[1:00] All right, clerk, will you please take roll?

[1:06] Commissioner Ray.

[1:08] Rey chair strips.

[1:10] Strips vice chair. Taylor. Yeah, chair.

[1:13] Commissioner Wheeler here.

[1:16] Commissioner DeLeeuw here. Commissioner Gisler here.

[1:19] Vice Chair, Pro Tem Heppler here.

[1:22] Commissioner Mazer here.

[1:24] Commissioner Morales, eight present.

[1:29] Next we have proclamations first up, we have a.

[1:34] Re request for approval of a 25 year proclamation honoring

[1:36] Michelle Greenley, the undersheriff of Kalamazoo county.

[1:40] Vice Chair, Pro Tem Heppler would you like to go

[1:41] up there and make that.

[1:56] Thank you. Vice chair.

[1:59] It's with great honor that I am giving this proclamation

[2:02] to Michelle Greenley, who has.

[2:04] Been a, a colleague and a friend. And.

[2:08] Worker with us for many years.

[2:12] Although you're only 20, right? Right. And I'm 30. Okay.

[2:16] Okay, this is to honor Michelle Greenley, who.

[2:22] Whereas Michelle Greenley has served the residence of Kalamazoo county

[2:26] for 25 years.

[2:28] As of August 27th, 2000.

[2:31] 26. And whereas Michelle.

[2:34] Greenley has faithfully served as the undersheriff and.

[2:38] Whereas the county of Kalamazoo wishes to acknowledge and honor

[2:42] employees who have.

[2:44] Longevity under the umbrella of.

[2:46] County government since is through longevity, that experience in the

[2:50] employee's particular field.

[2:53] Is achieved and now therefore be it.

[2:56] Proclaimed that the county

[2:58] Kalamazoo board of commissioners does hereby acknowledge.

[3:01] With gratitude, the many years of dedicated service.

[3:05] Michelle Greenley has per imparted to the residence of the

[3:09] county and offers its best wishes for many more years.

[3:13] Of association.

[3:15] Adopted September 15th, 2026. Okay. We have a motion. Do we have

[3:20] to support.

[3:22] Motion and support any discussion.

[3:25] Clerk, will you please go roll.

[3:28] Commissioner Morales.

[3:31] I think so. Commissioner Ray? Yes. Chair. Strebs.

[3:36] Strebs vice chair. Taylor. Yes. Commissioner Wheeler. Yes.

[3:39] Commissioner DeLeeuw yes. Commissioner Gisler. Yes.

[3:43] Vice Chair Pro Tem Heppler. Yes.

[3:46] Commissioner Mazer. Yes.

[3:48] Eight. Yes.

[4:06] Yeah, I've do, would you like to say a few

[4:09] words?

[4:10] No, not really.

[4:13] I'll just say, thank you so much for the recognition

[4:15] from the board and, and the county as a whole,

[4:17] it has been an honor and a pleasure to serve

[4:19] Kalamazoo county. And I look forward to continu.

[4:21] Continuing serving you. So thank you.

[4:23] Thank you for my, for your service.

[4:33] All right, the next we have a charitable entertainer request

[4:36] for approval of a proclamation.

[4:39] Recognizing national infant mortality awareness month, 2026.

[4:44] It has been moved and properly supported.

[4:47] Discussion all those in favor signif, or do I need

[4:50] a roll call? Vote for this? All those in favor,

[4:52] signify by saying aye. Aye.

[4:54] Opposed the motion passes.

[4:57] Passes next, the chair will entertain a motion for a

[5:00] request for approval of proclamation recognizing national Hispanic heritage month,

[5:04] 2026.

[5:08] Moved by commission Morales support by commissioner Wheeler, any.

[5:14] Any discussion.

[5:16] All those in favor, signified by saying, aye. Aye. Those

[5:19] opposed.

[5:21] The motion carries next, the chair will entertain a motion

[5:24] to request for approval of a proclamation recognizing October 20, 26.

[5:29] As juvenile justice awareness month.

[5:33] Has been moved and properly supported and discussion.

[5:38] Are those in favor, signify by saying aye.

[5:41] Those opposed.

[5:43] The motion passes.

[5:45] Passes next. We have a request for approval of a

[5:47] proclamation recognizing.

[5:52] Recognizing September, 2026 as national suicide prevention month.

[5:57] It's been moved.

[5:58] Moved support and properly supported and discussion.

[6:02] All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

[6:05] Those opposed the motion passes.

[6:09] Passes next, the chair will entertain a motion for a

[6:11] request for approval of proclamation, recognizing September 20, 26 as national

[6:16] recovery month.

[6:18] It's been moved.

[6:20] Moved and supported any discussion.

[6:24] All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

[6:27] Those opposed the motion carries.

[6:30] Carries next, the chair will entertain a motion for a

[6:32] request for approval of a proclamation recognized in September, 2026 has

[6:36] national service dog month.

[6:40] It's been moved and properly supported any discussion.

[6:44] Those in favor, signify by saying aye.

[6:47] Those oppose that motion carries.

[6:50] Carries next. We have communications of which we have none.

[6:55] Next the chair will entertain or are there any communications

[6:57] from commissioners?

[7:01] Seeing none. Next is approval of minutes. The chair will

[7:04] entertain a motion for approval of the September 1st, 2020.

[7:08] Six draft committee at the whole and regular meeting minutes.

[7:11] The August 28th, 2026 draft special meeting minutes and the September 4th, 2026 draft

[7:16] special meeting minutes.

[7:20] It's been moved and support any discussion.

[7:24] All those in favor, signify by saying aye.

