1 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:36,240 All right. Good evening all. It is uh 6:30 2 00:01:32,960 --> 00:01:40,400 Monday, August 24, 2026. This is the Walker City Commission 3 00:01:37,759 --> 00:01:46,079 Committee, the whole meeting. Um first off, let's uh we've got a number of 4 00:01:42,159 --> 00:01:50,560 items on the consent agenda. Um, one is we have an update uh from our public 5 00:01:48,000 --> 00:01:56,000 services director around the uh gas electric utility rebate assistance. Um, 6 00:01:54,000 --> 00:02:01,759 Scott is here if there's any further questions. Um, the memo did a really 7 00:01:58,719 --> 00:02:04,799 nice job explaining out um, you know, initially, you know, we talked about 8 00:02:02,960 --> 00:02:10,080 some of the legal things. It's it's a concept I know some of us were familiar 9 00:02:06,799 --> 00:02:14,720 with from our business careers. Um, but it does spell out. I mean, really, we we 10 00:02:11,920 --> 00:02:18,480 are out nothing. It's basically finding money that we don't have right now and 11 00:02:16,560 --> 00:02:22,640 we don't have the capacity uh to necessarily do that and uh uh you know 12 00:02:21,280 --> 00:02:26,800 part of the return for doing that is getting a cut of the pie. So um so I 13 00:02:25,520 --> 00:02:31,800 guess with that in mind is there any questions or discussion items around 14 00:02:28,480 --> 00:02:31,800 that item 15 00:02:32,319 --> 00:02:39,760 anybody? All right you're making this easy. All 16 00:02:35,840 --> 00:02:45,519 right. Um so that is item 8B. The expenditures are what are there any 17 00:02:42,080 --> 00:02:52,160 questions on the expenditures? Okay. Um let's jump to 8C. Uh rental 18 00:02:48,959 --> 00:02:57,040 facilities. Um one other thing I'll ask our city manager to give some context 19 00:02:53,680 --> 00:03:01,200 that there's uh just been a lot of um a lot of things coming at us. Very 20 00:02:58,879 --> 00:03:05,760 exciting time next door um with the library. everybody know that that bright 21 00:03:03,360 --> 00:03:10,720 shiny um I'm not going to say toy but bright shiny investment we made in our 22 00:03:07,519 --> 00:03:16,959 community um that was long long overdue um and sorely needed um but with the 23 00:03:13,920 --> 00:03:19,599 usage of the facility that there's uh um some things that we're going to have to 24 00:03:18,159 --> 00:03:23,680 to tighten up there of how what does this look like make sure we get things 25 00:03:21,040 --> 00:03:26,640 right. So, um, kind of tee it up from there, but this is one that we 26 00:03:24,879 --> 00:03:30,080 definitely we're trying to get ahead of before we get to the library opening and 27 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:34,959 like, uh, we're trying to figure it out, then we're figuring it out. So, yeah, as 28 00:03:32,799 --> 00:03:38,959 the mayor had said, this is a it's a great new asset for our updated asset 29 00:03:37,120 --> 00:03:44,080 for our community. So we want time to understand what function and use the 30 00:03:42,159 --> 00:03:48,239 city will have for some of those rental facilities and then KDL as well and 31 00:03:46,239 --> 00:03:52,239 marry those two together and then create a policy from that on how those 32 00:03:50,480 --> 00:03:56,319 facilities can be rented out, who they can be rented out for, giving preference 33 00:03:54,080 --> 00:04:00,480 to local businesses and residents of the city and then tier that out to 34 00:03:57,840 --> 00:04:03,920 non-residents, other entities, things of that nature and then build out the fee 35 00:04:02,319 --> 00:04:07,120 structure and the rental platform. So, we just want a little time to make sure 36 00:04:05,120 --> 00:04:10,879 we get all of that and understand how that facility operates once it's open 37 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:16,799 and fully functioning. >> That makes sense to me. I'd rather 38 00:04:14,159 --> 00:04:19,919 » Mhm. Yep. Exactly. Okay. Any other discussion, questions on 39 00:04:19,040 --> 00:04:22,880 that? >> I was just curious how you landed on six 40 00:04:21,759 --> 00:04:27,199 months. not no inflammation either way. 41 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:30,639 » I certainly hope it takes shorter than that, but I wanted to make sure that 42 00:04:28,560 --> 00:04:34,720 