[1:20] Sorry.
[1:21] I'm gonna call to order the Kalamazoo County Board
[1:24] of Commissioners regular business meeting
[1:29] for February 17th.
[1:30] Let's bring forth item number one,
[1:33] certain indication and reflection.
[1:35] We will hear from Commissioner G.
[1:42] Please pray with me.
[1:44] Lord, grant us the wisdom
[1:46] to govern amid the conflicting interests
[1:48] and issues of our times.
[1:50] Also, grant us a sense of the welfare
[1:52] and true needs of our citizens.
[1:54] And a keen thirst for justice and righteousness.
[1:58] Grant us confidence in what is good and fitting
[2:01] and the ability to together work in harmony
[2:06] even when there is honest disagreement.
[2:09] Finally, grant us the personal piece to do the job
[2:12] that needs to be done.
[2:14] Amen.
[2:39] All right, item three, clerk,
[2:41] will you please call the role
[2:44] Commissioner Duluth?
[2:46] Here. Commissioner Gz.
[2:48] Here, Vice Chair Pro. Tem Heppler. Commissioner Maser.
[2:52] Here. Commissioner Morales Present. Commissioner Ray.
[2:56] Present Chair. Res
[2:58] Chair.
[2:59] Vice Chair Taylor Here.
[3:01] Commissioner Wheeler here.
[3:03] Eight present. Thank you.
[3:06] And I did hear from Vice Chair Pro Tem. He is doing fine.
[3:10] And just out of town this evening. Is he out? What?
[3:13] He is not. He's out of the community. He's not in town.
[3:16] Oh, he go back. Oh. Alright.
[3:20] Item four is for proclamations. We have none this evening.
[3:23] Item five, we're in receipt of communications.
[3:27] So we have item 20 26, 286 St.
[3:31] Joseph County, resolution number 1 0 7 2 20 26.
[3:35] Opposing any legislation preempting local control
[3:39] for the construction of data centers
[3:41] or battery storage facilities.
[3:45] Item 20 26 2 67 KVCC correspondence
[3:50] regarding tech trades renovation
[3:52] and expansion contribution 20 26 2 69
[3:58] Kalkaska County resolution in support of house bills 51 52
[4:03] and 51 53.
[4:06] Item 20 26 2 73 Discover Kalamazoo's quarter
[4:10] 4 20 25 Quarterly report.
[4:14] 20 26 2 91 Public notice of public hearing
[4:19] for the Michigan Public Service Commission
[4:22] that will hold a hearing to consider
[4:24] Indiana Michigan Power Company's October 6th, 2025.
[4:29] Amended application item
[4:32] 26 3 0 2.
[4:35] Letter from Shiloh announcing their closure
[4:40] effective March 31st of 26.
[4:45] Item 26, 3 0 3 Notice of hearing for customers.
[4:49] Case number U2 2 0 0 6
[4:53] Comcast Corporation and item 20 26 3 12.
[4:59] A letter of support in the investment in early childhood
[5:02] health from the YWCA.
[5:06] Item six. I'd entertain approval of our minutes.
[5:14] Motion made by Commissioner Morales is supported
[5:16] by Commissioner Wheeler for approval of the February 3rd,
[5:20] 26th committee of the whole in regular meeting minutes.
[5:24] Any further discussion?
[5:27] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
[5:31] That motion carries. We'll go to item seven.
[5:35] It's approval of the agenda.
[5:36] Commissioner Wheeler, you have a motion.
[5:38] Thank you Chair. I move that we add a consideration
[5:41] of the MOU between Western Michigan University
[5:44] and the county concerning the asylum like
[5:47] preserve to new business.
[5:51] Motion is made by Commissioner Wheeler, supported
[5:55] by Vice Chair Taylor.
[5:56] Any further discussion? Seeing none.
[6:00] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye.
[6:04] Any opposed? That motion carries.
[6:08] Right now I'd entertain a motion for approval
[6:10] of the agenda as amended. So
[6:12] Moved.
[6:13] Support motion made by Vice Chair Taylor, supported
[6:16] by Commissioner Wheeler approval of the agenda.
[6:19] Any further discussion?
[6:21] Those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Aye. Any opposed?
[6:26] That motion carries.
[6:28] Item eight, opportunity for presentations. We have none.
[6:31] Item nine for public hearings. We have none For item 10.
[6:36] Public comment. Public comment can be made in person
[6:39] or by phone at (855) 925-2801.
[6:45] Enter meeting code 1 0 7 4 8
[6:48] and press star three to join the queue.
[6:51] Wish to speak during both public comment periods.
[6:54] You must press star three again anytime
[6:57] after the first public comment period is ended.
[7:01] This is your first opportunity to address the board for up
[7:03] to three minutes in a professional
[7:05] and respectful manner on any topic.
[7:07] Once recognized, please share
[7:09] your name and where you're from.
[7:11] Do we have anyone wishing to make a public comment?
[7:18] Seeing none. Administrator. All right.
[7:21] We have no one online. All right.
[7:23] With that we will close our public comment.
[7:26] Let's go to item 11.
[7:28] The our consent agenda Entertain a motion.
[7:40] I move that we except or pass all consent agenda items
[7:45] and vote on 'em at one time
[7:46] and be considered A consent agenda by the board.
[7:51] Motion is made by Vice Chair Taylor, supported
[7:54] by Commissioner Ulu.
[7:56] Any further discussion? Right.
[8:01] Clerk, will you please call the role
[8:05] Vice chair ProAm Heppler.
[8:06] Commissioner Maser? Yes. Commissioner Morales? Yes.
[8:11] Commissioner Ray? Yes. Chair STRs?
[8:14] Yes. Vice-Chair Taylor? Yes. Commissioner Wheeler? Yes.
[8:18] Commissioner Dlo? Yes. Commissioner Giesler? Yes. A yes.
[8:24] All that motion carries and we'll move on to item 12.
[8:29] Unfinished business and general orders. We have none.
[8:33] Item 13, new business non-consent.
