[0:01] Some sorts of folks from Canada and all. Oh, that's
[0:04] why people come across the border. Yeah. I remember back
[0:07] in the day. Yeah, we used to.
[0:10] Have visitors in Paris and things like that. I mean,
[0:12] in that town was just booming.
[0:18] To grab my laptop on the other side. And when
[0:21] you turn 19, you.
[0:38] Wants me to
[0:49] she wants to sleep. She's gonna go, it's gonna.
[0:56] I don't care about the wind. I just don't want
[0:58] the snow. This is gonna be take to the invention
[1:01] machine. Right. I.
[1:04] Really just thought you ready? I don't. You ready? Yeah,
[1:09] don't absolutely. It's 5 31.
[1:14] Good evening.
[1:15] I'm gonna call this meeting to order. It's my pleasure.
[1:18] To have you join us here at the Oshtemo Charter
[1:21] Township joint board meeting.
[1:23] I'm gonna call this meeting to order and again, and
[1:27] I'm gonna invite you to join us in the pledge
[1:29] of allegiance.
[1:33] Pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
[1:38] Into the Republic for which it stands.
[1:41] One nation under God.
[1:43] Indivisible with Liberty and justice.
[1:46] For all
[1:57] item three on the agenda.
[1:59] I'm going to strike because we don't have remote location
[2:03] identification for this meeting. There is no zoom.
[2:08] So we are broadcasting VR, PMN partner, but there is
[2:13] no zoom option.
[2:15] For the
[2:19] for remote location identification.
[2:23] So next I will move to item four, which is
[2:26] approved of the agenda.
[2:28] Sir, anyone here wishing to make any changes to the
[2:30] agenda.
[2:34] I moved to
[2:36] adopt the agenda.
[2:38] With the amendment of removing item three.
[2:47] Of approving the agenda, do that.
[2:51] That's true. I guess these really bore our just kind
[2:53] of update meetings. Oh, okay.
[2:55] So, I guess I will ask, does anybody wanna add
[2:59] anything to the agenda?
[3:02] Okay, well then we will just move forward.
[3:05] Yeah, this is like not a decision making body. Okay.
[3:08] So.
[3:10] We'll begin on item five, which is just a round
[3:13] table of introductions.
[3:16] Why don't I start with you clerk, farmer and we'll
[3:18] go around. And if you would just identify.
[3:21] Who you are and what board or committee you're associated
[3:24] with.
[3:26] Dusty Farmer. I'm the clerk in elections administrator for.
[3:31] And I also sit on the zoning board of appeals.
[3:34] Appeals Zak Ford. I'm a Trustee on the Township board.
[3:38] Benac Wakeley accountant for the Township.
[3:41] Michael KK, she, her pronouns and I'm on the ZPA.
[3:46] I'm grace Engels. I'm on the planning commission.
[3:49] Scott Jeffries planning commission.
[3:51] Round for plan planning, commission, Mel Smith. I'm on the
[3:54] planning commission.
[3:56] Mike chairman planning commission in Township, Gordon.
[3:59] Jodi Sikora staff to the Township planning director.
[4:04] Neil Sikora Township, Trustee and Kamo friends of the park.
[4:09] Planning commission.
[4:12] I'm friends. The
[4:14] Vanessa street. I'm the parks director crash Mo Township and
[4:17] the liaison for Oshtemo friends.
[4:22] I'm the supervisor.
[4:24] Oshtemo Township board member of the downtown development authority, the
[4:28] south Drake road corridor improvement authority.
[4:32] And forensic support, Macy Walters. She, her pronouns. I am
[4:36] the brownfield redevelopment administrator for Kamoo county and I chair
[4:39] the.
[4:40] Soda board, Danny pantser soda board.
[4:48] Horn of public works director for SPO chip.
[4:52] I just want to give a shout out to the
[4:54] strong showing of the planning commission here today. you
[4:59] told.
[5:00] Everything. We're looking for a we're. I, you know what,
[5:04] there I can, I'll go find some treats in the
[5:07] office.
[5:08] definitely earn next. We're just gonna do some updates
[5:13] and we will start with.
[5:16] Director playing director Stefforia and an update about our downtown
[5:19] development authority. Thank.
[5:22] Downtown development authority. They meet every other.
[5:25] Month and a big
[5:27] time effort right now is working with consumers energy to
[5:30] get approval.
[5:32] Hold that we already have banners on that we might
[5:35] wanna put a second banner on. And the original agreement
[5:37] is from 2003 and they're act, they can't find it.
[5:40] Even though I scanned a copy of it. And so
[5:43] we had to start over and it's taking more than
[5:45] 18 months. It's been real frustrating.
[5:48] So I had hoped to get second banners up on
[5:49] the poles and get a more visual punch. We're hoping
[5:53] now Christmas rich.
[5:56] Blair, our media and communications representative is gonna help me
[5:59] pick out the banners and we're gonna get those up
[6:02] for the holidays.
[6:04] Holidays, but keep 'em wintry so they can leave them
[6:06] up till spring . So they won't say happy holidays,
[6:10] but you'll get the idea.
[6:12] So that's real progress to be so close. Finally.
[6:16] With consumers, energy. Mm-hmm . That is the most disor.
[6:18] Anyone here work for them. that is the most
[6:22] disorganized.
[6:24] Disorganized organization and what they get away with.
[6:26] Statewide is ridiculous. How many projects they delay road projects
[6:29] and alike.
[6:32] Park projects.
[6:34] Projects and we're getting streetlights again. We are waiting on
[6:37] consumer's energy to do a new contract with the Township
[6:40] and it can probably speak to it more, but we
[6:42] finally.
[6:43] Have it. And we finally have a price on the
[6:44] DDA is gonna pay for streetlights on ninth street from
[6:47] stadium to end where we don't have any now. And
[6:49] it's quite dark through there. So.
[6:51] That'll be a big improvement.
[6:55] Hopefully this year.
[6:58] That's it for DDA. Do you wanna share about the
[7:00] grant program? I think this would be for the DDA
[7:03] grant program. Sure. It started.
[7:05] As a facade grant program. And then the DDA decided,
[7:09] well,
[7:10] if we can get businesses to upgrade their signs, that
[7:13] would be an improvement to the property in the corridor.
[7:17] And then they expanded it to also landscaping. So now
[7:20] you can apply for a grant for facade, landscaping, or
[7:22] signs. It's up to.
[7:24] $5,000, but they have to match it. So if it's
[7:27] a $10,000 project, the DD will give a grant and
[7:29] pay for half of it.
[7:31] And the word is kind of spreading. We're still finalizing
[7:35] a list of businesses there and contacts to.
[7:38] Do a mass notification of this grant program to them.
[7:49] Next
[7:52] Vanessa. Do you wanna talk about Oshtemo? Sure. Do we
[7:54] have any other members of the DDA here? Oh, DDA.
[7:58] No, no.
[8:00] Okay.
[8:04] Justin just summary of Oshtemo friends of the parks. We
[8:07] meet monthly.
[8:08] The goals of the board are to support the programming,
[8:11] volunteerism and fundraising in our parks.
