MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE BENTON CHARTER
TOWNSHIP BOARD HELD APRIL 18, 2017 AT 5:30 P.M.
BENTON CHARTER TOWNSHIP MUNICIPAL BUILDING
1725 TERRITORIAL ROAD-SUITE B, BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN
bentonchartertwp.org
BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT
Supervisor Kevin White
Clerk Carolyn Phillips
Treasurer Debra Boothby
Trustee Carolyn Fowler
Trustee Rosie Hudson
Trustee Linda Scarbrough
Trustee Cathy Yates
BOARD MEMBERS ABSENT
None
ALSO PRESENT
Kelli Nelson – Township Superintendent
Andy Jordan – Public Works Supervisor
Kenyon Shane, Celebration Banquets
Cherry Mesa – Recording Secretary
The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Supervisor Kevin White which was followed
by a silent invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance.
The minutes of the regular meeting held April 4, 2017 were unanimously approved as
presented on a motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Trustee Fowler.
There were no Agenda Amendments or Unfinished Business.
Under New Business: A request was received from Celebration Banquets (Banquets) for
approval of a Class C Liquor License for use at Celebration Cinema, 1468 Cinema Way.
Banquets representative Kenyon Shane was in attendance to explain the operations plan and
answer Board member questions. Mr. Shane reported that Banquets obtained their first liquor
license in 2002 for their theatre in Grand Rapids, and now also operates Iicenses in Lansing,
Muskegon, Kalamazoo, Mt. Pleasant and Kentwood. Plans are to sell alcoholic beverages at
the main concession counter at the front of the premises near the front door with the bar
area at the far-right side. Tickets, food and beverages will continue to be sold from that
same concession counter. If the liquor license is approved they plan to expand the food and
beverage menu to offer more full meal options in addition to alcoholic beverages. Mr. Shane
reported on Banquets established alcoholic beverage service policies and procedures that are
followed at all of its licensed facilities to ensure that there will not be illegal sales, and the
MLCC requirements for supervisory personnel in a licensed facility and required training.
Review of the application and applicant was completed by the Police Dept.
After discussion, motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Clerk Phillips to adopt the
Michigan Liquor Commission resolution recommending approval of the liquor license for
Celebration Banquets. Motion carried by the following roll call vote: Supervisor White-yes;
Clerk Phillips-yes; Treasurer Boothby-yes; Trustees Fowler-yes; Hudson-no; Scarbrough-no;
Yates-no. 4-yes; 3-no.
Correspondence was received from the Township Planning Commission recommending
approval, with conditions, of two (2) requests for special use permits: Don & Heidi Ferris of
1270 Rocky Gap Road and Pamela Klyn of 1280 Rocky Gap Road to build residential accessory
structures on their properties at the bottom of the bluff. The property owners would share
access to the lake via a (to-be-constructed) lift, elevator or stairs. The Planning Commission
recommendation included the following conditions: that the structures never be sublet or
rented. Copy of Planning Commission meeting minutes were also provided to Board members.
Pamela Klyn along with Mark Scott (Mark Scott Homes) who will be constructing the structures,
attended the meeting to answer any questions.
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Motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Trustee Fowler to approve the special use permit
request for Don & Heidi Ferris to build a residential accessory structure on their property at
1270 Rocky Gap Road, with conditions, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion
carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Trustee Hudson to approve the special use permit
request for Pamela Klyn to build a residential accessory structure on her property at 1280
Rocky Gap Road, with conditions, as recommended by the Planning Commission. Motion
carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Superintendent Nelson reported that documents were received from Berrien County on plans
to pave S. Euclid Ave. from Empire Ave. to Napier Ave. and that the County Board of
Commissioners voted on 4/6/2017 to approve funding to pay for the project, in the amount of
$197,420, which should adequately cover the cost. Superintendent Nelson recommended that
since it is a township road the Township officially go on record supporting the project.
Motion by Clerk Phillips; seconded by Treasurer Boothby to support the County’s S. Euclid Ave.
Paving Project. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
The following bids were received for the paving of Fort Rd & Sylvan Dr, as restoration due to
the water plant construction project: Rieth-Riley $75,655 and Michigan Paving $93,140.
Superintendent Nelson reported that the bids again came in higher than anticipated but the
project would be done in conjunction with the County’s Rocky Gap Road paving project which
should be a cost savings and would be paid for with water funds.
Motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Clerk Phillips to accept the low bid of $75,655
from Rieth-Riley for the Fort Road/Sylvan Drive paving project. Motion carried unanimously
by roll call vote.
Superintendent Nelson and Public Works Supervisor Andy Jordan reported on the need to
purchase replacement vehicles for both the Maintenance Garage and Building Dept. and
presented the price of $26,268 for 2017 F250 pickup trucks from Signature Ford, Owosso,
Michigan, thru the State purchasing program. Superintendent Nelson also explained that the
funds for purchase would come from the Equipment and Replacement Fund.
Motion by Clerk Phillips; seconded by Trustee Hudson to approve the purchase of two (2) 2017
F250 pickup trucks at a cost of $52,536.00. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Three (3) price quotes were received for second floor office renovations: Pearson Const.$27,500, McGuire’s-$34,642, Twp. Staff Oversite-$20,793. Superintendent Nelson reported
that in an effort to finalize the transfer of the Building Dept. staff to the second floor (which
began several years ago) the renovations would include three (3) offices, with small
adjustments to mechanical/electrical and recommended using Township staff oversite of the
project to reduce costs with a not to exceed amount of $25,000.
Motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Trustee Fowler to approve the 2nd floor office
renovations not to exceed $25,000. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Price quotes were received for the purchase of a small quantity of 35 gal. (39.85 per) or 65
gal. (43.75 per) trash carts with Superintendent Nelson and Public Works Supervisor Andy
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Jordan reporting that after complaints from seniors and disabled about not being able to
handle the larger 90 gal. carts they checked into other alternatives to assist the residents.
Motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Clerk Phillips to approve the purchase of 200 - 35
gal. trash carts at a cost of $8,588.00. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Three (3) price quotes were received for the raw water intake cleaning: Great Lakes
Specialty Diving - $10,065, Underwater Construction - $13,800, Solomon Diving -$8,260.
Superintendent Nelson reported that the intake requires annual cleaning and the proposals
were requested for three (3) years and recommended acceptance of the Great Lakes
Specialty Diving proposal.
Motion by Clerk Phillips; seconded by Trustee Hudson to accept the cost proposal from Great
Lakes Specialty Diving of $10,065 from Great Lakes Specialty Diving. Motion carried
unanimously by roll call vote.
Payment of the bills. Motion by Treasurer Boothby; seconded by Trustee Fowler to approve
payment of the bill listing totaling $227,261.04 as follows: General Fund-$54,029.98; Fire
Fund-$4,025.80; Police Fund-$10,069.61; Sewer Fund-$136,184.66; Water Fund-$22,895.99;
Rental Ordinance Fund-$55.00. Motion carried unanimously by roll call vote.
Public Input: Joyce DeFrance (1479 Bishop); Robert DeFrance (1479 Bishop).
The meeting was adjourned at 6:46 p.m.