[0:00] Thank you.

[0:01] If you please rise if Abel for the Pledge of Allegiance.

[0:07] IP pledge Allegiance to the flag

[0:09] of United The United States of America.

[0:10] America. And to the Republic for which it stands.

[0:13] Stands Nation, one Nation under God, indivisible.

[0:17] With Liberty. Liberty, and justice. All

[0:19] Thank you.

[0:21] The goal of the Board of County Road Commissioners of Count

[0:24] of Kalamazoo County is to apply its expertise, energy,

[0:27] and resources to provide the safest

[0:29] and most convenient road system possible while supporting

[0:32] economic development and enhancing quality

[0:34] of life throughout the county.

[0:35] We are committed to maintaining a road system that is safe,

[0:38] efficient, and reliable for public travel.

[0:41] The first item on the agenda is the approval of the agenda.

[0:44] A motion would be in order.

[0:46] Motion to approve. Second.

[0:48] We have a motion by Commissioner Davis with support

[0:50] to approve the agenda as presented.

[0:52] Is there any discussion on the agenda from the audience here

[0:55] in the building or

[0:59] line or commissioners?

[1:05] Hearing none. All in favor of approving the agenda

[1:08] as presented, say Aye.

[1:09] Aye. Those opposed say no. Motion carries.

[1:12] Next is the approval of the minutes

[1:13] of the August 11th board meeting.

[1:15] A motion would be in order. So

[1:17] Move counsel.

[1:19] Is there Support. Support.

[1:22] We have a motion by Commissioner Thompson with support

[1:24] to approve the August 11th board meeting.

[1:26] Minutes. Is there any corrections, additions,

[1:28] or deletions of the minutes from the audience here in the

[1:30] building or

[1:34] online or commissioners?

[1:38] Corrections, additions, deletions. Hearing none.

[1:41] All in favor of approving the August 11th board meeting.

[1:43] Minutes Say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no. Motion carries.

[1:47] Next is the approval of the payroll and vendor accounts.

[1:50] We have a payroll of $217,385 and 98 cents

[1:55] and vendor accounts of

[1:56] $1,713,105 and 30 cents.

[2:00] A motion would be in order. Some

[2:02] Moved.

[2:04] We have a motion by Commissioner Kennedy with support

[2:06] to approve the pay, payroll

[2:09] and vendor accounts as presented.

[2:11] Is there any discussion on the payroll

[2:12] and vendor accounts from the audience here in the building

[2:15] or

[2:16] online or commissioners?

[2:21] Questions? Comments? No. Hearing none.

[2:24] All in favor of a favor proving the payroll

[2:26] and vendor accounts as presented, say Aye.

[2:29] Aye. Those opposed say no. Motion carries.

[2:31] Next is public comment on non agenda items.

[2:34] This is an opportunity for the public

[2:35] to speak on non agenda items.

[2:39] Anyone here in the audience here in the building would like

[2:41] to speak or online?

[2:44] Anyone online willing Wishing

[2:47] to address the Road Commission.

[2:52] See none. There'll be a second opportunity later in the

[2:54] meeting for public.

[2:55] Comment on non agenda items that'll take us

[2:58] to new, new business.

[2:59] First item of business is item A.

[3:01] The request approval of bid 2026 dash oh nine.

[3:06] The new 2026. 2027.

[3:08] Police interceptor, rebid managing director.

[3:13] All right, A little background here.

[3:14] So outlined in our cap outlay section

[3:17] of our 2026 budget under our equipment facilities five-year

[3:21] plan is the replacement

[3:23] of a police interceptor interceptor vehicle.

[3:26] It's a vehicle we use daily for our our way master

[3:29] and permit agent type duties.

[3:31] Currently we have two of these police interceptor units

[3:34] for our permit agents.

[3:36] In the unit we are proposing to replace is a 2015

[3:40] Ford Explorer police interceptor

[3:42] with approximately 160,000 miles on it.

[3:46] With that being said, as we're looking at different options,

[3:50] we actually are recommending replacing the interceptor

[3:54] with a Ford F-150 police responder.

[3:57] Very similar to the receptor,

[3:59] but it's in the pickup truck version of that.

[4:03] That unit would include a six year, a hundred thousand mile

[4:08] warranty, extended warranty.

