PENTLAND TOWNSHIP BOARD

REGULAR MEETING

AGENDA

MAY 14, 2019

Call to Order and Roll Call

Changes to the Agenda

Brief Public Comment

Approval of Minutes

Approval of Bills

Treasurer’s Report

New business

• Request from the Michigan Townships Association

Old Business:

• Fire and Wastewater agreements with the Village

• Future Hall Bookings

• Liquor Inspection Reports

• Water and Sewer Update

• Open for Other Reports

• Communications

Extended Public Comment

Next Regular Meeting

Adjournment

Quarter 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019

1st 5,394.43 4,032.27 6,925.47 197.13 6,275.97 9,733.32 Nothing yet.

2nd 5,742.17 1,675.68 8,733.81 9,312.15 6,867.93 4,872.05

3rd 5,394.43 4,838.41 2,180.33 1,899.47 403.24 11,043.86

4th 13,899.92 10,566.60 35,126.85 12,866.68 18,941.26 25,736.50

Calendar Year Totals 30,430.95$ 21,112.96$ 52,966.46$ 24,275.43$ 32,488.40$ 51,385.73$ -$

Average 2013-2018 35,443.32$

Fiscal Year Totals 29,068.79$ 24,006.16$ 46,238.12$ 30,354.27$ 35,945.75$ incomplete incomplete

Average 2013-2017 33,122.62$

Notes:

In our current budget, we included this amount ($51K) to pay the 2018 fire bills, and about $47K for 2019 bills).

As of May 14, 2019 - no fire bill yet for 1st quarter 2019 (the quarter ended March 31).

Newberry Fire Department - billed to us by the Village each quarter

Last updated May 14, 2019

Amount Billed by the Village

Fiscal Year Total is a better fit for our township's budget: Q2 thru Q4, plus Q1 of following year.

PENTLAND TOWNSHIP

REGULAR MEETING

April 9, 2019

Page 1 of 3 April 9, 2019

Tonight’s meeting was held at the Pentland Township Hall: 15474 M-28, Newberry, MI 49868.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Supervisor Janet Maki.

Board members present: Treasurer Jean Foley, Trustee Martin Lehto, Supervisor Janet Maki,

Clerk Greg Rathje and Trustee Dawn Stephenson. Absent: none.

Also present: Utilities Superintendent Mike Richards, Deputy Clerk Caryn DeWyse, Luce

County Undersheriff Eric Gravelle, Christine Rathje, Newberry Village Council President Lori

Stokes and Ken Stokes.

There were no changes to the agenda.

Under public comment, County Undersheriff Eric Gravelle shared several updates from the

Sheriff’s Department. The most significant item was a metal detector which was installed at one

entrance of the courthouse. The rest of the doors at the courthouse are now locked to ensure

security.

The Board thanked both Undersheriff Gravelle for continuing his excellent job keeping the

Board informed, and the Sheriff’s Department for their service.

The Board then turned to approval of the minutes.

Clerk Rathje presented the minutes of the regular meetings of October 10, 2017, March 12, 2019,

and March 26, 2019, for approval.

Clerk Rathje explained the unusual addition of a set of minutes from 2017. During last

summer’s audit, our auditor noticed this set was missing. Clerk Rathje had time recently to

complete those minutes using his notes and an audio file he kept of the meeting.

He also asked Deputy Clerk Caryn DeWyse to double check the book of minutes from 2013

through today for any other missing items. The Deputy Clerk reported there were no other

missing minutes.

Motion by Foley, seconded by Lehto to approve the above minutes. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

The bills were presented by Clerk Rathje.

Motion by Stephenson, seconded by Lehto, to approve the following five items in one motion:

1. There were no General Fund, Sewer Fund, or Water Fund checks issued per Pentland

Township’s “Post Audit” policy. (This policy explains how bills are paid between

meetings).

2. General Fund check numbers 3435 through 3462 and EFT50 for payment today.

3. Sewer Fund check numbers 5154 through 5156 for payments approved today.

Page 2 of 3 April 9, 2019

4. Water Fund check number 6105 for payments approved today.

5. Transfer $21,227.49 from First National Bank of St. Ignace’s Municipal Account to the

Checking Account.

The vote on all of the above items - Ayes: All. Motion carried.

