Cross Village Township
Special Board Meeting
Minutes
5-21-08
Present: Howard Wood, Maria Krupa, Gene Reck, Steve Keller, Catherine Schlapp
Also Present: Jim Ramer, Jay Neff, Graham Family,

Call to order: The special meeting of the Cross Village board was called to order by Supervisor Wood at 7:00 p.m.

Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was said by all present.

Supervisor Wood opened the meeting to questions to the board, Attorney Jim Ramer, Jay Neff representing the Nature Conservancy and the Grahams.  As result of the resulting discussion the proposed ballot wording was changing and the following resolution offered:

RESOLUTION 2008-011
CROSS VILLAGE TOWNSHIP

WHEREAS, the Township Board of Cross Village Township wishes to purchase for $150,000, for public purposes, Tax Parcels 05-04-34-301-019; 05-04-34-301-022; and 05-04-34-301-069, (excluding a parcel 20 feet by 20 feet, as depicted in the attached survey sketch) commonly known as “the Cross Property”; and,

WHEREAS, townships may purchase real estate for public purposes as authorized by MCL 41.2(3); and,

WHEREAS, the Township Board has resolved to purchase the aforesaid Cross Property for $150,000, contingent upon the approval of millage necessary to produce $150,000 of revenue; and,

WHEREAS, townships may levy ad valorem property taxes to finance lawful public services, as authorized by the Michigan Constitution of 1963 and other laws; and,

WHEREAS, the Township Board of Cross Village wishes to levy .25 mill (.25 mill) for a period of fifteen (15) years to purchase the Cross Property; and,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Township Board of Cross Village Township, Emmet County, Michigan approves the following millage ballot question language and directs the Clerk to submit it to be placed on the August 5, 2008 election ballot:

Shall Cross Village Township impose an increase of up to .25 mill ($0.25 per $1,000 of taxable value) in the tax limitation imposed under Article IX, Section 6 of the Michigan constitution and levy it for 15 years, 2008 through 2022, inclusive, for the purpose of purchasing for $150,000 for public purposes the Cross Property in Cross Village, Michigan, being Tax Parcels 05-04-34-301-019; 05-04-34-301-022; and, 05-04-34-301-069, excluding a 20 foot by 20 foot parcel, which .25 mill increase will raise an estimated $13,405.64 in the first year the millage is levied, and subject to the condition that the Township shall grant a conservation easement over the entire Cross Property permanently prohibiting development thereof; and further subject to the condition that the Township shall not sell or transfer the Cross Property unless such sale or transfer is approved by a majority of the Township electors voting thereon at any regular or special election called to consider such matter?

[ ] Yes

[ ] No

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that if other sources of funding are found to cover the cost  of the acquisition of the Cross Property, the millage would be discontinued at that time.

Motion by G. Reck, Seconded by C. Schlappi.

Upon a roll call vote, thefollowing members voted Aye: G. Reck, C. Schlappi, H. Wood, M. Krupa.
The following member voted No: S. Keller.

Motion to adjourn at 7:50 pm the meeting made by Trustee Schlappi and supported by Clerk Reck.  Motion carried. 


__________________Supervisor- H.  Wood ___________________Clerk –Gene Reck