[4:09] And the delivery date time for that would be 12 to 14 weeks.

[4:15] We did receive two bids for the purchase of this.

[4:20] This unit from Sealy Ford locally here

[4:23] and then Bob Maxie Ford.

[4:26] And originally Maxie Ford appeared to be the low bidder.

[4:29] As we got digging into it, we noticed that

[4:32] Maxi Ford did not include the

[4:34] extended warranty in their bid price.

[4:36] So which no longer made them the low bidder.

[4:39] We also got some pricing through Bob Maxi Ford

[4:43] through the My deal purchasing program.

[4:46] And that price was actually more than the local bid.

[4:49] So we stuck with the local bid options at that point.

[4:54] On the budget side, our 2026 budget includes $65,000

[4:59] for the purchase of this unit.

[5:01] Sealy Ford's bid price was 61,346.

[5:04] So we're actually about $3,600 under budget.

[5:08] So with that we'll take any questions

[5:11] and we recommend the board award.

[5:13] The police interceptor bid number 2026 dash nine

[5:16] to Sealy Ford for a total price of $61,346.

[5:22] The low bidder that meets specifications.

[5:25] Very good. A motion would be in order

[5:30] Support.

[5:31] We have a motion. Let's support by Commissioner Davis

[5:35] to approve Dave 2026 dash oh nine,

[5:38] the 20 26, 27 Police Interceptor.

[5:42] Rebi. Is there any discussion on this motion

[5:45] from the audience here in the building

[5:49] or online or commissioners?

[5:54] Questions? Comments? Commissioner

[5:55] Davis. Then Commissioner Thompson.

[5:57] Managing director of the total bread.

[5:59] That includes tax entitled

[6:01] We we don't pay tax.

[6:03] Right. Oh, on the unit. So. Alright,

[6:05] Thanks Commissioner Thompson.

[6:07] I just, and I, I've said this

[6:09] before when we purchased off, I'd like seeing

[6:11] that we can stay within our local area too to something

[6:16] That's interesting.

[6:17] We can, 'cause historically the My deal has been the better

[6:20] price but it seems like the last couple years we've had some

[6:23] opportunities here locally.

[6:24] So we're definitely looking both directions.

[6:28] Any other questions or comments? Hearing none.

[6:32] All in favor of approving bid. 2026 dash oh nine.

[6:35] The new 20 26, 27 Police interceptor say aye. Aye. Aye.

[6:40] Those opposed say no. Motion carries. Next is item V.

[6:43] Request approval of bid 2026 dash 10

[6:47] New 20 26 27 3 quarter ton pickup trucks Managing director.

[6:52] All right, again, some background here

[6:55] outlined in our capital outlay section of our 22 6 budget.

[6:58] Under our capital improvement plan is the purchase

[7:00] of two pickup trucks.

[7:04] We specify in this threequarter ton trucks.

[7:07] So we use these vehicles for administration type work

[7:11] and our construction and our road maintenance operations.

[7:14] We currently have 37 vehicles in our fleet.

[7:18] That includes our van, some SUVs

[7:22] and primarily pickup trucks that service again our fleet

[7:25] and our administrative staff.

[7:27] We did receive two bids again for these two vehicles

[7:32] and same two bidders, Sealy Ford and Bob Maxey Ford.

[7:37] Sealy Ford was the low bidder again

[7:39] for the two units at 134,260.

[7:43] And that's again for two units.

[7:46] As far as replacements,

[7:50] we're actually gonna move two

[7:51] of our administrative vehicles into the fleet.

[7:54] So these two new trucks would be used

[7:56] as administration vehicles for the first three

[7:58] or four years of their life

[8:00] and then they'll transfer into the fleet also at that point.

[8:03] But we are selling one unit,

[8:05] which is an older 2015 GMC Threequarter ton truck

[8:10] that's got about 140,000 miles on it.

[8:13] The expected delivery date from Sealy is 120

[8:17] days for these units.

[8:19] It also includes a 72 month warranty.

[8:22] And then the budget side,

[8:25] we had $150,000 in our, our capital outlay budget

[8:29] for these two units and the units came in at

[8:32] 134,260.

[8:34] So we're well under budget. Over 15,000 under budget there.

