[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.