[8:36] First is a discussion on the board
[8:38] of commissioners regular board meeting time.
[8:42] Alright, so I ask this to come back
[8:45] for some discussion.
[8:47] We are hitting semi frequent
[8:51] times when our committee of the whole session is running
[8:56] right into our regular meeting where we have
[8:59] to convene recess.
[9:03] And so we, you know,
[9:04] it does seem like we need a little bit more space,
[9:07] but I wanna open up to some suggestions from the board.
[9:11] One is moving the regular business time back.
[9:15] Another is moving the start of the cow forward.
[9:20] Both could accomplish the same thing,
[9:22] but it's also about the availability of the board.
[9:26] I think it is good for us to have an opportunity
[9:28] to have a break and for the community to sort of know what
[9:32] to expect about when our meetings convene.
[9:35] So I'd open up to any comments.
[9:39] Commissioner ler and then Commissioner Deli.
[9:43] Thank you Chair. I haven't kept records myself,
[9:48] but how many times did we run long in the cow
[9:53] to the point where it was a problem getting, you know,
[9:56] going again in the regular board?
[9:59] Or how many times have we been like,
[10:01] tonight was almost perfect.
[10:03] We know 20, 22 minutes between meetings
[10:06] and we were done even including a, a special session.
[10:10] So I I I don't think it's a problem yet.
[10:14] I, we have definitely had some times when, you know,
[10:18] we were going way over on the four o'clock,
[10:21] but I, I'm, I'm willing to keep track or have Dina go back
[10:26] and tell us what it was.
[10:28] Maybe I'm all wet,
[10:30] but you know, I I kinda like the, the breaks
[10:34] that we get now, they're usually minimal.
[10:37] Occasionally they're large, you know, we've had some where,
[10:40] I don't know, we, we get an hour or more between meetings
[10:45] and, you know, what are you gonna do?
[10:48] And we don't have a McDonald's
[10:50] to run across the street too anymore.
[10:52] If I, I won't chime in there.
[10:54] You I Commissioner OU and then,
[10:57] No, I initially brought this up, I think it was last year
[11:00] and I thought it would be preferred by the board
[11:03] and the staff actually
[11:04] that we started earlier so we could get out earlier.
[11:09] I don't have a problem with,
[11:10] I like Commissioner Gissler said,
[11:12] I think there's more times than not we have just the amount,
[11:16] amount of time or even a little extra time in
[11:18] between meetings and I don't think it's been an issue
[11:20] running over too often, but if you wanna start earlier
[11:25] or I'm retired now, so it's kind of up
[11:29] to the working class on the board here
[11:30] to decide if they wanna start earlier or not.
[11:32] He's really old. Yeah, I'm so,
[11:36] but I'm open to discussion.
[11:37] I, and I just have a, I asked some
[11:39] of the board members earlier and maybe administration
[11:42] or council can, what is the problem
[11:44] or why don't we just have one meeting?
[11:47] I know other municipalities
[11:49] and jurisdictions have one meeting as opposed to two when
[11:52] They used to have two.
[11:53] And is there a, is it a, is it in the statute,
[11:57] the bylaws is there, what's the main purpose?
[12:00] Yeah, it's just a matter of our bylaws
[12:02] and they, those are really up to the board
[12:04] to amend and create.
[12:06] So, you know, as we all know, it's the,
[12:09] just the typical practice we discuss at a cow at one session
[12:13] and then normally move the item at the regular business
[12:17] in the second meeting or, or the next meeting in two weeks.
[12:21] But we don't always do that.
[12:22] There's times that we expedite items,
[12:27] items can be moved from the floor at any
[12:29] of the meetings anyway.
[12:32] So it, I mean we could refine it for board practice.
[12:37] One of the things, well let me, I have Commissioner Maer
[12:40] and then we'll hear from other
[12:42] Well I agree with the comments that have been made so far
[12:45] that I'd, I'd prefer to keep the same and not change it.
[12:51] Commissioner and vice chair Taylor,
[12:53] If we need to change it,
[12:55] I think we should change it on the, the front end.
[12:57] I've said this a lot of times I don't care that much,
[13:01] whether it's six 30 or seven o'clock
[13:04] provided we have the times to do it
[13:05] and to, to not,
[13:07] to not be the most popular person in the room
[13:10] instead of one meeting.
[13:11] I think we should have a lot more,
[13:13] we should probably have a standing finance committee,
[13:16] a standing buildings and grounds committee,
[13:18] a standing HR committee.
[13:20] So three and four commissioners can work
[13:22] with administration on specific particular topics
[13:26] and get more in depth
[13:28] and then have, you know, a once a meeting or once a month
[13:31] or maybe once a twice a month, regular, regular session.
[13:36] But I would like
[13:37] to personally like maybe only have committee
[13:39] of the whole one time a month
[13:41] and then have a lot more standing committees,
[13:43] whether it be finance, ARPA or anything else.
[13:45] And allows commissioners to kind of focus in on
[13:47] what their individual strengths are.
[13:49] But that's a big structural change
[13:51] and I don't think that's gonna be decided
[13:53] or done right now here at this point.
[13:55] But those, that's my 2 cents on it.
[13:58] I think as we move towards,
[14:00] and we have in the last three years moved towards more
[14:03] professional board and we start
[14:04] to assimilate more towards maybe what Washtenaw County
[14:07] or Wayne County or some of the bigger counties are doing.
[14:10] They're, they're more of a professionalized sort
[14:13] of aspect in that where commissioners
[14:16] while still have the committee of the whole
[14:17] and still have the regular session,
[14:19] they're subcommittees are way more granular
[14:22] and way more focused on individual like specific topics.
[14:27] So three or four commissioners would be really ingrained
[14:30] and really know their stuff on this topic.
[14:33] A different three or four commissioners would really
[14:34] know their stuff on this topic.
[14:36] And then you develop that trust when you get to
[14:38] that committee of the whole, the general like Tammy,
[14:41] you sat on that committee, what do you think about that?
[14:44] And I would, I would garner her feedback on something
[14:47] that maybe I particularly didn't know or vice versa.
