MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
TRUSTEES OF BARTON HILLS VILLAGE
August 10, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by President Torres at 6:01 PM via online video/phone conference consistent with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order/COVID-19 pandemic.
ROLL CALL Present: Trustees Al-Awar, Benson, Butterwick, Hensinger, Popp, Smith, Torres and Turner. Absent: Trustee Saldana.
Others attending: Asst. Treasurer Kirkland, ZA Perry, Supt. Hnatow, BHMC President Curtner, ZH Malan, three project representatives and four residents.
TRUSTEE VACANCY The Board accepted Matt Turner’s letter of resignation with regret, and with appreciation for his time of service. (Smith/Hensinger/P) Sarah Nicoli was elected to complete Mr. Turner’s term (November 2022). (Torres/Smith/P) Mrs. Nicoli took the oath of office and was seated on the board. The Trustees supported President Torres’ appointment of Linda Benson to replace Mr. Turner as Treasurer.
FINANCE/FINANCE COMMITTEE Mrs. Benson reviewed the July 2020 Budget to Actual and July 2020 Cash Balances reports. The Cash Disbursements for July 2020 were approved as printed (Aux. Book XVI F(4)). (Hensinger/Popp/P)
FENCE PERMIT Application for construction of privacy fence at 196 Barton Shore Drive (Shrank)
The project was introduced by owner Michael Shrank and neighbor (192 Barton Shore Drive) Stewart Gordon. They propose to add a second section to an existing privacy fence between their two properties.
The Public Hearing was convened at 6:12 PM. There being no public comment, the hearing was closed at 6:13 PM.
Motion The permit to construct a privacy fence at 196 Barton Shore Drive was approved. (Butterwick/Hensinger/P)
Mr. Al-Awar joined
WALL PERMIT Application for construction of a retaining wall and safety guard rail at 341 Corrie Road (Staffeld) tabled from the July 13, 2020 Board of Trustees meeting.
Owner Karl Staffeld was present, and had provided additional information prior to the meeting.
The Public Hearing was convened at 6:15 PM. There being no public comment, the hearing was closed at 6:16 PM.
Board discussion with Mr. Staffeld included:
–The retaining wall will be of concrete block, with a natural stone product over the block and a 24” wide x 2” thick stone cap. It will attach to/match the existing wall by the garage.
–Dirt from excavation of the new piece of driveway, where the wall will be located, is being temporarily stored at the west end of the house. That dirt will be moved down the rear slope to cover wood currently placed near the south property line. The entire rear yard will then be seeded/covered with soil erosion blanket to create a lawn. The area at the west end of the house will be completely cleared of dirt and the original sidewalk and driveway will be as it was originally.
–The Building Inspector requires a safety guard rail along the west end area due to potential pedestrian fall risk on the original slope towards the west property line. The current slope is near the angle of repose (less than 45 degrees) due to the dirt pile, but will be less than the angle of repose (30-40 degrees) when the dirt is moved and the original condition restored.
–Concern was expressed about parking a car next to the west end sidewalk. Mr. Staffeld noted that the area is as it was when he purchased the house, that they have sometimes parked a car there, and that there is no evidence of instability. The safety guard rail required by the Building Inspector is not the highway type guard rail for cars, but a black pipe railing for pedestrian safety.
–The small amount of dirt still to be excavated for the wall footings will be spread in the circle area of the driveway/front yard.
–Neighbors to the west and south have come to previous Trustees meetings to express their significant concerns about the project. The Trustees are supportive of community values of aesthetics and friendliness. Mr. Staffeld was requested to, and agreed to, contact the neighbors to discuss their concerns and hopefully improve relationships.
–Concern was expressed for sufficiency of the plans. Mr. Staffeld drew the plans under his credentials as a licensed residential builder and takes full responsibility for them. The Trustees asked for stamp/signature of a registered engineer to insure that the proposed work will be appropriate and safe.
Motion The permit to construct a retaining wall and a safety guard rail at 341 Corrie Road was approved, contingent on receipt of the plans indicating independent review/approval evidenced by the stamp/signature of a registered engineer. The permit will be effective upon meeting the contingency. (Benson/Al-Awar/P with Popp abstain)
PUBLIC COMMENT Supt. Hnatow related comment from a resident not able to join the meeting electronically. She was concerned about the number of political signs placed on private properties. Mrs. Esch noted that BHV Code (Chapter 14:2.23) allows for political signs, with size limitations and placement 5 feet from the road edge.
MINUTES Minutes of the July 13, 2020 Trustees meeting were approved as printed. (Butterwick/Al-Awar/P)
NEW BUSINESS The Michigan Municipal League Workers’ Compensation Board ballot was approved as printed. (Smith/Popp/P)
STANDING REPORTS
Zoning Administrator (Perry) No report. The request for interpretation on the definition of a berm relative to zoning will be addressed at the September 14, 2020 Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.
Planning Commission (Hensinger) The Planning Commission continues their review of the Master Plan and hopes to have a draft ready for the September 14, 2020 Trustees meeting. The Commissioners are also considering ordinance language regarding trees, steep slopes, natural features, solar/alternative energy, berms, and other topics.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Recreation (Benson) Since public schools are not fully open for in-person classes, it is doubtful that BHV families will want to participate in the Halloween trolley ride. Alternate means of celebration, and of community gathering, are being considered.
Human Resources (Torres) No report. Mrs. Smith related glowing compliments paid to Supt. Hnatow by the Ann Arbor Township Fire Department personnel.
Roads (Al-Awar) Two culverts were replaced near the West Gate. Paving will begin on August 17, 2020.
Security (Butterwick) The month has been peaceful and quiet.
Water (Popp) The committee is researching potential impact from a proposed mobile home development on Warren Road in Ann Arbor Township. The project would draw from the same aquifer as BHV to obtain drinking water for 505 sites, and would have on-site waste treatment facilities.
Environmental (Saldana) No report.
Long Range Planning (open) No report.
Zoning/Planning (Hensinger) No report.
Special Roads Committee (Smith) Committee Chair Smith narrated a presentation on the proposed roads transfer discussion and documents. Motion President Torres is authorized to sign:
–a quitclaim deed transferring ownership of Barton Hills Village’s private roads to the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation for monetary consideration of $3,000;
–a Memorandum of Understanding articulating principles of the partnership between Barton Hills Village and the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation to maintain the private roads; and
–an August 11, 2020 – March 31, 2022 Maintenance Agreement whereby Barton Hills Village will provide maintenance services for the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation’s roads, for which the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation will pay a $90,000 fee, and a Barton Hills Village-Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation Joint Roads Committee will be established. (Smith/Al-Awar/P)
Motion Riad Al-Awar was designated as the representative from Barton Hills Village on the Joint Roads Committee. (Smith/Torres/P)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS None.
There being no further business or objections, the meeting was adjourned at 7:53 PM.
Janice K. Esch, Deputy Clerk Approved 9.14.2020