The Sullivan Township Board of Trustees met Monday, December 9, 2024, and was called to order by Supervisor Glavich. Glavich led in the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT: Courtney Glavich, Supervisor; Heather Brown, Clerk; Brooke VanHouten, Treasurer; Angela Himber, Trustee, Michael Hazekamp, Trustee

 

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Tom Anton, Planning Commission Chair; Sawyer Rozgowski, Slot Law Group, Township Attorney; (7) residents.

 

SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF AGENDA

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the agenda of today as presented. Hazekamp supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

 

SUBJECT: APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS MINUTES

• Motion by VanHouten to amend the minutes of November 6, 2024, under old business, first item, last sentence to be changed from “the board will be moving forward the educational option” to “the board did not move on this item.” Hazekamp supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

 

SUBJECT: TREASURER’S REPORTS

• VanHouten presented the bills from November.
• VanHouten presented the tax report. Winter Tax bills went out November 30. All bills are due February 14, 2025. Can be paid online, in office -Monday, Thursday 9-5, Tuesday 10-6, secure drop box at the township office door, or by mail. There are several drain assessments, please contact the water resources commissioner at 231 724-6219.
• VanHouten gave the investment report. Investments total $1,012,222.80.

 

SUBJECT: PUBLIC COMMENT

• None stated at this time.

 

SUBJECT: BUILDING REPORT

• Van Houten gave the building report. 4 building permits, 2 electrical permits. Total permit costs, $5,035.00, with 10% payable to the township for a total of $503.50. 6 building inspections, 4 electrical inspections, 5 mechanical inspections, 2 plumbing inspections.

 

SUBJECT: PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT

• Report was skipped until 6:15, after returning from Closed Session. Tom Anton gave the Planning Commission report. The planning commission recommends to the board for final approval.

 

SUBJECT: ZONING ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT – ALEXIS GULKER

• VanHouten read the prepared report: 1 land division, 6 zoning permits, waiting for more information on two.

 

SUBJECT: CLOSED SESSION

• Motion by VanHouten to go into closed session at 5:44 p.m. pursuant to MCL 15.268 (e) to consult with the Township Attorney regarding trial or settlement strategy in connection with 14^th Circuit Court Case No. 23-3721-CZ as an open meeting would have a detrimental financial effect on the position of the Township. Himber supported the motion, and the motion carried as shown by the following roll call votes: Ayes: Hazekamp, Himber, VanHouten, Brown, Glavich (5)
• Motion by VanHouten to come out of closed session at 6:14 p.m. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)
• Motion by VanHouten to approve the recommendation of the attorney. Himber supported the motion, and it passed as shown by the following roll call votes: Ayes: Hazekamp, Himber, VanHouten, Brown, Glavich (5)

 

OLD BUSINESS

SUBJECT: SOLAR POWER SYSTEMS ORDINANCE

• Motion by VanHouten to put in place a moratorium for two months on Solar Power Systems while we look into our ordinance. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: ACESSORY BUILDING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the Zoning Text Amendment Ordinance No. 2024-12-9 Himber supported the motion, and it passed as shown by the following roll call votes: Ayes: Hazekamp, Himber, VanHouten, Brown, Glavich (5)

SUBJECT: ACCOUNTING TRAINING AND SERVICES

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the amount not to exceed $3,000 a month for 3 months for accounting training and services from our Auditor. Hazekamp supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

 

NEW BUSINESS

SUBJECT: BS&A ON-SITE TRAINING

• Motion by Hazekamp to table until we know what the auditor is going to cover. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: BOARD MEETING DATES

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the presented Board Meeting Dates of the second Tuesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT:  PLANNING COMMISSION DATES

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the recommended Planning Commission Meeting Dates received from the Planning Commission of the first Monday of the month, except in September, will be moved to first Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: HOLIDAYS 2025

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the 2025 Holidays, same as Muskegon County. Hazekamp supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: OFFICE HOURS

• Motion by VanHouten to table changing office hours for now until we know better what the constituency requires. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: PAYROLL TIMEFRAME

• Motion by Hazekamp to keep the payroll timeframe the same. Motion died, lack of support. Motion by Himber to table until we have more information. VanHouten supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: SECTION 218

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the resolution to rescind participation in Section 218 and to have social security taken out of elected officials’ paychecks. Himber supported the motion, and it passed as shown by the following roll call votes: Ayes: Himber, Hazekamp, VanHouten, Brown, Glavich (5)

SUBJECT: MEDICAL MUTUAL

• Motion by Himber to cancel life insurance coverage from Medical Mutual. VanHouten supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: SENIOR MILAGE

• Motion by VanHouten to approve the Senior Millage Plan to include, food, prescription donut hole, propane, medical bills, back taxes for poverty exempt eligible seniors; also, a holiday meal, food/gas gift cards, foot care, medical transportation, food pantry. Hazekamp supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (4) Himber abstained – conflict of interest.

SUBJECT: OFFICE COMPUTERS/OFFICE REMODEL

• Motion by VanHouten to accept and approve the quote from Aeros for 2 desktop computers, 2 monitors in the amount not to exceed $3,837.98. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: BOARD OF REVIEW APPOINTMENTS

• Motion by VanHouten to appoint Tom Jasick, Butch Michelli, Dale Ferguson and Courtney Glavich-(as non-voting secretary) terms ending 12/31/2027 to the Board of Review. Himber supported the motion, and it passed as shown by the following roll call votes: Ayes: Himber, Hazekamp, VanHouten, Brown, Glavich (5)

SUBJECT: PLANNING COMMISSION MEMBER APPOINTMENTS

• Motion by Glavich to have Himber be the board representative on the planning commission. VanHouten supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5) Motion by VanHouten to appoint to the Planning Commission appoint Butch Michelli, Jim Kotecki and leave a seat vacant for now, terms ending 12/31/2027. Himber supported the motion, and it passed as shown by the following roll call votes: Ayes: Himber, Hazekamp, VanHouten, Brown, Glavich (5)

SUBJECT: ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS MEMBER APPOINTMENTS

• Motion by VanHouten to table the Zoning Board of Appeals appointments until more information is received. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

SUBJECT: TOWNSHIP CELL PHONES

• Motion by VanHouten to table the policy for township cell phones until more information is received. Himber supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

PUBLIC COMMENT

• Carol Sellon expressed confusion from Dallas on the Knudsen drain. They were told it was done however residents didn’t see any progress

 

BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

• Glavich mentioned there might be some special meetings coming soon as we work towards some policy making, etc.
• VanHouten thanked the residents for their patience and grace during this transition time, while we all learn our roles.
• Himber brought up social media and there needs to be a policy put into place.

 

ADJOURN

• Motion by VanHouten to adjourn at 7:39 p.m. Hazekamp supported the motion and the motion carried by the following votes: Ayes: (5)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Heather Brown

Sullivan Township Clerk