staff and KDL had time to work together to understand how things operate and 43 00:04:33,040 --> 00:04:39,280 work within that facility once it's fully opened. So that gives us an ample 44 00:04:36,880 --> 00:04:43,520 buffer time >> because that'll take us 45 00:04:41,600 --> 00:04:44,960 6 months from tonight or 6 months from the opening. Six months from the 46 00:04:44,639 --> 00:04:47,440 opening. >> I should have been more clear. It should 47 00:04:46,240 --> 00:04:52,560 be six months from the opening. >> That's what I assumed. Okay. So, so 48 00:04:49,440 --> 00:04:55,759 you're looking to November, December, >> April. I think that more than enough. 49 00:04:54,479 --> 00:04:58,880 You've got a holiday time frame in there. You have a new governing body 50 00:04:57,360 --> 00:05:04,400 coming here too and and there may be discussion around um policy, what have 51 00:05:02,000 --> 00:05:07,199 you at that point in time. But um um I do agree with I think it's a good it's a 52 00:05:06,000 --> 00:05:10,720 good strategy. >> Yeah. And that pairs up well. It'll give 53 00:05:08,720 --> 00:05:14,560 the city commission time to also um review and consider the use of 54 00:05:12,800 --> 00:05:18,320 facilities policy, which lays out what can happen at any facility that owned by 55 00:05:16,479 --> 00:05:21,199 the city, whether it be a park. this chamber, the library, things of that 56 00:05:20,000 --> 00:05:24,320 nature. So, we can marry those two policies together as well. 57 00:05:22,560 --> 00:05:30,000 » Perfect. Okay. Any other discussion or questions 58 00:05:26,720 --> 00:05:35,039 on 8C? All right. Um 8D is back in front of us. 59 00:05:32,880 --> 00:05:41,039 We've had some discussion on this up here, but uh anything further? We have 60 00:05:37,680 --> 00:05:48,639 basically a um situation where the city had uh um had went too far in a project 61 00:05:44,639 --> 00:05:53,120 uh on uh onto property and uh resident has approached us for uh this. So I 62 00:05:51,280 --> 00:05:57,440 guess that's the the short of it. The details are in the packet, but is there 63 00:05:54,560 --> 00:06:00,800 any question or discussion from commissioners, 64 00:05:59,520 --> 00:06:05,360 city manager, anything? We're good. >> No, I think this is an ammo agreement. 65 00:06:02,800 --> 00:06:08,560 it it resolves kind of a long-standing issue and hopefully we'll move it behind 66 00:06:06,960 --> 00:06:11,199 us. We've documented everything very well so that way this won't creep up in 67 00:06:10,160 --> 00:06:14,160 the future. >> Perfect. 68 00:06:12,720 --> 00:06:17,360 And then last but not least, the only action item we have on the agenda 69 00:06:15,360 --> 00:06:21,759 tonight outside of the consent agenda is resolution 26-812, 70 00:06:20,240 --> 00:06:25,360 poverty exemption policies and guidelines. And this is basically to get 71 00:06:23,199 --> 00:06:29,840 us in compliance with the state uh for now. There may be um further iterations 72 00:06:28,319 --> 00:06:35,840 of this down the road, but this is to get us aligned and uh um our uh um newer 73 00:06:33,759 --> 00:06:39,919 assessor newer >> yes 74 00:06:36,479 --> 00:06:45,759 » um assessor um has prepared a memo in there if there's any questions or 75 00:06:41,520 --> 00:06:48,319 discussions from Charlie on that. >> All right, we should roll through 7 76 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:51,759 o'clock then. >> Yes. And this is a policy that probably 77 00:06:49,840 --> 00:06:54,880 should get updated not annually but frequently more frequently so we can 78 00:06:53,360 --> 00:06:57,600 adjust those poverty guidelines and things of that nature so we stay up to 79 00:06:56,720 --> 00:07:02,080 par on that. >> It's fair. 80 00:07:00,720 --> 00:07:06,960 » I'll leave that up to the assessor there. He's more tied into that world to 81 00:07:03,919 --> 00:07:10,319 understand the the rhythm from which these are updated and how often. 