Township Board Meeting Minutes, August 5, 2024


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 August 5, 2024.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda – Trustee and Keith Erickson-Trustee.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the July 1,2024 minutes. All in favor, motion passed.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Strohshein thanked the Board for putting the Township Board meetings on the website. Janda was asked by someone if they would be able to walk around the town hall with a metal detector. Donna Preston found on the internet right away that it is not allowed on township properties.
OLD BUSINESS: The Nature Conservancy came to the meeting with a presentation on the Allwood land that was purchased by them. They purchased 9095 acres of land with 4 miles of the Slate River and 3 miles of the Ravine River. They let the board know that all places that have been open will remain open and that there will be no negative effects to the Arvon Township School. The Conservancy said they will work with Arvon Township.
-The Planning Commission will be holding a public meeting on August 22, 2024 at 6:00p.m. at the Township Fire Hall. Public comment on an updated version of the Arvon Township Zoning Ordinance, which will feature amendments and updates. It will be put in the L’Anse Sentinel. Strohshein said that the Township Board could adopt it at the October board meeting.
-Marinich let the board know that MTA said that the Covid money can be spent on a pickleball court. After discussion Marinich will contact fencing companies for the project. Marinich will purchase the net, paddles, balls, 2 benches and whatever else is needed for the sport. Also to purchase 3 picnic tables for the park. Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve the pickleball project. Marinich, Janda and Fish all approved the
project. All in favor, motion passed.
-Marinich received an email from FEMA letting the board know that FEMA’s review of the updated floodplain ordinance for Arvon Township has been completed and approved. The FEMA portion of our community database has been updated, including uploading the ordinance. FEMA thanked the Township for their efforts in updating the ordinance and continued participation in the National Flood Insurance Program.
-Strohshein would like to see 2 more members on the Planning Commission. There are members that leave in the winter, then the board does not have enough members. Marinich will put an ad for 2 positions in the L’Anse Sentinel.
-Strohshein would like to know if the Board of Appeals have members. Jay Fish, Kay Erickson are willing to stay on. Marinich will call Pam Nankervis to see if she would like to stay on the board also. Marinich will put an ad in the L’Anse Sentinel for position openings.
-It was brought to Fish’s attention that there is an oil spill and mining equipment left on private property off of Trail 14 behind Roland Lake. Fish contacted the CEO of the company that was involved in the drilling and was told it will be taken care of.
NEW BUSINESS: Marinich would like approval of Sharon Ollila to work the August 5th election. Randee Collins and Gail Hollon are both injured and will not be able to work it. Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve Sharon Ollila. All in favor, motion passed.
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$311,372.85, Ambulance/EMT Fund-$25,953.65 Fire Fund-$355,319.58 Liquor Fund-$935.98, Road Fund-$223,458.84. Marinich motioned, seconded by Erickson 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: Due to the Labor Day holiday the next meeting date will be September 9, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the Township Firehall.
ADJOURN: Marinich motioned, seconded by Erickson to adjourn at 6:45 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

Public Hearing – Zoning Ordinance Update

August 22 @ 6:00 pm

There will be a Public Hearing to present proposed changes to the Arvon Township Zoning Ordinance on August 22, 2024 at 6 PM at the Arvon Township Fire Hall. At the meeting, proposed changes to our ordinance will be presented. The public will have the opportunity to ask questions and suggest further changes to the ordinance at the meeting.

Please review the Final Draft of the Zoning Ordinance here. If you have questions, you may contact any member of the Planning Commission or chair, Nancy Strohschein.

