Township Board Meeting Minutes - March 9, 2008

http://www.ada.mi.us/minutes/03-09-2009-tb.pdf

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

Car Seat Crash Tests

Glad we have a Chicco KeyFit instead of those other, of course the Chicco looks like it would injure the baby as well.

"Federal tests of infant car seats found, show safety failures in crashes"

Article:

http://www.freep.com/article/20090301/NEWS07/90228066/1009/Bolivia%20pins%20hopes%20on%20lithium

Database:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-carseats-html,0,5094939.htmlpage

Video:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/video/?slug=chi-carseatsafety-wn

History of Grand Rapids Michigan

I found this book searching through Google today. Great find. Information regarding the start of Grand Rapids and surrounding areas.

You can download the entire book by using the Google Book Downloader found here: http://www.codeplex.com/GoogleBookDownloader

http://books.google.com/books?id=l2SbZhZfYfEC&pg=PA405&lpg=PA405&dq=grand+rapids+crescent+park&source=bl&ots=oEwCHr-iQf&sig=y3wdUf38W3XeYsQ5hK_4XiBtKvo&hl=en&ei=BwqjSZKbBtCIngf1vsX8DQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result#PPP1,M1

Sign Devos Helipad Petition Ada, MI

Driving past my house this weekend I noticed one of my neighbors had a sign in his yard to get people to sign the helipad petition to stop Devos from building his helipad. Since it's already probably built in reality the petition is probably to stop him from landing his copter there. 

If you would like to sign the helipad petition you can go to 7879 Thornapple Club Dr, Ada, MI 49301. The street is within the Ada Moorings housing complex located by Ada Park just off of Grand River by Buttrick Ave.

I don't think Ada Moorings is going to hear a lot of helicopter traffic but the petition to sign is there. So if you don't want the helipad or helicopter, go to the address above, knock on the door and sign the petition to stop it. The petition will stop Devos from building his helipad.

Granholm, Michigan Stimulus Plan

25,000 new jobs from road construction. 400,000 jobs lost in Michigan (WOOD AM News Radio 2/20/2009 interview with Gov. Granholm)

109,000 jobs created or saved in Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/jobs2_11_267443_7.pdf

Now let's do some math 25,000 temporary contract jobs that will keep people working for (let's see about a year or two) so that leaves 84,000 created or saved jobs (assuming the others aren't temporary contract work). So in 2-3 years the 25,000 new jobs will be gone and those 25,000 people will be unemployed once again. So at the very least 316,000 jobs will still be gone from Michigan and the stimulus plan will still leave Michigan in a big unemployment mess. Not to mention the financial hole that those 25,000 temporary workers will be in once the stimulus money runs out.

Another note of interest, umemployment benefits will be extended to provide up to 33 weeks of benefits. Now how does increasing these benefits create jobs. Why not spend this $27 billion dollars to create permanent jobs. I know I could take about a million of that and start my own business that would employ 25-50 people, not many in the big scheme of things but 3 years from now those 25-50 people would still have jobs and be financially stable instead of relying on the federal stimulus to give them no jobs but provide money so they don't need to work.

Extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Through December 31, 2009, the bill
continues the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, which provides up to 33 weeks of
extended unemployment benefits to workers exhausting their regular benefits.
This provision is
estimated to cost $26.96 billion.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/inventory_267577_7.htm

Take a look at the $50 billion worth of proposed pet projects for Michigan. http://www.michigan.gov/documents/gov/inventory_267577_7.htm
I don't think we're getting $50 billion to repave roads, install LED lights and update sewer systems, all temporary work by the way. How about $50 billion dollars to help retool manufacturing to produce electric cars, or $50 billion dollars to create, gee I don't know, permanent jobs.

Great job Democrats, I'm sure we won't be in the same position 4 years from now.

WARNING: Suspicious Subjects in Cascade Ada

There have been numerous reports of suspicious inviduals in the Cascade/Ada area. Of course, knowing the area if you don't look like everyone else on your block then everyone probably thinks you look suspicious. Anyway, here are the details of the suspicious event.

Home owner at 7612 Woodvale ST SE requested extra night patrol. The street it around Buttrick, Cascade, 30th and 36th street. 

In the early morning hours of 2/16 he called dispatch to report a group of males dressed in all black near his home.  Home owner stated that he originally was awakened from his dogs barking.  When the home owner looked outside to see what was going on, a male subject dressed in all black was standing in the middle of his street staring back at him.  Home owner chatted with his neighbor who had also called last night about the same situation.  This time two of the male subjects were on the neighbors porch.

Sewage spreads through Ada

Today a sewer main break has closed Ada Dr. from Fox Hollow to Spaulding from 1-8pm. The break is expected to leak into the creek and nearby pond. If you drive by it you can smell the s that's coming from that area. I guess Ada really is looking more and more like Russia every day.


http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2009/02/sewer_main_break_closes_ada_dr.html

Linda Cook, 5700 Michigan St stated she is concerned with the board making the township sound like a ghetto. She is very upset; feels it is like living in Russia, and would like to see it come to a public vote.

http://www.ada.mi.us/minutes/01-19-2009-tb.pdf

Helipad in Ada - Devos wants one, do you care?

