County Chapter Update

County Chapter Update - Summer 2009

Allegan	June 15, 2009	MTA Legislative Team Leader David Bertram attended and provided a legislative update.

Alpena	April 20, 2009	MTA District 7 Director Ken Gauthier gave an update on the NATaT Conference in Washington, D.C., and announced that Michigan will be the featured state this year. Mike Bruce with the Boy Scouts of America reported on the Boy Scouts Cadet/Career Exploring programs that offer career guidance to students. He is hopeful this program will help perpetuate youth involvement in township fire departments. The County Road Commission, Board of Commissioners and 911 Committee representatives offered information on their respective departments.

Antrim	February 24, 2009	Charlevoix County MSU Extension Director Dean Solomon gave a presentation on Wind Energy and phragmites, an invasive shoreline plant. Executive Director of the Antrim Conservation District Christy Roman spoke about grant money available to help defray costs of a Hazardous Waste Collection project.

	April 30, 2009	Sen. Jason Allen (R-Traverse City) provided an update on the financial health of the State and a legislative update. Also discussed an ATV ordinance. MTA District 6 Director Bill Gadwau announced that Michigan is the featured state at the 2009 NATaT Annual Conference being held in Washington, D.C., September 8-11.

	June 23, 2009	MTA District 6 Director Bill Gadwau gave an update on MTA activities, and a reminder of the NATaT Conference in September. Officers were elected: Terry Smith, president; Bill White, 1^st vice president; Jim Gurr, 2^nd vice president; Sue Mahan, secretary; and, Donna Heeres, treasurer. A presentation on a county-wide ORV ordinance was provided by Antrim County Sheriff Dan Bean. He also discussed his plans for marine enforcement. Additional discussions included the new county-wide recycling program, a phragmites ordinance to fight the invasive shoreline plant, and a new manufacturing facility in Mancelona Township.

Bay	April 15, 2009	Rep. Jeff Mayes (D-Bay City) attended. MTA District 13 Director Tom Paige thanked the group for their support of his run as district director. The NATaT Conference was announced; the chapter will contribute funds to help send two representatives from the Chapter to the conference. The Roads Committee and MATS gave updates on their respective areas.

Cheboygan	January 22, 2009	MTA District 5 Director Charlie Veneros reminded the attendees of the 2009 MTA Annual Educational Conference and MTA Member Information Liaison Evelyn David’s retirement. Cheboygan County Development Director Steve Schnell provided information on an upcoming workshop, “Preparing for Funding Opportunities.” Construction Code Manager Kevin Flory briefed attendees on the new code cycle and new energy codes. An ORV ordinance was also discussed.

	February 26, 2009	MTA District 5 Director Charlie Veneros provided an update on the Annual Educational Conference and felt it was very informative. MTA Member Information Liaison Jim Beelen gave a presentation on delinquent personal property taxes. Sheriff Dale Clarmont returned from Iraq and thanked everybody for their support while he was gone. He provided an update on grants that have been applied for and a prescription drug incineration program. County Treasurer Linda Cronan discussed the foreclosure process.

	March 26, 2009	MTA District 5 Director Charlie Veneros reminded the group of the “MTA On The Road” meetings (formerly district meetings) and provided a handout entitled Focus on Economic Revitalization. Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox attended and fielded questions. Road Commissioner Ken Paquet provided information on road stimulus funding.

	April 30, 2009	MTA District 5 Director Charlie Veneros reported on activities of MTA and asked members to complete an email sign-up sheet for future correspondence. MDEQ Dam Safety Engineer Jim Pawloski discussed private dams and dam safety. He also reported on the new FEMA flood mapping. Township consolidation was also discussed.

	May 28, 2009	MTA District 5 Director Charlie Veneros discussed voluntary consolidation of township services, townships performing their own planning and zoning, revenue sharing cuts and the position of the MTA Board of Directors on a Constitutional Convention. Director Mary Talaske discussed the operations and history of the Humane Society and Animal Control. County Road Commissioner Ken Paquet provided an update on the state of the county.

Clare	April 20, 2009	Sheriff Jeffery Goyt gave an update on department operations. County Clerk Pam Mayfield discussed compliance with the Polling Place Accessibility Act. Prosecuting Attorney Michelle Ambrozaitis spoke on gun permit procedures. The county ORV ordinance was discussed. County Commissioner Karen Lipovsky discussed the budget and announced a new House Addressing ordinance. County Administrator Bill Newkirk discussed the budget and the elimination of non-mandated services, including animal control, solid waste and the MSU Extension. Planning Commissioner Rich Castle gave an update on the county’s master plan.

Clinton	April 15, 2009	Rep. Paul Opsommer (R-Dewitt) gave an update on the state budget challenges, and emerging job development in the areas of bio-technology, wind and alternative energy. He also explained provisions of the Homestead Property Tax Credit bill that impacts local government and suggest that MTA become involved. MTA District 20 Director Linda Towsley provided a recap on the 2009 Annual Educational Conference and informed the group that Michigan will be the featured state at NATaT’s Annual Town Meeting, held in Washington, D.C., Sept. 8-11. Clinton Transit General Manager Rose May Mason and Assistant General Manager Dawn Benson gave a presentation on Clinton Transit service and proposed operating millage renewal. Activities and updates of their respective departments were provided by Clinton County central dispatch, road commission, drain commission, economic alliance, greenspace commission, community development and the board of commissioners.

Delta	February 26, 2009	Guest speaker Michigan State Police Lt. Jeff Racine gave a presentation on drug enforcement in the Upper Peninsula.

	March 26, 2009	Items discussed included SJR H, a resolution to limit the increase in taxable value of real property under certain circumstances, economic development in the county, public safety millage renewal and creating a web site for Delta County townships.

	April 23, 2009	County Commissioner Tom Elegeert discussed the County Airport, concealed weapons permits and the fairgrounds. County Commissioner David Schultz discussed soil conservation and County Commissioner David Rivard discussed the Brownfield Development Authority. Tim Callahan, representing county building and zoning, discussed building and building permits in the county.

	July 23, 2009	The Chapter held its 26^th Annual Picnic at the Escanaba Township Pavilion.

Gladwin	April 27, 2009	MTA Member Information Liaison Jim Beelen gave a presentation on summer tax collection procedures.

Hillsdale	September 2, 2009	MTA Legislative Team Leader David Bertram gave a legislative and State budget update and spoke about Proposal 1 (2010 Constitutional Convention).

Ingham	April 22, 2009	MTA District 20 Director Linda Towsley reported on the state’s budget issues. She also reminded the group of the MTA Legislative Conference and the NATaT Conference, held in Washington, D.C., where MTA is the featured state this year. Additional discussion included the lack of funding for road patrol in the county and the intergovernmental cooperation among the townships on efforts to retain road patrol. The chapter elected its officers to a two-year term: Dallas Henney, president; Mickey Martin, vice-president; Sherry Feazel, secretary; and Terry Sommer and Doug Shaw as members-at-large.

	July 29, 2009	MTA District 20 Director Linda Towsley reported on the MTA Legislative Conference and NATaT’s America’s Town Meeting being held in Washington, D.C., September 8-11. The general discussion was on the proposed elimination of county road patrol for townships and the county budget.

Iosco	January 15, 2009	The new road commission manager, Bruce Bolen, and newly elected township officials were introduced. Discussions included an update on ORVs, county programs and a new recycling program. A strategic meeting was scheduled to discuss future chapter activities.

	April 16, 2009	MTA District 10 Director Diane Randall reminded chapter members of the “MTA On The Road” series (formerly district meetings), being held in Alpena and Midland. The equalization process, declining property assessments and increasing taxable values, and the 14-point review were discussed. A proposal to request that school elections be moved to August and November to help save money was considered. Roundtable discussions were held.

	July 16, 2009	81^st District Court Chief Judge Allen Yenior gave a presentation on civil infraction ordinances. Blight and ORV ordinances were also discussed.

Kalamazoo	May 20, 2009	MTA District 19 Director Jeff Sorensen pointed out the value of education despite the tough economic times townships are experiencing. He reminded the group of the MTA Summer Legislative Forum in Frankenmuth and that Michigan is the Featured State at NATaT this year. He also urged support for MTA-PAC. MTA Legislative Team Leader David Bertram reported on the Consumers Energy rate case and the impact on revenue sharing. MTA Life Member Pat White reported on continued talks with the City of Kalamazoo pertaining to water contracts. MTA Life Member Don Thall gave a report on this year’s elections; and, Kalamazoo Charter Township Treasurer George Cochran reported that the treasurers are working on getting BS&A software up and running, and issues with tax collecting regarding a recent county transportation millage.

	August 26, 2009	Rep. Robert Jones (D-Kalamazoo) and Rep. James Bolger (R-Marshall) attended. MTA Executive Director Larry Merrill spoke on potential state revenue sharing cuts and the MTA legal opinion on assessor classifications. Supervisor, clerk and treasurer reports were provided by the respective groups.

