Township Board Meeting Minutes, May 6, 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 May 6, 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 Erickson to approve the April 1,2024 minutes. All in favor, motion passed.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Supervisor Fish requests three additions to the agenda-Old Business, “Tree Removal” and under New Business “Nature Conservancy” and “Mining Company”. With the three additions Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Tom Kurkowski requests that the township attorney Tinti put in writing the conclusion to the property easement issue and have it added to the deed so this does not happen again.
OLD BUSINESS: Strohshein let the board know that the Planning Commission should have the ordinance update completed at the May meeting. There will be public input this summer. She also received all the paperwork from Nancy Soli that has to do with the township land down by the Witz Marina. A suggestion was made to get it surveyed.
-The family that was interested in donating the Ravine River Cemetery to the Township does not want to pursue the issue anymore.
-After discussion, the trees behind the Skanee Township Hall are not safe and need to be removed. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the tree removal. Marinich will put an ad in the paper for bids with a deadline of May 31st
.
NEW BUSINESS: The Ambulance millage expires this year. Bay Ambulance is requesting an increase from .30 to .60 mills to be put on the Arvon Township ballot on August 6, 2024. After discussion, Marinich motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the increase millage proposal. All in favor, motion passed.
-The Road millage expires this year which is 1 mill. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Road millage proposal to be put on the August 6, 2024 ballot. All in favor, motion passed.
-The Fire Millage expires this year which is 1.5 mills. Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Fire Hall Millage proposal to be put on the August 6, 2024 ballot. All in favor, motion passed.
-Fish met with the Nature Conservancy that purchased All Woods land. They let him know that most roads will remain open, some of the secondary roads will be closed. Leased land may put up No Trespassing signs.

  • Fish talked to a mining company called Talin. They would like to set up a presentation in the near future.
    JAMES FEDIE:
    MAIL CALL:
    TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$348,324.23,
    Ambulance/EMT Fund-$27,387.72Fire Fund-$366,997.67Liquor Fund-$640.30, Road Fund-$215,811.87.
    Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
    BILL APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
    NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date will be June 3,2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the township firehall.
    ADJOURN: Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason to adjourn at 7:10 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
    Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

Township Board Meeting Minutes, April 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 April 1, 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 March 4,2024 minutes. All in favor, motion passed.
AGENDA APPROVAL: Janda motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
PUBLIC COMMENT: Jordan Hoover would like to do a presentation at the township hall on how the hunting issues that are in the U.P. Fish will get dates from him when he would like to come.
-The Township meetings will be held at the Town hall until the light fixtures are replaced.
-Strohshein would like to see the Township board meeting dates put on the website from now on. Kay Erickson said it could be done.
-Marinich let the board know that the rebar is in and at the Skanee Cemetery vault. Jim Nankervis and friends
can now measure the lots out and mark them properly.
OLD BUSINESS: Strohshein let the board know that the Planning Commission will be holding their quarterly meeting April 10th and another meeting after that to work on the Zoning Ordinance. She let the board know that a Blight Ordinance is not in our ordinance and that she has heard from the public that there should not be one, that this has been discussed in the past and turned down. They will be finishing up with the ordinance changes soon.
-Strohshein has had calls about the Ravine Cemetery. The ones that own it would like the township to take it over and maintain it. She would like the owners to come to next month’s meeting on this issue. This will be added to the agenda for next month.
-Strohshein would like to see the APFRF funds be used for Park purposes. She is not aware of any meetings from the volunteer Recreation group.
-Attorney Tinti spoke on the results of his historical and public records review as to whether an easement existed to benefit the Township of Arvon real estate described as Government Lot 1, Section 15, Township 52 North, Range 31 West. The review indicated that while an easement exists across Sections 16 and 21, Township 52 North, Range 31 West to benefit Government Lot 1, no easement of record provides access through Section 15, Township 52 North, Range 31 West to benefit Government Lot 1. The common law
easement theories of implied grant, implied that the Township of Arvon does not have an easement through Section 15 to benefit Government Lot 1. A considerable amount of questions from the Township Board and the public then ensued. At the of the presentation, Attorney Tinti recommended to the Township Board that no further legal actions were prudent.
NEW BUSINESS:
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$358,705.39,
Ambulance/EMT Fund-$27,387.72, Fire Fund-$366,966.84 Liquor Fund-$726.45, Road Fund-$215,811.87.
Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Treasurer’s Report. All in favor, motion passed.
BILL APPROVAL: Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve the bills. All in favor, motion passed.
NEXT MEETING DATE: The next meeting date will be May 6,2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the township hall due to light fixtures being replaced at the firehall.
ADJOURN: Marinich motioned, seconded by Erickson to adjourn at 7:10 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.
Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

