1 00:00:02,639 --> 00:00:08,000 session of the executive committee of the whole of the Midland County Board of 2 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:11,599 Commissioners at September 8, 2026 at 9:00 am. 3 00:00:09,200 --> 00:00:13,519 » Jim, will you call the role, please? >> Commissioner Snder 4 00:00:12,559 --> 00:00:15,360 » here. >> Commissioner Bone 5 00:00:14,400 --> 00:00:17,039 » here. >> Mr. Schuli 6 00:00:16,320 --> 00:00:18,400 » here. >> Mr. Malt 7 00:00:17,840 --> 00:00:19,920 » here. >> Commissioner Dorian 8 00:00:19,359 --> 00:00:22,000 » here. >> Commissioner Smith 9 00:00:20,960 --> 00:00:26,240 » here. >> And Chair Ping Gamro 10 00:00:23,519 --> 00:00:31,119 » here. All present. >> Thank you. All right. is now is the time 11 00:00:29,279 --> 00:00:35,440 for public comment. Is there any public comment? 12 00:00:33,040 --> 00:00:40,239 Public comment. Public comment. Okay. So, we have a presentation today. 13 00:00:37,680 --> 00:00:46,480 » Yeah. Thanks. Thanks, Todd. Um, I'd like to introduce Julia Darton. Darn Darn. I 14 00:00:43,440 --> 00:00:52,719 always miss that first. Um, who also go mainly goes by Julie. Uh, she is our new 15 00:00:50,239 --> 00:00:57,120 uh regional director for this MSU extension region. She is new to our 16 00:00:55,199 --> 00:01:00,879 region, but certainly not new new to MSU. Um, 17 00:00:58,960 --> 00:01:06,199 » and she's here to give us an update on some things happening in this area. 18 00:01:03,199 --> 00:01:06,199 » Awesome. 19 00:01:06,240 --> 00:01:12,400 » Good morning. Um, it's nice to see all of you and nice to meet you. Um, and I'm 20 00:01:10,799 --> 00:01:18,640 sure I'll we'll get a chance to talk more um because I hope to be in this job 21 00:01:15,200 --> 00:01:23,680 for a while. Um, I uh my name is Julie Dartton as as Bridget said and I've 22 00:01:20,960 --> 00:01:28,720 worked for MSU Extension for 20 years. Um, I was really young when I started. 23 00:01:27,115 --> 00:01:34,479 [laughter] Um, which you can only say after you say I've worked here 20 years. 24 00:01:30,960 --> 00:01:39,600 Um, I started my career in Sageno County uh, working as a food system or working 25 00:01:36,960 --> 00:01:44,479 as a community development educator. Um and then Michigan State Extension went 26 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:48,479 through some uh reorganization um and we created some statewide teams 27 00:01:46,799 --> 00:01:53,920 and at that time I was part of a leadership and and community engagement 28 00:01:50,720 --> 00:01:58,719 team as well as a food systems team. And in that role my area of expertise was 29 00:01:56,320 --> 00:02:02,399 farmers markets. So if you'd asked me you know a few years ago who the person 30 00:02:00,719 --> 00:02:07,439 I knew in Midland the best was I would said well I know Emily Lions and she she 31 00:02:05,200 --> 00:02:14,879 runs the farmers market because that was kind of my world. Um, and certainly, um, 32 00:02:11,920 --> 00:02:20,000 my role a as a district director began, um, serving up north, uh, where I was 33 00:02:18,239 --> 00:02:24,959 asked during the pandemic if I could help fill a hole on an interim basis. 34 00:02:22,800 --> 00:02:30,080 Um, and I worked with seven counties in Northeast Michigan. So, essentially, um, 35 00:02:28,160 --> 00:02:38,720 name the counties because you may know, uh, Crawford, Ocod, Alona, Ross, Common, 36 00:02:34,239 --> 00:02:43,280 Ogam, Aasco, and Arinac counties. Um, so pretty much from Grling to H Hotton Lake 37 00:02:41,360 --> 00:02:50,480 and then to the lake shore, from Harrisville uh to to Standish. And um 38 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:54,560 that helped me learn the role and also understand the ways in which we work 39 00:02:52,160 --> 00:02:57,760 with counties. And even though every county is certainly very unique, there's 40 00:02:56,319 --> 00:03:03,599 a lot of things that counties have in common. And I can carry that um that 41 00:03:01,200 --> 00:03:07,760 distinction very well in my role now serving the five counties of MSU 42 00:03:05,599 --> 00:03:13,760 Extensions District 4. District nine, excuse me. So, I brought I carry this 43 00:03:11,360 --> 00:03:18,640 map around with me because we talk in counties and not a lot of people talk in 44 00:03:15,680 --> 00:03:23,120 counties. Um, but this yellow area is our district 9. Um, and I know that's 45 00:03:20,879 --> 00:03:30,400 small as I hold it up, but that is Midland obviously, Bay, Sagena, 46 00:03:26,879 --> 00:03:34,720 Shyawasi, and Jennese counties. Um, so it's fewer counties, but it's more 47 00:03:32,080 --> 00:03:40,879 people obviously it's al also more staff. Um, and certainly I'm working to 48 00:03:37,680 --> 00:03:45,920 get to know everyone who I work with uh in this. I've been in my role since 49 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:54,159 June. Um, but again, it is a return home. I never moved up north. Um, 50 00:03:49,840 --> 00:03:58,400 and so I'm still living in Sagena. Um, I provide leadership and administrative 51 00:03:56,080 --> 00:04:03,280 oversight for our county offices. I supervise our support staff. Um, and 52 00:04:01,200 --> 00:04:11,200 here in Midland County, Brandy Martin is our support staff person. Um, and then I 53 00:04:08,720 --> 00:04:15,280 will be working closely with all the county governments as well. Um, and 54 00:04:14,000 --> 00:04:18,880 making sure that you have the information that you need. Um, one of 55 00:04:17,359 --> 00:04:22,880 the things that we're constantly battling against in MSU extension is 56 00:04:21,040 --> 00:04:28,080 that we do a lot of things and it's hard for us to explain that succinctly. Um 57 00:04:25,440 --> 00:04:32,560 but we do have a new tagline and a new communications sort of campaign that 58 00:04:30,560 --> 00:04:36,720 we're promoting which is whatever you want to do extension does that because 59 00:04:34,639 --> 00:04:42,720 there's so many areas of people's lives that we that we engage with and and um 60 00:04:40,240 --> 00:04:49,120 interact with. So just at the department head meeting that I went to last week um 61 00:04:46,160 --> 00:04:54,000 uh your parks and recreation director Patrick was talking about algolooms. We 62 00:04:52,240 --> 00:04:59,040 help educate the public on harmful algolooms, what they are, how they are 63 00:04:56,639 --> 00:05:03,840 formed, what the science is behind them, and what the response could be to that. 64 00:05:01,919 --> 00:05:08,080 And obviously, there's all different kinds of responses based on all kinds of 65 00:05:06,320 --> 00:05:13,360 different value questions and things like that. Um, also talked a little bit 66 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:17,280 about some of the ways I can make better connections with schools. Obviously, we 67 00:05:15,600 --> 00:05:22,639 have youth development programs through 4. um and talked a lot and and I'm still 68 00:05:20,720 --> 00:05:28,639 learning some of the people and the players that um we can we can connect 69 00:05:25,840 --> 00:05:34,880 with. Um Bridget at that meeting asked if anyone had time to fill in for her at 70 00:05:31,759 --> 00:05:39,759 a local community event um serving the public sort of a brunch lunch. Um and I 71 00:05:38,000 --> 00:05:42,560 didn't have anything on my schedule. So without really knowing what I was 72 00:05:41,039 --> 00:05:47,039 getting into, I raised my hand and I said I could help. But it turned out to 73 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:51,199 be a great um way for me to network and meet folks here in Midland. It's called 74 00:05:49,199 --> 00:05:54,800 helping hands. >> Community connect. 75 00:05:52,320 --> 00:05:59,440 » Community here at Trinity Lutheran and a lot of our um human service agencies 76 00:05:57,840 --> 00:06:05,520 come together. The health departments represented 211 United Way um many 77 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:10,000 others. Really it's an opportunity for members 78 00:06:07,680 --> 00:06:14,479 of the community who use those services to come through and really learn about 79 00:06:11,600 --> 00:06:18,000 them. So, and I get asked to serve every year and I wasn't feeling that great. 