BELVIDERE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING JUNE 17, 2025

Call to order 6pm Pledge of Allegiance Prayer- Roberta Murray
Roll Call Brent Dietrich-Trustee, Judy Spring-Clerk, Leigh Murray-Supervisor, Tarin Minkel-Trustee, Yolanda Lane-Treasurer – All present

Public Comments- Chris Bryne-resident, asking for relief of the $500 township fee to apply for a Federal license to provide gunsmithing from his home. This fee is just too high.
Eric VanHouten-Townline Lake boat launch still rough. Wants ownership to DNR flipped quickly, also thinks we should analyze cemetery GPS
Karen Smith-new resident on N. Carlson, terrible blight, what is township doing?
Approval of minutes – motion from Tarin Minkel, trustee to approve, 2nd Brent Dietrich. Voice vote-unanimous, motion passes.
Treasurer Report- Balances, Yolanda Lane, Treasurer says she can’t sign some checks as they are wrong. Board takes time to review and approve the remaining checks with those incorrect to be corrected and then approved/pay. Yolanda Lane, motion to approve partial vendors and payroll approval, 2nd Brent Dietrich. Voice vote-unanimous, motion passes.
Planning Commission-Scott Chandler, permit, PC is working on questions for the Township, next Planning Commission meeting August 12, 6pm.
Board meeting-Leigh Murray, introduces Mark Anderson as Deputy Supervisor, Mark Anderson talks about Roberts Rules and how they should be used for Board meetings for uniformity and how it helps the Chairperson (Supervisor) to control who speaks. Township has a policy from 11/10/21. Mark doesn’t feel it’s meaty enough and wants a revision. Leigh Murray asked for motion to use Robert’s Rules for Board meetings. Yolanda Lane, motion to use RR’s
2nd Leigh Murray. Tarin Minkel is not fully prepared to vote, says we should take time to look at this then move forward. Motion on table, vote, Leigh Murray, yes, Tarin Minkel, Yolanda Lane and Judy Spring, no. Leigh Murray tables till the July meeting.

Contacting attorney-Leigh Murray recommends township agent (Supervisor) should approve any call to the attorney. Motion by Leigh Murray, Supervisor should authorize all Board members to talk to the attorney’s. Yolanda
Lane asked, what does that mean? Leigh says legal fees too high and it’s a way to have someone decide if the request is of importance enough to spend
the dollars on. He said we are already close to being over budget. Tarin Minkel noted the fees are not broken down and include the Planning Commission which has it’s own budget and the new zoning info. Tarin said she and
Leigh talked about the Debenture Account which can be used. Leigh amends his motion- all attorney fees should go through the agent (Supervisor,) as some may be fraudulent. Brent Dietrich 2nd. Roll call vote-Leigh Murray, Brent Dietrich, Yolanda Lane voted yes. Tarin Minkel, Judy Spring voted no. Motion carries.
ZBA-Brent Dietrich was appointed to the board. Leigh Murray motion to add Brent, Yolanda Lane 2nd. Roll call vote unanimous. Leigh Murray, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Judy Spring, yes, Tarin Minkel, yes, Brent Dietrich, yes.

MTA subscription-cost $2,417.82 annual fee to continue. Judy Spring motions to pay annual subscription, Tarin Minkel 2nd with discussion. Does this include online /webinars? No, vote is to continue subscription without online/webinars. Voice vote is unanimous, motion carries.

Bank Accounts-Angela Brott from Isabella Bank spoke explaining how to take Townships 10 accounts to 2. Accounts will be fluid with a set balance and the second account to sweep to FDIC where they will be FDIC covered and still earning interest. Township can move money as needed from one account to another within 48 hours. Both the accounts will be checking and no new checks will be required. Yolanda Lane motions to take current 10 accounts down to 2. Tarin Minkel 2nd, unanimous vote, motion carries.

Planning Commission-BJ Cogswell, asks new Zoning Book be approved June 17, 2025. Leigh Murray motions to approve, Tarin Minkel 2nd. Roll Call vote, Leigh Murray, Tarin Minkel, Brent Dietrich, Judy Spring and Yolanda Lane vote Yes. Vote is unanimous and motion carries.

Refuse (blight) ordinance- Tarin Minkel motion to approve as amended by Township attorney. BJ explained changes were only language clean up and adding violation and validity to correct language. Yolanda Lane
2nd. Roll Call vote, Leigh Murray, yes, Tarin Minkel, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Brent Dietrich, yes, Judy Spring, yes. Motion carries.

Planning Commission approved to reduce number of persons on commission From 7 to 5. Leigh Murray motions to approve resolution to adopt, Yolanda Lane 2nd. Roll call vote, Leigh Murray, yes, Yolanda Lane, yes, Brent Dietrich, Yes, Tarin Minkel, yes, Judy Spring, yes. Motion passes unanimously.

BS&A- received corrections from BS&A, working on updating 2024-25 info.

Budget- is now in computer system. Yolanda Lane working with the IRS on the penalty of over $8800 due to the fact many of the taxes were not filed correctly.
Credit Cards- dropping debit cards to go to more secure credit cards. Tarin Minkel motions that each of three credit cards should have an individual limit of
$1,000 each per month and a total overall limit of $3,000. Three cards: Clerk, Maintenance, Fire Department. Judy Spring 2nd, voice vote- unanimous, motion carries.

Cemetery GPS-Christy, have a report of general nature do not have the Google Earth report, couldn’t open. Company is sending in flash drive form. Brent motions we not pay till we get what we paid for, Yolanda Lane, 2nd. Voice vote, unanimous, motion passes.

Adding Blight Enforcement Officer-Leigh Murray motions to appoint Dave Kelsey, zoning administrator as he brought in 3 recommendations from neighboring townships. Brent Dietrich 2nd. Tarin Minkel asked if the township has a job description and did anyone else apply? Leigh said no job description and he did not advertise. Motion on the table and is voted on, vote is unanimous, motion carries.

Board comments- Christy Reynolds, Cemetery Mgr.- thanks to all who helped get the cemetery looking great for the Memorial Day service.

Yolanda Lane- thank you Angela Brott, Isabella Bank
Tarin Minkel- park phone update, have to increase plan to unlimited due to large increase in usage. Roads update-first chloride spread has been made.

Public comments-Nancy Snyder-thanks Leigh and Brent for Townline Lake boat launch fix. Don’t take away refuse millage and what is being talked about the Treasurer’s salary? Heard board to reduce Clerk and increase Treasurer.
Greenville paper saying township spending over $600,000 on roads, not the
$304,000 the township says. Leigh said her time was up and she continued to speak. She was very upset when she had to sit down.
Dave Kelsey, thanked board for voting him in to refuse enforcement job. Angela Brott-Leigh showed up at Dizzi Days meeting. If $500 is raised he will go in the dunk tank.
Karen Smith, when does blight officer begin? 30 days after the approval vote.

Leigh Murray, Supervisor Judy Spring, Clerk