[7:27] We need a roll call, vote on this. These are

[7:29] minutes.

[7:30] Clerk, will you please call roll.

[7:32] Commissioner Ray. Yes.

[7:35] Chair. Strebs vice chair Taylor. Yes.

[7:38] Commissioner Wheeler. Yes. Commissioner Delo. Yes.

[7:42] Duluth. Yes. Commissioner Gisler. Yes.

[7:44] Vice Chair Pro Tem Heppler yes. Commissioner Mazer. Yes.

[7:48] Commissioner Morales a yes.

[7:51] All right. That motion passes next. The chair will entertain

[7:56] a motion for approval of the agenda.

[8:02] There has been a couple of corrections to the agenda.

[8:05] We are polling.

[8:07] I don't know if Lou would like to talk about

[8:09] this, but we're pulling the.

[8:12] Resolution to establish vacancy protocol for road commissioners. I believe

[8:16] we have a couple of touching up to do Lou.

[8:18] You want, thank you so much, Mr. Vice.

[8:20] Chair. There were some items and concerns that came here

[8:23] from the Madame, from Madame clerk. And I'd just like

[8:26] an opportunity to meet with the Road Commission chair.

[8:28] To discuss those items and bring a more complete.

[8:31] Resolution to this body. Thank you.

[8:34] Okay. Are there any other.

[8:36] Agenda items that anybody wishes to pull from the agenda

[8:40] or consent agenda.

[8:43] Right. The chair will entertain a motion to approve the

[8:45] agenda as amended. It's been moved and.

[8:50] Support any discussion.

[8:52] All those in favor, signified by saying aye.

[8:55] Motion carries.

[8:58] Carries. All right. That takes us. I believe.

[9:00] Into public comment or public.

[9:04] Presentations, which, which we have none.

[9:07] Public hearings of which we have none.

[9:09] Now public comment, this is an opportunity for the public

[9:12] to address the board of commissioners.

[9:14] You have up to three minutes, just give us your

[9:16] name and where you're from.

[9:29] Thank you. . Hi, my name is Cindy Johnson. I

[9:32] live at 1, 2, 5, 6, 8.

[9:34] South 18th street in Vicksburg.

[9:36] This is my first time here. So a little nervous,

[9:39] but I came to talk about the.

[9:42] Road Commission clear cutting agenda of 8,000 trees as it

[9:47] stands right now. Looks like they've decreased it. And.

[9:50] Been working with us to.

[9:52] Approximately 4,000, but I just want to let everybody know

[9:56] that we still.

[9:57] Oppose the excessive amount of clear cutting going on in

[10:01] our rural roads. And I'm just gonna read briefly through

[10:04] this information sheet.

[10:06] The Road Commission of Kalamazoo, county's pursuing a project that

[10:10] will remove an estimated 8,000 roadside trees throughout our county.

[10:14] Through government through government grant.

[10:17] Of the safe streets for all many residents believe the

[10:20] scope of tree removals is.

[10:23] Excessive treat clear clutter cutting impacts and worsens winter driving.

[10:28] Tree line, rural landscapes are seen are a scenic heritage

[10:32] for all.

[10:34] We just wanna say that we still think the amount

[10:36] of trees being cleared on our roadways is excessive and

[10:40] the numbers of Sirius.

[10:41] Fatal accidents caused by

[10:44] lane departures and hitting trees. It doesn't justify the amount

[10:48] of trees being re.

[10:50] Being removed.

[10:54] Many residents are concerned about the loss of.

[10:57] Mature trees, worsening, winter driving.

[11:00] Reducing our tree line, rural.

[11:02] Landscapes reduced buffers for out of control vehicles.

[11:07] Vehicles, instead of what we are asking for is a

[11:09] better approach.

[11:11] Instead of clear cutting. We are urging the Road Commission

[11:14] to revise the S.

[11:16] S four, a project preserve the healthy trees.

[11:20] Move forward with other plants safety.

[11:22] Improvements only remove trees at intersections.

[11:26] Intersections as well as dead trees or branches.

[11:28] Branches and please work collaborator.

[11:31] Collaboratively with residents. The main thing I think we were

[11:34] asking for is we can, can we at least get

[11:36] a pause?

[11:38] On this project, the clear cutting is set to begin.

[11:41] October 1st. And we would like to just.

[11:46] Review the data more with everybody.

[11:48] Before this clear cutting is set to begin. Cuz once

[11:51] it gets started.

[11:52] Get started most likely is not gonna be able to

[11:54] be.

[11:56] Stopped. So we're just at least asking for a pause.

[11:59] To reconsider the amount of trees being removed in our.

[12:03] Neighborhoods, our rural landscapes.

[12:06] Landscapes. So thank you very much for your time and

[12:07] listening. I appreciate it.

[12:10] Thank you cue.

[12:15] Are there any other members wishing to address the board?

[12:24] Scene, none administrator. Do we have any people?

[12:27] Online.

[12:29] There is no one online, sir.

[12:32] Okay. That moves us.

[12:34] Into our consent agenda.

[12:38] Is there a motion commissioner Wheeler. I moved that the

[12:41] consent agenda items be voted on at one time by

[12:44] a roll call vote.

[12:44] And be considered as a consent agenda by the board.

[12:50] Right. There is a motion.

[12:52] And support clerk. Will you please call roll?

[12:57] Chair Strebs

[12:59] vice chair Taylor. Yes.

[13:01] Commissioner Wheeler. Yes. Commissioner duuu. Yes.

[13:05] Commissioner Gisler. Yes.

[13:07] Vice Chair Pro Tem Heppler. Yes.