82 00:07:08,880 --> 00:07:14,880 » Mayor, if I can ask. >> Yes. 83 00:07:12,160 --> 00:07:18,880 » Can I ask a question? Just out of curiosity, how often is the It mentions 84 00:07:17,360 --> 00:07:21,599 an audit by the [snorts] tax commission. How often do we go and undergo that 85 00:07:20,400 --> 00:07:26,240 process? >> I It's not annually, but it's it's 86 00:07:25,120 --> 00:07:29,919 semifrequently. >> Yeah. I mean, if that's like a periodic 87 00:07:28,479 --> 00:07:32,160 two or three years, that seems like a natural opportunity to review the 88 00:07:31,599 --> 00:07:34,160 policy. >> For sure. And then check in with other 89 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:37,039 Kent County. >> Now, if it's like five or 10 years, 90 00:07:35,520 --> 00:07:41,440 probably we can be a little bit >> correct more poignant than that. 91 00:07:38,639 --> 00:07:45,759 » Yep. And the cities get wide birth on what those guidelines can be. So we can 92 00:07:44,000 --> 00:07:50,240 increase, decrease, you know, it it's really you you get an understanding of 93 00:07:48,319 --> 00:07:56,080 who what your community threshold should be. And it's also a very underutilized 94 00:07:53,120 --> 00:07:58,160 um exemption because you you have to be in pretty dire straits to qualify for 95 00:07:57,759 --> 00:08:00,879 this. >> Even based on the content of the memo, 96 00:07:59,759 --> 00:08:03,680 it doesn't sound like these are like hard and fast. You have to do these 97 00:08:02,400 --> 00:08:06,960 things. It sounds like they're just kind of recommending and we're trying to do 98 00:08:05,280 --> 00:08:10,000 best align to best practices, but it does seem like there's this is really 99 00:08:08,400 --> 00:08:14,080 soft guidance, not >> Yes. And if if a resident is denied on 100 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:18,240 this, they can always uh escalate this up to the tax tribunal and be heard at 101 00:08:15,919 --> 00:08:20,560 that level as well. So there is multiple layers baked into this. 102 00:08:19,199 --> 00:08:24,960 » Yeah, we love that process. >> Yes. 103 00:08:22,720 --> 00:08:30,400 » So not that I don't support this. My first wondering was just budget 104 00:08:26,400 --> 00:08:33,839 implications. Any preliminary estimate? >> I can get those, but it's it's very 105 00:08:32,320 --> 00:08:37,599 infrequent that these are granted because again, you have to be in pretty 106 00:08:35,919 --> 00:08:42,320 significant dire straits to qualify for the property exemption. 107 00:08:40,479 --> 00:08:46,080 Good question. All right. Any other discussion on the 108 00:08:44,159 --> 00:08:49,080 real or the poverty exemption resolution? 109 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:57,040 » Okay. Okay. All right. Well, let's jump into comments. Uh, madame clerk, we will 110 00:08:54,880 --> 00:09:01,200 start with you. >> Uh, just two things. The Kent County uh, 111 00:08:59,519 --> 00:09:06,240 board of canvasers did certify the August 4th election on August 13th. And 112 00:09:04,080 --> 00:09:11,360 then also, Walker was randomly selected to have an audit of precinct 2. um that 113 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:15,279 is scheduled for tomorrow, August 25th, at 10 a.m. and that'll be held in the 114 00:09:12,959 --> 00:09:21,519 clerk's office. It will be a hand count of precinct 2's um in-person election 115 00:09:19,200 --> 00:09:26,720 day and counting board. So, absentee ballots, US Senate race. 116 00:09:24,880 --> 00:09:30,800 » Okay. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gilbert. 117 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:34,800 » Uh nothing for me. >> Okay. 118 00:09:33,120 --> 00:09:39,279 A few of us attended the ice cream social last week for the public safety 119 00:09:37,200 --> 00:09:44,080 um teams and it was very well attended. Lots of good feedback. Um and our public 120 00:09:41,920 --> 00:09:49,920 service our safety teams did a really good job too getting out in the 121 00:09:45,600 --> 00:09:55,279 community and um spreading the word on anything that people wanted to know 122 00:09:52,320 --> 00:10:00,080 about. So yeah, it was great. >> Good deal. Christ 123 00:09:58,000 --> 00:10:06,720 » uh also went to the ice cream social and it was very well attended. Um was happy 124 00:10:02,880 --> 00:10:13,040 to see that. Um had a DDA meeting last week, Tuesday I think. Um 125 00:10:10,320 --> 00:10:19,120 Scott, maybe can you give a little quick update on the path from the 126 00:10:16,399 --> 00:10:25,279 station two to community park? >> Sure. Um the uh community park path 127 00:10:23,760 --> 00:10:29,680 that's going to connect the back of fire station number two uh has