LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP – MEETING MINUTES – 2-11-2025

LINCOLN CHARTER TOWNSHIP
BERRIEN COUNTY, MICHIGAN
February 11, 2025
Synopsis Meeting Minutes

THE REGULAR MEETING of the Lincoln Charter Township Board of Trustees was called to order on February 11, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. by Supervisor Glenn Youngstedt at the Municipal Building, 2055 W. John Beers Rd, Stevensville, MI 49127.

BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: Supervisor Glenn Youngstedt, Treasurer Terrie Smith, Clerk Michael Brown, Trustees; Marc Florian, and Dick Stauffer.

BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT: Trustees Deb Peterson and Amy Pheifer

ALSO PRESENT: John Baumann -Township Assessor, Police Chief Gary Soper, Public Works Director George Gaunder, Jen Koeppe, and Julie Amicarelli.

The PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE was given.

ADJUST AGENDA: Added reports from Township Engineer, County of Berrien, and Township Manager.

PUBLIC COMMENT ON AGENDA ITEMS: A resident provided information that the township sidewalk snowblower was causing damage to his property because of the width of the implement. The public works director confirmed that the direction would be made to township staff.

APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Stauffer moved, seconded by Treasurer Smith, to approve the consent agenda. Unanimous voice vote by present board members.

1. Approval of minutes for the January 14, 2025 regular meeting, January 30, 2025 special meeting, and January 30, 2025 closed meeting minutes.
2. Approve the 01/16/25 and 2/12/25 bills totaling $287,930.77

LIBRARY REPORT: The Library Director, Joelle Wake, reported upcoming events at the library and circulation. Circulation was 8,600 for this period. Ms. Wake reported that library is hosting tax assistance events with the United Way. New programs in their digital lab include how to digitize family history.

SUPERVISOR’S REPORT: Supervisor Youngstedt hosted a business roundtable at Lincoln Township with the Southwest Regional Chamber. He also started a pilot project to obtain more township residents and businesses on the notification system.

APPOINTMENTS/REAPPOINTMENTS: MOTION CARRIED Trustee Florian moved, seconded by Clerk Brown to approve various appointments and re-appointments.

BUDGET PRESENTATIONS: Department Heads presented budget requests for FY25-26 to the board. They included Police Chief Soper, Public Works Director George Gaunder, and Manager Ralph Bansen. Representatives from LYBSA and SWM Soccer presented requests for facility upgrades, field improvements, and maintenance.

CLERK’S REPORT: Clerk Brown reported the book balances. Clerk Brown reported the township was not selected for an audit of the November election.

SUMMER SCHOOL TAX RESOLUTION #25-2 MOTION CARRIED Clerk Brown moved, seconded by Trustee Stauffer, a Resolution authorizing the township to collect property taxes for each school district requesting tax collection. Attachment A

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, and Stauffer. Nays: None.

ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION FOR COMMUNITY EMERGENCY SERVICE RESOLUTION #25-3 MOTION CARRIED Clerk Brown moved, seconded by Supervisor Youngstedt, a Resolution adopting the Articles of Incorporation as proposed by the Medic 1 Board. Attachment B

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, and Stauffer. Nays: None.

TREASURER’S REPORT: She submitted a report to the board of the total interest earned on investments across the township funds through January 2025. To date earnings $442,450.91.

PLANNING COMMISSION REPORT: Trustee Florian provided results on two issues in front of the Planning Commission. He referred to the board the draft master plan and food truck recommendation.

DRAFT MASTER PLAN RESOLUTION #25-4 MOTION CARRIED Trustee Florian moved, seconded by Supervisor Youngstedt, a Resolution approving the distribution of the draft master plan and authorizing the township to approve or reject the plan. Attachment C

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, and Stauffer. Nays: None.

Trustee Florian moved and seconded by Supervisor Youngstedt to authorize the Building Department and Township to enact Food Truck licensing through the business licensing and peddler permit regulations. Licensing at $25.00 and peddlers permit for $15.00 -$25.00 for daily fees. Board members discussed the necessity of daily fees and why the township desires or does not wish to be involved in daily monitoring of food trucks. MOTION CARRIED

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, and Stauffer.
Nays: Clerk Brown

ASSESSOR’S REPORT: The Assessor’s Office advised the Tax Assessment notices were sent to property owners on February 8, 2025.

BUILDING DEPARTMENT REPORT: The Department of Building Safety, year to date, has issued zero permits for single family dwellings, last year there were zero. For the month of January 83 inspections were made by the department.

COUNTY COMMISSION REPORT: Commissioner Bob Harrison advised the county has appointed representatives to a solid waste landfill study and also hired a new GIS director. They are also working with the City of St. Joseph on Silver Beach parking and entrance logistics.

ENGINEER REPORT: Nathan Breese provided updates on the DNR grant for the Roosevelt non-motorized path. He advised any tree removal had specific time frames that must be adhered to in the federal grant requirements. Mr. Breese advised four sewer lines were lined with three remaining that would need warmer weather and traffic control.

Clerk Brown moved and seconded by Trustee Stauffer to authorize the engineer and manager to proceed with bids for tree removal for the Roosevelt non-motorized path project. Board members discussed the cost and time line for removal if the project was going to start in 2025. MOTION CARRIED

Roll Call Vote: Ayes: Treasure Smith, Clerk Brown, Supervisor Youngstedt, Trustees Florian, and Stauffer. Nays: None.

MANAGER’S REPORT: Manager Bansen reviewed several projects at various stages and presented the Fire Departments budget request. He completed the compensation committee’s recommendation and is prepping the budget with staff for the February and March meetings.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business Supervisor Youngstedt adjourned the meeting at 9:22pm.