Meeting Notes 7-28-20

Written By Doug Zylstra
IMG_4571.jpg
June:July Budget Adjustments.png

2020 Budget Adjustments: Among the adjustments, there were the following larger items:

09–438 — This amendment reduces contract services because CMH will be supporting the jail with internal staff. No change in service levels.

10–224 — It is a timing issue related to cost base reimbursement revenue. Ottawa County recorded a payment in 2019 that we expected to receive in 2020. This happened just before we finalized the audit and therefore, we are making an adjustment in the current year.

10–429 — This is a grant we received from the State for veterans. The grant will fund transportation services, computer equipment, signage, and communication regarding veterans assistance.

Extension of the State of Emergency in Ottawa County: The Board approved the Resolution to extend a State of Emergency within Ottawa County due to the COVID-19 pandemic through September 28, 2020. More on the State of Emergency here.

Mileage Policy: The Board approved a revised Mileage Policy which:

1. Documents the the IRS mileage rate will be updated annually on January 1.
2. With limited exception, weekend call-in not be paid commuting mileage.
3. Requires employees to have a valid driver's license and Michigan auto insurance, which includes liability coverage, on a personal vehicle to receive mileage reimbursement. In the event of an auto accident the employee's auto insurance is considered the primary coverage.
4. Clarifies, with pictures, the difference between in-county and out-of-county travel, and what is eligible for reimbursement.

Bend Area Expansion: The Board approved the grant agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources of the Bend Area Expansion.

Background: In 2016, Ottawa County Parks was awarded a $729,000 grant from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to assist with the purchase of several parcels of land totaling 231 acres from three ownership entities. The goal was to expand the Bend Area Open space as part of a long-term initiative to establish a major park site in northeast Georgetown Township. In July of 2019 the grant agreement was amended to revise the target purchases to 149 acres and to extend the project completion deadline to July 31, 2020 as needed for negotiations and resolution of legal issues with two property owners. Since that time, Ottawa County Parks has completed the purchase of 87 acres from one of these property owners, and the Board of Commissioners approved the purchase agreement for the remaining 62 acres. However, the time needed for environmental work, surveying, and preparing the final closing documents could put the project past the July 31 deadline. Therefore, an additional amendment for extension of the grant agreement was required.

Riverside Park repaving: The Board accepted the low bid from Tulip City Asphalt paving, Inc. in the amount of $90,840 for paving renovations at Riverside Park.

Background: As part of ongoing efforts to maintain high quality facilities, several older park sites are scheduled for renovations to bituminous drives and parking areas. Riverside Park is in need of crack sealing, patching, and repaving of most parking areas. In addition, new paving will be required in areas impacted by a separate project to replace culverts under two sections of road and a pathway to improve connectivity between the river and bayou.

This project combines all of these needs in one paving project to be completed later this summer or early fall. Budgeted funds are $171,000.

Baker Events lawsuit: The County Health Department was recently named in a lawsuit by Baker Events, arguing the the Governor’s recent executive Order against indoor gatherings of ten or more individuals should not apply to their events center, because the executive order has not been enforced against worship services, and that both the wedding and the reception should be allowed at the Holland venue.

As of last Friday, the litigant Couple had removed themselves from the Lawsuit after Judge Robert Jonker declined to grant their request in an order issued Thursday afternoon. More here.

Absentee Ballot Pre-Paid Postage: Ottawa County took the initiative in early May to send Absentee Ballot Applications to all County residents ahead of the August 4 and November 3 election. This was a very worthwhi;e initiave, one that the State of Michigan itself saw fit to undertake on behalf of all Michigan residents. However, now that voters have begun to respond enthusiastically, the issue of making sure the final ballots get into local clerks is a paramount one. One tool that we can undertake now is to make sure every ballot comes with pre-paid postage both as a convenience for voters and a cost savings, since the cost of two stamps, the usual manner in which voters post their ballots, exceeds the actual .65 cost of sending ballots back.

Everyone is guaranteed the Right to Vote, and if we can facilitate that Right, and do so in a way that saves money for Ottawa residents, I think we should do that.

Purchase Service Agreement: The Board approved the Purchase Service Agreement for Specialized Transportation Services from Hope Network West Michigan in the amount of $10,000 to be used to provide Ottawa County veterans with transportation to various types of medical appointments at the various VA clinics, hospitals or physicians. The grant would provide funds for a Veterans Medical Transportation Payment Program in coordination with Ottawa County’s Veterans Service Organizations that provides for payment to the various medical transportation providers that service Ottawa County. The Veterans Medical Transportation Payment Program would be coordinated and administered through the Ottawa County Department of Veterans' Affairs (OCDVA).

Ottawa County Parks: Ottawa County Parks Program and Events have been limited due to COVID-19, but we are adapting. Online and virtual nature programs are available, here: https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/MIOTTAWA/bulletins/2960802


Doug Zylstra
Previous

Meeting Notes 8-6-20 // Strategic Meeting