Comstock Township - Township Board - July 7, 2025 Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

The board addresses several key issues including budget adjustments, ordinance enforcement, and the potential installation of weather sirens. The board approves a motion to promote Dakota to the position of ordinance officer, allowing for more effective enforcement and cleanup operations in the township. Additionally, the board discusses the financial implications of installing weather sirens and considers the community's input on this matter. Other topics include the legal expenses incurred by the township and the ongoing efforts to manage the township's resources effectively. The meeting provides an overview of the township's current challenges and initiatives, reflecting the board's commitment to improving community services and infrastructure.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:54)
The meeting was officially called to order by the chairperson.

The chairperson officially opens the meeting, marking the commencement of the session for the day.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:57)
Attendees stood to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendees were requested to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance as a display of patriotism and unity.
Approval of Agenda (00:01:24)
The agenda was amended and approved after proposed changes.

Several amendments were proposed to the agenda, including moving and removing certain items. After discussion, the amended agenda was approved by the members present.
Public Comments (00:03:07)
Citizens expressed concerns on various community issues.

During the public comment session, citizens were invited to share their concerns. Issues discussed included perceived targeting of elderly citizens by local authorities, ineffective use of tornado sirens, and requests for additional public comments at planning commission meetings.
Department Announcements (00:13:04)
Departments and boards shared updates and announcements.

Various board and department announcements were made, including upcoming events and updates on projects like the design of a new sports complex.
Approval of Consent Agenda (00:13:39)
The consent agenda was reviewed and approved.

The board reviewed the consent agenda items, including previous meeting minutes, and approved them without further amendments.
Fire and Rescue Requests (00:14:10)
Approval to hire new firefighters and apply for a grant.

The fire department requested approval to hire nine probationary part-time on-call firefighters. Additionally, they sought permission to apply for a FEMA grant for a fire extinguisher trainer. Both requests were approved.
Closed Session for Litigation Discussion (00:22:31)
Board moved into closed session to discuss litigation.

The board moved into a closed session to discuss pending litigation with their attorney. Due to the sensitive nature of the discussion, the session was not open to the public, and certain officials abstained from participating.
Closed Session Discussion (01:44:12)
Counsel asked to reflect abstention from entering closed session. Motion to exit the closed session was carried with one abstention.

During the closed session discussion, one of the council members clarified that they had abstained from entering the closed session and requested that this be noted in the record. After some discussion, a motion was made and passed to exit the closed session, with a roll call vote showing one abstention.
Treasurer's Report on Autopen Policy Change (01:46:09)
Treasurer announced the end of autopen use for electronic signatures, requiring all signatures to be handwritten from now on.

The Treasurer reported to the board that they had decided to cease the use of autopen for electronic signatures on financial documents. All signatures will now be required to be handwritten. The Treasurer explained the reasoning for this change and acknowledged the need to improve their understanding of the financial processes.
Building Access for Deputy Treasurer (01:50:51)
Discussion on granting building access via key fob to Deputy Treasurer, motion failed with votes against it.

There was a discussion on whether to provide the Deputy Treasurer with a key fob for building access. Some members felt it was unnecessary due to an isolated incident of the doors being locked during a meeting. After discussion, a motion was made to provide the key fob, but it failed to pass with a majority voting against it.
Weather Siren Discussion (02:06:00)
Discussion on installing weather sirens, including costs, potential funding, and public input through surveys or ballots.

The board discussed the potential installation of weather sirens in the township. The discussion covered the costs involved, the bids received, and how to gather public input. Some members suggested putting the issue on the ballot or conducting a survey to gauge public interest, while others considered the potential life-saving benefits.
Budget Discussion Continuation (02:10:23)
Continuation of budget discussion with focus on legal expenses and data review. Further discussion planned for next meeting.

The meeting continued with a discussion on the budget with a particular focus on legal expenses. The board reviewed data and graphs showing current spending compared to past years. The finance director has increased the budget for legal expenses. A packet of information was distributed to board members for further review and discussion in the next meeting.
Finance Report and June Ordinance Enforcement Report (02:15:57)
Discussion of the finance report and the June ordinance enforcement report, including a corrective action plan related to fire capital and budget adjustments.