[13:09] Commissioner Mazer. Yes.

[13:12] Commissioner Morales. Yes. Commissioner Rey. Yes.

[13:16] Eight. Yes.

[13:18] Consent agenda passes. Next. We are on our unfinished business

[13:22] and general orders.

[13:25] We have a charitable entertainer motion for request for approval

[13:28] of resolution establishing.

[13:31] The childcare millage task force and childcare millage ad hoc

[13:35] committee.

[13:40] All right. There is movement and support. Now we can

[13:42] begin discretion.

[13:45] Who would like to go first?

[13:51] commissioner Ray.

[13:54] So I just have a question.

[13:56] About the, the categories for the eight community members.

[14:00] That'll be representing the committee.

[14:02] Not sure if you discussed at the last meeting, I

[14:04] was not here.

[14:05] But looking at it, in my opinion, it's pretty provider

[14:09] heavy. It also talks about like some of the action

[14:13] items that.

[14:14] This committee is supposed to do or task force is

[14:16] supposed to do.

[14:17] Is figure out ways to leverage the funding. So I'm

[14:19] just wondering if we should have someone.

[14:22] From the philanthropic community.

[14:24] Represented on this committee.

[14:26] And not so many providers. I think there's one.

[14:30] Represented in every other category.

[14:32] Those two, probably strong have one representative as well. And

[14:35] then we'll just add two additional.

[14:37] Categories.

[14:42] But I do think it's important that we have somebody

[14:44] on here that can talk about how we can leverage

[14:46] the funding.

[14:47] And not just providers.

[14:50] Providers and parents and caregivers, cuz.

[14:53] They may have ideas, but they don't have the money

[14:55] to leverage.

[14:56] The funding.

[14:58] That makes sense. You gotta have revenue before you have

[15:01] expenses.

[15:04] Any other

[15:06] comments from commissions. Well, I certainly support that if we

[15:08] wanted to add two more members and add two people

[15:10] from the philanthropic community, is that what you were suggesting?

[15:13] Commissioner?

[15:14] MC, well, I'm not suggesting that we add two more.

[15:17] Members there are

[15:20] eight categories listed parents and caregivers. There's one person that

[15:24] can, that we can select.

[15:26] That represents that category and so on.

[15:28] For childcare centers, providers, administrators, there are two, two seats

[15:32] available.

[15:33] And then family or group home childcare providers. There are

[15:35] also two seats available.

[15:37] But then employer's business community. There's one research, data evaluation

[15:41] one. So I'm just saying, just make those two categories

[15:44] also only have one.

[15:45] Representative and then add two additional categories with one representative.

[15:50] To still make up the eight community members and three

[15:52] commissioners.

[15:55] I have no qualms with that.

[16:01] Any discussion from commissioners.

[16:04] Which of the three commissioners? I, I have expressed interest

[16:07] to serving on the task force, not necessarily the final.

[16:12] Say the final committee. Are there any other commissioners that

[16:16] wish to serve on this commissioner? Ray?

[16:19] Commissioner Morales.

[16:22] Did we are, we already had discussed who was on

[16:24] there.

[16:26] Okay, so we've already discussed who's on there. Okay.

[16:29] Mr chair. Yes. And my.

[16:35] And maybe I'm looking at an older version.

[16:37] But the version I had did not include the commissioner's

[16:40] names.

[16:41] So can I

[16:43] ask which are the commissioners to be on the task

[16:45] force.

[16:46] I think, yeah. Oh, I'm sorry. Forgive me. I'm looking

[16:49] at a different entire resolution.

[16:53] Yeah. That's the finance committee. Yeah, okay.

[16:58] Commissioner Ray. Well, I think you're right in this resolution.

[17:02] The commissioner's names are not listed either. It just says

[17:03] three commissioners, but I think it was myself chair and

[17:07] vice chair.

[17:11] I'm happy to give my seat up to commissioner Morales.

[17:15] Morales I am. I am.

[17:18] Really at capacity. So if you, if you wanna.

[17:21] I'm I'm good with the.

[17:24] Yeah, those three.

[17:26] And then as cuz this, this work I'll I'll. How

[17:29] about this? I'll just attend, not as a voting member.

[17:33] Knowing that when

[17:36] commissioner Strebs become state representative streps. That committee will still

[17:39] be in order and I'd be happy to.

[17:42] Jump in and be up to speed.

[17:48] Okay. Do you have the, do you have appropriate direction

[17:51] administration, counsel?

[17:53] Yes, sir. Thank you.

[17:57] All right. Any other discussion?

[18:01] So we have a motion and amend, well, do we

[18:04] have to amend the, the motion to include, to, to

[18:07] change?

[18:08] The, the spots for one, one, and then two people

[18:11] from the philanthropic community. Yes, sir. With the.

[18:16] I moved to adopt the resolution with the amendments has

[18:19] proposed by the body.

[18:22] I can't make that. Can somebody say what he said?

[18:25] so.

[18:29] Yeah. Alright. Support. Yeah. As chair, I can't make motions.

[18:33] Yeah.

[18:35] Okay, so commissioner Ray.

[18:37] Okay. I do have one question because there are some

[18:40] comments in the proposed resolution. I don't know if those

[18:43] things have been resolved, but apparently they're two different.

[18:46] Sections of questions. One with 12, one with seven is

[18:49] recommended that we remove the seven. So it doesn't look

[18:51] like two separate sets of deliverables. Have we.

[18:54] Resolved that, or do we need to do that now?

[19:04] Invite

[19:06] deputy county administrator Smith. Speak to that. Thank you.

