[00:00:01]
>> GOOD EVENING. I BELIEVE WE ARE LIVE NOW AND READY TO START OUR VIRTUAL MEETING?
VIRTUAL REGULAR IS A SPECIAL MEETING BECAUSE WHAT WE DID LAST WEEK, A SPECIAL MEETING AT THE BRILLIANT TOWNSHIP BOARD CALL TO ORDER IN S FOR THE I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
WITH THAT, I'LL ASK OUR CLERK TO CALL THE ROLL.
>> GUTHRIE IS HERE, TRUSTEE JACKSON?
[1. CALL MEETING TO ORDER]
>> ALL BOARD MEMBERS ARE PRESENT.
THE FIRST ITEM THAT WE HAVE ON OUR AGENDA IS A PRESENTATION.
THAT IS THE FINDINGS OF THE LOCAL OFFICIAL'S COMPENSATION COMMISSION.
[2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE/INTRODUCTIONS]
WILL EVERYBODY BE DOING THAT YOU BE DOING THAT?>> OKAY. WELL, I HAVE FOR YOU THE FINDINGS OF THE LOCAL OFFICIAL'S COMPENSATION COMMISSION,
[3. ROLL CALL]
OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE LCC.THE LCC CONSISTS OF FIVE MEMBERS THAT MEET BY ANNUALLY TO DETERMINE THE SALARIES OF THE TOWNSHIPS ELECTED OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE SUPERVISOR, THE CLERK, THE TREASURER, TRUSTEES, AND PARK COMMISSIONERS.
I'M REPORTING THE OFFICIAL FINDINGS MADE AT THE PUBLIC MEETING ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19TH, 2021.
THE DETERMINATION OF THE COMMISSION FOR 2021, AND 22 WAS FILED WITH THE TOWNSHIP CLERK ON MONDAY, THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY, AND WILL BE IN EFFECT 30 DAYS FOLLOWING ITS FILING UNLESS REJECTED BY THE TOWNSHIP BOARD WITH THE TWO-THIRDS VOTE.
[4A. Findings of the Local Officials Compensation Commission]
ATTACHED TO MY MEMORANDUM IS THE DETERMINATION OF SALARIES FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR 2021 AND 2022 STARTS 2019, AND 20.SO I APOLOGIZE, THAT WILL BE CORRECTED AND THE COMPENSATION SURVEY DATA THAT WAS USED FOR THE DETERMINATION.
SO AS IT GOES THROUGH THE LETTER TO THE CLERK, SHALL I READ IT VERBATIM OR HOW SHALL I PROCEED?
>> THEN YOU COULD SUMMARIZE IF IT'S POSSIBLE.
>> SURE, YEAH. I CAN SUMMARIZE.
BASICALLY, AT THE PUBLIC MEETING ON FRIDAY, THE 19TH, IT WAS DETERMINED FOR THE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR THAT EFFECTIVE MARCH 21ST, 2021 TO DECEMBER 31ST, 2021, THAT THE TOWNSHIP SUPERVISORS SHALL BE PAID AN ANNUALIZED SALARY OF 23,084 AND FLAT NO CHANGE EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022, TO THE ANNUALIZED SALARY SHALL BE INCREASED TO $23,545.
FOR THE TOWNSHIP CLERK AND TOWNSHIP TREASURER, EFFECTIVE MARCH 21ST, 2021 TO DECEMBER 31ST, THE TOWNSHIP CLERK AND TOWNSHIP TREASURER SHALL BE PAID AN ANNUAL SALARY OF 76,741.74 CENTS.
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1ST OF 2022, THE ANNUALIZED SALARY SHALL BE INCREASED TO 78,276.57 CENTS.
MOVING ON TO THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEES, ALSO EFFECTIVE MARCH 21ST, 2021 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, THE TOWNSHIP TRUSTEE SHALL BE PAID AN ANNUALIZED SALARY OF 11,617, AND EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022, THE ANNUALIZED SALARY SHALL BE INCREASED TO 12,117.
FINALLY, THE PART COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS OF THE PARK COMMISSION FOR THE YEARS 2021 AND 2022 SHALL BE PAID $50 PER MEETING, EITHER WORK SESSION OR COMMISSION MEETINGS WITH A MAXIMUM OF 24 MEETINGS PER YEAR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IS THAT THE SUM TOTAL OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS?
>> I'M SORRY, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT?
>> WAS THAT THE SUM TOTAL OF ALL THE RECOMMENDATIONS?
>> OKAY. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, I WILL SAY ANYBODY HAS ANY COMMENTS? WE'LL MOVE ON WITH THE AGENDA, DOES ANY MEMBER HAVE COMMENTS? DON'T SEE ANY.
ALL RIGHT, THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO SYSTEMS ADDRESSING THAT AGENDA ITEMS. DO WE HAVE ANY CITIZENS?
>> THERE ARE SEVERAL PEOPLE IN THE ATTENDEE AREA AND WE CAN OF COURSE,
[00:05:04]
ALWAYS TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT BE A 5173491232 FOR THOSE WATCHING VIA HOME TV OR ONE OF THE OTHER INTERNET STREAMS THAT WE HAVE.IF THE PEOPLE IN THE ATTENDEE AREA WHICH TO RAISE THEIR AIM USING THE RAISE HAND FEATURE WILL KNOW THAT THEY WISH TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME.
>> ARE WE GETTING ANY RAISED HANDS?
THERE ARE NO TELEPHONE CALLS AT THIS TIME, SIR.
>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT, THEN WE ALSO MENTIONED THAT AT THE END OF THE MEETING OR JUST BEFORE WE ADJOURN, THERE WILL BE ANOTHER CHANCE FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
IF ANYONE WHO WISHES TO EITHER CALL IN OR IS PART OF THE ATTENDEE AREA, THEY CERTAINLY CAN RAISE THEIR HAND THAT THEIR TIME AND BE CALLED UPON FOR THREE MINUTES PUBLIC COMMENT.
OKAY. WE WILL NOW MOVE TO THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER'S REPORT.MR. WALSH.
GOOD EVENING, BOARD. JUST A FEW THINGS TO GO OVER TONIGHT WITH YOU.
WE ARE NEARING THE END OF THAT PROCESS.
AT THIS TIME WE'VE TAKEN 275, DEER.
WE HAVE A GOAL TO GET TO 326 THROUGH THE DNRS PROGRAM APPROVED PROGRAM.
WE HOPE TO GET THAT ACCOMPLISHED IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR WEEKS.
I WANT TO THANK POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE PARKS AND THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM FOR ALL THEIR EFFORT TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
IT'S ONE OF THE NUMBER ONE COMPLAINTS THAT WE GET IN THE TOWNSHIP ABOUT THE NUMBER OF DEER THAT WE HAVE.
YOU REMEMBER THE WATER COOPER DEVELOPMENT THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD WELL OVER A YEAR AGO.
[6. TOWNSHIP MANAGER REPORT]
THAT PROJECT IS NOW MOVING FORWARD.THE SITE PLAN IS IN IT'S GOING THROUGH, THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT WE WILL HEAR MORE ABOUT THAT EVENTUALLY AS WE MOVE FORWARD.
YOU GOING TO HEAR ABOUT A REZONING AND JOLLY ROAD, THAT'S IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION, THE PUBLIC NOTICES WENT OUT THREE OR FOUR DAYS AGO.
WE'VE STARTING TO GET CALLS, YOU MAY AS WELL, IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
WE'VE TRIED TO GIVE YOU AS MUCH INFORMATION AS WE HAVE AT THIS TIME, BUT THAT WILL BE IN FRONT OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON MARCH 8TH.
WE RECEIVED NOTICE FROM THE MSU CREDIT UNION THAT THERE WILL BE AMENDING THEIR FACILITY PLAN ON CENTRAL PARK DRIVE, MAINLY THROUGH THE DRIVE-THROUGHS OR THE DRIVE-THROUGH.
ON MARCH 2ND, YOU'LL HEAR YOUR FIRST UPDATE FROM ALL THE WORK-GROUP ASSIGNMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN GIVEN.
THE TEAMS WILL BE PROVIDING A VERY BRIEF TWO OR THREE MINUTE UPDATE TO THE BOARD AS TO WHAT WE'RE DOING, WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH EACH OF THOSE.
MARCH ONE IS A BIT OPENING FOR THE MEMBER, THE ICE SKATING THE SYNTHETIC ICE SKATING RINK, THAT'S A PART OF THE MARKETPLACE.
YOU REMEMBER THAT PART OF THE COMPONENT OF THE PROJECT, THE BID OPENING WILL OCCUR ON MARCH 1ST.
WE'RE EXPECTING THOSE BIDS TO COME IN A 100 BY 40 SYNTHETIC ICE THAT WE'LL BE PUTTING DOWN AT THE MARKETPLACE.
CAME ACROSS THAT IDEA OUT OF SAUL STE MARIE, THAT I THINK IS WORTH EXPLORING IT KIND OF COMES ON THE HEELS OF THE PANTRIES THAT THE BOARD IS CURRENTLY LOOKING AT.
THAT'S OUR FREE SLID PROGRAM WHERE YOU PUT SLIDES OUT AND WE'RE LOOKING AT MAYBE NORTH MERIDIAN PARK.
SO PEOPLE WHO COME THERE WHO FORGET THEIR SLID OR MAY NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE A SLIDE IF YOU COME THERE AND USE A SLID, JUST PUT IT BACK.
SO WE'RE LOOKING AT SOME SORT OF PROGRAM LIKE THAT PROBABLY WON'T HAPPEN FOR THIS YEAR AS WE NEAR SPRING, BUT CERTAINLY, FOR NEXT YEAR, I THINK IT'S A REALLY NEAT CONCEPT.
WALNUT HILLS NEAR A DEMOLITION OF THE POOL HOUSE AND THE CLUBHOUSE AND FINALLY, I MET WITH CECILIA KRAMER LAST WEEK ABOUT A FOOD PANTRY AND WE'RE MOVING FORWARD WORKING WITH THAT THROUGH THE CLERK'S OFFICE TO CLERK GUTHRIE AND OTHERS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
I KNOW THAT THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL OF SECOND FOOD PANTRY AT THE FAITH LUTHERAN CHURCH, I THINK IT IS.
I'M DOLBY ROAD AND THAT'S BEEN APPROVED THROUGH A DIRECTOR [INAUDIBLE] BOX OFFICE.
WE'RE MOVING RIGHT FORWARD WITH THE BOARD'S DIRECTION AND THE FOOD PANTRIES AND THAT CONCLUDES MY REPORT, MR. SUPERVISOR, LESS THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE BOARD THIS EVENING.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FOR THE MANAGER FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS.
I THINK YOU'RE HOME FREE AT THAT MR. WALSH.
I WANT TO JUST MENTION THAT MANY FRUIT PANTRY ARE SMART FOOD PANTRY IDEAS IS A WONDERFUL IDEA.
[INAUDIBLE] SHE'S BEEN WORKING HARD TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN THROUGH THE EMERGENCY ORDER THAT WAS APPROVED BY THIS BOARD THAT I ISSUED LAST MONTH.
WE'RE ABLE TO DO THIS AND HOPEFULLY PEOPLE NEED WHO CAN'T GET TO HER FOOD BANK AT
[00:10:01]
A TIME WHEN THEY REALLY NEED SOME FOOD CAN ACCESS THESE AND OTHERS WHO HAVE PLENTY ARE ABLE TO REPLENISH THEM.THE IDEA IS LIKE A LENDING LIBRARY.
THERE'S LITTLE ONES THAT YOU SEE AROUND THE TOWNSHIP.
THIS WOULD BE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE COULD DONATE AS WELL AS TAKE OUT IF THEY'RE IN NEED.
SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THOSE AROUND TOWN, ESPECIALLY DURING THIS [INAUDIBLE] TO GET US THROUGH THIS.
>> OKAY. NEXT ITEM IS BOARD MEMBER REPORTS OF ACTIVITIES AND ADVANCEMENTS.
I WANT TO MENTION FIRST [INAUDIBLE] COURTESY TO OTHER BOARD MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AS A WHOLE, I HOPE THAT YOU TURN OFF YOUR CELL PHONES OR PUT THEM AWAY SOME PLACE SO THAT YOU DON'T GET DISTRACTED FOR THE BUSINESS TO THE TOWNSHIP.
BOARD MEMBERS, IS THERE ANYONE THAT WANTS TO MAKE A REPORT? TREASURE TO SAY.
>> THANK YOU SUPERVISOR. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT ABOUT THE FOOD ENTRIES AND LET'S JUST SEE HOW KRAMER AND OTHERS ARE DOING THAT.
IT'S USUALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK IN WE WOULD LIKE TO BE A PRODUCT HERE IN MERIDIAN.
WE ALSO SEE IN OUR PACKAGE THE CHARITY BINGO, THE OUTCOMES SCREEN THE CHURCH IS DOING TO ENCOURAGE DONATING TO THOSE IN NEED RIGHT NOW, AND DIFFERENT WAYS THAT PEOPLE CAN GET INVOLVED WITH MEETING THE GREAT NEED THAT MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY HAVE.
JUST REMARK OF OUR CHURCHES DO SO MUCH FOR THIS COMMUNITY,
[7. BOARD MEMBER REPORTS OF ACTIVITIES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS]
AND IT'S GOOD YOU RECOGNIZE THEM FOR WHAT THEY DO.WANT TO GIVE THE RESIDENTS AND MORE THAN UPDATE ON TAXES NOW, WE'VE GONE THROUGH A PANDEMIC, UNEMPLOYMENT IS TWICE AND IT WAS A YEAR AGO.
THESE ARE HARD TIMES FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE OF COURSE THAT STUFF JUST CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT OUR TAX ROLL WOULD LOOK LIKE.
BOTH FOR THE SUMMER ROLE IN THE WINTER ROLE, AND I'M REALLY GLAD TO REPORT THEY'RE TAXES COLLECTED ARE 99 PERCENT OF WHAT THEY WERE LAST YEAR.
THIS WAS AS OF FEBRUARY 7TH, WHICH IS THE DAY AFTER TAXES REDUCE SO WE WERE IN 99 PERCENT OF LAST YEAR.
FOR THE SUMMER TAXES WEREN'T EVEN CLOSE, WE WERE AT 99.9, SO ONLY ONE-TENTH OF 1 PERCENT OFF BUT WE ARE A PERCENT OFF, WHICH WORKS OUT TO ABOUT $500,000.
JUST A BIT OF A BACKGROUND FOR PROPERTY TAXES, TAXES THAT AREN'T PAID AS OF MARCH 1ST GET TURNED OVER TO THE COUNTY TREASURER, THE COUNTY TREASURER AND THEN ESSENTIALLY WRITES US THE CHECK FOR THAT AMOUNT OF TAXES THAT ARE DELINQUENT.
THEN THE COUNTY TREASURER SPEND THE NEXT THREE YEARS TRYING TO COLLECT THOSE TAXES, WITH OF COURSE ADDING PENALTIES AND INTEREST TO THAT SO IT'S NOT A GOOD ROUTE TO GO.
PEOPLE SHOULD PLEASE CONTACT US AND PAY WHICH YOU CAN'T BE FOR MARCH 1ST IF YOU ARE DOING THAT NOW.