received its 128 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:34,240 permit from the state. That's from Eagle. Uh, so it's an environmental 129 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:37,920 related permit, which is great news. Um, we're looking at final plans for that 130 00:10:35,920 --> 00:10:42,240 now, probably bidding in the next month or two, and then hopefully construction 131 00:10:40,079 --> 00:10:44,880 next year with completion before the first concert, which I think is a big 132 00:10:43,760 --> 00:10:50,160 deal. >> Okay, 133 00:10:46,800 --> 00:10:54,880 » good deal. Thank you. >> All right, Commissioner Chase. 134 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:58,937 » Yeah, just echoing what Commissioner Groers and Babcock said about the ice 135 00:10:56,880 --> 00:11:00,560 cream social. [snorts] 136 00:11:00,160 --> 00:11:05,360 Mr. >> Same same uh police and fire did an 137 00:11:02,800 --> 00:11:10,880 excellent job um interacting with the community and a lot of smiles on kids 138 00:11:07,279 --> 00:11:15,760 faces and a lot of ice cream there too. >> You stole mine. 139 00:11:13,600 --> 00:11:19,440 » Same. Anyway, Commissioner Birdie. >> Yeah, I think everyone knows school's 140 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:23,200 back up and running. Uh streets are a little bit busier now. uh had a chance 141 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:28,079 to meet with the superintendent West Michigan Environmental Academy today and 142 00:11:25,839 --> 00:11:31,440 also met last week with Kenna's superintendent just for a few minutes. I 143 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:36,000 still think we have some great opportunities for school city 144 00:11:33,200 --> 00:11:39,760 partnerships and um got a couple people in our I think in our corner that'll be 145 00:11:38,399 --> 00:11:43,760 supportive of that as well. >> Awesome. 146 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:47,760 Mr. City Manager, >> um nothing major. I also attended Double 147 00:11:45,680 --> 00:11:50,720 Dip. That was great. Um, and my 18-month-old very much enjoyed the ice 148 00:11:50,320 --> 00:11:56,079 cream. >> Oh, yes. Oh, yes. I almost forgot to the 149 00:11:54,160 --> 00:12:00,160 uh uh the Coventry Woods one. >> Yes. 150 00:11:56,399 --> 00:12:05,519 » Um that we went down to city manager um uh chief deputy chief um our new 151 00:12:03,600 --> 00:12:08,639 communications manager who by the if you haven't listened to his podcast, he did 152 00:12:06,639 --> 00:12:14,639 a really nice job uh with that. I know it just dropped last week, but um that 153 00:12:10,880 --> 00:12:18,399 turned out well. Um so I had uh other things I think building on what our 154 00:12:16,079 --> 00:12:25,279 clerk had shared. Uh congratulations Commissioner Leara um um in uh winning 155 00:12:22,560 --> 00:12:28,639 uh with more than 50%. So she is uh stepping into this. Did confirm with our 156 00:12:27,200 --> 00:12:32,560 city attorney just to make sure with all the changes in state laws that things 157 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:37,600 everything is copacetic with all of the roles and uh it is uh December 1st for 158 00:12:35,760 --> 00:12:43,760 all possessions and a discussion December 1st at noon I 159 00:12:40,160 --> 00:12:46,639 believe it was um 11:59 a.m. >> Yes. Something like that. So something 160 00:12:46,079 --> 00:12:49,440 I'll find out. >> But December 1st is the date. 161 00:12:48,399 --> 00:12:53,120 » That's correct. >> So perfect. 162 00:12:50,480 --> 00:12:58,079 » Good. All right. So that's that. Um and then uh thank you to Mayor Prom covering 163 00:12:56,000 --> 00:13:02,720 for me while I was traveling uh the JJ Wright uh 10 year anniversary but also 164 00:13:00,560 --> 00:13:06,480 opening of their new location on Remembrance Road. We had just approved 165 00:13:04,320 --> 00:13:11,360 that uh [snorts] that resoning request. Um and then also want to thank the KDL 166 00:13:09,040 --> 00:13:17,040 uh team um even our project management team with Scott leading that from uh the 167 00:13:14,079 --> 00:13:22,000 library piece. Um after talking through with the uh KDL team, it uh really came 168 00:13:19,600 --> 00:13:25,519 up about um you know, we have a pressure to to get I mean