Meeting Notes 6-11-24
Meeting Notes from the June 11, 2024 Meeting of the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners.
Meeting Packet: https://www.miottawa.org/CalendarDocs/2024/1717796436087-packet.PDF
Meeting Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SB9OkoqdLwU&list=PLyDvvIv66xGdxnFV8qE1q-mhjSDl32WsD
Sentinel Meeting Roundup: https://www.hollandsentinel.com/story/news/politics/county/2024/06/11/ottawa-county-debates-appointment-of-kleinjans-to-committees/74058785007/
Sentinel Tweet Thread: https://x.com/SentinelLeach/status/1800513260367843585
Tax Year 2024 Millage Rate Resolution: The Board voted to approve the resolution established millage rates for tax year 2024.
Summary:
Each September the County is required to hold a public hearing prior to adopting the annual budget. In addition to providing an opportunity for the public to review and comment on the proposed budget, it is also a formal notification of the proposed millage rate for the upcoming year. As such, in the advertisement, it must be clearly stated that the "property tax millage rate proposed to be levied to support the proposed budget will be a subject of this hearing."
The County is limited by law to millage rates, with current taxable values (excluding new construciton, improvements, and losses) that does not exceed the consumers price index. This is commonly referred to as the "Headlee Calculation" after the 1978 Headlee Amendment to Michigan's constitution. Since then, units of government are required to annual calculate a Headlee rollback factor. This calculation can only be completed when taxable values are set in April, seven months into the fiscal year.
This year, millage rates are rolled back .9906 of the the prior year maximum allowable millage rate because total taxes dollars exceeded the amount allowable under the 1978 Headlee Amendment.
Brownfield Plan Amendment for Terra Station Ventures LLC: The Board approved a resolution approving the Brownfield Plan Amendment for Terra Station Ventures LLC located in the City of Hudsonville.
Summary:
Terra Station Ventures LLC submitted an application for a Brownfield Plan Amendment (the Amendment) to the Ottawa County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (OCBRA). The project, commonly referred to as Terra Station, proposes to construct a complex of 12 buildings with associated parking and infrastructure improvements. Eleven buildings will be comprised of residential rental units and one will be a mixed-use concept with retail space on the ground level and residential rental units above. Of the 141 units of new housing stock this project will create, the applicant commits to maintaining 35 of those units at an affordable rent rate targeted to 80% - 95% Area Median Income (AMI) earning residents. The project is sited at 3302 Prospect Street in the City of Hudsonville, the former site of Farmers Co-op.
The Amendment requests approval to capture a maximum of $5,772,634 in State and local taxes over a maximum of 18 years, as allowed under the Brownfield Redevelopment Financing Act. The captured taxes will be used to reimburse Terra Station Ventures LLC for eligible costs as defined by Act 381, including potential rent loss related to the affordable housing units that created a financing gap for the developer. This reimbursement amount will not exceed $4,303,100. The remaining capture will be used to reimburse the OCBRA for administrative costs, deposited into the State Brownfield Revolving Fund as required by the Act, and deposited into the Local Brownfield Revolving Fund.
Agreement for Economic Development Services: The Board approved a three-year Agreement for Economic Development Services with Lakeshore Advantage Corporation at a cost of $150,000.00 per year for a total cost of $450,000.
Ottawa Sands Ecological Enhancement - Change Order: The Board approved the addition to the contract for GEI consultants in the amount of $99,963 for work at Ottawa Sands lake shoreline enhancements.
Ottawa County Parks Coastal Resiliency Project: The Board approved a contract with GEI Consultants of Michigan in the amount of $274,684 for professional services related to coastal resiliency feasibility and preliminary engineering at Ottawa Sands and Harbor Island in the City of Grand Haven.
Idema Explorer’s Trail Eastmanville Bayou Segment Easement: The Board approved an easement from Joselyn Paola Vallejo for trail construction of the Eastmanville Bayou segment of the idem a Explorers Trail for a cost of $3690.
Grand Haven Courthouse Alterations: The Board voted to create a capital project for Probate Court alterations in the Grand Haven Courthouse.
Summary:
The Probate Court will occupy Courtroom 2A in the Grand Haven Courthouse after the Family Justice Center is operational. With this move, Probate Court will require a public service window in the main hallway, an e-filing area, and secure record storage.
This project was originally going to be completed in-house, but due to engineering and code requirements, Facilities will be consulting with an engineering firm to complete drawings and then hire contractors to complete the work. The initial budget ($72,520) for this project is a reallocation of funds that Probate Court originally included in the General Fund operating budget to purchase a filing system, fund the actual cost of the move, and savings from a seperate inititive.
FY24 Budget Adjustments: The Board voted to approve FY2024 budget adjustments per the above schedule.
Area Community Service Employment & Training Council (ACSET): The Board voted to remove Commissioner Rebekah Curran from the Area Community Service Employment & Training Council (ACSET) and to appoint Commissioner Chris Kleinjans to the vacancy.
I was disappointed that my motion to place Commissioner Kleinjans on more than just the ACSET Council failed. As Commissioners, we are here to give representation to the residents of Ottawa County and the consituents of our districts. Denying Commissioner Kleinjans the opportunity to represent and serve only exacerbates the problem of a Board that has struggled over the past year to serve all Ottawa County residents equally and hurts residents' ability to access the representation they deserve.
