Kalamazoo County Government - June 3, 2025 Kalamazoo County Committee of the Whole

Updated about 2 hours ago

The Board reviews accounts payable and payroll disbursements led by Finance Director Ryan Post. Questions arise about specific payments related to firearms training and radio solutions. Leah Alanson, a groundwater specialist, presents on groundwater contamination in Kalamazoo County, highlighting the types of contaminants and the work being done to prevent contamination. The Road Commission presents their annual report, detailing their collaboration with local townships and cities on road projects, service requests, and the impact of trees on road safety. Key projects include road reconstructions and non-motorized pathways. Additionally, the meeting addresses a funding request for recovery housing infrastructure, emphasizing the importance of housing in addressing substance misuse. The meeting concludes with discussions on how to address tree-related road safety issues and funding for infrastructure projects.

Chapters

Roll Call (00:00:10)
Roll call was conducted with nine commissioners present, including Commissioner Morales, Commissioner Ray, and Chair Strips.

The meeting began with a roll call of the commissioners. Commissioner Morales, Commissioner Ray, and others announced their presence, confirming a total of nine commissioners present.
Public Comment (00:00:41)
Public comments could be made in person or by phone, but no public comments were made during this session.

The meeting provided an opportunity for public comments, which could be made in person at the chambers podium or by phone for virtual attendees. However, no public comments were received during this session, neither in chambers nor online.
Accounts Payable and Payroll Disbursements (00:02:14)
Finance Director Ryan Post presented the accounts payable claims list and payroll disbursements for review by the board.

Finance Director Ryan Post presented the financial overview for the board, including accounts payable claims and payroll disbursements. Questions from the board were invited, focusing on specific payments and fund allocations.
Groundwater Contamination Sites Presentation (00:04:36)
Leah Alanson from the Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Department presented on groundwater contamination issues in Kalamazoo County.

Leah Alanson, a groundwater specialist, provided a detailed presentation on groundwater contamination in Kalamazoo County. The presentation covered types of contamination, specific sites like Superfund and Brownfield sites, and the health impacts of various contaminants. Alanson also discussed the county's efforts in monitoring, remediation, and public education to address these issues.
Road Commission Presentation (00:22:26)
Travis Beth from the Road Commission presented their annual report, highlighting collaboration, funding, and ongoing projects.

Travis Beth, managing director of the Road Commission, presented their annual report, which included introductions of board members, leadership roles, and information about their new facility. He also discussed collaboration efforts with local entities, funding sources like the Michigan Transportation Fund and township contributions, and detailed ongoing and future projects. The importance of grants and community support was emphasized, along with the challenges of funding and recruitment for open positions.
Welcome and Introduction (00:31:22)
The meeting begins with a welcome and introduction, outlining the agenda and objectives.

The meeting commenced with a warm welcome and an overview of the agenda. Attendees were introduced to the key topics that would be discussed throughout the session, setting the stage for a productive meeting.
Transportation Funding Sources (00:31:54)
Discussion on the major sources of funding for the Michigan Transportation Fund, including gas tax and vehicle registration.

The presentation covered the primary sources of funding for the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF), highlighting that vehicle registration has recently overtaken gas tax as the largest contributor. Additional funding comes from redirected income tax.
Service Requests and Maintenance Operations (00:32:34)
Explanation of how service requests are tracked and managed, focusing on winter maintenance and summer construction activities.

The session detailed how the department handles service requests for road maintenance, with a focus on winter operations and summer construction such as chip sealing. The importance of tracking service requests to allocate resources effectively was emphasized.
Impact of Trees on Road Services (00:33:52)
Trees are the number one service request, surpassing potholes and winter maintenance, due to their impact on roads.

The discussion highlighted that trees often cause more service requests than potholes or winter maintenance, as they frequently fall into roadways, posing safety hazards and requiring significant resources to manage.
Non-Motorized Transportation Initiatives (00:36:32)
Overview of non-motorized transportation projects, including the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and bike route networks.

The presentation addressed ongoing projects to enhance non-motorized transportation, such as the development of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail and the designation of bike routes to improve connectivity and safety for cyclists.
Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (00:38:44)
Introduction to the SS4A program aimed at reducing single vehicle lane departures and enhancing road safety.

The Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) program was introduced, focusing on reducing accidents and improving safety through measures like shoulder widening, tree removal, and the installation of rumble strips. The program is supported by federal funding and aims to address the high number of single vehicle lane departures.
Upcoming Road Projects and Improvements (00:41:00)
Overview of major road projects planned for the year, including intersection improvements and road reconstructions.

Several major road projects were outlined, including intersection improvements with center turn lanes and reconstruction efforts in Pavilion Township. These projects aim to enhance road safety and accommodate bicycle traffic with added paved shoulders.
Chip Seal and Fog Seal Explanation (00:44:04)
Explanation of chip seal and fog seal processes as cost-effective road maintenance solutions.

The presentation explained the chip seal and fog seal processes used to maintain roads. These methods are highlighted as cost-effective solutions that protect roads from damage and extend their lifespan. A video communication tool was debuted to educate the public on these techniques.
Public Engagement and Communication (00:47:23)
Information on how the public can contact the road commission and report emergencies after hours.

The road commission provided details on various channels available for the public to contact them, including phone, website, and social media. They emphasized the importance of reporting emergencies after hours to ensure timely response.
Hiring and Employment Opportunities (00:48:32)
Announcement of job openings for road maintenance operators and mechanics due to recent retirements.

The road commission announced current job openings for positions such as road maintenance operators and mechanics. They highlighted recent retirements as the reason for these opportunities and encouraged interested individuals to apply.
Road Closures and Project Notifications (00:49:10)
Introduction of the RRC KC Connect tool for automatic notifications on road closures and project updates.

The RRC KC Connect tool was introduced as a means for the public to receive automatic notifications regarding road closures and project updates. This service offers information via email, text, or phone call to keep residents informed.
Commissioner and Public Questions (00:49:39)
Discussion and Q&A session with commissioners addressing various concerns and suggestions.

The meeting concluded with a discussion and Q&A session where commissioners raised questions and suggestions regarding road safety, funding for critical bridges, road millages, and non-motorized transportation. The road commission responded to these queries and discussed potential collaborations.
Discussion on Community Petitions and Traffic Concerns (01:05:30)
Commissioners discuss community petitions for local projects and traffic concerns on Nichols Road, including the possibility of speed reduction and road improvements.

Commissioner Tres raises questions about how community petitions for specific projects are handled and the responsibilities involved. Concerns about traffic congestion and speed on Nichols Road are also discussed. The possibility of using special assessments for road improvements is mentioned, with examples like installing roundabouts to slow traffic.
Commendations to the Road Commission (01:07:00)
Commissioners commend the Road Commission for prompt responses during recent storms and discuss the process for addressing road and tree concerns.

Commissioner Morales commends the Road Commission for their prompt responses to constituent concerns, especially during the recent storm. Commissioner Angelou discusses directing residents on how to handle speed concerns and road service requests. The process for setting speed limits, involving the state police, is clarified.
Tree Maintenance and Safety Concerns (01:09:23)
Discussion on tree maintenance practices, addressing dangerous trees, and the impact of tree trimming on safety and road usage.

Commissioners discuss the importance of tree maintenance, including the history of having an arborist assess tree dangers pre-COVID. The challenges of addressing all tree-related concerns due to budget limitations are acknowledged. The Road Commission's current pruning practices and their impact on road safety and visibility are highlighted. The benefits of these practices for agricultural equipment and public safety are noted.
Request to Support Recovery Housing Infrastructure (01:16:12)
Proposal to allocate funds to support recovery housing, including a discussion on the appropriateness of funding a for-profit entity and ensuring future fund recovery.

Deputy County Administrator Lindy Smith presents a proposal for allocating funds to support recovery housing infrastructure. Commissioners discuss the importance of the project, the collaboration with other funding bodies, and the challenges of funding a for-profit company. The need to ensure that any excess funds raised could potentially be returned to the county is also discussed.
Conclusion and Next Steps (01:22:02)
The meeting concludes with plans to finalize agreements for the recovery housing funds and no closed session needed.

The meeting wraps up with a decision to bring forward the allocation for recovery housing funds in the next agenda. Corporation Council will develop the necessary agreements, considering the possibility of fund recovery if fundraising exceeds expectations. No closed session is required, and the meeting agenda concludes.