Oshtemo Township - July 22, 2025 Township Board Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

The Board reviews updates on the Kalamazoo Youth Sports Complex, with insights from county commissioner Dale Dilu and discover Kalamazoo's Jane Gosh. The board also discussed a $1 million state grant for the fire department, which will be managed through the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, and adopted the International Fire Code to align with state standards. Additionally, updates on public works projects, including the chime street sanitary sewer extension, were provided. The meeting also addressed budget amendments for various projects, including mandatory sewer connections and park developments.

Chapters

Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:56)
The meeting is called to order and begins with the Pledge of Allegiance.

The meeting is officially called to order, and attendees are invited to join in the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States.
Remote Attendance Identification (00:01:26)
Identification of remote attendees is conducted.

The clerk, Dusty Farmer, confirms remote attendance from her home in Oshtemo.
Core Value Sharing (00:01:48)
A board member shares a township core value.

Trustee Ford shares the core value of commitment to continuous improvement in government operations, emphasizing progress over perfection.
Approval of the Agenda (00:02:11)
The agenda is reviewed and approved by the board.

The board reviews the agenda, discusses any potential changes, and approves it through a motion and vote.
Public Official and Community Partner Updates (00:03:25)
Updates are given by public officials and community partners.

The county commissioner shares updates on various projects, including the sports complex, medical debt relief, and the upcoming budget retreat. Oshtemo has applied for county grant funds.
Work Session - Legal Department Presentation (00:06:57)
The legal department presents achievements, goals, and visions.

The legal department discusses ordinance creation, court cases, and budgetary needs. They emphasize the need for a part-time legal receptionist and highlight their efforts in reducing publication costs.
Public Works Presentation (00:31:55)
Public Works accomplishments, goals, and visions are presented.

Anna Horner, Public Works Director, begins the presentation on Public Works accomplishments, goals, and visions, highlighting the department's efforts and future plans.
Presentation on Township Planning and Development (00:33:09)
The presentation covered various planning and development activities within the township, highlighting transportation, land use planning, and capital projects.

The presentation provided an overview of the township's efforts in planning and development, focusing on transportation and land use planning, capital projects, and departmental leadership. It highlighted ongoing efforts in easement and land acquisition, traffic impact studies for mixed-use developments, and the coordination of construction projects. The presentation emphasized the importance of multi-department coordination and the proactive approach the township is taking in working with developers and partners to implement long-term master plans. Significant efforts in traffic calming measures, infrastructure improvements, and the use of technology for project planning were discussed.
Questions and Comments on Township Planning Presentation (00:53:03)
Attendees asked questions and provided comments on the township planning presentation, expressing appreciation for the detailed work and improvements.

Following the presentation on township planning and development, attendees engaged in a question and comment session. Questions were asked regarding the inspection process for soil erosion and the involvement of public works in site plan reviews. Attendees appreciated the visuals and the explanation of traffic calming measures and road planning. Comments highlighted the importance of proactive measures in planning and the benefits of having knowledgeable staff involved in development projects.
Call to Order and Public Comments (01:15:23)
The meeting was called back to order, and public comments were invited on consent agenda items and non-regular session items.

The meeting was reconvened, and the floor was opened for public comments on items included in the consent agenda or non-regular session items. No public comments were made, either in person or online, and the public comment period was closed.
Approval of Consent Agenda (01:16:11)
The consent agenda was approved unanimously by the board with a vote of 7 to 0.

The board reviewed the consent agenda, which included meeting minutes and other routine items. A motion to approve the consent agenda as presented was made and seconded. The board voted unanimously in favor, with all members present voting 'aye'.
Presentation on Kalamazoo Youth Sports Complex (01:16:33)
Jane Gosh presented on the Kalamazoo Youth Sports Complex, discussing its benefits to youth wellbeing and economic impact on Kalamazoo County.

