Comstock Township - Township Board - June 2, 2025 Meeting

Updated 3 days ago

The Board considers the ongoing moratorium on large renewable energy facilities. The board considers the repeal of the moratorium, with public comments focusing on the potential dangers of a proposed battery storage facility near local schools. Citizens express concerns about safety and environmental impacts. Additionally, the board reviews proposals for outdoor warning sirens and addresses budgetary issues related to legal expenses. The meeting includes public input and discussions on community safety and the future of local infrastructure.

Chapters

Welcome (00:00:42)
The meeting begins with a welcome to the Charter Township of Comstock.

The meeting officially begins with a welcome address to the attendees, marking the start of the session for the Charter Township of Comstock.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:49)
Attendees are asked to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag.

The attendees are requested to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance, a standard protocol in government meetings to show respect and patriotism.
Approval of Agenda (00:01:16)
Motion to approve the agenda is made and supported, and the agenda is approved.

A motion is proposed to approve the meeting agenda. The motion is supported and passed unanimously, indicating that the agenda for the meeting is accepted without changes.
Public Comment (00:01:32)
Citizens express concerns about local issues, including moratoriums and ordinance enforcement.

Multiple residents provide public comments regarding various issues such as the need to lift a moratorium, concerns about ordinance enforcement, and the importance of maintaining tornado sirens. They express dissatisfaction with current policies and emphasize the need for transparency and fairness in governance.
Announcements (00:20:04)
Departments, boards, and commissions share updates, including an upcoming event on domestic terrorism.

Various departments and boards make announcements. Commissioner Gissler mentions an upcoming event featuring a talk on domestic terrorism by a retired military intelligence officer.
Approval of Consent Agenda (00:20:35)
Consent agenda is approved with a motion and unanimous support.

A motion is made to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion is supported and passes with all members in favor, indicating agreement with the items listed under the consent agenda.
Presentations (00:21:05)
Presentation by HQ E Systems on outdoor warning sirens and mass notification solutions.

Representatives from HQ E Systems give a detailed presentation on their outdoor warning sirens and unified mass notification systems. They discuss their products' features, customer support, and the importance of effective emergency management solutions. The presentation includes introductions from the team and highlights their experience and capabilities.
Multi-channel Learning for Emergency Management (00:33:58)
Discussion on multi-channel learning for township emergency management and its applications.

The presentation began with a discussion on multi-channel learning for emergency managers. This involves using a software interface to send out alerts via phone calls, texts, emails, and social media posts, integrating with indoor public address systems, and activating outdoor warning sirens.
Pricing Strategy for Emergency Solutions (00:35:00)
Overview of pricing strategy for emergency alert systems, emphasizing fixed pricing.

The speaker explained their pricing strategy, which focuses on offering a single fixed price for emergency alert solutions without change orders, contrasting it with the industry's common practice of low initial costs followed by high change order fees.
Case Study: Kenai Peninsula Borough (00:37:00)
Case study of Kenai Peninsula Borough's transition to a new siren system.

The meeting included a case study about the Kenai Peninsula Borough in Alaska, which switched from Federal Signal to a new emergency alert system due to high costs associated with change orders and technical support, highlighting the benefits of the new system.
Manufacturing and Support Philosophy (00:39:00)
Presentation of the company's philosophy on manufacturing and customer support.

The company emphasized their commitment to American-made products and transparent pricing, driven by their background as former Marines who value integrity and customer satisfaction.
Outdoor and Indoor Alerting Solutions (00:41:00)
Description of outdoor and indoor alerting solutions offered.

The presentation covered the company's alerting solutions, including outdoor warning sirens and indoor electronic alert systems, with integration capabilities for existing public address systems and unique indoor safe units.
Proprietary Safe Network (00:43:00)
Introduction to the proprietary safe network for emergency communication.

The meeting introduced the proprietary safe network, a standalone public safety communication network that operates even when cell signals and power are down, ensuring continuous alerting capabilities.
Security Trailer Solutions (00:45:00)
Introduction of security trailer solutions integrating alert capabilities.

The company discussed their entry into the security trailer industry, offering solutions that integrate outdoor warning capabilities with electronic security features like CCTV, aimed at enhancing public safety.
Emergency Management Compliance and Grants (00:47:00)
Discussion on compliance with emergency management standards for grant eligibility.