The Treasurer’s Report was presented by Treasurer Foley.

Motion by Lehto, seconded by Rathje, to receive the Treasurer’s Report. Ayes: all. Motion

carried.

The Board then turned to new business.

At last year’s April meeting, the Board discussed a request from a citizen to bring back the

Township’s “Clean Up” day for our citizens. At that time, the Board felt there was not sufficient

interest at that time, and that the Board would discuss this again at the April 2019 meeting.

Tonight, the Board reviewed the questions surrounding having a Clean Up day and decided there

was not sufficient interest today, nor in the near future, to have a township clean up day that was

in the public interest.

After discussion, motion by Stephenson, seconded by Foley, to not have a Clean Up day this

year nor in the foreseeable future because of the costs involved to the township board, and to

remove this line item (which has not been funded by the Board for many years) from the

Township’s general fund budget. Ayes: all. Motion carried.

The Township Board then discussed the state of the Township’s records, and how a “retention

schedule” created by the state, helps the Board sort through what records need to be kept forever,

and how other records are kept for only a set number of years.

One category of records the Board had a chance to see were the many boxes of financial records

stored in the closet in the meeting room. A printed label on each box describes what is inside the

box, how many years it needs to be kept, and where to look up in the retention schedule to

confirm that amount of time.

The Board then turned to old business, starting with several items regarding the Village of

Newberry.

Clerk Rathje reported he shared several bills from the Village for wastewater treatment with our

attorney and auditor. Clerk Rathje anticipates both will communicate with the Board in the next

few weeks.

Clerk Rathje reported that there will be a meeting of the Fire Committee soon, and thanked

Village President Stokes (who was in the audience tonight) for her efforts on this matter.

Treasurer Foley reported on several events scheduled in the township hall this spring.

Page 3 of 3 April 9, 2019

Clerk Rathje reported the township received a set of liquor inspection reports from the Sheriff’s

Department from last month. All of the establishments received a grade of “good”.

Mike Richards gave his monthly utility report. The township’s water and sewer systems

continue to be in generally good shape. He then shared some very interesting general

information about our utility systems, including the numbers of customers we have, and how

many gallons of water and wastewater were pumped in fiscal year 2018-19.

Just before the meeting ended, Mr. Richards also shared he will be taking some vacation time

later this month.

There was no extended public comment.

The next regular meeting of the township board is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2019,

at 7:00 pm at the Pentland Township Hall.

Motion by Lehto, seconded by Foley, to adjourn the meeting at 7:43 pm.

Ayes: all. Motion passed.

____________________________ ____________________________

Gregory Rathje Janet Maki

Pentland Township Clerk Pentland Township Supervisor

PENTLAND TOWNSHIP

SPECIAL MEETING

May 2, 2019

Page 1 of 1 May 2, 2019

Tonight’s meeting was held at the Pentland Township Hall: 15474 M-28, Newberry, MI 49868.

This special meeting was to consider and potentially take action on pending litigation.

The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Supervisor Janet Maki.

Board members present: Martin Lehto, Janet Maki, Gregory Rathje, and Dawn Stephenson.

Absent: Jean Foley.

Also present were Deputy Clerk Caryn DeWyse and Township Attorney Craig Rolfe.

There was no brief public comment.

Motion by Rathje, second by Stephenson, for the Township Board to meet in closed session to

discuss pending litigation, per MCL 15.268(e).

Per state law, there was a roll call vote on this motion:

Foley - Absent

Lehto – Yes

Maki – Yes

Rathje – Yes

Stephenson - Yes

The vote was four in the affirmative, none opposing, and one absent. The motion was passed.

The Board entered closed session at approximately 7:01 pm.

At 8:39 pm, it was moved by Lehto, seconded by Stephenson, for the Township Board to end its

closed session and resume the open session. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

After the Township Board ended its closed session, Board did not take action on any items.

There was no further business considered by the Township Board.

The next regular meeting of the township board is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14, 2019,

at 7:00 pm at the Pentland Township Hall.

Motion by Lehto, seconded by Stephenson, to adjourn the meeting. Ayes: All. Motion carried.

The meeting adjourned at 8:39 pm.