[8:41] I do wanna mention Tony Allen's here today.

[8:45] Tony has worked on all three

[8:46] of these agenda items here in the last week,

[8:48] so I appreciate his time putting all this

[8:50] together back and forth.

[8:52] Lots of questions and trying to find us the best pricing.

[8:55] So appreciate all his work there.

[8:57] So with that we recommend the board award,

[8:59] the threequarter ton pickup bid number 2026 dash 10

[9:03] for 2 20 27 Ford F 2 54

[9:06] by four Super Duty crew cab trucks to Sealy Ford

[9:10] for a total price of $134,260.

[9:15] Very good. A motion would be in order.

[9:16] I'll make that motion. I approve.

[9:20] We have a motion by Commissioner Thompson

[9:23] with support from Commissioner Kennedy

[9:24] to approve bid 2026 dash 10,

[9:27] the 20 26 27 3 quarter ton pickup trucks.

[9:30] Is there any discussion on this item from the audience here

[9:33] in the building or

[9:36] online or commissioners?

[9:40] Questions? Comments? I have question.

[9:42] Go ahead Commissioner Davis, would you

[9:44] Come with me next time I go to buy a vehicle?

[9:49] Appreciate pretty good deal. Appreciate

[9:51] It.

[9:52] Yes, absolutely. Well under budget, so very good.

[9:54] Absolutely on both these last two items.

[9:58] Any other further discussion? Commissioners? Hearing none.

[10:01] All in favor of approving item B, the approval

[10:03] of bid 2026 dash 10.

[10:06] The 20 26 27 3 quarter ton pickup truck. Say aye. Aye.

[10:10] Those opposed say no. Motion carries.

[10:13] Next is the item C request approval of bid 2026 dash 11.

[10:18] The underbody scraper sectional, tungsten carbide tipped

[10:22] and special hardened cutting edges managing director.

[10:26] Yeah, that's a mouthful. Really what we're we're sharing

[10:30] with the board here today is our underbody

[10:32] scraper cutting edges.

[10:34] So it's the wearable edge, it's on the mold board

[10:36] of our snowplows along with our motor graders.

[10:40] So those obviously wear is as they work their way up

[10:43] and down the roads, moving snow and grading gravel roads.

[10:46] We also use 'em for preparing gravels when we put hot mix

[10:50] asphalt paving projects down.

[10:52] So again, just a a wearable edge.

[10:54] We go through a lot of them throughout the, the seasons.

[10:58] And this is a bid that is, is very

[11:02] needed in our world without cutting edges.

[11:05] We don't plow snow so we always need

[11:08] to have an abundance of a supply.

[11:09] It's almost like having salt in your salt barn.

[11:11] If you don't have cutting edges, we're not gonna plow snow.

[11:14] So just to break this down real quick,

[11:17] and there's two types of cutting edges.

[11:18] The tungsten carbide cutting edge I'll talk about first.

[11:23] That's primarily what we use today with our snowplows,

[11:27] simply because they last a lot longer than the other style,

[11:31] the, the flame hardened or the hardened steel type.

[11:35] We see, you know, five times the life anyway out

[11:38] of a tungsten carbide versus the flame hardened,

[11:42] which is the, the style we used to use years ago.

[11:46] But they're very expensive and,

[11:48] and the, the price of this tunks

[11:49] and carbide is, is gone up with the new tariffs.

[11:52] It's primarily mined in China.

[11:55] So we're seeing a, a pretty significant increase there.

[12:00] We only had one bidder for these cutting edges, both types

[12:05] of cutting edges and that was through St.

[12:07] Regis culvert was actually our supplier

[12:09] the last time we purchased.

[12:11] But these tungsten carbide cutting edges,

[12:14] they come in four foot sections.

[12:16] It takes three sections on an underbody

[12:20] scraper of a a plow truck.

[12:21] So a section per the bid price is approximately

[12:25] $775 per section.

[12:28] Hmm. So it's very costly.

[12:30] When we replace these, we're recommending to purchase 270

[12:35] of these sections for a total price

[12:38] of $209,088 through St.

[12:42] Regis Culvert and St.

[12:44] Regis culvert in their bid advised

[12:46] that they can only guarantee the pricing

[12:49] that they provided for 30 days.

