Kalamazoo Charter Township - Board of Trustees - February 24, 2025 Board Meeting

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Kalamazoo Charter Township - Board of Trustees - February 24, 2025 Board Meeting

Updated about 19 hours ago

The board discusses plans for new public safety and Township buildings, focusing on architectural designs and budget considerations. They review road project proposals from the Road Commission of Kalamazoo County, with discussions on prioritizing streets and potential adjustments to the proposed projects. The board also appoints members to the board of review, including Mr. Warren Cook, Mr. Denise Hartson, and Mr. Don Martin, to address tax assessment appeals. The meeting includes presentations from architects and engineers on building designs and site plans, highlighting efforts to incorporate sustainability and community needs.

Chapters

Call to Order and Welcome (00:04:39)
The meeting is called to order by the Cal Township Board of Trustees, with a new setup resulting from a recent retreat.

The Cal Township Board of Trustees calls the meeting to order, welcoming everyone and noting a slightly different setup as an outcome of their recent retreat over the weekend. The aim is to have a more informal and true working session.
Presentation by Lindsay O'Neill (00:05:00)
Lindsay O'Neill from Integrated Services presents on behavioral health and crisis intervention collaborations.

Lindsay O'Neill from Integrated Services of KSU presents on the collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health services. The presentation includes a history of the work done by Bob Kevi and the paradigm shift towards treating behavioral health issues outside the criminal justice system.
Discussion on Crisis Intervention and Data Analysis (00:07:00)
Discussion on the crisis intervention team, data analysis of behavioral health calls, and collaboration with ISK.

The discussion includes the establishment of the crisis intervention team, the analysis of data from behavioral health calls, and the collaboration with Integrated Services of KSU (ISK). The goal is to divert people from the criminal justice system to appropriate treatment and to use data to support sustainable models.
Post-Incident Follow-Up and Data Sharing (00:16:00)
Yasmine's role in post-incident follow-up and the importance of data sharing for behavioral health interventions.

Yasmine shares her role in post-incident follow-up, reviewing calls for service, and creating interventions. The importance of data sharing between law enforcement and behavioral health services is emphasized, along with the challenges of missing information and the need for continuous improvement in data accuracy.
Questions and Future Directions (00:25:00)
Questions from attendees about the collaboration with ISK and future plans for expanding services.

Attendees ask questions about the types of youth issues being addressed, the extent of ISK's involvement, and future plans for expanding services. The discussion includes the challenges faced, such as tracking transient populations, and the aim to have more embedded clinicians in police departments.
Local Road Participation Fund Discussion (00:41:45)
Discussion on the local road participation fund and upcoming projects.

The board discussed the local road participation fund, which involves Township contributions to road projects. Clarifications were made on the flexibility of choosing which roads to fund, with emphasis on matching funds from the Road Commission.
Board of Review Appointments (00:47:51)
Appointments to the Board of Review were discussed, with a vote requested.

The necessity of appointing members to the Board of Review was discussed, along with the urgency due to the statutory requirements. Proposed appointees were named and their qualifications were discussed.
Public Comment Period 2 (00:49:01)
A second public comment period was held with no comments made.

The second public comment period was opened, inviting members of the public to speak. Again, no public comments were made during this time.
Pledge of Allegiance (01:05:05)
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited to open the meeting.

The meeting began with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, affirming commitment to the flag and the nation.
Roll Call (01:05:21)
Trustees and officials present were listed and their attendance was confirmed.

Roll call was conducted to confirm the presence of board members and other officials. Trustee Sherwood was noted as absent, and a motion was made to excuse the absence, which passed unanimously.
Approval of Agenda (01:05:48)
The agenda for the meeting was reviewed with no additions or deletions.

The board reviewed the agenda for the meeting. There were no proposed additions or deletions to the agenda, and it was accepted as presented.
Public Comment Period 1 (01:06:01)
An opportunity was given for public comments, but none were made.

The first public comment period was opened, allowing members of the public to speak for three minutes each. No public comments were made in the room or via Zoom.
Consent Agenda Approval (01:06:27)
The consent agenda was presented and approved without opposition.

Clerk Mackey presented the consent agenda, which included routine items such as approval of payments and the purchase of equipment for the fire department. The consent agenda was approved unanimously.
Building Projects Overview (01:07:12)
An overview of current and future building projects was presented.