____________________________ ____________________________

Gregory Rathje Janet Maki

Pentland Township Clerk Pentland Township Supervisor

CHECK #PAYEE AMOUNT DESCRIPTION

General Fund checks paid ahead of time: (legally known as "post audit" payments)3463 AT&T 358.98$ 5/6 Phone bill 133.27$ 112.86$ 112.85$

3464 Semco 270.11$ 5/6 Heating/hot water for utility office -$ 135.06$ 135.05$

Total 629.09$ 133.27$ 247.92$ 247.90$

General Fund checks to be paid today:Payroll:

3465 Deborah Burbach 79.93$ Deputy Treasurer - 0 mtg & zero hrs 79.93$ -$ -$

3466 Caryn DeWyse 223.94$ Deputy Clerk - 1 mtg & 9.25 hrs 223.94$ -$ -$

3467 AJ Downey 511.91$ Labor - Utilities -$ 255.95$ 255.96$

3468 Jean Foley 658.74$ Treasurer 658.74$ -$ -$

3469 Martin Lehto 302.29$ Trustee & Property 302.29$ -$ -$

3470 Janet Maki 2,323.66$ Supervisor & Assessor 2,323.66$ -$ -$

3471 Gregory Rathje 887.93$ Clerk 728.10$ -$ 159.83$

3472 Michael Richards 3,028.68$ Utilities Superintendent -$ 757.17$ 2,271.51$

3473 Voided (T. Slack) -$ Checkstock not printed correctly (vendor error) -$ -$ -$

3474 Dawn Stephenson 121.88$ Trustee 121.88$ -$ -$

3475 Terrie Slack (reprint) 1,244.95$ Admin Assistant & Interim Custodian (1.00 hr) 421.96$ 411.50$ 411.49$

Total 9,383.91$ 4,860.50$ 1,424.62$ 3,098.79$

Remittances:EFT51 US Government 2,988.01$ Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) Fed.Tax/FICA/SocSec 1,791.93$ 378.01$ 818.07$ 3476 Michigan Dept. of Treasury 481.85$ State Withholding 296.13$ 57.12$ 128.60$

Total 3,469.86$ 2,088.06$ 435.13$ 946.67$

Accounts Payable:

3477 Accident Fund 2,403.00$ Worker's Comp policy 841.10$ 817.00$ 744.90$

3478 Anderson-Tackman 144.00$ Accounting help 48.00$ 48.00$ 48.00$

3479 BS&A Software 3,310.00$ New tax software 3,310.00$ -$ -$

3480 Burbach Oil 2,947.80$ Heating oil for township hall 2,947.80$ -$ -$

3481 Cloverland Electric 85.08$ Twp hall - used to be annual. 85.08$ -$ -$

3482 Cloverland Electric 40.56$ Pentland School H20 Tower - used to be annual. -$ -$ 40.56$

3483 Cloverland Electric 1,329.00$ Install light over M117 & CR 458 intersection 1,329.00$ -$ -$

3484 Cloverland Electric 1,785.79$ The regular monthly bill 617.30$ 604.29$ 564.20$

3485 DeWyse, Caryn 83.59$ Electronic pollbook (epb) training - miles and meal 83.59$ -$ -$

3486 DeWyse, Caryn 157.50$ Election worker (with mini-training) 157.50$ -$ -$

3487 Fosters Ace 24.96$ Parts and tools for water and sewer -$ 12.48$ 12.48$

3488 Hannula Insurance 220.00$ Insurance for Treasurer required for USDA loan. -$ -$ 220.00$

3489 Hett, Judith 150.00$ Election worker 150.00$ -$ -$

3490 IT Right 300.00$ Annual fee for backup software for three pc's 100.00$ 100.00$ 100.00$

3491 Mac's Market 29.81$ Supplies for utility office -$ 14.90$ 14.91$

3492 Maki-Griffis, Linda 152.50$ Election worker (with mini-training) 152.50$ -$ -$

3493 Newberry News 84.00$ Board of Review and Budget Hearing notices 84.00$ -$ -$

3494 Pentland Utilities 3,550.00$ Hydrant Rental 3,550.00$ -$ -$

3495 Pfeiffer, Kay 140.00$ Election worker 140.00$ -$ -$

3496 Rathje, Greg 67.86$ Electronic pollbook (epb) training - miles 67.86$ -$ -$

3497 Rolfe, Craig 4,032.60$ Mostly sewer issues 155.00$ 3,877.60$ -$

3498 Security Benefit Group 580.00$ 457 Plan (w/out Carmody's since his retirement) 580.00$ -$ -$

3499 Slack, Terrie 57.18$ 72 miles at 58¢ per mile and office supplies 41.76$ 7.71$ 7.71$

3500 Sault Ste. Marie 36.00$ Water testing -$ -$ 36.00$

3501 USA Blue Book 518.56$ Supplies for water system and more -$ 18.15$ 500.41$

3502 Verizon 48.42$ Cell phone -$ 24.21$ 24.21$

3503 Visa 2,016.75$

Gas for truck ($196.50); parts to repair sewer lift stations

($1,187.24); stamps for utilities ($495) and Clerk ($55)

water testing ($8.75); postcards for water system ($58.50);

and cleaning supplies ($15.76).

120.50$ 1,508.12$ 388.13$

Total 24,294.96$ 14,560.99$ 7,032.46$ 2,701.51$ -$

Grand Total for Today

(checks 3477 - 350337,148.73$

<-- This amount will be transferred from General

Fund's Money Market to Checking.21,509.55$ 8,892.21$ 6,746.97$ -$

Hey! Turn over!

MAY 2019 MONTHLY BILLSLast updated May 13, 2019

General Fund Sewer Fund Water Fund Liquor Fund

Last printed 5/13/2019 8:51 PM Page 1 of 2

CHECK #PAYEE AMOUNT DESCRIPTION

MAY 2019 MONTHLY BILLSLast updated May 13, 2019

General Fund Sewer Fund Water Fund Liquor Fund

Sewer Fund Checks (post audit and today)

5157 Pentland Twp General Fund 1,893.77$ 05/14 Repay General Fund Advance -$ 1,893.77$ -$

5158 Pentland Twp General Fund 8,892.21$ 05/14 Repay General Fund for today's bills -$ 8,892.21$ -$

5159 Pentland Twp General Fund 247.92$ 05/08 Repay General Fund for approved bills -$ 247.92$ -$

Water Fund Checks (post audit and today)

6106 Pentland Twp General Fund 2,701.51$ 05/14 Repay General Fund for today's bills -$ -$ 2,701.51$

6107 Pentland Twp General Fund 247.90$ 05/08 Repay General Fund for approved bills -$ -$ 247.90$

End of List!