[8:14] Parks couple updates about our board. There's been a leadership
[8:19] change. Dennis Patzer stepped down after 13.
[8:23] Plus years.
[8:25] Thank you.
[8:28] I feel the same way, public shame. Oh my God.
[8:36] Currently Sherry bell is the interim president.
[8:39] And we have new one new member long-term volunteer. Molly
[8:43] page has just joined. So.
[8:45] We are back up to six and we are still
[8:47] looking for more members.
[8:49] So we are allowed to have up to 11 on
[8:52] our board. So we're always looking for new people who
[8:55] wanna get involved in the community, especially.
[8:57] The parks, getting outdoors and engaging with our residents. So
[9:00] if that's something you wanna do or someone, you know,
[9:02] that would like to do, please send them our way.
[9:05] I wanna take a quick moment and highlight the fruit
[9:07] belt rail trail project.
[9:10] Friends of the park supported the completion and all the
[9:13] activities for this project related to volunteering along the trail.
[9:19] Building some benches, one of our FOP members.
[9:22] Built several benches made from reclaimed materials. So a black
[9:28] Walnut tree fell in the parks and we.
[9:31] Milled it reclaimed it and filled benches out of it
[9:32] for the fruit belt. So he spent.
[9:35] Probably 70 hours building those benches. You don't have to
[9:38] do that if you join, but .
[9:42] If you want to, if you want to though.
[9:46] And we had our ribbon cutting in July. So the
[9:49] trail has Benac officially opened a couple of months. The
[9:51] use is, is incredible.
[9:53] There's constantly people on it, which is fantastic. And a
[9:56] lot of good response.
[9:59] We will be celebrating the hundred 20th anniversary of the
[10:04] first train that ran along.
[10:06] That route from south, from Kalamazoo to south Haven. So
[10:09] the entire line.
[10:11] The first run of it was April 24th.
[10:15] 19. Oh seven.
[10:17] So next April 24th, which is a Saturday will be the
[10:20] hundred 20th year of that.
[10:23] Start of that line. So we're gonna have.
[10:25] A celebration activity.
[10:28] Speakers about the history of the line and also history
[10:30] of Oshtemo. So look forward to that for next year.
[10:35] Volunteer engagement, friends of the parks spent.
[10:39] Over 200 hours between them and additional volunteers.
[10:42] Removing invasive species habitat, restoration, trail maintenance, and park improvement
[10:46] projects at our regular biweekly.
[10:49] Volunteer sessions. So we meet every other Friday from 10
[10:52] until noon.
[10:53] Out in our parks, bouncing around to different properties, doing
[10:56] projects that need to get done.
[11:01] And community programming. So we had.
[11:04] Friends of the park supported several successful community events and
[11:07] programs this summer.
[11:09] We did spring park cleanups and garlic mustard poles.
[11:13] Poles. We did five, well, four so far. We have
[11:15] another one in October five guided nature walks, which are.
[11:19] Going well, and then we had our three music in
[11:21] the park concerts.
[11:23] Concerts averaged about, or we total about 800 people for
[11:26] those.
[11:27] Concerts and brought in about $800 of the raffle money
[11:31] to go back into our parks. So I've done a
[11:33] pretty successful summer. We had great weather.
[11:36] Can't beat that.
[11:38] And lastly, I just wanna mention that upcoming, not this
[11:40] weekend, but next weekend we honor national public lands day
[11:44] where we host a.
[11:46] Volunteer group to give back. We will be at Township
[11:48] park.
[11:49] Right back here doing work on the disc golf course
[11:52] and the back trails.
[11:54] Trails Oshtemo rotary has again.
[11:57] Graciously donated money for feeding everyone pizza. So it's a
[12:01] couple hours of work and then a nice pizza lunch
[12:03] for you. So we encourage you.
[12:05] To spread the word or come and show up for
[12:07] that. And then lastly, our fall event at Drake is
[12:09] the next day, Sunday, September 27th.
[12:12] From two to four is at Drake farmstead park. We
[12:14] host a community fall event. There's historic house tours.
[12:19] Tours music, couple of food vendors.
[12:22] Activities, crafts kid stuff. So if you also want to
[12:25] volunteer for that and help with any of those areas,
[12:27] we would more than welcome you on.
[12:30] It's been a great year. I think in friends of
[12:32] the parks, I think we got a lot of stuff
[12:34] done and I look forward to next year.
[12:38] Thank you, Vanessa. That's an incredible amount of work.
[12:43] Speaking of incredible amount of work. Jody, do you wanna
[12:46] talk about our planning commission?
[12:49] Do you, Mr. Chair?
[12:51] No,
[12:54] hello. They are very carefully, deliberately.
[12:58] Walking through a draft, one of an energy.
[13:03] Systems ordinance, which in itself is like 35 pages.
[13:08] Pages long and we'll have appendices.
[13:11] Appendices they're nearly there. They spent two meetings meeting for
[13:16] two hours on taking public comment.
[13:19] Both those meetings and then we'll be getting through.
[13:23] Hopefully draft one at their first meeting in October, which
[13:26] will be the second Thursday. I think it's the eighth.
[13:29] And starting to walk through the appendices and then taking,
[13:32] getting a lot of great public comment needs to be
[13:35] vetted for accuracy.
[13:38] And based on science.
[13:40] And working in some of this great.
[13:42] Feedback we're getting into draft to, and then maybe.
[13:46] We will just walk through red line changes with draft
[13:48] two, no need to start over.
[13:51] At the same time.
[13:54] Leanna Harris.
[13:55] And the public works department are working to strengthen and
[13:58] consolidate our environmental related ordinances that are scattered right now.
[14:04] In a mix of it's in the site, condo ordinance.
[14:06] It's a general ordinance. It's in various sections of the
[14:09] zoning ordinance, wetland steep slopes, natural features.
[14:13] Features tree cover Woodlands. So.
[14:16] We wanna put those all in one spot.
[14:19] And strengthen them and wellhead protection. So they're working on
[14:22] that. Also the planning commission will be looking at.
[14:25] That a red line version of what's new. What's just
[14:28] getting moved at their meeting next week.
[14:31] And we're also at the same time, working with progressive
[14:33] companies.
[14:35] Based on the comprehensive plan that was adopted earlier.
[14:37] This year to pretty much overhaul our zoning ordinance and
[14:42] update.
[14:43] Some of most of the requirements.
[14:46] Like, and look at new minimum requirements for home size,
[14:50] lot size.
[14:52] Things that might be getting in the way.
[14:54] Unnecessarily of creating housing that is not as expensive.
[14:59] Creating new opportunities for housing.
[15:03] Renaming village commercial to neighborhood mixed use and loosening up
[15:06] to standards. There are 34 ages in the zoning.
[15:09] Ordinance of what you have to follow. If you wanna
[15:11] build something in our village commercial district, then we really
[15:14] think that is stunted. We don't think we know that
[15:17] that is maybe.
[15:18] Deterred some investment.
[15:20] So we're looking to write a neighborhood, an excuse district.
[15:22] That's gonna be in front of the planning commission next
[15:25] week. I'm 99%. Sure. So.
