Meeting Notes 1-28-25
Meeting Notes from the January 28, 2025 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners
Meeting Packet: https://boards.miottawa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/01282025-packet-draft-compressed.pdf
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/live/E0JoD5mjrtU
Sentinel Meeting Roundup: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/county/2025/01/28/ottawa-county-approves-employment-agreement-with-rosema/77967356007/
ONN Tweet Thread: https://x.com/ONNLeach/status/1884386805555880087
ONN Meeting Roundup: https://www.ottawanewsnetwork.org/untitled/?ref=ottawa-news-network-newsletter
Comment: U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin is hosting a Webex webinar to address the recent changes in federal policy affecting our local communities. The webinar will be held Thursday, Jan. 30 at 3:15 p.m. and is open to elected and institutional leaders in Michigan. Sen. Slotkin will be joined by staff from her policy, regional and constituent services teams.
Register here:https://senate.webex.com/weblink/register/r688441e48d0ea2ffebe147f42a050724
Please note the form includes an optional field for submitting a question in advance. If you have any questions, please contact Maria Moore at maria_moore@slotkin.senate.gov.
Parks Foundation Project Agreement for Rosy Mound Expansion: The Board approved the Project Agreement between Ottawa County Parks Foundation and Ottawa County Parks and Recreation Commission for the Rosy Mound Expansion.
Historic Ottawa Beach, West Michigan Park Association, VanDyk Parking License: The Board approved the License Agreement to provide access and parking for West Michigan Park Association, VanDyk lot (0 North Park Avenue), or one substantially similar.
Employment Agreement for Interim County Administrator: The Board approved the employment agreement for Interim County Administrator Rosema at a cost of $14,000 per month.
Settlement offer in the John Gibbs Case: The Board approved a settlement offer in the amount of $190,000 to settle all existing legal actions against Ottawa County.
I voted yes because, while there were serious allegations against Mr. Gibbs back in February of 2024, I do not believe that the Board had made an adequate case for cause against Mr. Gibbs when it voted to remove him. This has been a problematic situtation which has left us in the position where the current legal actions taken against us could well be successful and much more expensive than the $190,000 that we are settling for today.
Board and Commission Assignments: The Board approved the Chairman’s recommended appointments of Commissioners to community boards, commissions, authorities, and councils.
Appointment and Alignment Committee: The Board approved the creation of a five-Commissioner ad hoc committee titled the Appointment and Alignment Committee, whose purpose shall be to bring forth qualified candidates to the Board of Commissioners for appointment to open seats on county-based boards, commissions, authorities, and councils, and, to review and make recommendations to the Board of Commissioners for adjustments to term expiration dates of non-Commissioner appointments to county-based boards, commissions, authorities, and councils, such that said appointments are in alignment with their respective bylaws and, where applicable, state statute.
The following five Commissioners to the Appointment and Alignment Committee:
Josh Brugger
Phil Kuyers
Doug Zylstra
Allison Miedema
Jordan Jorritsma
I am grateful for the opportunity to once again take up the role of interviewing candidates for placement of our many Boards and Commissions, and look forward to carrying out the the work of having Board and Commission terms that match state statute and internal bylaws.
Community Mental Health Board Vacancy: The Board voted to approve and appoint Jordan Jorritsma, on an amended motion, to fill the vacancy of Seat A which expires on 3-31-25 on the Community Mental Health Board and to approve and appoint him to a new term effective 4-1-25 to 3-31-28.
I voted yes on the Motion after a motion to appoint Vonnie VanderZwaag, which I supported, failed
Interlocal Prosecution Agreement: The Board approved the Interlocal Prosecution Agreement between Ottawa County and Allegan County.
Post-Execution Ratification of Contracts: The Board ratified all contracts for the period of December 20, 2024, to January 28, 2025, currently pending on the post-execution ratification list, as shown below.
FY2025 Budget Adjustments: The Board approved the monthly FY2025 budget adjustments per the below schedule:
