Oshtemo Township - December 9, 2025 Township Board Meeting

Updated 1 day ago

The Board reviewed the approval and distribution of the proposed comprehensive master plan and master streets plan. The meeting addressed interactions with the Kalamazoo County Road Commission, focusing on enhancing communication and collaboration to better serve the township's road infrastructure needs. Additionally, there was significant public comment concerning a proposed battery energy storage system, with residents expressing opposition due to potential environmental and safety concerns, and advocating for its restriction to industrial zones as outlined in the township's master plan. The meeting also included reports from law enforcement and discussions on budget amendments and policy updates.

Chapters

Welcome and Call to Order (00:00:15)
The meeting is called to order and participants are welcomed.

The meeting is officially called to order, and attendees are welcomed to the session.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:00:24)
Participants are invited to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Attendees are invited to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Remote Attendance Identification (00:00:52)
Trustee Cole may join remotely for discussion only; Clerk Farmer is absent.

There is an opportunity for remote attendance identification. Clerk Farmer will not attend, and Trustee Cole may join by phone for discussion purposes only, as voting is not permitted by statute.
Township Mission, Vision, and Core Values (00:01:25)
Trustee Chapman shares a core value focused on decision-making.

The board discusses the Township's mission, vision, and core values. Trustee Chapman shares a core value emphasizing decision-making based on value to the Township and its residents.
Approval of the Agenda (00:01:50)
The agenda is amended to include road commission discussion and approved.

The board discusses and approves the meeting agenda. An amendment is made to include a discussion about the road commission, proposed by a board member, to be placed after the master streets plan or budget amendments.
Public Officials and Community Partner Updates (00:03:23)
County Commissioner provides updates on health department, parking garage, and fair.

Updates are provided by the County Commissioner, including changes in the health department leadership, a new parking garage contract, and efforts to bring back the Kalamazoo county fair. There is discussion on working with the parks and recreation department and the fair council.
Presentation on Township Plans by Sarah Moring Hilt (00:06:23)
Sarah Moring Hilt presents the comprehensive plan and special studies.

Sarah Moring Hilt from Progressive AE presents the comprehensive plan, emphasizing community engagement, the mission, vision, goals, and specific elements like place types, quality living, and implementation strategies. The presentation covers various chapters and goals focusing on connected communities, housing, economic vitality, and public safety.
Special Studies Discussion (00:29:01)
Special studies for specific areas in the Township are discussed.

The meeting discusses special studies that focus on areas such as the Maple Hill Pavilion Mall site and neighborhood design. These studies explore suburban retrofitting, neighborhood residential opportunities, and environmental considerations.
Master Streets Plan Presentation (00:29:30)
The Master Streets Plan aims to improve safety and connectivity in Oshtemo.

The Master Streets Plan is introduced to address safety issues and enhance transportation connectivity. The plan aligns with the comprehensive plan to foster a safe, resilient network and aims to reduce crashes and improve infrastructure for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
Discussion on Road Design in Oshtemo (00:30:51)
Discussion on the shift from rural to suburban road design in Oshtemo, including changes to key connections and the master streets plan.

The discussion focused on the need to shift road design in Oshtemo from a rural to a suburban context, highlighting changes in the key connections map and updates to the master streets plan, including the reclassification of West H Avenue and proposed connections for future development.
Presentation on Master Streets Plan (00:34:00)
Presentation on updates to the master streets plan, including street typologies and cross sections.

The presentation covered updates to the master streets plan, detailing the different street typologies and the recommendations for sidewalks, roadway elements, and adjacent land uses. It also included changes to neighborhood connectors and streets, and introduced the multimodal toolbox for safety and non-motorized networks.
Questions and Discussion on Master Streets Plan (00:35:28)
Board members asked questions about land use, infrastructure, and the comprehensive plan's role in guiding future development.

Board members engaged in a discussion about the relationship between land use and infrastructure planning, as well as the comprehensive plan's purpose as a guide for future zoning and development decisions. Questions were raised about the expansion of neighborhood residential areas and how they align with infrastructure capabilities.
Next Steps for Comprehensive Plan (00:45:56)
Planning Director outlines the next steps for the comprehensive plan, including public hearings and final adoption.