[19:10] Well, and I'm also bringing the people that really, that

[19:13] really made me know the answer. So we previously did

[19:16] receive some feedback and.

[19:18] I think that's what you're looking at from the clerk

[19:20] place did provide some good feedback.

[19:24] Health officer and deputy health officer.

[19:26] Both incorporated. Those changes.

[19:28] Changes. So what you, the resolution resolution that you see

[19:31] in the packet?

[19:33] Resolve that. So they remove those.

[19:36] Kind of, it was kind of bulky included, both things.

[19:39] They condense that to just the eight points that are

[19:41] in the resolution. That's in the packet.

[19:50] Okay. We have a motion.

[19:52] On the floor with creation.

[19:55] Of a, a task force.

[19:58] With the changing of members from one from the two

[20:02] different provider sections and then making it two from the

[20:05] philanthropic.

[20:06] Community as a category.

[20:09] Correct. Okay.

[20:11] Any other discussion.

[20:13] Clerk, will you please take roll?

[20:18] Vice chair, Taylor.

[20:20] Yes. Commissioner Wheeler. Yes.

[20:23] Commissioner DeLeeuw yes. Commissioner Gisler. Yes.

[20:27] Vice Chair Pro Tem Heppler Commissioner Mazer. Yes.

[20:32] Commissioner Morales. Yes. Commissioner Ray. Yes.

[20:35] Chair strips. You have eight. Yes.

[20:38] All right. Thank all set.

[20:40] What's that. Oh yeah. We're all. We're all good. Thank

[20:43] you guys very much.

[20:45] Next we have, well, that one was pulled. So.

[20:50] Any other unfinished business in general order? Oh, I'm sorry.

[20:54] Yes. I'm sorry. Did you call that vote?

[20:56] That motion passes.

[20:59] Passes. We still haven't a past our bylaws yet. So

[21:02] I'm just.

[21:06] All right, the next motion has been pulled the next

[21:10] under new business. Non-consent.

[21:12] We have a request for approval of a resolution organizing

[21:14] the finance and administrative.

[21:16] Administration committee and establishing its 2026 regular meeting schedule or

[21:22] the first meeting.

[21:27] It's been moved and support discussion.

[21:34] I will just jump in and say, I'm really excited

[21:37] about this committee. It gives us an opportunity to, you

[21:40] know, work closely with Ryan and dive down into.

[21:43] The intricacies of the budget.

[21:45] During my chair or vice chair's time at the end

[21:48] of this, I got a couple comments that I, some

[21:53] things I've learned in Mac county that can maybe helpus.

[21:54] In this budgeting process.

[21:56] But I've certainly have a strong interest in serving on

[21:58] this committee, but we need five commissioners.

[22:01] So I need four more names. Commissioner Morales, vice chair

[22:04] of primetime. Hepler.

[22:05] Commissioner DeLeeuw 1, 2, 3, 4. We need one more.

[22:10] Commissioner. Gisler right.

[22:13] All right. Abby commissioner Wheeler. Okay. We've got commissioner Wheeler.

[22:16] So.

[22:17] The five names that I have from commissioners are commissioner

[22:20] Dilu.

[22:22] Myself.

[22:24] Vice Chair, Pro Tem Heppler Commissioner Mazer, not Nazer commissioner

[22:29] Morales.

[22:32] Right. And commissioner Wheeler.

[22:35] I was looking there and I looked there.

[22:39] do you have

[22:45] those five names, corporate counsel. I, I do, sir.

[22:48] Okay. So we have a motion on the floor. The

[22:51] first meeting is this Thursday and two days at 9:00 AM.

[22:56] So Mr. Chair? Yes.

[22:59] Also also in the motion. I mean, I'm sorry, in

[23:02] the resolution.

[23:04] It, the board of commissioners must determine who will be

[23:07] the chair of this committee.

[23:12] Commissioner Rey.

[23:14] I like to nominate, but she was the chair of

[23:17] this committee.

[23:19] Well, I greatly appreciate all the commissioner's confidence in that.

[23:23] I gladly accept. .

[23:26] Okay. So we've got the five commissioners.

[23:29] And the chair of the committee.

[23:33] Any other discussion.

[23:35] Clerk, will you please call roll.

[23:38] Oh, Mr. Morales.

[23:40] Morales, nothing.

[23:43] At eight or 9:00 AM. Thank you.

[23:46] Eight nine is it? I think the first meeting is

[23:48] orange. Benac scheduled for 9:00 AM. Okay. Well thank you at

[23:52] the first meeting and we can make it, I appreciate

[23:54] that.

[23:54] Call it later. Thank you.

[23:58] One of the first orders of business of this committee

[24:00] is to establish a regular times schedule. So that could

[24:03] be a, that'll be a fun first.

[24:05] Topic of conversation.

[24:07] All right, clerk, will you please call the roll?

[24:11] Commissioner Wheeler.

[24:13] Yes. Commissioner de lube. Yes.

[24:16] Commissioner Gisler yes. Vice Chair, Pro Tem. Heppler.

[24:20] Yes. Commissioner Mazer. Yes.

[24:22] Commissioner Morales. Yes.

[24:24] Commissioner Rey. Yes. Chair. Strebs vice chair. Taylor. Yes.

[24:29] Eight. Yes. Right. That motion passes.

[24:33] Passes now that takes us into public comment. This is

[24:36] another opportunity for citizens to address the board of commissioners.

[24:39] Please give us your name, where you're.

[24:42] From, and you have up to three minutes. Thank you.

[24:57] Hi, I'm Susie Fitzgibbon. I live 1 5, 6, 5 1 Portage road in

[25:02] Vicksburg.