2023 Arvon Township Annual/Budget Meeting Minutes March 28, 2023

CALL TO ORDER: Supervisor Jay Fish called the March 28, 2023 Annual/Budget meeting to order that was held at the Skanee Fire Hall at 5:00 P.M.
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Jay Fish-Supervisor, Krystal Larson-Treasurer, Lisa Marinich-Clerk, Robert Janda-Trustee, Chris Wahmhoff-Trustee absent.
ROLL CALL: Taken at 5:00 p.m.
MARCH 30, 2022 MINUTES APPROVAL: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the minutes of the March 30, 2022 meeting. All in favor, motion passed.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA: Janda motioned, seconded by Eliason, to approve the Agenda. All in favor, motion passed.
SUPERVISOR’S TOWNSHIP UPDATE:
TOWNSHIP HALL MAINTENANCE: No hall maintenance was done this fiscal year.
DEPOSITORY: Marinich motioned, seconded by Janda to stay with Superior National Bank and Baraga Co. Credit Union as the Township depositories. All in favor, motion passed.
SALARY APPROVAL: The Supervisor’s yearly salary currently is $9,187.00 the Clerk and Treasurer’s yearly salary is $10,762.00 and the Trustee’s is $105.00 per meeting. With the approved 5% yearly elected official increase, the new yearly wage for the Supervisor will be $9,646.32, Clerk and Treasurer $11,300.40 yearly and the Trustees $119.44 per meeting. All in favor, motion passed.
DATES, TIMES, LOCATION OF REGULAR BOARD MEETINGS: The Regular monthly meetings are at 6:00 P.M. At the Skanee Fire Hall. Marinich motioned, seconded by Janda to leave it the same. All in favor, motion passed.
MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT RATES: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Federal Government rate per mile for reimbursement. All in favor, motion passed.
TOWN HALL/FIRE HALL RENTAL FEES AND AGREEMENTS: Janda motioned, seconded by
Eliason to leave the downstairs and upstairs of the Town Hall rental $150.00 each and leave the deposit fee for alcohol at $100.00. Rental of the Fire Hall remains $50.00 and a $100.00 deposit for alcohol. The Fire hall rental will be free to all Fire Dept. members. All in favor, motion passed.
CEMETERY LOT FEES: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to keep the cemetery lot fees $500.00 for a full lot and a half lot $250.00 for the taxpayers of Arvon Township. All in favor, motion passed.
CEMETERY CLEAN UP: Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to bid out the Skanee cemetery cleanup again this year. All in favor, motion passed. Marinich will put an ad in the paper for bids in next weeks paper.
BOARD OF REVIEW/ZONING BOARD/ELECTION BOARD SALARIES: Board of Review wage currently is $20.00/hr with paid lunch. Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to keep it the same. All in favor, motion passed. The Election Chairperson wage currently is $22.00/hr. and the election workers wage is $20.00/hr, with paid lunches of $10.00 each. Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to keep their wages the same. All in favor, motion passed. The Zoning/Planning Commission and Zoning Board of Appeals chairperson and secretary wage is currently $80.00 per meeting, and the Zoning Board members are currently $65.00 per meeting. Janda motioned, seconded by Janda to keep their
wages the same. All in favor, motion passed. Any training for the Board of Review, Zoning Boards or the Election Board will be paid $25.00 for a half day (up to 4 hours) and $50.00 for a full day (over 4 hours) plus mileage. Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to keep the Zoning Administrator at $200.00 a month. All in favor, motion passed.
ADDITIONAL BUSINESS:
ANNUAL MEETING ADJOURNMENT: Janda motioned, seconded by Eliason to adjourn the Annual meeting at 5:20 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.