Last printed 5/13/2019 8:51 PM Page 2 of 2

Date

Sewer

Fund Check

# Amount Balance

Paid back

so far Note

11/12/2013 na -$ 343,000.00$ -$ Starting balance

3/31/2017 na -$ 267,669.96$ 75,330.04$ Ending balance FY 2016 - 2017

1 5/9/2017 5090 2,012.65$ 265,657.31$ 77,342.69$ For April 2017

2 6/13/2017 5101 1,842.42$ 263,814.89$ 79,185.11$ For May 2017

3 7/11/2017 5103 1,926.88$ 261,888.01$ 81,111.99$ For June 2017

4 8/10/2017 5106 1,940.45$ 259,947.56$ 83,052.44$ For July 2017

5 9/12/2017 5108 1,927.61$ 258,019.95$ 84,980.05$ For August 2017

6 10/10/2017 5110 1,798.11$ 256,221.84$ 86,778.16$ For September 2017

7 11/14/2017 5113 1,917.46$ 254,304.38$ 88,695.62$ For October 2017

8 12/12/2017 5115 1,676.01$ 252,628.37$ 90,371.63$ For November 2017

9 1/9/2018 5117 1,795.89$ 250,832.48$ 92,167.52$ For December 2017

10 2/13/2018 5119 1,984.23$ 248,848.25$ 94,151.75$ For January 2018

11 3/13/2018 5122 1,722.84$ 247,125.41$ 95,874.59$ For February 2018

12 4/10/2018 5126 1,846.09$ 245,279.32$ 97,720.68$ For March 2018

13 5/10/2018 5128 1,740.55$ 243,538.77$ 99,461.23$ For April 2018

14 6/12/2018 5130 1,888.52$ 241,650.25$ 101,349.75$ For May 2018

15 7/10/2018 5132 1,882.71$ 239,767.54$ 103,232.46$ For June 2018

16 8/14/2018 5134 2,037.96$ 237,729.58$ 105,270.42$ For July 2018 and adjustment

17 9/11/2018 5137 1,750.65$ 235,978.93$ 107,021.07$ For August 2018

18 10/9/2018 5140 1,757.79$ 234,221.14$ 108,778.86$ For September 2018

19 11/13/2018 5143 1,714.34$ 232,506.80$ 110,493.20$ For October 2018

20 12/11/2018 5144 1,831.33$ 230,675.47$ 112,324.53$ For November 2018

21 1/8/2019 5146 1,810.59$ 228,864.88$ 114,135.12$ For January 2019

22 2/12/2019 5149 2,627.94$ 226,236.94$ 116,763.06$ For February 2019

23 3/12/2019 5151 1,534.57$ 224,702.37$ 118,297.63$ For March 2019

24 4/9/2019 5155 2,188.11$ 222,514.26$ 120,485.74$ For April 2019

25 5/14/2019 5157 1,893.77$ 220,620.49$ 122,379.51$ For May 2019

Background:

FY 2017 - 2018 and 2018 - 2019 General Fund Repayment Status

(to repay monies advanced to the Sewer Fund)

Over the years, the township's sewer fund borrowed money from the township's general fund.

Starting in late 2013, most home customers pay a $5.20 monthly charge to repay this loan (commercial customers and

larger residential customers pay $5.20 for every 4,000 gallons of sewer).

The loan is expected to be paid off by 2033 (perhaps sooner). When paid off, this monthly charge ends.

5/13/2019 8:47 PM

Raw Data Broken out by Fiscal Year Broken out by Fiscal Year

Date Gallons Cost Date Gallons Cost Date Gallons Cost

4/4/2019 1,156 2,947.80$ 2.55$ Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Fiscal Year 2013-2014

11/8/2018 1,126 3,265.40$ 2.90$ 4/4/2019 1,156 2,947.80$ 2.55$ 3/3/2014 1,205 4,579.00$ 3.80$

1/3/2018 1,196 3,229.20$ 2.70$ Fiscal Year 2018-2019 11/4/2013 1,145 3,937.50$ 3.44$

2/14/2017 1,068 2,349.60$ 2.20$ 11/8/2018 1,126 3,265.40$ 2.90$ Total 2,350 8,516.50$

4/18/2016 946 1,797.40$ 1.90$ Fiscal Year 2017-2018 Fiscal Year 2012-2013

12/31/2015 943 1,697.40$ 1.80$ 1/3/2018 1,196 3,229.20$ 2.70$ 1/18/2013 1,125 4,099.10$ 3.64$

3/5/2015 996 2,589.60$ 2.60$ Fiscal Year 2016-2017 Fiscal Year 2011-2012

12/1/12014 840 2,704.80$ 3.22$ 2/14/2017 1,068 2,349.60$ 2.20$ 3/13/2012 1,112 4,069.92$ 3.66$

3/3/2014 1,205 4,579.00$ 3.80$ 4/18/2016 946 1,797.40$ 1.90$ 11/1/2011 465 1,692.60$ 3.64$

11/4/2013 1,145 3,937.50$ 3.44$ Total 2,014 4,147.00$ Total 1,577 5,762.52$

1/18/2013 1,125 4,099.10$ 3.64$ Fiscal Year 2015-2016 Fiscal Year 2010-2011

3/13/2012 1,112 4,069.92$ 3.66$ 12/31/2015 943 1,697.40$ 1.80$ 3/1/2011 1,206 4,064.22$ 3.37$

11/1/2011 465 1,692.60$ 3.64$ Fiscal Year 2014-2015 11/2/2010 796 2,189.00$ 2.75$

3/1/2011 1,206 4,064.22$ 3.37$ 3/5/2015 996 2,589.60$ 2.60$ Total 2,002 6,253.22$