The presentation emphasized the importance of compliance with federal, state, and local emergency management standards for securing grants, with the company offering expertise in achieving such compliance.
Remote and On-Premise Alert System Access (00:49:00)
Options for remote and on-premise access to alert systems explained.

The meeting detailed options for accessing their alert systems, including remote cloud-based access and on-premise solutions, with the ability to combine both for a hybrid system, ensuring secure and flexible operations.
Sound Quality Comparison (00:51:00)
Demonstration of sound quality differences between alert systems.

The presentation included a demonstration of sound quality differences between the company's alert system and competitors, highlighting the clarity and effectiveness of their solutions in real-world scenarios.
Demonstration of Alert and Warning Software (01:05:00)
Live demonstration of the alert and warning software capabilities.

A live demonstration showcased the alert and warning software, including customizable alert messages, integration with national weather alerts, and multilingual support for electronic alerts, emphasizing user-friendly features for emergency management.
Presentation on Siren Maintenance Options (01:06:28)
A company presented three options for siren maintenance: local technician training, full remote maintenance, or a hybrid approach, emphasizing their engineering quality and reliability.

The meeting included a detailed presentation by a company offering outdoor warning sirens. They provided three options for maintenance: training a local technician to handle installations and issues, providing full remote maintenance services, or a hybrid approach where a local technician is hired. The company emphasized the high engineering quality of their sirens, which are used in various extreme environments worldwide. They also discussed their ability to provide quick responses to maintenance issues, such as dispatching parts and technicians promptly, as demonstrated by their handling of a lightning strike at an air force base.
Resident Alert System Discussion (01:08:26)
The presentation included details on allowing residents to sign up for alerts in their preferred language without needing a username or password, aiming to simplify the registration process.

During the presentation, the company discussed an alert system for residents, allowing them to sign up using just their phone number and selecting their preferred alert language (e.g., Tagalog, Spanish). This aims to simplify the registration process and avoid the need for usernames and passwords. The system is designed to send alerts via SMS, email, or phone calls, and residents can register multiple addresses to receive location-specific alerts.
Q&A Session (01:10:00)
Board members asked questions regarding maintenance and operation of systems.

The session concluded with a question and answer segment where board members inquired about the maintenance and operation of the alert systems, with the presenters explaining their support and training options for local personnel.
Siren Proposal Timing (01:16:04)
The company promised to deliver a proposal with detailed cost analysis by Thursday, after evaluating the township's specific needs and environment.

The company representative discussed the timeline for providing a proposal to the township. They explained that they are currently analyzing the township's environment using a proprietary sound mapping tool to determine the exact number of sirens needed. The proposal, which will include a detailed cost analysis, is expected to be ready by Thursday after internal reviews.
Fire and Rescue Promotions (01:18:16)
The board approved promotions for a new full-time captain and two lieutenants following a standardized promotional process involving tests and interviews.

The Fire and Rescue department presented recommendations for promotions within their team. A standardized promotional process was conducted, including written tests, practical scenarios, and interviews. The board approved the promotion of Lieutenant Mike Neman to full-time captain and the promotion of Hunter Krueger and Aaron Jackson to full-time lieutenants, filling vacancies created by previous staff taking other positions.
Michigan Highway Safety Grant Announcement (01:20:27)
The township announced receiving a grant to reimburse personnel time related to operating a traffic attenuator unit, enhancing safety collaborations.

The meeting included an announcement that the township was successful in obtaining a grant from the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Planning. This grant will reimburse the fire department for personnel time spent operating a traffic attenuator unit, which is used to enhance safety during traffic incidents. The grant also requires the township to be available to respond to mutual aid requests from neighboring communities.
Siren Discussion Follow-up (01:21:10)
Board members discussed the importance of choosing the right siren system, considering costs and service reliability, and agreed to gather more information.

Following the presentation, the board had a discussion about the siren system proposals. Concerns were raised about choosing a system based solely on price, as service reliability is crucial, especially when dealing with companies out of state. The board agreed to gather more information, such as integration capabilities with county systems, service fees, and references from other users, to make an informed decision.
Treasurer's Report on Planning Commission Activities (01:30:27)
The Planning Commission is revising the mobile vendor ordinance, approving an ADU, addressing battery storage safety, and planning a housing survey.