Township Board Meeting Minutes, March 4, 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 February 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: Janda motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the February 5, 2024 minutes.  All in favor, motion passed.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

OLD BUSINESS:  Fish talked to the township attorney.  Tinti will be attending next month’s meeting to present to the board what he has found out on the land easement issue on the Aura side of Arvon Township. This will be tabled until next month’s meeting.

-The new Township Zoning Administrator Buddy Sweeney let the board know that he is waiting until Ken Anderson gets home from wintering south.  He would like to talk to Ken about the township assessing. 

-Strohshien let the board know that the Planning Commission is working through zoning updates, short term rentals, considering some sort of blight ordinance and updating definitions.  They missed the deadline for grants this year but can apply for grants next year.  She would like to know who is on the Board of Appeals.

-After discussion, Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliason, to approve a volunteer Recreation group with no written by laws.  Scott Lloyd, Kathy Salsbury, Mary DeLine and Pat DeLine. All in favor, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS:  Bob Witz offered to put a metal dumpster in Arvon Township for free metal disposal.  This will be tabled until Marinich talks to Witz about the details and responsibilities.  

 JAMES FEDIE:  Fedie let the board know that Baxter retired from the Board of Review.  His term ends in January 2025.  Gilbert Martinez is interested in the remainder of Baxter’s term; Martinez is certified until 2025.  Marinich motioned, seconded by Janda, to approve Martinez to sit on the Board of Review.  All in favor, motion passed.

MAIL CALL:   

TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report.  General Fund-$318,320.16, Ambulance/EMT Fund-$22,539.24 Fire Fund-$327,807.46 Liquor Fund-$771.11, Road Fund-$187,131.99.  Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda, to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  All in favor, motion passed.      

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

NEXT MEETING DATE:   The next meeting date will be April 1, 2024, at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.

ADJOURN:  Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to adjourn at 6:40 P.M. All in favor, motion passed.

Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

Township Board Meeting Minutes, February 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 January 8, 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 January 5, 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:  Mary DeLine let the board know that the Pickleball players love having the township hall open this winter.

OLD BUSINESS:  Strohshein let the board know that the Planning Commission is ready to have Marinich upload the Rec Plan to Michigan Dept of Resources. 

-Strohshein let the board know that the Planning Commission held an open house/meeting on January 31, 2024.  They wanted to know who might be interested in being on a possible Rec Committee. 

-Strohshein also would like to see the Board of Appeals board members get straightened out. To find out who is left on the board, if they are still interested in being on the board.

-Tom and Nancy Kurkowski were present at the meeting concerned about the township easement issue.  They thought that this was a dead issue years ago.  This will be tabled until next months meeting.  Jay will contact the township attorney. 

-Buddy Sweeney was the only applicant for the Zoning Administrator position.  After discussion, Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to approve Sweeney as the townships new Zoning Administrator.  All in favor, motion passed.

NEW BUSINESS:  Fish attended an Energy webinar.  After discussion, this will be tabled until there is more information on this topic.

-Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to hold the Arvon Township Budget Workshop at 4:30 p.m. on March 29, 2024 at the Skanee Fire Hall.  All in favor, motion passed.

-Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to hold the Arvon Township Annual/Budget meeting on March 27, 2024 at 4:30 p.m at the Skanee Fire Hall.  All in favor, motion passed.

-The Bay Ambulance Service Agreement is up for renewal with the Township. The amount remains the same as last year, $15,006.00.  Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve the agreement.  All in favor, motion passed.

-Bay Ambulance is reaching out to all the Baraga County townships to increase their millage for the Amb/Emt.  This will be tabled until the board has more information on the issue.

JAMES FEDIE:    

MAIL CALL:   

TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report.  General Fund-$312,232.69, Ambulance/EMT Fund-$16,811.44 Fire Fund-$299,682.88 Liquor Fund-$815.77, Road Fund-$168,030.46.  Erickson motioned, seconded by Marinich 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 March 4, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.

ADJOURN:  Marinich motioned, seconded by Eliason to adjourn at 7:05 P.M.  All in favor, motion passed.

Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

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