THE MORE DIFFICULT TAXES TO COLLECT ARE THE PERSONAL PROPERTY TAXES, AND THOSE WE COLLECT OURSELVES, THOSE ARE APPROXIMATE WHERE THEY WERE LAST YEAR RIGHT NOW AS WELL.
GOOD NEWS, OUR TAXES ARE BEING PAID AT VIRTUALLY THE SAME PERCENTAGE AS LAST YEAR TO TWO PERCENT OFF, AND IT'S ALSO GOOD NEWS THAT OUR RESIDENTS ARE COMING THROUGH THIS AND ABLE TO PAY THEIR TAXES, AND WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR THAT WORD.
WE'RE HERE TODAY AND WE HAVE OUR TOWNSHIP SERVICES, BUT THEY ARE TODAY AS WELL AS MANY OTHER SERVICES ACROSS THE COUNTY, OUR RESIDENTS PAY FOR WITH THOSE TAX COLLECTION.
I WANT TO THANK THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOWNSHIP WHO PAID THEIR TAXES ON TIME.
WE'RE IN GOOD SHAPE AND GRATEFUL FOR PEOPLE PAYING THEIR TAXES ON TIME. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU OTHER BOARD MEMBERS. YES COCK KATHRY.
>> THE SUPERVISOR CYCLE, WE HAVE AN ELECTION COMMISSION MEETING TOMORROW NIGHT AND THE ELECTION COMMISSIONERS, IS AT 6PM INVITE EVERYONE TO JOIN.
THE ELECTION COMMISSIONERS WILL BE LOOKING AT POSSIBLY HAVING TWO PRECINCTS LOCATED IN ONE LOCATION, AND ANOTHER TWO PRECINCTS LOCATED ON ANOTHER LOCATION.
I WANT TO THANK DEPUTY MANAGER PERRY AND HIS STAFF FOR MEETING WITH TWO THE SCHOOLS AND LOOKING AT THE WORD CLUB SCHOOL, AND THE POSSIBILITIES OF MOVING THE FOLLOWING LOCATION OUT OF THE MERIDIAN SERVICE CENTER AND INTO THE WORK CLIFF POLLING LOCATIONS.
WE WOULD HAVE TWO POLLING LOCATIONS THERE BEEN A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM ELECTION INSPECTORS IN THE PAST AND FROM VOTERS WITH THE CONFINED SPACE THAT'S AT THE SERVICE CENTER.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SERVICING ALL OF OUR VOTERS APPROPRIATELY AND SO WE LOOKED AT WORD CLIFF AT THE POSSIBLE LOCATION.
WE'D BE LOOKING AT THAT TOMORROW NIGHT.
THEN WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT TAKING THE POLLING LOCATION OUT OF THE MERIDIAN SENIOR CENTER AND MOVING IT
[00:15:04]
TO KINAWA WITH THE OTHER PRECINCT THAT'S LOCATED THERE AND WE WILL BE MOVING IT OUT OF THE CAFETERIA.IF YOU'VE BEEN IN KINAWA, IF YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME, YOU KNOW THE CAFETERIA AREA, YOU EITHER HAVE TO WALK UP THE STAIRS THEN WALK UP THE RAMP, AND THEN GO BACK INTO WHERE THE CAFETERIA IS.
OR IF YOU'RE IN A WHEELCHAIR, THERE'S A DOOR THAT YOU OPEN THAT LEADS TO A UTILITY ROOM WHERE THERE'S A RAMP AND THEN YOU HAVE TO GO OUT OF ANOTHER DOOR AND GO OFF A RAMP AND THEN GO INTO THE CAFETERIA.
WE MET WITH OKMA SCHOOLS AND LOOKED AT THE KENOSHA GEM, WHICH IS RIGHT OUTSIDE THE DOOR, AND IT'S MUCH MORE CONDUCIVE AND CONVENIENT FOR ANYONE WITH ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES.
THE PARKING LOT IS MUCH CLOSER THAN THE PARKING LOT AT THE SENIOR CENTER SO IT'S JUST A MUCH BETTER LOCATION.
WE'LL BE LOOKING AT THAT TOMORROW NIGHT AND THEN WE WILL MAKE A RECOMMENDATION TO THE INTERNAL COUNTY CLERK.
WE'LL ALSO BE REVIEWING THE POST-ELECTION PROCEDURAL FINDINGS FROM THE COUNTY CLERK WE'LL BE LOOKING AT HER RECOMMENDATIONS OR WHAT MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP CAN DO TO PROVIDE BETTER ELECTION ADMINISTRATION SERVICES TO OUR VOTERS.
I INVITE YOU TO JOIN AND WATCH, AND IF YOU HAVE ANY FEEDBACK THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO GIVE ME, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU.
I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO THE CITY OF EAST LANSING AND THE CITY OF LANSING THEY HAVE BEEN HELPING US OUT TREMENDOUSLY AND SHARING THEIR TRAINING MATERIALS WITH US.
THEN WE BROUGHT FORMER CITY CLERK MURRAY WORKS THIS MORNING TO WORK ON OUR TRAINING MATERIAL AND SHE'LL BE REDOING ALL OF OUR TRAININGS, AND EVERYONE WILL BE RETRAINING INCLUDING ALL OF THE STAFF.
SHE MET THE TEAM TODAY AND WE'RE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE JUST THE REGIONAL SUPPORT AND I KNOW I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE AND I'M PROBABLY A BROKEN RECORD, BUT I'M VERY APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYONE HELPING THE CLERK'S OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO MENTION THAT CLIP GOES NOW JUST ABOUT AT THE END OF HER FIRST THREE MONTHS ON THE JOB, AND SHE IS OBVIOUSLY JUMPED IN WITH BOTH FEET AND THE FULL HEAD, AND SHE IS WORKING VERY HARD AT THE WHOLE THING WE APPRECIATE IT.
ALL THE BOARD MEMBERS ANY REPORTS? YES. COURTNEY [INAUDIBLE] PLEASE.
JUST A FEW REPORTS I'M EXCITED TO ATTEND MY FIRST ELECTION COMMISSION MEETING ON THIS THURSDAY.
IN ADDITION, ON THURSDAY, WE ALSO HAVE A DIVERSITY EQUITY AND INCLUSION MEETING SO FAR, WHAT MEETING FOR THAT TASK FORCE.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSION WILL MEET ON THE 3RD OF MARCH.
THEIR LAST MEETING THEY SHARED THAT WE'VE RECEIVED FOUR LETTERS OF INTEREST FOR GREEN GRANTS FOR SCHOOLS FROM BOTH HASLA AND OKMA SCHOOLS.
SOME OF THOSE INCLUDING RAIN GARDENS, NATURE TRAIL, GREENHOUSE REPAIRS, BUTTERFLY FRIENDLY PLANTINGS, THINGS LIKE THAT.
GRANGER'S OFFERED A $1000 AND OTHER BUSINESSES HAVE ALSO OFFERED TO POTENTIALLY MATCH SOME OF THOSE FUNDS SO THAT'S EXCITING.
I VOLUNTEERED TO BE ON THE COMMITTEE FOR CHOOSING THOSE GRANTS FOR THE LOCAL COMMUNITY SO THAT'S REALLY EXCITING.
OTHER THAN THAT, USING SOCIAL MEDIA FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE PRESENTATION.
THAT WAS A GOOD PRESENTATION GIVE US SOME GOOD IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN REALLY GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS INTO OUR.
>> GREAT THINGS THAT WE DO HERE IN MERIDIAN.
ONLY OTHER UPDATE IS WE DID HAVE A GROUNDWATER MANAGEMENT BOARD MEETING IN FEBRUARY AND THEY'RE LOOKING TO SUPPORT A GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEY.
DIRECTOR PERRY COULD PROBABLY SPEAK A LOT MORE ARTICULATELY TO THIS PART.
APPARENTLY, WE JUST DON'T HAVE A GREAT MAP OF ALL THE WELLS WITHIN MICHIGAN PER SE OR NATIONALLY, I BELIEVE.
THEY'RE LOOKING TO WRITE A GRANT OR GET SOME FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO UPDATE THAT GEOGRAPHICAL SURVEY AND SO IT'S MOSTLY COUNTY WELLS.
IT WILL AFFECT MERIDIAN AND THEY'RE LOOKING FOR SOME LETTER TO SUPPORT.
THAT WAS EXCITING NEWS THAT THEY HAVE THAT ENDEAVOR UNDERWAY.
THAT'S ALL I HAVE, SUPERVISOR.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WELL ABANDONMENT IS AN ISSUE STATEWIDE THAT WENT BACK AT MY DAYS.
[00:20:01]
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE WITH MY CLIENTS AMONG OTHERS WERE THE PEOPLE WHO REGULATED WELLS.IF YOU ARE A BETTER UP PROPERLY, YOU OPEN UP THE GROUNDWATER TO SOME SERIOUS POLLUTION.
I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT THEY'RE LOOKING.
ANYTHING ELSE? YES. TRUSTEE OPSOMMER?
>> YES. I WOULD JUST BRIEFLY NOTE FOR THE BOARD, THE ZB I'M SORRY NOT THE ZBA.
LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD IS TALKING ABOUT RENAMING SOME OF OUR LAND PRESERVES IN THE TOWNSHIP.
IF YOU GO TO THE ADVISORY BOARD'S FEBRUARY 10TH PACKET, THERE'S A SUB CATEGORIZATION OF PROSPECTIVE NAMES FOR EACH OF THE CURRENT RESERVES.
IF CITIZENS OR IF BOARD MEMBERS HAVE ANY THOUGHTS OR INPUT ON THAT, YOU MIGHT WANT TO VISIT THE FEBRUARY 10TH PACKET AND JUST TAKE A LOOK AT THE PERSPECTIVE NAMES.
WE'VE SPENT QUITE THE LAST TWO MONTHS JUST DEVELOPING CONCEPTUAL IDEAS AND THIS CAME FROM JAMIE HILLER, A LAND PRESERVATION ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER.
THE GENERAL IMPEDANCE WAS SOME OF THE PRESERVES ARE NOT VERY WELL KNOWN TO THE PUBLIC AND WHEN YOU USE THEIR NAME, YOU DON'T REALLY GET A SENSE OF WHERE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MIGHT BE, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
OF COURSE, SOME OF THE PRESERVES DO HAVE NAMING RIGHTS FROM FAMILIES AS IN FORMER RESIDENTS WHO HAVE DONATED THAT LAND AND SO ALL OF THOSE NAMING RIGHTS WOULD BE PRESERVED AND KEPT IN PERPETUITY.
THOUGH ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO WEIGH IN, PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AND THE LAND PRESERVATION BOARD IS DOING A DOODLE SURVEY AT SOME POINT HERE TO PRIORITIZE AND GET A SENSE OF WHICH NAMES ARE MOST POPULAR.
THEN I HAVE ONE OTHER NOTE I CAN'T REMEMBER.
I SPOKE TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION LAST NIGHT.
THE ONE AGENDA ITEM THAT THEY HAD BEFORE THEM WAS THE AUTO DEALERSHIP AMENDMENT THAT THIS BOARD REFERRED TO THEM BACK INTO DECEMBER.
>> YEAH. GOOD. THANK YOU, SIR. ANYONE ELSE? IF NOT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION? TRUSTEE WISINSKI.
>> IS THERE SUPPORT? SUPPORTED BY THE TREASURE AND MS. JACKSON.
ANY NEED TO BRING ANYTHING OFF THE MINUTES OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT? WITH THAT WE WILL TAKE A VOTE. CLERK GUTHRIE.
>> RIGHT CLERK GUTHRIE VOTES YES. TRUSTEE JACKSON?
[8. APPROVAL OF AGENDA]
IN THE FIRST PART OF THAT AGENDA IS THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH INCLUDES COMMUNICATIONS, MINUTES FROM THE FEBRUARY 2ND, RITUAL REGULAR MEETING, THE BALLS AND THE LAKE LANSING ROAD AND DAWN AVENUE SANITARY SEWER BENEFIT CHARGE.CAN WE HAVE A MOTION. TREASURE?
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANY NEED TO PULL ANYTHING OFF? NO.
RIGHT, THEN WE NEED A VOTE QUICK.
>> CLERK GUTHRIE VOTES YES. TREASURER DESCHAINE?
[9. CONSENT AGENDA]
>> YES. YOU'VE GOT THE KEY FOR ALL OF US.
>> WE NOW COME TO OUR HEARINGS.
WE'VE NO ATTORNEY HERE. WE'RE GOING TO HEARINGS.
HEARING IS ON THE POWER ROAD PAVING.
WHAT ABOUT IMPROVEMENT SAD I BELIEVE IS THAT MR. BAILEY, ARE YOU GOING TO LEAD US ON THIS?
GOOD EVENING, SUPERVISOR STYKA, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AS A TOWNSHIP BOARD'S AWARE, RESOLUTION 1 AND 2 OF THEM PASSED TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE POWER ROAD PAVING.
[00:25:02]
NEW ASPHALT FROM GRAND RIVER NORTH TO THE SILVER STONE DEVELOPMENT.THE PROJECT COST IS $460,000, ESTIMATED AT AND A PORTION OF THAT.
THE DEVELOPER WILL BE COVERING 56 PERCENT OF THOSE COSTS.
HOWEVER, THERE IS A PORTION THAT WOULD BE RETURNED TO THE DEVELOPER AND THOSE WOULD BE RECOUPED THROUGH A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT PROCESS AND AGAIN,
[11A. Powell Road Paving Public Road Improvement SAD]
TONIGHT IS THE PUBLIC HEARING IN REGARDS TO THAT.THE PURPOSE OF THE PUBLIC HEARING IS PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE TOWNSHIP BOARD TO RECEIVE COMMENTS IN FAVOR AND OR OBJECTIONS TO THE PROPOSED SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT.
THE BOARD IS AWARE, DAVID STROB, MAYBERRY HOMES, I SEE HE'S IN THE ATTENDEES SLOTS, SO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR THE DEVELOPER DURING THE DISCUSSION PORTION OF THE AGENDA, HE SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THAT.
>> RIGHT NOW WE'RE DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC HEARING.
I'M OPENING THE HEARING AND 6:25 ANYONE OUT THERE FROM THE PUBLIC, WILL NEED TO BE HEARD AND [INAUDIBLE] WHICH WAS THE [INAUDIBLE] QUOTE OF IMPROVEMENT NSAID NUMBER 43 THIS IS THE TIME.
PLEASE COMMUNICATE WITH MR. GIBIES.
LET US KNOW THAT YOU WANT TO SPEAK.
>> YOU CAN, OF COURSE. WE DO HAVE ONE PERSON RAISING THEIR HAND.
I'LL REMIND THEM THAT THEY SHOULD STATE THEIR NAME AND ADDRESS AT THE BEGINNING.
FIRST ON THE LIST WILL BE GARY LAUNDROSH.
>> CAN I GET YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS AND THEN TELL US WHAT YOU WANT ON THIS ISSUE.
>> GARY LAUNDROSH, I AM WITH THE LAFONTAINE AUTOMOTIVE GROUP, 4000 WEST HIGHLAND ROAD, IN HIGHLAND MICHIGAN.