when you walk over 169 00:13:23,680 --> 00:13:29,040 there right now, it just it's like absolute chaos cuz like everything's all 170 00:13:27,839 --> 00:13:35,200 around like there's no way this is going to be open by October 19th. Um but 171 00:13:32,480 --> 00:13:38,800 nonetheless, um that being said, it's it is coming along and um they're actually 172 00:13:37,440 --> 00:13:42,079 going to be closing. There was a notification, I think it went out email 173 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:47,440 today, um they're going to be closing actually a week earlier um at the 174 00:13:44,480 --> 00:13:50,800 temporary location just to allow that pressure to get everything done not to 175 00:13:48,959 --> 00:13:56,480 become strut because it'll be it's that there's a lot there's like way way more 176 00:13:53,279 --> 00:14:00,240 it's a much larger facility and uh um so that being said, I wanted just wanted to 177 00:13:58,160 --> 00:14:05,600 thank them for working with we had a really healthy discussion last week um 178 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:13,120 around that um changing that date. And then last but not least, the um um 179 00:14:10,079 --> 00:14:18,000 double dip um in Coventry was uh the milich piece. So that's think that's all 180 00:14:15,120 --> 00:14:24,320 I had. So if there's nothing else, we are at uh 7:43. 181 00:14:21,760 --> 00:14:29,920 Um so we can take a break until about 7:59. 6:59, sorry. Thanks. Thanks. So 182 00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:31,040 we'll stand adjourned till 659. >> Oh, mayor. 183 00:14:30,720 --> 00:14:34,399 » Yes. >> There an opportunity for public comment. 184 00:14:33,680 --> 00:14:36,959 Um, >> not until 185 00:14:35,040 --> 00:14:39,680 » not till 7 o'clock just because it'll be a matter of public record at that point. 186 00:14:38,399 --> 00:14:41,440 If you could please. >> Awesome. Good. Thank you. 187 00:14:40,800 --> 00:14:44,440 » Thank you very much. >> Yep. 188 00:23:36,400 --> 00:23:39,559 There it is. 189 00:28:34,880 --> 00:28:40,320 And guys, when we get to the second public comment, the first one's agenda 190 00:28:38,559 --> 00:28:43,919 items only. I'm assuming it's non-aggenda. The second, so the second 191 00:28:42,559 --> 00:28:47,039 one I'll give you kind of the head knot. So, and that way it's in the public 192 00:28:45,840 --> 00:28:51,559 record for you. >> Perfect. You got it. You got it. 193 00:28:58,389 --> 00:29:00,409 » [snorts] 194 00:30:50,000 --> 00:30:59,039 » We are at 7 o'clock. Good evening all. It is Monday, August 195 00:30:55,840 --> 00:31:03,279 24, 2026. This is the regular city commission meeting for the city of 196 00:31:00,640 --> 00:31:06,880 Walker, Michigan. Um, I'd like to open invite Commissioner Shane to deliver the 197 00:31:05,600 --> 00:31:11,600 invocation, lead us in, and pledge of allegiance. 198 00:31:08,480 --> 00:31:16,080 » Shall we pray? Heavenly Father, we come before you today in humility and faith. 199 00:31:14,240 --> 00:31:20,640 We thank you for all that you have given us and the many blessings in our lives. 200 00:31:18,559 --> 00:31:25,679 We ask you for your guidance and your strength. Show us the way and fill us 201 00:31:23,120 --> 00:31:29,760 with courage and wisdom. Help us to remember your love and your grace and to 202 00:31:27,600 --> 00:31:34,000 be faithful in our service to you. Give us the patience and the understanding to 203 00:31:31,760 --> 00:31:38,399 face life's challenges with grace. Please watch over our police, our 204 00:31:36,000 --> 00:31:42,960 firefighters, our military and our community and our residents. Help us 205 00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:46,960 also to take care of others and to take care of ourselves. We ask in these 206 00:31:44,880 --> 00:31:49,760 things in your name. Amen. >> Amen. Thank you. Like to invite the 207 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:54,640 audience to stand and join us in the pledge of allegiance. 