[14:51] I, I'd, I'd like to see us move into that process
[14:54] but that's gonna take at least a year to try
[14:56] to formalize and everything else.
[14:57] But just throwing the bug up in the air.
[15:01] It's Interesting. Commissioner Morales, I think we need
[15:03] to take into considerate, I'm not opposed to that
[15:05] but take into consideration the rest
[15:09] of the committees that we're on.
[15:10] And for us folks it becomes an equity issue
[15:13] with the jobs that we have.
[15:14] So historically it's been designed for business owners
[15:18] to be able to take whatever time off they need
[15:21] to come to these meetings.
[15:22] But, and I'll speak for myself, you know, I have to take
[15:26] that PTO and you know, that other time to be able to come
[15:30] and unless a lot of those things will be offered online
[15:35] for somebody like myself in
[15:37] that working world would still have to make adjustments.
[15:42] I don't think going backwards for community whole,
[15:45] it's already a struggle for those at work.
[15:47] Nine to five or eight to five to get here at four.
[15:50] If anything I would say push it to five,
[15:52] which I'm probably not gonna get support on
[15:58] then you know, we could use less time and
[16:01] and also the community
[16:03] as they're on their ride their way home would be more prone
[16:07] to maybe stop by.
[16:09] A lot of folks aren't off work at four and
[16:11] although they can zoom in not quite with our
[16:16] ill technology that we have been struggling with,
[16:18] but it could afford other folks an opportunity to be more,
[16:21] to be more engaged as they drop their kids off to practice
[16:25] before five and maybe come and sit in at a meeting.
[16:30] Right now it for me it, it pushes a little bit going
[16:34] because we all have some tough topics that we do talk about
[16:37] that go past the, the six 30 today was okay
[16:40] but it still felt like only 20 minutes
[16:43] like my colleague couldn't get home
[16:45] to let her speak for herself.
[16:47] But for those that still have kids at home that are,
[16:50] you know, may have be nursing
[16:53] or you know, in between, it still makes it a little tough.
[16:56] So anyway,
[17:00] commissioner Ray,
[17:01] I guess I'll comment but I'm gonna say I agree
[17:05] with Commissioner Ulu,
[17:06] commissioner ler and Commissioner Mazer.
[17:09] I think that the six 30 time is a good time for us to start.
[17:12] I have noticed that we've had a lot more presentations
[17:15] that we don't actually have the presentations in our packet,
[17:18] just throwing that out there, being petty.
[17:20] But I believe we put presentations on a
[17:25] regular meeting agenda in case we had too many for the cow
[17:28] and I think we should start utilizing that space instead
[17:31] of having so many presentations
[17:33] at the committee of the whole meeting.
[17:35] Creating these long, drawing our meetings
[17:39] with lots of talking.
[17:42] So six 30 is fine
[17:44] for me. Thank you chair.
[17:49] Yeah with the pushing it on the front end,
[17:51] that's really hard for me it was my job.
[17:52] I mean I work 48 hour shifts
[17:54] and so having to take six hours off on a consistent six,
[17:58] seven hours off on a consistent basis creates a hardship.
[18:01] Especially considering
[18:02] that my workplace isn't appropriately staffed.
[18:04] So
[18:07] Yeah, I appreciate the, the feedback from commissioners
[18:11] and the idea of considering earlier
[18:15] wasn't one I necessarily was advocating for
[18:17] but one staff had proposed
[18:19] because I know they like to get home from from meetings.
[18:23] One thing certainly we can utilize the presentation slot
[18:29] that exists in the regular meeting.
[18:30] We added it there because we were hitting so many committee
[18:35] of the holes that were running up to our ending.
[18:40] And in my view, I know long meetings can be
[18:43] long and that's a lot of work.
[18:46] It helps when you have a break in a long meeting so
[18:48] that you could eat some food or process
[18:50] information that you've heard.
[18:53] But I do also see a value to having presentations.
[18:56] They inform community, they inform board members,
[19:00] they help us make decisions going forward.
[19:03] So I do see a value to having them.
[19:08] It's just a matter of trying to manage that time.
[19:10] Sometimes it's hard to tell, you know, we identify a target
[19:14] for the time in the cow.
[19:15] We spent a lot more than 10 minutes on that
[19:18] corridor study discussion.
[19:20] But it was a valuable, that's a valuable discussion to have.
[19:24] So it's a, an art not a science.
[19:27] We'll do our best to be mindful
[19:29] so we get a space we can leave things
[19:31] as our commissioner. Ray.
[19:33] Thank you chair. I just wanna clarify,
[19:35] I also see value in the presentations.
[19:38] My comment is more towards we don't need five at once in
[19:43] one, in one meeting We can separate 'em, we can do three
[19:45] and two or something like that.
[19:47] That's all. I appreciate all the presentations.
[19:53] Absolutely. And that's understood and we appreciate
[19:55] everybody's participation in that.
[19:59] Yeah counsel, thank you.
[20:01] Just thing for the body's consideration in terms
[20:03] of keeping both the cow
[20:05] and the regular meeting separate is
[20:08] that it does make it easier for record keeping,
[20:10] especially when we have to search for requested records
[20:13] in regards to FOIA requests.
[20:15] So we know that 'cause we, you have
[20:16] to be very specific in your request.
[20:18] So if you make at the regular meetings then we can get it
[20:20] quicker because we don't have to look
[20:22] through all the Kyle minutes
[20:24] to find what you're looking for.
[20:26] So I'd just like the body to consider that. Thank you.
[20:28] Thank you counsel. Alright, anything further?
[20:32] Commissioner Kisler?
[20:35] Yeah, I, I have a one thing to say
[20:39] and I, I'll back it up with another one.
[20:42] Your idea John of becoming more wash
[20:46] and all like, okay but I'm ready to sit tight
[20:51] and say I know we work our leadership like dogs
[20:55] but you guys always come through for us
[20:57] and that makes me a little leery of putting a lot
[21:01] of subcommittees and and things like that together.