The Planning Director described the process for finalizing the comprehensive plan, which includes sending the plan to relevant stakeholders, holding a public hearing, and incorporating feedback. Once adopted, the plan will guide future decisions until the next required review.
Public Comments on Battery Energy Storage Systems (01:00:44)
Residents expressed concerns about battery energy storage systems and their impact on safety and the environment.

During the public comment period, multiple residents voiced concerns about the proposed battery energy storage systems, citing safety risks, environmental impacts, and the need for regulations to protect residential areas. They urged the board to restrict such systems to industrial zones in alignment with the master plan.
Public Comments (01:13:47)
Residents express concerns about best practices and industry influence on local policies, particularly regarding data and battery centers.

During the public comments section, a resident expressed concerns regarding the influence of industry-written best practices on local policies. The speaker emphasized that while best practices are legal, they are often written by the industry and may not always be in the best interest of the community. The speaker particularly highlighted issues related to data centers and battery centers being encouraged by the state of Michigan, suggesting that these practices might be misguided and harmful. The resident urged the council to reconsider these practices as they might not align with the community's master plan and could have negative environmental and health impacts.
Consent Agenda Approval (01:15:56)
The board approves the consent agenda, including meeting minutes, through a motion with unanimous support.

The consent agenda, which included the meeting minutes from the previous regular meeting, was presented for approval. The board asked if any members wished to remove items from the consent agenda. Hearing none, a motion was made by Trustee Sakura and supported by Trustee Chapman to approve the consent agenda as presented. The motion was unanimously approved with five votes in favor and two members absent.
Discussion on Bereavement Leave Policy Adjustment (01:16:40)
The board discusses a policy adjustment for bereavement leave following a crew member's death, seeking to reimburse PTO for two employees.

Deputy Chief Burkart presented a memo regarding the need to adjust the bereavement leave policy after the unexpected death of a crew member. He explained that two employees were excused from duty under the impression that their time off would be covered by bereavement leave, which was not the case according to current policy. The request was made to reimburse the PTO used by Captain Adam Bennett and Driver Operator Josh Lauer, as the decision to excuse them was made in good faith by leadership. The board discussed the importance of considering crew members as family under the bereavement policy and supported the need for a policy change to include such situations in the future.
Approval of Westridge Site Condominium Final Plan (01:21:00)
The board reviews and approves the final step of the Westridge Site Condominium plan, discussing conditions and future developments.

The board reviewed the final step of the Westridge Site Condominium plan, presented by the planning director. The project consists of single-family homes with private streets, to be maintained by the homeowners association. Outstanding issues related to weather-dependent construction items were discussed, with the developer agreeing to provide a bond to ensure completion. The board also discussed the future extension of Eighth Street and connectivity plans. The project includes rent-controlled homes for middle-income families, as part of a TIFF brownfield initiative. Following public comment and board discussion, a motion was made and approved to move forward with the project.
Sheriff's Office Report (01:35:55)
Detective Adam Kem reports on crime statistics and issues in the township, highlighting increased policing and proactive measures.

Detective Adam Kem presented a report from the Sheriff's office, highlighting crime statistics and policing activities in Oshtemo Township. He noted a significant increase in calls for service, attributed to the addition of community policing officers, which allowed for more proactive policing efforts. The report detailed the most common calls, which were non-criminal in nature, and provided statistics on property damage accidents and violent crimes. The detective highlighted the importance of community engagement in reducing crime and emphasized the positive impact of increased policing presence on reducing retail fraud and other property crimes.
Case Updates (01:45:43)
The detective provides updates on various cases including homicides, embezzlement, and shootings, detailing the progress and challenges in each.

The detective transitions to discussing case updates for the past year, mentioning homicides in May and June with suspects in custody, an October homicide in Mount Royal, and a large-scale embezzlement case involving the ATF. Other updates include several shootings, some resulting in prosecutions, and CSC cases that were prosecuted. The detective also highlights attending crime reduction meetings and onboarding with the FBI task force.
CIT Training Discussion (01:51:00)
Discussion about CIT training for officers, its importance for mental health crisis calls, and officer participation rates in the training.