80 00:06:15,919 --> 00:06:22,319 So, would be good over food. So, I really do 81 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:26,639 appreciate Julie volunteering. I mean, she did she raised her hand before I 82 00:06:24,479 --> 00:06:30,240 even said what it was. So, I appreciate that. 83 00:06:27,199 --> 00:06:34,319 » Yeah. Um, that's sort of typical of me, like jumping in and then finding out if 84 00:06:32,000 --> 00:06:38,160 there's water in the pool. Um, but that serves me well sometimes because I got 85 00:06:36,400 --> 00:06:41,680 to meet a lot of great people when I was doing that. Not only the people we were 86 00:06:39,759 --> 00:06:47,280 serving, but people I was serving with. So, um, I look forward to that. Um, I 87 00:06:45,199 --> 00:06:50,639 will be reporting on MSU Extension. Obviously, you know, the staff that we 88 00:06:49,120 --> 00:06:57,360 have, some of the staff we have based here. Tanner Dar is a um extension 89 00:06:54,080 --> 00:07:03,440 health educator. He delivers programs um that help people connect with health in 90 00:07:00,400 --> 00:07:08,560 a different way. A lot of a lot of great work is done uh in medical facilities 91 00:07:06,000 --> 00:07:12,960 and hospitals and doctor's offices, but the education piece is sometimes 92 00:07:10,880 --> 00:07:18,479 missing. MSU extension is working to fill that in. So Tanner teaches classes 93 00:07:15,599 --> 00:07:22,400 like um mindfulness. Um there's a number of series he and a colleague have just 94 00:07:20,479 --> 00:07:28,479 rewritten the curriculum for mindfulness for the state um which is helping people 95 00:07:25,199 --> 00:07:34,880 connect with how it engaging certain tools and techniques can help them feel 96 00:07:31,280 --> 00:07:40,319 more calm can help them u move through challenging situations. Um, and people 97 00:07:37,759 --> 00:07:45,759 can harness the resources that they have in their own hands by, you know, doing 98 00:07:43,599 --> 00:07:50,240 deep breathing exercises, you know, thinking deeply, asking themselves 99 00:07:47,520 --> 00:07:54,960 questions, checking in, and then that can help them move through some of that. 100 00:07:52,479 --> 00:08:00,240 So, we teach that to a number of people, youth up to older adults and and through 101 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:03,440 across the lifespan. Um, and there's all different kinds of ways that we engage 102 00:08:01,759 --> 00:08:06,879 mindfulness. So there's mindfulness with walking, there's laughter and 103 00:08:05,440 --> 00:08:12,160 mindfulness, there's all kinds of different ways that we engage that work. 104 00:08:08,960 --> 00:08:17,599 Um, Tanner also with a group of staff across the state helps teach our Tai Chi 105 00:08:14,479 --> 00:08:22,000 program. Um, Tai Chi is something that we've engaged as a way of getting people 106 00:08:20,000 --> 00:08:28,400 to do some physical activity that's very low impact. Um, and it can strengthen 107 00:08:24,720 --> 00:08:32,800 their ability to prevent falls, um, to stay stable on their feet. Um this is 108 00:08:30,879 --> 00:08:38,240 especially important for older adults. We all know that um older adults are at 109 00:08:35,599 --> 00:08:41,919 more of a risk from harm if they fall. And if we can prevent falls, we can 110 00:08:40,159 --> 00:08:46,720 really help people maintain their health and and keep them in, you know, feeling 111 00:08:44,880 --> 00:08:52,240 productive and ready to face the challenges of the world. Um, and we also 112 00:08:49,600 --> 00:08:55,839 know the cost if a fall does happen, if they're in a rural area, the cost to 113 00:08:54,080 --> 00:09:01,120 transport them, the cost of hospitalization, rehabilitation, 114 00:08:58,959 --> 00:09:06,240 the ability for them to maintain their independence in their own home, whatever 115 00:09:03,680 --> 00:09:10,399 that may be, um, is really impacted if there's a fall. So, that's what we're 116 00:09:08,160 --> 00:09:15,279 looking at on a statewide basis with our Tai Chi programs. Um, Dave Wowski is 117 00:09:13,760 --> 00:09:21,519 based here. He's our sugarbeat advancement educator. You know, Michigan 118 00:09:17,680 --> 00:09:25,920 State was 20 years ago or 25 years ago, we were working handinhand with the 119 00:09:23,440 --> 00:09:30,800 sugar industry to keep that industry profitable and present in Michigan. Um, 120 00:09:28,640 --> 00:09:35,040 you know, it's a billion-dollar industry that almost went completely away. Um, 121 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:41,120 and if there hadn't been a concerted effort by co-op members, by farmers and 122 00:09:38,320 --> 00:09:44,640 researchers at Michigan State, um, you know, we wouldn't have been able to 123 00:09:42,320 --> 00:09:51,519 tackle the issue and maintain that business in our region. Um, and so we're 124 00:09:47,839 --> 00:09:55,839 right in the heart of the uh har at the point of harvest. Um, they're obviously 125 00:09:54,160 --> 00:10:03,120 you'll start seeing those trucks on the road. Um, but uh Dave and his uh his 126 00:10:00,320 --> 00:10:08,720 staff person Kyle, they're out helping uh growers understand what's going on. 127 00:10:05,600 --> 00:10:14,560 They do field research um and field days with with farmers um helping them 128 00:10:11,120 --> 00:10:19,760 understand pre pressure of um ever evolving diseases and pests that impact 129 00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:25,440 the sugar industry. And the sugar industry is just one of the crops that 130 00:10:22,880 --> 00:10:28,959 we support across the state of Michigan. I don't know if you know this but 131 00:10:26,640 --> 00:10:34,480 Michigan has the second most diverse agricultural profile of any state in the 132 00:10:32,079 --> 00:10:39,519 nation after California. And you can understand California has a climate that 133 00:10:36,800 --> 00:10:44,720 supports citrus growing and avocados and almonds, but Michigan being second in 134 00:10:42,880 --> 00:10:49,120 agricultural commodities means that Michigan State University Extension has 135 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:54,640 to have staff that know how to talk about everything from Christmas trees to 136 00:10:52,160 --> 00:10:58,240 sugar beats to hogs and dairy production. So every kind of 137 00:10:56,560 --> 00:11:04,320 agricultural production that happens in the state, we have someone who can be 138 00:11:00,959 --> 00:11:08,800 working with and for um those growers and helping them even when there's 139 00:11:06,000 --> 00:11:14,160 emerging new crops that we're growing. So uh 10 years ago we were steering hard 140 00:11:11,760 --> 00:11:19,920 into hops. Um you know there's a very small but but mighty group of chestnut 141 00:11:16,959 --> 00:11:23,120 growers in the United in Michigan. um all of our fruit production on the west 142 00:11:21,519 --> 00:11:28,000 side of the state and even some of it here benefits from the research that 143 00:11:24,959 --> 00:11:34,399 we're doing on our farms um with farmers and also in in a bio research stations 144 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:38,959 like the one that's in Frankenmuth um and so in that respect we're really 145 00:11:37,279 --> 00:11:44,320 helping those growers meet the challenges of the future um and even 146 00:11:42,480 --> 00:11:48,640 right now. So last week I got an opportunity to go to a session regarding 147 00:11:46,800 --> 00:11:54,160 soil health at the Sagenov Valley Research and Extension Center helping 148 00:11:50,800 --> 00:12:00,880 farmers understand that um cover crops are one mechanism to reduce runoff of 149 00:11:57,120 --> 00:12:08,720 soil that's so important um but also to you know help their soil be as 150 00:12:04,560 --> 00:12:13,040 nutritious and um rich as it is. Um, the other fun fact about Michigan is we have 151 00:12:10,720 --> 00:12:17,680 one of the most diverse soil profiles of any other state. Um, and then also in 152 00:12:16,000 --> 00:12:22,639 Midland County, we have Robin McGuire. She works at the St. Andrews Center and 153 00:12:20,399 --> 00:12:26,720 she's a science educator who works with the Children and Youth Institute. At the 154 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:30,959 St. Andrews Center, we have a unique opportunity to engage youth in really 155 00:12:28,959 --> 00:12:36,000 hands-on problem solving and development. Um, there's a there's a 156 00:12:33,360 --> 00:12:40,000 group uh this summer that was part of an underwater remote operated vehicle. 