Kent	February 26, 2009	MTA District 15 Director Jim Stover encouraged members to introduce themselves to and work closely with their state legislators, announced the 2009 Annual Educational Conference was a success and reported on the MTA Board of Directors meeting schedule. Chapter President Joel Hondorp announced the new MTA social networking site for township officials, Community Connection, and encouraged participation. County Administrator Daryl Delabbio spoke about economic trends and cuts to state revenue sharing. County Commission Chair Roger Morgan discussed mandated and discretionary services provided by the county. County Road Commission Managing Director Jon Rice discussed federal stimulus dollars and a shortfall in the budget due to severe winter weather two years in a row. County Drain Commissioner William Byl discussed matching funds of up to $15,000 to help townships create stormwater master plans.

	May 28, 2009	MTA District 15 Director Jim Stover reported that speakers for the 2010 Annual Educational Conference have been selected. MTA Past President Don Hilton reminded guests of the MTA Summer Legislative Conference and added that donations for the NATaT Conference, where Michigan is the featured state, are needed. MTA Legislative Team Leader David Bertram discussed revenue sharing losses and reported on what the state plans to do to reduce its budget deficit. He also talked about the definition of “law enforcement” and build-out issues and problems arising from developers abandoning projects. Chapter officers re-elected to a two-year term were Joel Hondorp, president; Ed Robinette, vice-president; Laura Hoffman, treasurer; and Judy Bigney, secretary. The road commission report included projects starting in August that are funded by stimulus funding. County Drain Commissioner William Byl reported on activities in his office.

Lapeer	April 21, 2009	MTA Member Information Liaison Jim Beelen gave a presentation on conducting board meetings, the Open Meetings Act and compensation of elected officials.

Manistee	March 25, 2009	Discussion included training for planning officials, hazardous waste collection, a zoning administrator certification program, a resolution pertaining to issues related to deputizing casino/tribal police, transfer station operations, and a recycling fee on the tax bill for all homestead properties (not vacant or commercial properties).

	April 22, 2009	MSU Extension Director Elaine Bush talked about the “end of driveway garden operations” legislation. Dendra Best, with the League of Women Voters, discussed the Freedom of Information Act and Open Meetings Act. County Commissioner Ken Hilliard gave an update on an ATV/ORV ordinance.

	May 27, 2009	MTA Legislative Liaison Tom Frazier gave a legislative update and spoke on the shortfall in the state budget over the next three years. County Commission Chairperson Allen O’Shea spoke on the county budget process and urged local support of the Energy Fair. County Treasurer Russ Pomeroy discussed the new BS&A tax collection software for township treasurers. Sheriff Dale Kowalkowski provided an update on his department and the lack of manpower. He also urged those in attendance to contact him with any concerns they may have.

	June 24, 2009	The chapter held its annual dinner meeting. Discussion included allowing a fee on the tax bill for recycling, the results of a wind turbine study in Manistee County, and renewable energy and the Manistee County Energy Fair. The group also shared current events in their townships, including a recall petition that did not pass a clarity hearing, considering the ATV/ORV ordinance, fire department training, and a few townships are providing wi-fi service to their residents.

	July 22, 2009	Public Act 69 of 2005, an act that allows a county to work with some or all of their local units to establish a recycling, composting or household hazardous waste project, was explained. Other discussions included brining gravel and dirt roads during the dry season, and a Hazardous Waste Day was announced.

Montcalm	May 19, 2009	MTA Legislative Liaison Tom Frazier gave a legislative update.

Oakland	April 2, 2009	MTA Legislative Team Leader David Bertram provided a legislative update.

Ottawa	February 2, 2009	MTA Member Information Liaison Evelyn David gave a presentation on the Open Meetings Act.

Presque Isle	April 7, 2009	Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer (R – Custer Twp.) offered a legislative update and fielded questions on the state’s agriculture industry, road funding and pay and benefits of state legislators. MTA District 7 Director Ken Gauthier reported on several proposals regarding property taxes and other ideas to help the state’s budget crisis. He also provided information on the 2009 NATaT Conference in Washington, D.C., where Michigan will be the featured state. He encouraged the County Chapter to send at least one representative to the Conference. The County Treasurer, Register of Deeds, Assistant Prosecutor, Road Commission Supervisor, Commissioner and Sheriff updated the guests on their respective departments.

	July 7, 2009	The chapter held its annual picnic, hosted by Presque Isle Township, at the New Presque Isle Lighthouse. District 7 Director Ken Gauthier reported on the “MTA On The Road” series (formerly district meetings), the state budget and possible cuts to local government funding from revenue sharing, and PILT and Swamp Tax payments. The Register of Deeds, Prosecuting Attorney, Sheriff, Road Commission Supervisor and Drain Commissioner provided an update on recent activities of their respective departments. Also, the new DARE officer has been trained and is ready for the new school year.

Roscommon	April 28, 2009	MTA Member Information Director Catherine Mullhaupt gave a presentation on the Open Meetings Act and Freedom Of Information Act.

This page last updated on 10/5/2009.

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