Thomas Brooks

The Argentine Township Parks and Recreation Plan is a new 5-year guiding document for parks facility improvements and recreational programming. It aims to gather community input on existing facilities, desired new recreational opportunities, funding methods, and accessibility, ultimately enabling the Township to seek funding through State recreation grant programs.

The agenda was adjusted to postpone the parks and recreation report until later in the meeting. Old business included an update on Phase 1 of the zoning ordinance, which was previously passed, and a report on the Recreation Pathway Initiative detailing discussions on funding and routes. New business involved approving a budget to update the township's Parks & Recreation 5-year Plan. The board also reviewed several Phase 2 zoning ordinance considerations, including the Lake District Zoning District, Medical Marijuana, Shipping Container Moratorium, Master Plan survey review, Short-Term Rentals Ordinance, and Data Centers/battery storage concerns. A motion passed to create a steering committee for the Parks and Rec plan update, consisting of specified members, excluding a school board representative who is TBD.

Key discussions included the update on the IT provider contract, with plans to switch to Centaris upon expiration in July. The board approved budget adjustments, the presentation of bills, and the renewal of the Leased Land Agreement for 2026-2030. A resolution was adopted to allow the township to collect summer school property taxes for Linden Community Schools and Genesee Intermediate School District. Following a debate regarding procedural authority, the board approved updates to the Township Zoning Ordinances. Several resolutions were adopted concerning deficit elimination for various drives and the consolidation and relocation of election precincts. The board also adopted a resolution to re-confirm the White Oaks Drive Special Assessment District Roll and adopted the Poverty Exemption Policy & Guidelines for 2026. The board approved accepting a proposal to update the Township Parks & Recreation Plan and agreed to move forward with the MDNR Land Reclamation Grant application process contingent upon the grant being awarded, which involves acquiring property from Linden Community Schools for park development. The amended 5-year contract with Emterra Waste Management was approved, and the board contracted with First Due for Fire & Rescue Reporting software. During business from the board, concerns were raised about uncompleted bank reconciliations and the delayed annual audit. The board approved a quote for replacing the flooring in the main building and amending the motion to include approval for replacing the counter top and façade below the front counter. Finally, the board voted to send a letter declining the Genesee County Water & Waste Services proposal for water system collection information.

The document records a Special Assessment Public Hearing concerning White Oaks Drive. The primary discussion point involved the Treasurer presenting information regarding the special assessment. During the public comment session, residents raised inquiries regarding the assessment being callable, the allocation of additional publication costs between residents and the township, and concerns about changes to the assessment amount after initial figures were provided to residents.

The meeting included discussion regarding the appointment of a new alternate to the Township Board of Review following a recent resignation. A motion was passed to appoint Joshua Buck as the alternate member. The Board also discussed and subsequently passed motions to move additional funds in the budget to cover professional services costs, and to allow an expenditure of up to $2,800 per quarter for professional services for the third and fourth quarters of 2025.