Superintendent Moore introduced the presenters, who gave an overview of the architectural plans for new building projects, including a public safety and township building. Details of the site plans and facility needs were discussed.
Discussion on Building Design and Features (01:20:09)
Discussion on building design with a focus on garage and prisoner area layout.

The meeting starts with a detailed discussion on the design of the new building, focusing on the enlarged garage and the prisoner area. The design includes a sally port for secure prisoner transport without entering the main building areas. The upper and lower levels of the building are discussed, including accessibility and the decision to have one elevator on the police side due to cost and maintenance concerns.
Accessibility and Logistics (01:21:04)
Discussion on building accessibility, elevator logistics, and public versus employee access.

The logistics of accessing the building's different floors are discussed, with considerations for public and employee access. Details on how the elevator and entrances are configured, and the decision to forgo a second elevator due to cost, are deliberated. The building's design aims to ensure that the township side is fully accessible on the first floor, minimizing the need for public use of the lower levels.
Building Appearance and Cost Estimation (01:25:49)
Considerations for building appearance in a traditional style for cost estimation purposes.

The building's exterior design is discussed, with the choice of a traditional craftsman style to aid in accurate cost estimation. The design aims to be fiscally responsible while maintaining an appealing aesthetic. The challenges of roof design and the potential use of flat roofs for mechanical equipment are considered.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability (01:32:48)
Discussion on energy efficiency, sustainability options, and potential geothermal use.

The meeting discusses potential energy efficiency measures and sustainability options, including the use of geothermal energy. The feasibility of different HVAC systems and the importance of designing for long-term cost efficiency are discussed. Environmental sustainability is a priority, with considerations for future enhancements like solar panels.
Fire Station Site and Design (01:44:02)
Overview of fire station site plan, design, and changes due to new land acquisition.

The site plan for the new fire station is presented, with changes made possible by acquiring additional land. The design includes considerations for maintaining existing trees, the layout of driveways, and secure parking for fire station personnel. The floor plan segregates public, apparatus, and living areas to optimize functionality.
Discussion on Building Design and Layout (01:49:06)
The meeting discusses various design elements of the building including toilet rooms, day rooms, and conference spaces with a focus on functionality and aesthetics.

The discussion focused on the design elements of a new building project, covering aspects like private toilet rooms, day rooms with windows, and the option of a covered patio. The potential use of a mezzanine for storage or mechanical equipment was also mentioned. Different design concepts, such as craftsman style roofs and punched windows for a residential feel, were considered. The conversation included the flexibility of training rooms being used as community rooms, the placement of police training facilities, and the design of the boardroom with conference room accessibility.
Security and Accessibility Considerations (01:55:00)
Security features and accessibility of the supervisor's office and reception were discussed, emphasizing transparency and ease of access for the public.

The discussion highlighted the importance of security and accessibility in the building design, particularly for the supervisor's office and reception areas. There was a focus on ensuring easy public access while maintaining security. The idea of using glass doors and side lights for transparency was explored. The conversation also touched on bullet-resistant materials for certain areas to enhance safety.
Exterior Design Preferences (02:05:00)
The board discussed preferences for the building's exterior design, considering the balance between modern and traditional elements.

The conversation revolved around preferences for the building's exterior design, with board members expressing views on modern versus traditional styles. The craftsman look was favored, though concerns about it appearing too 'churchy' were noted. The use of different materials like brick and stone veneer for cost-effectiveness and aesthetic appeal was discussed. The goal was to achieve a welcoming look that communicates responsibility and quality.
New Business: Board Appointments (02:15:00)
The board moved to appoint Mr. Warren Cook, Mr. Denise Hartson, and Mr. Don Martin to the Board of Review, followed by a roll call vote.

Under new business, the board addressed the appointment of Mr. Warren Cook, Mr. Denise Hartson, and Mr. Don Martin to the Board of Review. The motion was discussed and subsequently passed with a roll call vote, with all members voting in favor.
Resolution on Asset Level Test (02:16:00)
A resolution approving the asset level test for the Board of Review was discussed, including corrections to the funding source description.

The board discussed a resolution to approve the asset level test used by the Board of Review for granting exemptions. Attorney Seber clarified that the funding source indicated as Fire Capital was incorrect and should be removed. The resolution is part of an annual requirement to adopt an asset level test for exemption determinations.

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