[12:51] Our bid specification said

[12:53] required pricing to the end of the year.

[12:55] So they're not able to to do that.

[12:58] So it's really just a one time opportunity for us

[13:00] to purchase at this price.

[13:03] And then moving on to the, I call 'em flame hardened,

[13:06] special hardened cutting edges.

[13:09] These are significantly cheaper

[13:11] but again they don't last near as long.

[13:14] Typically they're gonna last maybe two,

[13:16] three days plowing snow at the most

[13:19] and then we'd have to change 'em.

[13:21] They're again, considerably cheaper approximately $153 each

[13:26] and it only takes two of them to, to do a blade change

[13:29] 'cause they're six foot sections.

[13:31] But we use 'em primarily on gravel roads.

[13:35] We also use them with our motor graders

[13:39] and then again prepping projects for hot mix asphalt on

[13:43] and they're always just a good backup.

[13:45] And when carbide dumpster carbides not available.

[13:49] We did interesting though only have one bid

[13:52] but we had 10 downloads so we had many looking,

[13:55] just not many bidding.

[13:58] Historically we've only seen two or three.

[14:01] But again, this time we only received one

[14:03] bid on the budget side.

[14:06] These units would be purchased and put into inventory

[14:09] and then as they were used in the equipment,

[14:12] we would expense 'em to the equipment on that budget year.

[14:15] So with that we recommend the board award,

[14:17] the underbody scraper, sectional punks and carbide tipped

[14:20] and special harden cutting edges bid number 2026 dash

[14:24] 11 to St.

[14:26] Regis culvert, the sole bidder meeting specifications

[14:29] with the option to extend for three one year extensions

[14:32] by mutual agreement with both parties.

[14:35] Thank you. A motion would be in order motion

[14:38] to approve their support.

[14:41] Second, we have a motion by Commissioner Davis with support

[14:44] to approve item C bid 2026 dash 11.

[14:48] Is there any discussion on this item from anyone in the

[14:52] audience here in the building or online?

[14:58] Commissioners? Questions? Comments? Commissioner Kennedy?

[15:02] So I just wanna clarify

[15:05] or verify that the amount we're talking we're approving is

[15:08] that the 227,412

[15:13] or is it 209,088?

[15:18] 'cause there's two different amounts for the,

[15:23] so I'm, I just wanna be sure

[15:26] that I got, I'm getting it right.

[15:27] Commissioner McKinney, where's your second amount at?

[15:29] I have the 2 27. 4 4 12.

[15:31] Yes. 2 27. Four 12.

[15:35] I guess on page three if you look,

[15:37] it says the sole bidder me bidder meeting specifications

[15:42] was submitted by St.

[15:43] Regis Covert in the amount of $774

[15:47] and four seven each based on the estimate quality of 270.

[15:52] I must have got that wrong.

[15:54] Cutting edges sections total

[15:56] 209,209.

[16:00] Fourth paragraph. I just wanted to be sure

[16:02] that I was looking at the right thing. Mike, the fourth

[16:04] Paragraph in Mag C

[16:06] or 32 3.

[16:10] Yes,

[16:18] There's two cutting in.

[16:20] So the one with the 2 0 9, the other 18,000.

[16:27] Do you see where No, where are you at again? I'm sorry.

[16:29] May I tell?

[16:32] Sure real?

[16:37] Yep, I see the 18,000,

[16:39] it's in the second paragraph on page four

[16:42] and that's what it's Yep they have the 18

[16:46] and the, it's 2 7 7 total.

[16:49] So the 2 0 9 0 88 is for the IDE

[16:54] for the constant carbide. And then the other

[16:58] 18,000 is 3 24 Is for the special hard.

[17:01] Okay, thank you. We're

[17:02] Purchasing both right And that quantity of both

[17:05] And that gives your total, total 2 27.

[17:08] Okay, thank you. Those you see the

[17:10] 18 that's on page four.

[17:12] Yes, I did. I just wanted to be sure. Good

[17:15] Question.

[17:16] And Commissioner Thompson. So

[17:18] We're not changing what we're using,

[17:20] we just use both kinds.