208 00:31:51,760 --> 00:32:00,240 I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the 209 00:31:57,120 --> 00:32:05,440 republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and 210 00:32:03,120 --> 00:32:07,919 justice for all. >> Thank you all. If I could ask the clerk 211 00:32:06,720 --> 00:32:09,039 to please call the role. >> Mayor Kerry, 212 00:32:08,640 --> 00:32:10,240 » present. >> Commissioner Gilbert, 213 00:32:09,919 --> 00:32:11,600 » present. >> Commissioner Babcock, 214 00:32:11,200 --> 00:32:12,880 » present. >> Commissioner Groers, 215 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:14,159 » present. >> Commissioner Chase, 216 00:32:13,760 --> 00:32:15,600 » present. >> Commissioner Dashaine, 217 00:32:15,200 --> 00:32:17,440 » present. >> Commissioner Birdie, 218 00:32:16,480 --> 00:32:21,919 » present. >> All right. Thank you all. Um, first on 219 00:32:20,320 --> 00:32:27,440 the list is approval of minutes from the August 10th, 2026 city commission 220 00:32:24,399 --> 00:32:31,679 meeting. Is there any discussion on said minutes? Seeing hearing none, I a motion 221 00:32:30,240 --> 00:32:35,840 for approval and support, please. >> I'll make a motion. 222 00:32:32,559 --> 00:32:37,919 » I'll support Chase, Commissioner Tasha. All those in favor, please say I. 223 00:32:37,519 --> 00:32:43,919 » I. >> I. Those opposed. All right. Um, next is 224 00:32:41,919 --> 00:32:51,200 public comment on any agenda items. Agenda items only. Any public comment? 225 00:32:46,960 --> 00:32:56,320 Going once. Going twice. All right. Um, next is consent agenda items. I'm going 226 00:32:53,519 --> 00:32:59,679 to spell all list all four of these out for the uh viewing audience. First is 227 00:32:58,399 --> 00:33:02,679 the expenditures in the amount of 6,322,66.38. 228 00:33:04,720 --> 00:33:11,120 Uh, the second is uh item 8B is the Walker Library Gas and Electric Utility 229 00:33:09,519 --> 00:33:16,320 Rebate Assistance. We discussed at our committee the whole meeting this 230 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:22,240 evening. Next is 8C, Walker Library Rental Facility Policy and a six uh 231 00:33:18,720 --> 00:33:27,200 six-month um um uh just extension just to get uh get the house in order there. 232 00:33:24,480 --> 00:33:32,000 Um and then uh 8D is purchase of real property. We also discussed at um the 233 00:33:30,159 --> 00:33:36,720 committee the whole meeting at 6:30. Is there any discussion um on any of the 234 00:33:34,399 --> 00:33:38,880 consent agenda items? Seeing hearing none, I a motion for approval and 235 00:33:38,159 --> 00:33:43,519 support, please. >> So move support. 236 00:33:40,640 --> 00:33:48,480 » Mr. Gilbert, Mr. Birdie, I heard second. Uh, all those in favor, please say I. 237 00:33:45,600 --> 00:33:53,919 » I. Those opposed. Thank you all. Um, next is resolution uh 26-812. 238 00:33:52,240 --> 00:33:58,000 This is the poverty exemption policies and guidelines. We just discussed this 239 00:33:55,919 --> 00:34:02,240 uh at our committee the whole meeting at 6:30 as well. Is there further 240 00:34:00,000 --> 00:34:07,840 discussion or questions on said resolution? Seeing hearing none on a 241 00:34:04,960 --> 00:34:12,159 motion for approval and support, please. >> So moved. Support. Commissioner Babcock, 242 00:34:10,240 --> 00:34:16,159 Commissioner Chase. All those in favor, please say I. 243 00:34:13,280 --> 00:34:21,359 » I. Those opposed. All right. Resolution 26-812 is passed. Next is other public 244 00:34:19,440 --> 00:34:26,560 comment. Um, please feel free to come up to the stand. I believe that is on, but 245 00:34:24,560 --> 00:34:29,040 it didn't sound like it at the 6:30. >> Hello. 246 00:34:27,359 --> 00:34:32,560 » Um, it does not. We've got a pretty good echo in here, but uh or pretty good uh 247 00:34:31,359 --> 00:34:36,480 noise thing in here. So, if you just speak up nice and loud, just state your 248 00:34:33,919 --> 00:34:40,800 name. Um if you're within the city of Walker, you're addressing from outside 249 00:34:37,919 --> 00:34:44,079 the city. Um just your uh city location and then uh have the floor. Uh so you 250 00:34:43,599 --> 00:34:47,679 have it. >> Great. Thank you. My name is Matthew 251 00:34:46,000 --> 00:34:51,839 Sanders. I do not live in the city of Walker. I live in the city of Grand 252 00:34:49,040 --> 00:34:55,839 Rapids in the third ward. Um but I drive in the city of Walker a fair amount. Um 253 00:34:54,159 --> 00:34:59,200 Walker is home to some [snorts] of my favorite places to shop. Uh many 254 00:34:57,599 --> 00:35:03,040 fantastic businesses, both large and small, are located in your