WHITEHALL — Whitehall Township decided to move forward with a different approach to code enforcement at its regular meeting Tuesday following years of measures deemed to be ineffective.
Following discussions with Fruitland Township and City of Whitehall officials, Supervisor Dennis Kroll was directed to contract Muskegon Township’s code enforcement officer and adopt a proactive approach, not waiting for residents to submit complaints, but going out into the community to find them.
With a new contract, however, comes a cost increase, about $150 extra a month, coming out to $6,000 per year. Kroll believes that, with a decreased need for attorney involvement and associated fees, the increase will be insignificant or eventually even out.
Kroll urged the rest of the board to try out the new system for the year, expressing that he “would like for us to go forward and do this and see if we can’t get some better results. I’m getting really burned out with the complaints from the township…If you don’t get on top of [blight], after a while, it drags down your community value-wise.”
The board unanimously approved the contract with Muskegon County with hopes for better results moving forward.
Whitehall Township also saw personnel changes and a planning commission appointment. Administrative Assistant Mandie Lee is moving to Fruitport Township, taking on a new position that Kroll explained will be “a great adjustment and advancement for her.” In Lee’s place, Tina Jackson will be taking on the role. Jackson has been under township employment for a number of years, according to Kroll. “She’s been learning the ropes and we welcome her and wish her the best.”
For over a year, the township’s planning commission board has had an ongoing open seat, with Kroll spending the past 18 months searching for a suitable resident for the position. “It’s very hard to find people to serve on a planning commission that can stand up and take a new Walmart moving in or something like that…I’ve been looking for somebody very strong.”
The commission is, likewise, in need of someone to help take on the task of upgrading, redoing, and modernizing the township’s master plan.
Following personal research and conferring with attorneys, it was discovered that the planning commission is allowed one member from a neighboring township or municipality, leading to the recruitment of Brian Mulnix for the job. Mulnix was formerly chair of the planning commission, prior to moving out of Whitehall Township, and he has been working with the West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission for 28 years, currently serving as program manager. With his experience in the field, Mulnix is willing to take the position and his appointment was accepted unanimously.
Whitehall Township also passed Resolution 26-12 acknowledging the suspension of the township’s pension plan, made effective May 20. The suspension has no effect on existing accrued funds.
A special meeting is scheduled for June 9, for the purpose of a public hearing for the planned Hickory Place development. In attendance will be the interested developers, as well as county consultants well versed in developing brownfields and tax increment financing to assist the education of township officials.