I guess I would if I lived by it and I agree he can drive the 5 minutes it takes to get to Amway. It's not like he's the one driving anyway, more likely his personal driver. I don't care if he has a helipad. If I was on the board I would let him have one if he gave me some incentive. Maybe like a cash bonus or donation to the new Roselle Park. Anyway, here are our residents thoughts:

Annika Kavesta of Ada Township commented she is not in favor of the heliport.

Kathleen Richter, 6301 Hall St. Ada stated she had not seen the proposal for the heliport and was thankful the public is

allowed to meetings. She feels it is inappropriate for a heliport in a residential area. She has safety issues in regard. She

acknowledged trees have already been cut down, and the heliport pad is already in place.

Bob Stead, 6530 Ada Dr. - He supplied copies of his position on this to all board members. He stated he is on the flight path

and doesn’t think it is reasonable to have a heliport pad in a residential area, and has noise concerns.

Roger Nicely 6270 Hall St, - He supported what Mr. Stead commented on and did some research in regards to helicopter

accidents; he stated concerns with the safety issues.

Linda Cook, 5700 Michigan St. – She asked Mr. Ferro the reasons why Mr. DeVos feels he needs a helicopter and heliport as

he only lives five minutes from Amway.

John Sarb of Ada Township – stated he was not too concerned with aircraft crashing on his house as he has 757 flying over

his house frequently.

Lloyd Paul, 1268 Pettis – stated he supported the change in the ordinance and felt the first version would be unfair.

Richard Zaagman - Stated he supported the heliport ordinance and is not worried about the safety issues.

Tracy Flanders of Ada Croft – stated support of the heliport.

Kathleen Richter, 6301 Hall St- commented she felt the heliport is very intrusive in her life.

Dane Heydon of Ada Township- stated the heliport project should not be in a residential area, and is concerned with the safety

issues.

http://www.ada.mi.us/minutes/01-19-2009-tb.pdf

Property Maintenance Ordinance - bunch of fools

Let's clean up Ada, find out who wants to live in Russia or East GR. I don't like codes like this in general but when you buy a nice house and your neighbor doesn't take care of his house or lawn, I might as well have bought a house in the ghetto. Nobody's buying houses today but even if they were they wouldn't buy one next to a bad looking house. I personally like the notes about "police state" and living in "Russia". Come on people, find better stuff to do with your time.

A. ORDINANCE NO. O-011209-2. INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODE.

Jim Ferro, Planning Director gave a summary of the Ordinance Codes. Mr. Ferro stated the same ordinance codes have been

adopted by other townships; Cannon, East Grand Rapids, City of Walker and Cascade Township. 

Mr. Ferro went over the

amendments made in reference to the lawn heights and maintaining neighborhood standards, and made comments as to the

deleted items from the maintenance code.

Jim Todd, 8205 E. Fulton St., Ada – Commented on brush piles that have been on the property at 500 Pettis with the existing

ordinances in place. He had submitted a petition to the board to help solve this ongoing problem. He stated any property

maintenance ordinance should be enforced.

John Gunner of Ada Township stated he has an older home which requires a lot of upkeep and he is very busy and not always

able to keep up with the code. He is very involved with his family and doesn’t always have the time to meet all of ordinances.

He doe not agree with the new ordinances.

Gary Jebson, 648 Spaulding Ave. stated he had purchased his home years ago because it was not in a home owners

association. He feels the ordinances are imposing on his own personal property rights.

Nina Harrington of Alta Dale St. is not in agreement with all new ordinances; she feels it makes it like living in a police state.

Clifford Leazier, 475 Ada Point Dr. stated he was not in agreement with all new ordinances and feels the board should not

adopt the codes.

John Sarb of Ada Township stated he noticed other homes are in bad repair and feels we need some of the ordinances in

place. He stated the language in the ordinances could be more specific and to the point, and shortened to a one page

document.

Linda Cook, 5700 Michigan St stated she is concerned with the board making the township sound like a ghetto. She is very

upset; feels it is like living in Russia, and would like to see it come to a public vote.

Kristin Favers, 7546 Fase St. loves living in the Village of Ada. She has an old farm house and the upkeep can be very

expensive. She is concerned with the financial responsibility it could have on many community members in our tough

economic times.

Deb Emery, 7534 Fase St stated the township should revise the language to include just the basic needs.

Marge Wellman, 9575 Conservation Ave. stated if she wanted these kinds of rules she would live in East Grand Rapids. Her

family had chose Ada because Ada allows people to have horses etc. She opposed the ordinance changes.

Tim Pratt, 1911 Buttrick SE stated he spoke with Mr. Ferro earlier in the day and asked if Mr. Ferro had received complaints in

regard to the ordinances codes; approximately 15-20 complaints were made. Mr. Pratt checked with the assessor’s office in

regard to how many residences live in Ada Township and how many complaints there have been, and noticed some of the

complaints have been repetitive.

http://www.ada.mi.us/minutes/01-19-2009-tb.pdf

Buttrick Ave name change to Kamp Twins, ??

Supervisor Haga commented on the request for the street name change with regard to Buttrick Avenue to Kamp Twins Drive.

The change was approved through the Kent County Road Commission. He stated street name signs with the new name of

“Kamp Twins” will be placed shortly and gave a brief history of the Kamp twins. 

http://www.ada.mi.us/minutes/01-26-2009-tb.pdf