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Cascade Township adopts consolidated parks ordinance, approves tree-planting contract and township banking resolution
Summary
Trustees adopted an amendment consolidating park rules into chapter 282, approved a three-year contract to plant 39 trees along Cascade Road, and adopted the annual resolution naming authorized depositories; the board also removed two Kentwood Office Furniture invoices from payment pending adjustment.
Cascade Charter Township trustees on Feb. 20 adopted a consolidated parks ordinance (chapter 282), approved a three-year tree-planting contract to restore canopy along Cascade Road and approved an annual resolution listing authorized depositories for township funds.
Manager Smith and township staff described the parks ordinance as a consolidation of multiple park-specific rules into a single ordinance, with the option to include park-specific rules for individual parks. The ordinance packet included redlined edits and legal review; following discussion of enforcement capacity and park-by-park details the board voted to adopt the ordinance amendment by roll call.
Township engineer Eric Thorn explained the tree-planting proposal as a multi-year effort to replace trees removed during a 2019 pathway project and a 2023 road widening project along the Cascade Road corridor. The proposed contract covers 39 trees of several species, includes two years of post-planting watering and cultivation coverage and was the low bid from Borax Nursery Farms. Staff recommended smaller-caliper trees (2–3 inch) for cost and survivability; an optional larger-tree alternate (3½–4 inch caliper) was included for board consideration.
Manager Smith said funding for the initial $90,000 would come from an improvement revolving fund (IRF) comprised of sewer/water hookup fees that had been set aside previously for infrastructure but, after legal review, may be used for resident-benefiting improvements; staff said the budgeted funds were reallocated to the pathway/tree effort.
Finance director Lorna Nancherini, appearing virtually, asked that two invoices to Kentwood Office Furniture (totaling just over $12,000) be removed from the payment list pending adjustments; the board approved payments excluding those two invoices.
The board approved the three-year tree-planting contract and the depository resolution by roll call. Manager Smith also clarified language in the parks ordinance packet removing a single-park reference so that fishing provisions apply only where water is present.
Following the public meeting items, the board entered a closed session to consult with counsel on pending litigation (Miller v. Cascade) pursuant to Michigan open-meetings exemptions.
Votes at a glance: Parks ordinance amendment — adopted (unanimous roll call); Tree-planting contract (3-year award to low bidder) — approved (voice/roll call as recorded); Depositories resolution — approved (unanimous roll call); Payments list — approved with omission of two Kentwood Office Furniture invoices pending adjustment.