Arvon Township Fire Hall

13158 Town Road
Skanee, MI 49962 United States
+ Google Map

Township Board Meeting Minutes, July 1, 2024


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 1, 2024.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert JandaTrustee and Keith Erickson-Trustee.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the June 3,2024 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 let the board know that she read where the Transportation Economics Development Fund Category B has funding for small townships for road projects. She gave her information to Marinich to look into.
-Strohshein requests that the regular township board meetings be posted on the township website.
-Strohshein requests uploading the Rec Plan to the State.
OLD BUSINESS: Strohshein let the board know that the Planning Commission will be meeting mid July to finalize on all the changes in the Township ordinance. There will be a full copy in August-about 150 pages long.
-Strohshein let the board know that Jay Loman, Nancy Strohshein and Joe Bollech Planning Commission positions expired.
-Mary DeLine gave a list of equipment that could be purchased to get a pickle ball court down at the Skanee Park.
Bev Rantanen will get prices to Marinich.

-Arvon Township currently participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The township must adopt the new maps by revising its current floodplain ordinance or adopting a new floodplain ordinance, prior to the effective FIRM date of September 26, 2024. Marinich and Fish attended a zoom meeting with FEMA with all the maps available. Marinich filled out the ordinance addressing floodplain management provisions of the
construction code. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the ordinance. All in favor, motion passed. Marinich will send the ordinance to FEMA on July 2nd.
NEW BUSINESS: Marinich would like approval for the following to work the August 6, 2024 election-Debbie Sheldon/Chairperson, Debbie Vizina/ inspector, Gail Hollon/inspector and Randee Collins/inspector. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the election workers. All in favor, motion passed.
-Marinich would like approval for the following to work the receiving board for the upcoming August 6, 2024 election-Debbie Sheldon/Debbie Vizina. Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the receiving board. All in favor, motion passed.
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$330,392.20, Ambulance/EMT Fund-$25,953.65 Fire Fund-$355,856.33 Liquor Fund-$980.64, Road Fund-$223,458.84. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda 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 5,2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the Township Firehall.
ADJOURN: Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to adjourn at 6:40 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Cler

Township Board Meeting Minutes, June3, 2024


CALL TO ORDER: Supervisor Jay Fish called the Regular Board meeting to order at 6:00 P.M. at the Arvon Township town hall on June 3, 2024.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee and Keith Erickson-Trustee.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Janda motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the May 6,2024 minutes. All in favor, motion passed.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Bette Gabe would like to thank Bob and Kathy Janda for all the work they did to improve the Vets monument. Donna Preston let the board know that the new township signs are beautiful.
OLD BUSINESS: Preston let the board know that the Planning Commission will be meeting this week to finalize the ordinance for next month’s meeting.
-Tom Olson painted the lines at the basketball court for pickle ball. Mary Deline gave the township a packet of costs for a pickle ball court at the park and possibly purchasing a shed for the equipment. JCS in Baraga puts up fencing for pickle ball courts. Also maybe 2 benches for the court.
NEW BUSINESS: Kelly Erickson requests a new weed eater for the township grounds, approximately $500.00.
Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve it. All in favor, motion passed.
-The township has their audit this year. Rukkila has done it for many years. Janda motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve Rukkila. All in favor, motion passed.
-After proof-reading the townships millage renewals, Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the wording for the Fire Dept millage, Ambulance/EMT millage and the Road millage. All in favor, motion passed.
-Tikky’s tree service was the only bid for the removal of 12 trees at the township hall. The bid was $9,500.00 for taking down and removing the trees. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve Tikky’s bid. All in favor, motion passed.
-UPSET is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that is committed to the safety and well-being of the citizens in the UP. They are seeking funding to assist with operating expenses which greatly enhance investigative efforts in our community. UPSET does not receive operating expenses from the State and is funded by local municipalities,
grants and private donors. The township contributed to UPSET back in 2020 and 2021 each year $1,000.00.
Erickson motioned, seconded by Marinich to approve a contribution of $1,000.00 to UPSET. Erickson, Janda, Eliason and Marinich approved, Fish opposed. Motion is passed.
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$321,510.34, Ambulance/EMT Fund-$27,387.72Fire Fund-$341,448.74 Liquor Fund-$643.47, Road Fund-$215,687.13. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
BILL APPROVAL: Janda motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date will be July 1,2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the township firehall.
ADJOURN: Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason to adjourn at 6:40 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Cler

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