I JUST WANT TO SAY NATURALLY, I'M OPPOSED TO THIS SAD.
I FIND IT VERY UNUSUAL THAT AFTER UNDERGOING AN EXTREMELY LONG ARDUOUS DRAWN OUT PROCESS FOR US TO GET APPROVALS IN MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP, I KNOW THAT DAVID STROB AND THE MAYBERRY GROUP HAD A CONDITION ON THEIR APPROVAL THAT THEY HAD TO PAVE THE ROAD TO GRAND RIVER.
JUST LIKE WE HAD CONDITIONS ON OUR APPROVALS SO I FOUND THAT WHEN HE LEARNED THAT WE WERE COMING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A PROJECT IN FRONT OF YOU, HE SUDDENLY PULLED OUT OF HIS DEVELOPMENT, PUT THE BRAKES ON IT AND SOMEHOW GOT YOU GUYS TO INCLUDE A PORTION OF THAT PAVEMENT IS A CONDITION ON OUR DEVELOPMENT.
UNFORTUNATELY, DUE TO CIRCUMSTANCES OF COVID, WE WERE JUST UNCERTAIN WITH WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY AND IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE FOR US TO PROCEED FORWARD AT THE TIME.
WE HAVE SINCE PULLED THAT PROJECT FROM THE TABLE AND NOW WE'RE FACED WITH AN SAD, EVEN THOUGH OUR PROPERTIES HAVE GRAND RIVER ADDRESSES, WE'D BE FORCED TO GRUNT OVER A $100,000 OF THIS COST AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THE PROCESS IS.
IT JUST MAKES ME WONDER WHAT MR. STROB HAS AND A RELATION WITH THE TOWNSHIP BOARD OR SOMEBODY ON THE BOARD TO BE ABLE TO DIVERT HIS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS ORIGINAL PAVING AND HAVE THAT SPREAD OUT ON THE OTHER.
I GUESS MY UNDERSTANDING IS RESIDENTS WHO LIVE ON THE ROAD ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE IF THERE ARE FULL-TIME RESIDENT WHO WOULD BE BENEFITING FROM THIS THE MOST.
I'M JUST JUST WANTED TO HAVE IT ON PUBLIC RECORD THAT WE ARE AGAINST THIS AND WE FEEL LIKE THERE'S SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT FUNNY IN THIS WHOLE PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> OKAY. WE NORMALLY DO NOT LIKE TO HEAR FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE WITH ACCUSATIONS OF THAT KIND, BUT THIS IS NOT THE TIME FOR GIVE OR TAKE.
WE'LL WAIT AND SEE WHAT OUR CONVERSATION IS LATER ON WHEN WE DISCUSS THIS.
IS THERE ANYONE ELSE THAT WANTS TO COME FORWARD DURING THE HEARING.
>> WE'RE NOT SEEING ANY OTHER RAISED HANDS AND WE'VE HAD NO TELEPHONE CALLS, SIR.
>> THEN I WILL DECLARE THE HEARING CLOSED AT 6:29.
WE WILL NOW MOVE ON TO OUR ACTION ITEMS AND THE FIRST ONE IS THE RATIFICATION OF BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY APPOINTMENT.
>> I HAD A RECOMMENDATION FOR AN APPOINTMENT BECAUSE WE HAD A RESIGNATION FROM THE SEAT ON THE BROWNFIELD AND MAKING A RECOMMENDATION THAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CAREFUL WISHES OF THE EDC ITSELF, THAT WE APPOINT BRENDA CHAPMAN TO SERVE OUT THAT POSITION THROUGH 12, 31 OF 23.
[00:30:03]
WOULD SOMEONE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION, MR. DESCHAINE?>> YES. I MOVE TO APPOINT BRENDA CHAPMAN TO THE BROWNFIELDS REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
>> I SAW JACKSON'S HAND UP WAS THAT A SECOND?
[12A. Ratification of Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Appointment]
ANY QUESTIONS OR ANYTHING YOU WANT TO DISCUSS ON THIS? MR. DESCHAINE.>> I'VE SERVED WITH BRENDA FOR, I BELIEVE THREE YEARS NOW ON THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION.
BRENDA HAS BEEN AN EXCELLENT MEMBER OF THAT, SHE'S ATTENDED EVERY MEETING, READ THE PACKETS AND HAS BROUGHT A LOT OF HER PAST EXPERIENCE IN STATE GOVERNMENT AND DEALING WITH GRANTS IN PARTICULAR, AND FINANCING TO THE EDC, BEEN A VERY USEFUL, HELPFUL MEMBER OF THE EDC, AND I'M CONFIDENT SHE'LL BE THE SAME ON THE BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY RULE.
WE'RE FORTUNATE TO HAVE HER WILLING TO SERVE ON THE BRA.
>> ANYONE ELSE? OKAY, THEN WE NEED TO VOTE. TO CLERK GUTHRIE.
>> THANK YOU. WHILE WE'RE AT IT, I WANT TO THANK JADE SIMS, WHO HAD SERVED ON THE BROWNFIELD AUTHORITY, BUT SHE WAS ALSO A CHAIR OF THE EDC.
HER PERSONAL FORTUNES HAVE GROWN AND EXPANDED AND SHE'S MOVING AWAY FROM OUR TOWNSHIP FOR A POSITION THAT SOUNDS LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE WONDERFUL FOR HER.
WE'RE GOING TO MISS HER. SHE WORKED REALLY HARD ON ALL THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT SHE WORKED ON IN THE TOWNSHIP.
BUT WE WELCOME BRENDA TO THE ROLE OF BROWNFIELD REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.
WE'RE NOW MOVING ON TO PRIOR TO SERVICES AGREEMENT, ELEGANT TOWNSHIP.
MR. WALSH, ARE WE GOING TO BE CALLING ON THE FIRE CHIEF? HE SAID YES. FIRE CHIEF, MR. HAMEL?
>> GOOD EVENING, EVERYBODY, SUPERVISOR STYKA AND BOARD MEMBERS.
THE THREE-YEAR AGREEMENT EXPIRED AS OF JANUARY 1ST AND DELHI TOWNSHIP SENT US A NEW AGREEMENT.
THE AGREEMENT WILL CARRY ON FROM THE 2020.
IF YOU REMEMBER BACK IN 2018, OUR RESPONSE TO ALADDIN TOWNSHIP, WE COVER PARTIALLY STRICTLY FOR FIRE RESPONSE.
STARTED OFF IN 2018 AT $700, THEN IN '19 WENT TO $800 AND 2020 WENT TO $900, AND THE COMMAND CAR WOULD BE $90, THEN EVERY HOUR AFTER THE FIRST HOUR, IT'S ANOTHER $600.
[12B. Fire Services Agreement - Alaiedon Township]
IT BRINGS IN ROUGHLY AROUND $30,000 A YEAR TO THE GENERAL FUND.THEIR NEXT THREE YEARS, THEY WANT TO STAY STATUS QUO WITH WHAT THE 2020 FEE WAS.
THE CONTRACT IS ON THE AGENDA FOR YOUR APPROVAL, AND IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS, I'D BE HAPPY TO TAKE THEM.
>> OKAY. QUESTIONS FOR THE FIRE CHIEF ON THE PROPOSED CONTRACT.
>> CHIEF HAMEL, IS KEEPING THE PRICE THE SAME, HOW DOES THAT WORK OUT FOR US IN TERMS OF OUR BUDGET? I HEARD 30 TO 30,000 WHATEVER, BUT JUST IN GENERAL HOW DOES IT WORK OUT FOR US IN TERMS OF WHAT WE PUT OUT, HOW MUCH WE SPEND, ET CETERA?
>> WELL, FOR THE MOST PART, OUR CALLS UP THERE, WE HAVE A COUPLE FIRES A YEAR UP THERE AND THEN THAT'S WITH AUTOMATIC AID WITH DELHI, THEN MASON USUALLY COMES IN.
THE RESPONSES ARE UNKNOWN EVERY YEAR, HOW MANY TIMES WE'RE GOING TO GO IN THERE.
WE DO GO IN THERE AND SOME MEDICALS AND WE JUST BILL FOR THE MEDICAL CALLS ON THAT, AND WE DON'T BILL WITH THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT, IT'S STRICTLY FOR FIRE AND WIRES DOWN AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
IT REALLY SHOULDN'T CHANGE A WHOLE LOT.
WE MAKE ABOUT 30,000 ANNUALLY FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS.
>> THAT WELL COVERS WHAT WE EXPECT?
>> OKAY. THAT'S REALLY WHERE I WAS TRYING TO GO EARLIER, I SAID IT CLOSELY.
TREASURER DESCHAINE, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP?
>> CHIEF IF WE DONE ANY COMPARISONS AS TO WHAT OTHER LARGER TOWNSHIPS OR MUNICIPALITIES HAVE CHARGED SMALLER TOWNSHIPS FOR SIMILAR AGREEMENTS WITH ANY RECENT RESEARCH ON WHERE WE STAND WITH THESE AGREEMENTS?
>> I'VE NOT. I'M NOT SURE OF ANY OTHER.
A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS HAVE AUTOMATIC AID, I WASN'T HERE WHEN THIS CONTRACT WAS PUT INTO PLACE, SO I DON'T THINK THIS IS A NORMAL THING.
I'M SURE THERE'S SOME OUT THERE, BUT WITH AUTOMATIC AID MUTUALLY,
[00:35:01]
NORMALLY THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS, BUT THE INTENT WITH THIS CONTRACT, DELHI DIDN'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO COVER THAT SPECIFIC AREA OF ALADDIN, SO THE CONTRACT WAS PUT IN PLACE BETWEEN US AND DELHI, THEN DELHI HOLDS THE MAIN CONTRACT WITH ALADDIN.I CAN DO SOME RESEARCH ON THAT AND GET BACK WITH YOU AND SEE IF I CAN FIND ANYTHING, BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD THING BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, TRADITIONALLY IT'S PROBABLY AUTOMATIC AID OR MUTUAL AID COVERING THESE AREAS WHEN THEY'RE BUSY AND THEY CAN'T TAKE THEM.
SO THIS JUST TAKES THE BURDEN OFF OF DELHI, AND BENEFITS US TO A DEGREE ANNUALLY.
>> WHAT I'M HEARING, YOU'RE SAYING THAT IS, THIS IS KIND OF A BONUS THAT BECAUSE OF AUTOMATIC AID, WE WOULD BE DOWN THERE ANYWAY. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THERE'S NO REASON FOR THIS TO HANG AROUND MR. DESCHAINE, YOU'RE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HEARD?
>> I'M CONTENT WITH THOSE ANSWERS.
I DON'T WANT TO HOLD ON. [OVERLAPPING].
>> I MOVE TO APPROVE THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN DELHI CHARTER TOWNSHIP AND MERIDIAN CHARTER TOWNSHIP FOR FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICES WITHIN ALADDIN TOWNSHIP, AND AUTHORIZE THE TOWNSHIP MANAGER AND FIRE CHIEF TO SIGN THE AGREEMENT.
ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? ALL RIGHT. THEN WE NEED A VOTE.
>> WE'VE GOT THREE VOTES, YES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND THANK YOU CHIEF.
WE'RE NOW GOING ON TO SECTION 13 OF OUR AGENDA IN 30 DAYS SPECIFICALLY WHERE THIS IS THE DISCUSSION AREA.
THE FIRST ONE IS THE POWELL PAVING PUBLIC ROAD IMPROVEMENT SAD.
WE HAD A PUBLIC HEARING ON EARLIER AND WE HEARD ABOUT IT FROM MR. PERRY PRIOR TO THE PUBLIC HEARING.
WE'RE NOW READY TO TALK ABOUT IT AS A BOARD.
WE ALSO HEARD FROM A MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. WHO WANTS TO START?
>> DON'T REALLY FALL OVER THEMSELVES.
>>I'LL GET THE DISCUSSION STARTED.
I TO TAKE EXCEPTION TO THE COMMENTER ALL YOU'RE IMPLYING THAT THERE WAS SOME KIND OF BACKFIELD MADE I WOULD MAYBERRY HOMES ON THAT.
THAT'S AN OFFENSIVE STATEMENT.
I'M OFFENDED BY IT. WHAT WE'RE PUTTING THIS FORWARD BECAUSE YOU THINK IT'S GOOD PUBLIC POLICY.
[13A. Powell Road Paving Public Road Improvement SAD]
>> IF YOU CUT OUT DISTRICT SHADED WITH SOME POINT, YOU GOT MUTED.
>> ALL RIGHT. I JUST SAID IT'S GOOD PUBLIC POLICY AND THEN WE COULDN'T HEAR YOU.
I BELIEVE IT'S BEEN PUBLIC POLICY TO PROVIDE A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT FOR THIS ROAD IN BENEFITS.
ALTHOUGH WE'LL ACCESS INCLUDING THE FINE CHAIN WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY BE DEVELOPING THIS.
WE WOULD HOPE WE CLEAR CUT AND A BEAUTIFUL NEW FOREST AND AREA OF THE TOWNSHIP.
THAT'S THE COMPLAINT WE'VE HEARD FROM OUR RESIDENCES HOW WE LET THAT HAPPEN WITHOUT [INAUDIBLE] HAVE THE PROJECT GOES SOUTH.
THAT'S THE ISSUE BEFORE ME RIGHT NOW IS HOW THAT HAPPENED.
AGAIN, I WOULD PUSH IT, THE COMMONER, DO SOME MORE RESEARCH BEFORE MAKING BASELESS ALLEGATIONS AGAINST THIS MORNING. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE? TRUSTEE JACKSON.
>> I BELIEVE WE HAVE AN OBJECTION IN OUR MAIL FROM THE NEW CHINA INCORPORATED AT 4714 POWER ROAD.
IS THAT UPON AT THE RECORD OF THE PUBLIC HEARING?
>> YES. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE JACKSON FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
SHE DID CONTACT ME TODAY AND I PROMISED HER THAT I WOULD BRING THIS UP DURING THE MEETING AND PROMISED HER THIS WAS SENT TO US ON SUNDAY EVENING, I BELIEVE IF I LOOK AT THE DATE CORRECTLY.
I EXPLAINED TO HER THAT WE ALREADY CREATED THE PACKET AND THAT I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THIS WAS INCLUDED IN A FUTURE PACKET AND BRING HER A RAISE HER OBJECTION UP DURING THE MEETING.
I THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT ON HER BEHALF.
SHE SAID SHE PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND THE MEETING AND IT WILL BECOME PART OF THE OFFICIAL RECORD.
>> DID YOU SUMMARIZE VERY QUICKLY WHAT COULD OBJECTION WAS?
[00:40:03]
>> YES. SHE SAID WE ARE WRITING TO OBJECT TO THE POLO ROAD SPECIAL ASSESSMENT OR OBJECTIONS ARE ATTACHED ALONG WITH THE HEARING NOTICE FOR YOUR REFERENCE. IF YOU WANT ME TO GO.
>> I PROMISED HER I WOULD RAISE THE ISSUE THAT SHE WAS OBJECTING TO IT.