11/2/2010 796 2,189.00$ 2.75$ 12/1/2014 840 2,704.80$ 3.22$

1/19/2010 1,320 3,432.00$ 2.60$ Total 1,836 5,294.40$

Nine year average for fuel oil - $4,660 (1,577 gallons)/year

Fuel Oil Analysis

Cost/

gallon

Fuel Oil Analysis

Cost/

gallon

Fuel Oil Analysis

Cost/

gallon

$2.55

$2.90

$2.70

$2.20

$1.90

$1.80

$2.60

$3.22

$3.80

$3.44

$3.64 $3.66 $3.64

$3.37

$2.75

$2.60

$1.00

$1.50

$2.00

$2.50

$3.00

$3.50

$4.00Per gallon cost of oil

Last printed 5/14/2019

PENTLAND TOWNSHIP - SUMMARY OF ACCOUNTS AT MONTH END MONTH END

4/30/2019

GENERAL FUND Notes

First National Bank of St. Ignace - Checking 2,000.00$

First National Bank of St. Ignace - Money Market 235,658.73$

First National Bank of St. Ignace - Money Market for future purchases 70,542.21$

First National Bank of St Ignace CD - Fire Truck 2015 38,875.27$ CD #13005 Matures 04/12/2020 1.15% 36 months

First National Bank of St Ignace CD - Fire Truck 2016 38,372.48$ CD #12993 Matures 03/31/2020 1.15% 36 months

First National Bank of St Ignace CD - Fire Truck 2017 38,372.48$ CD #12994 Matures 03/31/2020 1.15% 36 months

First National Bank of St Ignace CD - Fire Truck 2018 37,952.70$ CD #13178 Matures 03/30/2021 1.20% 36 months

First National Bank of St Ignace CD - Fire Truck 2019 37,500.00$ CD #13333 Matures 03/21/2022 1.20% 36 monthsFirst National Bank of St Ignace CD - General Fund 31,940.27$ CD #13013 Matures 04/20/2020 1.15% 36 months

SEWER FUND

mBank Checking - Operating 163,987.32$

mBank CD - Sewer Reserve 12,428.12$ CD #24768 Matures 03/09/2020 1.14% 36 months

For future repairs.

mBank CD - Sewer Reserve 2019 10,016.82$ CD #2455 Matures 03/27/2022 1.98% 36 months

For future repairs.

WATER FUND

Cash in Bank 122,242.92$

Water Bond & Interest Redemption -$ required by USDA loan

Equipment Reserve 107,787.17$ required by USDA loan

Total 230,030.09$

First National bank of St. Ignace CD - Water Reserve 43,279.50$ CD #12291 Matures 09/30/2021 1.70% 36 months

TAX COLLECTIONmbank Checking 928.30$

mBank Checking

Last printed 5/13/2019 8:38 PM

Yes % No %

Columbus 176 28 15.9% 19 67.9% 8 28.6%

Lakefield 925 151 16.3% 84 55.6% 66 43.7%

McMillan 2,047 165 8.1% 112 67.9% 53 32.1%

Pentland 1,147 123 10.7% 105 85.4% 18 14.6%

Luce County Total4,295 467 10.9% 320 68.5% 145 31.0%

Hulbert 155 14 9.0% 10 71.4% 4 28.6%

Portage* 760 136 17.9% 57 41.9% 79 58.1%

Seney 91 18 19.8% 10 55.6% 8 44.4%

TAS Total 5,301 635 12.0% 397 62.5% 236 37.2%

*Portage Precinct #1 (most of Portage Township)

Analysis done by Pentland Township Clerk Greg Rathje

Thank you to the Luce County Clerk's office for the information!

