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Township Board Meeting Minutes July 10, 2023

CALL TO ORDER:   Supervisor Jay Fish called the Regular Board meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. at the Arvon Township fire hall on July 10, 2023.

ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee, Chris Walmhoff-Trustee.

MINUTES APPROVAL: Wahmhoff motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the June 5, 2023 minutes.  All in favor, motion passed.

AGENDA APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Wahmhoff to approve the agenda.   All in favor, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Linnea Barron let the board know that her term on the Planning Commission expires in October and at that time she will retire from the position. 

-Rosie VanWagner thanked the board for the tree removal on Park Rd.

OLD BUSINESS:  Fish has called Tinti several times with no response.  May have to look into another township attorney to hire.   Land division will be tabled until next months’ meeting.

-Marinich will put an ad in the paper for bids on the restoration of the town hall.  Windows that need to be changed and the cedar shake siding/drip edge.  Table until next months’ meeting.

-Marinich received quotes from Homestead Graphics for signs in Arvon township.  The some of the public thought that there should be more than one quote.  Marinich will get more for next months’ meeting.

-Doug Mills was present at the meeting.  The township let him know that there is approximately $116,000.00 in the road fund.  We asked him what kind of projects could be done in Arvon Township.  Mills replied that starting in 2025, there is a grant that has 2 phases-Jentoft Rd. to Town Rd. in Arvon township and then from Town Rd to McComb’s Corner in Arvon township.  There will be a 20% match for this project, Mills is looking for additional funding sources.  The money in the Road fund could be used towards the match.  Mills will keep the township updated. 

-Strohshein gave the Planning Commision update. They have been working with Jason McCarthy from Northwoods Planning & Zoning for several months to update the Recreation Plan, per State of Michigan regulations.  We are at the point where the Final Draft is available for public review.  The board will be having a public meeting in September.

NEW BUSINESS:  Marinich let the board know that she submitted an application for a Fire Dept Grant.  The grant could be up to $10,000.00.  Disbursement of funds could be as soon as August 10, 2023 for the local governments awarded.

-After discussion, Fish will contact Jim Nankervis to see if he is willing to survey the new section of the cemetery. 

-Fish would like to purchase a bigger lawn mower for the cemetery.  The one we have now is too small for the new section of the cemetery.  Wahmhoff motioned, seconded by Marinich to approve Fish the purchase of a riding lawn mower for the cemetery.  Not to exceed $5,000.00.  All in favor, motion passed.

-Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve Rukkila Negro Associates to complete the yearly F-65 form.  All in favor, motion passed.                                                                                                                                                                                                        JAMES FEDIE:   Jim let the board know that the Board of Review will be meeting July 18, 2023.

MAIL CALL:    

TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report.  General Fund-$350,316.56 Ambulance/EMT Fund-$28,317.19 Fire Fund-$318,022.50 Liquor Fund-$578.39, Road Fund-$166,299.06.  Marinich motioned, seconded by Wahmhoff to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  All in favor, motion passed.      

BILL APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the bills.  All in favor, motion passed.                                                                                                                                                                  

NEXT MEETING DATE:   The next meeting date will be August 7, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.

ADJOURN:  Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to adjourn at 6:50 P.M.  All in favor, motion passed. Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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Zoning Ordinance Update – Summer 2023

The Planning Commission is working with our consultant from Northwoods Planning and Zoning to update our Zoning Ordinance. We have identified 19 topics to be reviewed in this project.

  • Definitions involved in any topic updated
  • Seasonal vs Year-Round Dwellings
  • Shipping Containers as Accessory Structures
  • Outdoor Wood Boilers
  • Solar Energy System (SES) Residential vs Utility Grade Systems
  • Short-Term Rentals (vacation, AirBnB, VRBO)
  • Single & Multiple Family, & Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs)
  • Minimum Lot/Acreage Sizes (Including Farm & Forest Zone)
  • Alternative Designs (Tiny Homes, Domes, Yurts)
  • Zoning Map Adjustments
  • Erosion Control
  • Lighting to Support Dark Skies
  • Signs
  • Gravel Mining
  • Other Mining
  • Fences
  • Blight
  • Sanitary Code for RR Zone
  • Enforcement of Ordinance

We expect to work on these topics during summer 2023. All work sessions are open to the public. A public hearing will be scheduled for late summer to hear public comment on the updates.