[21:05] And if you'll recall John,
[21:07] 'cause you were here then 17, there were 17 members
[21:10] of this board at one point.
[21:12] Boy we hardly could fit around here.
[21:14] And Jack Urban was constantly,
[21:18] bless his heart trying to come up with another subcommittee
[21:21] or another meeting or something.
[21:23] I thought Holy smoke give it a break.
[21:27] So I'm not, I'm not saying you're following in his
[21:29] footsteps, you know, kind of that way.
[21:32] Thank you.
[21:33] All right. Vice chair I, I'd like the record to to show
[21:36] that I referring to instead of Washtenaw County,
[21:39] let's be more like Kent County for Commissioner G's benefit.
[21:44] So they also do sort of a,
[21:46] a standing committee structure as well.
[21:50] Alright colleagues, I appreciate the discussion.
[21:52] We will leave items as is it looks like is the
[21:56] overall consensus at this time.
[21:58] Let's go to the next item.
[22:00] That's item 20 26 2 79.
[22:04] Request for approval of establishing the
[22:07] four 40 North Church Street parking
[22:09] garage. Ad hoc committee
[22:12] Board are so moved.
[22:14] Support motion is made by Vice Chair Taylor, supported
[22:18] by Commissioner Wheeler's.
[22:21] There further discussion.
[22:23] So yes, commissioner Gissler.
[22:27] Thank you Chair. Could you indicate
[22:28] for me other than a street address, just what that is.
[22:33] Thank you. So that's the parking garage that will be
[22:36] to the north end of the parcel across the street.
[22:40] We're building the new administration building if
[22:42] It would've been behind the McDonald's.
[22:44] That's correct. So,
[22:46] and this will be public art that's gonna go across
[22:48] that whole north face of the parking structure.
[22:51] So that's five stories high and the entire block long
[22:56] and again consists of two large painted murals in the
[23:00] lower level and then 38 fabric panels
[23:05] that go on the actually east, north
[23:07] and west side of the building.
[23:09] And there'll be printed with a graphic design
[23:12] that comes forward from the artist as well. It
[23:14] Was church and a church address that got me.
[23:17] I thought well I had that yes on Rose. Yes.
[23:20] Well Church is the next one over. Yeah. Okay. Thank you.
[23:24] Thank you. Counsel
[23:28] does this need to be read aloud?
[23:30] That is at the discretion of the board,
[23:33] So no, we don't have to read that aloud.
[23:37] We do, we talked in brief about the
[23:44] blanks in the resolution.
[23:46] So I think we've identified four commissioners
[23:50] that will be participating
[23:52] and then I believe that we have four
[23:57] spaces for representatives from community.
[24:01] Is that all in alignment with commissioners?
[24:05] Okay, so with those identified within the resolution,
[24:09] we have a motion and a second.
[24:12] Any other discussion? Vice
[24:14] Chair, just really quick.
[24:15] I agree completely.
[24:17] I think we made a good choice of commissioners.
[24:18] I'm just gonna throw my, my sense
[24:20] and make sure, please make sure it's a local artist.
[24:23] Somebody from from from the city
[24:24] of Kalamazoo or Kalamazoo County.
[24:27] I'd hate to that bid get award
[24:29] to somebody from Grand Rapids.
[24:34] Yes Counsel, I just, could you just say state
[24:38] for the records, the names of the commissioners that were
[24:41] and the other community representatives if you know that,
[24:44] knowing that it is the published resolution
[24:46] that we'll control once we have those names,
[24:49] but they should be included in the record here.
[24:52] Thank you. Counsel, if we need
[24:54] to solidify another community member's name as yet,
[24:59] should we state them here at this time
[25:01] or what would be the best to bring that to resolution?
[25:15] Madam Chair, we can't bring that resolution back
[25:16] for amendment to add that meeting
[25:18] Because we have time before the
[25:19] first Yes, the first meeting.
[25:22] But so for matter of the record,
[25:24] the commissioners will be Commissioner Ray Wheeler Morales
[25:29] and Streps and then we'll identify the community members
[25:34] at future meeting through resolution.
[25:36] Okay. Alright.
[25:38] And okay with that Commissioner Ler
[25:42] Have something?
[25:43] Yes. Could I ask, do we have a list of, of citizens
[25:48] that's already been appointed or will be appointed
[25:52] and are any of those represented
[25:56] in out county townships?
[26:00] Thank you for that question.
[26:01] So we don't have all of them solidified yet.
[26:04] So primarily we have several voices that help to represent
[26:10] the North side community.
[26:11] It's a very large public art project
[26:13] that they will all see every day while they're moving
[26:16] around the neighborhood because it's quite large.
[26:19] But we're open to other suggestions.
[26:21] So there is not anybody from the rural community.
[26:25] We have directed through the request for proposal
[26:29] that's gone out to the artists,
[26:32] that the art really be inclusive and encompassing
[26:35] and that it include a nod to the north side community
[26:39] but that it also focuses on the Kalamazoo County broadly
[26:43] and that the artwork 'cause of its location to like the,
[26:46] the rail tracks encourages people
[26:51] to, to stop and visit Kalamazoo, to be
[26:54] to explore our community as well.
[26:56] Can I continue? I would like to find some way of,
[27:00] at least, I don't know if he would be willing to or not,
[27:03] but Joel Amos of Climax Township
[27:06] is a full bodied participant in a lot of things.
[27:09] He's a community minded guy.
[27:11] He represents farming,
[27:12] which is a big deal in Kalamazoo County.
[27:15] And he's also been a member.
[27:16] I don't know if he still is of the Arts council.
[27:19] So I would like to throw Joel Sure.
[27:22] Amos's name in
[27:23] and he may be sending me a text right
[27:25] now saying, what are you doing?
[27:26] I'd be happy to reach out with him
[27:28] and see if he, he can participate.
[27:29] Thank you for that. Okay. Anything further?
[27:34] All those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Any opposed?
[27:38] That motion carries. Okay.
[27:46] Oh, I'm sorry. That should be a roll call.
