Road Commission of Kalamazoo County - December 16, 2025 Board of County Road Commissioners Meeting

Updated about 16 hours ago

Gavel to gavel coverage of the December 16, 2025 meeting of the Board of County Road Commissioners of the County of Kalamazoo. Stay engaged as decisions are made affecting your county road system.

Chapters

Call to Order (00:00:47)
The meeting of the Board of County Road was called to order.

The chair called the meeting to order to begin the proceedings of the Board of County Road.
Public Comment Guidelines (00:00:53)
Guidelines for public comments were outlined, including time limits and procedures.

Ms. Roger explained the public comment guidelines as per the Open Meetings Act. Participants can address the board at the beginning and end of the meeting for non-agenda items, and comments should be given at the podium or via Zoom with a three-minute limit.
Pledge of Allegiance (00:01:57)
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by the attendees.

The chair invited the attendees to join in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.
Approval of Agenda (00:02:42)
The agenda for the meeting was approved without any changes.

A motion was made to approve the agenda as presented without any discussion or opposition. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Payroll and Vendor Accounts (00:04:02)
The payroll and vendor accounts were approved, noting high payroll due to winter maintenance.

A motion was made to approve the payroll and vendor accounts. The managing director noted the high payroll expense due to multiple days of winter maintenance, including weekends and holidays. The motion carried.
Public Comment on Non-Agenda Items (00:05:25)
The first opportunity for public comments on non-agenda items was offered.

The chair invited public comments on non-agenda items, allowing each speaker three minutes. No comments were made at this time.
Public Hearing on Draft Budget (00:05:54)
A public hearing was conducted on the draft budget, detailing revenue and expenditure projections.

The managing director presented the draft budget, explaining the anticipated revenues from various taxes and grants, and the planned expenditures for road improvements and maintenance. The budget assumptions included potential future revenue from state funding changes.
Public Hearing on Primary Road Capital Improvement Plan (00:16:24)
The draft primary road capital improvement plan was reviewed, focusing on road and bridge projects.

The managing director reviewed the five-year capital improvement plan for primary roads, including safety, rehabilitation, and maintenance projects. The total investment and funding sources were discussed, with a goal to maintain roads in good condition.
Approval of Michigan Department of Transportation Contract (00:27:06)
A contract with MDOT for improvements on Comstock Avenue was approved.

The board approved a contract with the Michigan Department of Transportation for preservation improvements on Comstock Avenue. The project includes paving, drainage, and signing improvements funded by surface transportation program dollars.
Approval of Budget Amendment Resolution (00:29:00)
A budget amendment resolution was approved, incorporating additional MTF revenue.

The board approved a budget amendment resolution to reflect additional Michigan Transportation Fund revenue expected in the fourth quarter. This adjustment aligns the budget with the revised revenue projections.
Approval of Primary Road Capital Improvement Plan (00:31:16)
The primary road capital improvement plan was approved, allowing project flexibility.

The board approved the five-year capital improvement plan for primary roads. The plan allows for flexibility in moving projects forward if funds become available, with a focus on maintaining road conditions.
Approval of Goals and Performance Measures (00:35:05)
The goals and performance measures for the organization were approved.

The board approved the organizational goals and performance measures, which include road safety, financial management, public service, and employee engagement targets. The measures aim to improve road conditions and service delivery.
Adjournment (00:40:00)
The meeting was adjourned after all agenda items were addressed.

After completing all the agenda items and discussing any additional questions, the chair adjourned the meeting.
Discussion on Policy Changes: Non-Motorized Facilities (00:40:38)
The application for non-motorized facilities will be removed from the policy and made available online as a standalone document.

The discussion centered around changes to policies related to non-motorized facilities. The main change is the removal of the application from the policy itself. The application will now be available online, allowing townships and organizations to submit it ahead of projects to aid in planning and coordination. The goal is to streamline the process and improve accessibility for the public.
HR Policy Changes: Bereavement Leave (00:41:49)
Bereavement leave for immediate family increased from three to five days of paid leave.

The HR policy regarding bereavement leave has been updated. Employees will now receive five days of paid leave instead of three for the death of a parent, stepparent, or parent of the employee's current spouse. This change aims to provide more support to employees during difficult times.
HR Policy Changes: Floating Holidays (00:42:19)
New hires will now be eligible for floating holidays in their first year of employment.

Previously, new hires were not eligible for floating holidays. The updated policy allows employees hired before December of the current year to take advantage of two floating holidays. This adjustment provides new hires with more flexibility in their holiday scheduling.
HR Policy Changes: Performance Incentives and Salary Reviews (00:43:12)
Performance evaluation forms updated to align with new policy standards for incentives.

The policy regarding performance incentives and salary reviews has been updated. The performance evaluation form has been changed to match the new policy standards. This ensures that the evaluation process is consistent and reflects the current criteria for performance incentives.
HR Policy Changes: Sick Leave Payout (00:43:57)
Employees will receive 100% payout for unused sick leave, aligning with the collective bargaining agreement.

The sick leave policy has been adjusted to provide a 100% payout for any unused sick days, in line with the collective bargaining agreement. This change incentivizes employees to minimize sick leave usage while ensuring they are compensated for unused days. For retirees or deceased employees, sick leave will be prorated and paid out accordingly.
Approval of Revised Board Policies (00:45:41)
Revised board policies A through F were approved after discussion and motion.

The board discussed and approved a motion to adopt revised board policies labeled A through F. The discussion highlighted the efforts made during the board work session to thoughtfully consider these policies, which aim to recruit and retain a well-compensated workforce.
Nominations for Board Positions (00:47:17)
Nominations were opened for board chair and vice chair positions for one-year terms.

The board opened nominations for the positions of chair and vice chair, each serving a one-year term. The current chair, Dave, was nominated to serve another year, with Larry Strau nominated as vice chair. No other nominations were made.
Committee and Township Assignments (00:48:38)
Committee and township assignments for board members were discussed and approved.

The board reviewed and approved the committee and township assignments for its members. Some changes were made to township assignments to avoid scheduling conflicts. The discussion also included a review of roles on various local committees and boards.
Establishment of Board Meeting Schedule (00:55:09)
The board meeting schedule was set to every other Tuesday, accommodating payroll and vendor approvals.

The board established its meeting schedule to occur every other Tuesday at 3 PM, which aligns with the need to approve payroll and vendor accounts. The timing also accommodates staff work schedules to avoid overtime.
Appointment of Managing Director and Chief Engineer (01:00:17)
Travis Baru was appointed as managing director and clerk; Ryan Minkus as chief engineer.

The board appointed Travis Baru as the managing director, fulfilling the roles of clerk and superintendent as per statutory requirements. Ryan Minkus was appointed as the chief county engineer, responsible for statutory functions related to engineering.
Public Comment and Managing Director's Report (01:02:27)
Public comments were heard and the managing director gave a report on activities and updates.

During the public comment section, a request for a joint meeting with the Oshtemo Township board was discussed. The managing director provided updates on recent activities, including policy meetings, weather impacts on operations, and staffing updates.
Commissioner Comments and Reports (01:07:02)
Commissioners provided updates on committee activities and expressed thanks for staff support.

Commissioners shared updates from their respective committees and expressed gratitude for the hard work of road commission staff, especially during challenging weather conditions. They also acknowledged the support they receive from administrative staff in fulfilling their roles.
Motion and Vote (01:14:40)
A motion was made and seconded, followed by a unanimous vote in favor.

During this agenda item, a motion was proposed, seconded, and put to a vote. All members present voted 'aye', indicating unanimous approval of the motion.