TAS Headlee Proposal - May 7, 2019

Reg

Voters

Ballots

Cast

Turnout

%

Headlee

To: Michigan Townships Association Member Boards From: Larry Merrill, MTA Executive Director Date: March 19, 2019 Re: Option for Nonpartisan Township Offices The Michigan Townships Association Board of Directors requests action by your township board on the attached resolution regarding a time-sensitive legislative policy issue. Over the years, township officials have suggested to MTA that elective Michigan township offices should be nonpartisan. Consistent with long-standing policy and bylaws, the Michigan Townships Association Board of Directors put the question before the membership at the MTA Annual Meeting in 2012, where it was voted down by the MTA membership in attendance. However, a state representative intends to introduce and actively promote legislation to make nonpartisan township offices optional to townships. As an option rather than a mandate, the bill creates a policy dilemma for MTA between continued policy guidance on the question based on the 2012 Annual Meeting vote that did not address a nonpartisan option, and MTA’s core value supporting the principle of local control. Also, a considerable period of time has lapsed since the membership voted to oppose nonpartisan elections and arguably the perspective of township officials may be different now. MTA will need take a position on the optional nonpartisan election bill in the near future, even if that position is neutral. Because the MTA board has already finalized and provided notice to the membership of the proposed 2019 Policy Platform, the upcoming Annual Meeting is not conducive to ascertaining how the broadest spectrum of MTA member boards and their communities would value the opportunity to hold nonpartisan township elections. To ascertain perspectives of the MTA membership, the MTA Board of Directors is asking member township boards to put this issue on the agenda to discuss and take a position at a township board meeting. The MTA board is taking this unusual step with the hope that the issue be framed in terms of a position that best reflects the values of townships as communities as opposed to what is in the best political interest of incumbent officials. MTA is requesting that township clerks forward this memo to all members of their township boards and that if there is interest among the board to indicate a policy preference, to discuss the issue in the same manner that the board considers other pertinent issues, take a vote on the attached resolution, and return the resolution to MTA by April 30, 2019. The MTA bylaws do not allow this method of reaching out to members to be binding on the board of directors or staff in directing the association’s legislative policies, but the association will take the input it receives seriously.

To assist your board in its discussions, a table is attached listing the pros and cons of partisan and nonpartisan elections that have been expressed to MTA, as well as the perceptions of MTA leaders. The list may not be all-inclusive and is not intended to influence whatever position your board may take. As always, thank you for your time, thoughtful review and anticipated response on this matter.

Issue: Should Michigan townships have the option of holding township board member elections on the nonpartisan ballot?

Arguments Supporting Optional Nonpartisan Township Elections

Arguments Opposing Optional Nonpartisan Township Elections

Township elective offices in some other states are nonpartisan.

Partisan elections are inherent in the culture and traditions of Michigan township government.

Nonpartisan offices are an option available to cities as a charter provision.

Cities have home rule; townships and counties are statutory governments.

Township officials should be elected on merit, not party affiliation.

Party affiliations help voters know a candidate’s values.

As some communities become more politically polarized, party affiliation disadvantages candidates who identify with community’s minority party.

Township board composition should change as electors’ expectations and ideologies change.

Township issues seldom align with political party ideologies.

Township boards decisions can reflect an expansive or a limited role of government consistent with party ideologies.

Veteran township officials are at risk of losing elections as their communities shift political party alignments.

Township boards should change as their electors change. It is not MTA’s role to defend incumbents.

Partisanship has compromised the effectiveness of state and national legislatures. Townships should be allowed to insulate themselves from partisan divisiveness.

Partisan local elections are instructive to voters as to how state and national partisan elections work.

The preponderance of township officials of a certain party compromises MTA’s influence with lawmakers of the other party.

Partisan identification strengthens MTA’s political clout by leveraging party influence on public policy.

A potential solution to “voter fatigue” would be to move township elections to the gubernatorial elections, but there is no assurance that the legislation will accomplish this.

Because the nonpartisan section is at the bottom of a long ballot, “voter fatigue” results in fewer votes in the nonpartisan section of the ballot. There is no assurance that township elections will move away from presidential elections.

Page 1 of 4

PENTLAND TOWNSHIP CLERK’S REPORT

MAY 14, 2019

1. Donation to the Township - fire-proof file cabinets

a. We received a donation from the United Way of the Eastern UP of two fire-proof file cabinets. Each cabinet is four drawers high.

b. A VERY big thanks to Mike and AJ for getting these cabinets from the Soo!

c. These cabinets increases the amount of file space we have, and are more likely to survive a fire at the hall (Heaven forbid!).

d. I did a quick search on Amazon – brand new, cabinets like this would have cost us at least several thousand dollars for each one.

2. Accounting software from BS&A

a. Our accounting software will be upgraded to the newest version this summer.

i. Our tax software is already installed and ready to “go live” for next month’s summer taxes.

ii. General ledger, payroll, accounts payable, and utilities will go live in July.

3. May election

a. This month’s election results are included in the board packet.

b. This was our first election using “EPB” – the electronic pollbook.

i. It’s a laptop that keeps track of who voted.

ii. This is different from the paper pollbook our election workers used to hand-wrote in that information.

iii. Just like before, there’s no way to track how folks voted…only if they voted.

c. The election went well – our workers had a chance to work with the software beforehand, and that practice smoothed out any bugs beforehand.

d. I spoke with Sharon Price, our County Clerk. She shared that the County Board of Canvassers went over our reports, and we did well with the new system.

e. The next election might be in November if the school district goes back to the voters with another bond proposal. As of now, I’m not sure if that’s official yet.