[17:22] That's correct. Correct. We primarily use the tungston

[17:24] carbide, but there's times that special harden

[17:28] and flame harden is the better often,

[17:29] especially if we're grading grave roads,

[17:31] we plowing gravel roads using the tungsten carbide.

[17:36] The, the face of that is, is just

[17:38] that simple hardened material and it washes off

[17:41] and the carbide falls out prematurely.

[17:43] So that's why we need both.

[17:46] And then again, it's a good backup plan just to have a,

[17:50] a supply of 'em around in case we do

[17:52] have a severe winter and

[17:53] We and supply chain issues too. Yeah,

[17:56] No I understand.

[17:57] I just wanna make sure we weren't,

[17:58] because the cost, we were going something less

[18:01] 'cause it's gonna cost you more.

[18:02] Well it's interesting we talked

[18:03] about it internally, right?

[18:05] Is do we go back to the old,

[18:07] but again, the time it takes to come in

[18:09] and change blades Yep.

[18:10] And the performance of a blade, it just,

[18:13] it makes sense to continue the

[18:14] Labor and the time lasting out. Yeah. Okay.

[18:17] Well thank you. Thank you Chair

[18:19] Commissioner Davis And your director.

[18:22] So in those internal dialogues, I presume there was like a,

[18:25] a cost benefit analysis curve on the cost of a

[18:31] treated steel versus the carbide

[18:34] and at some point those two cross

[18:36] and that that's, that's the point in which the, you know,

[18:38] the price of the carbide is now exceeds the,

[18:43] the efficiency that you gain from it.

[18:45] So do, where are we, how close are we to that intersection?

[18:48] I can't tell you exactly where we're at,

[18:50] but we are fast approaching it.

[18:51] Yeah. Years ago we switched to the carbide, right.

[18:54] And I'm gonna say probably 10, 15 years ago.

[18:57] But we are getting to the point

[18:59] where if this price continues to increase, it just pays

[19:02] to buy the, the cheaper blade and change it every two

[19:04] Days.

[19:05] Right. So yeah, because

[19:06] If we see, you know, another

[19:08] 20% increase, we're probably there.

[19:10] Okay, that's what I was thinking.

[19:11] We might be approaching

[19:13] that just from quick scan of those numbers.

[19:15] So, alright. I presume

[19:17] we're keeping an eye on that because Yeah,

[19:19] And we're looking, looking at other options too.

[19:20] And we've done a lot of trials over the years using

[19:22] different types of material.

[19:23] If you tried using two flamed hardened blades too thick,

[19:28] you know, does last a little longer,

[19:30] but they tend to loosen up.

[19:32] We've tried some rubber cutting edges

[19:34] but they don't seem to last but most of the day.

[19:36] So, but we're always looking for, you know,

[19:40] different option, a backup plan

[19:42] so we can continue to do that.

[19:44] Thank you. Any further questions? Commissioners?

[19:49] Hearing none request items.

[19:53] All in favor of approving item C.

[19:55] The request approval of bid 2026 dash 11

[19:59] under body scraper sectional, T carbide tipped

[20:02] and special hard and cutting it.

[20:04] Just say aye. Aye. Aye. Those opposed say no.

[20:07] Motion carries. That'll bring us back

[20:09] to public comment on non-ag agenda items.

[20:11] Is there any public comment from anyone in the building here

[20:14] on non-agenda items or online?

[20:18] Any public comment from anyone online today?

[20:24] See none. That'll take us to managing director's,

[20:27] time managing directors.

[20:28] All right, so a few items for today.

[20:30] First of all, it is in the weekly report,

[20:32] but I didn't had a chance to read it or didn't notice.

[20:36] We did receive some safety grant funding

[20:38] for two projects coming up potentially

[20:43] to be built in 2028.

[20:46] First of all is Sprinkle Road at V Avenue is a roundabout.

[20:50] And then we also have the East Michigan project from

[20:53] Sprinkle Road West to City of Kalamazoo limits.

[20:58] And that's an HMA type project

[21:01] and it'll actually include rumble strips similar to

[21:03] what we're doing with SS four A.

[21:06] So we'll continue to, to move forward

[21:09] with those projects and get 'em designed.

[21:12] Also talking to Commissioner Thompson

[21:14] before the meeting, he's well aware of this.