157 00:12:38,560 --> 00:12:45,680 Sorry, in my head I'm trying to translate all the acronyms that I have. 158 00:12:42,399 --> 00:12:50,480 So, UA ROV's, but um, [laughter] uh, those underwater remote operated 159 00:12:47,519 --> 00:12:54,639 vehicle teams designed vessels that could, you know, dive. They tested them 160 00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:57,440 in these small, what you might call kiddie pools that you could have in your 161 00:12:56,079 --> 00:13:02,240 backyard. And then they went to the Triidge and they tried them in the 162 00:12:59,440 --> 00:13:07,120 river. Um, so we have lots of fun evidence that, you know, hands-on kids 163 00:13:05,120 --> 00:13:13,040 are learning things. The St. Andrews Center is one opportunity for us to 164 00:13:09,760 --> 00:13:17,920 engage youth in STEM and STEM related growth and science. Um, and I just want 165 00:13:15,600 --> 00:13:22,320 to give you a snapshot of sort of that's just the tip of the iceberg of what 166 00:13:19,519 --> 00:13:26,639 Robin's doing. There are also uh high school students who are working directly 167 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:32,959 with researchers based at St. Andrews on all kinds of projects. um they produce 168 00:13:29,760 --> 00:13:37,600 um posters which is you know an it's a correlary to their um to what their life 169 00:13:35,760 --> 00:13:42,639 might be like if they're a researcher where they're producing um research 170 00:13:40,079 --> 00:13:47,279 posters and presenting their findings. Um but they're engaged in all kinds of 171 00:13:44,399 --> 00:13:50,880 discovery and inquiry through that. Um we're currently in the process of 172 00:13:49,279 --> 00:13:57,600 confirming that we have funding for our 4 program coordinator position. Uh DeHow 173 00:13:54,079 --> 00:14:01,440 is retired. Um and um we're really thankful for the work that she did for 174 00:13:59,600 --> 00:14:06,480 many years and the support that she gave to the program and we're hoping to find 175 00:14:03,519 --> 00:14:11,680 someone who can bring energy and new life to that. Um we certainly have the 176 00:14:09,360 --> 00:14:16,079 most number of clubs, the most number of adult volunteers, the most number of 177 00:14:13,839 --> 00:14:20,639 youth engaged of the five counties that I serve here in Midland County. And 178 00:14:19,199 --> 00:14:24,320 we're very proud of that and we want to see that grow. It's so funny to think of 179 00:14:22,720 --> 00:14:29,279 it's the largest program and there's still growth potential for that. Um, 180 00:14:26,959 --> 00:14:33,760 also I was intrigued by the years of service of Midland County 4 volunteers. 181 00:14:32,000 --> 00:14:39,360 And so I went through a process to try to add up all of the years and months of 182 00:14:36,320 --> 00:14:45,199 service of Midland County volunteers. I don't know if it will surprise you to 183 00:14:40,720 --> 00:14:51,600 learn that it's more than 2,700 years of service. Years, not months, 184 00:14:48,800 --> 00:14:56,480 years of service collected. among that group of volunteers. It's a tremendous 185 00:14:53,920 --> 00:14:59,279 asset that is unrivaled. Um, you know, when you have people 186 00:14:57,680 --> 00:15:04,959 who've volunteered for your program for more than 40 years, you really want to 187 00:15:01,360 --> 00:15:09,120 meet that challenge and meet them. So, as soon as we can confirm funding, and 188 00:15:06,720 --> 00:15:13,920 by the way, Midland County is the proposal for the budget is a very 189 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:18,320 helpful element of that and we're seeking local funding to close the 190 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:21,760 little gap that we have. Well, it's all relative, right? if you don't have it. 191 00:15:19,760 --> 00:15:26,160 It's a big gap, but [laughter] um which we don't. So, we're working on 192 00:15:23,680 --> 00:15:30,160 that. Um and I think that's probably my time. So, if there's any questions for 193 00:15:27,760 --> 00:15:32,560 me, um I encourage you to reach out. I was going to put together a 194 00:15:31,120 --> 00:15:36,720 presentation, but then I thought I could just talk to you all and I could go on 195 00:15:34,959 --> 00:15:40,000 and on. So, I'm glad there is a time limit. Um but if anyone has any 196 00:15:38,480 --> 00:15:42,000 questions for me, I'd be happy to answer those. 197 00:15:41,199 --> 00:15:46,880 » I have one. >> Sure. Do you have somebody on staff that 198 00:15:44,399 --> 00:15:51,040 will go out to a residential to a house and if their lawn's not doing good, look 199 00:15:49,120 --> 00:15:54,959 look at their lawn and make suggestions or not? 200 00:15:52,720 --> 00:15:59,279 » We don't have the capacity to send a person there. However, we have lots of 201 00:15:57,279 --> 00:16:03,759 ways for that person to interface with us. So, we have an online tool called 202 00:16:01,519 --> 00:16:08,560 Ask an Expert where people can upload their own photos and describe their 203 00:16:05,759 --> 00:16:13,440 issue and they can check whether or not they're willing to make their question 204 00:16:10,959 --> 00:16:17,199 and the answer to their question public because it becomes part of a knowledge 205 00:16:14,959 --> 00:16:21,920 base that we have. So, it's called Ask Extension. Um, ask extension and it's I 206 00:16:20,399 --> 00:16:25,759 think the easiest way to use our website is really to use a search engine because 207 00:16:24,000 --> 00:16:28,880 we've tried to optimize it with keywords. if you're on the page, 208 00:16:27,519 --> 00:16:32,880 sometimes it can be difficult to find exactly where to go. We also have a lawn 209 00:16:31,120 --> 00:16:40,959 and garden hotline that's staffed Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings 210 00:16:34,959 --> 00:16:43,600 between 9 and 12. Um, and the number is off the top of my head, I'm not going to 211 00:16:42,240 --> 00:16:47,040 be able to get it. >> Send me that. I will send it. 212 00:16:45,120 --> 00:16:50,560 » Yeah, it' be great. Be great. >> So, that lawn and garden hotline is 213 00:16:48,560 --> 00:16:54,639 staffed by extension master gardener volunteers who've been specifically 214 00:16:52,320 --> 00:16:59,440 trained to help people with that question and answer. they can talk to 215 00:16:56,720 --> 00:17:04,240 folks and find out what's going on. We would always recommend that someone for 216 00:17:01,680 --> 00:17:08,400 a lawn or garden at their home do a soil test because that can give you a really 217 00:17:05,760 --> 00:17:12,160 good snapshot of if there's deficits in nutrition or maybe there's an 218 00:17:10,000 --> 00:17:14,400 overabundance of something that's >> having an impact. So yeah, 219 00:17:13,919 --> 00:17:17,640 » thank you. >> You're welcome. 220 00:17:18,400 --> 00:17:24,160 » Yes. Um, I just want to say thank you for all of the work that you have done 221 00:17:22,160 --> 00:17:29,360 for so many years and I'm excited to have your energy and and your knowledge 222 00:17:27,120 --> 00:17:33,840 base brought to um brought to our region. We're very excited to have you. 223 00:17:31,520 --> 00:17:38,640 » Thank you. My job is not one that's much envied among people in extension, but 224 00:17:36,559 --> 00:17:43,200 what I say is it's the best job because I get to be a cheerleader and an 225 00:17:40,559 --> 00:17:48,240 advocate. Um, I wake up every day really excited to do my job even on days when 226 00:17:45,440 --> 00:17:52,880 it's hard. Um uh but um it is an exciting opportunity 227 00:17:51,039 --> 00:17:57,360 for me to talk about the good work that our staff does. Um and obviously I'm 228 00:17:55,520 --> 00:18:01,360 passionate about it. So thank you so much. 229 00:17:58,640 --> 00:18:04,640 » Any other questions for Julie? No. >> Thank you very much for being here. 230 00:18:02,480 --> 00:18:07,200 » It was good. >> I learned a lot this morning. 231 00:18:06,657 --> 00:18:11,840 [clears throat] >> Uh 232 00:18:08,799 --> 00:18:17,679 things I did not know about MSU. Uh all right. Other happenings around 233 00:18:14,160 --> 00:18:24,400 the county. um county service building uh architects and are working on the 234 00:18:20,320 --> 00:18:32,160 redesign of Puddle Street entrance. Um also have an engineering firm working on 235 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:35,840 um the AC unit that we have to replace. You might remember that we talked about 236 00:18:34,400 --> 00:18:40,720 this when we were talking about the consumer's easements that they wanted 237 00:18:37,919 --> 00:18:46,400 out front um and that we would be happy to place the AC building unit out there. 238 00:18:44,880 --> 00:18:53,679 Um we uh finally got the bids um the city 239 00:18:50,799 --> 00:18:59,840 let the RFP for the concrete between our two buildings. Um I think the approval 240 00:18:56,480 --> 00:19:03,840 for that goes through city council next week, next Monday. 241 00:19:02,988 --> 00:19:08,799 » [clears throat] >> We will be a once they start that 242 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:13,200 project, uh, I'm hoping it doesn't take super long. 243 00:19:11,280 --> 00:19:19,360 We won't have both ends of the building tied up at one time. So, that's good 244 00:19:16,640 --> 00:19:22,640 news. Uh, I don't, this will happen before anything out here happens. I 245 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:26,480 don't know the timing of this yet. I know, Jim, you're worried about 246 00:19:23,679 --> 00:19:32,640 election. I don't know yet um when that will be. [clears throat] Um, 247 00:19:29,760 --> 00:19:39,280 our portion This is going to be just about I think about $38,000 which is 248 00:19:35,679 --> 00:19:42,320 what we expected it to be. Um when we bid it last year it was about $35,000. 