[27:47] Clerk, will you please call the rule
[27:52] Commissioner Maser?
[27:54] Yes. Commissioner Morales.
[27:57] I would yield to council. Yes.
[28:03] Commissioner Ray? Yes. Chair Streps?
[28:06] Yes. Vice Chair Taylor? Yes. Commissioner Wheeler? Yes.
[28:11] Commissioner Delo? Yes. Commissioner ler? Yes.
[28:16] Vice Chair Pro Tem Heffler A? Yes.
[28:20] Thank you. Now that motion officially carries Yes counsel.
[28:24] And I'm sorry, just a point of clarification,
[28:25] it does not need to come back now that
[28:28] you could just simply appoint the members
[28:30] that the committee members,
[28:31] but I did need the commission members on the
[28:34] record so you're okay. Thank you.
[28:36] Good, thank you very much. Council for the clarification.
[28:39] Let's go to item 20 26 3 11.
[28:41] This is a request for approval
[28:43] to authorize county administrator
[28:45] to approve change orders within budget at the landing place
[28:49] and in the amount not to exceed $150,000 per occurrence
[28:54] with required written reporting to the Board
[28:56] of Commissioners Motions made by Commissioner Ray,
[29:01] supported by Commissioner Wheeler.
[29:03] Is there any further discussion? I'm seeing none.
[29:08] Clerk, will you please call the role
[29:11] Commissioner Morales?
[29:13] Yes. Commissioner Ray? Yes. Chair Scrubs?
[29:17] Yes. Vice Chair Taylor? Yes. Commissioner Wheeler? Yes.
[29:22] Commissioner Delo? Yes. Commissioner Gissler? Yes.
[29:26] Placed Chair Pro Heppler. Commissioner Maser? Yes. A yes.
[29:31] Thank you. That motion carries right now we will go on
[29:35] to our second opportunity for public comment. I'm sorry
[29:39] Madam Chair. I'm sorry
[29:40] There was a new business added.
[29:43] Yes ma'am. Thank you. Good, we'll take
[29:47] that motion.
[29:48] Commissioner Wheeler.
[29:50] Thank you Chair. I move that the county enter into an MOU
[29:54] with Western Michigan University
[29:55] concerning the Asylum Lake Preserve
[29:57] and that the county administrator is authorized
[30:00] to execute the MLU on the county's behalf.
[30:04] Motion is made by Commissioner Wheeler
[30:06] and supported by Vice Chair Taylor.
[30:08] Any further discussion? Vice chair.
[30:12] Just for the broader community. This is the first step.
[30:15] This is not that we are taking ownership of this.
[30:18] We are allowing our administrative team
[30:21] and our corporate council to go into negotiations
[30:23] with Western and see if there is a viable O option here.
[30:27] This is not that we are moving ahead 100, you know,
[30:31] a hundred miles an hour, but it's that we're,
[30:33] we're looking into it and it's a unique opportunity
[30:37] that we might have a win-win here
[30:39] and I trust our administrative team
[30:41] and our corporate council to come back
[30:43] with some options for us.
[30:46] Thank you. Vice chair. I'll second that as well.
[30:50] I'm excited about exploring this potential opportunity
[30:53] but in order for us to move forward, I mean we are really,
[30:57] as Vice Chair said, looking for a win-win.
[30:59] This is an important piece of property.
[31:01] It means a lot to our community.
[31:05] It would mean a lot to Kalamazoo County
[31:07] to help in the stewardship of it,
[31:10] but we wanna do that in a way that is mindful
[31:12] to capacity community partners, et cetera.
[31:16] So we look forward to exploring it
[31:17] and seeing what comes forth from that work.
[31:20] Right. Anything further? Alright,
[31:23] clerk, will you please call a roll
[31:25] Commissioner Ray?
[31:27] No. Chair STRs?
[31:30] Yes. Vice Chair Taylor?
[31:33] Yes. Commissioner Wheeler?
[31:36] Yes. Commissioner Delo?
[31:38] Yes. Commissioner Gissler?
[31:41] Yes. Vice Chair Protime. Heppler. Commissioner Maser?
[31:45] Yes. Commissioner Morales?
[31:48] Yes. Seven. Yes.
[31:50] Motion carries.
[31:52] All right, we'll move now to officers reports
[31:55] of the officers bodies Administrator and controller. Chair.
[32:00] Chair. Point Of order. Thank you so much.
[32:02] Public comment. I'm so tired.
[32:04] I'm just trying to keep it moving aren't I? Thank you.
[32:08] This is that second opportunity for public comment.
[32:12] You may address the board in chambers
[32:15] or you may call at the number shared previously.
[32:17] And press star three to join the queue.
[32:20] Do we have any members of the public
[32:22] wishing to make public comment?
[32:25] Welcome. Hello everyone.
[32:31] Chair STRs, vice chair
[32:33] and Board of Commissioners Administrator corporate counsel.
[32:36] My name's Gwendolyn ******, I'm the CEO founder
[32:38] of Through Navigation,
[32:40] currently operating the Hope Family Respite.
[32:43] And as promised, this is not a presentation
[32:46] but it is a just a brief, a brief high overview of
[32:51] where we are, what we're
[32:52] doing and how well things are going.
[32:55] Since January we have been at 100% occupancy.
[33:00] We have been working very well within the structure
[33:04] that was already laid out
[33:05] based on the winter emergency shelter RFP.
[33:10] We have located
[33:11] and found homes for two of the families
[33:14] that are gonna be moving into Sugarloaf on Friday.
[33:17] So that is, you know, one family with three chil
[33:21] or two children, one family that's a household of five.
[33:25] So we are really super excited about transitioning them out.
[33:29] Had a couple of hiccups that will be
[33:32] really indicated in the report
[33:34] that the first report is due on Friday the 20th.
[33:38] But I did want to come personally as I promised
[33:42] and just if there's anyone that has any questions
[33:45] or any more information that I can provide as far as
[33:49] how things are going, I'm happy to do that now.
