Oshtemo Township - May 13, 2025 Township Board Meeting

Updated 3 days ago

The board discusses the West Main Village's mixed-use district rezoning request, which includes commercial and residential development, and connectivity improvements for traffic. The board also approves a new job description for a finance manager to enhance financial oversight and support for the township's departments. Additionally, the board adopts a new ordinance addressing the removal and disposal of dog waste, following repeated community complaints. The meeting covers various other topics, including capital improvements and upcoming public works projects.

Chapters

Welcome and Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:30)
The meeting begins with a welcome and the Pledge of Allegiance, setting the stage for the formal proceedings.

Good evening. It's my pleasure to welcome you to the meeting, and at this time, I welcome you to join us in the Pledge of Allegiance. A pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
Approval of Agenda (00:01:09)
The agenda for the meeting is reviewed and approved with an addition regarding the parks department salary budget amendment.

Next we move to item number four, which is approval of the agenda. Before I request that we approve the agenda, I have something I want to add. In front of you is a memorandum and a request for a budget amendment regarding the park department salary. I would like to bring that before you, and I apologize for the last minute addition. There was some back and forth on whether this should be part of the quarterly budget amendments. I make a motion that we approve the agenda with the addition of the parks department salary budget amendment.
Trustee Attendance (00:02:51)
It is noted that Trustee Ford will be late to the meeting, but the board will be in full attendance once he arrives.

I would note that Trustee Ford did notify us that he would be joining us, but would be a little late. So we are in full attendance, or we will be in full attendance when he gets here.
Township Mission, Vision, and Core Values (00:03:02)
The board shares and discusses the township's mission, vision, and core values, emphasizing the importance of sustainability.

Next we have item number five, the Township mission, vision, and core values. I would invite a member of this board to share a core value ahead of our meeting. Trustee Sakura shares: "Our core value meets the needs of the present without compromising future generations." Thank you, Trustee Sakura. That is a good core value and at times a balancing act.
Public Officials and Community Partner Updates (00:03:39)
Local officials and partners provide updates, including a report from the county commissioner on various projects and initiatives.

Now we'll move to item number six, which is public officials and community partner updates. I see our county commissioner, Mr. Dilu here. He shares updates on various projects, including the EPA grant, the new sports complex, and the expansion of the groundwater restricted zone.
Work Session: Brownfield Tax Increment Financing Discussion (00:17:42)
The board discusses the ongoing development of the Brownfield Tax Increment Financing policy, considering various criteria and priorities.

Next we'll move into our work session, which is our continued discussion of the Brownfield Tax Increment Financing (TIF) policy. The board reviews the proposed policy, discusses criteria for investment, and considers whether to prioritize certain types of projects over others.
Discussion on Housing Development Prioritization (00:32:30)
The board discusses the prioritization of housing projects and the criteria for approvals, stressing diversity and adherence to policies.

The board members discuss the need to prioritize housing development projects while also maintaining diversity in the types of projects approved. They emphasize the importance of sticking to established policies to avoid arbitrary decisions that could lead to legal issues. The discussion touches on the criteria for project approval and the subjective nature of prioritizing different projects.
Policy on Investment Criteria and Project Approval (00:34:00)
The board reviews the investment criteria for project approvals, discussing the weighting of different criteria and the implications for project selection.

The board examines the investment criteria used to evaluate projects, discussing how different criteria are weighted and how this affects the selection process. They consider examples of projects that might qualify under different criteria and the importance of having a clear and fair policy. The discussion also involves considerations of diversity in housing types and avoiding situations that could lead to accusations of favoritism or arbitrary decision-making.
Policy Revisions and Evaluations (00:37:00)
The board talks about revisiting and revising policies regularly to ensure they remain effective and relevant, with a focus on housing policies.

Board members discuss the importance of regularly revisiting and revising policies to ensure they remain effective and relevant. They consider the need for flexibility in policy to adapt to changing circumstances, particularly in the context of housing and development projects. The discussion includes suggestions for setting a timeline for policy reviews and the potential for making adjustments based on feedback and observed outcomes.
Liability Concerns in Project Approvals (00:44:00)
Concerns about legal liability in project approvals are raised, particularly regarding adherence to policies and criteria.

Board members express concerns about potential legal liability if project approvals do not adhere strictly to established policies and criteria. They discuss the importance of having clear guidelines and criteria to avoid arbitrary decisions that could be challenged legally. The conversation includes scenarios where the board might face liability and how to mitigate such risks by ensuring all decisions are backed by the policy.
Public Comment and Consent Agenda (01:15:40)
The board opens the floor for public comments on non-regular session items and proceeds to approve the consent agenda.

During the regular session, the board invites public comments on items not covered in the regular session. With no public comments made, the board moves on to the consent agenda, which includes meeting minutes, committee appointments, and budget amendments. The consent agenda is adopted without any requests for removal or further discussion.
Resolution on Mental Health Awareness (01:16:50)
The board considers a resolution to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month, affirming the importance of mental health issues.

The board considers a resolution to officially recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month. This resolution serves as a public statement by the board to highlight and prioritize mental health issues within the community. The discussion emphasizes the board's role in raising awareness and supporting initiatives related to mental health.
Approval of Minutes (01:17:10)
The minutes from the previous meeting were brought up for approval.

Into tonight's minutes I would like to do so. Thank you, Trustee Chapman.
Resolution Recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month (01:17:16)
A resolution was read to recognize May as Mental Health Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of mental health awareness and support.

Resolution recognizing May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Mental health is essential for overall health. Millions are affected annually. The resolution raises awareness and supports mental wellness. It encourages open conversations and connects people with resources. Oshtemo Charter Township recognizes and supports this initiative.
Motion and Vote on Resolution (01:19:28)
A motion was made to approve the resolution recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month, which was then voted on and adopted.

A motion to approve the resolution as read by Trustee Chapman was made and seconded. The resolution was then voted on by the trustees and adopted unanimously with a vote of seven to zero.
West Main Street Ordinance Discussion (01:20:38)
A discussion was held regarding the West Main Street Ordinance and a staff presentation was given on a related project.

The West Main Street Ordinance was discussed, with Planning Director Jodi Stefforia giving a staff presentation on a project involving the rezoning of parcels to a mixed-use district. The presentation covered the proposal, zoning details, and the project's phases.
Public Comments on West Main Street Project (01:35:33)
Public comments and questions were addressed regarding the West Main Street project and its traffic impact study.

Questions about the traffic impact study and the potential effects of the West Main Street project were discussed. Concerns about drive-throughs and traffic congestion were raised, and the impact on the community was considered.
Discussion on Traffic Concerns and Ninth Street Development (01:49:15)
The board discusses traffic congestion issues on Ninth Street and surrounding areas, particularly during peak hours, and considers development impact.

The board members discuss the traffic congestion on Ninth Street, mentioning concerns raised by citizens about the heavy congestion and the potential need to expand the road. They explore the implications of increased commercial traffic and how it might impact the area's capacity. The discussion also touches on the importance of connectivity and shared access points to alleviate traffic problems.
Consideration of Current and New Master Plan Designations (01:53:01)
The board examines the current master plan designation for an area as rural and discusses whether the new plan maintains this designation.

The discussion focuses on whether the new plan aligns with the current master plan's designation of the area as rural. Concerns are raised about the compatibility of proposed developments, such as apartment subdivisions, with the existing land use patterns and the preservation of the natural environment, including trees and safety issues.
Public Comments on Development and Traffic (02:06:01)
Public comments are opened for discussion on the proposed development and traffic impact, with input from civil engineers and developers.

Public comments are invited on the topic of the proposed development and its traffic impact. Tim Stewart, a civil engineer, addresses the engineering perspective on drive-throughs and traffic management, emphasizing the extensive traffic impact study conducted. Tony Ferlito, a developer, discusses the planning considerations, including the number of drive-throughs and site connectivity. Darrell Don from Integrated Architecture highlights the pedestrian-friendly design and efforts to maintain green spaces.
Discussion on Fences and Residential Concerns (02:19:20)
Discussion on residents' experiences and concerns regarding fences and neighborhood developments.

