By Rosemary Horvath
Herald Correspondent
[private]Seville Township will no longer be required to seek input from the Gratiot County Planning Commission on zoning matters following an approved resolution that dissolves a previous arrangement.
Township Supervisor Tish Mallory and Seville Treasurer Ashlee Gibson-Smith at the Dec. 6 county commission meeting pointed out timelines have been too cumbersome to enact zoning laws in a suitable manner.
For example, Seville waited an additional 30 days to have the county review a proposed camping ordinance after the township had already completed its due diligence that took months. Gibson-Smith said other delays relate to wind, solar, and livestock ordinances.
Seville was not obligated to abide by county planning commission recommendations, as the township is self-zoned under its own ordinance. However, Mallory and Gibson-Smith pushed approval of a resolution allowing Seville to not include the county at all.
Commissioner George Bailey spoke against the change, explaining if you do for one, you have to do for all. He suggested the township institute a different schedule to make time for county input.
“I don’t think taking the county out of the process is a prudent idea,” he said, suggesting county planners may be better trained to recognize pitfalls in regulations, such as legal issues.
Bailey went on to cast the only no vote on a motion made by Commissioner John Lemmermann and seconded by Chuck Murphy to approve the resolution. Commissioner Jan Bunting joined them.
Lemmerman and Bailey did find common ground on a failed motion that would have created the position of a county human resources director.
County Administrator Tracey Cordes had been promoting the new position to handle such duties as negotiating union contracts and the administration of disciplinary action, among other responsibilities.
If approved, the position would have elevated current human resources officer Sheila Barnaby, who has a bachelor’s degree, H.R. experience, and professional certification. It would have also boosted her pay by an additional $11/hr.
Commissioner Bunting was the first to object, stating Barnaby “would be making more money than any elected official.”
Bunting then demanded to have a list of all employee salaries and length of county employment prepared by the end of the month. The tenured commissioner also offered to work for the county if help was needed.
Lemmerman moved to create the position and salary which Bailey seconded. However, Commissioner Sam Smith voiced opposition, especially over a 38 percent pay increase. He wasn’t convinced the director’s position was needed by the county, especially with an annual salary of $96,000.
Cordes countered by stating an annual budget of $58 million and a workforce of 175 does indeed need such a position.
Still, Smith and Bunting were joined by Murphy to defeat the measure.
For other action, commissioners were in full agreement.
They voted to:
– Set a public hearing on Dec. 20 to review a brownfield plan for a hotel project at M-46/Alger in Pine River Township.
– Awarded a contract worth $48,156 to Bud Percha Painting of Mt. Pleasant for plaster and paint work in the courthouse rotunda, and courtrooms of circuit and probate.
– Awarded a contract to Custom Heating and Plumbing of Mt. Pleasant for $386,000 to replace four furnaces at the Mid-Michigan Health Department building in Ithaca paid with American Rescue Plan Act federal funding.
– Heard a status report from Parks and Recreation director Pete Little who said assessments of the five park facilities and US-127 bike path are underway. Parks remain open for winter walkers and ice fishers. Summer reservations are underway. Plans are to upgrade the boat launch next year at Hubscher because the launch now has been deemed too steep.[private]