BUT SHE HAD THE NOTICE BASICALLY, SHE ATTACHED THE NOTICE OF THE HEARING TO IT AND THEN SHE HAD A NUMBER OF HALF A DOZEN ITEMS THAT SHE WAS OBJECTING TO.
>> OKAY. YEAH, I SAW IT AND I KNOW YOU SAW IT AND I KNOW MR. [INAUDIBLE] SAW IT.
DO OTHER MEMBERS HAVE A CHANCE TO SEE THIS AND THEN WE KNOW THAT SHE WAS FULLY HEARD.
I SEE A YES FROM [INAUDIBLE] JACKSON.
OKAY. SHE COULD FEEL THAT SHE WAS HEARD. ALL RIGHT.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR CONCERNS? WHO WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE, ANYBODY? YES JACKSON.
>> SO CAN I ASK MR. PERRY IF HE CAN SPEAK TO THE OBJECTIONS IN THE LETTER.
WE CAN TRY TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THOSE.
ONE OF THE POINT SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT WAS I GUESS IT WAS WHAT QUESTION.
WHY THE 25 BLOCKS AND THE DEVELOPMENT WHICH IS KNOWN AS SILVER STONE WAY, WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT.
I GUESS IN SHORT, THE ANSWER TO THAT IS THE DEVELOPER'S PAYING FOR THAT 100 PERCENT BACK.
HE'S PAYING FOR HALF THAT BECAUSE THEY GOT THE FIRST LEVEL OF ASPHALT DOWN.
IF THOSE COSTS WOULD HAVE ENROLLED INTO THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT, IT JUST WOULD HAVE INCREASED THE COST PERCENTAGE, NECESSARILY WANT TO CHANGE IT.
THIS WAY HE'S PAID IT A 100 PERCENT.
I THINK THAT WHAT HER QUESTION WAS IN REGARDS TO THAT? SHE TALKS ABOUT THE OVERALL COST AND THE PROPORTION OF THE COSTS THAT HER PROPERTY WOULD BE BEARING.
AGAIN, WHAT WE DO WITH THESE SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS, IT'S BASED ON PERCENTAGE AND THAT'S HOW WE DISTRIBUTE THOSE.
WITH WATER AND SEWER, SOMETIMES WE DO IT DIFFERENT BY NUMBER OF CONNECTIONS, THAT KIND OF THING.
BUT WITH ROADS, WE TYPICALLY STICK TO THE FRONT EDGE.
I GUESS THAT WOULD BE THE RESPONSE TO THAT.
THE THIRD POINT WAS BACK TO THERE WAS FOUR HOMES AND THEN IT I GUESS IT INCREASED TO 25.
AGAIN, I THINK THAT GOES BACK TO THE POINT WHERE THE DEVELOPERS PAYING FOR THE ENTIRE SILVER STONE SUBDIVISION INCLUDING THE [INAUDIBLE] WROTE.
I'M NOT REALLY SURE WHAT THE POINT THEY'RE TRYING TO RAISE WITH THAT ONE.
>> YOUR POINT IS THAT THE CHARGE OF WHATEVER WOULD'VE APPLIED TO THOSE HOMES IS NOT A PART OF THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT BECAUSE THEY'VE ALREADY BEEN PAID FOR.
>> RIGHT. THE DEVELOPERS ALREADY PAYING FOR THOSE A 100 PERCENT.
>> THANK YOU. THEN THE FOURTH POINT WAS THE REGARDING OWNER-OCCUPIED PROPERTIES, AND THAT GOES BACK TO WHEN THE DEVELOPER INITIALLY TALKED ABOUT PAVING THE ROAD, REACHED OUT TO SOME PROPERTY OWNERS ALONG POLO ROAD AND OFFERED TO PAY FOR THEIR ASSESSMENT.
WE WANTED TO MEMORIALIZE THAT LANGUAGE IN THE ASSESSMENT DISTRICT.
THAT'S WHY THAT SHOWS UP IN THERE SO THAT IT IS, AGAIN, IN THE ACTUAL SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICT LANGUAGE THAT THE DEVELOPER WOULD BE PAYING FOR THOSE PARCELS.
>> THE REASON THAT DIVISION DOES NOT APPLY TO 4714 IS IT THAT'S BEING USED AS A RENTAL AND THUS DOES NOT QUALIFY AS A RESIDENTIAL.
>> MY GUESS, WOULD BE THE LOGIC BEHIND THE DEVELOPER WHY THE DEVELOPER DID NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THE PROPERTIES ASSESSMENT.
CAN YOU JUST CLARIFY THE WAY THAT THE ASSESSMENT, SPECIAL ASSESSMENT THAT'S APPLIED TO EACH PARCEL IS BASED
[00:45:03]
ON THEIR SHARE OF THE ROAD FRONTAGE OR THEIR PERCENTAGE OF THE ROAD FRONTAGE AND POLO ROAD AS APPLIED TO THE TOTAL COST OF THE PAVING, CORRECT?>> EVEN IF SILVER STONE STAGE WAS BROKEN UP INTO ALL 25 PARCELS, THE FRONTAGE REMAINS THE SAME BASED ON THOSE FIVE LOTS THAT FRONT ON IT.
>> CORRECT. THAT'S HOW THE TOTAL ESTIMATE WAS BROKEN DOWN BASED ON THE [INAUDIBLE] TO POLO ROAD, WHICH AGAIN, IF SILVER STONE WAY WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED TO THE DEVELOPER, WOULD HAVE HAD A 100% OF THAT FRONTAGE COSTS.
BUT SOMEONE ASSETS, THEY'VE ALREADY PAID FOR THAT.
SO THAT'S WHY THAT PORTION OF THE ROAD WASN'T INCLUDED.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT MAKES THINGS MORE CONFUSING OR NOT, BUT IF WE REALLY FOCUSED ON POLO ROAD ITSELF THE FRONTAGE. YEAH.
>> YEAH. THEN I DON'T THINK PRINCIPAL [INAUDIBLE] MENSER IS WITH US AS.
IS DIRECTOR [INAUDIBLE] BACK WITH US TONIGHT.
THE BOARD NEVER SAW THE SITE PLANS, BUT THAT SITE PLANS FOR A LA FONTANE DID THEY HAVEN'T INGRESS AND EGRESS PROPOSED ON POLO ROAD?
AGAIN, THEY HAD TWO PARCELS, ONE ON THE EAST ONE ON THE WEST.
SO AN [INAUDIBLE] EACH TO THOSE.
>> THEY HAD ONE PARCEL ON THE EAST AND ONE ON THE WEST OF POLO ROAD?
>> RIGHT JUST NORTH OF GRAND RIVER.
THEY HAD BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD.
>> THEY HAVE 1492 GRAND RIVER AS WELL?
>> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. I DO SEE THAT NOW I DO SEE THE OWNER SHIPPING THE SAME.
THANK YOU. THE INGRESS AND EGRESS MISS TO WHICH ONE THE EAST OR WEST?
>> THEY HAD, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT, THEY HAD INGRESS FROM BOTH PARCELS ON POLO.
>> OKAY. SO TWO, ONE FOR EACH PARCEL?
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.
I JUST COULD BE DEREK OR MARK.
WHAT DID THE PROVISIONS SAY? WHEN WAS THAT THE REZONING THE NEPAL ROAD PAVING WAS CONDITIONED ON OR WAS IT THE FINAL PLAN APPROVAL? I FORGET.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING WAS THE SILVER STONE WAS A CONDITION OF THE REZONING.
BUT MARK FEEL FREE TO CORRECT ME, BUT I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT MY RECORD SHOW.
>> IT COULD HAVE BEEN REZONING AND I REMEMBER THAT IT WAS CONDITIONED ON THE PRELIMINARY PLAN.
IT COULD HAVE BEEN ADDED ON BOTH, BUT IT WAS, I KNOW FOR SURE WAS ADDED ONTO THE PRELIMINARY PLAN.
>> IT WAS A PART OF THE TENTATIVE, PRELIMINARY PLAN.
>> THERE WAS CONDITIONED ON THE PLAN, WHICH MAKES MORE SENSE BECAUSE THE TOWNSHIP CAN COMPEL THE CONDITION IN THAT INSTANCE, NOT HAVING TO WAIT ON THE APPLICANT TO OFFER IT.
I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN JUST TO SEE WHAT IT SAID.
GOING BACK, I DON'T RECALL EXACTLY HOW IT WAS CONDITIONED, BUT THOSE ARE ALL MY QUESTIONS. THANK YOU.
>> MARK, CAN YOU TELL US THE LOCKS 1, 2, 23, 24, AND 25 ARE YET DEVELOPED?
>> NO, THEY'RE NOT. THE QUESTION IS BUILDING PERMITS, WE HAVEN'T ISSUED ANY BUILDING PERMITS FOR THOSE.
>> PRESIDENT ASKED WHY THERE WERE LOTS WEREN'T BEING ASSESSED.
THE ANSWER THAT THE DEVELOPERS TOOK TOO LONG THOSE LOTS AND THE COST OF THE SAD WILL CERTAINLY BE ADDED INTO THOSE COSTS, THOSE LOTS WHEN THEY'RE SOLD.
THE PERSON THAT WILL BUY THOSE LOTS WON'T BE PAYING FOR THE SAD JUST IN AN INDIRECT WAY.
WHEN I BUILT THE HOUSE IN 91, COSTS A LOT WAS THE COST OF THE ROAD, THE SEWER, THE DRAIN.
ALL THE DEVELOPMENTS IN VIRTUALLY ALL NEIGHBORHOODS IN MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP ARE BORNE BY THE DEVELOPER.
WE DON'T GO IN AND BUILD ROADS.
WE DON'T GO IN AND PUT IT IN SEWERS.
THOSE ARE TURNED OVER TO US TO DEVELOP.
IT'S THE HOMEOWNERS WHO ARE PURCHASING THOSE LOTS WHO ARE PAYING THAT COST.
IS THAT A CORRECT UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THE DEVELOPMENT WORKS?
[00:50:04]
>> WELL, IN THIS CASE, UNTIL THE DEVELOPER HAS FINAL PLAN APPROVAL, HE CAN'T SELL ANY OF THOSE LOTS, SO TECHNICALLY HE OWNS THEM ALL.
>> BUT THESE ASSUMPTIONS, YOU WANT TO EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO SELL THEM, DEVELOPING THEM. THANK YOU.
>>THIS JAPAN'S DAY THEY DIDN'T HAVE IN TERMS OF WE HAD A WEB PUSH INTO THE HEARING ITSELF.
ANYTHING ELSE THAT NEEDS TO BE COVERED ABOUT?
AGAIN, I THINK THE DISCUSSION IT WAS BROUGHT TO EVERYONE'S ATTENTION THAT LA FONTAINE OWNS THOSE TWO PARCELS THERE, THE 1492 AND THE 1510, AND DURING THEIR DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BOARD ABOUT DEVELOPING THEM, AND OF COURSE, THEY DEVELOPED THAT PARCEL TO BE DEVELOPMENT READY WITH THE REMOVAL OF A TREE, CREATE MORE OF A COMMERCIAL READY PARCEL THERE.
I THINK THE BOARD IS AWARE OF THEIR FRONTAGE ON POWELL ROAD AND GRAND RIVER.
>>YEAH, MAYBE I CAN SUMMARIZE.
>> THE CALLER CAME AND CUT DOWN ABOUT 300 TREES, MADE PROMISES ABOUT DEVELOPING AND THEN DIDN'T DEVELOP AND LEFT ACTUALLY, SOME OF THE HOMEOWNERS IN THE CENTRAL PARK ESTATES WE USE TO LOOK AT BEFORE US.
THEY GET TO LOOK OUT AT GRAND RIVER.
THEY WEREN'T GOING TO PAVE A PORTION OF POWELL ROAD.
WE'VE GOT SOMEBODY COMING IN WHO'S GOING TO INVEST IN ACTUALLY FOLLOW THROUGH ON THEIR PLANS AND BUILD 28 HOMES AND POUR MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO DEVELOPMENT INTO THE TOWNSHIP.
THEY'RE WILLING TO SHARE AND PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF POWELL ROAD AND THEY'RE FULFILLING THEIR PROMISES THEY MADE TO THE TOWNSHIP CONTRARY TO THE CALLER.
SO AND I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE OF SHENANIGANS ON THE PART OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THE ONLY SHENANIGANS THAT OCCURRED, WE'RE CLEAR-CUTTING OF PROPERTY AND PROMISES MADE THAT RUN CAT.
THAT'S A SUMMARY OF WHAT'S HAPPENED IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF, IF YOU WANT TO GET RIGHT DOWN TO IT.
>> VERY WELL SAID. THANK YOU SIR. TRUSTEE OPSOMMER.
>> YEAH. THE OTHER THING THAT I LOOKED AT TO BUILD OFF OF THE MANAGER'S COMMENTS, THOSE PARCELS ARE ALL ZONE C2.
THE PARCELS ON GRAND RIVER HAVE VERY HIGH VALUE.
IF ANYTHING, THE ONE RESIDENT LIVING AT 4714, I DO HAVE SOME EMPATHY FOR BECAUSE THEY ARE ZONED RURAL RESIDENTIAL.
IF ANYTHING, YOU KNOW, THE ONE THING THAT THEY DID KNOW, AND I GUESS THIS IS MORE FOR MAYBERRY IF THEY CHOOSE TO REACH OUT TO THAT RESIDENT, THEY DID GIVE WHAT THEY BELIEVED TO BE THEIR ESTIMATED CURRENT VALUE OF 126,000.
IT'S NOT CLEAR IF THEY'RE TALKING TAXABLE VALUE OR THE ACTUAL MARKET VALUE, BUT I'M GUESSING IT'S MARKET VALUE, JUST BASED ON THE PROPERTY AND HOW IT'S DEVELOPED CURRENTLY.
I WOULD SAY THE COST BORNE BY THAT HOMEOWNER ARE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT IMAGE, NO COMMERCIAL PROSPECT FOR THEM IN THE FUTURE, BUT THESE OTHER PARCELS ADJACENT ON THE CORNER OF POWELL ROAD AND GRAND RIVER AVENUE ARE ALL C2 COMMERCIAL.
THEY DO HAVE AN INTEREST IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE AREA AND THE INGRESS AND EGRESS.
THEN ONE FINAL THING I DID LOOK UP THE PROVISION FROM THE POWELL ROAD PLANT AND IT SIMPLY SAID, POWELL ROAD SHALL BE PAID FROM THE NORTHERN EXTENT OF THE PLANT SOUTHWARD TO GRAND RIVER AVENUE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE INGHAM COUNTY ROAD DEPARTMENT AND PAVING ROADS THROUGH SPECIAL ASSESSMENT DISTRICTS IS THE STANDARD PRACTICE IN THE TOWNSHIP.
WE ALWAYS PAVE ROADS FOR THE FIRST TIME FOR A SPECIAL ASSESSMENT. THANK YOU.
ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL HERBICIDE FOR ACTION IN OUR NEXT MEETING?
>> WE HAVE COME TO THE CITIZENS SURVEY FOR 2021.
THREE YEARS AGO, WE CONDUCTED THE SURVEY AS WE HAVE EVERY THREE YEARS.
IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN TO LOOK AT IT FOR 2021.