If you have questions on this process, please attend one of the work sessions, which are posted on the calendar of this website, or a contact member of the Planning Commission.

Nancy Strohschein, Arvon Township Planning Commission Chairperson

wnstrohschein@comcast.net

248.892.1295

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Township Board Meeting Minutes June 5, 2023

CALL TO ORDER: Supervisor Jay Fish called the Regular Board meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. at the Arvon Township fire hall on June 5, 2023.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee , Chris Walmhoff-Trustee.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the May 1, 2023 minutes. All in favor, motion passed.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Wahmhoff motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Rosie Van Wagner is concerned about the trees that are in the Houle’s yard. They can scratch vehicles. Fish will call Mills and Martinez.
OLD BUSINESS: Land division will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Road clean up will be dropped at this time.
-There is approximately $65,000.00 in the Town hall maintenance fund. After discussion, new siding and a few windows should be taken care of next. An add for bids should be put in the paper. This will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Township signs will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Road millage money will be tabled until next months meeting. Fish will ask Doug Mills to come to the next month’s meeting to discuss what the township can spend the road millage on.
-The new cemetery map can be used as surveyed out. The old map that shows the new addition is with the county.
-Steve Lloyd is interested in the position of Building inspector for Arvon Township. This will be tabled until next months meeting.
-The State currently has an Electrical Inspector that works out of Iron River. Gilbert Martinez let Fish know that he has been great to work with. This will be tabled until next months meeting.
NEW BUSINESS: Strohschein presented the Planning Commission update. She explained that May 3, 2023 the Planning Commission sent out a recreation survey. A total of 500 were mailed out and a return of 104. After Strohschein finished explaining the survey, it was discussed by the board and the public. Marinich did not think there was enough numbers to do much with it. This will be discussed at a later date.
-Complaints were made to the Michigan DNR about garbage and sewage being left behind at the Mouth of the Huron. The Mouth is not in Arvon Township.
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$344,149.95; Ambulance/EMT Fund-$29,561.69; Fire Fund-$319,143.27; Liquor Fund-$578.39; Road Fund-$166,299.06.
Marinich motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
BILL APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Wahmhoff to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Due to the 4th of July holiday, the next meeting date will be July 10, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.
ADJOURN: Eliason motioned, seconded by Wahmhoff to adjourn at 7:10 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.


Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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Township Board Meeting Minutes May 1, 2023


CALL TO ORDER: Due to a snow storm and power outage, Supervisor Jay Fish called the Regular Board meeting to order at 5:20 P.M. at the Arvon Township fire hall on May 1, 2023.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee , Chris Walmhoff-Trustee-absent.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the April 3, 2023 minutes. All in favor, motion passed.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT:
OLD BUSINESS: Land division will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Road clean up will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Town hall maintenance will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Township signs will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Road mileage money will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Marinich will call the County Register of Deeds about the new cemetery map.
-Alternate building inspector will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Electrical inspector will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Jeff Hubbard will need to be contacted about the 800 radios for the EMT’s and Fire department.
-There were 2 bids for the Ball field fencing. Royal Lawn Care’s bid was $13,043.20 and Northern Edge Land Management was $12,225.00. After discussion, with the past work done by Royal Lawn Care, Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve Royal Lawn care. All in favor, motion passed.
-There were 2 bids for the Cemetery clean up. Royal Lawn Care’s bid was $3,000.00 and Northern Edge was $1,950.00. After discussion with the past work done at the cemetery by Royal Lawn Care, Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve Royal Lawn Care. All in favor, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS: The township board agreed to keep the building permit fees the same for now.
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$360,023.94, Ambulance/EMT Fund-$29,561.69, Fire Fund-$347,149.30, Liquor Fund-$623.05, Road Fund-$166,412.46. Janda motioned, seconded by Marinich to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
BILL APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date will be June 5, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.
ADJOURN: Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to adjourn at 6:25 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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Township Board Meeting Minutes April 3, 2023

APRIL 3, 2023 REGULAR MEETING MINUTES

CALL TO ORDER:   Supervisor Jay Fish was absent from the meeting-Clerk Marinich called the Regular Board meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. at the Arvon Township fire hall on April 3, 2023.

ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor-absent, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee , Chris Walmhoff-Trustee.

MINUTES APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the March 6, 2023 minutes.  All in favor, motion passed.

AGENDA APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the agenda.   All in favor, motion passed.

PUBLIC COMMENT:  Rosie VanWagner is concerned about the tree branches that are on the side of the Park Road by the Houle’s property scratching vehicles.  Marinich will contact Clifford Nankervis. 

-Kay Erickson asked about the EMT/Fire Dept pagers update.  Marinich let her know that Jeff Hubbard has the radios and they are still not updated.

OLD BUSINESS:   Land division will be tabled until next month’s meeting.

-Road clean up will be tabled until next month’s meeting.

-Strohshein gave the board an update on the Planning Commission.  Sent out 500 surveys.  50 returned, 10 returned by survey monkey.  In May they will hold a public open house to discuss it.

NEW BUSINESS:  There is approximately $45,000.00 of Covid money to spend before next year.  Marinich would like to use this money up this year.  It was brought up in conversation a fence at ball field, park playground, park beach clean-up, ramps and bumpers at park.  Janda measured the ball field fence, 435ft.  Marinich will put an ad in the paper for bids on a 435ft fence 6ft high.  This will be tabled until next month’s meeting.

-The town hall millage has expired.  Approximately $90,000 in the account.  The siding is bad, we put an ad in the paper last year and there were no bids.  This will be tabled until next month’s meeting.

-Eliason would like to see the township CD’s and extra funds moved to different CD’s that are offering a higher interest rate right now.  This will be tabled until next month’s meeting.

-Marinich would like to see a new Welcome to Arvon Township sign, Welcome to Skanee sign and cemetery direction signs.  The Metro Act money could be used.  This will be tabled until next month’s meeting.

Marinich will contact Mills to attend next month’s meeting do discuss the townships road mileage money.  This will be tabled until next month’s meeting.                                                                                                                                                                                

JAMES FEDIE:   Fedie presented the board with the 2023 L-4022. 

MAIL CALL:    

TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report.  General Fund-$357,775.46 Ambulance/EMT Fund-$25,665.12 Fire Fund-$328,783.57 Liquor Fund-$712.37, Road Fund-$151,267.87.  Wahmhoff motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  All in favor, motion passed.      

BILL APPROVAL: No bills to approve.                                                                         

NEXT MEETING DATE:   The next meeting date will be May 1, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.

ADJOURN:  Marinich motioned, seconded by Wahmhoff to adjourn at 6:50 P.M.  All in favor, motion passed.

Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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Planning Commission work Session March 23, 2023

Thursday, March 23, 2023

Call to Order:  6:00 p.m.

Roll Call:  Nancy Strohschein, Chairperson; Linnea Barron, Secretary; Joe Bollech, Board ofReview; Robert Lindert, Vice Chairperson; Jay Loman, Board of Review Chair.  Absent:  Bob Janda, Board Representative; and Donna Preston, Trustee; both absent with notice.

Pledge of Allegiance:  Recited

Guests:  Jason McCarthy

Approval of Agenda:  Joe made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Robert.  Motion carried.

Approval of minutes of March 16, 2023 work session:  Robert made a motion to approve the minutes, seconded by Joe.  Motion carried.

Agenda: 

1.  Recreation Plan Survey update:

Joe made a collection box for surveys to be dropped off and is located at the town hall.  We sent a total of 500 surveys.  The Survey Monkey is on Facebook and township’s website.  There is a problem with the website and Nancy will work on that.  Nancy reported she has already received some surveys back. 