[21:17] He got caught up in our project at Sprinkle and M 3 43.

[21:20] That's been going on yesterday

[21:23] and today it's really a small project

[21:25] but in a very busy area.

[21:27] We're doing some paving at the intersection of Sprinkle Road

[21:30] and M 3 43.

[21:32] I think we're wrapping that up maybe today.

[21:35] So there's not, it's mostly melon fill work,

[21:38] so there won't be much follow up restoration

[21:41] type work afterwards.

[21:42] So appreciate everybody's patience there.

[21:46] I did also wanna mention we're getting into budget season.

[21:50] So to put it on all the commissioner's calendars,

[21:53] we have a budget work session scheduled for November 17th

[21:57] and that's right after our regular scheduled board meeting.

[22:02] And then the last item I wanted to share is

[22:06] there's an opportunity for some training on asset management

[22:10] for paved roads.

[22:11] So if there's any commissioners interested,

[22:13] I know we have a few staff that may be going, it's close by.

[22:16] It's down to St. Joe County Road Commission

[22:18] on September 15th.

[22:20] It's a three hour session with Pete Ola.

[22:25] He's from the Center for Technology and Training.

[22:27] Does a great job just going over the basics

[22:30] of asset management.

[22:31] So if you're interested, let lean or I know.

[22:34] Okay. Can you email us? Absolutely.

[22:36] Can the information please. Thank you. Yep.

[22:39] And that's all I have unless there's questions for me.

[22:42] Questions for the managing director? Commissioners?

[22:45] Nothing. Nothing.

[22:49] I'm drawing a blank as well. All right.

[22:51] We will go into Commissioner's times.

[22:53] Commissioner Kennedy, I have no reports.

[22:56] Thank you. Commissioner Davis.

[22:58] Thank you very much. So, attended the EEC meeting

[23:04] two weeks ago and we had a presentation from the Michigan

[23:07] State University Extension Office.

[23:09] Basically just explaining what they do,

[23:11] what their mission is, the various projects

[23:14] and pro programs that

[23:15] they're maintaining throughout the county.

[23:20] It was extremely educational.

[23:23] Well I think a lot of people learned a lot

[23:24] about what they, they were doing.

[23:26] They're also, they're, they do everything from, you know, ex

[23:30] tree planning to recycling tires.

[23:33] So it's kind of a, they do a broad mix for, you know,

[23:36] very small staff and they seem to be energetic

[23:40] and willing to work with all potential stakeholders.

[23:45] So really it was good meet.

[23:47] So that's pretty much all I have today.

[23:49] I'm just glad to be here. Very good. Everybody's work.

[23:52] Thank you. Commissioner Davis. Commissioner Thompson.

[23:55] I don't have anything. Our, the last board

[23:57] of public work committee was canceled again,

[23:59] so we'll see if anything happens next month.

[24:02] Very good. And Vice Chair Stehouwer is on vacation

[24:05] and not present today.

[24:07] The only thing, I have a couple things to mention.

[24:09] I attended the Township supervisors meeting.

[24:12] They had a couple lengthy discussions on some issues.

[24:15] We're, continue to be happy to host those meetings

[24:18] and hopefully continue to do that in the future.

[24:22] Shared some thoughts with their, their thoughts

[24:24] of possibly making a more formal group.

[24:27] And I, I commented

[24:29] that I think their informality is their greatest asset

[24:31] and I hope they continue the way they're doing

[24:34] and we're happy to host them.

[24:36] Consumers Energy gave a presentation on some pipeline work

[24:39] that's gonna be coming through the county here

[24:42] in the next couple of years and that was very good

[24:44] and we are happy to host that as well

[24:46] and looking forward to working with them as they go through

[24:49] that project as well.

[24:51] So that's all I have.

[24:54] Seeing no further business

[24:55] before the Road Commission, a motion

[24:57] to adjourn would be in order.

[24:59] Move. Second, We have a motion

[25:01] with support to adjourn the meeting.

[25:03] All in favor say aye. Aye. Those opposed say no.

[25:06] The meeting is adjourned. Thank you all.

[25:08] See you in two weeks, weeks.

Road Commission of Kalamazoo County - August 25, 2026 Board of County Road Commissioners Meeting

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