ADA TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING
MINUTES DRAFT
March 9, 2009
Meeting was called to order by Supervisor Haga at 7:30 p.m. Members present: Supervisor Haga, Treasurer
Rhoades. Trustees: Proos, Smith, and Westra. Absent, Clerk Burton and Trustee Sytsma. Also present,
Recording Secretary Alt, and 17 community members.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Three items were added to the agenda under Communications: Informal Petitions from Township Residents
Regarding Funding of Trails and Environmental Issues; Various Communications regarding Trail Project; and
Compensation Resolution regarding Official Salaries.
Two items were added under New Business: GO! Bus Service Contract and Fireworks Display for 2009.
Moved by Proos, supported by Westra, to approve the agenda as amended for March 9, 2009.
Yes - 5; No - 0; Absent - 2. Motion carried.
GENERAL TOWNSHIP BUSINESS
PUBLIC HEARING ON ADA TOWNSHIP BUDGETS FOR YEAR 2009 - 2010.
Moved by Westra, supported by Rhoades to proceed into public hearing regarding Ada Township budget
for fiscal year 2009-2010. Yes - 5; No - 0; Absent - 2. Motion carried.
Supervisor Haga summarized/clarified Budget Report for Ada Township 2009 - 2010 fiscal year.
Supervisor Haga offered public comment regarding budget.
Michelle Zuidema, 9081 Conservation NE, expressed her issues and concerns regarding budget for the nonmotorized
trail plan, adding she received 250-260 signatures on her petition regarding funds, and the general fund
monies could be utilized elsewhere.
Stephan Ibanez, 269 Greentree Lane, commented on the budget. He asked for clarification on the amended
budgets. Supervisor Haga responded with explanations for funding expenses.
Frank Hoover, 700 Marbury Street, commented on the trail project regarding the general funds.
Lloyd Paul, 1268 Pettis, commented he has been in real estate for many years and the trail project will increase
property values which will in turn increase revenues the township will need for the general fund. He complimented
the Board for doing a great job, adding he is supportive of the trail project.
David Fields, 6526 Ada drive, commented to the board his concerns regarding township salaries, citing the tough
economy. Supervisor Haga responded he is sympathetic and understands the concern.
Deb Emery, 7534 Fase Street, also commented on the salary of the appraiser. Supervisor Haga
clarified/summarized the salaries regarding the appraiser and appraiser staff.
Michelle Zuidema, 9081 Conservation NE, commented on the maintenance for the trail, asking Supervisor Haga if
it is funded with general fund monies. Zuidema voiced her concerns for the Bailey Road designation as a natural
beauty road being reinstated, and concerns regarding the millage.
BOARD COMMENT
Trustee Westra stated he would like to see a review of wages for the part time assessor. He also commented on
the expenses in accounts #590, #591 and #592 stating with current and past policies this area should be up for
review. He commented a Capitol Improvement Plan would be helpful for the township with regards to budget
issues and concerns.
Trustee Proos commented he has worked on the Township Board for 4 years, adding Ada Township watches
over their monies very closely, and will continue to do so. He added with issues coming before them, half the
time the Board makes people happy, the other half, people are upset. The Board works diligently and believes
this is a good budget.
Trustee Smith stated the Board had a work session for the budget, and not one citizen came. She stated it’s not
a perfect budget but is a good one.
Ada Township Board Meeting
March 9, 2009
Page 2
Moved by Westra, Supported by Proos to close public hearing the Ada Township Budget for year 2009 -
2010. Yes - 5; No -0; Absent 2. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Approval of Minutes
February 23, 2009 Regular Board Meeting
Receive and File Various Reports/Communications
1. Planning Commission Minutes 1/5/09; 2. Ada Historic Society Minutes 1/10/09; 3. Kent County Agricultural
Preservation Board 2/13/09; 4. Region 8 Notes 3/09; 5. Ada township-Records Returned to Ada Historical Society
2/6/09; 6. MTA Legislative Update Fax 2/20/09, 2/27/09; 7. Regis Board Minutes 11/26/08, 1/28/09; 8. Utility
Advisory board Minutes 1/15/09; 9. Siegfried Crandall-Audit Services 2/11/09; 10. Township Clerk’s Report on
Petitions Filed for Referendum Regarding the Ada Township Heliport Ordinance; 11. Kent County Development
Department - Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2/09; 12. Betty Chenard - General Matter 2/25/09; 13. GO! Bus
Service Report 10/1/08, 2/1/09; 14. Fire Department Incidents Report 9/08 - 1/09. 15. Informal petitions from
township residents regarding funding of trails and Environmental Matters; 16. Various Communications regarding
Trail Project; 17. Compensation Resolution Regarding Official Salaries.
Moved by Westra, supported by Smith, to approve the Minutes and accept Reports and Communications
under the Consent Agenda. Yes - 5; No - 0; Absent - 2. Motion carried.
