FEBRUARY 1, 2000

The regular meeting of the Williamstown Township Board of Trustees was called to order at 7:36 PM. Clerk Graham was asked to record who was present and recorded the following: Supervisor Obst, Clerk Graham, Treasurer Nilsson, Trustee Wiegandt, Trustee Zaban and Building Inspector Aven.

The agenda was read over with the following additions: Letter of agreement from the auditors and a complaint that was received today.

Deputy Drain Commissioner - Eric Schertzing

Maintenance - The 1999 Drain Maintenance work in Williamstown Township included digging on the Squaw Creek Drain which services the township and also the outlet of the Bullett Lake Drain. We anticipate the year 2000 projects to include clean out of parts of the Squaw, Atzinger, Bullett Lake Drains and perhaps some work on the Corcoran Intercounty Drain. Clerk Graham asked about the Leiprandt issue by the school. Mr. Schertzing stated that there is not a county drain there at this time. School properties do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Ingham County Drain Commission and could possibly create a problem for neighboring properties without the Drain Commission being able to prevent it. The Drain Commission is currently looking at the area to see if a county drain needs to be put in place. Mrs. Leiprandt has been advised of the status from the Drain Commission.

Supervisor Obst had a question on paragraph 4 of the proposed spending resolution. The Drain Commission is authorized to spend up to $2,500 per mile for maintenance before going to the local municipalities for authorization. There are approximately 6 miles of the Bullett Lake Drain that need to be cleaned out at an estimated cost of $30,000. This would be $15,000 above the pre-authorized amount. The Drain Commission is asking to spend two years of maintenance money in one year. They do not need to go to a Board of Determination to maintain an existing drain. Mailing was done to everyone in the watershed letting them know that Mr. Schertzing would be here tonight with the spending resolution. The assessments for the cleaning of Bullett Lake Drain are $1,400 at large to be paid by the Township, $9 per agricultural acre and $11.25 per residential acre. To be spread over two years since they are spending two years’ money to do the clean out. Property owner of the beginning of the drain very much in favor of the clean out being done. The Drain Commission needs the approval of both Williamstown and Locke Townships. Treasurer Nilsson had a question on how the spending allowance and the actual cost of cleaning out a drain are related. They are not. The spending allowance is something determined by State Legislatures and does not reflect the actual costs of doing the clean outs. Trustee Zaban moved and Trustee Wiegandt supported that the Township approve the following spending resolution for the clean out of the Bullett Lake Drain as proposed by the County Drain Commission:

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Drain Commissioner, Patrick E. Lindemann, has advised the Board of Trustees for the Township of Williamstown that, pursuant to Section 196 of the Michigan Drain Code (MCL 280.196; MSA 11.1196), an inspection has been made of the Bullett Lake Drain and it has been determined, as a result of the inspection, that certain maintenance must be performed upon the Drain; and,

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Drain Commissioner, Patrick E. Lindemann, has the authority to expend Two Thousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($2,500.00) per mile in any one (1) year for the maintenance of the drain, and where it is estimated that expenditures in excess of Two Thousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($2,500.00) per mile are necessary, those amounts may not be expended until approved by Resolution of the governing body of each township, city and village affected by more than twenty percent (20%) of the cost; and,

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Drain Commissioner, Patrick E. Lindemann, has advised the Township of Williamstown Board of Trustees that it will be necessary to expend funds in excess of Two Thousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($2,500.00) per mile for the maintenance of the Bullett Lake Drain and that the Township of Williamstown is affected by more than twenty percent (20%) of the cost; and,

WHEREAS, the Ingham County Drain Commissioner, Patrick E. Lindemann, estimates that the cost for the maintenance of the Bullett Lake Drain will be approximately $30,000.00, which constitutes $15,000 in excess of the authorized Two Thousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($2,500.00) per mile.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Trustees for the Township of Williamstown, that pursuant to Section 196 of the Drain Code, the Ingham County Drain Commissioner, Patrick E. Lindemann, is authorized to expend money for the maintenance and repair of the Bullett Lake Drain in excess of Two Thousand Five Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($2,500.00) per mile and, to the extent that the drain fund for the Drain contains insufficient funds for the payment of costs incurred for the maintenance or repair of the Drain, then the Ingham County Drain Commissioner, Patrick E. Lindemann, is authorized to levy a special assessment, as allowed by law.

RESOLUTION approved this 1st day of February, 2000, by the Township of Williamstown Board of Trustees, governing body of Williamstown Township.

Supervisor Obst called for a roll call vote:

   Ayes: Treasurer Nilsson, Trustee Weigandt, Supervisor Obst, Trustee Zaban, Clerk Graham.

   Nays: None.

Resolution approved unanimously.