Kalamazoo County - Board of Commissioners

Kalamazoo County - Board of Commissioners - August 19, 2025 Meeting

Updated about 5 hours ago

During the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners meeting, the board approves minutes from previous sessions and discusses a variety of topics, including the approval of the Maple Hill Lease LLC brownfield plan and an amendment to the ARPA grant agreement with LISC. Commissioners express concerns about federal mandates influencing local initiatives, particularly relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion language. The opioid settlement funds distribution is acknowledged, and the recent staffing change at Health & Community Services (HCS) is highlighted, with health officer Jim Rutherford transitioning to a state role and the recommendation of Deborah Lenz as interim health officer. The meeting reflects on the contributions of Rutherford and the ongoing efforts in various county departments, including animal services and building and grounds maintenance.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:31:01)
The meeting was called to order by the committee chair, bringing the committee of the whole back into session.

The chair called the meeting to order, reassembling the committee of the whole for further proceedings.
Approval of Minutes (00:31:06)
The minutes from the first and second closed sessions were approved with motions supported and carried by the members.

Motions were made to approve the minutes from previous closed sessions. Commissioner Wheeler made the motions, supported by Vice Chair Pro Tem Heppler. Roll calls were conducted, and both motions carried unanimously.
Adjournment of Committee of the Whole (00:31:45)
The committee of the whole was adjourned to reconvene the regular business meeting.

The chair announced the adjournment of the committee of the whole, signaling the transition back to the regular business meeting format.
Invocation and Reflection (01:02:20)
An invocation and reflection were led, with a focus on unity and guidance in decision-making.

The meeting included an invocation and reflection led by a member, focusing on the challenges faced and seeking guidance for the decisions to be made, with a call for unity and wisdom.
Roll Call (01:03:48)
Roll call was conducted to confirm the attendance of the commissioners present at the meeting.

The clerk conducted a roll call to ensure that the required members were present to proceed with the meeting, confirming the attendance of nine commissioners.
Proclamations (01:04:20)
Recognition of Deanna Hudson's service was made through a proclamation acknowledging her contributions.

A proclamation was presented to Deanna Hudson, acknowledging her dedication and service as a human resource specialist. Her professionalism and contributions to the county were highlighted.
Approval of the Agenda (01:23:22)
The agenda was reviewed and approved with amendments to include additional discussions.

Commissioners discussed and approved the agenda, making amendments such as moving certain items to non-consent for further discussion, ensuring all necessary topics were covered.
Public Hearing on Brownfield Plan (01:25:12)
A public hearing was held for the Maple Hill Lease, LLC Brownfield Plan, with supportive comments from stakeholders.

The board conducted a public hearing regarding the Brownfield Plan for Maple Hill Lease, LLC. Comments were made by representatives from involved parties, expressing support for the project and its expected benefits.
Public Comments (01:28:16)
The first public comment period was opened but received no comments from the audience.

An opportunity for public comment was provided, allowing individuals to speak on any topic. However, no participants came forward to make comments during this period.
Consent Agenda (01:29:10)
The consent agenda was approved unanimously, encompassing various routine matters.

A motion was made to pass the consent agenda, which included various routine approvals. It was supported and carried unanimously by the commissioners.
Unfinished Business - Contract Cancellation (01:31:31)
Discussion on canceling a contract due to federal funding issues, affecting workforce training initiatives.

The board discussed the need to cancel a contract with Home Care Coordination because of delays in federal EPA grant funding, impacting a planned workforce training program. The situation was explained by the climate sustainability coordinator.
New Business - LISC Contract Amendment (01:36:10)
Amendment to the LISC contract was debated, focusing on federal compliance and language changes.

The board considered an amendment to a contract with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC). The amendment was requested by LISC to align with federal mandates, specifically removing certain language related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Second Public Comment Period (01:43:08)
Second public comment period was held, with remarks from a Northside resident commending recent actions.

During the second public comment period, a resident from the Northside expressed appreciation for the distribution of opioid settlement funds and discussed the need for accessible funding for organizations.
Public Comments (01:45:12)
Community members expressed concerns about application processes and praised officials for their efforts while suggesting improvements.

During the public comment section, several community members addressed the board. They highlighted the challenges faced by smaller organizations in navigating complex application processes for funding. Despite these challenges, they acknowledged the efforts of the officials in governance and urged them to continue striving for excellence.
Administrator's Report (01:46:46)
The administrator discussed federal trends, local law enforcement responsiveness, housing initiatives, and opioid settlement funds.

The Administrator reported on various issues, including concerning trends at the federal level and the importance of local law enforcement maintaining community trust. He highlighted work done in housing initiatives, the responsible bidder policy, and the ongoing budget process. The administrator also mentioned the distribution of opioid remediation funds and upcoming class action settlements. He praised the strong commitment of the team and the advancements made in community governance.
Vice Chair's Remarks (02:02:19)
The Vice Chair thanked the community foundation and discussed the importance of specialty courts and the responsible bidder policy.

The Vice Chair expressed gratitude towards the community foundation for filling funding gaps and emphasized the role of specialty courts in reducing recidivism. He also discussed the responsible bidder policy, which simplifies processes for vendors and ensures local tax dollars benefit local businesses. He expressed optimism about the board's collaborative efforts and the positive impact on the community.
Vice Chair Pro Tem's Remarks (02:02:24)
The Vice Chair Pro Tem highlighted teamwork and thanked departments for their contributions to community safety and quality of life.

The Vice Chair Pro Tem acknowledged the hard work of various departments and the importance of collaboration in making Kalamazoo a great place to live and work. He thanked military, law enforcement, and emergency services for their dedication and expressed hope for global peace.
Administrator's Additional Announcements (02:02:42)
The administrator announced upcoming budget discussions and staff transitions, including a new interim health officer.

The Administrator provided updates on the budget process, mentioning the aim to deliver recommendations early. He announced the transition of the county health officer to a state position and recommended an interim appointment. The administrator acknowledged the outgoing health officer's contributions during challenging times.
Commissioner Comments (02:03:44)
Commissioners expressed gratitude to the health officer and discussed personal milestones and community feedback.

During the commissioners' comments, several expressed their gratitude to the outgoing health officer for his service and leadership. They also appreciated community feedback on local issues. Personal milestones, such as family events, were shared, emphasizing the commissioners' connection to the community.
Adjournment (02:05:53)
The meeting was adjourned after commissioner comments and acknowledgments.

Following the commissioners' comments, the meeting was formally adjourned.