APPROVAL OF WARRANTS AND RECEIPTS
Treasurer Rhoades presented Warrants and Receipts in the following amounts: Hand Checks: #101 $1,406.97;
#205 $2,003.50; #208 $325.28; #590 $117.07; #591 $117.07. Total Hand Checks $3,969.89. Warrants: #101
$18,144.15; #205 $69,896.77; #208 $1,237.85; #590 $92,155.07; #591 $98,658.77; #592 $495.10.Total Warrants
$280,587.71. Total checks and warrants $284,557.60. Moved by Proos, supported by Smith, to approve the
Warrant Report of March 9, 2009, in the amount of $284,557.60. There were questions/clarifications regarding
expense on the Vendor Summary report. Roll Call: Yes - Proos, Westra, Smith, Rhoades, Haga. No - 0.
Absent -2. Motion carried.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Lloyd Paul of 1268 Pettis had a question on the petition filed for the Heliport Ordinance Referendum. He asked
when the vote will be taken, Haga stated Clerk Burton is communicating with the State, County, MTA and
township legal council, and will have a report at the next meeting. Paul stated he doesn’t think the Township
should pay for a special election when it’s possible the outcome would put us back to where we were before the
ordinance.
Michelle Zuidema, 9081 Conservation N.E., clarified the maps she presented at the last Board meeting.
BOARD COMMENT
Trustee Westra commented he heard some heliport petitioners had stated to potential signers the possible
increase in home/property insurance should heliports be allowed in the Township. He talked about the Township
Website, encouraging the public to sign up for access when available, and encouraging views to be voiced in the
discussion forum pages. Westra asked Supervisor Haga about feedback regarding graffiti on the railroad.
Supervisor Haga indicated the rail road is working on that issue.
Trustee Smith commented on the Forest Hills Schools construction project, and had a question about The Villas
of Ada’s compliance to landscaping a barrier between their property and the Paradise Lake community.
Supervisor Haga responded to Trustee Westra’s request for a Capitol Improvement Plan, stating in April the
Administrative Committee plans to meet with representatives from the Planning Commission to strategize for the
Capitol Improvement Plan. Trustee Proos suggested there be as much open discussion as possible.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
There was no unfinished business.
Ada Township Board Meeting
March 9, 2009
Page 3
NEW BUSINESS
RESOLUTION R-030909-1, OPEN SPACE PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEETING SCHEDULE
Moved by Rhoades, Supported by Westra to adopt Resolution R-030909-1. Roll call; Yes - Smith, Proos,
Westra, Haga, Rhoades; No - 0; Absent - 2. Resolution adopted.
RESOLUTION R-030909-2, ARTS IN ADA DAY ROAD CLOSURE
Jim Ferro, Planning Director summarized the resolution regarding “Arts in Ada Day”.
Moved by Proos, Supported by Smith to adopt Resolution R-030909-2. Roll call; Yes - Smith, Westra,
Proos, Haga, Rhoades. No - 0; Absent - 2. Resolution adopted.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ADA VIEW DISTRIBUTION
Moved by Smith, Supported by Proos to approve recommendation to provide for delivery of the township
Adaview by direct mail to all Ada citizens and businesses, quarterly, for an additional annual cost of
$1,497.68. Yes - 5; No - 0; Absent - 2. Motion carried.
Moved by Westra, Supported by Proos to amend recommendation for an additional $600 funding for
electronic mailing, to be phased in. Yes - 5; No -0; Absent - 2. Motion carried.
KENT COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION - BAILEY DRIVE NATRUAL BEAUTY ROAD DESGINATION
Moved by Proos, Supported by Westra to hold a Board and Trail Committee work session to discuss the
Bailey Drive designation of “Natural Beauty Road”. Yes - 5; No - 0; Absent - 2. Motion carried.
GO! BUS SERVICE CONTRACT
Supervisor Haga summarized GO! Bus Activity and expenses.
Moved by Proos, Supported by Rhoades to authorize an additional $10,000, making it a total expense of
$20,000 through June 30, 2009, for funding the Go Bus program. Yes - 5; No - 0; Absent - 2. Motion
carried.
FIREWORKS DISPLAY FOR 2009
Moved by Westra, Supported by Smith to approve recommendation for the 4th of July, 2009 fireworks
display with Zambelli Fireworks Manufacturing Company, to be held at 7590 E. Fulton, at a cost of
$12,000. Yes - 5; No - 0; Absent - 2. Motion carried.
OPPORTUNITY FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC COMMENT
Robert Stead, 6530 Ada Drive, commented on the heliport petition, stating he does not approve of any misleading
tactics to obtain signatures. He asked Trustee Westra to give him names he could check on.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned at 9:31 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________________
Susan Burton
Ada Township Clerk
RS/ba