WE HAVE SOME INFORMATION IN FRONT OF US.
WHO WANTS TO GET THIS CONVERSATION GOING? ANYBODY FROM ADMINISTRATION?
>> OKAY, GO AHEAD, DIRECTOR CLARK GO AHEAD.
I THINK THERE'S A SMALL LAG BEING IN MY OFFICE HERE AT THE HOUSE.
[00:55:05]
[NOISE] BUT GOOD EVENING.AGAIN, WE'RE HERE TO DISCUSS AS TIME TO DO A COMMUNITY SURVEY.
WE DO THIS EVERY THREE YEARS AND THE LAST TIME WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION AT THE FEBRUARY SECOND BOARD MEETING, SOME OF THE BOARD MEMBERS REQUESTED EXAMPLES OF OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT DO NOT USE THE NATIONAL RESEARCH CENTER AS THEIR AVENUE FOR THE SURVEY.
[13B. 2021 Citizen Survey]
WE INCLUDED TWO EXAMPLES.ONE IS A FAMILIAR CITY FROM SOME OF OUR STAFF HERE, ST. JOE, AND THE OTHER IS FROM EAST LANSING, AND YOU'LL SEE THAT EAST LANSING'S IS A TELEPHONE CALL, WHICH I THINK IS KIND OF INTERESTING AND SOMETHING THAT MAYBE WE'D BE ABLE TO DO HERE IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT STAFF IS AWARE AND IS WILLING, EAGER TO SEE SOME CHANGE WITH THE SURVEY.
WE'D BE ABLE TO ASK MORE DIRECT QUESTIONS AND HAVE INPUT FROM TRUSTEES AS YOURSELVES AND ALSO STAFF TO ASK SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT QUESTIONS AND GET INFORMATION THAT CAN BE UTILIZED TO BETTER PLAN USING OUR BUDGET AND BUDGETS PER DEPARTMENT.
>> [INAUDIBLE] IS THAT IT? OKAY. [LAUGHTER]. I WILL MAKE ONE QUICK COMMENT AND THAT IS, I ATTEMPTED IN THE PAST TO HAVE THIS SURVEY BE AS VALID AS POSSIBLE.
WHICH MEANS THAT WE'VE HIRED PEOPLE THAT USE SO-CALLED SCIENTIFIC METHODOLOGIES WHEN THEY DO THE SURVEY.
TELEPHONE SURVEY DOESN'T REALLY COME UP WITH THAT SO I WOULD NOT BE TOO INTERESTED IN JUST DOING THE TELEPHONE SURVEY.
ALL RIGHT. WHO ELSE WANTS TO TALK ON THIS NOW? YES, MR. [INAUDIBLE]
>> QUESTION FOR MANAGER WALLACE AND DEPUTY MANAGER PERRY, WHO I'M ASSUMING WE'RE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THIS OR WHEN THIS SURVEY GOT STARTED.
THIS IS FROM THE YEAR 2007; IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THE QUESTION WOULD BE, WHAT DID YOU DO TO MAKE SURE YOU WERE ASKING STATISTICALLY VALID QUESTIONS THAT WOULD SHOW UP WELL AND GIVE YOU VALID DATA BACK FROM IT.
DID YOU RELY ON A STATISTICIAN OR A SURVEY CONSULTANT OR A COMPANY THAT HELPED YOU DESIGN THIS AND HOW DID YOU PUT THIS TOGETHER AND HOW DID YOU TEST IT FOR VALIDITY?
>> WELL, THIS STRAINING AROUND OUR NECK IS WE HAD A WORK SESSION WITH THE CITY COMMISSION, THERE ARE FIVE MEMBERS AND THE DEPARTMENT HEADS.
WE CAME UP WITH WHAT TOPICS WE WANTED TO COVER.
WE WROTE IT OURSELVES AND WE NAILED IT OURSELVES AND WE TOOK IN THE RESULTS AND TABULATED THE RESULTS OURSELVES AND THEN REPORTED IT TO THE COMMITTEE.
THERE WAS A NUMBERING SYSTEM ON EACH ONE SO YOU COULDN'T DUPLICATE BECAUSE I WOULD SEE IF TWO NUMBER 400S CAME IN, THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THAT'S WHAT WE DID.
WE DID NOT GET IT VALIDATED BY ANY PROFESSIONAL.
YEAH, THAT WAS THE PROCESS AND IT WORKED FOR US.
IT WORKED EXTREMELY WELL AND WE USED IT IN SEVERAL AREAS.
THAT'S HOW THE NEW ICE HOCKEY ARENA GOT BUILT THERE.
IT WAS BY THE CHOICE OF THE PEOPLE THROUGH THE SURVEY.
>> THEN I DIDN'T ADD THE TURN OFF BEFORE I ASKED THAT QUESTION. I LIKED THE SURVEY.
I THINK IT ASKED A LOT OF REALLY GOOD QUESTIONS AND GIVES YOU REALLY GRANULAR DATA ON [INAUDIBLE] NEAR CAFE CITY SERVICES AND PROPERTIES OF RESIDENTS.
I THINK YOU COVER A LOT OF GROUND HERE AND I THINK THIS DATA FROM YOU WOULD BE EXTREMELY VALUABLE FOR ALL OF US TO HAVE.
OBVIOUSLY, WE'RE GOING TO ASK SOME DIFFERENT QUESTIONS BUT I FOUND IT REALLY HELPFUL.
[INAUDIBLE] TELL US WHAT RESPONSE RATE YOU GOT OR YOU AVERAGED WHEN YOU SENT THIS OUT, HOW MANY DID YOU SENT OUT, AND ABOUT HOW MANY DID YOU GET BACK EVERY YEAR?
>> THAT VARIED DEPENDING UPON, I THINK IT WAS EVERY THREE OR FOUR YEARS WE DID IT.
IT VARIED ON IF THERE WERE HOT TOPICS AT THE TIME, THE RESPONSE RATE, BUT THE LOWEST WE RECEIVED WAS SOMEWHERE AROUND 14 OR 15.
IN ONE YEAR WE GOT UP JUST OVER 20 PERCENT.
>> THEN 14 AND 15 PERCENT, THAT [INAUDIBLE] PEOPLE.
>> [LAUGHTER]. I HOPE SO. WELL SAID.
>> OR WAS THAT [INAUDIBLE] FROM THE WAY I SAID IT.
>> WE CAN DO THE SURVEY ARRAY ON THE SCREEN THEN.
>> WE DON'T WANT THE MINUTES TO SAY 14 TO 15 WHEN IT'S A PERCENTAGE [LAUGHTER].
>> MS. JACKSON YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP?
>> YES, MY COMMENTS MIRROR THOSE OF MR. MACHINES VERY MUCH BECAUSE I TOO LIKE
[01:00:04]
THE SPECIFICITY AND THE DELIBERATENESS OF THE QUESTIONS AND THE ORGANIZATION IN THE ST. JOE EXAMPLE.I'M INTERESTED IN HOW MANY DOCUMENTS DID YOU SEND OUT AND THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE NUMBER THAT YOU SENT OUT AND THE POPULATION AT THAT TIME.
>> YEAH. THE POPULATION, MADAM TRUSTEE, WAS AROUND 8000.
I THINK THE POPULATION NOW IS DOWN AROUND 7300 BUT AT THE TIME IT WAS AROUND 8000 AND IF I RECALL THE REGISTERED VOTERS WHICH TO ANSWER YOUR OTHER QUESTION, [NOISE] WE SET IT TO EVERY REGISTERED VOTER.[NOISE].
EVERYONE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO RETURN.
I THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT NUMBER.
I THINK IT WAS AROUND 35 OR 3700 REGISTERED VOTERS AND EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO RESPOND.
THEY ALL HAD A NUMERICAL NUMBER ON THEM TO PREVENT ANY DUPLICATION.
I KNOW TRUSTEE WISINSKI KNOWS A LOT ABOUT SURVEYS BUT THE ONE THING I DO KNOW, I LEARNED FROM DOING IT THE WRONG WAY.
THAT WAS WE FOUND THE FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED IN THE FIRST YEAR, I THINK IT WAS 1999 WAS MY FIRST SURVEY THERE.
WHEN YOU SEND IT TO ONLY THE MAN OF THE HOUSE, OR IT'S VERY OFFENSIVE TO THE PARTNER OR THE WIFE.
WE LEARNED WE NEED TO GET A CIRCUS. YOU NEED TO GET A CALL.
WHICH ONE OF US DO YOU WANT TO FILL THIS OUT? WELL, WE NEVER THOUGHT ABOUT THAT.
WE SWITCHED AFTER THAT, AFTER A LOT OF COMPLAINTS, BACKLASH WOULD BE A BETTER WORD.
WE DECIDED TO SEND IT OUT TO EVERY REGISTERED VOTER.
>> I ACTUALLY LIKED THAT IDEA A LOT BETTER.
I THINK THE HIGHLY STANDARDIZED STATISTICAL VALIDITY BECOMES MOST IMPORTANT WHEN YOU'RE COMPARING AGAINST OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER GROUPS.
IN AN INSTANCE LIKE THIS, I DON'T THINK THE RIGIDITY OF STATISTICAL DESIGN IS NECESSARY FOR US TO GAUGE OUR COMMUNITY.
ONLY MAYBE IF WE WANT TO DO THE SAME THING AGAIN THREE YEARS FROM NOW.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS I LIKED THIS KIND OF SURVEY AND I'M INTERESTED IN TRYING SOMETHING NEW FOR A CHANGE.
TRYING SOMETHING DIFFERENT AND I THINK THAT WORKING TOGETHER, WE CAN GET A LOT MORE INFORMATION FROM OUR RESIDENTS, OUR VOTERS THAN WE CAN GLEAN FROM THIS STANDARDIZED SURVEY THAT WE HAVE BEEN USING EVERY THREE YEARS AND IT MAY BE MORE USEFUL FOR US.
>> WE'RE TALKING A TRADE BETWEEN SOMETHING THAT'S VERY CUSTOMIZED AND FULL OF INFORMATION AND MAYBE WE, IN PARTICULAR, ARE LOOKING FOR WITH BEING ABLE TO COMPARE FROM SURVEY TO SURVEY.
ONE OF THE REASONS WHY IN THE PAST THE BOARD HAS STUBBORNLY STUCK TO USING THE SAME COMPANY, THE SAME BASIC SURVEY WITH SOME CUSTOMIZED QUESTIONS AT THE END OF ONLY A FEW, HAS BEEN THERE WANTED TO SEE ITS PROGRESS WITH REGARD TO VARIOUS ISSUES.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE ROADS HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE ISSUE FOR [INAUDIBLE] MANY OF THOSE SURVEYS, FOUR OR FIVE OF THEM.
PROBABLY, IF WE PUT OUT THAT SAME SURVEY AGAIN, THE ROADS WILL SHOW A GREAT IMPROVEMENT THAN HOW WE'VE DONE.
MAYBE WE CAN FIGURE THAT OUT WITHOUT NECESSARILY HAVING THAT SAME SURVEY DONE OVER AND OVER AGAIN.
>> THANK YOU. I WOULD CONCUR WITH A LOT OF WHAT HAS BEEN SAID EXCEPT FOR THAT I'M AN EXPERT ON SURVEYS BY ANY MEANS.
[LAUGHTER] I WORK WITH EXPERTS BUT I'M BY FAR NOT AN EXPERT.
[01:05:04]
BUT I AGREE THAT THE STANDARDIZED SURVEY GIVES US THAT CONTROL.IT ALLOWS US TO COMPARE OURSELVES AGAINST OTHER COMMUNITIES.
BUT WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR? IS THAT WHAT WE WANT? WE'VE ALREADY BEEN VOTED THREE TIMES THE BEST.
[LAUGHTER] I'M THINKING ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I'D LIKE TO BOTH SPECIFICALLY SAY JOE'S SURVEY ASKING VERY SPECIFIC QUESTIONS THAT I THINK COULD BE VERY USEFUL TO MADDY.
FOR EXAMPLE, HOW MANY BYTES DO YOU HAVE, AND WHAT DO YOU USE THEM FOR? THOSE ARE THINGS THAT CAN HELP US MAKE DECISIONS GOING FORWARD.
THEY ALSO CATEGORIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SOME OF THOSE ISSUES.
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS TO YOU? THAT HELPS YOU IDENTIFY SOME OF THE GAUGE, THE MEASUREMENT OF IMPORTANCE.
I THINK I WOULD AGREE WITH THE SUPERVISOR THAT THE TELEPHONE SURVEY LEADS TO A LOT OF CONCERNS.
THERE'S PEOPLE THAT ARE DOING THE SURVEY HAVE TO BE WELL TRAINED AND QUITE HONESTLY THAT FORMAT WAS VERY CONFUSING TO ME.
BUT I DID LIKE SOME OF THE OTHER DEMOGRAPHICS THAT THEY INCLUDED THERE, LIKE VOTER STATUS AND EDUCATION ATTAINMENT AND THINGS LIKE THAT, WHICH I KNOW WE HAVE SOME OF THAT INFORMATION ALREADY.
ALL IN ALL, I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING A MUCH MORE INDIVIDUALIZED TYPE SURVEY.
MY ONE RELUCTANCY IS THAT AND I THINK THE SUPERVISOR TOUCHED ON THIS AS WELL AND SO DID TRUSTEE JACKSON.
DEVELOPING A SURVEY, YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE NOT INTRODUCING BIAS AND WE NATURALLY INTRODUCE BIAS WHEN WE WRITE A SURVEY QUESTION.
I WOULD REALLY, REALLY SUGGEST AND SUPPORT HAVING NOT NECESSARILY AN AGENCY, BUT AT LEAST AN EXPERT.
THAT COULD HELP US OR HELP YOU MANAGER WATCHING YOUR STAFF, DEVELOP A SURVEY THAT'S UNBIASED.
BECAUSE IF WE GET A BIASED SURVEY AND IT'S CRAFTED POORLY, BUT ACTUALLY WE'RE GOING TO GET UNRELIABLE FEEDBACK.
WHAT DOES THAT GOING TO DO FOR US? IT'S NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING GOOD FOR US IF WE REALLY CAN'T TAKE THAT INFORMATION AND INTERPRET IT IN THE WAY IT'S MEANT TO BE INTERPRETED AND THEN APPLY IT.
THAT WOULD BE MY BIGGEST, I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY CONCERN.
MY SUGGESTION IS THAT I REALLY LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING AN INDIVIDUALIZED SURVEY.
NOT SURE WE NEED THAT CONTROL OR THAT COMPARABLE COMPONENT, BUT WE CAN STILL EVALUATE LONG-TERM IF WE ASK THE SAME QUESTIONS OVER AND OVER US GOING FORWARD.
WE CAN STILL USE THAT INFORMATION.
BUT I THINK WE NEED SOMEBODY THAT IS AN EXPERT TO HELP GUIDE TO MAKE SURE WE ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS AND WE INTERPRET THEM CORRECTLY.
