Oshtemo Township - July 8, 2025 Township Board Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

The Board reviews the installation of sewers and traffic calming measures in local neighborhoods. The board discusses infrastructure improvements and community benefits such as path extensions. Two key items include the approval of brownfield TIF plans for the Maple Hill Subaru development and the Westridge site condominium project, which aim to promote economic development and address housing needs. The meeting illustrates the township's commitment to community growth and sustainable development.

Chapters

Welcome and Call to Order (00:01:13)
The meeting was called to order and attendees were welcomed to the Oshtemo Charter Township regular meeting.

The chairperson initiated the Oshtemo Charter Township regular meeting, extending a warm welcome to all attendees.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:01:27)
Attendees were invited to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.

The meeting commenced with the Pledge of Allegiance, where attendees stood and recited the pledge in unison.
Roll Call and Remote Attendance (00:01:57)
Trustee Ford's absence was excused, and it was noted that all other members were present, making remote attendance unnecessary.

The roll call was conducted, noting that Trustee Ford was unable to attend and his absence was excused. All other members were present, so remote location identification was not necessary.
Mission, Vision, and Core Values (00:02:20)
A member shared the core values, emphasizing hiring staff with strong competencies and the importance of a strong team.

The mission, vision, and core values of the township were discussed, with a focus on hiring staff with strong core competencies and celebrating the strength of the current team.
Approval of the Agenda (00:02:49)
The agenda was approved as presented with a motion and second, passing with six in favor and one absent.

The agenda for the meeting was presented for approval. A motion to approve the agenda as presented was made, seconded, and carried with unanimous support from those present, noting one absence.
Public Officials and Community Partner Updates (00:03:26)
Deputy presented on community policing efforts, tackling retail theft, and fostering police-business partnerships.

The community policing officer presented updates on efforts to address retail theft, loitering, and trespassing, emphasizing building strong police-business partnerships to reduce crime and improve community relations. Questions and comments from the board were addressed, highlighting the importance of engaging with both large retailers and small businesses.
Work Session: Achievement Goals and Visions (00:22:46)
Planning Director presented on the planning department's achievements and goals, highlighting zoning updates and community readiness.

The planning director presented on the department's achievements and upcoming goals, including updates on zoning audits, housing readiness, and redevelopment readiness. Key accomplishments were discussed, such as the adoption of mixed-use districts and securing grants for zoning audits to facilitate affordable housing and improved development practices.
Overlay Zones Consolidation Discussion (00:30:28)
Discussion on consolidating overlay zones into existing provisions.

The discussion focused on the idea of consolidating overlay zones into existing provisions as much as possible, with an emphasis on starting to think about this more seriously this year.
Public Comment on Consent Agenda or Non-Regular Session Items (00:30:28)
Public comment was invited on consent agenda or non-regular session items, with no specific comments noted.

The floor was opened for public comment on items related to the consent agenda or non-regular session topics. Attendees were given the opportunity to share their thoughts or concerns, although no specific public comments were recorded at this time.
Comprehensive Plan Update (00:30:37)
Update on the final draft of the comprehensive plan.

The comprehensive plan is expected to be in final draft form in a couple of weeks, with hopes to present it to the planning commission by the end of the month. A presentation is planned for their first meeting in August.
Department Administration Report (00:31:03)
Report on the migration of paper files to digital records.

The department has kicked off the migration of paper files to digital records with the help of a retiree from Comstock Township. The retiree is working closely with the clerk's assistant to streamline the process by discarding duplicates and unnecessary documents.
Redevelopment Ready Community Program Status (00:31:50)
Achieved essential status in the redevelopment ready community program.

The community has achieved essential status and is moving towards certified status in the redevelopment ready community program. Essential status is for communities with limited staff resources to implement best practices.
Economic Development Strategy Discussion (00:32:42)
Discussion on preparing an economic development strategy and marketing plan.

The discussion centered on the need for an economic development strategy and a marketing plan, with the new media communications manager involved. The goal is to work towards certification and utilize grant funds for hiring consultants.
Brownfield TIF Policy Update (00:34:45)
Update on the brownfield TIF policy and community reimbursement agreements.

The update included information on community reimbursement agreements as part of the recently amended TIF policy, allowing consideration of public improvements on a project-by-project basis.
Comprehensive Plan Implementation Discussion (00:36:18)
Discussion on implementing the comprehensive plan and zoning amendments.