249 00:19:41,840 --> 00:19:46,720 So >> do we need to lean on anybody uh to make 250 00:19:45,360 --> 00:19:48,000 sure that that happens? >> No, it's all 251 00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:49,760 » at the city. >> Nope. Already done. 252 00:19:49,200 --> 00:19:51,200 » Okay. >> Yeah. Thanks. 253 00:19:50,480 --> 00:19:53,919 » Super. >> Yeah. 254 00:19:52,160 --> 00:19:58,559 » Um jail update. We do have an increase in 255 00:19:56,480 --> 00:20:05,360 federal marshall inmates. Um, ours has stayed about the same. Uh, so that is 256 00:20:02,720 --> 00:20:10,080 good for the bottom line. We do have a jail boiler project that's going to go 257 00:20:07,039 --> 00:20:15,000 out for bid also. Um, these are things that we want to make sure we do before 258 00:20:11,760 --> 00:20:15,000 the snowfl 259 00:20:18,799 --> 00:20:26,080 the reason partly we can have the more uh federal inmates is because of the 260 00:20:23,039 --> 00:20:30,880 recovery pod. What what are some of the thing are you familiar what goes on what 261 00:20:29,039 --> 00:20:34,320 are they doing in the recovery pod how are they and how that works can you 262 00:20:33,840 --> 00:20:41,600 speak to that >> yeah so they have um group counseling uh 263 00:20:38,320 --> 00:20:47,840 they have an exercise class they have an art class they have 264 00:20:43,840 --> 00:20:53,200 school um they have a lot of different opportunities to keep the folks that are 265 00:20:50,640 --> 00:21:00,480 participants in the recovery pod active and also continuing their um their 266 00:20:56,960 --> 00:21:06,000 recovery process, which if someone's been in counseling in group therapy um 267 00:21:04,320 --> 00:21:09,120 before they're incarcerated, they want them to be able to continue that. If 268 00:21:07,679 --> 00:21:14,240 they haven't, then they want them to participate. So, if they're willing um 269 00:21:12,320 --> 00:21:19,039 so that hopefully when they're done, they will be able to still be willing to 270 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:24,960 participate when they leave. Um that's the goal is to keep them engaged. Our 271 00:21:22,080 --> 00:21:28,559 recovery coaches are in the in the house recovery also. 272 00:21:27,039 --> 00:21:31,600 » I mean they visit there. >> Yeah. 273 00:21:28,880 --> 00:21:36,080 » So then they they'll have use that those rooms instead of the 274 00:21:34,240 --> 00:21:39,200 » the other in some of the other areas. Is that what you're 275 00:21:36,799 --> 00:21:43,919 » Yeah. They're actually I mean the they're not leaving the recovery pod. 276 00:21:40,960 --> 00:21:47,600 There are times when um they can leave. They'll go outside. Um sheriff will take 277 00:21:45,840 --> 00:21:52,720 them outside, you know, maybe once a week or a couple times a week. Um but 278 00:21:50,960 --> 00:21:56,120 most of the time all of the services are coming to them. 279 00:21:56,799 --> 00:22:04,880 Okay. Um also just want to let you know the 280 00:22:00,960 --> 00:22:10,159 dry cleaning property that was um left in the possession of the treasurer as a 281 00:22:07,280 --> 00:22:16,000 foreclosed property that had a lot of contamination cleanup that needed to 282 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:21,440 happen. Um Kevin finalized that contract with AKT Peerless and um they've started 283 00:22:19,360 --> 00:22:26,720 that remediation work. So hopefully that will be done sooner than later. Um there 284 00:22:24,799 --> 00:22:31,039 is still a chance that the state of Michigan will have more responsibility 285 00:22:29,200 --> 00:22:37,760 over that in the future, but I'm not sure what that looks like yet. 286 00:22:34,320 --> 00:22:42,400 Um skipping over to finance. If there's something that 287 00:22:40,000 --> 00:22:49,280 I'm missing those other areas, let me know. But um just talking about finance. 288 00:22:45,440 --> 00:22:55,840 So you the 2027 budget will um be in your office. before the end of the day. 289 00:22:52,159 --> 00:22:59,600 Um, really appreciate Tiffany's hard work on that, the finance 290 00:22:57,480 --> 00:23:05,039 [clears throat] staff, uh, input from Kevin on the facility 291 00:23:02,880 --> 00:23:10,559 stuff and Chris and IT and Christine with HR 292 00:23:07,280 --> 00:23:15,200 positions. It It was very helpful. Um, this year actually went pretty smoothly 293 00:23:12,080 --> 00:23:20,960 and I really appreciate that. We do have the 2025 PAFER done and that was 294 00:23:18,080 --> 00:23:26,400 submitted last week. So, uh, those will be sent out for, um, publication and 295 00:23:24,000 --> 00:23:30,960 printing this week. So, hopefully we'll have those in the next few weeks to hand 296 00:23:27,919 --> 00:23:35,600 out to all of you. Um, we are planning a county auction. So, 297 00:23:33,679 --> 00:23:41,360 we're going to do often we'll have an auction in this parking lot, but since 298 00:23:37,520 --> 00:23:46,880 all of the old file storage and furniture that's 30 plus years old is 299 00:23:44,000 --> 00:23:53,679 parked out at Pinerest, that is actually where the auction will be on October 300 00:23:49,200 --> 00:24:00,080 7th. So, um I'll have more information for on that in the near future. 301 00:23:56,240 --> 00:24:04,720 » Will that will that be po uh posted on the website? What things are listed? 302 00:24:02,240 --> 00:24:08,799 Will it be under your which would be find where where would I direct people 303 00:24:07,120 --> 00:24:13,039 if they were interested in checking? Where would they look? 304 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:16,720 » Um, it'll probably be under on the calendar on the homepage. 305 00:24:15,120 --> 00:24:23,240 » If you look on the calendar, Larry will have it on there. It'll probably be on 306 00:24:19,520 --> 00:24:23,240 finance as well. 307 00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:35,200 » Thank you. Uh, Foya, as you know, this continues to 308 00:24:31,600 --> 00:24:42,480 be on the rise. Um, this is something that I think with really 309 00:24:40,480 --> 00:24:46,799 should require a conversation with your legislators about this because it is 310 00:24:45,279 --> 00:24:51,600 really, in my opinion, getting out of hand. Um, 311 00:24:49,279 --> 00:24:58,799 it there are and I'll give you some examples. Majority of them are with the 312 00:24:54,880 --> 00:25:05,200 sheriff's office and primary requests that that come in the work it's done and 313 00:25:02,480 --> 00:25:09,120 then they decide they don't want it are um people actively running YouTube 314 00:25:07,279 --> 00:25:15,200 channels from across the country that are looking for police footage, camera 315 00:25:12,320 --> 00:25:21,600 footage, car footage. Um it takes at least for every hour of footage, it 316 00:25:18,400 --> 00:25:27,440 takes at least an hour of redacting. um images and then they have to go back 317 00:25:23,760 --> 00:25:33,760 through and redact audio. Um it's at least three hours of work for every hour 318 00:25:29,600 --> 00:25:39,279 of footage. So um you know in talking with the sheriff I I think that he has 319 00:25:36,720 --> 00:25:45,600 put out some comments uh with local legislators 320 00:25:42,720 --> 00:25:50,880 um his concern is this primarily that these folks uh make these requests. They 321 00:25:48,080 --> 00:25:55,679 put in all the work. We put in the work. Um Jessica has work on her end and then 322 00:25:53,520 --> 00:26:01,919 nothing gets done. I mean our recovery financially on this is almost nothing. 323 00:25:58,720 --> 00:26:07,360 » Uh and you know the sheriff would say that if it were it would make sense to 324 00:26:05,279 --> 00:26:13,039 him that you have to be involved somehow in the request for you to make the 325 00:26:09,360 --> 00:26:21,360 request. Whether it was you were actively involved in the incident. um 326 00:26:18,240 --> 00:26:28,880 that makes more sense. So, I'm not sure what the answer is. I I really don't 327 00:26:23,520 --> 00:26:34,159 know. Um but it's to me it's it's starting very much to mirror an unbonded 328 00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:37,919 mandate. The state of Michigan legislature put this in play and it's 329 00:26:36,240 --> 00:26:41,520 costing us a significant amount of money. 330 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:48,159 You'll see in the 2027 recommended budget that I've added a halftime person 331 00:26:44,960 --> 00:26:53,760 um to the board office reporting to Mark and I uh under the leader lead of 332 00:26:51,679 --> 00:27:01,120 Jessica as far as training and the sheriff um to help handle these things. 