>> YEAH, I WOULD AGREE WITH KEVIN ABOUT THE EXPORT WHICH YOU ORIGINALLY RAISED.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THIS IS A HIGHLY EDUCATED COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE UP TO A VOW, WHEN WE SAY? WELL, THIS HAS BEEN OUR NUMBER 1 ISSUE OR NUMBER 3 ISSUE BECAUSE IN OUR SURVEYS, PEOPLE BEEN, " AH-HA, YEAH, WE SEE THAT." BECAUSE THEY KNOW WE'VE USED THE SCIENTIFIC SURVEY.
BUT IF WE DO SOMETHING THAT HASN'T QUITE LIVE UP TO THE STANDARD, OUR PUBLIC WILL KNOW IT, IN A SURVEY THAT IS.
ANYONE ELSE? YES, TRUST THE ABSOLUTE.
>> I WOULD CONCUR WITH THE SUPERVISOR AND TRUSTEE WISINSKI'S REMARK, SAME TRUSTEE JACKSON'S REMARKS.
I EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR LOOKING AT DOING IT, DOING OUR OWN SURVEY AT THE LAST MEETING. I STICK WITH THAT.
I DO THINK HAVING SOME KIND OF EXPERTISE AT OUR DISPOSAL FOR CRAFTING IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL.
I'D BE INTERESTED TO GLEAN FROM A STATISTICIAN ON A SURVEY LIKE THIS, MAILING IT TO BOTH PARTIES IN THE HOUSEHOLD.
NOW THAT PHONE SURVEYING IS ALWAYS YOU CAPTURE ONE INDIVIDUAL PER HOUSEHOLD, YOU MIGHT ON OCCASION CAPTURE A SECOND.
BUT I GUESS YOU REALLY WOULDN'T BECAUSE TYPICALLY, WELL, IF YOU'RE DOING CELL PHONES, YOU MIGHT CAPTURE BOTH SPOUSES, BUT NOT COMMONLY.
I DON'T KNOW IF THAT SKEWS OUR SAMPLE BECAUSE THEN WE WOULD HAVE A LOT OF HOUSEHOLDS THAT HAVE ONE SPOUSE WHO FILLS IT OUT, WE WOULD LIKELY HAVE TWO SPOUSES THAT FILL IT OUT.
WHILE OTHER HOUSEHOLDS THAT DON'T COMPLETE IT AND SEND IT BACK OR COMPLETELY UNREPRESENTED.
I WONDER ABOUT THAT STATISTICALLY.
BUT I HAVEN'T DEALT WITH MAIL SURVEYS.
I COMPLETELY GET THE ISSUE OF MAILING IT TO ONE PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD,
[01:10:03]
BUT IT COULD EVEN BE ADDRESSED TO THE HOUSEHOLD AT LARGE, THE BLANK AND BLANK FAMILY OR THE BLANK FAMILY.I KNOW ADDRESSING CAN BE VERY DELICATE HAVING DONE BULK MAIL IN THE PAST.
I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.
I KNOW THAT IN PHONE SURVEYS, AND ESPECIALLY LANDLINE PHONE SURVEYING, YOU'RE ONLY GOING TO GET ONE PERSON PER HOUSEHOLD.
I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS GOING TO SKEW THE SAMPLING.
THE ONLY OTHER THING I WOULD CAUTION AGAINST IS IF WE'RE SQUARING CAPITAL OUTLAY, ESPECIALLY IF WE'RE SQUARING NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS, I GUESS, MY GUT INSTINCT IS WE SHOULD STICK AWAY FROM SCORING LIKE SPECIFIC PARK IMPROVEMENTS BECAUSE WE DO HAVE NEIGHBORHOODS OF DISPROPORTIONATE SIZE.
THAT'S GOING TO SKEW THE NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS THAT ASSOCIATED OR AFFILIATE DESIRE FOR CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS TO BE IMPROVED.
BUT THINGS LIKE CENTRAL PARK AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
BUT I DO SUPPORT DOING IT ON HER OWN.
I THINK THE ST. JOE SURVEY DOES SHOW US THAT THE SPECIFICITY WILL BE A LOT MORE BENEFICIAL TO US.
I WOULD ASK A MANAGER IF HE HAS ANY OTHER COMMENTS THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE BOARD.
>> WELL, BEFORE WE DO THAT, I WANT TO MENTION IN PARTIAL ANSWER TO WHAT YOU WERE EXPRESSING, MR. OPSOMMER.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT NOWADAYS IF EVER, YOU REALLY CAN'T THINK THAT THE TWO ROWS OR HOUSEHOLD ARE THE SAME THOUGHT PATTERNS AND I'M THINKING IF ANYTHING SKEWS IT, IT'S LIKE ONE TO A HOUSEHOLD OR MAYBE RUN AND GRABS AND THROWS IT OUT.
MAYBE THROUGH OR GIVEN WHAT THE OTHER ONE THINKS.
I THINK THE APPROACH THAT WAS MANAGER WALSH MENTIONED OF EVERY REGISTERED VOTERS IS A GOOD ONE.
MR. ROSS [INAUDIBLE] YOU WERE ASKED TO MAKE SOME COMMENTS.
>> MR. SUPERVISOR, TELL ME, BUT I THINK YOUR CLERK RAISED HER HAND FIRST IF YOU WANTED TO TAKE HER.
>>OKAY. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS WITH REGARD TO WHAT MR. [OVERLAPPING] SAID?
>> JUSTIN YOU HIT ME NAIL ON THE HAND.
I RECEIVED A LOT OF FEEDBACK AND IT WASN'T POSITIVE.
IT WAS MY DECISION THAT I TOOK AND A LOT OF CRITICISM FOR IF YOU THINK.
I THINK EXACTLY LIKE MY SPOUSE AND WE CAN FILL THIS OUT TOGETHER.
IT WAS BRUTAL. WE DID IT DIFFERENTLY AFTER THAT.
I CAN ASSURE YOU OF THAT FOR THAT EVERY REASON.
>> THIS SEGUES INTO, IT SOUNDS LIKE WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A CONSENSUS HERE TO DO OUR OWN SURVEY.
WHICH OBVIOUSLY IS NOT GOING TO BE JUST TO SAY JOE SURVEY.
IT'S GOING TO BE OUR SURVEY WITH OUR QUESTIONS.
HOW DO WE CRAFT IT? WHO GIVES US THE PROPOSAL AND THEN HOW DOES THE BOARD INPUT INTO IT? THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT.
IN ADDITION, WE HAVE AN ISSUE RIGHT NOW, THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT, AND THAT'S THE ADULT USE OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A PRIME OPPORTUNITY TO FIND OUT WHAT OUR COMMUNITY THINKS.
GUTHRIE, YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP.
>> THANK YOU, SUPERVISOR STYKA.
I AGREE AND CONCUR WITH OTHER SENTIMENTS REGARDING THE VALIDITY AND THE SCIENTIFIC-ANALYTICAL DATA BEING CAPTURED BY THIS.
WE HAVE A HIGHLY EDUCATED COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO ENSURE PUBLIC THAT THIS IS NOT A BIASED SURVEY AND THAT IT IS ONE THAT IS PROFESSIONAL.
YOU'RE ALL PROFESSIONAL AND FANTASTIC MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP EMPLOYEES.
BUT THERE IS, LIKE TRUSTEE WISINSKI WAS MENTIONING IN REGARDS TO PROFESSIONAL COMPANIES THAT CONDUCT SURVEYS, THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, AND SO I APPRECIATE THE NUMBER OF QUESTIONS THAT WE'D BE LOOKING AT.
SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ADDRESSING WHAT MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP WOULD BE LOOKING AT AS OPPOSED TO A STANDARD NATIONALIZED EVERYONE GETS THE SAME QUESTION, AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT APPROACH.
SOME OF MY QUESTIONS INCLUDE, WHICH QUESTIONS, AS I LOOK AT THE SURVEYS THAT YOU PROVIDED, WHICH OF THESE REALLY ARE NOT ON OUR CURRENT SURVEY AND THAT ARE PERTINENT TO MONEY AND TOWNSHIP THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE ON OUR MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP SURVEY? NOT THAT I WANT A RHETORICAL QUESTION, JUST SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
[01:15:01]
WHAT WOULD BE TAKEN FROM THIS AND WHAT WOULD BE TAKEN FROM THE CURRENT SURVEY THAT WE WOULD KEEP THEM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT MY MIND BECAUSE THIS WAS OBVIOUSLY MUCH MORE IN DEPTH IN OUR CURRENT SURVEYS, SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IN MY MIND WHAT FROM THIS, WE AS A BOARD, WOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW IN ADDITION TO THE CURRENT QUESTIONS WE'VE BEEN ASKING AND, OR REPLACING THE CURRENT QUESTIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN ASKING.MY OTHER QUESTION IS, I'M ASSUMING LOOKING AT THE MEMO THAT THE LEAD PERSON ON THIS WILL BE DIRECTOR PERRY AND DIRECTOR CLARK, AND OTHERS POSSIBLY THE TIME BEING HANDED OFF HERE.
JUST THE BOARD UNDERSTANDS THAT AND WHERE THAT'S GOING IN REGARDS TO, IN TOUCH WITH MANAGER WALSH AND HIS STAFF.
THEN WHO DECIDES, AND THE REASON I WANT TO KNOW THAT IS BECAUSE I'M QUESTIONING WHO DECIDES THE ISSUES TO ASK AND THE QUESTIONS TO ASK BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE A COMMITTEE ON THIS.
MY EXPERIENCE IN THE PAST IS THAT DIRECTOR PERRY PRESENTS THE NATIONAL CITIZEN SURVEY TO THE BOARD, THE BOARD SUBMITS FIVE OR SIX OR SO QUESTIONS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF DIRECTOR PERRY CAN INCLUDE IT IN THE SURVEY AND VOTES ON THAT, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT AND I THINK YOU ALREADY ADDRESSED SOME OF THE OTHER QUESTIONS THAT I HAD AND I THINK SUPERVISOR STYKA ALSO ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT FREQUENCY AND THOSE TYPES OF THINGS.
>> MR. WALSH SHOULD YOU ANSWER THAT OR YOU WANT MISS CLARK TO ANSWER THAT?
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION DIRECTLY, THE THREE OF US WILL BE INVOLVED, BUT I REALLY WANTED DIRECTOR CLARK INVOLVED BECAUSE OF THE ROLE WITH THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND STUFF.
I THOUGHT THIS WAS A PERFECT FIT FOR HER AND HER SKILL SET, WHICH IS TREMENDOUS.
MR PERRY HAS ALREADY ROSE IN A BUNCH OF OTHER PROJECTS, BUT I'M GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN IT.
TO ANSWER YOUR OTHER QUESTION, I THINK THIS IS SO IMPORTANT THAT THE BOARD ALWAYS SET ASIDE SOME TIME AT WHATEVER MEETING THE SUPERVISOR WOULD LIKE TO DO IT AT AND GIVE US THE TOPICS THAT YOU WANT COVERED, AND THEN WHEN WE GET THE TOPICS COVERED, THEN WE GO OUT AND FIND WHO'S GOING TO DO THE SURVEY, THEN THEY WORK TO WRITE THE QUESTIONS BASED ON THE SUBJECT MATTERS THAT YOU HAVE, WHETHER IT'S ONE, THREE OR 10.
THEN THEY COME BACK AND SHOW YOU WHAT THE QUESTIONS WOULD BE, YOU BLESS THE QUESTIONS AND THEN THE SURVEY GOES OUT.
THAT WOULD BE THE PROCESS THAT I WOULD SEE GOING FORWARD.
>> TO PIGGYBACK OFF OF WHAT MANAGER WALSH SAID, MY TIMELINE DEADLINES IN MY HEAD WAS JUST TO BRING THIS AGAIN TO DISCUSSION TO THE BOARD TONIGHT, ACTION AT THE NEXT TOWNSHIP BOARD MEETING, WHICH TECHNICALLY IS SCHEDULED FOR NEXT WEEK.
IF NOT AN ACTION IN MARCH TO APPROVE STAFF TO CREATE THAT SO WE WOULD SPEND TIME GATHERING INFORMATION FROM STAFF ON PARTICULAR TOPICS THAT THEY WOULD LIKE COVERED.
WE WOULD COME BACK TO YOU TO REQUEST THE SAME INFORMATION AND AS MANAGER WALSH SAID, THEN HAVE THAT SURVEY COMPILED AND IT WOULD BE BROUGHT AGAIN BEFORE THE BOARD AND PUBLIC TO SEE WHAT THAT FINAL LIST BEFORE IT'S MAILED.
THE IDEA WOULD THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO DO A MAILING, BUT I BELIEVE IN 2018, WE DID A SAMPLE SIZE, AND THEN THEY DID AN ONLINE OPT-IN VERSION OF THE SURVEY AS WELL.
THAT MIGHT BE AN OPTION WE CONSIDER THIS YEAR, BUT IF WE DON'T WANT TO DO ONLINE AND WE JUST DO MAIL AND COMPLETELY, THAT WOULD BE THE PROCESS.
WE WOULD HAVE THE SURVEY DISTRIBUTED ABOUT JUNE, HAVE AN INTERN REVIEW THE STATISTICS AND GIVE A COMPILING OF THE RESULTS OF THE SURVEY IN JULY.
THEN IT WILL BE REVIEWED PUBLICLY IN AUGUST IN PREPARATION FOR THE BUDGET IN SEPTEMBER.
>> MR. DESCHAINE AND THEN MISS GUTHRIE.
>> I THINK THE QUESTION ASKED BY THE CLERK IS A GOOD ONE ABOUT HOW HE'D HELP WITH THE QUESTIONS.
WELL, I APPRECIATE THE MANAGER WANTING US TO COME TOGETHER WITH OUR QUESTIONS FOR THE SURVEY.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE NEED.
THE STAFF TAKING THE LEAD AND BRINGING THIS BOARD A TEMPLATE OF QUESTIONS, WOULD BE A GOOD START.
WE WILL ALL HAVE OUR IDEAS BEFORE THAT MEETING ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE.
MAYBE WE SEE A DRAFT BEFOREHAND BUT I THINK THE MORE WE HAVE STAFF DESIGN THESE QUESTIONS, THE BETTER OFF WE'RE GOING TO BE.
NO ONE IS MORE IN TOUCH WITH ALL THE ISSUES IN THIS TOWNSHIP RIGHT NOW THAN MANAGER WALSH AND HIS DEPUTY MANAGER PERRY.
YOU KNOW THE ISSUES THAT ARE BEFORE US.
I THINK WE ALL HAVE FULL TRUST IN YOU THAT YOU'RE GOING TO ASK A QUESTION THAT GETS AN OBJECTIVE ANSWER AND NOT A SLANTED ANSWER. I CERTAINLY DO.
[01:20:01]
I THINK, YOU KNOW THE ISSUE THAT WE'RE CONCERNED ABOUT, YOU'RE A PART OF EACH OF THESE BOARD MEETINGS.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET SOME RESULTS SOONER THAN AUGUST.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE US GET SOME RESULTS TWO OR THREE MONTHS SOONER IF POSSIBLE IF WE CAN MOVE THIS PROCESS ALONG.
SURE WE WANT TO HAVE IT FOR THE BUDGET, BUT THE MARIJUANA QUESTION FOR ONE IS ONE THAT IS VERY RELEVANT TO TODAY'S CELEBRATION, SO IF WE GET AN ANSWER IN JUNE TO THAT, THAT WOULD BE MORE USEFUL FOR US THAN AUGUST WOULD BE.