The discussion centered around the experiences of residents with six-foot fences and their concerns about new developments in the neighborhood. The conversation touched on the lack of foresight regarding who might move in and how residents relate to current situations.
Presentation from Ferlito Team (02:20:39)
Presentation by the Ferlito team on high-density residential projects and community creation.

The Ferlito team presented their plans for high-density residential projects, highlighting the design, construction, and community-focused aspects. The team emphasized creating a community within a community and addressed professional staff concerns and responses to MDOT and the road commission.
Discussion on Drive-Throughs and Traffic Study (02:21:59)
Discussion on drive-throughs, traffic study, and community desires for better dining options.

The board discussed the impact of drive-throughs on the community and referenced a traffic study report. They acknowledged the abundance of fast-food drive-throughs and expressed a desire for higher-quality dining establishments, reflecting community survey feedback.
Brownfield Tax Increment Finance Policy Discussion (02:25:44)
Continued discussion on the Brownfield Tax Increment Finance policy and proposed changes.

The board revisited the Brownfield Tax Increment Finance policy, discussing proposed and accepted changes. They clarified language regarding job creation and construction jobs, aiming to ensure the policy aligns with community and developer expectations.
Motion to Adopt Brownfield Tax Increment Finance Policy (02:32:28)
Motion to adopt the Brownfield Tax Increment Finance policy with discussed changes.

The board moved to adopt the updated Brownfield Tax Increment Finance policy, incorporating changes discussed during the session. The motion was supported and passed unanimously, with appreciation for the hard work involved in the policy's development.
Discussion on Finance Manager Job Description (02:34:06)
Discussion on the necessity and responsibilities of the Finance Manager position.

The necessity of a Finance Manager position was discussed, focusing on its role in assisting department heads with budgeting and financial planning. The board reviewed the job description, clarified responsibilities, and addressed concerns about fiscal responsibility and potential cost savings.
Approval of Finance Manager Job Description (02:47:55)
Motion to approve the job description for the Finance Manager position.

The board approved the job description for the Finance Manager position, emphasizing the role's importance in centralizing financial management and supporting department heads. The motion was discussed, put to vote, and passed unanimously.
First Reading of Dog Feces Ordinance (02:48:40)
First reading of an ordinance regarding the removal and disposal of dog feces.

The board discussed the need for an ordinance on dog feces removal, prompted by complaints received by the ordinance enforcement officer. The ordinance aims to address public complaints and provide a mechanism for enforcement based on photographic evidence provided by residents.
Motion to Approve Dog Feces Ordinance (02:51:33)
A motion was made to approve the first reading of the removal and disposal of dog feces ordinance.

A motion was made to approve the first reading of the removal and disposal of dog feces ordinance. The motion was supported by Trustee Chapman and Treasurer Boucha. There was no public comment and the motion carried 7 to 0.
Budget Amendment for Parks Department (02:52:18)
A budget amendment was discussed to increase salary, FICA, and retirement budgets for the parks department due to increased responsibilities.

A budget amendment was brought forward to increase salary, FICA, and retirement budgets for the parks department. The parks director now has three direct reports, increasing her responsibilities. The amendment aims to compensate her accordingly. After discussion, a motion was made and carried to approve the amendment, effective backdated to the beginning of the year.
Public Comments (03:00:07)
An opportunity for public comments was provided, but no public comments were made.

Following the discussions and motions, the floor was opened for public comments. However, there were no comments made by the public during this time.
Committee Updates and Board Member Comments (03:01:00)
Board members provided updates on committee activities and other relevant information.

Board members including Trustee Ford, Trustee Cole, Trustee Sakura, and others provided updates on various committee activities such as capital improvements, elections, and parks volunteer sessions. Trustee Chapman discussed the bike-friendly Kalamazoo initiative and other community engagement topics.
Adjournment (03:12:13)
The meeting was adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.

After covering all agenda items and discussions, the meeting was officially adjourned.