MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE IRA TOWNSHIP BOARD OF TRUSTEES MAY 11, 2021

The Ira Township Board of Trustees met in the board room of the Ira Township Hall on May 11, 2021 at 5:01 p.m. The meeting was called to order with a moment of silence followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL:

Board members present: James Endres, Jr., Thomas Lauer, Tom Eder, James Jacob and Jean Corbat Absent: None

OLD BUSINESS:

RES 21-05-02 Long Island Court Paving Special Assessment District Resolution #1

J. Jacob moved to adopt Resolution 21-05-02 to approve the Long Island Court Special Assessment District, supported by J. Corbat. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: James Endres Jr., Thomas Eder, Thomas Lauer, and Jean Corbat Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

RES 21-05-03 Set Public Hearing RE: Long Island Court Paving Special Assessment District Resolution #2

T. Lauer moved to adopt Resolution 21-05-03 to set the Public Hearing for the Long Island Court Special Assessment District for June 2, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. at the Township Hall, supported by J. Corbat. Roll Call Vote: Ayes: James Endres Jr., Thomas Eder, Thomas Lauer, and Jean Corbat Nays: None MOTION CARRIED.

Short Term Vacation Rental Ordinance

J. Corbat moved to table this matter for further information, review and discussion, supported by T. Eder. All voting yes. Opposing: None MOTION CARRIED.

NEW BUSINESS:

Fire Department and DPS Parking Lot Paving

J. Endres Jr., moved to award the Fire Department and DPS Parking Lot Paving contract to Raymond Excavating Company for the amount of $339,940.17 with all work to be completed per bid specifications, supported by J. Jacob. All voting yes. Opposing: None MOTION CARRIED.

Letter of Agreement between Ira Township and IUOE Local 324

J. Endres Jr. moved to table this matter for further review and discussion between the Board, Union and Union members, supported by J. Jacob.

All voting yes. Opposing: None MOTION CARRIED.

Township Hall Exterior Renovations

T. Lauer moved to award the bid for Township Hall exterior renovations to Hubbard Home Improvements, in an amount not to exceed $20,600.00, with completion date as provided, supported by J. Corbat. All voting yes. Opposing: None MOTION CARRIED.

Re-opening of Township Hall to the Public

J. Jacob moved to approve the re-opening of the Township Hall to the public effective May 17, 2021, following COVID-19 selfscreening guidelines and requiring a mask to be worn in the building, supported by T. Eder. All voting yes. Opposing: None MOTION CARRIED.

Kelley & Sons Heating & Cooling PC (PC 20-416 Site Plan Re-submittal)

J. Jacob moved to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approve the re-submitted revised Site Plan, subject to requiring that the 6-foot side yard setback from the east property line be changed to a 10-foot side yard setback from the east property line, which will keep the proposed side yard setback in line with the existing structure, supported by J. Endres Jr. All voting yes. Opposing: None MOTION CARRIED.

Parks & Recreation Commission Membership

T. Lauer moved to accept the recommendation of the Parks & Recreation Director and reduce the number of members on the Parks & Recreation Commission from 7 to 5 members, supported by J. Jacob. All voting yes. Opposing: None MOTION CARRIED.

PUBLIC COMMENT:

All Comments concerns the Vacation Short Term Rental Ordinance

• Attorney Gary Gendernalik, 24001 Greater Mack, St. Clair Shores, MI 48080, representing Sara and David Potter and several other similarly situated property owners, reviewed sections of the packet he provided prior to the meeting; questioned whether the Zoning Ordinance would be amended or a new regulatory ordinance enacted and questioned impact on new or existing rentals; would like to be advised when this issue is next on an agenda;
• Mr. Darrah, 7571 Dyke Road, Ira Township is not East Lansing, they mainly rent to fishermen and questioned 90 days in jail as cited in preliminary draft of regulatory ordinance; 
• Jim Ackerman, 7517 Dyke Road, been around for 62 years and income from rentals important to him;
• Dave Egge, 7520 Zobl Court, there are five year-round rentals on his street that are a mess but two B&B’s are in great shape;
• Nancy Rickel, 8300 Long Island Court, owns vacation rental next door to her and no complaints; why misdemeanor for violations; occupancy should be based on adults not children; should allow wintertime and short-term rentals for people with jobs in the area; why is there a requirement for driveway pavement; setting fines on misdemeanor for vacation rentals why fine the homeowner; all have invested money into rentals; a lot of bight in Township causes problem down her road;
• Sara Potter, 8453 Dixie, two properties at end of Wagner; moving to Wagner Lane; significant funds invested in both properties and hired local contractors; punitive fines not in line with current ordinances; vacation rental property owners do not want properties damaged; there is a lot of blight in the township; consider language that is reasonable; more than 50% have gravel driveways in the township, does not match rest of Township; would like to work with group on language;
• Mark McLennan, 7844 Swan River Drive (lives in Shelby Township), got into vacation rentals and they rent to people with more money, long term rental could be detrimental if a bad tenant; concept in ordinance if guests act up they should be charged; sometimes construction crews come in and use their rental; he grew up in Chesterfield Township and Lake St. Clair is considered a private lake because limited access – how do you get to the Flats; 
• Richard Budzeak, 7886 Swan River Drive, problem with Terry’s Marina; no problem with renting places; he lives on private road and no mail is delivered;
• Kim Darrah, 7571 Dyke, if bad guest, everyone in group is notified; been a good experience everything about fishing and boating; hard surface parking; new studio cottage but nothing listed for that type of unit;
• Joyce McLennan, 7844 Swan River Drive, come and see our house; inspections in other communities – different rules; helping to bring people into the township; multiple rental locations; returning customers love it here they get on water and have fun; no complaints at their locations; 

ADJOURNMENT:

With no further business to discuss and on the motion of T. Lauer, supported by J. Endres Jr., the meeting adjourned at 6:00 p.m. 

Respectfully Submitted,

Jean Corbat, Clerk