I WANT TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT GETS US GOOD DATA, BUT I DON'T SEE A REASON TO MAKE THIS PROCESS MORE DRAWN OUT THAN IT NEEDS TO BE.
BECAUSE MANAGER WALSH AND DEPUTY MANAGER PERRY HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE, I TRUST THEIR ABILITY TO CRAFT THESE QUESTIONS.
DEFINITELY, WE SHOULD HAVE SOME BOARD INPUT TO THOSE QUESTIONS AND THEN WE SHOULD HAVE THIS STATISTICIAN LOOK AT THEM AND MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE GETTING GOOD AND VALID ANSWERS TO THEM.
BUT I THINK WE CAN MAYBE CELEBRATE THIS PROCESS OR AT LEAST MAKE THE PROCESS MORE EFFICIENT BY STARTING WITH A TEMPLATE FROM STAFF. THANK YOU.
>> MISS GUTHRIE YOU HAD YOUR HAND UP.
THE TIMELINE OF THE SURVEY WAS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU, AND SO I REALLY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING [LAUGHTER] FURTHER THAN THAT, BUT THANKS FOR CALLING ON ME. SUPERVISOR STYKA?
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR CLARK YOU'VE CLEARLY GIVEN THIS SOME THOUGHT, THAT'S VERY HELPFUL.
I CAN CONCUR WITH TREASURER [INAUDIBLE] I THINK WE'VE GOT SOME ISSUES THAT WE WANT TO GET SOME ANSWERS TO MUCH SOONER THAN AUGUST.
I ALSO KNOW THAT TO DRAFT A VERY GOOD SURVEY AND TO HAVE THAT VALIDITY CHECKED PRIOR TO SENDING OUT.
I THINK MAYBE THE TIMELINE COULD COME A LITTLE BIT CLOSER, BUT I WOULD REALLY LEAN ON DIRECTOR CLARK ON MAKING THOSE DECISIONS AND I WOULD NOT SAY THAT THE BOARD HAVE NECESSARILY INPUT ON THE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT THE BOARD WOULD WANT TO HAVE SOME IDEA OF OTHER THINGS THAT THEY MIGHT WANT TO FEEL THAT'S IMPORTANT, FOR EXAMPLE, HEALTH, LET'S DO SOME SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WE DON'T HAVE.
WITH THAT BEING SAID, I APPRECIATE THE TIMELINE AND THE THOUGHT YOU'VE GIVEN DIRECTOR CLARK AND I DO ALSO COMMEND THE STAFF.
I THINK YOU'LL DO A FANTASTIC JOB, BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S INCORPORATED IN A WAY THAT'S GOING TO BE VALID AND WE CAN REALLY USE IT.
JUST MY LAST THOUGHTS, I THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> I WOULD JUST ADD AT THE END THAT WE SHOULD ALL KEEP IN MIND THAT ANY SURVEY OF OUR CURRENT RESIDENTS OF THEIR IMPRESSIONS, PARTICULARLY IN 2020 AND 2021 ABOUT THE TOWNSHIP AND TOWNSHIPS OPERATIONS WILL ALL BE COLORED BY THEIR EXPERIENCES WITH COVID AND THE ACTUAL SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT THAT WE'VE BEEN IN, SO THAT MAY PLAY INTO HOW QUESTIONS ARE ASKED AND ANSWERED.
I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE THAT INTO CONSIDERATION AS YOU CONSTRUCT THE INSTRUMENT.
>> GOOD POINT. [NOISE] YES SIR, CLERK.
>> I THANK YOU CIVIL , [INAUDIBLE] ONE FINAL QUESTION EITHER MANAGER WALSH OR DIRECTOR CLARK, WOULD THE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS BE ASKED IF THEY HAVE ANYTHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE SURVEY OR JUST THE TOWNSHIP BOARD?
>> I THINK THE FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO IS TO, BASED ON THE DISCUSSION OF I'VE HEARD, IS WE'RE GOING TO GET TOGETHER AND GET WITH STAFF AND TRY TO DRAFT UP SOME TOPICS AND QUESTIONS AND BRING THEM TO YOU.
WE WILL TALK WITH THE DIRECTORS WHO ARE DIRECTLY LINKED TOO, LIKE FOR INSTANCE, DIRECTOR CLARK IS LINKED TO THE EDC AND THE DDA AND TRY TO GET SOME FEEDBACK.
WE CAN ALSO GET TOO MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED IN ALL THIS DRAFTING, SO WE WILL TRY TO INCORPORATE BEST WE CAN, AND I DON'T THINK IT'LL TAKE US LONG.
TWO BIG ISSUES THAT COME TO MIND, ONE THAT THE SUPERVISOR BROUGHT UP IS THE ADULT USE OF MARIJUANA,
[01:25:04]
BUT ALSO THE DA PROGRAM.THAT'S BEEN TALKED ABOUT FOREVER HERE, HAVE WE EVER ASKED THE PUBLIC? THOSE ARE TWO TOPICS THAT COME TO MIND RIGHT OFF THE BAT BUT WE'LL DO OUR BEST, MADAM CLERK, TO GET AS MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED AS WE CAN ON THE TOPICS.
>> I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE AND IT CAME UP AT OUR LAST MEETING.
I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE US ASK OUR TOWNSHIP RESIDENTS ABOUT WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN TERMS OF THE ADULT USE MARIJUANA, DO THEY WANT SEE IT OFFERED IN THE TOWNSHIP? OR NOT, AND IF THEY DO, DO THEY JUST WANT TO CONVERT OUR CURRENT SIX LOCATIONS TO ADULT USE LOCATIONS? OR DO THEY WANT SOMETHING DIFFERENT IN TERMS OF NUMBER OR LESSER PERHAPS? I'D LIKE TO SEE A WAY TO SURVEY THAT AND IT SOUNDS LIKE WE WOULD BE MOVING VERY QUICKLY IN TERMS OF GETTING THAT IN A USEFUL WAY IF WE ONLY INCLUDED AS PART OF THIS SURVEY.
MR. [INAUDIBLE] WILL YOU COMMENT ON IT?
>>WELL AS I LOOK AT IT, THERE'S TWO ROADS THAT YOU CAN GO DOWN ON THAT ISSUE IF THAT IS OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO THE BOARD, AND THAT'S THE ONE ISSUE.
THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT WAYS YOU COULD GO ABOUT THIS.
AGAIN, NOT A SURVEY EXPERT, BUT I'VE DONE PROBABLY 15 SURVEYS IN MY CAREER. THERE'S TWO WAYS TO IT.
WE WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT PEOPLE [INAUDIBLE] WE HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE LIKE THIS IN A LONG TIME AND WE WANT TO REALLY FIND OUT WHAT THE PUBLIC THINKS.
WE'RE GOING TO DO A SURVEY SIMPLY ON ADULT USE MARIJUANA AND WE'RE GOING TO HEAD THAT OUT WITHIN EIGHT WEEKS.
ONCE WE GET A PROFESSIONAL TO WRITE IT AND GET IT APPROVED BY THE BOARD.
SET ASIDE THE BIG SURVEY TO NEXT YEAR OR YOU CAN TAKE A LOT MORE TIME AND COME UP WITH THE 10 OR 12 ISSUES THAT ARE OF IMPORTANCE TO THE COMMUNITY AND DO THAT OR [INAUDIBLE] JUST TAKE MORE TIME.
IT'S LIKE A FORK IN THE ROAD, WHICH WAY DO YOU WANT TO GO WITH A SURVEY? IS IT A ONE QUESTION FIND OUT ON THIS ISSUE AND SET ASIDE THE MAIN SURVEY TO NEXT YEAR? OR DO YOU WANT TO TAKE SOME MORE TIME AND DO YOUR SURVEY LIKE YOU NORMALLY DO? THAT'S MY ONLY WAY THAT I CAN SEE IT TO GO FORWARD ONE OF THOSE TWO WAYS.
>> I WOULD NOT ONLY LIKE TO ASK THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA QUESTION, BUT I'D ALSO LIKE TO ASK THE BROADBAND QUESTION AND I KNOW THAT'S A QUESTION THAT THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION HAS BEEN WANTING TO CRAFT A SURVEY AROUND FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND I KNOW THAT THEY'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE BOARD AND STAFF LOOKING INTO BROADBAND FOR THE COMMUNITIES.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT PIGGY BANKS OFF OF WHAT MANAGER WALSH JUST SAID ARE NOT IN REGARDS TO FORK ON ROAD, WHICH SURVEY TO DO OR NOT, BUT I KNOW THAT THERE'S MORE THAN THE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA QUESTION OUT THERE FOR ME AND POSSIBLY FOR RESIDENTS AS WELL AND MAYBE FOR BOARD MEMBERS.
>> I'M CURIOUS IF DEPUTY MANAGER PERIOD HAS ANY UPDATE ON US FOR US IN REGARDS TO BROADBAND? NORMALLY WHEN WE DO QUESTIONS LIKE THIS.
AGAIN, IT WAS JUST ON THE NATIONAL SURVEY WITH QUESTIONS ON SELECT THE LAST ONE WE HAD A QUESTION ON THE LAND PRESERVATION MILLAGE AND THE ROAD MILEAGE, BUT IT'S CITED THE EXACT MILEAGE THAT WOULD BE LEVIED ON THE MONEY RAISED IN THE SERVICE RENDERED FROM THAT MILLAGE.
WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT BROADBAND?
WE HAD OUR FIRST DOT WORK GROUP MEETING LAST WEEK.
WE REALLY FOCUSED ON WHAT IS THE QUESTION WE NEED TO ASK, WHO HAS BROADBAND AND HOW DO WE SURVEY THE COMMUNITY.
THAT'S PRETTY MUCH WHERE WE'RE AT WITH IT.
WE WERE NOT EVEN CLOSE TO BEING ABLE TO SAY THIS IS X AMOUNT OF DOLLARS FOR A SYSTEM THAT WOULD NEED TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.
>> I DON'T THINK WE ARE READY TO ASK ANYTHING AS IT RELATES TO BROADBAND IN THIS TIME.
DEPENDING ON HOW WE STRUCTURED THAT, NOT KNOWING A WHOLE LOT, WE MIGHT GIVE THE COMMUNITY FALSE HOPE DEPENDING ON WHAT FEDERAL AND STATE LAW MIGHT EVEN ALLOW US TO DO.
WE DID TAKE ABOUT TWO AND A HALF YEARS FOR DEREK'S DEPARTMENT TO GO THROUGH ALL OF THE ENGINEERING FOR ROADS AND THIS ONE'S GOING TO PROBABLY TAKE AT LEAST THAT LONG,
[01:30:05]
IF NOT LONGER, BECAUSE THERE'S ALSO AN ONGOING SERVICE COMPONENT, NOT JUST THE INITIAL CONSTRUCTION LIKE WITH ROADS.>> WELL, I THINK DR. PERRY, PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.
MOST OF THE DISCUSSION AT THE BROADBAND WORK COMMITTEES SESSION WAS CENTERED AROUND, DO YOU HAVE INTERNET OR NOT? AT WHAT SPEED DO YOU HAVE THAT AND WHO IS YOUR SERVICE PROVIDER? THAT'S WHAT WE WERE LOOKING TO DISCOVER.
MORE SELDOM DO YOU WANT BROADBAND OR NOT? IT WAS INTERNET.
WHAT ARE YOU PAYING? WHAT ARE YOUR SPEEDS? CONNECTIVITY, THAT KIND OF THING.
IT WASN'T REALLY WOULD YOU LIKE MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BROADBAND OR NOT? PLEASE CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THAT'S MY RECOLLECTION OF WHAT THE DISCUSSION WAS IN REGARDS TO QUESTIONING PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> NO, YOU'RE CORRECT. THAT'S WHAT THE COMMITTEE TRIED TO DISCERN, WAS HOW DO WE GO ABOUT ACTUALLY FINDING OUT WHAT PEOPLE HAVE.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF YOU ASK THE QUESTION, WOULD YOU LIKE BETTER BROADBAND? SURE, NOW THEN TO CROSS ASKED QUESTION, IF YOU WOULD, BUT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO PAY X, Y, AND Z TO HAVE IT? SO IF THERE IS SOME INITIAL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AS FAR AS GATHERING WHO HAS WHAT AND WHAT THOSE SPEEDS ARE.
BUT THE QUESTION ABOUT WOULD YOU BE WILLING TO SUPPORT INSTRUCTING OUR OWN SYSTEM AS A SEPARATE QUESTION THAT NEEDS TO BE ASKED LATER.
>>YEAH, THERE'S A BROADBAND GROUP.
THE QUICKEST WAY WE'RE LOOKING MORE IS INFORMATION UPON WHICH TO BUILD THE ISSUE FOR THE ACTUAL OUTCOME OR RESULT OF WHAT WE END UP PLANNING YOU'RE PROPOSING.
I'M NOT SURE THOUGH, THAT THIS SURVEY ACTUALLY DOES THAT.
MR. PERRY IS IT? I DIDN'T RAISE FOR US TO FIND OUT WHO HAS WHAT, I SURVEYED YOU'RE GOING TO BE HIT AND MISS.
YOU'RE NOT NECESSARILY GETTING THE ANSWERS FOR EVERYTHING.
>> I GUESS OUR INITIAL DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD LAST WEEK WAS FIGURING OUT WHAT THE BEST INSTRUMENT WOULD BE TO GATHER THAT THERE ARE SOME MAPS PROVIDED BY THE INDUSTRY AND WE HAD SOME CONCERNS ABOUT WHO'S PROVIDING THAT DATA AND WHETHER IT'S ACCURATE OR NOT.
SO THERE WERE SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT DEVELOPING PROBABLY IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO SEE HOW WE DO THAT SURVEY TO OUR RESONANCE.
ACTUALLY PICKING RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY TO SAY, "WHAT DO YOU HAVE ARE HE SAYS, I WERE YOUR SPEEDS, THAT KIND OF THING. " TO REALLY CREATE OUR OWN MAP OF WHAT'S AVAILABLE IN THE TOWNSHIP.
IN MY MIND, I GUESS IT IS A SEPARATE DOCUMENT, SEPARATE TIMELINE THAN THE SURVEY THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.
BUT I'M JUST ONE OF A COMMITTEE.
>>JUST ONE. CONCLUDING THOUGHT ON THAT BECAUSE THAT ESPECIALLY KNOWING WHAT KIND OF SPEED PEOPLE HAVE WOULD BE REALLY IMPORTANT WHEN YOU LOOK AT COMCAST.
CLERK GUTHRIE'S POINT IS IN THERE BECAUSE THEY OFFER AT LEAST FIVE OR SIX DIFFERENT SPEEDS ON THE RESIDENTIAL SETTING AND THAT HAS A HUGE IMPACT ON WHAT THEY'RE PAYING.
I GUESS MY THOUGHT WOULD BE BECAUSE IF I TAKE SUPERVISOR STYKA IS POINT BECAUSE IF WE'RE SURVEYING, WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY THAT SURVEY WON'T NECESSARILY PRODUCE THE LOW OF AVERAGES ACROSS THE TOWNSHIP IN TERMS OF LEVEL OF SERVICE, MAYBE COMCAST AND AT&T WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE SOME AMOUNT OF SOME LEVEL OF DATA TO US.
