Minutes, 4th Quarter 2022-2023

PLATTE TOWNSHIP

BENZIE COUNTY

11935 FOWLER ROAD

HONOR, MICHIGAN 49640

PLATTE TOWNSHIP QUARTERLY METING

April 4, 2023 6 P.M.

2022-2023

4th quarter Jan Feb March

The meeting was called to order by Supervisor Solem at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

BOARD PRESENT: Supervisor Solem, Trustee Bollenberg, Treasurer Gottschalk, Trustee Haswell and Clerk Michalak

PUBLIC PRESENT: 9 residents Jim Duntley, Matt Wieber, Paula Figura, Tom Mountz, Heather Hollick, Linda Gottschalk, Mike Burgard, Lisa Pyne, Ron Gottschalk; County Commissioner- Art Jeannot

MINUTES

A MOTION by Gottschalk, support by Haswell to accept minutes from 3rd quarter; motion carried all ayes.

PUBLIC INPUT

none

COMMISSIONER REPORT

Commissioner Jeannot reports on the activities at the county level, including the new communication tower to be erected this year on land donated by the City of Frankfort. The County is using ARPA funds to assist with funding upgrading Henry Street in Benzonia Township. The Report is available here at the hall.

COMMUNICATIONS-

1. Letter received from Betsy Coffia introducing herself as the State Representitive for the 103^rd district and is available to the Board and Platte residents.
2. Letter from Jon Bumstead State Senator for the 32^nd district introduced himself and gave contact information. Website and contact information available at the hall.
3. Wild Things Farm- Supervisor reports that correspondence received indicates they are not pursuing an event venue but remains interested in campgrounds
4. Bike Benzie will have their annual ride on June 3, 2023. The Hall restrooms will be available for the riders.
5. Lake and Homestead Township notified the Township of updating their master plans.

REPORTS-

1. Well and Septic- 1 well and septic 4207 Ely.
2. Property Transfer- Dymond Road 120 acres- $525,000
3. Fire report- none
4. WBJPC– Trustee Bollenberg recapped the West Benzie Joint Planning meetings in February and March. He reviewed the status of the Sunkissed Hills development and outlined the conditions of the Special Land Use Permit. He states the commission will be looking at land use language within the zoning districts including solar and other currently allowed uses.

5.Road Commission

Supervisor reports that the Valley Road Project is on the big list but the focus on improvements this year is the southern end of the County. The Brine price is $5700.00 for the 1^st brine. Supervisor will see if we can use the County Road Commission match money for the 2^nd Brine.

5. Clerk stated 21 residents attended the annual meeting on March 18, 2023.

OLD BUSINESS-

1. Supervisor opened the bid from Mark Bradley for the Parking Lot Improvement-Bid is $14,000. Supervisor opened the second bid from North Country Contracting-Bid amount $13,175- A MOTION by Haswell, Support by Michalak to hire Mark Bradley as the contractor to complete the Parking Lot, Motion carried: Solem-aye, Gottschalk-aye, Michalak-aye, Bollenberg-nay, Haswell-aye; 4-1 motion carried.
2. Supervisor opened the only Bid received from Al Rose to do lawn maintenance for the Hall and Cemetery. Bid amount 8600.00 for two years 2022 and 2023. A Motion by Gottschalk Support by Michalak to hire Lakes of the North Property Management; Motion carried, all ayes
3. Supervisor read the letter of interest from Jessie Gieger to replace Jill Brown as the Township’s Assessor. A MOTION by Haswell, SUPPORT by Solem to contract with Jessie Gieger for assessing services for 2023 and 2024; MOTION carried, all ayes, voice vote.

NEW BUSINESS

1. Supervisor read the grant program that is available to reduce energy costs at the hall. Supervisor will contract the grant writer for assistance
2. Supervisor asked the board to consider reviewing the Special Land use permits that addresses campgrounds. The Board agreed to request the West Benzie Joint Planning commission review the language of Campgrounds noting air quality, noise, sanitation, smoke as deterring issues. Haswell asked the board to consider changes to our RP zoning districts. Limited revenues for the Township indicate that smaller RP districts are warranted.

Public Input

Heather Hollick asks what are the township priorities that we tell our state representatives.

Matt Wieber states that incentives are needed to maintain the rural character.

BOARD ROUNDTABLE- Treasurer stated the cemetery map is updated and available at the hall for review.

CLERK’S OPERATING STATEMENT

A motion by Haswell, support by Bollenberg to accept the clerk’s operating statement as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.

TREASURER’S OPERATING STATEMENT

A motion by Bollenberg, support by Bollenberg to accept the Treasurer’s operating statement as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.

APPROVAL OF BILLS

A motion by Haswell, support by Solem to approve the bills for the 4th quarter as presented. Voice vote, motion carried, all ayes.

Motion to adjourn by Trustee Haswell, support by Gottschalk

All ayes, motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 8:00 pm

*Respectfully submitted by:

Alison Michalak, clerk