The discussion included selecting high priority projects, policies, and programs from the comprehensive plan for implementation, potentially requiring outside consultants and zoning amendments.
Oshtemo Community Center Master Plan Discussion (00:38:25)
Discussion on a campus master plan for the Oshtemo community center.

The discussion focused on the potential development of a campus master plan for the Oshtemo community center, considering better utilization of the land and connections with Miller's Way.
Project Management Software Evaluation (00:39:39)
Evaluation of project management software for site developments.

The evaluation aims to streamline and coordinate reviews and approvals, manage workloads, and improve customer service from site plan review application to certificate of occupancy.
Consent Agenda Approval (01:16:01)
Approval of the consent agenda by the board.

The board approved the consent agenda, which included text amendments regarding parking, transportation and mobility ordinance amendments, and the receipts and disbursements report.
Brownfield Consideration for Maple Hill Subaru (01:17:17)
Consideration of the brownfield TIF plan for Maple Hill Subaru.

The board considered a resolution to adopt the brownfield TIF plan for Maple Hill Subaru, involving the renovation of the former west side medical building into a Subaru dealership.
Discussion on Tax Increment Financing Plan (01:23:22)
Discussion on local and state eligible aspects of the TIF plan.

The meeting discussed the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) plan, emphasizing that it is primarily local but includes some state eligible components. The plan involves the collection of state education tax and local school operating taxes.
Local Tax Allocation (01:23:52)
Allocation of local taxes for various development costs.

Local taxes will be allocated to building demolition, lead and asbestos abatement, brownfield plan implementation, and contingency costs.
Brownfield Authority's Role (01:24:07)
Brownfield authority's capture of funds and revolving fund.

The brownfield authority captures funds into the brownfield plan and discusses the local brownfield revolving fund, which is the last five years of the plan.
State Education Tax and School Funding (01:25:14)
Impact of TIF on state education tax and school funding.

The TIF plan captures state education tax, but it does not negatively impact local school districts as the state reimburses them.
Developer's Responsibilities and Cost Verification (01:26:05)
Developers must submit invoices for cost verification.

Developers are required to submit invoice packets to show successful project completion, which will undergo third-party review by the brownfield authority.
Brownfield Plan Outcomes (01:26:27)
Expected outcomes of the brownfield plan.

The meeting summarized the outcomes of the brownfield plan, mentioning the increase in taxable value of the property and the plan's alignment with local limits.
Township Brownfield Development Goals (01:27:40)
Goals include repurposing structures and job creation.

The township's brownfield development goals include repurposing obsolete structures, increasing taxable value, creating new jobs, and incorporating energy-efficient designs.
Public Hearing and Timeline (01:29:00)
Timeline for public hearing and plan adoption.

The timeline for brownfield plan consideration includes a public hearing where the developer will be invited to speak, followed by consideration of a resolution to adopt the plan.
Community Engagement and Development (01:31:02)
Discussion on community spaces and development plans.

Discussion on maintaining green spaces, creating a dog park, and potentially renaming a road. The community room will be offered for charity events.
Board and Public Comments (01:36:01)
Board members express support and ask questions.

Board members expressed support for the project, thanking the developers for their community engagement and asking questions about job creation and salaries.
Resolution and Vote on the Plan (01:44:00)
Vote on resolution to approve the brownfield plan.

The board voted on a resolution to approve the brownfield TIF plan for Maple Hill Subaru, with the resolution being adopted with a vote of 6-0.
Discussion on Housing Development and Brownfield Plan (01:54:43)
Discussion on statutory requirements, property eligibility, financing gap, TIF support, and challenges faced in housing development.

The discussion focused on the new statutory requirements for housing development, including identifying specific housing needs and job growth data. The eligibility criteria for properties were detailed, emphasizing that the site is not a contaminated or blighted area, and how it qualifies under new housing property rules. There was a detailed explanation of the financing gap concept, which allows a brownfield plan to reimburse a gap associated with affordable housing construction. The conversation also touched on the challenges of delivering affordable housing that meets market demand, and the role of TIF in supporting this. Board members raised questions about rental versus ownership models, the role of county policies, and the implications of the housing project on the local community. The importance of income monitoring for rental units was also discussed.
Public Comments and Board Deliberation on Housing Project (02:12:12)
Public comments were invited but none were made. The board deliberated on the housing project's implications and potential impact.

