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

Township Board Meeting Minutes January 8, 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 December 4, 2023.

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 December 4, 2023 minutes.  All in favor, motion passed.

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

PUBLIC COMMENT: 

OLD BUSINESS:  Strohshein let the board know that the Planning Commission will be holding a public meeting on January 31, 2024 in seek of a volunteer Recreation Committee.

-Fish let the board know that he went to Ken Anderson’s to pick up the remainder of information that Ken had on the land easement issue.  Fish met with the township attorney, Tinti, to find out the hours he has into this issue and to fire him.  Tinti told him he only had 2.5 hours because the paper work Fish brought to him the first time was a dead end.  Both of them looked at the information that  Anderson released and found out all the information Tinti will need was here including the map.  Tinti will have an answer for the township within six weeks.  Table until next months meeting.

-Buddy Sweeney and Jason McCarthy applied for the Zoning Administrator position.  After discussion, Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to set up interviews with the two gentlemen.  Table until next months meeting.

NEW BUSINESS:  Eliason motioned, seconded by Erickson to approve Jenny Janda/Chairperson and Debbie Sheldon, Sharon Ollila and Randee Collins/inspectors for the upcoming February 27, 2024 election.  All in favor, motion passed.

-Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve Jenny Janda/Chairperson and Debbie Sheldon, Sharon Ollila and Randee Collins/inspectors for the upcoming February 27, 2024 election.  All in favor, motion passed.     

JAMES FEDIE:    

MAIL CALL:   

TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report.  General Fund-$323,218.02 Ambulance/EMT Fund-$16,811.44 Fire Fund-$302,165.78 Liquor Fund-$860.43, Road Fund-$168,030.46.  Erickson motioned, seconded by Janda to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  All in favor, motion passed.      

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

NEXT MEETING DATE:   The next meeting date will be February 5, 2024 at 6:00 P.M. at the Fire hall.

ADJOURN:  Eliason motioned, seconded by Janda to adjourn at 6:55 P.M.  All in favor, motion passed.

Lisa M. Marinich/Arvon Township Clerk

February 13 @ 6:00 pm 7:00 pm EST

Arvon Township Planning Commission Work Session

Arvon Township Fire Hall

Town Road
Skanee, MI United States

The Planning Commission will meet to continue work on the updates to our Zoning Ordinance.

Township Board Meeting Minutes, December 4, 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 December 4, 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 November 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:
OLD BUSINESS: Strohschein let the board know that when the Recreation Plan is complete, it will have to be uploaded to the MiGrants DNR site. Merrie Carlock from the State let Strohschein know that Lisa Marinich is the only authorized official to use the MiGrants account. Marinich let Strohschein know that when it is ready to be uploaded she will do it if approved by the board.
-Strohschein requests that the board approve formation of a Recreation Committee in December. No more than five volunteers on the committee. She would like to have an organizational meeting in January, open to all who are interested, and specifically inviting the people who expressed interest on the survey. Erickson motioned, seconded by Eliasion to approve a five person volunteer Rec Plan Committee. All in favor, motion passed.
-Fish is meeting with Tinti on December 5, 2023 to retrieve the townships papers on the land division issue.
NEW BUSINESS: For the State to take permanent electrical authority for the Township of Arvon, the Township will need to rescind its ordinance which gives it electrical code responsibility. If the Township doesn’t have an ordinance to rescind, it will need to create an ordinance rescinding its authority and state it is transferring electrical code authority to the State of Michigan. Marinich will put this on next months agenda.
-Marinich let the board know that she applied for a MiFire Equipment Grant back in April. The state emailed a letter the end of November that the township was granted 10,000.00. Marinich will proceed with all the documents the state requires.
-Marinich let the board know that the Election Proposal 22-2 has made many changes in the up coming elections. The election will be open for voting nine days prior to the day of elections, there will be more hours for the clerk. This will be tabled until next months meeting.
-Fish talked to Tikky’s Tree service about removing the tree that fell down at the Skanee Cemetery. Tikky’s is closed for business in the winter months. This will be taking care of in the spring.
-Years prior, the township billed the Skanee School half for plowing the Access Site. The school uses it daily
for student transferring. The bill the year is $1,200.00. After discussion the board decided to bill the school half $600.00.
JAMES FEDIE:
MAIL CALL:
TREASURER’S REPORT: Eliason gave the monthly Treasurer’s Report. General Fund-$322,366.77
Ambulance/EMT Fund-$20,562.94 Fire Fund-$302,275.60 Liquor Fund-$877.59, Road Fund-$170,030.46.
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: Due to the New Year holiday, the next meeting date will be January 8, 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

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.

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
);