2.  Recreation Plan update from Jason:

We reviewed the updated sections of our recreation plan.  We like the new map and suggest using a map legend that is color coded to show what we own and what we don’t own, plus identify our main attractions. 

Tonight, we concentrated on the goals & objectives and 5-year work plan. 

Goal #6:  We eliminated goal #6 but kept the objectives and transferred them to goal #4.  The goals were similar, and we felt the objectives fit better under goal #4. 

Goal #7 will now become goal #6.

Under Goal #2 we will add the possibility to mitigate dust control for certain trails.

5-Year Work Plan:  Jason discussed the action plan for projects.  Our goals/objectives will guide us on these.  We could choose a project for every year.  Examples:  2024 – redo the baseball field and get cost estimate.  2025 – kayak launch by Witz Marina on property we own.  The information we obtain from the survey and public hearing will assist us in this.  The deadline to apply for grants is April 1 of every year.  This plan can be amended but must repeat the whole process again, i.e., 30-day review, public hearing.

Timeline for Recreation Plan:  The in-person input session is set for Thursday, May 4, 2023.  If conflict with date, will change it.  We are trying for completion of the rec plan draft by June 1, 2023 and 30-day review begins.  We are trying for a public hearing in July with board approval in August.

3.  Zoning Ordinance

The Zoning Administrator (ZA) and building inspector positions need to be filled.  Chris Wahmhoff, a trustee with the Township Board, stated he would be interested becoming the ZA.  There may be a conflict with his position on the board, but in rural areas that may be overlooked when it is hard to find someone to fill certain positions.  Jay expressed interest in the building inspector position and even considers the ZA.  Both positions require certification via training.

We discussed the article from the MTA on using a municipal civil infraction to enforce nuisance, zoning and building code violations.  Jason explained this very well and we need to implement this in our ordinance.

Before adjourning, Nancy polled each of us as to how many surveys (paper and on-line) we think will be returned by April 30th.   We had some optimistic numbers!!

Next meeting:  Thursday, April 13, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the firehall.

Adjourn:  Robert made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Jay.  Motion carried.  Adjournment was at 7:30 p.m.

Submitted by Linnea Barron, Secretary

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Planning Commission Work Session March 16, 2023

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Call to Order:  6 p.m.

Roll Call:  Nancy Strohschein, Chairperson; Linnea Barron, Secretary; Joe Bollech, Trustee; Bob Janda, Township Board Representative; Robert Lindert, Vice Chairperson.  Absent with notice:  Jay Loman, Donna Preston.

Pledge of Allegiance:  Recited

Approval of Agenda:  Bob made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Robert.  Motion carried.

Approval of minutes from March 9, 2023 work session:  Joe made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Bob.  Motion carried.

Agenda:  This work session was dedicated to printing out the recreation plan survey (500 copies), cross-referencing the addresses on the resident list with the homestead list as there were duplicates, applying the addresses to the envelopes and stamping them.   This process took three hours, and we were happy to have Sue Bollech to assist us.  Nancy will take these to the post office.  Joe is making a collection box for participants to drop off their survey at the township hall.

Next meeting:  Thursday, March 23, 2023 at 6 p.m. at the firehall.

Adjourn:  Joe made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Bob.  Motion carried.  Adjournment at 9 p.m.

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Planning Commission Work Session March 9, 2023

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Call to Order:  6:30 p.m.

Roll Call:  Nancy Strohschein, Chairperson; Linnea Barron, Secretary; Joe Bollech, Trustee; Bob Janda, Township Board Representative; Robert Lindert, Vice Chairperson.  Absent:  Jay Loman with notice; Donna Preston, with notice.

Pledge of Allegiance:  Recited

Guests:  Jason McCarthy, by phone.

Approval of Agenda:  Robert made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Bob.  Motion carried.

Approval of minutes from February 16, 2023 meeting:  The topic of noise ordinance was added to the agenda and discussed.  Therefore, Joe made a motion to approve the minutes with the addition of noise ordinance in the agenda, seconded by Bob.  Motion carried.