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4. Fire Committee

a. I attended a meeting of the fire committee last month. It’s the first time all three governments (us, McMillan Township, and the Village) have been together in almost 18 months.

b. Village president Lori Stokes said the Village will honor the fire contract, including meeting several times a year, sharing financial information, and allowing us to share our input on the fire department budget. And, I believe she will do that.

c. Fire chief John Wendt shared some early thoughts about how to replace Engine #2, which will be 30 years old next year. He pointed out there may be several issues if the fire department does not modernize its fleet.

i. Some rough costs to replace Engine #2 could be roughly $500,000 to $600,000, depending on what features are ordered.

ii. I’ve been reading news stories from around Michigan about local govts buying fire engines - the numbers above are very much in line with them.

d. I shared that our Township has been setting aside $37,500 a year for the past five years to help purchase a new fire engine when it’s needed.

i. $37,500 x 5 = $187,000. Which is right about where we need to be to pay off our third of an engine without taking out a loan.

e. I think we’ll be discussing this again at our next meeting in the fall.

f. I also asked the Village to work on understanding why the federal government won’t give any grants for new fire engines to the NFD, and yet many other departments around the eastern UP seem to be getting these grants.

5. Fire bills

a. I had a chance to look at the 2018 bills for the fire department submitted by the Village to us for payment.

b. Per the fire agreement, we pay for one-third of the department’s bills.

c. I believe the Village president about honoring the fire agreement (see above section). Therefore, I recommend paying the 2018 bills in full tonight.

d. These bills are created each quarter. So, any time now the Village should be sending us the first quarter bill of 2019 (January, February, and March).

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6. Call about equipment on our water towers

a. I received a call recently from some kind of private investment firm that was interested in making a deal with us for the cell phone equipment we have installed on our water towers…

b. The only problem is that we do NOT have any cell phone equipment on either tower, at which point the caller politely thanked me and hung up.

7. FOIA request about the pot ordinance.

a. I received a FOIA request last week from a group called the “American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation”

i. All they wanted was a copy of our ordinance that prohibiting marihuana businesses inside our Township.

ii. I sent it along and waived the charge - it would have taken longer to prepare the bill than to just send the ordinance along.

8. Lighthouse.net

a. In June, Steve Mason, the head of Lighthouse.net, will be attending our meeting to discuss future broadband upgrades for our residents.

9. Call from a downstate reporter

a. I forgot to mention this earlier – back in January, I got a call from a reporter with one of the major news firms that covers politics at the State Capital.

b. He called to ask about our reaction to the news that our Township would receive more funds from the state for providing fire protection for the prison and other state buildings in the Township.

c. We’ve received about $2,000 a year, and we should see more in this fall’s check.

d. I was quoted on page two of his article (see attached).

e. You might have seen the reporter (Kyle Melinn) if you watch the public TV show “Off the Record”. They bring in reporters to discuss statewide issues and politics.

10. Facebook page – Good News!

a. The Township has a Facebook page! Just search on “Pentland Township in Facebook’s search bar to find us!

b. We just reached 300 followers this week!!

c. Our Facebook page began in January of 2018…less than 18 months ago.

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11. Time tracking

a. Finally, I thought it might be useful to share my time working and volunteering for the township.

b. I track my time for the various things I do (jobs, volunteering, and such).

Clerk’s Time April 2019 Time

(hours:minutes)

TOTAL TIME 41h 31m

General work (minutes, meeting prep, filing, mail…) 14h 57m

Elections (getting ready for the May election) 11h 57m

Bookkeeping (routine stuff like payroll, bills and budgets…) 7h 15m

Sewer issues with the Village (looking at sewer bills, talking w/our attorney…)* 3h 12m

Fire department (reading bills & fire contract, attend fire committee…)* 3h 12m

Upgrading our accounting software* 0h 57m

(all times rounded to nearest minute)

*I volunteer for the Township to do these things – they’re not part of my legal duties as Clerk.

That’s it!