A board member asks about CIT (Crisis Intervention Team) training for officers, emphasizing its value in handling mental health crises. The detective acknowledges the training's importance, especially in collaboration with mental health professionals, and agrees to provide more information on officer participation rates at the next meeting.
CRRT Team Explanation (01:53:05)
The detective describes the CRRT team, an undercover unit focusing on illegal weapon carriers, and explains their methods and constitutional considerations.

The detective clarifies the role and operations of the CRRT (Community Response Resource Team), an undercover unit that conducts surveillance to identify individuals illegally carrying weapons. The team uses training to establish probable cause for detaining individuals, focusing on public areas rather than private residences.
Resolution Establishing Poverty Exemption Guidelines (01:59:41)
The board discusses and votes on a resolution to establish poverty exemption guidelines linked to minimum wage, reflecting the board's commitment to supporting vulnerable community members.

The board considers a resolution to establish poverty exemption guidelines based on minimum wage, expressing pride in supporting seniors, veterans, and low-income residents to prevent them from losing their homes. The resolution is part of an annual action by the board, and a motion to approve it is passed unanimously.
Consideration to Approve Distribution of Proposed Comprehensive Master Plan (02:02:59)
The board discusses distributing the draft comprehensive master plan for public comment, emphasizing transparency and community involvement in the planning process.

The planning director explains the need to distribute the draft master plan for public comment, in compliance with state law. The plan has undergone planning commission review with public input considered. The board encourages further community feedback and votes to approve the distribution of the plan.
Fourth Quarter Budget Amendments (02:05:23)
The board reviews and approves fourth quarter budget amendments, addressing funding needs and returning unspent funds to their original sources.

The board discusses fourth quarter budget amendments, focusing on reallocating funds to cover shortfalls and returning unspent funds to their respective funds. The amendments include considerations for various departments, and a motion to accept the amendments is approved.
Discussion on Road Commission Engagement (02:07:42)
The board discusses the need for improved engagement with the road commission and understanding new funding mechanisms, such as the neighborhood roads fund.

A board member raises concerns about the lack of transparency and engagement with the road commission, especially regarding the neighborhood roads fund and how it benefits the township. The public works director provides insights into the road commission's budget and funding mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of continued advocacy for township projects.
Discussion on Road Funding and Township Needs (02:16:08)
Discussion on how road funds are allocated among townships, the impact of potential marijuana tax, and the need for proactive engagement with the road commission.

The meeting included discussions on the distribution of road funds among townships, considering factors such as preventive maintenance and matching funds. The uncertainty of marijuana tax implementation and its impact on road funding was raised. Suggestions included Anna's proposal for a different allocation strategy to benefit more townships. The importance of proactive engagement with the road commission was emphasized, with suggestions for joint meetings to address township needs.
Public Comment Session 1 (02:24:25)
Public comments focused on environmental concerns, proofreading offers, and support for the master plan's countryside character.

Bruce Gothe commented on environmental research and proofreading, expressing appreciation for the master plan's countryside character. He emphasized the importance of maintaining the area's natural features and expressed opposition to industrial development that could threaten the tranquility of the countryside.
Public Comment Session 2 (02:28:30)
Residents expressed concerns about the proposed battery storage system, emphasizing the need to preserve the countryside and tranquility.

Several residents voiced opposition to the battery energy storage system (BESS) proposal, highlighting how it contradicts the master plan's vision of a tranquil countryside. They raised concerns about noise, environmental impact, and the mismatch with residential zoning. The public urged the board to use their zoning power to protect the community's character.
Board Member Comments and Updates (02:35:01)
Board members shared updates and thanked the public for their input, with discussions on committee assignments and community planning.

Board members provided updates on various topics, including parks and historical society events. They expressed appreciation for public participation and assured residents of their commitment to addressing community concerns, particularly regarding the BESS issue. The supervisor discussed upcoming agenda items and the importance of balanced information dissemination.