[25:03] And as you can see, we have a core group

[25:05] of people that are still here.

[25:08] About the tree and the program through the.

[25:12] Road Commission. I believe you've heard us, but we want

[25:16] you to know that.

[25:17] We're still here and we're still waiting.

[25:21] For some sort of result.

[25:23] And we've given lots of good options.

[25:25] Of the rumble strips, just taking out debt or disease

[25:29] trees.

[25:31] Lowering speed limits.

[25:33] Those are all much better options than taking down all

[25:36] these trees. Thank you.

[25:43] Appreciate your comments. Are there any other citizens wishing to

[25:48] address the board?

[25:53] See, none administrator. Do we have anybody online?

[26:01] well, that will take us into the reports of officer's

[26:04] bodies, administrators, controller.

[26:06] Real quick, even with my talking for.

[26:10] Continually talking all the time. We got this done pretty

[26:12] quick and we did a lot of really cool things

[26:15] here. We've created a task force for the childcare mill.

[26:18] Millage, you know, we didn't do the vacancies for the

[26:21] Road Commission.

[26:22] But the finance committee, I think that's gonna be trans

[26:26] transformational on how we as a group handle our $300 million.

[26:31] Annual budget that we do each and every single year.

[26:35] Have overseas of how and identifying trends.

[26:38] Trent. I attended the Mac conference last week county commissioners

[26:42] from around the state and we learned a lot of

[26:44] real cool tools.

[26:46] That are available. The Michigan department of treasury, for instance,

[26:50] takes every municipality in the state of Michigan.

[26:53] And compiles the last six to eight years of audit

[26:56] reports.

[26:57] And you can look at histories and trend analysis.

[27:01] Of every different expenditure, how you compare to other counties.

[27:05] One of the interesting things that I noticed, I thought

[27:07] Kalamazoo county was unique in this, but especially townships counties

[27:12] to a smaller.

[27:13] Extent, but especially townships.

[27:16] Are growing their fun ballots.

[27:19] Ballots ever increasing amounts throughout the state, more and more

[27:22] and more dollars higher than the rate of inflation.

[27:25] Is being saved in what rainy day funds.

[27:28] Different types of funds, but it's growing and it's growing

[27:33] very fast, especially in rural townships and rural communi.

[27:37] Communities. I found that very interesting.

[27:39] I not what I expected.

[27:41] Especially with cuts too. A lot of the townships revenue.

[27:46] That's coming from the state.

[27:48] I'm excited about our community grants, my envision of community

[27:51] grants. And I know we're gonna have nine different.

[27:55] Sort of nine different opinions and nine different points of

[27:58] view on this. I envision the community grants to be

[28:00] things that are core to the.

[28:03] Community and, or

[28:05] represent local units of government. One of those two things

[28:09] I think are the acceptable people that that should be

[28:12] applying. The reason I say.

[28:14] Local units of government is.

[28:17] The role of county government over the last 20, 25 years

[28:20] or so has changed.

[28:22] Dramatically. We went from sort of after it was the

[28:26] board of supervisors in 1968. And then.

[28:29] They created the role of county commissioners county commission county

[28:32] counties had smaller budgets.

[28:34] Budgets as states look to distribute grants and monies throughout

[28:38] the, throughout the state, they're using counties more and more

[28:41] and less and less villages.

[28:43] Villages and cities and, and, and townships.

[28:45] But they're using more of counties for a regional poach.

[28:49] And in that the county's power of the purse throughout

[28:51] the whole state has grown each and every single year.

[28:56] In 10, 15, 20 years from now. I see that trend continuing.

[29:00] To the point that counties will become the leaders.

[29:03] In local units of government counties will become the conveners,

[29:06] the regionalism that we talk about in county government, the

[29:10] efficiencies that we talk.

[29:11] About can be done to scale through county government.

[29:16] And I think people in Lansing have realized that I

[29:19] think people in Washington DC have realized that.

[29:23] And as we move over the next 5, 10, 15 years.

[29:26] And how county governments operate within their communities. We're going

[29:30] to see an ever-increasing role.

[29:32] With the power of the purse that we have, we

[29:35] don't have abilities to zone. We don't have the abilities

[29:39] to tell separate statutory.

[29:41] Groups, whether it's the airport authority or the Road Commission

[29:44] or any other.

[29:45] What they can and cannot do, but we do have.

[29:49] Very important power.

[29:51] With leveraging our dollars.

[29:53] And how we spend those and how we spend those

[29:55] in the community.

[29:56] I think it's imperative that this board is thoughtful.

[30:00] And deliberative in how we approach that.

[30:03] And I look forward to the next couple of years

[30:05] and, and watching how counties.

[30:08] Change in the state of Michigan and how it's governed.

[30:11] So I, but that.

[30:14] I adjourned. Go ahead. Go to our administrator.

[30:19] Thank you. Vice chair, vice chair, pro tem.

[30:22] And commissioners just a few updates and I will do

[30:25] my level best by bringing brief.

[30:29] So as mentioned already.

[30:32] Earlier today that the recommended budget is live online. So

[30:36] really encouraging.

[30:38] Commissioners to engage with that document.

[30:42] And be able to take those insights and questions and

[30:45] bring those to the finance and administration committee where we

[30:47] can do those deep dives.

[30:50] Dives looking very much forward to that discussion and engagement.

[30:55] Some of the re remaining work kind of team that

[30:57] up for those.

[30:59] Is vice chair had talked before about a comprehensive policy

[31:03] review. So just being excited and hammering through.

[31:07] The policies. That's an exciting time looking forward for that

[31:11] engagement as well.