I DON'T KNOW, IF IT'S AN AGGREGATE AND IT'S NOT HOUSEHOLD SPECIFIC, THEY MIGHT BE WILLING TO GIVE IT TO US.
SO THAT'S ONE THOUGHT [OVERLAPPING] JUST FINISHING UP MY THOUGHTS.
I'M PRETTY SURE THERE'S ONE SATELLITE PROVIDER FOR BROADBAND AND THEN THERE'S AT&T AND LIKE COMCAST.
I HAVE THE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS CONTACTS THAT WE NEED ON MAKING SURE THEIR MATERIAL.
>>THANKS. MR. DESCHAINE YOU'RE NEXT.
>>THANK YOU. I THINK WE'RE TRYING TO BITE OFF A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH FOR THIS DISCUSSION ITEM TONIGHT.
THE STAFF BROUGHT TO US THE QUESTION, DO WE WANT TO USE OUR OLD SURVEY INSTRUMENT OR DO YOU WANT TO DO WHAT? WE WANT TO DO A CUSTOM INSTRUMENT AND I THINK WE'VE ALL AGREED.
WE WANT TO DO A CUSTOM SURVEY.
MAYBE THEN WE CAN BRING TIME THE NEXT AGENDA AND HAVE A MANAGERIAL WASHINGTON STAFF BRING BACK TO US SOME TIMELINES AS TO WHEN WE CAN REASONABLY GET A FULL SURVEY BACK.
[01:35:02]
WHEN YOU CAN REASONABLY GET A SINGLE OR DOUBLE ISSUE SURVEY BACK.I THINK THAT WOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO GO IF WE WEREN'T JUST GUESSING NOW AND WE CAN'T REALLY PUT STAFF ON THAT.
THEY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THAT WE WERE GOING TO APPROVE THIS TONIGHT.
SO WE'VE TOLD THEM WE WANT TO MOVE FORWARD THIS.
LET'S GIVE THEM AT LEAST A WEEK TO OUR NEXT MEETING OR MEETING AGAIN IN A WEEK TO GIVE US SOME MORE ESTIMATES.
ACCORDING FROM DR. CARR, WHEN WE CAN EXPECT TO GET THE SURVEY RESULTS DEPENDING ON HOW WE DO IT ALL AT ONCE, OR DO A SINGLE PEEL OFF A SINGLE ISSUE OR TWO.
>>ANY OTHER COMMENT ON THIS, ANYWHERE WE HAVE A CONSENSUS IN TERMS OF HOW WE'RE NOT GOING TO USE THE OLD SURVEY COMPANY? WE'RE GOING TO DO A OUR OWN SURVEY.
WE'RE GOING TO FOCUS IN ON HOW REISSUES GENERAL.
WE'RE GOING TO USE THE HELP OF A CONSULTANT OR AN EXPERT ALONG THE WAY TO MAKE SURE NOT BIAS TO TERMS OF OUR QUESTIONS AND THEN HELP US PERHAPS WITH ANALYZING AT THE END TOO.
ANYTHING ELSE? HOWEVER, IT'S HER FRONT OF US FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION NEXT TIME I GUESS, ASK FOR INPUT FROM THE STAFF FROM THE DIRECTION THAT WE JUST GAVE THEM TODAY.
>> THEN WE ARE DONE WITH THE AGENDA READY TO GO ON TO COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC.
>> AGAIN, WE CAN TAKE TELEPHONE COMMENTS VIA 5173491232 OR RAISING YOUR HAND IN THE ATTENDEE AREA.
I SEE THAT WE HAVE THE ZHENG FAMILY WITH A HAND RAISED ALREADY.
WE'VE ENABLED YOU TO SPEAK, PLEASE REMEMBER TO UNMUTE YOURSELF, STATE YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS FOR THE PUBLIC RECORD PLEASE.
>> REMEMBER YOU ARE LIMITED TO THREE MINUTES, SO WE EXPECT YOU TO ADDRESS THE BOARD AS A WHOLE NOT INDIVIDUALS AND TO BE DECOROUS WITH YOUR COMMENTS.
WHAT'S YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS PLEASE?
>> IT APPEARS THAT WE ARE STILL MUTED REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO UNMUTE YOURSELF IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK.
>> [OVERLAPPING] THANK YOU FOR THE REMINDER.
[NOISE] WELL EMMA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR GUY'S SERVICES. MY NAME IS JACK.
[14. COMMENTS FROM THE PUBLIC]
I LIVE AT 4719 PARO ALCHEMISTS.REGARDING THE POWER SPECIAL ASSESSMENT, I JUST HAVE ONE COMMENT HERE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF DEVELOPMENTS IN THESE AREAS HERE.
INCLUDING LA FONTAINE, HORDEOLUM.
THEN ONE THING I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU HERE IS THAT AFTER ALL THESE DEVELOPMENTS AND THAT THE ENVIRONMENTS THAT TOTALLY CHANGE.
BECAUSE OUR HOUSE IS RIGHT BEHIND THE LA FONTAINE THE CAR DEALERSHIP IS.
ALL THE WET LAND ARE BEHIND THERE.
THEN ALSO SAME THING ON THE PIRO IS THAT SHE IS THAT THEY CUT DOWN HERE.
THEY DO NOT BLEND THE TRUTH TO THE BACK YEARS.
EVEN THE TRUTH INSIDE OUR PROPERTIES.
FOR THAT REASON HERE, I THINK ONE THING IS THAT I WANT TO MENTION IS HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT WE PRODUCE THOSE DEVELOPMENT CAN REALLY PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT BY OUR HOUSE AND ALSO FOR OUR COMMUNITY IS, IS THERE ANY BENEFIT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION IN THE FUTURE HERE.
THEN I ALSO WANT TO SAY HERE IS THE FRONTAL RIGHT NOW, DO NOT FEEL THAT DEALERSHIP.
ORDERED SHOES ARE CUT DOWN NOW.
WHAT DO WE DO FOR THOSE PROPERTY HERE? THEN THERE ARE LOTS OF PROMISE FROM THEM.
BUT TODAY'S ALL THOSE PROMISE ARE GONE, AS I WAS TOLD THEY WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ANYMORE.
THAT'S MY COMMENTS FOR THE TERMS FOR THE BOARD MEMBERS.
THEN ONE THING REGARDING THE SPECIAL ASSESSMENT IS, I'M AGAINST THAT ASSESSMENT.
BECAUSE ODDEST THINGS THEY DO IS THEY JUST TRY TO BUILD A NEW HOUSE, DUTY OUT BUSINESS AT THE SAME TIME, THEY DO NOT PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH I FEEL IT IS NOT GOOD, BUT A COMMUNITY, NOT GOOD FOR OUR TOWNSHIP.
THAT'S MY COMMENTS. THANK YOU GUYS.
>> WE HAVE NO OTHER COMMENTS AND NO OTHER HANDS RAISED AT THIS TIME, SIR.
>> NOW WE COME TO OTHER COMMENTS THAT THE BOARD.
IT'S BEEN COMMUNICATED TO ME THAT THE PLANNING COMMISSION WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A JOINT MEETING WITH THIS BOARD.
IT'S SOMETHING WE'VE TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF TIMES.
THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT A NUMBER OF TIMES.
[01:40:02]
AT A MEETING OF YESTERDAY, I GUESS THEY ESTIMATE THAT THEY REALLY WANT TO GET TOGETHER WITH US SOON.ONE THOUGHT THAT I HAD, IS THAT OUR NEXT MEETING, WE COULD AT LEAST PUT ASIDE AN HOUR AND A HALF TO THAT JOINT MEETING BEFORE WE GET INTO OTHER AGENDA ITEMS. [NOISE] ANY FEEDBACK FOR THAT FROM OTHER BOARD MEMBERS? TREASURE?
>> I LIKE THAT IDEA. WE DID THAT ONCE BEFORE AND IT WAS VERY PRODUCTIVE.
PLANNING COMMISSION IS A REALLY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR ZONING PROCESS HERE IN MERIDIAN, AND I WOULD WELCOME THAT MEETING.
[15. OTHER MATTERS AND BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS]
WE RELY ON THEM VERY MUCH AS A CONTRACT WORK TO TALK ABOUT.I WOULD WELCOME IT IF WE HAVE THIS SPACE IN THE NEXT MEETING.
WE CAN DO IT THEN OR WE CAN SET IT OFF, MAYBE MOVE IT OUT OF MONTHS.
WE ALL HAVE SOME TIME TO PREPARE FOR THAT MEETING, BUT I LIKE THE IDEA.
>> WOULD YOU READ IT THAT TRADITION MISS JACKSON.
THAT'S PART OF THAT CONSIDERATION HERE.
WE'LL DO IT NEXT TIME OR TWO WHERE MAYBE A COUPLE OF MEETINGS. MS. JACKSON.
>> I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S A SPECIFIC PURPOSE FOR THIS MEETING OR A SPECIFIC TOPIC THAT THEY WANT TO COVER WITH THE BOARD.
>> IT IS MENTIONED THAT THEY WANTED TO DISCUSS OR HEAR FROM US ABOUT DON'T USE MARIJUANA BEFORE THEY START GETTING INTO IT AS WELL.
OTHER HANDS [NOISE]. MR.OPSOMMER?
>> THEY HAD ASKED US I BELIEVE IN DECEMBER OR NOVEMBER FOR A MEETING ON A FOREIGN-BASED CODE.
>> THAT IS TRUE. THEY DID. ANYONE ELSE? THERE'S GUTHRIE.
>> I CONCUR WITH I DON'T REMEMBER NOW IF IT WAS TREASURE OR JUST [LAUGHTER] [BACKGROUND] ABOUT ENOUGH TIME TO INFORM THE PUBLIC AND PREPARE AND LET THEM KNOW ABOUT THE MEETING SO THAT THEY CAN ATTEND IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO.
>> I CAN CONSULT WITH THE CHAIR AS WELL AND SEE WHAT, WERE THERE WAS REALLY A BIG RUSH OR WHETHER WE CAN WAIT A MEETING OR SO.
NOBODY IS ADVERSE TO HAVING A JOINT MEETING THAT'S FOR SURE. MR. OPSOMMER.
>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT JUST BEING ON OUR MARCH 2ND MEETING.
>> YEAH. THAT WAS THAT WAS THE THIRD.
>> WHAT IT PROCEED, WOULD IT BE A 6PM STARTER?
>> BUT WE WOULD HAVE OUR TRADITIONAL AGENDA LIKE USUAL.
>> THE PUBLIC IS ALREADY INFORMED, BECAUSE IT'S THE FIRST TWO STABLE.
>> NOW, I'LL FIGURE THAT OUT. I'LL BE HEARING FROM US SHORTLY, I GUESS.
ANY OTHER COMMENTS FROM BOARD MEMBERS? YES, GUTHRIE.
>> THANK YOU. JUST AN ANNOUNCEMENT FOR HOME TV, THURSDAY FEBRUARY 25TH FROM 6 TO 8, THEY HAVE THEIR VIRTUAL INTERN APPRECIATION AND GOLDEN TABLE AWARDS THAT ARE HAPPENING.
IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT. THEY TYPICALLY DO THIS IN PERSON AND THEY DO IT AT STUDIO SCENE.
IT'S A BIG RED CARPET EVENT FOR FURTHER INTRONS AND ALL THE TIME THAT THEY'VE PUT INTO PUTTING TOGETHER STORIES AND SO.
I'LL LET THE PUBLIC KNOW AND REMIND THE BOARD THAT THAT IS HAPPENING THIS THURSDAY IF THEY WISH TO SUPPORT HOME TV AND ALL OF THEIR EFFORTS THAT THEY DO FOR PROGRAMMING AND STORIES AND WHAT THEY PROVIDE FOR THE TOWNSHIP.
>> YOU SAID IT WAS THURSDAY AT 6?
>> THURSDAY FROM 6 TO 8. CORRECT.
>> IS THAT SOMETHING WHERE WE'VE ANNOUNCED TO USE ZOOM IN OR HOW YOU PARTICIPATE?
>> IT IS THEIR WEBSITE AND THEY HAVE SET INFORMATION OUT.
I DON'T KNOW, MAYBE MANAGER WHILST CLIP, BOARD ALONG AGAIN JUST IN CASE ANYONE NEEDS THAT. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. OTHER FINAL COMMENTS, MR. OPSOMMER.
>> I JUST HAD A QUICK QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR KIESEL BACK AS IT RELATES TO THE CONSTITUENT WHO SPOKE DURING PUBLIC COMMENT THERE AT THE END AND JUST THE OTHER DISCUSSION.
MARK, WHEN DID OR WHEN DOES THE SPECIAL USE PERMIT FOR LA FONTAINE'S PLAYER?
I BELIEVE IT'S SOMETIME THIS YEAR BECAUSE IT WAS APPROVED IN 2019.
IT'S A TWO-YEAR APPROVAL, IF I REMEMBER RIGHT.
I THINK IT'S JULY, BUT I'LL VERIFY AND LET YOU KNOW.
>> THEN JUST TWO THOUGHTS FROM THE BOARD ON THAT.
ONE WITH THAT EXPIRING HERE PRETTY SHORTLY,
[01:45:01]
THE ZONING THE AUTO DEALERSHIP.THE AUTO ZONING AMENDMENT WOULD REQUIRE THEM TO COME BACK BEFORE THE BOARD THE WAY THAT WE HAD REFERRED IT TO THE PLANNING COMMISSION.
THEN JUST ONE OTHER THOUGHT WITH THE RIGHT-OF-WAY DISCUSSIONS THAT DEPUTY MANAGER PERIODS HAVING AS IT RELATES TO DTN.
WE COULD LOOK AT USING SOME OF OUR TREE PLANNING FUNDING IN THE FUTURE, AT LEAST IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY ON THAT SITE.
LEAVING THE LA FONTAINE'S SITE TO START REFORESTING, AT LEAST ALONG THE EDGE TO BRING THE SIGHT LINE BACK AT LEAST.
I MEAN IT'S GOING TO TAKE DECADES FOR THE TREES TO MATURE.
BUT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD USE OF OUR TREE FUND, WHICH WE STARTED TWO YEARS AGO AND WAS TREASURE TO SHANE'S IDEA, JUST SOMETHING THAT OCCURRED TO ME LAST NIGHT WHEN I WAS SPEAKING BEFORE THE PLANNING COMMISSION AND THOUGHT ABOUT AGAIN DURING ALL THIS DISCUSSION. THANK YOU.
>> ANYONE ELSE? ANY COMMENTS? MANAGER RUSSIA, IS THAT YOU?
>> YES. ACTUALLY, TRUSTEE OPSOMMER, THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
THE PEOPLE WHO SHOULD BE REPLANTING THE TREES IS THE PERSON WHO CALL EARLIER TONIGHT.
>> THEN WE NEED A MOTION TO ADJOURN.
>> MOVED BY THE [INAUDIBLE] , SECONDED BY TRUSTEE WISINSKI.
ANY OBJECTION? [OVERLAPPING] [MUSIC]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.