The finance report and the June ordinance enforcement report were discussed. There was mention of a corrective action plan, particularly around a firetruck accident and insurance check. The budget adjustment was explained due to reclassification of funds. The importance of budgeting correctly was stressed, and the audit completed was referenced. The board was asked if they wanted the auditor to present the audit findings in a future meeting, which many agreed to as it would provide transparency and understanding of the Township's financial stability.
June Ordinance Report by Officer Dakota (02:24:34)
Officer Dakota presented the June ordinance report, covering complaint handling and violation resolution processes, including improvements in communication with residents.

Dakota, the ordinance officer, provided a detailed report on the ordinance enforcement activities for June. He explained the process of handling complaints, from receiving them to resolution. Dakota emphasized the need for clear communication with residents, and he described his efforts to improve the feedback process regarding violation letters. He also detailed how he handles violations and the importance of working with residents to resolve issues. The process of issuing citations and notices was explained, including the timeline for residents to address violations.
Ordinance Officer Position Discussion (02:31:31)
Discussion on promoting Dakota to main ordinance officer and reallocating budget for more cleanups and effective ordinance enforcement.

A discussion was held on promoting Dakota to the main ordinance officer position following the resignation of the other officer. Superintendent Hess proposed using the remaining budget from the vacant position to enhance cleanups and ordinance enforcement. The idea was to use the budget more effectively for contracted services to handle ordinance-related tasks, such as cleanups. The board members agreed to the proposal, recognizing the thorough job done by Dakota and the need for effective allocation of resources to address community concerns.
Public Comments (02:38:52)
Residents raised concerns about ordinance enforcement, budget transparency, and the necessity of tornado sirens during the public comments section.

During the public comments section, residents expressed various concerns. One resident criticized the ordinance notices for lack of clarity and fairness. Another resident questioned the transparency of budget reporting, particularly regarding expenses related to mowing and storm damage. There was also a debate about the necessity and cost-effectiveness of installing tornado sirens, with opinions divided on whether the sirens are a worthwhile investment. The public comments highlighted community concerns on budget usage and public safety measures.
Discussion on Legal Expenses (02:47:33)
A detailed discussion regarding legal expenses incurred by the township, with requests for breakdowns of individuals responsible.

During this segment, the discussion focused on the legal expenses incurred by various individuals within the township. There was a request for a detailed breakdown of these expenses and an inquiry into why certain individuals were not listed. The role of the supervisor as the legal agent for the township under Michigan law was also highlighted, with questions about the responsibilities delegated to the superintendent.
Members' Comments (02:49:21)
Members of the board shared their comments and updates, with most members having no additional comments.

This agenda item involved members of the board sharing their comments. Trustees Cherry, Amos, Pratt, Clerk Rocha, and Trustee MacGyver had nothing additional to add. Treasurer Bloomfield, however, had several points to address, including recent changes to public comment procedures and discussions about payment policy transparency.
Treasurer's Remarks (02:50:00)
Treasurer Bloomfield addressed several issues including payment policy transparency and township improvements.

Treasurer Bloomfield thanked everyone for staying during the closed session and addressed issues brought up at the podium. He mentioned changes to public comment procedures, transparency in payment policies, discussions with the clerk, and improvements to township infrastructure such as roundabouts on Sprinkle Road. He also inquired about updates on the senior millage information.
Senior Millage Discussion (02:51:52)
Discussion about the senior millage, its history, financial contributions, and interactions with the county.

The discussion focused on the senior millage, highlighting communication with the county regarding the financial contributions made by the township and the returns received. Trustee Pratt explained ongoing efforts to address unresolved questions with the county and mentioned collaboration with other townships. The issue of transparency and fairness in the distribution of millage funds was a key point.
Board Announcements and Adjournment (02:58:25)
Final announcements from the board and adjournment of the meeting.

The board made final announcements, including the cancellation of the upcoming DDA board meeting due to a lack of action items and potential non-quorum. There was also a discussion about the moratorium committee's progress and the planning commission's work. The meeting concluded with commendations for the planning commission and the official adjournment.