[33:53] Again, opening the invitation for anyone that's interested.
[33:56] I know Commissioner Mazer,
[33:59] I know you're interested in coming out.
[34:00] You're always welcome to do so.
[34:01] We are running 24 7, 7 days a week.
[34:06] So anytime that you wanna stop by let me know.
[34:08] I'll let our staff know that someone's gonna stop by.
[34:12] Typically most families are out taking care of business so
[34:15] you don't have to worry about imposing on them.
[34:19] We've gotten so much community support from
[34:22] everyone in the community as far as meals
[34:25] and donations of clothing and hats and all of the things.
[34:29] We do have a a wishlist
[34:32] and people have definitely been going on that wishlist
[34:34] and really taking care of some very, you know,
[34:36] specific needs of the families that we have.
[34:39] Outside of that, if there aren't any questions,
[34:42] I just wanted to come personally and
[34:44] and tell you that this is good use of, of your money.
[34:48] The families that we're keeping off the street are really
[34:50] working hard to resolve their housing emergency
[34:53] and I'm super excited that we were able to fill that gap.
[34:56] So thank you so much.
[34:59] Thank you. Anyone else wishing to make public comment.
[35:08] Alright, seeing none now
[35:10] I'm gonna close that public comment.
[35:12] Now I'm gonna move to reports
[35:15] of the officer's body administrator and controller.
[35:19] You know, the audio was making me say things
[35:22] multiple times earlier and I just wanted
[35:24] to keep it going on my own.
[35:27] Alright, so I wanna thank the administrative team
[35:31] today we had an opportunity to travel to meet
[35:35] with a nacee ban
[35:37] of the AWA tribe.
[35:41] Today this is our second initial
[35:45] touch base with the local tribes.
[35:49] Not too long ago we met with the gun lake tribe
[35:52] and those are I think, interesting conversations
[35:56] as we learn about their approach to governance.
[35:59] Share the priorities that both of our, our,
[36:02] our governmental bodies are working on
[36:05] and ways that we can learn from
[36:06] and collaborate with one another.
[36:09] Obviously, you know, they face many of the same challenges
[36:12] that we do as a government from escalating healthcare costs
[36:16] to developing affordable housing to protecting the rights
[36:22] of their tribal citizens
[36:25] and certainly paramount to them is the protection
[36:29] of land, air, and water.
[36:30] And so I'm hopeful we'll continue to deepen those dialogues
[36:34] and have exciting ways
[36:36] that we can collaborate together as we should.
[36:40] Recognizing, you know, ancestral homelands
[36:43] for the tribal peoples here and and across the state.
[36:51] Michigan Transformation Collective was here earlier when we
[36:55] had discussion on the potential childcare millage
[37:00] and I appreciate them dialoguing with me earlier
[37:03] to help us really get a deeper analysis
[37:08] of the overall cost to really fund
[37:13] a fully funded childcare system in the county.
[37:17] And I think we'll be probably shocked with the, the cost
[37:21] that that would actually entail.
[37:23] And I think it's important for us to understand
[37:27] the system issues to really just see
[37:29] how big the hole is that exists.
[37:32] We talk about how families who are housing burdened
[37:37] and paying exorbitant rents, these folks are also paying
[37:41] exorbitant childcare costs
[37:43] or are without childcare
[37:45] where they could get into meaningful work
[37:48] and stabilize their housing.
[37:51] So they're all sort of in a intersectional
[37:56] inter intersectional issues together.
[38:02] With that, I appreciate everybody's time and work tonight
[38:06] and I'll take it to vice chair.
[38:10] Thank you chair. I'll be real probably
[38:12] brief get on tangents.
[38:15] The discover Kalamazoo Q4 2025 quarterly report
[38:20] that's in our packets is mildly concerning.
[38:24] The revenue and expenditures are off
[38:27] by about eight point half, 8.2%.
[38:31] We need to look at that next year.
[38:33] We've gotta make sure that we don't have
[38:36] that happening again and again.
[38:37] They do not have a large surplus to draw down on it.
[38:41] So when they have structural deficits it only lasts so long
[38:46] before there has to be dramatic cuts on their expenditure
[38:49] side or they're gonna have to be looking for new revenue
[38:52] and we can't be in the business of
[38:55] providing that new revenue.
[38:57] I don't think we're in a position
[38:58] that at the county to do that.
[39:00] So as we go through
[39:01] and the audits come back for next year, I think we need
[39:04] to take a real good look at what are their expectations
[39:07] of Q4 on the revenue side
[39:10] and make sure that they align with their expenditure side.
[39:12] And I appreciate administration putting this report in our
[39:16] file because I read everything so that
[39:20] that is, you know, mildly concerning.
[39:22] It's sort of a yellow flag that we need to be on top of
[39:26] the secondly, I forgot what I was gonna say second.
[39:29] So I will just pass Bo
[39:31] and Gigi if you're still up it's time to Beth
[39:34] Vice chair pro tem is not here this evening.
[39:37] So on to administrator.
[39:39] Alright, thank you Chair.
[39:41] Vice Chair Commissioners if you would entertain me
[39:44] for a moment because vice chair mentioned the discovery
[39:47] Kalamazoo report, chief Deputy Treasurer Tyler White was
[39:51] reviewing that and has some commentary
[39:53] to share if you wouldn't mind
[39:54] and then I can move to my report. Yeah, I letter
[39:56] Chief.
[39:57] Thank you.
[40:07] Thank you. So like Dr.
[40:10] Katlin and mentioned, I started looking through some
[40:13] of the numbers that they were reporting
[40:14] and I don't necessarily agree with what they were stating
[40:20] just in actual payouts from 2025
[40:24] and this is backing out December, 2025.
[40:26] Assuming that they're operating on, you know, hey
[40:30] what we're reporting is when we get the money,
[40:32] not necessarily when we as the county invoice it following
[40:36] that we've paid them just shy of $2.6 million.
