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Forming a Recreation Committee

The Arvon Township Board is looking for 5 volunteers to advise the Board on recreation opportunities in the township. We will hold an informational Open House on January 31 at 6 PM in the Skanee Fire Hall. At this meeting, the recently completed Recreation Plan will be reviewed and the duties of the Recreation Committee will be presented.

If you would like to be part of the Recreation Committee, please plan to attend the meeting. You can contact any member of the Planning Commission or Nancy Strohschein, Chair, if you have questions.

You can find the Planning Commission member contact information here.

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Planning Commission Work Session November 9, 2023

Arvon Township Planning Commission Work Session
Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Roll Call
Nancy Strohschein (Chair), Joe Bollech (Board of Review), Bob Janda (Board Rep), Robert Lindert (Vice Chair & Secretary), Jay Loman (Board of Review Chair), Donna Preston – Absent with notice, Ken Anderson (Zoning Administrator) –
Absent with notice
Pledge of Allegiance: Recited
Introductions/Guests: Jason McCarthy expected to attend in person
Approval of Agenda: Motion: Jay, Second: Bob
Approval of minutes of October 19, 2023 Work Session: Motion: Bob, Second: Joe
Agenda:
I. Recreation Plan
A. Status from Jason – Need completed plan to publish and print.

  • Jason will need to set up an account with the State DNR so we can upload the
    plan then apply for grants. Nancy will be the point person for this account.
    Jason still needs to add all the appendices, which he does have, then it will
    be complete. Nancy asked him to have it to her by 11/27/23 so it can be
    posted on the website and printed.
    B. Comments not part of Rec Plan – No action taken yet
  • Same
    C. Comment from resident via Donna Preston about kayak park location
  • Donna sent us all an email with a suggestion from a resident to put the kayak
    park at the township park, instead of at the undeveloped strip of land near
    Wtiz’ Marina. Although that makes sense for access, the beach at the
    proposed new site is much better. This project is a 2025 project. We will
    want the Recreation Committee to look into this.
    D. Recreation Committee – Update from request to board on November 6, 2023
  • Nancy provided the document that was used for discussion at the board
    meeting, which listed the names of the volunteers. The board did not take
    action on this request. Jason clarified that he recommends 5 people on the
    Rec Cte, not 7. There may be a public act that requires a Rec Cte. He will
    look into this. He suggests the committee meets 4 times a year and has
    diversity of age and skills.
    II. Ordinance Update – Led by Jason
    A. New definitions – Incorporation into districts
  • Discussed mobile homes; we want to allow them because it adds tax value to
    the township.
  • General residential will be the only district to allow duplexes and multi-family
    units.
  • Short term rentals will be permitted everywhere except General Residential
    where it will be permitted with special conditions. In all districts it will
    require a permit.
  • Shipping containers are an accessory use, not principal use.
  • Discussed sauna buildings being put under same conditions as outdoor wood
    boilers.
  • Discussed principal use versus accessory uses.
    B. Other topics per Jason’s guidance
    III. Next meetings
    A. December 7th 2023: Planning Commission work session
    B. 2024 quarterly meetings will be moved to Thursdays. The incorrect dates were
    listed for April and October in the previous agenda. Below are the correct dates.
  • January 11
  • April 11
  • July 11
  • October 10
    Adjourn – Motioned by Jay, seconded by Robert. Adjourned @ 7:15pm
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Township Board Meeting Minutes, November 6, 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 November 6, 2023.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee and Keith Erickson-Trustee.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the October 2, 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: Strohshein asked if the Sawmill Road property was sold and if it was, was it tagged. Fish let her know that the property has been sold and that is all he knows as of now.
-Strohshein let the board know that there is a Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM) for Baraga County residents that live on the lake or river. FEMA flood insurance is available. Strohshein let the board know that the Planning Commission is done with the FEMA issue.
OLD BUSINESS: Nancy Strohshein let the board know that the Planning commission will be working with their consultant through the winter. She would like to get a Recreation Committee started also. There are several people that marked on the survey that the PC sent out that would be interested in volunteering to be on the Recreation Committee board.
-Marinich will post a notice in the paper for a Zoning Administrator position opening in Arvon Township starting the first of the year.
-Fish let the board know that Tinti finally returned his phone calls. Tinti let Fish know that he has read through everything. Last month the board passed that we retrieve the papers from Tinti and hire a new township attorney. After discussion, Marinich motioned, seconded by Erickson to have Fish drive to Tinti’s office and pick up all the papers concerning the land easement issue. Marinich said she will also like to go. Marinich motioned, seconded by Erickson to get all the papers from Tinti and to pay mileage. All in favor,motion passed.