Agenda: 

1.  Recreation Plan.

A.  Jason McCarthy joined us via phone for this meeting to go over the recreation plan.  Changes were made to the sections Introduction, Community Description and Administrative Structure as requested.

 In section, Arvon Township Recreation Inventory, it was felt a map indicating the township waterfront parcels and other points of our recreation inventory would be helpful.  Jason agreed and has already planned for this.  We also requested that the Huron River information should go under the title Additional Area Recreational Facilities.  Also, under this title we changed the description of the first sentence of Silver River Boat Launch Site to read; Silver River Boat Launch is near the corner of Skanee and Townline Roads.  Jason will work on the description for Aura Town Hall & Ball Field.  The Town Hall is the site of the Aura Jamboree, a well-attended event in the summer.  Under Big Erik’s Bridge & Campground the addition of noting outhouses and a popular place for steelhead fishing was suggested.  A sentence was removed from the Old Ravine River Cemetery and correction of typos. 

The section, Description of the Planning Process, was explained by Jason.  He went into detail on how the “system” planning method works. 

Section, Description of the Public Input Process: The Community Survey, paper and on-line, will start mid-March and end on April 30.  We have a tentative date for the Early Public Input of Thursday, May 4, 2023.

B.  Goals and Objectives:  Jason proposed seven goals and objectives.  Jason stated that they are general but detailed.  The Michigan State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) was utilized in these goals and objectives and adapted for Arvon Township’s needs.  He pointed out that each goal had a word emphasizing the purpose of the goal.   Nancy questioned the repetition of trail networks on goal 2 as this subject has been covered by the township with decision against trail networks due to a good portion would travel on Skanee Road and be too dangerous, or on side roads causing extreme dust conditions for residents.  The township is not against trail networks if alternative routes could be established.  Jason commented that purchase of easements from landowners for trails is a possibility.  On goals 6 and 7, Nancy stated that the objectives did not seem to project the goal.  Jason will reword these two.

C.  Survey.

Jason suggested some changes to the survey, remove the question on gender and how often one recreates.  We agreed to remove #4 on gender, but decided to keep question on how often one recreates.  We would like a header for the survey.  Jason will add a statement at the end of the survey stating people can photocopy the paper survey if multiple people want to participate.

We have a budget of $700 for the survey.  Jim Fedie has supplied the addresses for the paper survey.  There are duplicates and businesses that we need to eliminate to get the number down to 500.  Nancy had a question if too many addresses, can we pick and choose who to send to.  Jason will investigate that with MTA attorney.

Jason explained how the Survey Monkey works.  We plan to print, label and stuff envelopes at the next meeting.

D.  Review schedule. 

Survey dates of mid-March to April 30.  In-person input session set for Thursday, May 4, 2023.  Results of survey and input session will be used in the Goals and Objectives and Action Plan.  Tentative date for public hearing is June or July with final adoption in August or September.

E.  Next work session set for Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 6 p.m. with Jason in attendance.

2.  Zoning Ordinance

A.  Chris Wahmhoff, Trustee on Township Board, has agreed to be the Zoning Administrator (ZA) after receiving the education necessary for the job.  We need to check with MTA if he can serve as ZA and on the Board.

B.  Nancy read an article from MTA on enforcing ordinances.   The article changed violating an ordinance from a misdemeanor to a municipal civil infraction with procedures to follow including sending a letter to violator, possible appearance in court with a judge to determine outcome.  Jason was aware of this recommendation and strongly suggests that we adopt this approach in the updated ordinance.  We will have to make sure the duties of the ZA are clearly defined in the updated ordinance.

Next meeting date will be Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the firehall.  We will be printing surveys, addressing and stuffing envelopes.  Jason will be at this meeting and go through the next steps in the survey results, Goals and Objectives, and Action plan.

Adjourn:  Robert made a motion to adjourn, seconded by Joe.  All approved and motion carried.  Adjournment at 7:55 p.m.

Submitted by Linnea Barron, Secretary

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