city. My 255 00:35:01,280 --> 00:35:06,800 workplace is lo located on the west side of Grand Rapids and that makes it fairly 256 00:35:04,640 --> 00:35:11,119 convenient to come to Walker for stuff like shopping, but like every other 257 00:35:09,119 --> 00:35:15,839 municipality in the greater Grand Rapids area, I am subject while I'm driving 258 00:35:13,280 --> 00:35:20,880 through to the surveillance from Flock APR cameras um when I choose to drive 259 00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:24,320 through the city. Now, I'm not here to scold you for allowing Flock cameras on 260 00:35:22,560 --> 00:35:28,400 your roadways. I'm technically not your constituent, so what would be the point 261 00:35:25,920 --> 00:35:32,560 of that? And even though I'd be happy to stand here for my aotted time and list 262 00:35:30,400 --> 00:35:37,119 in excruciating detail the problems with ALPR cameras, from abuse and misuse by 263 00:35:35,200 --> 00:35:40,480 law enforcement to the truly staggering amount of inaccuracies that have turned 264 00:35:38,720 --> 00:35:44,880 up from audits and of course the vulnerabilities created by data sharing 265 00:35:42,320 --> 00:35:48,560 with federal agencies like ICE. What I'd like to impress upon you today is the 266 00:35:46,640 --> 00:35:52,720 opportunity that is currently staring your city in the face. Perhaps you've 267 00:35:50,960 --> 00:35:56,240 noticed the increasing numbers of cities around the country who have begun to 268 00:35:54,079 --> 00:36:00,560 cancel their contracts with flock and remove their cameras. I would urge you 269 00:35:58,640 --> 00:36:05,200 to become the first city in the greater Grand Rapids area to do this exact 270 00:36:03,040 --> 00:36:09,200 thing. There's currently a ground swell of opposition against flock cameras and 271 00:36:06,960 --> 00:36:13,359 a growing majority of regular people are becoming increasingly concerned with 272 00:36:11,040 --> 00:36:17,680 flocks abuses of their privacy, myself included. Of course, this perception 273 00:36:16,079 --> 00:36:20,880 will only continue to grow as more campaigns are waged against this 274 00:36:18,960 --> 00:36:24,800 technology nationwide and more people become aware of the issues associated 275 00:36:22,560 --> 00:36:28,720 with flock. Therefore, my argument to you is that no unique benefit exists 276 00:36:27,040 --> 00:36:33,280 from keeping your flock cameras in place. But the amount of goodwill and 277 00:36:30,960 --> 00:36:37,520 increased business traffic would receive by being the first municipality in this 278 00:36:35,599 --> 00:36:42,160 area to cancel its contract would be sudden, immediate, and likely to grow 279 00:36:40,160 --> 00:36:47,520 continuously until other cities followed suit. Walker has the opportunity to lead 280 00:36:44,880 --> 00:36:51,760 the way in this regard. Flock has to date not been able to demonstrate a link 281 00:36:49,599 --> 00:36:56,160 between their cameras and any decrease in crime rates. The benefits of 282 00:36:54,079 --> 00:36:59,520 currently deployed ALPR technology do not outweigh the ongoing cost to the 283 00:36:57,760 --> 00:37:03,119 city or the benefits that could be gained by removing them. I thank you for 284 00:37:01,760 --> 00:37:06,280 your time. >> Thank you. 285 00:37:11,440 --> 00:37:16,960 I'm just going to move this away just so that's easier for me. My name is Griffin 286 00:37:14,960 --> 00:37:20,480 Sigma. I do not live within the city of Walker. I'm a constituent of Comtock 287 00:37:18,880 --> 00:37:25,520 Park, so the greater Grand Rapids area as well. I'm also here today to voice my 288 00:37:22,880 --> 00:37:28,079 opposition towards ALPRs. I'm going to build upon a little bit of what Matthew 289 00:37:26,960 --> 00:37:33,680 said and give a little bit more specifics. So ALPRs, automatic license 290 00:37:31,359 --> 00:37:39,920 plate readers, to many colloally known as flop cameras. Their reported use is a 291 00:37:37,440 --> 00:37:45,040 tool to be used helpate crime in the area and that is 292 00:37:42,160 --> 00:37:48,400 used by tracking information. Supposedly uh they can track a suspect's license 293 00:37:46,880 --> 00:37:54,320 plate. They can track them where they move to follow them and then apprehend 294 00:37:50,400 --> 00:37:58,560 them at at that point. Um however, ALPRs