[40:40] So the values that they're showing actual omitted 2,000,387,
[40:46] I don't necessarily see where that's coming from
[40:49] and I just want to, you know, preface that yes we
[40:53] have made payments to them exceeding
[40:56] what they're showing there is a difference
[41:00] between their budget and what we've given of 102,000.
[41:04] I don't know what was underlying their budget assumptions
[41:07] but, and we've also paid them more than we did last year.
[41:12] The board board actually authorized an advance from the
[41:16] delinquent tax revolving fund for some of those hotels
[41:20] that are, one of which is in bankruptcy.
[41:23] Others one has been sold, ownership is transferred,
[41:26] but they're unpaid accommodation taxes were billed
[41:30] as delinquent special assessments on the property taxes.
[41:34] We're going to get those tax dollars
[41:36] and then pass that along.
[41:38] This board authorized giving that money early.
[41:41] So we have paid them their,
[41:46] I would need to ask them what the, what the numbers are.
[41:50] Vice chair. Yeah.
[41:52] Is some of that due to the K-C-E-A-D money
[41:57] going directly to discover Kalamazoo as opposed
[42:00] to a separate K-C-E-A-D account?
[42:03] No sir. So the numbers
[42:04] that I'm showing are solely accommodation tax values.
[42:07] All the K-C-E-C-A-D values are completely separate from
[42:11] this and tracked separately.
[42:12] So we do have more collections from
[42:15] that 4% that's being held.
[42:17] But all the payouts
[42:18] to them reimbursing those expenses aren't included in the
[42:22] 2 million 593 800 that I'm showing from payouts
[42:26] of accommodation tax December, 2024 through November
[42:31] of 2025, all of which are one month lags.
[42:37] So none of that is factored
[42:39] In there.
[42:40] So the, the k the youth sports complex money is not
[42:42] co-mingled with the Discover Kalamazoo money.
[42:45] Okay. So that's good to know.
[42:47] Then also the, the one of the assumptions
[42:51] that was made on that spreadsheet
[42:53] for the Q4 quarterly report was remittance
[42:58] of unpaid that almost as if they were going
[43:01] to get it eventually because it was late or something.
[43:04] Eventually you do get it
[43:05] but that's sort of kind of requiring the county
[43:08] to always be that front.
[43:10] Correct.
[43:12] It requires two things.
[43:13] One, all of those assumptions, this is
[43:16] what they expect is uncollected.
[43:19] That one assumes
[43:20] that these hotels are actually reporting it, which
[43:24] they should be according to the county ordinance.
[43:28] And if they are but then not paying, we can put
[43:31] that onto the property taxes
[43:33] as a delinquent special assessment.
[43:35] If they don't, we can't throw estimates onto somebody's tax
[43:38] bill saying, well we calculated this,
[43:40] we believe you had this in revenue.
[43:43] As much as I wish I had the capacity myself
[43:45] to audit every hotel in short term rental in the
[43:48] county, I don't.
[43:50] So real values there requires actual reporting following
[43:54] that half of the ordinance
[43:55] but then not paying it following
[43:57] the other half of the ordinance.
[43:58] There's only a few hotels that actually fall in that bucket.
[44:03] And sorry chair just just
[44:05] to follow up because I think I'm there.
[44:08] So without a large fund balance from Discover Kalamazoo
[44:11] to absorb that sort of cost because if they don't pay
[44:15] and it eventually gets put on their par property tax rolls
[44:17] and it eventually it goes through, that's a two
[44:19] and a half year, three year sort of lag on the payments
[44:23] to when they receive the money, they're not going to be able
[44:26] to sustain that loss of revenue for three years. Correct.
[44:31] Yeah. So if they're not getting paid
[44:33] through the delinquent tax revolving fund,
[44:35] which this board gave the authority to do, so we do
[44:38] that every year.
[44:40] So if somebody isn't paying, we will turn around
[44:44] and say okay, this is going to be assessed
[44:45] as a delinquent special assessment
[44:48] and added to the current winner tax bill.
[44:51] So that will get paid, but it may be an entire year
[44:56] before they actually get that, that balance.
[45:00] So it won't be a three year lag
[45:03] but it will be, you know, nine months, you know,
[45:06] maybe a year.
[45:08] And in the event that a hotel say they don't pay any
[45:12] of their taxes and they foreclose, if that
[45:15] property forecloses and it doesn't sell
[45:17] for the minimum amount of taxes we eat the loss.
[45:22] Okay. That's definitely something to, to keep our eye on
[45:27] And look and the additional accommodation ca tax we have
[45:31] about, you know, looking at the bond projections
[45:33] that we reviewed, it's really about 8% of that revenue
[45:37] went unco collected through the first cycle.
[45:39] So that may even out a bit more over time because it's new.
[45:42] But you know, as we, you know,
[45:46] articulating the bond projections that we wanna see them,
[45:50] you know, budget accordingly
[45:53] 'cause they, there are gonna be revenues
[45:54] that are not collectible
[45:57] and so they've got a conservatively plan for
[45:59] that. Go ahead administrator.
[46:02] Well thank you very much chair
[46:03] and vice chair for the question
[46:05] and entertaining, you know, sort of that, that analysis
[46:08] and we'll follow up with, with director or CEO gosh and,
[46:13] and report back on our findings too.
[46:15] So no problem on that, just have, I actually have,
[46:18] it looks like a few updates to share.
[46:20] So just three. So one, I wanted to inform the board
[46:23] that next week I will be attending the annual convening
[46:26] of reia, which is the Racial Equity Builders Dialogue in
[46:29] Puerto Rico as part
[46:30] of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation delegation.
[46:34] So I, you know, if it's this hot as it is in this boardroom,
[46:37] I, I don't know if I'll really get to enjoy it, but,
[46:40] but a part of the K Community Foundation delegation,
[46:43] we also have director DEI, director Darnell going as well.
[46:47] They, they'll be attending.
[46:49] So Reya brings together cross section cross sector leaders
[46:52] focus on advancing racial equity
[46:53] through systems change policy innovation,
[46:56] economic mobility strategies and collaborative leadership.
