Meeting Notes 1-26-21
Meeting Notes from the January 26 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
Meeting Packet: https://www.miottawa.org/appImages/Calendar/1611346459994-packet.PDF
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KKDKbThnNo
Sentinel Roundup: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/news/20210127/ottawa-hoping-for-more-vaccines-to-give-out
Update from Public Health: Public Health Director Lisa Stefanovski updated the Board on recent Covid statistics and news. Director Stefanivski reports that the State of Michigan is changing their formula to how we will be getting our share of the vaccine, based on population. Currently, we are still struggling to get our fair share, based on population. Last week, we received 975 doses for first time vaccinations as well as 975 doses for the second vaccination, which bring the total number of vacconations to 6683 total. Phase 1A in Ottawa County is nearly complete. To sign up for the vaccination in Ottawa County, please visit here. You can also sign up for the special vaccination session at Devos here. You do not need to be a Kent County resident to participate in the Devos/Spectrum vaccination. More here.
Monthly Budget Adjustments: The Board voted to approve the monthly Budget adjustments, which included a number of grants important to help the County deal with Covid-19 spread and containment.
Declaration of a Local State of Emergency Resolution: The Board approved 9 to 2 the Resolution to extend a State of Emergency within Ottawa County due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Summary:
The Board of Commissioners adopted a resolution to declare a local State of Emergency at its meeting on March 24, 2020. The Declaration permits the County Administrator to take various emergency actions related to County-specific policy without prior Board approval. More on what the Declaration does and does not do here.
I voted no on the new Emergency Declaration extension, not because I don't believe there is an emergency. Far from it. Rather, I believe that, at this point, any adjustments that we need to make going forward to County policy can and should be done through regular Board order. In addition to regular Board order, I believe there are sufficient options in place to handle exigiencies, such as post-execution emergency contract ratification as well as short notice Special Meetings. And if things change drastically, or if for whatever reason the Board is unable to take the necessary steps, we can always reinstate.
2021 Ottawa County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan: The Board voted to approve the 2021 Ottawa County Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan as the official planning document for the Ottawa County Parks Commission and to recommend transmittal of the plan to the State of Michigan.
Summary:
A year long planning process including extensive public input and analysis of park goals and resources has culminated in the final draft of the 2021 Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Plan. The plan specifically addresses desired capital improvement projects to meet the needs of the County's growing population as well as meet the requirements of State grant programs to allow Ottawa County to remain eligible for these funds. The Plan is intended to guide Ottawa County with its parks, recreation, and open space planning and development efforts for the next five-year period. An overview of key aspects of the plan is as follows:
+ Continues emphasis on high-quality maintenance and operations with projections of long-term capital renovation needs. Over one-third of discretionary (non-operating) millage funds are dedicated to renovations of current park facilities.
+ Identifies key property acquisitions and funding to enhance and expand park properties.
+ Calls for efforts to improve and develop the Macatawa and Pigeon River Greenways, Ottawa Sands, the Bend Area, and to complete the Idema Explorers Trail along the Grand River Greenway.
+ Continues efforts to meet and exceed ADA accessibility guidelines at all lands and facilities.
+ Provides flexibility to consider other unexpected opportunities and expand existing park properties. + Continues focus on providing quality nature education programs throughout the park system.
+ Expands emphasis on communications to residents of available opportunities for optimal park use.
The plan also includes detailed budget projections and a capital improvement schedule. The plan notes that the current dedicated parks millage combined with grant funds has allowed the Parks Commission to provide a large and high-quality park system to serve residents and visitors. However, with continued park expansion, a higher percentage of millage funds are now devoted to operations and maintenance, creating greater reliance on other funding for new initiatives.
Short-term Lease with West Michigan Agricultural Education Center: The Board approved a short-term lease with the West Michigan Agricultural Education Center be extended by one year to allow farming activity in the 2021 season.
Summary:
Ottawa County Parks leases land to the West Michigan Agricultural Education Center (WMAEC) at Eastmanville Farm for the purposes of creating a farm park and educating the public about agriculture in Ottawa County. WMAEC leases 83.1 acres on a long-term ten year lease that expires at the end of 2021. They also lease 5.5 acres (see map, areas 1 & 2) in short-term leases that expired in 2020. Staff recommends extending the short-term lease one year to allow staff to initiate the process for restoration planning.
Idema Explorers Trail - Allendale Segment: The Board approved the trail easements from Robert and Harriet Austin at 12222 60th Ave. at cost of $2,000.00 and from Dale and Kathy Knoper at 11840 60th Ave. at a cost of $1,215.45.
Summary:
Ottawa County Parks has been working along various portions of the Idema Explorers Trail route to acquire easements that would facilitate construction, reduce overall costs, or improve the user experience along the trail. These easements allow construction in a location where there is not enough usable road right-of-way to construct the trail and to save existing large trees along the road right-of-way in Allendale Township. The Austin easement was negotiated from the estimated value of $1,890.00 to $2,000.00. The Knoper easement is at the estimated value.
Ottawa County Sewage Disposal Refunding Bonds: The Board authorized the issuance of Not to Exceed $465,000 Ottawa County Sewage Disposal Refunding Bonds, Series 2021 (Chester Township System No. 1).
Summary:
It is in the best interests of the County and the Township that bonds be sold to refund the Prior Bonds with pledging of the full faith and credit of the County. This proposed refunding will result in an estimated True Interest Cost of 1.470546%, with an estimated Net Present Worth Savings of $103,237.56. The annual debt payments will be reduced from the current average of $42,453 per year to approximately $26,212 per year. This will allow Chester Township to forego future planned rate increases necessary to service the existing debt and allow debt rates to stabilize for their sewer customers. I voted yes because, while this put the General Fund at a very low level of risk, I believe that is balanced out by the cost savings we can help achieve for Chester Township residents.
Upgrade the County's facilities to LED: The Board approved the contract with Matrix Consulting Engineers to provide lighting consulting services to upgrade the County's facilities to LED lighting in the amount of $77,500.
Holland District Courthouse Locker Room Project: The Board voted 10-1 to approve the low bid from T2 Construction to construct separate men's and women's locker rooms at the Holland District Courthouse.
Summary:
Currently, the Holland District Courthouse has a fitness center, but it does not have any shower facilities. The County ris seeking to transform the existing storage area north of the existing lower level fitness center into locker rooms, showers and toileting facilities. There will be separate facilities for men and women. I voted no on the Holland District Courthouse Locker Room Project, not because I don’t think that providing shower facilities isn’t important, but because I believe there are less expensive, more gender inclusive options available that we could and should pursue.
Administrative Rule 26 and 27: As part of the existing Declaration of Emergency, Administration has promulgated rule 26 and 27. Rule 26 allows quarantined employees to use sick pay, and Rule 27 increases pay rates for various Health Department employees.
If you have any further questions, about these or any other items, please don’t hesitate to reach out at 616.443.4281 or dzylstra@miottawa.org