-K&N Contractors resubmitted their bid with more details. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the bid of $47,850.00. All in favor, motion passed.
-Royal Lawn Care was the only bid for the Access site-$1,200.00 and the Skanee Park-$800.00. Janda motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve the bid. All in favor, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS:
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL: Fish received a letter from Thomas and Debra Armstrong that have property on 6 Pack Alley Rd. They want Arvon Township to maintain that road claiming that the township has the machines necessary to maintain this road. The Township is not responsible for maintaining private roads.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$318,469.96; Ambulance/EMT Fund-$20,562.94; Fire Fund-$303,472.89; Liquor Fund-$922.25; Road Fund-$171,330.46.
Marinich motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
BILL APPROVAL: Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date will be December 4, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.
ADJOURN: Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to adjourn at 7:00 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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Township Board Meeting Minutes October 2, 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 October 2, 2023.
ROLL CALL OF MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Krystal Eliason-Treasurer, Robert Janda-Trustee.
MINUTES APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the September 11, 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: Bette Gabe requests that the agenda have 2 public comments, one in the beginning and one at the end.
-Linnea Barron let the township board know that she is retiring from the Planning Commission as of October 1, 2023. The township board decided to leave the members as they are for now. There will be 5 members until spring when Donna Preston returns home from wintering there will be 6 members.
OLD BUSINESS: Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to approved Keith Erickson as the replace of Chris Wahmhoff’s position as township trustee. All in favor, motion passed. Erickson will sit on the board October 2, 2023 meeting.
-After discussion, the township board will look for a new township attorney. Fish will drive to Tinti’s office and pick up all the township papers. Fish asks for mileage. Marinich motioned, seconded by Janda to approve looking for a new attorney and mileage reimbursement. All in favor, motion passed.
-K&N Contractors is the only one that bid on the township hall restoration. The bid was $47,850.00. Would take approximately a month to finish and they will start first thing in the spring. After going through the bid, the board decided that the there needs to be more details. Marinich will contact K&N for a more detailed bid. This will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Homestead Graphics quote for 2 Skanee cemetery signs- $50.00 each, one Welcome to Skanee sign- $450.00, one Welcome to Arvon Twp sign-$450.00 and 1 Aura sign-$200.00. Janda motioned, seconded by Eliasion to approve the signs. All in favor, motion passed.
-Strohshein let the board know that flood insurance is based out of Maryland and is expensive for people that have a mortgage. The planning commission will have this issue on their October 11th meeting. The planning commission is also requesting a Recreation Commission.
-Marinich and Eliason let the board know that $60,000.00 was taken out of the General Fund and put into a 15 month 4.9% CD. After discussion, Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to put another $300,000.00 into a 5 month CD. All in favor, motion passed. Mills was present at the meeting and asked if the board would be willing to put the Road Fund money into a CD since the money won’t be used until 2025. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve putting the Road Fund money into a higher rate CD. All in favor, motion passed.
NEW BUSINESS: Jim Nankervis will be surveying the Skanee Cemetery. Marinich will contact him to see what he will need.
-Bill Menge let Fish know that the Marquette Twp. Supervisor told him that Marquette County cannot maintain the Mouth of the Huron. Menge is willing to talk to the Marquette Council about Arvon township taking it over.
-Marinich requests keeping the Skanee Township hall open for the winter due to a February 2024 election. There is an exercise group that would also like to see it stay open. Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve it open for winter. All in favor, motion passed.
-Plowing the access site and township park will be tabled until next months meeting.
JAMES FEDIE: Fedie let the board know he had training. Also the Skanee school will be proposing from 11% to 13% school millage in the up coming election.
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$319,780.37
Ambulance/EMT Fund-$20,768.06 Fire Fund-$304,818.13 Liquor Fund-$1,011.57, Road Fund-$171,330.46.
Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
BILL APPROVAL: Janda motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date will be November 6, 2023 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.
ADJOURN: Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to adjourn at 7:15 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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