MINUTES OF BOARD MEETING
TRUSTEES OF BARTON HILLS VILLAGE
June 8, 2020
The regular meeting of the Board of Trustees was called to order by President Torres at 6:00 PM via online video/phone conference consistent with Governor Whitmer’s Executive Order/COVID-19 pandemic. Rules of conduct were explained by President Torres (mute unless speaking, hand raise to speak, 3 minute public comment limit/person). Resident Rob Malan was introduced as the new Zoom host/timekeeper.
ROLL CALL Present: Trustees Al-Awar, Benson, Butterwick, Hensinger, Popp, Saldana, Smith, Torres and Turner. Absent: None.
Others attending: ZA Perry, Supt. Hnatow, BHMC President Curtner, ZH Malan and 14 residents.
MINUTES Minutes of the May 11, 2020 Trustees meeting were approved as printed. (Smith/Butterwick/P)
FINANCE/FINANCE COMMITTEE The Cash Disbursements for May 2020 were approved as printed (Aux. Book XVI F(2)). (Benson/Smith/P) May 2020 Cash Balances report and May 2020 Budget to Actual report were noted. Turner left
PUBLIC COMMENT Four residents spoke in support of private road ownership.
STANDING REPORTS
Zoning Administrator (Perry) No report.
Planning Commission (Hensinger) The Planning Commission will meet on June 9, 2020. They are reviewing the BHV Master Plan and welcome public comments.
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Zoning/Planning (Hensinger) The committee is working with the Planning Commission to review steep slopes/environmental concerns.
Environmental (Saldana) The 2020 Deer Cull went well and the committee will continue planning for the coming year.
Human Resources (Torres) The committee is working on succession planning, and looking for a new Assistant Treasurer since Mrs. Kirkland will be moving soon.
Long Range Planning (Turner) No report.
Recreation (Benson) Tentative plans will be made for the Fall Picnic and reservation of the Halloween trolleys, knowing that the pandemic may still be an issue in the fall.
Roads (Al-Awar) Quotes are being obtained for paving of a section of Country Club Road. Potholes will be filled as soon as asphalt is available. Saldana left
Security (Butterwick) The committee continues to discuss resident security concerns and recommends:
–residents should call Supt. Hnatow (734-368-7896) for safety issues 24/7,
–residents should call 911 if there is a serious security threat or incident,
–residents are best protected by their own in-home security systems.
If there is sufficient public interest, the Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Department may be asked to hold another community meeting to discuss security issues.
Water (Popp) The annual Water Consumer Confidence Report was distributed to all residents, along with a reminder that the water rate increase is now applicable and water conservation is crucial to maintaining a safe and lasting water supply.
Special Roads Committee (Smith) New chair Carla Smith presented a written report from the committee (Trustees Al-Awar, Smith, Torres; residents Randy Perry and Bruce Wallace). The report included:
–private ownership of the roads is supported by many of the residents
–legal title of the roads should be transferred to Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation
–BHV and BHMC should begin negotiations for the transfer and maintenance issues
Motion The Barton Hills Village (BHV) Board of Trustees authorizes BHV’s Special Roads Committee to enter into negotiations with the Barton Hills Maintenance Corporation (BHMC) intended to result in two outcomes: the transfer of title for our private roads to the BHMC, and an ongoing, renewable road maintenance contract in which BHMC pays for defined maintenance services performed by BHV employees.
(Smith/Al-Awar/P by roll call vote: Al-Awar yes, Benson yes, Butterwick yes, Hensinger yes, Popp yes, Smith yes, Torres yes; Saldana and Turner absent)
UNFINISHED BUSINESS AT&T has not responded to Mr. Al-Awar’s communications so the current lease is still in force.
NEW BUSINESS
–A Special Zoning Board of Appeals meeting was requested by a resident. The Board did not feel the circumstances were such that the project couldn’t wait until the July 13, 2020 regular meeting date. The request was not granted. (Benson/Butterwick/P)
–Mr. Hensinger is working on a policy for incoming Trustees that will include pertinent information based on his experience as a new Trustee. Input is welcomed.
–Mr. Hensinger is also on the Barton Hills Country Club Board and gave an update on the Club’s reopening activities (50% meal capacity, limited pool use, no July 4th party). He will serve as liaison between the Trustees and the Club.
–Ms. Popp introduced a resolution regarding antiracism. It was supported in essence by the Trustees, and will be officially written/considered at the July 13, 2020 meeting.
–It is expected that Zoom meetings will continue as long as social distancing is observed, since there is no way to predict how many residents might want to attend meetings. Mr. Malan was heartily thanked for his role as Zoom host.
There being no further business or objections, the meeting was adjourned at 7:41 PM. (Al-Awar/Benson/P)
Janice K. Esch, Deputy Clerk Approved 7.13.2020