Jane Gosh, President and CEO of Discover Kalamazoo, presented to the board about the Kalamazoo Youth Sports Complex. The presentation covered the benefits of youth sports for community vitality, youth wellbeing, and economic impact. The complex aims to attract visitors by improving community vitality and offers opportunities for youth to enhance their physical and mental health through sports participation. The presentation included data on the economic impact of hosting sports events, highlighting the significance of such facilities for local economic growth.
Discussion on Sports Facility Impact (01:19:28)
Discussion on the economic impact of a new sports facility, its financing through hotel assessments, and site selection considerations.

The discussion centered on the proposed indoor sports facility aimed at driving economic growth. Discover Kalamazoo, with the help of CSL, identified the need for an indoor sports venue to meet local and regional demand, especially for basketball and volleyball. The facility is expected to boost local youth participation and create jobs. Financing will be through a hotel assessment, voted on by hotel owners. The chosen site offers growth opportunities and minimizes neighborhood disruption. Concerns about traffic, emergency services, and the impact on Oshtemo Township were raised.
Concerns about Traffic and Emergency Services (01:35:02)
Trustees express concerns about traffic impact and emergency services strain due to the new facility's location and expected visitor influx.

Several trustees voiced concerns about the potential traffic impact and strain on emergency services from the new sports facility. They highlighted the need for a traffic study and questioned how emergency services would be managed given the facility's location in the city of Kalamazoo but surrounded by Oshtemo Township roads. There was a call for further discussions to address these logistical challenges.
Authority Board Composition and Representation (01:45:00)
Discussion on the composition of the authority board managing the facility, with concerns about Oshtemo Township's representation and influence.

The authority board responsible for the sports facility will include members appointed by Discover Kalamazoo, with input from the city and county. Concerns were raised about Oshtemo Township's representation, as the facility will impact the township significantly. Trustees questioned the process of selecting board members and whether Oshtemo would have a permanent seat, given its stakes in the project.
Discussion on Assessment Revenue and Board Nominations (01:49:43)
Members discussed the allocation of assessment revenue and the nomination process for board members.

The discussion centered around the revenue generated from assessments and its allocation, emphasizing the importance of nominations for board positions. The term lengths and renominations were considered, and the need for representation from affected municipalities was highlighted.
Public Comments and Board Representation (01:56:00)
The board heard public comments regarding the need for representation from all affected municipalities on the board.

Public comments included the desire for board representation from Oshtemo Township and the importance of including such representation in the bylaws. The board acknowledged the points raised and agreed on the necessity of having a representative voice from each affected area.
Budget Amendments Discussion (01:57:00)
The board discussed several budget amendments, including reallocation of IT funds and mandatory sewer connections.

The first budget amendment discussed involved reallocating funds within the IT department to purchase necessary equipment. Another amendment involved funding mandatory sewer connections for properties not yet connected, where enforcement action was required. The board considered the costs and logistics of these amendments.
Approval of Budget Amendments (02:02:00)
The board approved budget amendments related to IT funding and sewer connections.

After discussing the details of the proposed budget amendments, the board moved to approve them. This included reallocating IT funds for new equipment purchases and approving the budget for mandatory sewer connections for eight properties.
Parks Director Report and Land Acquisition (02:03:15)
The Parks Director reported on land acquisition needed for the Fruit Belt Trail project.

The Parks Director outlined a budget amendment required to acquire land for the development of the Fruit Belt Trail. This involved purchasing a parcel owned by the road commission to facilitate trail construction. The board discussed the necessity and implications of this acquisition.
Awarding Construction Contract for Chime Street (02:08:36)
The board awarded a construction contract for the Chime Street sanitary sewer and road improvements.

The board reviewed bids for the Chime Street project, which involves extending sanitary sewer and improving road infrastructure. After considering various bids and the qualifications of the contractors, they awarded the contract to the lowest qualified bidder.
Adoption of New Fire Code (02:14:58)
The board discussed and moved towards adopting the International Fire Code to align with state standards.