[31:13] The wage scale adjustment, a goal expressed by vice-chair on

[31:16] that as well.

[31:18] Today, you heard a presentation for OCC and so budget

[31:22] request, I'm able to address those and there's some other

[31:25] elements.

[31:26] Elements related to, to capital that would be appropriate for,

[31:29] for, for inclusion and budgets. And I just wanna uplift

[31:33] the body cameras.

[31:34] For law enforcement each year, they request capital funds. But

[31:38] at this point it's an operational need. And just beginning

[31:41] to.

[31:42] Incorporate that it's not maybe at all in one.

[31:46] Year effort. It can be brought in over a course

[31:48] of time. So it's these nuances in that budget process.

[31:51] I look forward to.

[31:53] Sharing, at least administrative insights into that for that, for

[31:57] that body.

[31:58] Some updates on facilities.

[32:02] The work for the improvements in 1 0 5, 2 0 7 a and in

[32:07] this space.

[32:09] Begins next week.

[32:12] And there are a couple of elements that still need

[32:15] to be determined on the timeline. And as those become

[32:18] more clear, share those with the.

[32:20] With this body mentioned before, was the integration of the

[32:26] housing department within this facility.

[32:29] That has had significant progress that we look to have

[32:33] overall project completion before the end of the year.

[32:37] But we anticipate furniture delivery, setting up those employees and

[32:41] in October,

[32:43] looking forward to jail, water quality update to this body

[32:47] first week of hopefully the first week of October.

[32:51] Provided lab, lab results, but things are trending very well.

[32:55] So I'm looking forward to, to give a, an update

[32:58] on that.

[32:59] And as well as a refined schedule for the admin

[33:04] front entrance.

[33:06] So the anticipated delivery date is October 12th for major components

[33:11] with the project completion date, still targeted for.

[33:14] November, obviously, lot activity.

[33:17] It's a lot of activity in this building for that

[33:18] month. So as those things become more clear, we wanna

[33:21] make sure we're communicating with this body and the public

[33:23] of how this facility gets.

[33:25] Impacted during that construction time.

[33:28] Some in interesting and events for, for.

[33:35] For this body in the community is that our economic

[33:38] mobility manager, Sarah drum will provide a presentation.

[33:42] During the community homeworks.

[33:44] Homeworks 2026 founders day celebration.

[33:48] This, this Thursday.

[33:51] So the presentation we'll provide a high level overview.

[33:54] Of the board's December 25th resolution declaring housing, a public health

[33:58] crisis in the, in the county.

[34:01] So that is exciting work and presentation.

[34:05] The continuum of care and winter solutions topic.

[34:10] The

[34:13] for tomorrow.

[34:15] September September 16th from one to two 30.

[34:19] There is being hosted by the continuum care, a safer

[34:22] parking listening session.

[34:25] This will be held at the United way.

[34:28] Offices. And the purpose of this is to bring in

[34:30] together organizations and community groups interested in safer parking solutions

[34:33] to discuss.

[34:35] Concerns needing supports and considerations for making safer parking options

[34:39] possible within the community.

[34:41] And if with safer parking really is the, for those

[34:44] folks who are living in their, in their vehicles and

[34:46] having a safe place in order to, to, to do

[34:49] so.

[34:49] Just for context. And then also just an update.

[34:54] Outreach continues by this administrative team to surrounding municipalities regarding

[35:00] participation in the winter solutions initiative.

[35:03] The city of Portage did approve up to $100,000 to

[35:06] the continuum of care to participate in this winter. So.

[35:10] Solution. So Kalamazoo Township may consider participation during its November.

[35:15] Meeting and the others that we had scheduled were unable

[35:18] to participate this year.

[35:20] So we'll continue coordinating with continuative care United way. Ms.

[35:24] Pals, community partners, as winner, planning, progresses, and approaches.

[35:29] And then certainly last and definitely not least from our

[35:34] di department, the Kalamazoo inclusion summit.

[35:38] Is taking place October 8th.

[35:40] From nine to three at the Crosstown center.

[35:43] Doors open at eight o'clock. I know some commissioners may

[35:47] not be there at eight.

[35:48] But it is an extension of that time.

[35:51] The summit theme.

[35:56] the summits theme.

[35:58] Is what's your zip code story?

[36:01] And centers on belonging, equity and respect author. Christopher CJ

[36:05] cross will be serving as the keynote and RSVP is.

[36:09] Required. So lots of exciting activities happening in the county.

[36:15] And again, a shout out to our fully staffed team

[36:19] and just looking forward to serving this body and the

[36:21] community and the days ahead. So thank you very much.

[36:26] Here. I'm gonna start on this side. This time, Tammy

[36:29] Commissioner Rey, putting you on the spot. Jen always.

[36:32] Starts on the side.

[36:37] I don't have much. I do wanna send my condolences

[36:39] to Gwendolyn ******.

[36:41] Her family. She lost her fiance.

[36:44] Last week, I'm just

[36:46] 21 days before wedding date. So.

[36:49] Very sad time. Just wanna see my condolences.

[36:51] Also to the family of Dr. Gus Calbert.

[36:54] Calbert. That is a great loss for our community.

[36:57] Sending prayers and love to their family.

[37:00] And that's all I got.

[37:04] Commissioner Wheeler. Thank you. Vice chair.

[37:08] I last Friday.

[37:10] Got to do one of my.

[37:12] Departments from the county. And I visited.

[37:15] The courts next door at the PR justice center.

[37:18] District court administrator, Kevin Tatro took me around and was

[37:21] very welcoming and actually enlightened me to a lot of

[37:23] different aspects of our courts.

