czubak proposal remains tabled pending further budget discussion.
- Continue discussion on developing a blight ordinance, related to the ongoing park stewards enforcement issue and attorney guidance.
- Todd Stone to repair two grills (up to $200 approved).
- Form a committee to recruit a new Township Assessor following Angela Friske's April 14, 2024 retirement.
- Continue discussion with a planner regarding assistance with the Parks and Rec 5-year plan and grant writing.