333 00:26:59,200 --> 00:27:09,279 I you know we're lucky maybe we won't need it for very long. Uh but at this 334 00:27:05,120 --> 00:27:16,799 point in time it's become very quickly uh but an hour by hour burden for law 335 00:27:14,640 --> 00:27:22,400 enforcement, the records clerks in the sheriff's office and to Jessica. So 336 00:27:20,559 --> 00:27:27,679 these and these aren't normal I mean these become the majority of the 337 00:27:24,159 --> 00:27:32,400 requests but these are the ones that in my opinion don't make a whole lot of 338 00:27:29,279 --> 00:27:39,120 sense. So and I'm sure not everyone will agree with that but that is you know our 339 00:27:35,840 --> 00:27:43,520 our goal. um in local government is to make sure people are informed. And it, 340 00:27:41,600 --> 00:27:48,559 you know, it's not top secret. It's just a lot of these things are really not 341 00:27:46,240 --> 00:27:53,840 necessary for people who aren't involved in the case 342 00:27:51,039 --> 00:27:59,840 to necessarily happen. Media like formal media channels are 343 00:27:56,960 --> 00:28:03,600 different. Um I mean 344 00:28:01,679 --> 00:28:10,080 they're they typically when they make a request they follow through on it. 345 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:14,799 That's that's not the issue. >> There's no way to make people pay. 346 00:28:13,200 --> 00:28:18,559 » Yes, you can requ you you still but you still have to do a majority of the work 347 00:28:16,720 --> 00:28:23,919 to figure out how much it's going to cost. That's what the law says. And then 348 00:28:21,039 --> 00:28:28,640 you can require a 50% deposit. >> Okay. So, we know this will take at 349 00:28:26,640 --> 00:28:34,799 least between six and eight hours. We're going to charge you for six hours. 350 00:28:32,799 --> 00:28:38,000 Wait, can can you I didn't quite couldn't quite hear what 351 00:28:36,080 --> 00:28:41,760 » you can't request. You can't put together a You used to be a We used to 352 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:45,289 be able to do that. Put together a time projection of how much something would 353 00:28:43,279 --> 00:28:47,200 cost at the lowest rate [clears throat and cough] of the person 354 00:28:46,080 --> 00:28:51,520 who could actually do it >> do the work. Yes. 355 00:28:48,880 --> 00:28:54,000 » And now you can't put the get together the estimate. You actually have to do 356 00:28:52,960 --> 00:28:57,679 the work >> and then 357 00:28:55,440 --> 00:29:01,919 » then Well, so there so we do all the upfront costs and then they can decide 358 00:29:00,000 --> 00:29:06,159 » for the most part I see. So, we have the MAC conference 359 00:29:04,000 --> 00:29:08,080 coming up. That'll be a good place to discuss that, won't it? 360 00:29:07,279 --> 00:29:11,120 » Yeah, absolutely. >> Well, I think it's the discussion you 361 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:15,520 can have the local legislators >> that too. 362 00:29:12,000 --> 00:29:18,640 » It's it's it's too time consuming to think that you're doing this for 363 00:29:17,120 --> 00:29:22,480 somebody that has nothing no relevance to what they're asking for, 364 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:26,559 » right? >> But we find how other counties are doing 365 00:29:24,159 --> 00:29:28,640 it or if they're going [laughter] if they're not or what's going on, 366 00:29:28,159 --> 00:29:32,399 » right? >> We're just on top of it so much. 367 00:29:33,120 --> 00:29:40,480 There has to be a happy medium somewhere and right now I don't think we're there. 368 00:29:38,960 --> 00:29:44,960 So, um, okay. 369 00:29:42,480 --> 00:29:51,200 Anything else you want to say on that? Did I cover it? 370 00:29:47,760 --> 00:29:56,720 Um, moving on to it. So for um all of us who have email, 371 00:29:55,679 --> 00:30:01,120 you may get [clears throat] frustrated at times that some of your legitimate 372 00:29:59,120 --> 00:30:07,760 email gets stuck in the Barracuda spam filter because I'm not a fan of that 373 00:30:03,200 --> 00:30:12,399 spam filter. It's less than effective. Um 374 00:30:09,440 --> 00:30:18,880 one of the projects uh on my goals with it was to change that to another 375 00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:27,600 provider. So we [clears throat] are move forward um with proof point and 376 00:30:23,360 --> 00:30:32,480 they've actually been uh gracious enough to give us a sixmonth time frame to get 377 00:30:30,399 --> 00:30:37,279 everything ready and converted over and tested out before we actually have to 378 00:30:34,480 --> 00:30:42,480 make that cut off I think in February with uh from Barracuda and turn flip the 379 00:30:40,159 --> 00:30:46,320 switch and switch it over. So, we'll be working on that behind the scenes, but 380 00:30:44,080 --> 00:30:51,480 I'm hoping that um the benefit will be very positive for everybody in the 381 00:30:48,480 --> 00:30:51,480 future. 382 00:30:53,440 --> 00:31:00,320 » So, maybe with it and with this that's a spam filter, but have we been uh I know 383 00:30:58,399 --> 00:31:05,600 for cyber security that'll be something on Chris's plate, too. So, we have we 384 00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:10,640 had and I don't know if they're free to say or not if we if I presume we there's 385 00:31:08,880 --> 00:31:15,360 been no successful attacks. >> No, they're not. Miden County can they 386 00:31:12,960 --> 00:31:18,880 see that there's can they with the different soft different things they do 387 00:31:17,279 --> 00:31:21,039 can they see yeah there's attempts out there 388 00:31:19,360 --> 00:31:25,440 » well there's always fishing attempts I mean you'll see that in your emails 389 00:31:23,039 --> 00:31:30,480 right everybody gets the emails that pretend to be someone else they'll buy 390 00:31:27,760 --> 00:31:37,279 as a matter of fact I had an email from two parks two park directors ago Kim Her 391 00:31:34,640 --> 00:31:42,000 um asking for a change for his direct deposit and I forwarded it to Chris I 392 00:31:39,440 --> 00:31:45,039 said well they bought a really bad old email list since he's not even here 393 00:31:43,840 --> 00:31:50,399 anymore. >> Um, and he isn't in our pension, so he's 394 00:31:48,720 --> 00:31:53,919 not even getting a retirement check. So, he's not getting any checks from us. So, 395 00:31:52,320 --> 00:32:00,080 nope, not changing your direct deposit account. Um, but these are the kinds of 396 00:31:56,960 --> 00:32:04,559 things that we've done training and um with employees and really good at 397 00:32:02,880 --> 00:32:09,519 spotting these things and sending them on and uh that 398 00:32:07,919 --> 00:32:14,720 employees are really our first line of defense. some of these things. So, the 399 00:32:12,799 --> 00:32:21,120 more they know and understand and the better they're at, you know, questioning 400 00:32:17,840 --> 00:32:25,279 some things, then the safer we are. But if there were a successful attack, 401 00:32:22,880 --> 00:32:28,279 Larry, you would know I would be telling. 402 00:32:29,360 --> 00:32:36,640 Um, one of the things that, um, Julie didn't mention, but, um, I'm going to, 403 00:32:34,320 --> 00:32:43,760 is, and, I think Larry, you might have mentioned it at the end of last the 404 00:32:39,519 --> 00:32:48,720 meeting last week, the Sturgeon release last Friday. 405 00:32:45,200 --> 00:32:53,200 » Um, if you're interested in that, uh, there's another one on the 26 in the 406 00:32:51,440 --> 00:32:59,600 same area over at the Caldwell boat launch area. So, um, if that's something 407 00:32:56,399 --> 00:33:03,039 that intrigues you and you missed it, um, it'll be at 11:00 a.m. on the in the 408 00:33:01,919 --> 00:33:06,640 same spot. >> So, I was going to mention later, but I 409 00:33:04,559 --> 00:33:09,279 can do it now. So, we did go to that. Okay. 410 00:33:06,960 --> 00:33:14,159 » Uh, it was delightful. They were, um, there probably were hund some maybe 150 411 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:20,080 people. I don't know. It was a lot of and before the school has they were out. 412 00:33:17,600 --> 00:33:25,200 So, all sorts of kids out there. It was great time. had some booths out there to 413 00:33:23,039 --> 00:33:32,080 give other information. They did a great job and the uh it was our grandkids were 414 00:33:29,760 --> 00:33:39,279 there that so we went there to do that and um it was it was good about 125 fish 415 00:33:35,840 --> 00:33:42,799 I think they put out or so and uh it was a good train they did great job training 416 00:33:41,279 --> 00:33:46,799 kids what's going on why they're doing that had it was just they did a 417 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:51,039 fantastic job so that's great >> well done 418 00:33:47,600 --> 00:33:56,480 » so you want to see it again the 26th of September 419 00:33:53,519 --> 00:34:00,720 um parks and wreck. Uh just so you know, the 420 00:33:58,000 --> 00:34:05,200 I mean I haven't had to report what the gate house receipts have been in a very 421 00:34:02,720 --> 00:34:10,800 long time at Sanford Lake Park, but it's nice to be able to do that. Um right, as 422 00:34:08,720 --> 00:34:15,440 of the end of August, we were at almost $127,000 423 00:34:12,480 --> 00:34:21,520 for gate gate uh income with folks coming in and out of the park. So uh a 424 