[37:26] Courts. And the few things that I wanna point out

[37:27] is that our court system is very treatment focused, which

[37:31] I appreciated.

[37:33] Chief judge Hemingway has a mental health recovery court.

[37:37] And it is very unlike any court that you would

[37:39] ever see in the typical.

[37:42] Movies or even in, in a different court. I mean,

[37:45] she is.

[37:47] Directly talking with folks who are in there trying to.

[37:51] You know, recover from having a mental health issues going

[37:55] to treatment.

[37:57] And trying to rectify some issues that they've had with

[37:59] the law.

[38:01] But she's doing it in a collaborative way that she

[38:03] would never see any other judge or any other court

[38:05] do. And I think that's very innovative for.

[38:09] For the courts in general.

[38:14] And the biggest part of the mental health recovery court

[38:16] in our special courts is to keep people out of

[38:18] jail, which we've heard earlier from.

[38:20] Vice chair pro tem that keeping people outta jail not

[38:23] only is a cost saver for us, but.

[38:25] Allows people to continue to go to work, take care

[38:27] of their kids, take care of their family. Take care

[38:29] of themselves.

[38:31] Which we know that had also keeps them from coming

[38:34] back to jail.

[38:38] And I could go into depth, but I just really

[38:40] want to encourage all of you if you have the

[38:42] time.

[38:43] Go sit down with Kevin. He's very knowledgeable.

[38:47] He, you know, from

[38:49] going to law school, to teaching, to sitting with scale.

[38:52] He is just a wealth of knowledge and probably.

[38:56] You know, one of the best people to talk to

[38:58] over there. So highly encourage all of you. If you

[39:01] can, to visit the district court with.

[39:04] With Kevin, cuz he will just.

[39:06] Enlighten you to every single aspect of that court. And

[39:08] it's, it's very cool.

[39:10] And that's all I have.

[39:15] Morale. Thank you chair.

[39:17] So

[39:19] echoing Commissioner Rey, condolences to our community to.

[39:24] Gwendolyn ****** and her family and Dr. Gus Calbert as

[39:28] a.

[39:29] As a Bronco, he is going to be sorely missed.

[39:31] He was still doing the good Lord's work at Western

[39:34] Michigan university.

[39:36] Very very great profound trailblazer that.

[39:40] Set precedent at Western

[39:43] being a part of diversity and inclusivity at Western is,

[39:46] you know, under their.

[39:48] Umbrella along with Dr. Warfield is.

[39:51] Where I got conditioned to do the work. So.

[39:55] Sending much love out to his family.

[39:57] Happy Hispanic heritage month.

[40:00] I hope to see you all at El Consiglio's gala.

[40:03] This Saturday, if you don't have a ticket, I have

[40:05] plenty of table space come and see me.

[40:08] Valley is celebrating 60 years.

[40:11] And they're celebration will be this Friday right here at

[40:14] downtown.

[40:15] 5:00 PM. I implore all of you to come and check

[40:17] out our museum and some of the great work that.

[40:20] We have going on some of our new additions.

[40:23] Additions as well.

[40:26] I have one more thing, but it ain't even eight

[40:29] o'clock. So I'm gonna be quiet.

[40:31] And

[40:34] administrator, I will attend other events outside of eight o'clock

[40:39] . Okay. When we're here.

[40:42] I just need some flexibility.

[40:44] Because some of us have jobs from eight to five.

[40:46] And I would like some vacation time this year. So

[40:49] I try to do as much as I can. Not

[40:51] that I have to explain myself, but just so you

[40:52] know, the next time you've.

[40:55] Throw a shot.

[40:57] Goodnight, everyone.

[40:59] And I have to apologize. I went out of the

[41:02] traditional order. Vice-chair prote.

[41:05] Tem Heppler I should have given you before the commissioners.

[41:08] I apologize for that.

[41:11] So you can take an extra couple minutes if you

[41:13] want.

[41:18] I just figured you didn't wanna hear from me anymore

[41:20] tonight. So.

[41:22] I just thought that's why you skipped over me, but

[41:24] that's all right. I understand. Just a second. I'm getting

[41:27] the tear out of my eye.

[41:28] I heard they moved that to eight o'clock now fact.

[41:30] Oh, I'm sorry.

[41:34] 7 37 30 there.

[41:37] Really

[41:40] thank you.

[41:42] In your comments about municipalities and government or county government.

[41:48] We need to focus on supporting our.

[41:51] County governments, our townships, our villages, our cities.

[41:55] Which we do, we do a pretty good job of

[41:57] that. And I think.

[41:59] Making sure that, because that's where your services come from,

[42:02] as you indicated, we don't do zoning, we don't do

[42:06] a number of things.

[42:08] But the local communities, the cities, the villages.

[42:12] Villages particularly are ones that provide a lot of services,

[42:15] water, sewer, RO.

[42:17] Wrote and

[42:20] police and fire those things that, that keep our community.

[42:25] Functioning and safe. And so.

[42:28] I am told that we.

[42:31] Continue to do whatever we can to support.

[42:34] Our local communities and their efforts to provide the services.

[42:39] The one thing I did miss was the parks. We

[42:41] do.

[42:42] Support a lot of the, the parks that we have

[42:46] around the community.

[42:47] And the recreational areas that, that, that, that, that entails,

[42:53] which makes Kalamazoo a great place to live work. And.

[42:56] Play. There you go. .

[43:01] I

[43:02] also in my, as I usually do, please keep in

[43:05] mind the people that protect us here in abroad and

[43:08] our local fire police.

[43:11] Ambulance folks that are out there day in, day out.