The floor was opened for public comments on the housing project application, but no comments were made. The board then moved into deliberations, discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of the project. Some members expressed concerns about the focus on rentals instead of home ownership, noting the community's need for affordable single-family homes. The board considered whether delaying approval might influence county policies on housing financing, but ultimately acknowledged the project's role in addressing the housing shortage.
Resolution Approval for Green Development Venture, LLC Brownfield Plan (02:19:57)
The board passed a resolution to approve the Brownfield Plan for Green Development Venture, LLC, supporting the housing project.

After discussions and deliberations, the board moved to adopt a resolution approving the Brownfield Plan for Green Development Venture, LLC. The resolution was supported by board members, recognizing the project's potential to address housing needs despite some concerns about the focus on rental units. The resolution passed, with an emphasis on monitoring the project's impact and exploring further opportunities for supporting home ownership in future developments.
Budget Amendment Discussion and Approval (02:23:03)
Budget amendments were discussed, including unusual requests for IT budget adjustments, and approved by the board.

The board reviewed quarterly budget amendments, which included routine adjustments and a noteworthy request from the IT director for payment of an unexpected expense. The discussion acknowledged the unusual nature of the IT budget request but deemed it necessary. The amendments were considered and approved, ensuring that department projects are appropriately funded and that the budget reflects current needs.
Maintenance Director's Report on Generator Issues (02:25:40)
Greg Fountain discusses the generator's problems and the need for a replacement due to faulty parts.

Greg Fountain, the maintenance director, joined the meeting to discuss issues with the Township Hall's generator. The generator, which had been reliable, stopped running during a test cycle due to a faulty emission module. A service technician determined that the part needed replacement, but there is concern about further issues once the module is replaced. The urgency of the situation is highlighted by the long lead time for a new generator, which would not arrive until September. Greg explained the need to move forward with ordering a replacement to ensure backup power reliability.
Budget Amendment Discussion (02:32:00)
Discussion on the second quarter budget amendment including the generator replacement costs.

The board discussed the budget amendment related to the generator replacement. They considered whether to approve the amendment as a single package or address individual items. Ultimately, a motion was made and carried to approve the second quarter budget amendment as presented. The amendment included the necessary funds for the generator replacement and other budgetary adjustments.
Public Comments (02:34:14)
No public comments were made during the meeting.

During the public comments section, no members of the public present at Township Hall or online wished to make any comments or raise any issues.
Public Works Update (02:34:49)
Update on various public works projects including road and sewer installations.

The Public Works Director provided an update on ongoing projects, including the progress on sewer installations and road work in several neighborhoods. The contractor has completed sewer installations on Driftwood and Westview, and is currently working on Sky Ridge. The update included details about the unique conveyor belt system used for excavation, the installation of traffic calming measures like traffic circles, and coordination with Consumers Energy for utility replacements.
MDOT and Highway Updates (02:42:10)
Information on MDOT projects and highway updates, including bridge work and traffic changes.

Updates on MDOT projects were provided, including the schedule for switching traffic to new lanes on KL Avenue, and the progress of the highway extension and bridge work. The board discussed upcoming stages of the projects and coordination efforts with MDOT to ensure smooth transitions and minimize disruptions for the public.
Committee Updates and Comments (02:51:14)
Committee updates and trustee comments including upcoming community events.

Committee members provided updates on various topics. Trustee Sakura reminded the board of an upcoming community coffee hour with State Representative Matt Longjohn and a Friends of the Parks event. Trustee Farmer discussed ongoing efforts to expand the Genesee Prairie cemetery and preparations for early voting and precinct realignment.
Discussion on Voting Process Improvements (02:55:53)
Discussion on the need for a unified location for the voting process to improve accessibility and transparency for the public and workers.

The speaker discussed the current disjointed setup of absentee voting groups and the need for a single location for the public to observe the voting process, which is difficult in the current Township hall arrangement.
Consideration of Precinct Combination (02:56:28)
Consideration of combining precincts to streamline the voting process and improve logistical efficiency, though no decision has been made yet.

The possibility of combining precincts, such as bringing precincts six and five together at one location, was discussed. The decision is still pending and the process is in progress.
Adjournment (02:56:48)
The meeting was adjourned at 8:27 PM by the chair.

The chair officially adjourned the meeting at 8:27 PM, concluding the discussions for the day.