[46:58] So sort of the purpose for attending is
[47:01] to strengthen partnerships with philanthropic
[47:03] and economic development stakeholders.
[47:05] We'll be identifying replicable best practices related to e
[47:09] rather equitable procurement, wealth building
[47:11] and inclusive economic development.
[47:13] We'll also be aligning national equity strategies
[47:16] with Kalamazoo County's strategic priorities
[47:18] and DEI framework.
[47:19] And then lastly, deepening regional collaboration,
[47:22] collaboration through partner participation
[47:25] with the KCCF delegation.
[47:27] And so we're looking forward to that
[47:28] and bringing a lot of that knowledge back.
[47:32] Next I wanted to just give an update on the architect
[47:34] and engineering interviews for the administration building.
[47:38] So a team of internal cross sec cross-functional
[47:42] team members will convene in early March.
[47:43] So we're looking at, I believe it's March 2nd, third,
[47:45] and fourth to interview four firms for the building,
[47:50] the administration, building
[47:51] architect and engineering project.
[47:53] So 10 proposals were received for, we whittled that
[47:57] that pull down to four
[47:58] and that interviews will occur again early March.
[48:00] So our timeline is very tentative.
[48:02] We hope if we can get through those interviews
[48:05] that we can bring something back at least even possibly a
[48:08] tentative recommendation to the board on March 17th.
[48:11] But that's barring any complications
[48:13] with scheduling that sort of thing.
[48:14] If anything, something forward
[48:16] to the board no later than April 7th at the, the committee
[48:20] of the whole and then regular meeting subsequently
[48:22] to approve an agreement.
[48:24] So we know that this project remains foundational
[48:26] and modernizing county facilities enhancing service delivery
[48:29] and then ensuring long-term operational sustainability.
[48:33] So we're looking forward to that.
[48:35] And then lastly, just to make everyone aware,
[48:38] there is a freezing rain advisory that was published
[48:40] by the National Weather Service earlier today.
[48:43] We have freezing rain potential
[48:45] for freezing rain conditions
[48:46] overnight into Wednesday morning.
[48:49] And so tho the freezing rain, likely north of us 10
[48:52] and east of 1 31 between 12:00 AM and 9:00 AM Wednesday.
[48:56] And so be careful as you are driving
[49:00] because they anticipate icy roads, slippery conditions,
[49:03] that sort of thing, and travel disruption.
[49:05] So just be careful as you're traversing
[49:07] roads tomorrow morning.
[49:08] And that's all I have this evening. Thank you.
[49:11] Thank you administrator.
[49:13] Alright, we'll take it to members' time.
[49:15] Commissioner Ray, would you like to go first?
[49:21] Sure,
[49:23] Yeah, I don't have much.
[49:24] Just wanna say Happy Black History Month
[49:27] and then acknowledge Reverend Jesse Jackson
[49:31] and, and passing today.
[49:34] I'm just gonna lift him up. And that's it,
[49:39] Mr. Wheeler. Thank
[49:40] You Chair.
[49:41] I don't have much either. I just wanna make everybody aware
[49:43] that there is a critical blood shortage right now
[49:46] and the Texas Township Fire Department
[49:48] is hosting a blood drive on February 26th from nine 30
[49:53] to 2:00 PM with Verity.
[49:55] They do ask that you make an appointment. So far.
[49:57] We have 10 appointments, we're looking for 20.
[50:00] I'm gonna be giving blood For those of you who are
[50:04] in the industry that I'm in, whether it's firefighting
[50:06] or even police, one of the best ways
[50:09] to get forever chemicals like PFAS out
[50:12] of your blood system is by donating blood.
[50:14] So a benefit for you and for others who need blood.
[50:19] So just wanted to uplift that.
[50:21] And I think that's all I have.
[50:23] Commissioner Morales.
[50:25] Thank you Commissioner Ray took my remarks.
[50:28] Have a good night. Commissioner Mazer.
[50:35] Commissioner ler.
[50:39] Thank you Chair. A few things first,
[50:45] aren't these things amazing?
[50:46] I sent Joel Amos a text and told him what I'd done
[50:50] and he said, okay, so, you know,
[50:54] consider at least one rural candidate as a possibility.
[50:58] The only other thing I have is
[51:01] I'll only mention the next two upcoming KCRG meetings
[51:05] on March 9th, the second Monday
[51:07] of the month at eight 30 at Mark's Diner on
[51:10] Romance in Portage.
[51:12] Jeff Sorenson, the supervisor of
[51:16] Cooper Township, is gonna talk.
[51:18] We haven't had a supervisor talk to my group
[51:21] and describe what the devil a supervisor does
[51:25] since Pat White talked like eight years
[51:28] ago, way before COVID.
[51:30] So that'll be an interesting thing.
[51:33] And on April 13th, the following month,
[51:36] we're gonna have data center
[51:38] and battery energy storage systems discussed
[51:41] by Derek NFS from Consumer's Energy.
[51:47] So everybody's welcome.
[51:49] Sit in, you know, bring things to throw if you want.
[51:55] Well, we'll have a, we'll have a decent crowd. Thank you.
[51:59] Thank you Commissioner. Commissioner Delo.
[52:01] Well just to ae Commissioner Gissler, I think
[52:04] on all the panels on the parking ramp,
[52:06] we should have at least requirement
[52:09] of one cow being drawn on them On one of the panels.
[52:11] Cow. Cow. He has to have a cow. Something rural.
[52:16] Yeah, on there. Joel works on a big dairy farm.
[52:20] But more serious note, I just wanna
[52:23] actually thank the leadership of this board
[52:24] because every meeting I realized
[52:27] how much you guys do without us.
[52:30] And I, I know you're spending a lot of time
[52:31] and effort, that's why you're in a leadership role
[52:34] and I really appreciate it.
[52:35] And you helped make Kalamazoo a better place
[52:37] to live, work, and play.
[52:39] Oh,
[52:42] He'd be so proud of you.
[52:43] Look at that. Thank you everyone.
[52:47] With that, our agenda, we're adjourned.