The discussion focused on updating the township's fire code from the NFPA to the International Fire Code. The change aims to align with state building codes and reduce conflicts. The board considered potential impacts on existing policies and any associated costs.
Discussion on NFPA and International Fire Code Adoption (02:22:01)
The board discussed adopting the International Fire Code to align with Michigan's building code, focusing on fire safety and energy storage systems.

The discussion centered on the need to adopt the International Fire Code (IFC) to replace the NFPA 1 in order to align with the Michigan building code. This change aims to eliminate conflicts and provide a consistent standard for fire safety, particularly in regulating energy storage systems, which are seen as growing fire hazards. The board considered the implications for builders and the fire department, emphasizing that the new code would not require additional equipment or changes to current operations.
Text Amendments to False Alarms Ordinance (02:31:03)
The board discussed amending the false alarms ordinance, focusing on eliminating grace periods for false alarms due to prohibited activities.

The board reviewed proposed text amendments to the false alarms ordinance, which would remove the grace period for false alarms caused by prohibited actions like smoking in non-smoking areas. The proposed change aimed to streamline enforcement and reduce unnecessary fire department responses, with legal discretion to assess fees.
Motion on International Fire Code Adoption (02:31:03)
A motion was made to approve the first reading of the ordinance to adopt the International Fire Code, which was set for a vote.

The board moved to approve the first reading of the ordinance to adopt the International Fire Code, replacing the NFPA 1. This motion was made to proceed with aligning the township's fire safety regulations with the state code, aiming for consistency and improved safety standards.
Resolution on Mobile Food Truck Inspections (02:39:41)
The board discussed a resolution to authorize fire department inspections of mobile food trucks and establish inspection fees for non-residents.

The fire department presented a resolution to formalize the inspection of mobile food trucks, highlighting the growing need for safety checks due to their increasing prevalence. The resolution proposed charging inspection fees for non-resident food truck operators to cover the costs incurred by the township, ensuring fair use of resources. The board considered how to verify taxpayer status for residents and discussed the logistics of implementing the inspection process.
Roll Call (02:51:36)
The roll call was conducted with all trustees present and voting 'yes' on the resolution.

The clerk called the roll for the trustees and other board members. All members present voted 'yes' on the resolution, resulting in its adoption with a vote of seven to zero.
Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity Grant Discussion (02:52:18)
Discussion on a $1 million grant for a new fire station, including its usage and conditions.

The board discussed a $1 million grant awarded by the state of Michigan for a new fire station. The funds, managed by the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, are available for five years and can be used as seed money for purchasing property and design work. The grant works on a reimbursement basis, and there was clarity provided on the conditions of the grant, which were found to be more flexible than initially thought.
Motion to Accept Grant (03:00:00)
The board moved and voted to accept the grant for the new fire station.

A motion was made by Trustee Chapman and supported by Trustee Ford to accept the grant for the new fire station. The motion passed without any public comment and was carried with a unanimous vote of seven to zero.
Closed Session (03:01:00)
The board entered a closed session to discuss litigation matters with legal counsel.

The board moved to enter a closed session to discuss ongoing litigation matters with legal counsel. The resolution to enter the closed session was adopted after a roll call vote, and the board conducted its discussions in private.
Return to Open Session and Authorization (03:18:52)
The board returned to open session and authorized actions as discussed in the closed session.

Upon returning from the closed session, a motion was made and supported to authorize the supervisor to proceed with actions discussed in the closed session. The motion was carried unanimously.
Public Comment (03:19:37)
No public comments were received at this time.

The board opened the floor for public comments on any topic, but no comments were received from those present or online.
Board Member Comments and Committee Updates (03:19:49)
Board members provided updates and comments on various topics, including park events and finance matters.

Board members gave updates on recent and upcoming events, committee meetings, and departmental matters. Trustee Sakura provided updates on park activities, while Treasurer Boucha reminded about tax payments and online payment options. Other members also provided brief updates and comments.