00:34:18,159 --> 00:34:26,639 lot of kudos to um Patrick and his team. Um they do have interviews uh coming up 425 00:34:24,639 --> 00:34:32,399 at least one or two more for um parks manager. Uh 426 00:34:30,720 --> 00:34:38,000 I've got my fingers crossed that that'll be filled pretty soon. 427 00:34:35,280 --> 00:34:42,000 » Just shout out and I know oops I do a lot of talk 428 00:34:39,440 --> 00:34:47,919 » about what a great job that Patrick has been doing filling in and covering for 429 00:34:44,560 --> 00:34:51,520 that. So it has been he was doing his job plus 430 00:34:49,040 --> 00:34:54,720 » doing a lot that this person will have will be to help him. So 431 00:34:53,359 --> 00:34:58,800 » what a shout out for Patrick. >> Yeah. 432 00:34:55,919 --> 00:35:01,920 » What was the uh in past years before the dams broke? What was gate revenue? Do 433 00:35:01,119 --> 00:35:05,599 you know? >> I don't have that off the top of my 434 00:35:03,760 --> 00:35:10,480 head. Mark, I could look it up. But it's um also a little 435 00:35:08,000 --> 00:35:14,880 the fee to get in we did a little bit differently because you could you know 436 00:35:12,480 --> 00:35:20,480 buy a voucher and it was less and wouldn't quite be apples to apples. Um 437 00:35:18,240 --> 00:35:23,040 but we can I can look that up and figure it out. 438 00:35:20,960 --> 00:35:30,320 » Just curious how the attendance was. >> Yeah. I mean I hesitate to say out loud 439 00:35:27,359 --> 00:35:34,960 that maybe this was you know a lot more curiosity and novelty because the lake 440 00:35:32,800 --> 00:35:36,800 is back that it's this high. I'm hoping that it stays that way. 441 00:35:36,320 --> 00:35:42,079 » Yeah. >> Um that it's not just the first year. 442 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:46,240 Next year we'll be competing Wixom, I think. 443 00:35:43,359 --> 00:35:50,960 » Or potentially. So, yeah. Janette, did you have something, too? 444 00:35:47,359 --> 00:35:55,200 » Yeah. Um, so the parks manager position has been quite challenging and we've had 445 00:35:53,119 --> 00:35:59,680 it advertised nationally and it was my understanding we offered it to someone 446 00:35:56,720 --> 00:36:05,839 and then perhaps retracted that offer. Um, and so, um, I just don't I'm trying 447 00:36:04,000 --> 00:36:11,680 to wrap my mind around what's going on there. It's been months. Um, 448 00:36:08,160 --> 00:36:14,400 » it's difficult to employ people and find good candidates. 449 00:36:12,720 --> 00:36:19,440 » How long has it been for the parks manager position? 450 00:36:16,880 --> 00:36:24,400 » Well, John's been gone a year. >> Yeah. So, Patrick's been doing the uh 451 00:36:22,960 --> 00:36:29,920 parks director >> and the parks management position. Is 452 00:36:27,599 --> 00:36:33,599 there still a need for the parks management management? 453 00:36:31,680 --> 00:36:39,040 » I would say definitely yes. Okay. >> Because there are things that need to be 454 00:36:37,359 --> 00:36:42,640 more Patrick's primary. >> What do you think the main obstacle is 455 00:36:40,960 --> 00:36:45,359 then? >> I I I think it's been different each 456 00:36:44,640 --> 00:36:48,400 time. >> Okay. 457 00:36:45,839 --> 00:36:51,599 » Um and I can't really talk publicly about why the offer was withdrawn for 458 00:36:50,400 --> 00:36:55,280 the last person. >> Okay. 459 00:36:52,079 --> 00:37:00,560 » So otherwise that would have been handled by now, but So what takes what 460 00:36:58,800 --> 00:37:02,560 does take a while is starting the process over 461 00:37:02,240 --> 00:37:06,560 » right >> that always takes more time because then 462 00:37:05,040 --> 00:37:10,800 we have to advertise and >> after we offer they have to go through 463 00:37:09,280 --> 00:37:13,680 » they have to go through certain things for a hiring process 464 00:37:12,320 --> 00:37:15,359 » they have to do background check and physical. 465 00:37:14,320 --> 00:37:17,839 » Thank you. >> Okay. 466 00:37:15,920 --> 00:37:22,960 » Yeah. Thanks. >> Um Eric 467 00:37:20,000 --> 00:37:28,480 » um backtracking to the FOYA issue. >> Yes. Would it be appropriate for us to 468 00:37:25,760 --> 00:37:34,480 reach out to the gubatorial candidates and let them know that this is an issue 469 00:37:30,640 --> 00:37:36,240 that's that's a burden to local governments? 470 00:37:35,359 --> 00:37:39,440 » I don't think it would >> see if they've got a response. 471 00:37:37,920 --> 00:37:43,040 » Yeah, I don't think it would hurt. I think your legislators are the ones who 472 00:37:41,040 --> 00:37:47,680 are making the decision about it. So, I think that that's where I would start. 473 00:37:46,720 --> 00:37:50,480 » Okay, >> sounds good. Thank you. 474 00:37:49,440 --> 00:37:57,200 » State rep, >> state rep, state senate. Thank you. 475 00:37:55,599 --> 00:38:04,880 » I think that's who the sheriff has already reached out to as well. 476 00:38:00,880 --> 00:38:07,941 » Okay. Um just a reminder under trial court administrator, if you don't have 477 00:38:06,320 --> 00:38:09,119 it on your calendars yet, on the 25th, [cough] 478 00:38:08,596 --> 00:38:14,320 [clears throat] um the 100redy year anniversary 479 00:38:11,440 --> 00:38:20,640 celebration over at the courthouse will be from 2 to 5. Uh, I know the bar 480 00:38:18,400 --> 00:38:24,800 association is handling all of this and I know Patrick was sending out 481 00:38:22,320 --> 00:38:28,640 invitations. So, um, if you haven't put it on your calendar yet, 482 00:38:26,240 --> 00:38:31,200 » what was the date again? >> It's on page 483 00:38:29,520 --> 00:38:33,119 » already on your calendar according to Jessica. 484 00:38:31,760 --> 00:38:36,720 » All right. Sorry. [clears throat] >> Everyone's already got it on [laughter] 485 00:38:34,160 --> 00:38:38,960 their calendar from me. Sorry. >> On the 25th. 486 00:38:38,240 --> 00:38:44,079 » Thank you. >> Yes. 487 00:38:40,720 --> 00:38:49,520 and um veterans affairs, we do have that um as position advertised and we've 488 00:38:46,480 --> 00:38:53,119 gotten um several applications. So um we'll as soon as we can find some dates 489 00:38:51,440 --> 00:38:57,680 to schedule interviews, we'll be doing that. Um Elena, I'll be trying to get 490 00:38:55,920 --> 00:39:02,480 with you and check your calendar for that process. 491 00:39:00,960 --> 00:39:04,320 » What happened to Bruce? >> Bruce is here. 492 00:39:03,359 --> 00:39:08,640 » Bruce is still here. >> Yep. Kevin is Kevin is retiring. 493 00:39:06,560 --> 00:39:13,880 » Okay. Anything 494 00:39:10,880 --> 00:39:13,880 else? 495 00:39:14,800 --> 00:39:20,640 » Thank you very much, Bridget. >> Mr. Smith. 496 00:39:18,720 --> 00:39:26,240 » Well, top of the morning to everyone. Um, the 497 00:39:23,760 --> 00:39:31,040 executive committee uh summary this morning is not much different than it 498 00:39:28,000 --> 00:39:36,480 has been. U number of contracts been working with Haley to uh complete those. 499 00:39:34,800 --> 00:39:41,119 Um, as you know, I'm I'm going to be out of 500 00:39:38,480 --> 00:39:46,079 pocket for a few weeks uh starting tomorrow, but um we'll be available by 501 00:39:44,240 --> 00:39:51,280 phone hopefully at the end of the month, beginning of the end of the month. But a 502 00:39:48,320 --> 00:39:56,960 couple of things have uh gone on. Uh I've been working on well well one is uh 503 00:39:54,480 --> 00:40:03,520 the elections commission activity with with uh clerks Thomas and uh there has 504 00:40:01,280 --> 00:40:09,119 been some continuing activity challenging the election process 505 00:40:05,440 --> 00:40:13,440 specifically the recall process and uh I don't think it's going to this is 506 00:40:10,960 --> 00:40:19,760 particular to one of the townships regarding a solar uh issue solar panel 507 00:40:16,800 --> 00:40:24,000 issue uh it may be different as we get towards the fall With the general 508 00:40:21,359 --> 00:40:32,400 elections coming up, we'll probably see more. And I think Jim is uh happening 509 00:40:28,240 --> 00:40:38,079 called baptism by fire as it seems like. Uh I was also involved with a probate 510 00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:44,079 court uh dealing with a behavior issue for one of the residents 511 00:40:41,200 --> 00:40:49,280 out at the JCC. And it was an interesting experiment uh and an 512 00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:53,599 interesting experience working with uh the judge and uh she and I got along 513 00:40:51,680 --> 00:41:00,720 well and and we were successful in removing a rather difficult 514 00:40:57,520 --> 00:41:06,160 resident and getting him back to his um host county if you will was up in 515 00:41:03,119 --> 00:41:15,920 Gladin. Um so regarding Fox versus uh Sageno County 516 00:41:12,880 --> 00:41:23,520 I think it's Sago the as you know that is the u Raphael type uh issue regarding 517 00:41:21,040 --> 00:41:30,000 foreclosure of property in the county and the historical foreclosure. 518 00:41:26,560 --> 00:41:35,359 Um there is a the lawsuit that we were participants in involuntarily 519 00:41:33,200 --> 00:41:40,720 uh and but for which there has been a settlement um identified in principle 520 00:41:38,880 --> 00:41:46,480 has been extended. The settlement process has been extended and extended 521 00:41:42,720 --> 00:41:52,800 several times primarily due to the lack of u persons making claims against the 522 00:41:49,839 --> 00:41:59,440 various counties who are defendants for refund of their taxes. 523 00:41:55,200 --> 00:42:05,280 And um now uh there has been a um fairness hearing scheduled on the 524 00:42:02,000 --> 00:42:12,160 proposed settlement for January 22nd of next year. And uh with luck, I say that 525 00:42:09,520 --> 00:42:16,800 um sincerely, with luck, the court will approve the settlement and we can get 526 00:42:13,839 --> 00:42:21,680 this behind us for this part of that litigation. 527 00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:25,280 Um, and there it's uncertain whether that will happen because of the lack of 528 00:42:23,520 --> 00:42:30,560 participation and the I'm sure that the plaintiff's 529 00:42:27,680 --> 00:42:33,680 lawyers are very unhappy because they the more participation the better 530 00:42:32,160 --> 00:42:39,040 they're going to do in terms of their own settlement. But [clears throat] um 531 00:42:36,640 --> 00:42:43,839 whether that is going to be resulting in a approval or not remains to be seen. 532 00:42:41,839 --> 00:42:48,284 I'm hopeful that it will. >> And the other uh 533 00:42:45,280 --> 00:42:53,200 » before you go on if I could um Do [clears throat] we've put some we've 534 00:42:50,319 --> 00:43:00,640 held some money in reserves for that, haven't we, Bridget? Of with that case 535 00:42:55,680 --> 00:43:08,160 of in case that was what the um from with taxes or from the forfeited m 536 00:43:04,800 --> 00:43:13,599 uh parcels that we kept some money back and thinking expecting this might come 537 00:43:10,160 --> 00:43:17,839 through. Uh forward thinking great job and then but that won't be able to be 538 00:43:16,160 --> 00:43:21,599 you. We will have to leave that in reserve till this is settled. 539 00:43:19,520 --> 00:43:25,040 » I re I mean not that it's that much money in Midland. Bridget may have a 540 00:43:23,520 --> 00:43:31,839 comment about that. But I recommend caution in that regard only because uh 541 00:43:28,960 --> 00:43:36,079 as I was just about to mention there was recently an unpublished decision by the 542 00:43:33,839 --> 00:43:43,760 Michigan Court of Appeals in case called Sheffield versus Chipoa County Treasurer 543 00:43:38,640 --> 00:43:48,400 at all. And there they uh court said well all well and good that you have 544 00:43:46,319 --> 00:43:55,280 done all these things but these plaintiffs have uh filed a claim um 545 00:43:51,200 --> 00:43:59,839 based on court in Michigan and con United States constitutional claim for a 546 00:43:57,760 --> 00:44:04,560 violation of the takings clause and those have not yet been adjudicated or 547 00:44:01,920 --> 00:44:10,319 litigated. So that that court left open the door for other people to file a 548 00:44:07,839 --> 00:44:15,040 lawsuit based upon the constitutional provisions regarding an unlawful taking 549 00:44:13,280 --> 00:44:20,560 and Michigan tort. I don't know what the tort claim would be exactly but so this 550 00:44:18,400 --> 00:44:25,839 has not quite gone away yet. It's very it's close and I want to say it's done 551 00:44:22,640 --> 00:44:29,880 but it isn't quite done yet. And that's about it for my 552 00:44:31,599 --> 00:44:39,839 » All right. Thank you, Bill. Commissioners, uh, updates on boards and 553 00:44:36,960 --> 00:44:46,880 commissions. Let's start with Larry. >> Um, so last week uh went to the, uh, 554 00:44:44,000 --> 00:44:51,680 Founders Grove, uh, ribbon cutting ribbon cutting ceremony that they held 555 00:44:48,960 --> 00:44:56,160 on last Thursday. That's the new charter school that's just starting. Their first 556 00:44:54,480 --> 00:45:02,640 day of classes, I think, are going to be tomorrow. That was a well attended 557 00:44:58,880 --> 00:45:09,119 event. Uh they've got around at least 116 fully enrolled and over 200 558 00:45:06,640 --> 00:45:14,880 have applied. So there's great excitement there. I talked to some of 559 00:45:11,520 --> 00:45:20,240 the people, one of the board members. It's the classical education is the 560 00:45:18,480 --> 00:45:24,560 approach they're taking. They're going to start teaching Greek and Latin in 561 00:45:22,400 --> 00:45:30,319 fourth grade. Uh it's going to be phonics based, cursive, no screen time 562 00:45:27,839 --> 00:45:34,000 except for a statemandated test. And I know there's even the public school, 563 00:45:31,760 --> 00:45:39,040 they're realizing the some of the consequences of screen time. So they're 564 00:45:36,720 --> 00:45:41,839 uh they're just right on top of things. Uh if people don't know, that's it's at 565 00:45:41,040 --> 00:45:46,319 the [clears throat] uh it's on the corner there of 566 00:45:43,680 --> 00:45:55,280 Washington and Weer Road is where the school is. I went to the MCTOA meeting 567 00:45:50,480 --> 00:45:59,520 on Thursday. Uh they had ITC there and I think that's Interstate Transit 568 00:45:57,200 --> 00:46:04,960 Corporation or something like that. And there's a new power line that's going to 569 00:46:01,280 --> 00:46:09,440 be coming from Letingtonish uh to to Coleman and across I don't know 570 00:46:07,280 --> 00:46:15,359 all the the total route. Well, there's going to in October there's going to be 571 00:46:10,960 --> 00:46:20,240 some public um meetings about that. people in the in the areas that are 572 00:46:17,520 --> 00:46:25,040 touched by it, they're going to be getting particular letters if there's 573 00:46:22,000 --> 00:46:29,440 properties could be potentially uh touched by this or being in the area. 574 00:46:27,200 --> 00:46:35,280 So, we will be having some things going on in Lon County with that and that's 575 00:46:33,440 --> 00:46:41,200 they're at the early stages. So, it's going to be quite a few years probably 576 00:46:38,319 --> 00:46:45,280 long that process takes. Um, if you go to the ITC website, there'll be a spot 577 00:46:43,280 --> 00:46:51,520 to be able to find that. So that was interesting. Second thing they had uh 578 00:46:48,160 --> 00:46:55,280 was a lady and I didn't I I failed to bring her card so I didn't remember what 579 00:46:53,359 --> 00:46:59,040 the name of the organization but they were going over some of the sex 580 00:46:56,640 --> 00:47:04,400 trafficking in Michigan. Unfortunately we are Michigan is in uh she'd said like 581 00:47:02,319 --> 00:47:08,240 in the top 10 of the states. Unfortunately not a number you want to 582 00:47:06,000 --> 00:47:14,319 be in the top of amount of sex trafficking. It's terrible. Uh and so 583 00:47:10,880 --> 00:47:19,599 they had a nonprofit and if we ever want to have uh her to come here to just let 584 00:47:17,680 --> 00:47:24,240 people know about it and she's they've gone to different things. So that was 585 00:47:21,599 --> 00:47:31,280 very interesting an unpleasant topic that has to that's 586 00:47:26,960 --> 00:47:36,960 occurring but uh they had done that u Kim the heistler the chairman there has 587 00:47:35,359 --> 00:47:42,960 done a great job trying to get some different speakers in and uh talking 588 00:47:39,280 --> 00:47:49,760 about some of the programs going on. So um went to that. So that was a good just 589 00:47:45,520 --> 00:47:53,680 a great time uh meeting and did the lake sturgeon thing as we talked about. So 590 00:47:52,160 --> 00:47:58,000 that's all I had. Thanks. >> Thanks Larry Kim. 591 00:47:55,520 --> 00:48:02,880 » Um pretty pretty quiet. Enjoyed the church walk with Commissioner Smith. Uh 592 00:48:00,800 --> 00:48:08,079 music with Commissioner Dorian on Saturday night. Plan on attending 593 00:48:05,680 --> 00:48:14,720 Midland Township board meeting this Wednesday tomorrow. And uh tomorrow I 594 00:48:11,839 --> 00:48:19,319 start my 22nd police academy. So one more after that and then I'm done. 595 00:48:19,839 --> 00:48:24,400 » Eric, I have done the report. Mr. Chairman, 596 00:48:22,480 --> 00:48:32,160 » thank you. >> Um yeah, so I was able to attend the uh 597 00:48:28,559 --> 00:48:39,520 the substance use disorder oversight policy board um which is possibly the 598 00:48:35,440 --> 00:48:48,880 longest acronym in the world. Um uh that was on uh I believe Thursday the 13th. 599 00:48:46,000 --> 00:48:53,920 Um and then uh or August 13th. And then after that I was able to go um to the 600 00:48:52,640 --> 00:49:00,000 Community Mental Health of Central Michigan uh board of directors meeting 601 00:48:56,319 --> 00:49:09,200 in uh Reed City uh which was August 25th. Um so I was able to find Reed 