Waterloo Township Board Unapproved Meeting Minutes 26 March 2019  

 7:00 P.M.

9773 Mt. Hope RoadMunith, Ml 49259

Call to Order:  7:00 p.m.

Pledge

Present:  Lance, Walz, Kitley, McAlister, Morency.  Also present: 6 residents.

Public Comment: Jim Moss again asked the board to start the process for a speed study on Portage Lake Road from Seymour to Schrah Drive. There is too much speeding through the area and a lot of foot traffic.  Lance assured him that it would be addressed. He is still concerned about the bike-a-thons through our Township. Kitley told him letters had been sent to all those in charge of previous events to ask for dates and routes for events so that we can let our residents know.

Consent Agenda: Kitley motioned with support from Lance to approve the consent agenda as presented. Aye/all; no/none. Motion carried.

Correspondence: The Resolution from MTA regarding our position on non-partisan township elections was tabled until the April meeting. It’s not due until April 301     .

Old Business: Walz gave a report on the Parks and Recreation Committee meeting. There is still talk of monthly events at the Township such as a farm market, local businesses bringing in their products for people to see, and a free library service. Lester Brothers will begin work on the walking path after frost laws are lifted. Someone has offered to make a sign. Possibility of rain garden being put in. Grass seed has been purchased for the footpath. She said that interest has been expressed on history of the cemeteries that Township owns. Lance stated that Five Healthy Towns is looking to have Mindfulness classes. An instructor is needed and fee structure. More information will come later.

May 8th there will be a non-motorized vehicle public meeting here at the Township from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sarah Lightner, our State Representative will be here for an open coffee hour on May 3’d from 11:00 to1 2:00. Everyone is invited to talk with her.

New Business: 

Morency stated that the Planning Commission is looking at the Jackson County Master Plan and being checked into.  There  will be a public hearing on April 16 at 7:00 p.m. regarding solar farms. Planning Commission also mentioned stand- alone extraction ordinances if desired by Board. Looking for things to consider regarding ordinance updates.

Tiny house issues to be addressed in updated ordinances. They will be looking at policy, zoning and other things people need to know about what they can do on their property. Beals gave us the Planning Commission Work Sheet for Tables of Uses, and Definitions in Zoning Ordinance to look over. He did a brief presentation regarding this. Looking for input regarding new land uses. Lance suggested reconsidering our Extraction Ordinance as currently written. It was suggested that the Extraction Committee and Board be invited to the Planning Commission meeting to give input. He also said we will need to watch what Jackson County Commission does regarding the Master Plan from their perspective on the comprehensive plan. They could have an impact on uses in our Township.

• Kitley motioned with support from Walz to accept the HSC assessing contract which reflects a $100/month increase putting  it at $2,850 beginning September 1, 2019. Roll call vote: Yes/Lance, Morency, McAlister, Walz, Kitley. No/none. Motion carried.
• Lance motioned with support from McAlister that because Green Road is a Natural Beauty Road, it is our intention to have a public hearing on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. here at the Township due to possible gravel extraction which would close a portion of it. Aye/all; no/none. Motion carried.

Other Business That Comes Before The Board: Beals gave a presentation on problems with vehicular access to properties. It was extremely  informative.

Public Comment:  Josh McAlister said he had been in contact with the supervisor from Henrietta Township regarding sharing the cost of a new emergency siren in the Munith Lions Park because it serves as many residents in Henrietta Township as does residents in Waterloo Township. When a quote is received, we will send them a copy for consideration of sharing the cost. Beals stated that regarding the non-partisan election issues coming from the MTA, he is favorable toward it. He asked the board to consider the option. He also stated how sad the loss of Rex Hannewald’s life was.

Adjournment:  Lance motioned with support from Morency to adjourn at 8:50 p.m. Aye/all; no/none.  Motion  carried.

The next Planning Commission meeting will be on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 7:00 along with a public hearing regarding solar farms. The next regular Board meeting will be on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.

Minutes will be published in the Stockbridge Community News at the end of each month, on our website at www.waterlootwpmi.com and on our Facebook page at: waterlootownshipmichigan.

Submitted by: Janice Kitley, Clerk