[15:28] Those two items will be on the agenda of the
[15:30] planning commission next week. So it's three.
[15:32] Large tasks in front of the planning commission, in addition
[15:35] to the applications for our site plan approval and special
[15:37] use approval. And rezonings, don't go away while you're.
[15:40] Working on these other projects.
[15:43] Projects. Julie, do you wanna mention this over recording too?
[15:46] Oh yeah. And then we have zoning language in place,
[15:50] right?
[15:51] Now for principal utility scale solar and the planning commission
[15:54] held a hearing.
[15:56] And has recommended to the Township board that the solar.
[15:59] Moratorium against the zoning language, be adapted and put into
[16:03] place for six months while we finish up the energy
[16:05] systems.
[16:07] Our approach right now because we're a sophisticated, urban Township
[16:11] is to address wind solar and energy storage.
[16:14] In one ordinance. I know MTA is telling communities, you
[16:17] should split that up, but they're also.
[16:20] Catering to rural townships that don't have staff here. We
[16:23] have a, a pretty good staff. There's three planners. There's
[16:25] two engineers. There's in-house legal counsel.
[16:28] We can write an ordinance. We have a sophisticated planning
[16:31] commission that can handle it. So that is.
[16:34] Our current approach is to treat all sophisticated. I was
[16:37] talking about Ron.
[16:41] So this is recorded, right? It's being broadcast, being broadcast.
[16:45] Yeah.
[16:47] That's why whisper. We feel comfortable treating, addressing it all
[16:51] in one ordinance section. Although we've gotten a little bit
[16:54] of feedback.
[16:55] Saying you shouldn't, but I don't comparing us to maybe
[16:58] some rural townships that don't even have a zoning administrator
[17:01] on staff. It's the local building authority that.
[17:03] Reviews zoning for them. So.
[17:07] And I would add based upon.
[17:09] Planning staff recommendation. We've added meetings for November and December.
[17:15] Yes. So they'll be meeting in November and December 1st and
[17:18] third, where normally they're a second and fourth Thursday, but
[17:21] Al wanted to watch the lions and.
[17:23] He refused to meet on Thanksgiving. so we're meeting
[17:26] first and third and those two months to stay away
[17:29] from the holidays. But.
[17:31] Cuz we have this work to do, but we also
[17:33] have applications still coming in and we already have long
[17:36] meetings.
[17:37] Meetings. We have long meetings, as you know, as is
[17:40] a Township.
[17:45] Before we move on. Is there anything, any of the
[17:47] commissioners want to add to.
[17:49] Playing directors dysphorias update.
[17:53] No, but I just wanna point out that the last.
[17:56] Four months have been exceptionally busy for the planning commission.
[18:01] But we're very fortunate in the staff led by Jodi.
[18:05] And Colton.
[18:08] But hat, they they've just done a tremendous job.
[18:11] And it hasn't been easy because this has been, as
[18:13] you know, it's been kind of a lightning rod issue.
[18:16] And they they've worked through it with a lot of
[18:19] class.
[18:20] And they continue to do that.
[18:22] Certainly makes our job a lot easier.
[18:27] Thank you chair. I couldn't agree with you, Morris. It's.
[18:31] We do appreciate all the hard work the staff has
[18:33] been.
[18:36] Putting into the efforts of the planning commission, particularly.
[18:44] Next
[18:46] oh, sorry. Jodi, south Drake corridor improvement authority. .
[18:50] Again, mm-hmm, planning high. Amples a lot.
[18:54] They don't have the same budget as.
[18:57] DDA their tax capture is only.
[19:00] About $80,000. But.
[19:02] What they're doing with their tax increment is paying the
[19:05] Township back.
[19:08] For the path on Drake road that now goes from
[19:10] west main to stadium. Eventually you'll go all the way
[19:12] down to, I mean, west main to K I'll eventually
[19:14] it'll go K.
[19:16] KL to stadium. So that is a majority of their
[19:18] budget every year.
[19:20] But they did approve at their meeting, not earlier today,
[19:24] but their meeting earlier this month to pay for streetlights
[19:27] on our side of Drake road, that.
[19:29] Are within their capture area, which runs from west main
[19:32] to stadium. So where we really need lights still is
[19:35] KL.
[19:36] KL to west main that soda can control. And then
[19:38] west along Drake, and then going north, the Township will
[19:42] pay. Cause that is out of the soda territory.
[19:45] And they also have a grant program, but it, their
[19:49] emphasis is more on.
[19:50] Safety. So if a business in the district along Drake
[19:54] road might want more lights for their property or security
[19:57] cameras.
[19:59] They would be eligible for a grant and we.
[20:01] Also reach out to the Sheriff's office again, to just
[20:03] get what specs do they need on these cameras?
[20:06] And what type of retention so that.
[20:09] The data will be useful for them in solving crimes,
[20:11] but there will be an expectation if someone wants a
[20:14] grant also in the DDA for a security.
[20:17] Cameras that there's gonna be a minimum expectation.
[20:20] And those are
[20:23] either. Yeah. They're typically it's offered to businesses in the
[20:27] DDA, the cameras, these, this camera program is.
[20:30] Installation or support for cameras on their property.
[20:35] So if
[20:39] I don't know a, B, C.
[20:41] Dental Andre road.
[20:44] They could apply for
[20:46] camera installation on their property to coordinate with the Sheriff's
[20:50] department, if they wanted.
[20:54] We also have a couple vacancy on the board. If
[20:58] you know anybody who's interested, I'm not sure about the
[21:00] eligibility.
[21:02] Requirements are for soda, but.
[21:04] Is it two that we're, we need a resident that
[21:07] lives within a half a mile of the district or
[21:09] in the district. And then.
[21:12] We do need
[21:15] two more members at least to.
[21:17] A majority of which have to have a ownership interest
[21:19] in the district.
[21:21] We have a at large member now, and I consider
[21:24] you as a county's rep to have an interest since
[21:26] we capture county taxes. Okay.
[21:33] oh, yeah, openings.
[21:35] Openings. And our next meeting is December 12th, unless there's a
[21:38] reason for a special meeting between.
[21:40] Here and there, but we meet quarterly.
[21:46] Yeah, thanks. Murgia thanks for the good conversation. The soda
[21:50] board had.
[21:51] A special meeting just ahead of this meeting.
[21:54] To
[21:56] take a look at the repayment schedule.
[21:59] For the path and also get itself ready for their,
[22:03] for budgets. So.
[22:05] It was good. It was good coverage. It was a
[22:06] good meeting. Good conversation.
[22:11] Zoning board of appeals.
[22:13] Appeals. They've had quite a few meetings canceled this year,
[22:18] which tells me we have a solid zoning ordinance.
[22:22] That not too many people need to ask for relief
[22:24] from it.
[22:25] But they also conduct slight plan review for permitted uses,
[22:28] which is unusual.
[22:30] For a community where your zoning board of appeals conduct
[22:32] site plan review. But that's been the case here since
[22:34] the eighties, because the planning commission's always been so busy
[22:37] that if something.