602 00:49:04,559 --> 00:49:15,040 City. It's a long ways away. Um um it was quite the drive. We got done with 603 00:49:12,400 --> 00:49:19,599 our meeting at like 9:45 at night and then they were like um just watch out. 604 00:49:18,000 --> 00:49:24,880 There's been like three people hitting deer on right by here. Anyway, so it was 605 00:49:22,480 --> 00:49:32,319 a fun like hour and a half drive home. Um but um but it was um but it was uh 606 00:49:29,520 --> 00:49:39,680 very interesting. Um we had some uh good discussion about um tailoring uh 607 00:49:36,160 --> 00:49:44,240 substance use treatment uh to different communities and different communities 608 00:49:41,440 --> 00:49:47,920 needs. Um you know some some communities are are really struggling with alcohol 609 00:49:46,559 --> 00:49:53,520 use, some communities are really struggling with um like with things more 610 00:49:51,280 --> 00:50:00,319 like meth or heroin and that kind of stuff. And so and and using different 611 00:49:56,640 --> 00:50:05,599 communities, cultures, um and and and cultural like identities to 612 00:50:03,359 --> 00:50:09,680 to kind of fight different different parts of of addiction. It was a really 613 00:50:07,440 --> 00:50:13,680 good discussion. Um as opposed to being like this is the addiction treatment 614 00:50:11,440 --> 00:50:18,000 plan, this is what we're doing and this is what we're doing for every county in 615 00:50:15,440 --> 00:50:21,359 Michigan. um but more breaking it up for and tailoring it to individual 616 00:50:19,440 --> 00:50:25,760 communities and counties which I found um to be super interesting and has been 617 00:50:23,119 --> 00:50:30,319 found to be super effective. Um so yeah, that is all I have to report. 618 00:50:27,599 --> 00:50:34,480 » Thank you. >> Um so things have been pretty quiet for 619 00:50:32,480 --> 00:50:39,839 me too. I appreciate Larry's update on the MCTOA. I wasn't able to attend that 620 00:50:36,960 --> 00:50:44,720 and they have um fairly new leadership so they have some really good topics 621 00:50:41,520 --> 00:50:51,359 there. So they've it's been u beneficial um to attend. Uh I went so I talked 622 00:50:47,760 --> 00:50:57,119 about parks a little bit. Um of course would love to have parks manager. Um 623 00:50:54,000 --> 00:51:01,680 Patrick is a great director and we're um so thankful for him. He is also getting 624 00:50:59,680 --> 00:51:08,960 baptized by fire because he's never been here when the lake has been um here. So 625 00:51:05,680 --> 00:51:14,160 um it's quite a new experience. Um, I think it's great that Samford is 626 00:51:10,960 --> 00:51:19,599 bringing in so much um for the parks again. And I I don't know if you're 627 00:51:16,880 --> 00:51:23,040 aware, but um you know there's a lot the the whole lake is different. So there's 628 00:51:21,599 --> 00:51:27,599 just different structure, different people were hang where they hang out. 629 00:51:25,680 --> 00:51:33,200 And we have a park called uh River Trails. It's up in Edenville and it's 630 00:51:30,000 --> 00:51:37,040 it's near the dam on the river. you um weren't able to boat to it before and 631 00:51:35,200 --> 00:51:42,559 now you're able to boat to it and it's quite nice and sandy and a park area and 632 00:51:40,000 --> 00:51:48,400 so um some people have been hanging out up there because the other sandy areas 633 00:51:46,000 --> 00:51:54,480 have trees and weeds and items of that nature. So, and um he was able to let us 634 00:51:52,559 --> 00:52:00,880 know that him and I don't know if you know, but like the parks and the road 635 00:51:56,160 --> 00:52:05,119 commission um they're fairly close um in proximity and so they do um things 636 00:52:03,680 --> 00:52:10,160 together and they work really well together. So, um they've been able to 637 00:52:07,760 --> 00:52:14,800 collaborate and open up communication so to do things and to save the county 638 00:52:12,079 --> 00:52:18,800 money on things um like chainsaw training for um the road commission's 639 00:52:17,200 --> 00:52:23,599 doing it. they can share that expense with parks and they just have a really 640 00:52:21,119 --> 00:52:28,319 good partnership and not all counties have that. So just very thankful that um 641 00:52:26,640 --> 00:52:31,520 we have that here in Midland County and that's all that I have. 642 00:52:29,839 --> 00:52:37,200 » Thank you Mark. >> I have nothing. 643 00:52:34,880 --> 00:52:42,800 » No comment from me. So commissioner comments. Let's start back up with Larry 644 00:52:40,720 --> 00:52:46,880 again. Thanks for Julie for coming today. that was I know there was some 645 00:52:44,800 --> 00:52:51,040 emails of some of the stuff at MSU and my goodness the the breadth of the kinds 646 00:52:49,119 --> 00:52:56,400 of things that they do. It's amazing. So, um I'm glad we could have you come 647 00:52:54,240 --> 00:53:02,640 and speak to us about what's going on. So, thank you for doing that. 648 00:53:00,400 --> 00:53:07,040 That's all. Thanks, >> Kim. 649 00:53:04,559 --> 00:53:14,640 I'm just looking forward to settling down now that the holidays passed and uh 650 00:53:09,760 --> 00:53:19,280 getting back to normal, per se. Um We'll be out of state uh just putting 651 00:53:17,040 --> 00:53:26,640 committee chairs on notice end of the month for a week spent with family. So 652 00:53:23,920 --> 00:53:29,640 I'll give you more details offline. 653 00:53:30,480 --> 00:53:39,359 » All right, Eric. >> Uh glad to hear or sorry to hear that 654 00:53:37,200 --> 00:53:45,599 Commissioner Smith's adventures into Oyola County [laughter] 655 00:53:42,640 --> 00:53:49,760 uh were so challenging, but I I know what you're talking about, having driven 656 00:53:47,760 --> 00:53:55,760 that route many, many a times in the past, and I might recommend that you 657 00:53:52,880 --> 00:54:00,960 knock off knock off your bucket list going to Paris, 658 00:53:58,800 --> 00:54:07,319 which is it would take you five minutes to to take that exit and drive to Paris. 659 00:54:11,280 --> 00:54:17,520 » Nice. That is all I have. [laughter] 660 00:54:15,359 --> 00:54:22,800 » Thank you. >> Um I would just like to also say um 661 00:54:21,040 --> 00:54:28,800 thank you to Julie for coming in and doing a presentation today. Um I found 662 00:54:25,280 --> 00:54:33,072 it to be uh very very helpful and encouraging. Um 663 00:54:30,720 --> 00:54:36,480 » um I also wanted to say that [clears throat] 664 00:54:33,599 --> 00:54:43,599 there is um so much information available online. I just yesterday was I 665 00:54:41,599 --> 00:54:48,400 can't I couldn't figure out what was going on with all of my tomatoes in my 666 00:54:45,520 --> 00:54:53,839 garden and and I posted a picture of them and people are like, "Oh yeah, this 667 00:54:50,160 --> 00:54:57,359 is blossom rot. Here's a link to to MSU Extension and they has like a whole 668 00:54:55,359 --> 00:55:03,760 article about it. Apparently my soil is deficient in calcium." So, who knew? Um 669 00:55:00,960 --> 00:55:08,480 and so you can find you can find out all sorts of fun things from them. Um, so 670 00:55:06,880 --> 00:55:10,480 yeah, that's all I have to report. Thank you, 671 00:55:09,520 --> 00:55:15,119 » Janette. [clears throat] >> I would just like to say thank you to 672 00:55:11,920 --> 00:55:20,559 Julie, too. I learned a lot and it's uh vital to have MSU Extension and it's 673 00:55:18,319 --> 00:55:25,520 great that we have it in the community. Um, so this is a banner year just on a 674 00:55:23,040 --> 00:55:31,040 personal note for my husband and I 50 60 so we're birthdays so we're traveling 675 00:55:27,680 --> 00:55:38,000 quite a bit as well and so thanks for um I usually plan work like my stuff around 676 00:55:34,880 --> 00:55:42,400 work but um sometimes you got to have a little vacation in there on the meeting 677 00:55:40,240 --> 00:55:48,480 so I'm going to do that. All right, >> thanks Mark. I have no comment 678 00:55:46,480 --> 00:55:52,640 » besides welcome to the team and it was a great presentation. 679 00:55:50,799 --> 00:55:57,040 » I agree with Mark. Thank you very much for being here today, Julie. And as 680 00:55:54,319 --> 00:56:02,319 always, thanks to Bridget, Jessica, Tiffany for running the show and being 681 00:55:59,839 --> 00:56:07,520 in charge and keeping us going and making all the good decisions while 682 00:56:04,960 --> 00:56:13,359 while nobody else is there to help. So, thank you very much. 683 00:56:10,000 --> 00:56:15,839 Any other business for the order? to the order. 684 00:56:13,839 --> 00:56:17,440 » Move to adjourn. >> What? 685 00:56:16,319 --> 00:56:20,240 » Okay. >> I 686 00:56:19,200 --> 00:56:24,559 » Oh, I thought you were going to say something, Eric. I apologize. Meeting is 687 00:56:22,240 --> 00:56:29,200 adjourned until Tuesday, September 16th, 2026 at 10 a.m. to meet in a regular 688 00:56:27,599 --> 00:56:32,680 board. Thanks for the committee.