uh do not exactly follow how their 295 00:37:56,320 --> 00:38:02,880 namesake is. They do not just read license plates. They also read bumper 296 00:38:00,560 --> 00:38:06,720 stickers, makes and models of cars, any other dents, dings, scratches may be 297 00:38:04,800 --> 00:38:12,160 easily identifiable. And it's not limited to just cars. It also will track 298 00:38:09,760 --> 00:38:16,720 anybody. If you walk by a flock camera, it will scan your face and leave an 299 00:38:14,160 --> 00:38:21,680 imprint. And that data is sent to a national database. That is anybody who's 300 00:38:19,440 --> 00:38:24,720 walking by, anybody who's biking by. There are flock cameras that are pointed 301 00:38:23,119 --> 00:38:27,920 towards parks in the greater Grand Rapids area. So any kids that are 302 00:38:26,480 --> 00:38:32,560 playing at these playgrounds are having their face scanned and uploaded to a 303 00:38:30,000 --> 00:38:36,880 national database. And the city of Walker in the greater Grand Rapids area 304 00:38:34,480 --> 00:38:41,200 have no local authority over these cameras. what they're scanning, how that 305 00:38:39,119 --> 00:38:46,000 information is being used elsewhere, and everything. As such, anybody who is a 306 00:38:43,680 --> 00:38:51,200 Flock contract member has access to all of this information, whether they live 307 00:38:47,760 --> 00:38:56,560 in New York City, Miami, Florida, Texas, California, anybody who has a FL 308 00:38:53,680 --> 00:39:02,079 contract has access to these cameras. So my question is, why do we as a people 309 00:38:59,920 --> 00:39:06,160 allow this private business to have so much information from us where, as 310 00:39:04,320 --> 00:39:09,839 Matthew said, there has not been a great link to 311 00:39:07,760 --> 00:39:14,880 actually reducing crime rates for areas that these flot cameras are. A recent 312 00:39:12,320 --> 00:39:20,079 study of the Los Angeles block cameras shows that there was approximately 32% 313 00:39:18,000 --> 00:39:24,000 error rate. Now, I don't know about you, but if I went to work and had a 32% 314 00:39:22,480 --> 00:39:29,200 error rate, I would not be working there for very long. And as we all know, 315 00:39:27,599 --> 00:39:34,000 Michigan with their license plates is very formulaic. So one digit that is off 316 00:39:32,240 --> 00:39:39,440 could implicate a number of different people in a crime that they may have no 317 00:39:36,160 --> 00:39:43,440 idea, no suspect, no impact, and they may be stopped for that reason. So I 318 00:39:41,839 --> 00:39:47,760 don't believe that this data is very useful for the constituents of Michigan. 319 00:39:46,079 --> 00:39:52,800 Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. 320 00:39:50,160 --> 00:39:56,440 Any other public comment, agenda items, non-aggenda items? 321 00:39:56,560 --> 00:40:03,040 All right. Seeing hearing none, uh, one more time around the horn, Mr. City 322 00:40:01,280 --> 00:40:05,119 Manager, anything on your end? >> Nothing to add. 323 00:40:03,920 --> 00:40:06,720 » Commissioner Birdie said, >> Commissioner Duchaine, 324 00:40:06,160 --> 00:40:10,560 » good. >> Commissioner Chase, Commissioner Groers, 325 00:40:09,200 --> 00:40:14,960 Commissioner Babcock, Commissioner Gilbert, Madam Clerk, nothing. All 326 00:40:12,880 --> 00:40:18,560 right. Undertain a motion for actually before then, uh, thank you in advance 327 00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:24,640 for covering. I will be gone for the two September meetings, um, due to business 328 00:40:20,880 --> 00:40:29,200 travel. So, um, our Mayor Prom has the helm up here. Um I don't see anything 329 00:40:27,359 --> 00:40:33,599 like major coming down the uh the shoot. So um but anyway, that being said, I had 330 00:40:32,400 --> 00:40:35,280 a motion for approval and support to adjurnn. Please 331 00:40:34,400 --> 00:40:36,560 » motion. >> Commissioner Birdie, 332 00:40:36,079 --> 00:40:41,920 » support. >> Commissioner Chase. Um actually, hold on 333 00:40:39,200 --> 00:40:44,240 a sec. Commissioner Birdie, >> go please. 334 00:40:43,760 --> 00:40:48,480 » Support. >> Thank you. Get on one time. Thank you. 335 00:40:46,240 --> 00:40:54,800 So, uh Commissioner Groers, uh all those in favor, please say I. 336 00:40:50,000 --> 00:40:54,800 » I. Those opposed. 710. Uh, thank you.