Bedford
Township,
Michigan
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ALSO PRESENT: The Regular Meeting of the Bedford Township Board was called to order by Wilburn at 7:00 PM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. APPROVAL OF AGENDA – Motion was made by Goebel, seconded by Hurley to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Aye: Francis, Meyer, O’Dell, Schockman, Goebel, Hurley, & Wilburn. Nays: None. Absent: None. PRESENTATIONS PRESENTATION BY MONROE COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION DIRECTOR, HOWARD PENROD Wilburn introduced Howard Penrod, Director of the Monroe County Road Commission. Penrod presented a power point overview of the status of funding for road improvements and repairs in Monroe County, mentioning the state budget cuts and increased expenses experienced by the MCRC, as well as the problems of needing matching funds in order to be eligible for federal grant monies. Francis & O’Dell commented on the funding issues. Penrod thanked the board for inviting him to make the presentation. CONSENT AGENDA – Motion was made by Goebel, seconded by Hurley to approve the consent agenda as published. Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Aye: Francis, Meyer, O’Dell, Schockman, Goebel, Hurley, & Wilburn. Nays: None. Absent: None. PUBLIC COMMENTS Mike Sprott, 8872 Tanglewood, spoke. REPORTS FROM STAFF – RECOVERY ZONE FUNDING FOR BEDFORD TOWNSHIP WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT IMPROVEMENTS – Dan Stefanski, Monroe County Drain Commission Wilburn introduced Dan Stefanski, Monroe County Drain Commissioner, who in turn introduced Edward Cousino, Superintendent of the Wastewater Treatment Plant, and Jon Madden, Operations Manager of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Stefanski then explained to the board the background information as to why Bedford Township did not receive the ARRA funding for improvements to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. He further explained the need for these improvements, stating the current plant is 36-37 years old with replacement parts for some of the equipment no longer available. He further informed the board that Monroe County has been designated by the Federal Government as a recovery zone and federal dollars will be available as federally subsidized bonds with a reduced interest rate of 1 to 1.5%. He would like to begin to seek funding for 5 million dollars through this Monroe County Recovery Zone Economic Recovery Zone Bond, to replace the process equipment at the wastewater facility with newenergy efficient equipment. He and Patrick McGow from Miller Canfield will come to the February 2, 2010 township board meeting with the financing documents necessary to begin the process through the issuance of bonds by the County. Wilburn thanked Mr. Stefanski for his assistance in this project. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF CHANGE ORDER INFORMATION FOR FIRE DEPT. #3 RENOVATION Francis reported on the change orders, informing the board that out of the 24 companies listed, 16 are marked as final, with only “punch list” issues holding up the remaining 8. He thanked Dave Wehner, Project Manager and Mannik & Smith Group for all of their hard work on this project, which is still under budget. Motion was made by Francis, seconded by O’Dell to approve the change order report for Fire Dept. #3, as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Aye: Francis, Meyer, O’Dell, Schockman, Goebel, Hurley, & Wilburn. Nays: None. Absent: None. NEW BUSINESS – APPROVAL OF BILLS- Motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Schockman to approve the following vouchers for payment: General Fund-$231,849.54, Fire District-$95,942.78, Police Fund-$92,220.22, Park Fund-$2,998.94, Building Inspection Fund-$106.32, Library Operating Fund-$7,328.58, Rehab Fund-$14.00, Road Capital Improvement Fund-$1,631.25, DDA Fund-$51.39, Sewer Operation & Main. Fund-$405,947.59, & Trust & Agency Fund-$17,236.27, for a total of $855,326.27. Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Aye: Francis, Meyer, O’Dell, Schockman, Goebel, Hurley, & Wilburn. Nays: None. Absent: None. REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE FOR SEMCOG Schockman spoke, informing the board of the importance of approving this $3,871.00 expenditure for membership in SEMCOG, citing the many services offered by this organization. Motion was made by Schockman, seconded by Meyer to approve for payment, the annual membership fee of $3,871.00 to SEMCOG for the 2010 calendar year. Motion carried on a roll call vote as follows: Aye: Francis, Meyer, O’Dell, Schockman, Goebel, Hurley, & Wilburn. Nays: None. Absent: None. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC Frank Knoll, 2595 Chapel Creek, spoke. Mike Sprott, 8872 Tanglewood, spoke. REPORT FROM TOWNSHIP BOARD MEMBERS Hurley – Mentioned hearing a rumor that the Monroe County Community College Whitman Center was closing, and wanted to assure residents that after discussing the matter with MCCC President Nixon, was assured the rumor was false, there are no plans to close the center. Goebel – Thanked Mr. Stefanski for all the work he is doing on behalf of Bedford Township’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. He also mentioned Royce Maniko’s 32 years of service to the County as Monroe County Planning Director; the Bedford High School’s Soiree Singers concert this weekend, and his attendance at the annual MTA conference in Grand Rapids next week. O’Dell – Stated the Roads Committee hopes to have all the information ready in 4 weeks for the rest of the board to see and hopefully hold a town hall meeting in approximately 6 weeks to share road funding information with the public. He invited the public to attend the town hall meeting, and thanked residents who spoke, for their comments. Francis – Thanked Mr. Knoll for his comments and suggestions regarding road issues, stated the road committee is already using the Pacer system mentioned to determine the deterioration of our roads, and went on to explain some of the issues the roads committee is working on, with the possibility of asking for a 1 mill millage in the August primary to help Bedford fund road improvements. Meyer – Mentioned she would like to have MCRC Penrod come to another board meeting to address subdivision roads and the costs of maintaining them. She also reminded residents that Rosemary Bentley will be at the township hall on Tuesdays & Wednesdays from now thru February 10, 2010 between the hours of 9 am and 11 am to assist senior citizens with their 1040cr and home heating tax return forms. Schockman – Mentioned Rosemary Bentley’s assistance to senior citizens, the rumor regarding the Whitman Center, and asked residents to be on guard for con artists who may be in the community using the situation in Haiti to rob them. If residents are contacted by anyone suspicious, be sure to call the Monroe County Sheriff’s Dept. and report their concerns. Wilburn – Thanked the members of the road committee for their comments regarding road funding issues, mentioned the town hall meeting and thanked MCDC Stefanski for his help in getting funding for Bedford’s wastewater treatment plant. He also reminded residents to pray for the people of Haiti. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
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Copyright © 2000-2005
The Township of Bedford, Monroe County, Michigan. All rights reserved.
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