[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.