Township BoardRegular meeting
, 7:00 PMCompleted
- Called to order
- 7:00 pm
- Adjourned
- 7:55 pm
- Presiding
- Brett Fales
- Present
- Fales, Meredith, Wilson, Wirtz, Oswald, and 9 guests present
This agenda outlines the items to be discussed at the Lincoln Township Board of Trustees meeting on January 14, 2025, including public comments, reports from various committees, review of minutes, financial matters, and new business items such as approving a planning consulting proposal and attendance at a seminar.
Summary written automatically. The full agenda below is the record.
Contents (4)
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP
www.lincoln-twp.org
Brett Fales - Supervisor Barb Wilson – Clerk Kim Oswald -Treasurer
Brad Wirtz – Trustee Nate Meredith – Trustee
Meeting of the Lincoln Township Board of Trustees
January 13, 2025
- 1.Call Meeting to Order
- 2.Amend / Accept Agenda
- 3.Public Comments
- 4.Correspondence
- 5.Minutes of December 10, 2024
- 6.Treasurers Report
- 7.Pay the Bills (Roll Call)
COMMITTEE REPORTS
- 8.Fire Department Report
- 9.Planning Committee Report
- 10.Building Inspector Report
- 11.Ordinance Enforcement Officer Report
- 12.Water Authority Report
- 13.Solid Waste Report
- 14.Township Parks
OLD BUSINESS
- 15.2025 Lincoln Twp Roads
- 16.Intergovernmental Sidewalk Maintenance Agreement
NEW BUSINESS
- 17.Township Hall Rental
- 18.Planning Consulting Proposal Approval
- 19.Approve attendance to Planning & Zoning seminar
ADJOURNMENT
The Lincoln Township Board meeting on January 14, 2025, approved the agenda, minutes from the previous meeting, and payment of $374,477.52 in bills. The board also approved 2025 road projects, a joint sidewalk maintenance agreement with Jerome Township, and zoning ordinance updates. Additional discussions covered fire department staffing, hall reservations, and planning commission activities.
Summary written automatically. The full minutes below is the record.
What the Township Board decided
- Carried unanimouslyThe agenda was approved as amended
- Carried unanimouslyThe minutes of the December 10, 2024 regular board meeting were approved
- Carried 5 to 0Payment of bills in the amount of $374,477.52 were approved
- Carried unanimouslyMotion was made to accept 3 firemen by Fales; seconded by Meredith
- Carried 5 to 0Motion to approve projects by Wirtz, seconded by Meridith
- Carried unanimouslyMotion to approve joint agreement was made by Wirtz and seconded by Oswald
- Carried unanimouslyFees were approved for up to $10,000 (per budget limits): Oswald made the motion, and Wirtz agreed
- Carried unanimouslyAttendance at Planning & Zoning workshop approved
Lincoln Township
Board Meeting Minutes (unapproved)
January 14, 2025
The regular meeting of the Lincoln Township Board was called to order at 7:00 pm with Fales, Meredith, Wilson, Wirtz, Oswald, and 9 guests present.
The agenda was approved as amended after motion by Wilson and seconded by Oswald.
Public comments were heard and correspondence was read. Positive comments were given to the board concerning the Village of Sanford Santa House.
The minutes of the December 10, 2024 regular board meeting were approved after motion by Meredith and seconded by Wirtz.
The treasurer’s report was heard. Treasurer reminded attendees that she would be in the hall 2-14 and 2-28 all day during business hours to collect tax payments.
Payment of bills in the amount of $374,477.52 were approved unanimously by roll call vote after motion by Meredith and second by Fales.
Fales-yes; Wilson-yes; Wirtz-yes; Meredith-yes. Oswald-yes. Motion approved; bills are paid.
The fire department, planning commission, building inspector, code enforcement, water authority, solid waste, and park reports were heard.
281 total calls (various types) for 2024 total is a new high total. Chief handed over 3 new applicants for fully fire qualified recruits; they are transferring from Larkin.
Motion was made to accept 3 firemen by Fales; seconded by Meredith. Motion approved unanimous.
Planning commission: discussed setbacks for garages at the latest meetings.
Ordinance enforcement: Issued 2 permits; two new ordinance violations.
2025 Road Projects were discussed. Projects total a budget of $186,000, leaving a surplus of approximately $11k.
Motion to approve projects by Wirtz, seconded by Meridith.
Fales-yes; Wilson-yes; Wirtz-yes; Meredith-yes. Oswald-yes. Motion approved.
Intergovernmental sidewalk maintenance agreement was discussed. This is a shared project between Lincoln Twp and Jerome Twp. This is being done to address the safety hazard of people walking across the bridge. Once finances are approved, MDOT is paying to install this sidewalk, but the two townships are responsible for maintaining the sidewalk long-term.
Motion to approve joint agreement was made by Wirtz and seconded by Oswald. Motion carried unanimous.
Karen Marks spoke about the problems with reserving the hall using the form on the website. The people using the form think simply filling out the form means that they have an automatic reservation. This is not the case, and we need to take action to prevent it from happening. Form should be changed to say submittal of form does not guarantee the hall rental date is locked in. Out of township residents will have six-month reservation window. Residents can reserve a year in advance. Right now, approximately 50/50 rentals are township vs. non-residents, despite non-residents paying a higher price. There is an extra $25 cost if kitchen is rented along with hall. Suggestion was made to make the reservation process electronic via website. Further discussion will occur as plans are ongoing for the website renovation.
Zoning Ordinance Update was discussed. Spicer is stepping forward to offer services. This will mean the master plan for the township is updated as well. Supervisor is comfortable with their limits and their estimated costs.
Language will be clarified and expanded in Zoning Ordinances, which is a good thing.
Fees were approved for up to $10,000 (per budget limits): Oswald made the motion, and Wirtz agreed. After a roll call vote, motion carried unanimous.
Attendance at Planning & Zoning workshop approved. Motion by Oswald, seconded by Fales. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7:55 pm by Supervisor Fales.
Signature line for Barb Wilson
Lincoln Township Clerk
Certification
State of Michigan, County of Midland
I, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and complete copy of the minutes of the regular meeting of the Township Board of Lincoln Township, Midland County, Michigan, held on the 12th of November, 2024.
Signature line for Barb Wilson
Lincoln Township Clerk
Signature line for Brett Fales
Lincoln Township Supervisor