BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING MAY 20, 2025

Call to order 6pm
Pledge of Allegiance
Prayer
Roll Call Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Judy Spring-Clerk, Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Tarin Minkel-Trustee, Yolanda Lane-Treasurer – All present
New Treasurer, Yolanda Lane introduces new Deputy Treasurer, Susan Ingersoll
Public Comments- Pat Stuller-asked to have the flags at front of room moved around. Sandy Gomes-asked if we could use people who need community service hours to clean up area behind township building. Can a porta potty be placed back there? Noted she has asked multiple times. Eric VanHouten- Memorial Day service at Hillcrest Cemetery, 10:30 am, Monday, May 26, 2025. Rick Outman & Leigh Murray speakers. Flags on pole-tattered, need flags on some service members graves.
Approval of minutes- 4/15 motion to approve with correction Tarin Minkel, 2nd Brent Dietrich. 4/18 motion to approve Leigh Murray, 2nd Judy Spring, 5/13 Motion to approve with correction, Leigh Murray, 2nd Brent Dietrich
Voice vote unanimous, all motions pass
Agenda Approval- Leigh Murray motion to accept, Brent Dietrich, 2nd, voice vote unanimous, motion passes
Department/Committee Reports- Fire- 4 grass fires, one shared grass fire with Cato Township. Zoning- permits approved, violation issued and violation on Killdeer is now compliant. Cemetery- 1 full burial, 2 lots sold, 3 foundations ordered. Campground- April/May to date earnings $6,155. Planning Commission- Public Hearing on Blight ordinance on June 10, 2025.
Monthly Expenses to be paid $70,747.37. Tarin Minkel asked if there is enough money in the general fund at the beginning of the new fiscal year 2025.
Yolanda will transfer tomorrow morning before checks are sent. Yolanda Lane moves to approve payment of bills, Tarin Minkel 2nd. Unanimous voice vote, motion passes.
New Business-
Trash Day, super success with only 3 volunteers. 111 + residents brought trash, some twice. 29 tons of trash hauled away. Resident asked if we could have a clean up after the trash day. Nails, paper etc. left at site.
Dizzy Days- Fireworks, Tarin Minkel moves to have the township pay $4,000 towards the fireworks display, Judy Spring 2nd. Voice vote is unanimous, motion passes.
Community Federal Credit Union- Tarin Minkel moves to delete all existing names on the accounts at Community First Federal Credit Union EXCEPT Judy Springs and then add Yolanda Lane to all CFFCU accounts, 2nd by Brent Dietrich. voice vote unanimous, motion passes.
Zoning ordinance-Tarin Minkel moves to adopt the newly revised zoning ordinance as recommended by the planning commission. Roll call vote-Tarin Minkel, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Judy Spring, yes, Leigh Murray, yes, Brent Dietrich, yes. Motion passes unanimously.
Blight Enforcement- 6/10/25 Public Hearing, BJ Cogswell says there could be an addition if the recommendation for condemned housing is done by the public hearing. Tarin Minkel suggests the enforcement should be handled by an off-duty police officer if we can get one due to heightened emotions,
violations and confrontations. Township needs to have a job description, # of hours to work. Judy Spring agrees we need an officer due to possible dangers. Discussion will continue at June meeting on this topic.
Old Business –
Townline Lake-waiting for Jordan Rasmussen, attorney, to set up meeting Horseshoe Lake- 62 signed petition for weed control, 9 signatures not valid. County Drain Commission looking into this.
Board Comments – Tarin Minkel asked where the following items stand now: GComm lease- Jordan working on it, Trash audit- Jamie at Granger doesn’t have it scheduled. Tarin states we need to know soon so we know what to do with the monies currently in the account. Damaged Tree at the campground- getting quote, IRS letter on civil penalty of $8700 From 2022. Other docs have been found-no resolution yet. Inventory of Isabella Bank security box- Leigh to send copy to Tarin. Drafting Policies/procedures-Leigh waiting for the new treasurer to take office Planning Commission vacancy- discuss at June meeting, ZBA vacancy- discussion at June meeting. Website-Tarin is the only
one trained to use it. BS&A- still need to do budget adjustments from 24-25. ARPA report- Leigh supposed to talk to Forrest, 4/28 minutes show final SAM report needed/not done.
Judy read resignation letter from Andy Reynolds. Minkel moves not to accept resignation letter and to have a sit down discussion between Township Board members and maintenance person. 2nd by Spring. Voice vote 3 yes, 2 no.
Motion passes.
Public Comments-Nancy Snyder- boat launch, Townline Lake-Brent Dietrich says gravel will be done after Memorial Day but before the next meeting.
Wants budget to actual, when BS&A fixes problem. Mark Anderson- concerns on items not being on agenda, blight enforcement, don’t look for trouble, written complaints only, Foster Swift payment, why over $9,000. Eric Van Houghten- commercial garbage is different from residential. Contract needs to be more equitable. Township needs to take hard look at cost, with the new blight ordinance we may not need a garbage contract. Sandy Gomes- need to have a list for residents of what can be disposed of, if not where they can take it. Gary- Campground Mgr., need to make site costs the same at $35 for 30 amp & 50 amp service because they pull the same amount of electricity. Tents should be $25, monthly rental should be $750. Brent Dietrich motions to change fees as Gary recommended. Tarin Minkel 2nd. Voice vote-passes unanimously. Dave Kelsey- blight enforcement not as dangerous as zoning violations.

Adjourned 7:04 pm

Leigh Murray, Supervisor Judy Spring, Clerk