On the agenda: Gobles 08-05-2026 — Data Center (Aug 5)

PINE GROVE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY BOARD MEETING MINUTES
August 5, 2026 7:00 p.m.
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Meeting was called to order at 7:00 P.M. by Visser.
Pledge of Allegiance.
Roll Call: Present: Huston, Meert, Visser, Sell Absent: Hephner Also Present: Josh Thall, Attorney
Approve Agenda: Motion by Visser, supported by Sell to amend the agenda, to add Approval of Special
Meeting Minutes from July 1, 2026 under Consent Agenda. All yes, motion carried.
Motion by Sell, supported by Huston to approve the agenda and Special Meeting minutes as amended. All
yes, motion carried.
5. Consent Agenda: Motion by Huston, supported by Visser to approve the Consent Agenda. All yes, motion
carried.
6. Monthly Bills: Motion by Sell, supported by Visser to approve the monthly bills as presented. All yes,
motion carried.
7. Correspondence and Reports:
A. County Commissioner: Submitted Van Buren County has grants available for county
residents for home improvements, up to $20K, with income requirements, home ownership for at
least 1 year, and be a US Citizen. Market One is the grant administrator. Visser will see about
putting this information on the Pine Grove Township website.
B. Road Commission: None. Visser reported on some road commission work updates. The
VBC Road Commission website is now linked to the Pine Grove Township website under the
COMMUNITY tab.
C. Fire Chief: Kronk reported 193 calls for the year. There will be an Open House at the Fire
Station sometime in October, to be determined.
D. Fire Board: Chandler reported that the Fire Station has changed banking institutions.
E. Ambulance: Report Submitted: 13 responses for June. The electrical project at the
Ambulance station has been completed and thanks the board for allowing the project to take
place. The damaged overhang on the building has also been repaired.
F. Treasurer: Submitted As of 6-30-2026: Total: $1,488,915.73
G. Planning Commission: Next meeting is August 17, 2026 at 6 p.m. The Sept. meeting has been
cancelled as there will be three members of the board on vacation. If something comes up, a
special meeting can be called and they will still have a quorum of 4 members.
H. KABA: July had a total of $2,332 in 16 permits.
I. Ordinance Enforcement: Has 30 current cases pending.
8. Committee Reports:
1. Building Committee – Crawl Space Encapsulation: VDK did a walk thru and the quote is pending.
9. Old Business:
1. Renewable Energy – updates: Atty Thall reported there are no updates at this time
2. Data Center Moratorium Resolution – final adoption: Atty Thall went over the final Moratorium
Resolution steps. Thall stated the Planning Commission is requesting a joint meeting with the Board on
August 17th at 6 pm with Attorney Michael Bila presenting, who has been very immersed in these issues.
Motion by Meert, supported by Visser to approve the Zoning Ordinance Amendment Temporary
Moratorium Authority and Temporary Moratorium for Data Centers as written. Roll Call: Huston –
yes, Meert – yes, Visser – yes, Sell -yes, Hephner – absent. All yes, motion carried. Ordinance
#08052026.
3. Pine Grove Parks & Rec Planning – Ice Cream Social 8/8/26: Saturday, August 8th,, 4pm to 7 pm , Pine
Grove Twp. will be working together with Pam from the United Methodist Church and will be holding an
Ice Cream Social for the community to raise ideas for projects for the parks in Pine Grove Township. The
church will be selling hotdogs to raise money and the Township Board will be serving ice cream. Motion
by Meert, supported by Visser to approve the costs incurred for the ice cream social at $328.34. Roll
Call: Huston – yes, Meert – yes, Visser – yes, Sell – yes, Hephner – absent. All yes, motion carried.

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4. CR 388 & 25th Curve – Revise Resolution to add North End of Curve Devices: Visser reported the
quote was received for the other direction signs and lights for CR 388 and 25th Street curve for a total cost
of $20,819. $10,538 has already been approved. Visser stated the resolution needs to be amended to add
the additional signage and lighting costs to the project. Motion by Visser, supported by Huston to
approve the cost of the additional signage and lighting on the CR 388/25th Street curve.
Roll Call:
Huston – yes, Meert - yes, Visser – yes, Sell -yes, Hephner – absent. All yes, motion carried.
Visser read the Resolution into the record. Motion by Visser, supported by Meert to adopt the revised
resolution as written. Roll Call: Huston – yes, Meert – yes, Visser – yes, Sell – yes, Hephner – absent.
All yes, motion carried.
10. New Business:
1. Donation Policy for Donations to the Township: Visser explained that a long time resident and owner
of the Kendall Store, Walter Garrett, passed away recently. Kathy, his wife, would like to have donations
made to the Township, specifically for putting in a two-person swing in the park with a dedication sign
for Walter. Currently there is no process in place for donations so Atty. Thall has presented a draft of a
policy for donations to the township. After a lengthy discussion with more questions than answers, Sell
stated she would like more time to read over the policy. Motion by Visser, supported by Huston to table
until September meeting. All yes, motion carried.
2. Prein & Newhoff Professional Services Agreement Approval: The Planning Commission had a Site
Plan Review last month on the Leader Marine project that involves them building a large pole building
that will require a storm water evaluation done by a township engineer. Pine Grove Township does not
currently have an updated service agreement with an engineer. ZA Priest stated that it is a yearly
agreement and sent it over for review and signature. Motion by Visser, supported by Sell to approve the
Prein & Newhoff Professional Services Agreement as written. Roll Call: Huston – yes, Meert – yes,
Visser – yes, Sell – yes, Hephner – absent. All yes, motion carried.
3. Approve Tree Removal Cost on Pine Grove Township Property on North Lake: Visser reported half
a tree came down in a storm a few weeks ago and landed on a residents’ house at the North Lake boat
launch and beach. The resident took care of the tree on his house but the remaining half a tree was hollow
and had to come down immediately for safety reasons. Visser contacted J & S Tree Service for a quote of
$7,900, which also took care of the stump and filling the hole. Atty Thall advised that the tree was the
townships responsibility to take down immediately. Visser approved $5000 and it is up to the board to
approve the additional $2,900. Motion by Visser, supported by Huston to approve the $2,900 for the
emergency tree removal by J & S Tree Service. Roll Call: Huston – yes, Meert – yes, Visser – yes, Sell
– yes, Hephner – absent. All yes, motion carried.
4. MABAS Agreement for GPGFD: Motion by Meert, supported by Huston to approve the MABAS
Agreement and authorized Clerk Meert to finalize and execute the document. Roll Call: Huston – yes,
Meert – yes, Visser – yes, Sell – yes, Hephner – absent. All yes, motion carried.
11. Public Comment (Limit 2 minutes per person): Eric asked if mapping was available on line and Visser
responded that it is on the website under the Community tab - Interactive Parcel Viewer.
Brian complained about blight and feels the township is complacent in this matter as he has not seen any
improvements. He asked if the OEO can come in and report at the board meeting so that the public knows he
is doing his job.
12. Member Comment: Huston stated there is a leak in the metal roof at Recycle Center Building and is
leaking into the new drywall in the bathroom.
13. Adjournment: Motion by Visser, supported by Sell to adjourn at 8:53 pm. All yes, motion carried.
Adjourned: 8:53 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Michelle Meert, Pine Grove Township Clerk

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