Minutes and Agendas

MMRB Minutes

MEETING
CITY OF WALKER
MINERAL MINING REVIEW BOARD
Tuesday, January 27, 2004 - 3:00pm

The meeting of the Mineral Mining Review Board was called to order by Steve Versluis, Chairman at 3:00pm at the Commissioner's Chambers, 4243 Remembrance Road, N,W., Walker, Michigan.

Members present: Steve Versluis, Chairman; Darrel Schmalzel; Scott Conners; and Mark Koning. Member absent: Gary Voogt. Also present: Mark Rambo, Engineering Dept.; Jeff Nelson, Building Official; Dick Denney, Deputy Building Official; and Bonnie Antcliff, Recording Secretary.

DECISION AND ORDER

Legal Description

Property located at 2471 Butterworth, 41-13-33-400-003 and 2468 O'Brien,

41-13-33-200-003.(West Pit)

Applicant & Meekhof's Lakeside Dock, Inc. Owner: Meekhof Properties LLC

Mining Cont: 16861 120th Ave. 16861 120th Ave.

Nunica, Mi. 49448 Nunica, Mi. 49448

Meekhof Lakeside Dock has requested approval for a Mineral Mining License.

Finding of Facts

No citizen appeared with respect to this application.

Jeff Nelson stated that there were 4 conditions from last year:

1. The general notes should be adjusted on plan 2 & 3 to reflect the proper setbacks and this was done.

2. Bldg. Dept. to be given a copy of the agreement between Meekhof & Shoemaker for the NW section and we have that.

3. A key to be given to the City for the mining pit; we have that.

4. An updated letter of credit and we have that.

The addresses to these sites were changed last year and we need the signs to the pits to be changed to reflect the current addresses.

Mark Rambo stated that they are in good shape with the soil erosion conditions. He felt that the Board needed a better representation on the plan of what is on the site. He then pointed out the site plan and area to be reclaimed. The plan needs to be revised so that there is an accurate representation of what is going on here.

Scott Conners asked if the NW corner of Phase 2 along the edge of Flossie Hendges pit; is that going to be taken care of?

Doug Meekhof stated that the only difference this year is the NW corner of the site. He stated that we have an agreement with Bob Shoemaker this year to take out sand past the property line. He then pointed out on the site what is being done there.

Scott Conners asked if there were any stock piles on the site?

Mr. Meekhof replied, there is a top soil stock pile. Sometimes there are small piles of road building material.

Scott Conners stated that he would like to see these stock piles labeled on the site plan.

Scott Conners asked which area was mined in 2003 and which areas have the trees been removed and are any more going to be removed this year?

Doug Meekhof pointed out the areas mined in 2003. We want to finish Phase 2 before moving on but we need a big job because we do not want to shut down Jack Goodale's oil well for a lengthy period of time. We did not remove any trees this year and we have no plans to remove trees.

Steve Versluis asked if there were a significant number of abandoned oil wells on this site?

Doug Meekhof replied there are none that he is aware of.

Motion

Scott Conners moved and Mark Koning supported the motion to approve the applicant's request for a Mineral Mining License for 2471 and 2468 O'Brien until February 28, 2005.

The Board imposed the following conditions:

1. New addresses be put on signs to the pit.

2. Letter of certification of the fencing around the site.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

DECISION AND ORDER

Legal Description

Property located at 2325 Butterworth, 41-13-34-300-016, 2351 Butterworth,

41-13-34-300-013 and 2204 O'Brien, 41-13-34-100-018. (Center Pit)

Applicant & Meekhof's Lakeside Dock, Inc. Owner: Meekhof Properties LLC

Mining Cont: 16861 120th Ave. 16861 120th Ave.

Nunica, Mi. 49448 Nunica, Mi. 49448

Meekhof Lakeside Dock has requested approval for a Mineral Mining License.

Finding of Facts

Steve Versluis, Chairman reviewed the application and site plan submitted. No other citizen appeared with respect to this application.

Jeff Nelson commented that the conditions last year were:

1. Address on sign to the pit be changed and that still needs to be done.

2. Letter of credit renewed and we have received that.

3. A key to site which we have.

4. Certification of the fencing, which we have.

We were told by the City Attorney that these permits have to be done a yearly basis so we cannot grant one for 2 years.

Mark Rambo stated that there were no concerns with this site. There are no issues here.

Darrel Schmalzel asked about the access into the property. Is there an easement here for access?

Doug Meekhof replied that there is no formal easement. When we bought the land from Georgia Pacific that was supposed to be included and that was missed. If we ever sell this we will have to address this. This land does actually hook up to our other pit.

Scott Conners stated that on the north part of the site in Phase 1 the proposed contours are 640, 642, 644, but the existing contours go up at a similar rate but they are 40 ft. higher. Is that clay and why are you moving further north?

Doug Meekhof replied that the floor of the existing pit is clay. We should go back in there. Right now we have no intention of taking this clay out.

Scott Conners stated that this will have a big impact for all the folks to the north. It will make it a whole lot better for the neighbors knowing that they will only have a 20 ft. drop back there versus a 60 ft. drop. We should have a completely revised reclamation plan the next time they come back here.

Steve Versluis asked what the long range use here will be?

Doug Meekhof replied that they have no plans here. We have probably 15 to 20 years left to mine sand here. Hopefully it will go to Millennium Park when this is done.

Darrel Schmalzel asked how much longer they will be in Phase 1 before moving on to Phase 2?

Doug Meekhof replied that one job could finish Phase 1 or it could take a couple of years. There is not a whole lot left here.

Motion

Mark Koning moved and Darrel Schmalzel supported the motion to approve the applicant's request for a Mineral Mining License for 2325 and 2351 Butterworth and 2204 O'Brien until February 28, 2005.

The Board imposed the following conditions:

1. Address be changed on sign to pit.

2. Revised reclamation plan for next year.

3. Fence certification.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Motion

Darrel Schmalzel moved and Scott Conners supported the motion to approve the Mineral Mining minutes of March 25, 2003.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Election of Officer

Scott Conners moved and Darrel Schmalzel supported the motion to elect Steve Versluis Chairman of the Mineral Mining Board for the year 2004.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

Motion

Steve Versluis moved and Scott Conners supported the motion to enact Section 34-269 of the Walker Code of Ordinances and waive the City of Walker's requirement to obtain a Mineral Mining license for 2251 Butterworth parcel number 41-13-34-300-002. All conditions under the Mineral Mining Ordinance are to be met by the City.

Motion carried 40 to 0.

Motion

Darrel Schmalzel moved and Scott Conners supported the motion to adjourn the Mineral Mining Board meeting at 4:20pm.

Motion carried 4 to 0.

The City of Walker, Michigan
4243 Remembrance Rd. NW
Walker, MI 49534
(616)453-6311
City Hall hours: Mon-Thursday from 7:30am to 5:30pm. Closed Fridays
All information © 2012 City of Walker

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