[22:38] Something's non-controversial and a permitted use kick get to the
[22:41] other board.
[22:43] But they do have a meeting next week. There's.
[22:46] There's a variant for a bed and breakfast in on
[22:48] south first street. That will be on the agenda.
[22:52] And then
[22:54] next month, a property on west Michigan avenue needs, frontage
[22:58] and setback variance.
[23:00] So Meg, there'll be a couple meetings coming, coming your
[23:03] way. And.
[23:06] Alice liaison from planning commission, two zoning vertical appeal.
[23:10] Of it. Yes.
[23:18] I can't get enough of ordinances and variances.
[23:21] Variances and , I, I didn't want to take the
[23:23] lead on that, cuz I didn't want to have to,
[23:25] you know, open up with it. We didn't do anything
[23:27] the last three months.
[23:29] But Jodi took the head, you know what appreciate, and
[23:32] that's the goal. If you zoning, doesn't ZBA, doesn't need
[23:35] to meet much if.
[23:37] Our zoning ordinances are working for us. So that's cool.
[23:46] I mean a little booboo here.
[23:48] Anna. I think I wanted to hold TA chip board
[23:51] for last. If you don't mind, do you, can you,
[23:54] can we flip and you give us our.
[23:56] Sewer update. Sure.
[23:59] So hopefully everybody is
[24:01] familiar about the U S D a.
[24:04] Sanitary sewer expansion projects in Oshtemo.
[24:09] This has been a long time coming. There was a
[24:11] strategic plan done back in 2010, 2011.
[24:15] About how to tackle some of the.
[24:19] Existing dense neighborhoods that we were gonna have to retrofit
[24:22] with sanitary sewer.
[24:25] So we
[24:26] did complete phase one.
[24:30] The, that has one lift station. It's pretty large lift
[24:33] station. It's in the sky Ridge driftwood neighborhood.
[24:36] And is now up and active and the city.
[24:40] Is overseeing that
[24:42] that project included two neighborhoods, sky Ridge, and driftwood off
[24:46] of Drake road.
[24:48] And then the fair lane Platt, which is Fairgrove will
[24:51] Damir off of stadium.
[24:54] Kind of near upper bellies.
[24:56] In total, that is 152.
[24:59] Connections to the public sanitary sewer.
[25:02] We
[25:04] we had five systems that were failed.
[25:07] When we were trying to get that.
[25:11] The final testing.
[25:13] Done and people were calling daily to see when they
[25:15] could get connected. There's been a few more that have
[25:19] come out of the woodwork that weren't known, but.
[25:21] During sales.
[25:24] People have actually been very excited that there's the option
[25:26] for public sewer.
[25:28] When they're going to buy a home in those neighborhoods.
[25:31] Neighborhoods. So we are starting to see those connections roll
[25:34] in. We also had somebody in one of those neighborhoods.
[25:37] Neighborhoods coming and pay for their connection fees before the
[25:41] lift station was even active. So they wanted to get
[25:43] connected and have that taken care of.
[25:46] And get it all done. So now we're in phase
[25:48] two, which is.
[25:50] The Westport neighborhood, just north of Meyer between ninth and
[25:55] 10th and H and west main, if you will.
[25:59] That is about 490 connections.
[26:03] And it has three lift stations.
[26:05] Stations and we've broken into two different contracts. So we
[26:09] started on the first contract this year, starting from H
[26:12] avenue.
[26:13] Heading south. The contractor's goal was to get half of
[26:17] the contract done, which was about 10,000 feet.
[26:21] In 2026.
[26:23] We are about 2000 feet ahead of schedule.
[26:26] So that is good news, but not something in construction
[26:30] that we get.
[26:31] Really excited about cuz we can lose that momentum quickly.
[26:34] So.
[26:37] And that
[26:39] contract. So just Torrington to H we have eight failed
[26:43] systems that we know of so far.
[26:46] A few of them, we found when we were digging
[26:48] because they are in the right of way. And we're
[26:51] right up against the road.
[26:53] Or some of, one of them had a utility.
[26:55] Board right through it.
[26:58] And we do have one resident.
[27:00] That is pumping their system every three weeks.
[27:04] And they are limiting their use. So her husband.
[27:07] Showers at the gym.
[27:10] She does the whole like get wet, then turns off
[27:13] the water and tries to wash her hair. Then turns
[27:15] it on really quick. And then they're taking.
[27:17] Their laundry to their kids' house.
[27:20] So it's definitely a need. I like to share those
[27:22] stories with people. Not because I want anybody to be
[27:24] in that situation, but.
[27:26] It just shows the importance of what we're doing and
[27:29] that it will be immediately.
[27:32] Utilized
[27:34] we are
[27:36] still in the process of.
[27:39] Securing the act 180 5 bonds with the county.
[27:42] Our goal is to close on those early in 2027.
[27:46] And complete country club village, which is the neighborhood kind
[27:50] of behind latitude.
[27:52] If you're familiar with it's large lane, south of west
[27:55] main it's 10th street, north of west main.
[27:58] And that's another hundred and five connections. There's actually already
[28:01] sewer down lodge lane. So a lot of people are
[28:03] already connected to that. And this would be kind of
[28:05] the side streets.
[28:07] But it would all end up getting paved all at
[28:09] the same time. We did make that change.
[28:12] When we updated the plans last year, and then we're
[28:15] also looking at sanitary sewer.
[28:18] On eighth street.
[28:20] If you've driven down that recently, you're probably aware of
[28:23] the, the war zone that it is, but the Township
[28:25] has a policy that we won't.
[28:28] Won't put road funds towards a road. That's programmed in
[28:30] the C I P for.
[28:32] Sanitary sewers. So
[28:35] I'm gonna remain optimistic.
[28:37] That we're gonna keep being efficient.
[28:39] And recognizing some of the economies of scale and gonna
[28:43] be able to get this all done.
[28:45] With the bonds.
[28:47] That we have and the act 180 5 bonds and new
[28:50] connections coming in. So.
[28:53] The other two things related to sewer that I wanted
[28:55] to highlight is that the Township board.
[28:58] I believe it was 2020.
[29:00] Set up the hardship.
[29:03] Revolving funds. So we have a.
[29:06] HARC committee a hardship.
[29:08] Assistance review committee. They do have a meeting coming up,
[29:11] but we have seen some.
[29:14] More applications roll in now that the group of 300,
[29:17] which was the original before we.
[29:20] Started adding more sewer people who were adjacent to sewer
[29:22] that were required to get connected.
[29:25] We have a few of those left that are just
[29:27] going through the hard process.
[29:29] And then we're already seeing a lot of interest from
[29:32] the U S D a.
[29:33] Neighborhoods as well. So we're glad to have that program
[29:37] to offer to the residents and help administrate it in
[29:40] public works.
[29:42] And then
[29:44] another thing we tried.
[29:46] To do this year was a little bit different and
[29:49] better communication. And so the Township board approved.
[29:54] A texting program.
[29:56] So we've been
[29:58] sending out texts to try and coordinate with people as
[30:01] they can't get into their driveways or they should park
[30:04] elsewhere or.
[30:06] If their internet service goes down, those kinds of things.
[30:09] So hopefully we've had, we've had a lot of really
[30:12] great feedback.
[30:13] From that. So I think it's been.
[30:16] Successful for those of who.
[30:18] Like get and pay attention.
[30:20] And we can track, you know, who's actually clicking through
[30:23] to the website.
[30:24] So that was the final thing I was gonna mention
[30:26] is that we created a standalone phase two page on
[30:29] the township's website. If you go to the homepage and
[30:31] there's all those tiles.
[30:33] Tiles. It's one of the tiles on there. We have
[30:35] an interactive map that shows the progress of construction where
[30:40] closures are, and then.
[30:41] Where the upcoming segments of road and where we're headed
[30:43] to next.
[30:46] At a minimum once a week, we put.
[30:48] Updates related to construction activities.
[30:51] And then there's a whole bunch of other information about
[30:54] frequently asked questions.
[30:56] Questions, how to get connected.
[30:59] We edit a construction glossary.
[31:02] So some of the different.
[31:04] Stakes or flags that are in people's yards. We took
[31:07] pictures and tried to add some context to them so
[31:10] they could understand what was happening.
[31:13] There are some safety reminders on there. We had some
[31:15] kids.
[31:17] Using the manholes as playground equipment and things like that.
[31:21] And the piles of dirt in the street as.
[31:24] You know, activity space. That's a park idea, Vanessa.
[31:29] So we've been trying to get out as much information
[31:31] as we can. So those are just some other ancillary
[31:34] things I wanted to mention about the sewer.
[31:37] But overall it's been a, a.
[31:39] Pretty successful construction season for us.
[31:43] It's really exciting.
[31:45] I also wanna commend the public works department.
[31:49] Because with any project, there comes a certain level of.
[31:52] Dissatisfaction.
[31:55] At various times and our public works department has done
[31:58] an excellent job of.
[32:00] Tracking the feedback from residents.
[32:03] Residents making real time resolution and feedback.
[32:06] And trying to help people.
[32:09] Experience that project as positively as possible. And I think
[32:13] you guys have done a, a fantastic job of that
[32:16] and I appreci.
[32:17] Appreciate it immensely.
[32:20] And it's really
[32:22] creates a, a great history too. Actually, the more.
[32:26] Capital projects. We do like this. We will learn from
[32:28] that. It Al almost becomes data. So.
[32:33] Great. Thank you, Anna.
[32:36] And actually, is there any other que I mean, I
[32:39] asked Haan to come update about sewer, particularly because.
[32:43] The board meeting, we just talked about the vehicle garage
[32:46] update, but is there any questions.
[32:48] Questions for the public works director.
[32:53] We offer field trips. If anybody's interested. That's right.
[32:57] Maybe, I guess I do have one question. Did we
[32:59] just talk at soda earlier about wondering.
[33:02] When the last time public works might have taken a
[33:04] walk down the path.
[33:05] Oh, yeah. Do you know the last time.
[33:09] The Drake road path.
[33:11] From
[33:14] west main to
[33:19] when the condition of that sort of had a question
[33:22] related to maintenance. Yeah, we do. So few years ago,
[33:26] the Township.
[33:27] Board authorized a
[33:30] as a non-motorized asset management plan. So we.
[33:34] Had a consultant traverse, the every piece of non-motorized.
[33:39] We just talked about this at the board meeting and
[33:41] the board approved and as needed contract for some of
[33:44] the projects that came out of that. But then.
[33:47] Continued to come up of these tiny segments or tiny
[33:50] projects where they're not something we would go out to
[33:54] bid.
[33:55] On. So we now have a contractor on board to
[33:57] help us with some of those.
[33:59] Minor repairs. It, it does happen that with utilities.
[34:04] Were not the
[34:06] permitting agency for work in the right of way, whether
[34:09] it's MDA or the Road Commission right of way. So
[34:11] we don't get copies of those permits and.
[34:15] Some of those utilities.
[34:17] The damage shows up right away. And some of it
[34:20] takes years to.
[34:22] Surface. So when we can, we catch it right away
[34:26] and get that company to fix it, but there are
[34:29] some.
[34:30] Historic damage that we're gonna have to go back and
[34:32] fix. So.
[34:34] I think it was just last week that we got
[34:36] that contractor on board. It's a little late in the
[34:39] season, but we have outlined some of those projects.
[34:42] Projects. And that specifically was when some of the Drake
[34:44] road.
[34:47] The entire segment, actually all the way up to the
[34:49] roundabout at.
[34:51] I'm probably I'm sorry. Even further north than the roundabout,
[34:53] all the way into ravine.
[34:56] Where there are gonna need to be spot repairs along
[34:57] that entire stretch. So.
[35:00] Yeah, I would anticipate we could get a lot of
[35:02] it done in 2027. But.
[35:04] Some of it inevitably might be something we defer. If
[35:07] it's better to wait for a project, we know that's
[35:09] coming or.
[35:12] Requires some more underground work or something to correct it
[35:14] the right way. So, yep. We do monitor those things.
[35:17] Throughout the entire Township.
[35:20] Cool. Thank you.
[35:25] Good question.
[35:28] All right next.
[35:29] Some board updates.
[35:31] Updates. So
[35:34] we'll start with Mr. Sikora. .
[35:38] I don't really have anything in particular update. I.
[35:42] Mutual usually have a spiel at Township board meetings. We're
[35:46] working heavily on budget.
[35:48] Right now. And that's the big thing is.
[35:50] Figuring out how much money we're gonna have. And.
[35:54] Where we're gonna spend it and what's not gonna make
[35:56] the cut and what it is. So it's a lot
[35:59] of work and.
[36:01] Hardware job.
[36:03] And, and the different other end of the sewer work,
[36:07] if you're in Oshtemo and you have city water, it
[36:09] starts this weekend that they're gonna be.
[36:11] Flushing a Hibbard. So don't forget that it's on the
[36:13] website.
[36:14] Where it's coming, what days? So just heads up.
[36:19] Does the city mail to residence? I, yes, I have
[36:21] well water, so I wouldn't know. So yeah, they, they
[36:24] do, they mail to residents and let 'em know. Okay.
[36:26] Good.
[36:27] And I know rich put it out there, but there.
[36:30] Wondered.
[36:36] Trustee for four, have anything for the group.
[36:44] Confirmer I can share that we.
[36:47] Have received our ballots for the November election.
[36:51] We have not received our testing materials yet, but we
[36:53] expect to be completed with our testing.
[36:56] Before the end of this week, fingers crossed. We.
[37:00] Again, we're still waiting for the testing materials to get
[37:02] here.
[37:04] And that's the process where we bring every tabulator into
[37:07] this room and every voter assist terminal into this room.
[37:11] And we run.
[37:13] A series of ballots through each one of 'em.
[37:16] For public accuracy.
[37:21] and I guess the other thing is that the,
[37:23] we expect ballots to be picked up and mailed out
[37:26] on September 29th. So if you are on the permanent ballot,
[37:29] list you can watch out for your ballot. It'll be
[37:32] coming through the mail soon.
[37:38] Yeah, poor. Linda doesn't have any room. Laughter. She was
[37:41] cold. she? She has every single purple envelope back
[37:45] there right now.
[37:46] So
[37:48] I'm like, oh, ballots are here.
[37:51] treasure. Buszka.
[37:54] Code just a 10 update, the last or date or.
[37:58] None kind wise. So no interest tax summer taxes where
[38:01] yes was yesterday. And it's been a really unusual year.
[38:05] Historically, we've had a sum payments come in on the
[38:07] 14th and some in the Dropbox and some random online.
[38:12] This year was crazy.
[38:14] Yesterday. like three staff, me, myself included we're going
[38:19] nonstop. Our stock of checks were this thick. I had
[38:21] over 200.
[38:22] Online payment. I don't know what happened, but we're still
[38:25] working on payments. .
[38:28] So we have the payments, but I'm gonna have to
[38:30] backdate some of 'em to yesterday cuz we had it,
[38:33] but it's just a catch up now. It it's been
[38:35] a crazy.
[38:36] Summer winter or summer tax. It was happened at that
[38:39] point. It was .
[38:42] I actually took a call from a resident.
[38:47] Must have been last Friday.
[38:50] Who stopped in
[38:52] to pay taxes at one o'clock and she was questioning.
[38:56] That one o'clock being that closure.
[38:58] And then when she came back to pay her taxes,
[39:01] taxes. She noted, you know, the number of people at
[39:04] the counter. And I, I had to describe to her
[39:07] I'm like, just because.
[39:08] Not everybody's trained on how to take tax payments. Like
[39:11] I don't take tax payments it's if I did, that
[39:14] would be very wrong.
[39:16] So there's a, there's a assumption that when somebody comes
[39:19] to the counter and they see people.
[39:22] That they assume everybody knows how to do that.
[39:26] So might be good information to share during.
[39:30] Peak tax times, like not everybody knows and is trained
[39:33] on how to take these payments. Yeah. So mm-hmm
[39:36] or don't come at the last day. right.
[39:38] Definitely I'm the last day. Yeah.
[39:41] Yeah, and we do stay open on the last day
[39:42] during the lunch. So nobody's sent away or walks away.
[39:45] We're open during lunch. Right? The other thing is we
[39:48] only have two terminals.
[39:49] Terminals. So it's like, regardless if I tour in 20.
[39:52] There's still only two people that can take payments for
[39:54] a time. Fine. Oh, that's so interesting.
[40:00] Can you like rent a terminal, like temporarily? Like, I
[40:03] mean, I said we do send 'em back to their
[40:05] desk.
[40:05] To run payments sometimes. Oh, okay. So you can, okay.
[40:09] It just, you know, then they're going all the way
[40:11] back to their desk and that's the efficiency goes away.
[40:14] Yeah.
[40:16] No poor sale yesterday. I was like, woo. She was
[40:18] hopping. Yeah. She pulled a 200 payments out of the
[40:21] Dropbox yesterday. Mm-hmm .
[40:23] We haven't had that happen in like five years. I
[40:25] was like, what is happening this year? What's going on?
[40:27] Something's going on?
[40:29] It was, it was very strange. Hold on.
[40:36] I think I just have a few updates for the.
[40:40] Kind of relevant more broadly.
[40:44] So
[40:45] the Township board started community conversations this year to offer
[40:50] another opportunity for residents to engage with board members.
[40:54] It kind of arose out of the battery energy storage
[40:57] situation, but it's open.
[41:00] To any topics of conversation.
[41:02] Well, since we've added two planning commission meetings in order
[41:06] to advance.
[41:08] The ordinance, the November and December community conversations will be
[41:12] canceled.
[41:14] Because the planning, commission meetings and community conversations.
[41:19] Were on the same day. So rather than trying to
[41:21] find another day to do another, do that commute, we're
[41:24] just going to let the planning commission do. It's very
[41:26] important.
[41:27] Work. And there will not be community conversations for November
[41:31] and December.
[41:32] And we'll make sure that we broadcast that.
[41:36] Widely from the various Township.
[41:40] Social media and website and all that good stuff.
[41:44] They've been very successful though, and really an enjoyable.
[41:49] I think everyone that's attended, it's really an enjoyable.
[41:53] Time to listen and have a conversation with residents and.
[41:58] And you know, and a little less formal.
[42:02] Environment. Yeah. The hour goes really quickly.
[42:04] It really does. Yeah.
[42:09] One other question.
[42:11] Just because we have so many members of the planning
[42:13] commission here, and so many members of the board here.
[42:16] Is kind of in an unprecedented.
[42:19] Way we've had residents ask to have their.
[42:24] Feedback their letters.
[42:26] Letters included given to the board members included in packets.
[42:30] Packets. And we've tried to accommodate that.
[42:34] In a systematic way and it's still not systematized.
[42:38] Enough. So
[42:41] it is kind of, I mean, the amount of resonant
[42:44] feedback we're getting right now is I certainly.
[42:47] I've never seen anything like that. I mean, you've been
[42:49] around longer than I have, but at a high level,
[42:52] it's, it's really remarkable.
[42:55] And there is no
[42:57] there's no precedence for it. And there's also, it's not
[43:00] required by law.
[43:01] That we include that public comment.
[43:04] In that is submitted in that way.
[43:07] In packets or attach it to minutes. It's a practice
[43:10] that.
[43:11] That sometimes is done.
[43:13] So last week at, at Jodi's request because it is
[43:19] coming from multiple directions, we are gonna.
[43:22] Put out, not a policy, but a procedure.
[43:25] So that everybody is operating under the same set of
[43:28] information when it comes to.
[43:31] How public comment.
[43:33] For those that wanna have it submitted is going to
[43:36] be treated.
[43:38] And right now and it, it rich, our meeting communications
[43:42] person was on vacation last week. So I needed.
[43:46] Him into that mix.
[43:48] We're going to the plan is.
[43:51] That we're gonna treat, we're going to, we're gonna put
[43:54] public comment on the website. Like we do the minutes
[43:59] or.
[43:59] The receipts and disbursements report. So if you wanna read
[44:03] the public comment, that's come in on a, on for
[44:07] a particular meeting.
[44:08] You can just click on that link and it'll be
[44:11] all there in one place. So.
[44:13] I certainly, we certainly don't wanna miss.
[44:17] Public comment that's intended for a packet.
[44:19] But it is a little difficult internally.
[44:22] To sort of, does it go this week next week?
[44:25] Does it go to planning? Does it go to Township
[44:27] board? Does it go to everybody? So.
[44:30] Hopefully very soon, we'll have a procedure that everybody can
[44:33] count on and, and follow.
[44:36] So I just, that came up at our meeting.
[44:38] Last week. One of the residents said that we weren't
[44:41] getting the letters.
[44:42] Letters. And so I talked to Jody and I asked
[44:45] her, are we not getting anything?
[44:47] Because I'm sure it's the same with every board.
[44:51] Prior to the meeting, we get an agenda.
[44:54] And we get the documentation that's supporting what's on that
[44:57] agenda. Mm-hmm and oftentimes.
[45:00] There's a bunch of handwritten letters. Mm-hmm that are
[45:02] attached to it. Okay. Mm-hmm and then sometimes.
[45:06] During the meeting mm-hmm because they, the.
[45:12] Letters haven't come in or in time. Okay. We get
[45:15] more letters to read mm-hmm and at the.
[45:18] Meetings last night or what did we get? Half inch,
[45:23] three quarters of an inch pages of letters from.
[45:26] Empty state people. Nobody can make a statement. They've gotta
[45:28] put it in writing.
[45:30] And so you hear it twice.
[45:32] And you get a whole stack of letters. So.
[45:36] I think it's a great idea to have a procedure
[45:38] if that's gonna make things easier, but this perception that
[45:41] we're not reading.
[45:42] Comments or letters that are presented is.
[45:45] Totally off base, as far as I'm concerned.
[45:48] Well, like I said, it's unprecedented.
[45:50] I mean, I can think of earlier in my board
[45:53] service, like.
[45:55] Once in a while, we'd get something in writing that
[45:57] would be requested to go to the full board. So.
[46:02] You know, I think
[46:05] how will we know that something's been posted? Are you
[46:07] gonna send out a, so just like the Township, you
[46:11] know, like if you go to click on.
[46:12] The website and there's the agenda. And then it might
[46:15] say under the agenda, receipts and disbursements in minutes.
[46:19] It, I have, hasn't been fully vetted yet, but it'll
[46:21] say something like.
[46:24] Public comment.
[46:25] Received concerning this meeting or, you know, like it it'll
[46:29] be a, it'll be a Dr. You know, it'll be
[46:31] a link there. Okay.
[46:34] We'll have to go and look to see if there
[46:36] is anything. We're not gonna get some kind of notification
[46:38] that, Hey, we've posted public comments. Oh. You know,
[46:42] what we do put receipts and disbursements in those kinds
[46:45] of things on a consent agenda.
[46:47] On the regular in the, on the consent for the
[46:50] regular agenda to remind the board members.
[46:52] To go read those things. So that's a good point.
[46:54] We should probably, if I put a link on the
[46:56] agenda link on the agenda,
[46:59] but like if we get 50 pages in a meeting,
[47:02] and we hear the comment and we get it in
[47:04] writing. I don't wanna read it again for the next
[47:06] meeting. Right? I've already heard it, read it and unread
[47:10] it again.
[47:10] In the minute, like how do, how do we organize
[47:13] that? Because it, because it makes the package packets unmanageable.
[47:16] Mm-hmm if the stuff's in there and.
[47:19] Triple kit. I will say, I know. I believe that
[47:21] there are some residents.
[47:23] Residents that bring their comments in writing because.
[47:27] Maybe they're they just don't use a computer a lot.
[47:30] So they type 'em out and bring them. I think
[47:32] they're generating the content they're giving us actually. Oh, I
[47:35] don't know if they're drafting it. Okay.
[47:40] Well, like I said, it's not fully vetted yet. I
[47:42] think what you're asking is.
[47:45] If it's like, like if it was given in the
[47:47] public comment in the meeting, can it just be in
[47:49] the minutes and not, not repeated in another, in another
[47:52] packet?
[47:53] Yes. So somehow some, some logic, my goal is, is
[47:57] that.
[47:59] The
[48:01] the public comments were no longer be attached to your
[48:04] packet. They'll be in a separate place on the website
[48:07] for you to go read them.
[48:10] But there's public comments in the, in advance.
[48:14] Mm-hmm that get attached to the packet that come
[48:15] I'm assuming in the mail to Jodi. Yeah, but we
[48:17] might, and then there's public comment in the.
[48:20] Meeting mm-hmm . So the ones you receive in the
[48:24] meeting, if we don't get it electronically,
[48:27] this is what I have to work out with the
[48:29] people that.
[48:30] Know more about the website than I do that we
[48:33] can go. And then like, let's say, somebody gives you
[48:36] a letter at the Dias and we didn't get it
[48:38] in an email.
[48:39] Then we'll scan it and just add it to.
[48:42] That minutes? Yes. Or something. Okay.
[48:46] Yeah, I'm not intending the 50 pages we got last
[48:49] week, putting that in another packet. Cause that would just
[48:52] be.
[48:53] Unnecessary. No. If we get public comment about something that
[48:57] is an actual public hearing item.
[49:00] I'm gonna put that in your packet. Yeah. If it
[49:02] comes in in time, otherwise if it's just general comment
[49:04] about a work item, we're not gonna be.
[49:08] Excuse me putting that in packets anymore. Right. But we'll
[49:10] so public hearing publish it. Public public hearing would be
[49:12] different.
[49:15] So look for more information on that soon and you
[49:18] know, we'll do our best to get it right.
[49:21] But certainly it's something that if some, if it's not
[49:23] working, we'll amend it and try to make it work
[49:26] better. So,
[49:30] I've been having my supervisors open office hours.
[49:34] And people are pretty regularly attending it's so it's very
[49:38] enjoyable. Another good.
[49:40] Opportunity to talk to folks and answer questions and.
[49:45] Like for example,
[49:50] having the planning or having the ordinance on the TVs
[49:54] at your last meeting.
[49:56] That came out of a resident suggestion from my previous
[49:59] supervisor meeting.
[50:01] And I thought it was a pretty good one. I
[50:03] mean, I.
[50:05] I, I watched it and I liked having it up
[50:07] there to read along with you. So anyway, you know,
[50:11] really trying to build those bridge.
[50:13] Bridges and let people ask questions and.
[50:16] So, and it's fun to have because for the first
[50:18] three or four months, nobody came. So it was, it's
[50:21] fun to have people come.
[50:23] As Trustee Sikora mentioned, it's full steam ahead on budgets.
[50:28] And if you're watching any of the Township board meetings,
[50:31] not only.
[50:31] Are we discussing budget? We're also discussing millages and fund
[50:34] balances.
[50:36] Balances. So we have
[50:39] meetings, September 22nd and September 23rd and September 20.
[50:45] Ninth with a goal to have a completed budget for
[50:49] public con.
[50:51] Public. Consumption's the wrong word for public.
[50:55] Review review.
[50:59] By October 13th.
[51:01] So that's kind of where we're at in the pieces
[51:04] with that.
[51:07] Oh, I haven't talked to the it director. This is
[51:10] kind of just something for the broad.
[51:12] Broader boards here.
[51:15] The mics on the diocese and the mics in this
[51:18] room.
[51:19] Are hot when you watch.
[51:22] Online the amount of
[51:25] conversation you can hear in this room is.
[51:29] Remarkable. So
[51:32] I'm gonna put a reminder.
[51:34] I'm gonna ask to have a reminder up there that
[51:36] you shut your mics off. When like, if you're, if
[51:39] you're on a break for a restroom or whatever, you
[51:41] need to shut your mics.
[51:43] Mics off, but even
[51:45] in the gallery here, you can hear a lot of
[51:48] conversations. So.
[51:50] Talk to the it director about it.
[51:53] I'm sure it's not at all intended to be broadcast
[51:56] on public media networks. So you should just be aware
[51:59] of that.
[52:02] But the other thing
[52:04] talking to a resident today.
[52:07] Is you got when you're, they, they cannot.
[52:12] Hear past this bulkhead.
[52:14] And so really have to, when you're at the Dias,
[52:18] speak into that microphone.
[52:21] Some folks have soft voices.
[52:24] Naturally, but still getting
[52:28] a lot regular.
[52:31] Feedback that for folks sitting behind this bulkhead they're they
[52:34] just, they can't hear what you're saying. So just be
[52:37] mindful of that.
[52:43] Can't read my own handwriting. So I'll move on. We
[52:46] have a newsletter coming out the first week of October.
[52:50] So look for that. Rich is put in the final.
[52:53] Details and
[52:58] oh, I can read it. I wanna thank the clerk
[53:01] for your flexibility.
[53:03] She was talking about all the upcoming tech.
[53:07] Testing for the machines and.
[53:11] She had to, she, she let me borrow some of
[53:13] her time in the meeting room this week. in
[53:15] order to, so thanks for your flexibility on that Absolut.
[53:19] Absolutely Trustee Chapman.
[53:22] My bad you're you know why it is is cuz
[53:24] you're in Dr. Suit and I don't recognize you. That's
[53:26] that's totally what it is. It's no problem. No problem.
[53:29] Did you wanna.
[53:30] Close this out. I have no other comments. I just
[53:33] appreciate all the work that everybody around this table does
[53:37] for our citizens.
[53:39] Citizens and appreciate all the.
[53:41] Activity we've had as far as public involvement.
[53:44] So thank you to each of you for the service
[53:46] you do for our community.
[53:48] Thank you Trustee.
[53:51] And now we'll go to item seven public comment. We
[53:54] do have some members of the public. Did have anyone
[53:57] wishing to make public.
[53:58] Comment. Go ahead, Ms. I'm ready? Can you all hear
[54:02] me? Yes. Yes. Well, I'm gonna start off with complimenting
[54:06] the planning.
[54:06] Commission. I think they deserve it and they probably don't
[54:09] hear this very often.
[54:11] For the process with the ordinance.
[54:14] Revisions because it's a lot of work.
[54:17] And I think going through it word by word is
[54:20] really to start for the first draft is the best
[54:23] way to do it, even though it is painful.
[54:26] It's painful for everybody, but, and I also sympathize with
[54:29] the amount of work that.
[54:31] The planning commissioners, the planning director.
[54:36] And the staff
[54:38] go undergo with this because it's a complicated area.
[54:42] And it, my brain hurts trying to get, look, figure
[54:45] out everything that I need to in order to understand
[54:47] this issue.
[54:48] And I know a lot of residents feel the same
[54:50] and we have a lot of experts.
[54:52] Between the board and the community. So I, I, I
[54:55] think that they, they.
[54:56] They deserve that recognition and for doing this work.
[55:00] Round of work because I think it's significant.
[55:02] And I just appreciate it.
[55:07] Also would like to address the issue of.
[55:11] Addressing all of these different en energy ordinances, a single
[55:14] ordinance.
[55:15] Is that I know, I, I think I brought this.
[55:20] Before before the board and the plan commission.
[55:23] But having separate ordinances is something that the state recommends.
[55:27] Recommends also other experts recommend.
[55:29] And there's some good reasons for it. It, it doesn't
[55:31] have to do with.
[55:33] The workload for planning staff.
[55:36] Because I, I think our planning staff have the capability.
[55:40] And the, I guess, the bandwidth to work on it
[55:43] all at once.
[55:45] But the reasons why you should do it separately is
[55:48] one.
[55:49] Because of bandwidth issue for everybody.
[55:52] Is that you are dealing with three different technologies, solar,
[55:55] wind, and batteries.
[55:57] Those are all different, even though they're connected into one
[56:01] system.
[56:02] The system may have a lot of similarities, but they're
[56:04] each different.
[56:05] And if you, you wanna be careful about not.
[56:09] O of overlooking the fact that there's some unique differences
[56:13] in, in them that need to be addressed, which you
[56:16] could easily do in a single.
[56:18] Draft. So I recommend that for the second draft.
[56:21] Breaking it up because I think that for the planning
[56:23] commission to review it, it's gonna be a lot easier
[56:26] to look at solar, you know, battery first and then
[56:29] solar. And then.
[56:30] Wind solar was done before. Anything else? So that was
[56:33] done.
[56:35] You know, on its own. And also I've been told
[56:37] that Comstock.
[56:38] Did do it is doing its ordinances separately for energy
[56:42] and that they think that's a really good idea.
[56:44] So there's some good reasons to handle that. And I
[56:47] think that for especially a resident who are not really
[56:50] familiar with this issue,
[56:52] it's really hard and I think it'd be easier for
[56:54] them to recommend, you know, this is what this is,
[56:56] what is involved with solar.
[56:58] For example. So I just like to.
[57:01] Forward that also I have a, a.
[57:03] Question for Trustee Sikora.
[57:06] Is that there is mentioned at meetings that there was
[57:09] an environmental board, I think, in conjunction with the parks.
[57:14] Parks, and it's not really official anymore. What is the
[57:16] status of that? What is the purpose or is there,
[57:19] or is it like an appendix? Just kind of sitting
[57:21] there?
[57:22] Mm-hmm . That was why I brought it up.
[57:25] But what is, you know, what is it? Has it.
[57:28] I'm on it. So I can tell you that much.
[57:30] Apparently I was appointed to it. I think we needed
[57:33] to have it because of an ordinance.
[57:36] Required us to have an environmental board.
[57:39] I don't know whether it was for appeal or for
[57:41] something. Yes, no, that's right. Okay. Yeah. And then, but
[57:43] we've never had an appeal, so we've never actually.
[57:47] Met right. The, the board was formed when we thought
[57:49] there was going to be an appeal that was pre
[57:52] COVID. That was quite a bit a long time ago.
[57:53] COVID yeah.
[57:55] We were anticipating that a resident was going to basically
[57:59] wanna fight against the ordinance and appeal it to someone.
[58:02] It's an appeal at someone. So we formed the board
[58:03] and then they never, they never ended up, we, they
[58:06] figured out a different way to, you know, deal with
[58:08] their issue. But.
[58:10] That's. Yeah. Yeah. And that's all I was addressing is
[58:13] all these different committees. Are they meeting? Are they.
[58:16] Current, you know, have they.
[58:19] Gone beyond their, you know, use or have they, do
[58:22] they need to, you know, come up with a mission
[58:24] statement to understand what their purpose is? That that's what
[58:26] I was.
[58:27] Bringing up with that. Thank you. Hope that answers here.
[58:29] Yep.
[58:33] Are you all set, Rob? Yeah, I'm done. Thank you.
[58:35] Okay.
[58:36] Any other public comment? No, he covered it. okay.
[58:41] All right. Well,
[58:43] with that it is.
[58:45] 6 28. We have exhausted our agenda and this meeting is
[58:48] adjourned. Thank you everyone for your great work.
[58:51] Very appreciated.
[58:54] I have