[43:15] In good weather and bad and doing their best to

[43:18] keep us safe and protect our families and our properties.

[43:24] Keep them in your prayers. And when you see, 'em

[43:26] tell 'em thank you.

[43:27] You see our county employees out there that are working

[43:31] our courts, our health department, our public, our grounds.

[43:36] Grounds our parks folks.

[43:39] Tell 'em thanks for what they're doing. We are working

[43:43] kind of limited.

[43:44] Staff, although we have hired well close to I think

[43:47] a hundred or so new employees.

[43:50] Employees over the last year or two.

[43:52] So we're up to almost a thousand, I think thereabouts,

[43:55] or we have.

[43:56] Positions there.

[43:59] It. It's good to hear that they appreciate it. And.

[44:05] I think it's good for them to know that we

[44:07] do care and we are concerned about 'em and we

[44:09] want them to thrive and be successful. And.

[44:13] Help our communities.

[44:15] To, to be the great place. This is thank you.

[44:19] On Commissioner Mazer, Commissioner Gisler.

[44:26] Yes. I have a few things.

[44:29] One I put on everybody's desk, a copy of the

[44:33] pocket constitution.

[44:35] Constitution day is September 17th. It's coming up.

[44:39] And I know you guys have received these from me

[44:40] before, but you know, if you can't use it directly,

[44:44] find a kid that might be interested in learning more

[44:46] about.

[44:47] It Bo would probably want to put you to a

[44:51] test.

[44:55] Also on the 19th of this month, two days after

[44:58] constitution day, which is a.

[45:00] 17th is

[45:03] annually recognized as national talk like a pirate day.

[45:09] I guarantee you our

[45:11] I see you Montes.

[45:13] Montes. I, I almost brought patches for everybody, but maybe

[45:17] next year.

[45:19] Oh, this is something

[45:22] from our healthy community services group.

[45:25] I'm referring to this. When I present one to each

[45:28] of our, my.

[45:30] Townships, I'm referring to her as a pot pouch.

[45:34] Apparently, if you're into pot, you.

[45:37] Really should be keeping it safe.

[45:40] And there are two keys inside here that open this

[45:42] lock.

[45:43] So it keeps it away from kids and pets.

[45:47] Pets. I didn't know. That was.

[45:49] In order, I keep it away from the kids. I

[45:51] like, but I don't know. Maybe pets would get into

[45:53] it too.

[45:56] Anyway, you can get these inside the, the front door,

[45:58] just to the right as you enter the main drawer.

[46:02] Of the H H C S building.

[46:05] The security table is right there and they have a

[46:08] bunch of these.

[46:10] No cost to the citizenry.

[46:15] So by all means, take advantage of it or haveyour.

[46:16] Folks that are in de Pott, you know, know they

[46:18] should keep it, keep it safe.

[46:22] I have some of these with me, but the date

[46:26] is coming up. It's September.

[46:28] Excuse me, October 6th.

[46:30] The senior expo at

[46:34] the expo center and they will have 150 some.

[46:39] This says a hundred, but they printed it a couple

[46:41] weeks ago.

[46:43] There'll be all kinds of people there to.

[46:47] Render assistance. It's not all people selling stuff.

[46:51] To seniors, but if there's a senior in your life

[46:54] that.

[46:56] Is a little unfamiliar with what might be available. This

[46:59] is a great way to do it. It's gonna be

[47:02] between nine and three.

[47:04] On the 6th of October.

[47:07] And last thing and certainly not the least important.

[47:11] On October 12th, my little second, Monday group that meets at.

[47:16] Mark's diner on romance at eight 30 in the morning

[47:19] is gonna have our illustrious interim.

[47:22] Administrators speak and tell us everything he knows about county

[47:25] government.

[47:27] we're looking forward to it.

[47:29] Thank you.

[47:36] We're texting this, I'm giving each Township one.

[47:40] Those are two words. I never thought I'd hear Commissioner.

[47:42] Gisler say back home.

[47:44] Hung out with Commissioner Gisler. Yes.

[47:47] And, and I understand the next thing to come out

[47:49] of H C S is gonna be locking liquor cabinets

[47:52] for people like me.

[47:55] so I don't have any other comments. I have

[47:58] a question for administration. We had received the email today

[48:01] is, is this something.

[48:03] Looks like it has a deadline that we need to.

[48:07] Act on or are we.

[48:18] No. Thank you. Yes. That.

[48:23] That was a communication that was received.

[48:27] Chair Strebs had asked to forward it to, to the

[48:30] body.

[48:31] But that has been forwarded over to the Road Commission.

[48:36] For their corporation councils to look at those.

[48:39] Legal claims that were made.

[48:42] So operationally as was also discussed that that's not necessarily

[48:47] our, our lane to act.

[48:49] Tact. Thank you. Well, thank you. I appreciate that information.

[48:51] That was kind of concerned. Absolutely commission. We get a

[48:54] lot of emails. I didn't know which one you were

[48:56] talking about at the time. So .

[48:57] That one. It's so funny. I'm just talking about that

[49:00] one. Alright, thank you. Appreciate it.

[49:04] Really quick county governments are usually a government of process.

[49:09] Whereas local governments are a government of service.

[49:12] And that's one of the things I, I learned at

[49:14] Mac. And also I'll tell you who's brilliant.

[49:19] Into pot is Kalamazoo county government. When we reach 2.1 million

[49:24] a year of taxable revenue.

[49:26] From something that should have been legal long, long ago.

[49:29] With that we are adjourned.

Kalamazoo County - Board of Commissioners - September 15, 2026 Meeting

Agenda

Transcript