Kalamazoo County - November 6, 2024 Kalamazoo County Committee of the Whole Meeting

Updated 1 day ago

The County Board reviewed a presentation from Marathon Health with an update on Employee Health Benefits. The Committee of the Whole interviews candidates for the Central County Transportation Authority and an incumbent with the County Landbank.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:01:04)
Vice Chair calls the meeting to order and notes the Chair will arrive shortly.

Vice Chair begins the meeting while the Chair is expected to arrive momentarily.
Roll Call (00:01:13)
Commissioners present are confirmed, with seven members in attendance.

The roll call is conducted, confirming the presence of seven commissioners including Vice Chair Taylor and Commissioners Mazer, Morales, Res, Wheeler, De, and Ler.
Public Comment (00:01:42)
Residents address the Board, discussing issues such as retirement adjustments for county employees.

Public comments focus on the issue of cost-of-living adjustments for retired county employees, with speakers emphasizing the need to address inflation impacts on retiree benefits.
Interviews for Central County Transportation Authority (00:10:53)
Interviews are conducted for open positions on the Central County Transportation Authority.

Two candidates, Kristen Johnson and Curtis Martin, are interviewed in person for positions on the Central County Transportation Authority. The process involves asking a series of questions to assess their suitability.
Discussion and Deliberation on Interviews (00:36:33)
Commissioners discuss the qualifications of the interviewees for the open position.

Following the interviews, commissioners deliberate on the candidates' qualifications and discuss the potential contributions each could make to the Central County Transportation Authority.
Call to Order (00:38:42)
The meeting is called to order.

The meeting begins with the call to order by the chairperson.
Discussion on CCTA Board Appointment (00:38:45)
Discussion on appointing Kristen Johnson to the CCTA Board, highlighting her qualifications and the importance of having board members who use the transit system.

The commissioners discuss the candidates for the CCTA Board, focusing on the qualifications of Kristen Johnson and her suitability for the role. Attention is given to the importance of having board members who are regular users of the transit system, particularly those with disabilities.
Motion to Appoint Kristen Johnson to CCTA (00:40:34)
A motion is made to appoint Kristen Johnson to the CCTA, followed by a vote that passes unanimously.

A motion is put forward to appoint Kristen Johnson to the CCTA board. After some discussion, the motion is moved by Vice Chair Taylor and supported by Vice Chair Pro Heppler. A vote is taken, and the motion carries without opposition.
Discussion on Reappointment of Greg Rose (00:41:29)
Discussion on reappointing Greg Rose to the CCTA without an interview, as recommended by the agenda.

The commissioners discuss the reappointment of Greg Rose to the CCTA. It is noted that the agenda states he does not require an interview due to his previous service and qualifications. A motion is made and the decision is supported and passed.
Interviews for Land Bank Positions (00:42:21)
Interviews conducted for positions on the Land Bank, including an incumbent interview with Ms. Ferraro.

The commissioners conduct interviews for positions on the Land Bank. Ms. Ferraro, who is an incumbent, is interviewed. The interview includes questions about her experiences, contributions to the Land Bank, and her understanding of the role.
Motion to Reappoint Ms. Ferraro to Land Bank (00:52:00)
A motion is made to reappoint Ms. Ferraro to the Land Bank Authority, which is passed after a brief discussion.

Following the interview with Ms. Ferraro, a motion is made to reappoint her to the Land Bank Authority. The commissioners discuss her contributions and the importance of the Land Bank as an economic driver in the county. The motion is passed unanimously.
Review of Accounts Payable and Payroll Disbursements (00:53:50)
Finance Director Ryan Post reviews accounts payable and payroll disbursements with no conflicts of interest reported.

Finance Director Ryan Post presents a review of accounts payable and payroll disbursements to the board. He confirms that there are no conflicts of interest with the disbursements and invites any questions from the board.
Marathon Health Presentation on Employee Health Center (00:55:00)
Marathon Health presents on the employee health center, focusing on engagement, satisfaction, and health outcomes.

Greg Howe, Vice President of Client Success for Marathon Health, presents to the board regarding the employee health center. The presentation covers various aspects including employee engagement, satisfaction scores, health outcomes, and financial savings attributed to the health center's operations.
Referrals and Financial Analysis (01:13:21)
Discussion on referrals, financial analysis, and engagement strategies to improve healthcare services and cost management.

The meeting discusses referrals and financial analysis related to specialist visits, cost avoidance, and engagement strategies. The focus is on working with specialist visits, managing costs, and providing patients with choices. The referral coordinator team helps in providing options considering cost and quality. There is also discussion on engagement strategies through portals, wellness challenges, and technology improvements for better healthcare service.
Resolution on Vacancy Protocol for Road Commissioners (01:21:03)
Resolution to establish a protocol for filling vacancies on the Road Commission Board, including residency requirements and notification processes.

The resolution aims to establish a protocol for filling vacancies on the Road Commission Board in Kalamazoo County. It requires that when the board becomes aware of an impending vacancy, notice must be given within two weeks. The resolution specifies residency requirements for commissioners and outlines the process for filling vacancies. Discussion includes potential revisions to ensure clarity on reporting and enforcement mechanisms.
Proclamation Honoring Memory of Jeff Ret (01:41:34)
Proclamation to honor the memory of Jeff Ret and recognize his contributions to Kalamazoo County, with a first reading planned for the next meeting.

The board discusses a proclamation honoring Jeff Ret for his contributions to Kalamazoo County. The family will be present at the next meeting for the first reading of the proclamation. The proclamation is part of the board's effort to recognize individuals who have made significant impacts in the community.
Proclamation Honoring James Kratz as Eagle Scout (01:42:04)
Proclamation to honor James Kratz for achieving Eagle Scout rank, with a first reading planned for the next meeting.

A proclamation is being prepared to honor James Kratz for his achievement of reaching the Eagle Scout rank. The first reading of this proclamation is scheduled for the next meeting to formally recognize his accomplishments and contributions.
Proclamation for Constitution Week (01:42:20)
Proclamation for Constitution Week to be approved during the meeting, recognizing its significance and promoting community awareness.

The board discusses a proclamation for Constitution Week, which is intended to promote awareness and understanding of the United States Constitution. The proclamation is set to be approved during the meeting, highlighting its importance in the community.
Closed Sessions for Legal Opinions (01:42:34)
Two closed sessions to discuss legal opinions regarding retiree health and a purchase agreement, requiring roll call votes for approval.

The board moves to enter two closed sessions to meet with attorneys regarding legal opinions. The first session will discuss retiree health, and the second will address a purchase agreement. Both motions require roll call votes for approval before proceeding into closed discussions.