The Treasurer provided an update from the Planning Commission, highlighting several ongoing activities. The Commission is revising the mobile vendor ordinance to replace long-term permits with temporary and special event permits, clarifying private property use, and simplifying language. They approved a special land use permit to convert a garage into an accessory dwelling unit (ADU). Safety concerns related to battery storage near schools are being addressed. A housing survey indicated strong support for smaller, more affordable housing options, with a final plan expected by August.
Budget Discussion on Legal Expenses (01:32:17)
The board discussed concerns about exceeding the legal budget halfway through the year and emphasized the need for budget control and understanding the causes.

The board addressed concerns about the township exceeding its legal budget within the first six months of the year. Trustee Pratt brought up the issue, noting that legal expenses have been unusually high, with a significant portion incurred in a single month. The board agreed to investigate the causes, emphasizing the importance of budget control and understanding the variance. The discussion also touched on the contractual obligation for contacting legal counsel and ensuring adherence to the process for managing legal expenses.
Budget Discussion (01:36:50)
Discussion regarding concerns over budget expenses, especially related to attorney fees, and the need for better management.

The board members extensively discussed the state of the current budget, particularly focusing on the expenses related to attorney fees. Various trustees expressed concern that the budget for attorney fees had already been exceeded by June, which is a red flag. They discussed the possibility of better managing these expenses by routing inquiries through designated township officials before involving outside counsel. There was also discussion about the billing practices and how they are reported, suggesting that more detail may be needed to understand which departments are accruing costs.
Public Comment (02:07:07)
Opportunity for citizens to address the board with their concerns or comments, limited to three minutes per speaker.

During the public comment section, citizens were invited to state their name and address and speak for up to three minutes. The board did not engage in discussion during this time, but citizens were encouraged to make appointments with the supervisor or superintendent for further discussion. Comments were expected to be clean and respectful.
Public Comments on Budget Concerns (02:08:20)
Citizens expressed concerns over budget overspending, particularly in the fire department and parks department.

Several citizens raised issues about the township's budget management. Concerns were voiced regarding overspending in the fire department due to unplanned expenses on new trucks. The parks department was also mentioned for spending on unnecessary items like uniforms. Citizens urged the board to ensure all departments adhere to their budgets and criticized spending on personnel who could be reduced.
Concerns About Listening to Constituents (02:09:48)
Residents criticized the board for not listening to their constituents' wishes, particularly regarding the battery plant moratorium.

A speaker expressed frustration that the board seemed to prioritize reports from Michigan State and other external sources over the voices of the township's residents. The residents requested the board keep the moratorium on the battery plant to gather more information, as the township pays the taxes, not external entities. The speaker also criticized hiring an HR attorney from Grand Rapids as unnecessary and costly.
Public Concerns About Battery Plant Location (02:10:53)
Residents expressed safety concerns about the location of a battery plant near schools and residential areas.

One resident highlighted the potential dangers of situating the battery plant close to schools, suggesting it should be located in industrial areas instead to avoid endangering children. The resident warned of potential legal actions if the board proceeds with the current plans, emphasizing the community's unwillingness to accept risks to children's safety.
General Public Comments on Township Issues (02:11:56)
Various residents raised issues including rezoning, control over projects, and the need to listen to constituents.

A new resident expressed a neutral perspective but acknowledged the general frustration over township issues like rezoning and the battery storage facility. The resident noted ongoing lawsuits nationwide against such projects and urged the board to work with state officials to preserve community control.
Discussion on Ordinance Control and Legal Fees (02:12:38)
The board discussed the need for control through ordinances and concerns over high legal fees.

Trustee Pratt and other board members discussed the importance of having control over projects through well-worded ordinances, rather than allowing state-level decisions to override township control. Concerns were raised about high legal fees, and there was a call to monitor and manage legal expenditures better.
Member Comments on Moratorium and Public Participation (02:14:00)
Trustees and board members commented on the moratorium on the battery plant and public participation in meetings.

Trustees shared their views on the ongoing moratorium on the battery plant, emphasizing the importance of public participation and the need to consider all voices, not just the loudest ones. There was a call for continued respectful engagement and the importance of listening to constituents' concerns.
Discussion on Moratorium Committee and Control (02:15:38)
Board members discussed the role of the moratorium committee and maintaining control over local projects.

Board members debated whether to continue the moratorium committee's work even as the moratorium ends. The discussion focused on the importance of local control and ensuring the committee can make informed recommendations on managing projects like the battery plant.
Closing Member Comments and Adjournment (02:17:03)
Members gave final comments on various issues before adjourning the meeting.

In the closing comments, various trustees and board members shared their thoughts on the meeting's discussions, including the importance of considering community feedback and managing township affairs effectively. The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn.